Tuesday, May 9, 2017

Confidence in His Future

While Came is feeling good after her most recent illness, my foster-cat, Parker, is also the subject of good news.

Every month, I perform a ‘curve’ on him, as I do for my other diabetic cat, Tucker, in order to determine their levels of blood-sugar in relation to the insulin they receive. This I have described before. I and the veterinarian on the case have been adjusting Parker’s insulin dosage, to achieve the best results, and this weekend, the orange boy’s number were satisfactory.


The ‘curve’ itself was a good one, demonstrating that the insulin is having a strong beneficial effect. The lowest number, when the insulin accomplishes the most, was 12.8. This is not as low as we would like it, but it is a good result nonetheless. Parker is receiving five and a half units of insulin in both the morning and the evening and, though the doctor was ready to recommend one more half-unit, she is reluctant to do so, as five and a half is nearly too much as it is. The 12.8 reading, combined with Parker’s adequate water-consumption and disposal, and his otherwise healthy behaviour, showed us that he is doing well, and managing his diabetes. If the next ‘curve’ produces similar numbers, then he will be considered stable and healthy enough even for a dental procedure that he needs.


My furry foster-pal’s relations with water are, as mentioned, adequate, and could be better. He drinks too much still, and deposits too much in the litter-box, but both are less than they have been. With a regular, controlled dose of insulin, this matter may improve. Indeed, his drinking is deceptive: he will spend several minutes at the water-bowl, but most of the time is taken up with drinking by first dabbing his paw in the water, then licking the moisture from it. He will then stoop and drink directly, but in all, he doesn’t take in as much as it may appear.


So, while Parker has improvements to make, he has come some distance toward them, and continues in the same advantageous direction. His interaction with the other cats progresses slowly, but there have been instances of nose-sniffing among the boys, and there is less, often no, anxiety when the orange boy is roaming about. He and I are confident in his future.

17 comments:

  1. Yay for Parker! This is great news, both on the health-front and on the integration-front. Kudos to you for caring for him so diligently, for caring *about* him to begin with.

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  2. Congrats to both of you. You are such a good fur-parent and so very much aware of all your cats needs. Hoping Parker continues to progress well.

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  3. Thank you for the ipdate on Parker. I hope his condition continues to improve. It is due to your care and attention that Parker is making such good progress.

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    1. The orange boy is an easy patient, and he was well-cared for prior to coming to me, so much of his condition is not my doing. Even so, good news such as this is gratifying.

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  4. dood....thiz iz troo lee good nooze....sure we wood like ta see de dia beetez take a hike for both ewe N de codd father; but; that itz knot doin werse izza good thing...heerz hopin for a lower number next curve time round !! ☺☺♥♥

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  5. YAY Parker!! we knew he was in good hands with you

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  6. You're doing such an incredible job with Parker, John. His diabetes is on the way to being controlled, and the other cats are accepting him more and more. Also, you're giving him the love and attention he needs. God bless you!

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    1. I fear that his diabetes - and Tucker's - will always linger, as I simply don't have the time to devote to them. But I aim to give them good and happy lives, if not lives free of their conditions. Thank you for your compliments.

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  7. Hurrah for Parker! It is really a blessing you can perform his curves at home. Stress related hyperglycemia is less of an issue and you get much more accurate readings. He certain looks the soul of relaxation and contentmeby. He knows he's well cared for and that he has an amazing cat dad to love him.

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    1. I too am pleased that I can conduct his curves at home. When a blood sample was taken at the veterinary, the blood was very dark and the doctor suggested the glucose number that resulted was skewed due to stress. Parker still dislikes his curve-days, as does Tucker, but I am better at it than I was, and it takes only a minute for each sample. I am fortunate to have good patients.

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  8. That is good news that Parker is doing well thanks to your care for him. I am glad that Cammie is feeling good.

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    1. Thank you for your comments. I know that this is a difficult time for you for a number of reasons. Take care of yourselves.

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  9. what wonderful news regarding Parker! I love news like that...when the fur babies are improving in health.

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  10. It is very difficult to regulate blood sugar and we applaud your working with the vet to keep Parker in the sweet spot.
    By accident I recently discovered that the crew simply love water in a cup. I had a drink I left out and was amazed at the crowd who congregated around to get at the water. I now leave a full cup and need to refill it at my work break and dinner. Amazing how cats sometimes love something different and new.

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  11. That is fantastic news! You do such a wonderful job with all of the cats John.

    Eileen

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  12. You are doing a good job, I am glad Parker is doing well and heading in the right direction.

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  13. Hurray! Another kitty blossoming under your care :) I hope you realize that you are a wonderful cat dad :)

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