Calloway's glucose STILL high at 469 on Feb 13th :(

**Moesha** · 01-22-2009, 09:40 PM

That's the insulin my friends in Knoxville used. It was WAY more expensive than what my vet prescribed. They had trouble getting their kitty regulated with it, but I know many vets prefer it. How often does Calloway go in to be tested? Morgan went every 2 weeks.

**Emeraldgreen** · 01-22-2009, 10:32 PM

I'm sorry to hear that Calloway's insulin levels aren't regulated yet. That insulin is expensive! Barney was on Canninsulin and it was pretty cheap. The vet sent us home with half a vial and I think it was less than 15.00. Maybe you could see if another brand could be used that might be more effective for Calloway and cheaper for you.

I have been trying to keep Paddy on a stricter diet and now he is off the Temptation treats altogether and finaly lost a few pounds. I think they are pretty fattening but boy do they love 'em! He loves food so much though that I can give him dry food as a treat because he doesn't free feed so any crunchies are welcomed by him. He gets about a cup in total per day spread out.
Please give Calloway a BIG hug for me.

**weluvcats** · 01-22-2009, 10:49 PM

Poor thing...I have never had a cat with diabetes, but I can imagine how difficult and frustrating it must be to get them regulated on their insulin.

I know how frustrating it is to get dueling opinions from different vets about the same thing. Do you have a favorite or regular vet that you prefer? If you can, try to stick with them, although I know it's not always possible to see them if they're in surgery, off for the day, or just booked. In the meantime, ask lots of questions, and trust your gut instincts.

Good luck, and hugs and prayers to you and Calloway!

Judy

**smokey the elder** · 01-23-2009, 07:38 AM

Every cat is different. PZI works for Moby; maybe it doesn't work for Calloway, or maybe not enough time has passed.

**funny felines** · 01-24-2009, 06:40 PM

ask the vet which is it? maybe tell them they keep telling you different things. probably they want the kitty to stay at a certain weight, not too thin but not overweight either, and I know that isn't easy. good luck . sending prayers for you kitty!!

**bowlkat** · 01-24-2009, 09:30 PM

FYI, the insulin our #1 diabetic cat used, and the one we SWITCHED our #2 diabetic cat TO, AFTER the inflammatory response that blinded him, is PZI. THAT is the GOOD one.......And YES, it is frightfully expensive, roughly 3-1/2 times the price of the bilge that blinded our guy...... and YES, the PZI, good as it is and expensive as it is, has also been DISCONTINUED-- we are working on existing stocks of manufactured PZI which expire in 2010, and praying that the company succeeds in getting FDA approval of their 'replacement' feline insulin BEFORE all existing PZI insulin expires. They've filed the NDA, now it's in FDA's hands. Meantime, we have a stable, happy, active, BLIND cat, whose diabetes is well-regulated and who's making the best of things.... it just took time.
So you all know: NO ONE we've dealt with in his situation has EVER seen this blindness reaction before--and we've dealt with a LOT of vets, generalist and specialist, in this guy's case-- so, it's NOT something anyone else should have to worry about or live in fear of. But getting your guy's diabetes regulated and stable is enough of a headache by itself.
Keep up the good work-- if he's bellowing for food and eating well, you're probably not TOO far from where you need to be-- next visit, double-check with the vet's and make sure your injection technique is OK, and injection-site0 location selection, and all that-- just keep taking any variables you can think of OUT of the picture, keep narrowing it down until his metabolism decides to be happy and regulated.....once it all falls into place, it's a wonderful thing. Even mostly to entirely blind, our guy is a VERY happy, healthy, good-living fellow now-- affectionate, playful, everything like it should be-- and since no one bothered to inform HIM that he's 'handicapped', the blindness doesn't seem to phase him much, he's adjusted, we just don't rearrange furniture much, is all (I'm not sorry for that excuse!). He's a happy guy and living a VERY good life, and telling us about it all the time-- which is the whole idea, right? HAPPY CAT, that's what we were after and that's what we've got!

Stay patient, stay informed, keep watching him, keep loving him-- and GOOD LUCK-- you'll get there- and both of you will love it when you arrive-

**Moesha** · 02-07-2009, 09:50 PM

How is Calloway doing?

**jennielynn1970** · 02-10-2009, 09:47 PM

He's being a grump and s*it about getting his injections now. He squirms, he cries, he basically makes me feel like crap about having to give him the injection. I switch shoulders so that it's not always the same one, and he gets treats while getting his meds, but it's not working like it was before.

I'm not sure where to go with it from here. I can't handle struggling with him every day. Mentally.. it's just draining on me. I know he needs it, but geez... I wish he'd make it easier.

We have a vet visit on Friday afternoon, so we'll have to see how bad his levels are again.

I'm wondering if there is a pill that I can give him (Jen L. mentioned one), but I don't know how well it regulates diabetes. I want him to be well. Not sickly and on death's door. He worries me all the time. He still drinks a ton of water. He still peees lakes in the litter box. His food is SOOOO controlled now... it shouldn't be like this.

UGH.

eta: my depression just makes this all the harder for me to do and so deal with, so if I seem to sound really down, that is one of the reasons.

**Moesha** · 03-25-2009, 07:50 PM

How is Calloway?

**jennielynn1970** · 01-23-2009, 05:48 AM

Originally Posted by Moesha

That's the insulin my friends in Knoxville used. It was WAY more expensive than what my vet prescribed. They had trouble getting their kitty regulated with it, but I know many vets prefer it. How often does Calloway go in to be tested? Morgan went every 2 weeks.

He goes in every two to three weeks. Every time he's been over 400!

I got home yesterday after work, and boy did he yell at me!!! I had only left out what was left of his morning serving to last through the rest of the day, which really wasn't more than 2 Tbsp. full. I left at 5:45am, got home at 4:45pm, and had one HUNGRY and unhappy camper, lol! He gave me the most annoyed sounding meow I've ever heard, and he looked totally ticked off. Ears to the side, little eye brows furrowed. He was really too cute, lol.

I'm hoping that maybe since I'm back to work, and he'll not be getting crunchies from me during the day (I thought he could have extra) maybe he'll be able to be regulated better??

I'll cut back on the Tempations, but I won't take them out all together. He's such a troooper with getting the shots and all, he really deserves SOME treats. Maybe that's just me projecting onto the cat how I'd feel, I dunno. I said Calloway and I are just meant to be, because we are both just very food oriented, lol.