No Plans for Neville

Neville is insulin-resistant. This causes a number of issues related to uncontrolled diabetes, including the possibility of eventual blindness due to cataracts. I have been researching the possible causes of the resistance Nev’s body is presenting to insulin, but have come up with nothing definite – certainly nothing treatable.

Two of the possibilities are Cushing’s Disease and acromegaly. The former is very rare, and produces symptoms that are not being shown by my cat. The latter is more likely. Acromegaly is caused by a tumour, usually benign, on the pituitary gland; it forces the gland to excrete growth hormone that it shouldn’t. Among the effects are a resistance to insulin. Other symptoms include increased body weight, decreased condition of the coat, enlarged feet, enlarged internal features (which creates difficulty breathing) and a broadened face.

The problem with this diagnosis is that the Nevsky has only some of these symptoms, the most significant one – the broadened face – he does not appear to have. I include two photographs below, the first from a couple of years ago, the second from today. Though my boy has aged rather more than he should have in the interval, I don’t think his visage is larger. What do you think?

His breathing is more audible, however, his body weight is substantial and his fur is worse than it was. I suspect, though, that these conditions could arise from the diabetes working its ill magic, and so may be the effects of the effects of the cause of it all, if you know what I mean, rather than the direct effects of acromegaly.

I spoke with Neville’s veterinary and he agrees that acromegaly is a possibility, but didn’t offer much hope of treatment, even if Nev has it. To determine acromegaly’s presence, Nev would have to undergo various scans. To fight the condition, if it exists, there is radiation therapy, and chemo-therapy; both are expensive and provide their own adverse reactions. As well, they aren’t immediate cures. Neville would have to suffer continuing treatment, with numerous hospital visits, possibly not even in my city. I don’t feel that I can put him through something he would greatly detest.

I asked the doctor if Neville is in pain or discomfort. He said that Nev is probably feeling “off” all the time. I imagine it is much like a diabetic human feels when he is not receiving a proper dose of insulin. Perhaps any diabetic reader could let me know the extent of that discomfort.

Neville continues to eat, and I can tell by his posture, especially when he sleeps, that he is not in pain. He is feeling poorly, I am sure; “all overish”, as Mr Parker might have termed it. I don’t think this is a situation that calls for drastic measures regarding his future.

For now, I will give him what makes him happy. This morning, he hopped up onto my lap and lie there purring for more than half an hour. He is still content with his life, I think; as content as a fairly grumpy old man can be. Until that changes, my Nevsky will remain with me, my friend and companion.