Friday, September 9, 2016

A Victory in Tucker's War

Last weekend, I performed another ‘curve’ on Tucker, something I do once a month to monitor his diabetes. I was surprised by the first reading, which was a lower number than that with which he had ever started the day. I decided to give the roly poly one only a single unit of insulin, rather than three, his usual dose, an indication of how low his numbers had dropped. Throughout the day, his numbers remained very good, though rising toward the evening, when I gave him two units.

This pattern I repeated for the next couple of days, though on Monday, I called the doctor to confer with her about Tucker’s new condition. When I was able to reach her a few days later, I was pleased to be told that the ‘curve’ showed that his numbers were within the ‘normal’ range. The doctor advised me to check Tucker’s numbers before the insulin shot he receives every evening, and if they were within ‘normal’ range (4 to 8), I should refrain from giving him any medicine. When I checked the sausage-cat’s number at about five o’clock, it stood at 6.6. He needed no insulin that evening.

This morning, I checked him again, prior to his morning dose, and his number was 10.5. This is just above ‘normal’, so I did give him his medicine, but only one unit. I will read his numbers again this evening.

I am heartened by this development. After twenty-four hours without insulin, Tucker’s blood-sugar number was only 10.5. I find that reasonable, considering what he has been battling lately. Even if his numbers do not remain within ‘normal’ parameters, if they rise to no more than ten or eleven, then he will have achieved a victory of substantial proportions. He has been receiving insulin doses of three units twice a day for some time now; prior to that, he had been getting four units. Since he received his first insulin injection on September 2nd of last year, I think his progress has been excellent.

I will stay guarded in my optimism, as the roly poly’s latest readings may be anomalies, though I suspect not. A drop even to just one unit of insulin twice a day will be something to celebrate. He continues to be cheerful and active in all other respects, and that, in turn, makes me happy.

19 comments:

  1. So glad to hear of Tucker's latest condition. Love the photo! Looks like he is doing some yoga.

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    1. He lies like that often. I call it his 'bathing beauty' pose. He should be on a towel on a beach somewhere.

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  2. This is fantastic! Is it weight loss? Change of diet? Whatever the reason, good for Tucker and we hope this trend continues. Love his back legs stretched out like that. I can't imagine how that can be comfortable...but obviously he finds it so!

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    1. Unfortunately not weight-loss. He is heavier than ever. His diet is good, but I could never get him to eat what the veterinaries recommend for diabetic cats. I think it is just the insulin hitting the diabetes hard in his case.

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  3. This is great news, John! As you may be aware, diabetic cats can go into remission. My Jeremy was diabetic, and he went into remission for about 3 years. Unfortunately, he needed to be placed on Prednisilone for another condition, and this medication exacerbated his diabetes. But fingers and paws crossed that Tucker is starting to go into a long remission. Please keep us posted.

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    1. It seems that diabetic cats often suffer from other things; very unfair, I think. Tucker has been through a lot, but right now, diabetes is his sole enemy.

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  4. Well done to you and Tucker. It is very heartening to get improved results.

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  5. dood...we iz buzed happee ta heer thiz nooze two....N just purrhapz ya can get yur numberz stay bull enuff two go off yur meds al two gether... N monitor by yur diet ....

    { N we due knot troo lee MEEN d.i.e.t; but like say... eatin 13 flounder a day ~~~~ heerz two a spotted climbing perch kinda week oh end two all !! ♥♥♥

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  6. That is great news, hopefully this trend will continue or get even better. He is so cute :)

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  7. He's such a roly-poly cutie. Glad to hear he's doing well.

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  8. This does seem to be good news. I do hope his numbers continue in the normal range and he remains well. What a relief for you. He is such a sweet cat.

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    1. So far, so good. I take my cats' health a day at a time. That's the way I worry.

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  9. Absolutely fantastic news !
    Me do paws crossed & purrs

    PS : He seriously has a cute butt...tee..heh

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  10. So happy for Tucker and congrats to the human who takes such good care of him!

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    1. Thank you. We can't let our vigilance diminish, though, so Tucker and I will keep watching.

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  11. That is kitty jumping happy dance news. We are so thrilled for Tucker!

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  12. Such good news to hear, after I have had a long absence from blogging.

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  13. I'm glad to hear Tucker seems to be showing some improvement. I love that photo of his fluffy hind quarters =)

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