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Duchess is finally getting some treatment!
Vet Appointment: Went to the new vet yesterday afternoon & got her examined. Vet was friendly, listened as well as talked, and seemed competent/intelligent. What a good feeling!
Because I'd been unsuccessful at getting her records transferred, I suggested simply doing another diabetes monitoring panel. It probably wasn't necessary but I wanted a backup plan to get things STARTED finally.
She weighs slightly under thirteen pounds now. Two weeks ago she weighed in at fourteen and a quarter at the old vet's (different scale); before the UTI she was 14.5; a year ago she was (IIRC) fifteen. Thirteen's fine, but the rapid drop isn't.
Murphy's Law said she wouldn't have any urine ready when she went in. I brought her back this morning for that. She's getting awfully tired of the carrier and the car.
New Diet: We got her some new high-protein low-glycemic-index food. The vet warned me that many staple cat foods have a lot more carbs than cats have evolved to eat. Sure enough, when I got home I saw that the food I had been using has corn meal as its first ingredient. Wow. Good to get her diet changed I'm sure. I'm transitioning by mixing new and old and gradually changing the mix. I am told that as long as the other two cats don't have kidney problems, they'll also do better on this than on the old food. That's handy.
No Insulin Yet: The vet was reluctant to start insulin right away. For one thing, we didn't have bloodwork in hand, and for another, sometimes diet is enough in the beginning. I'll get a phone call about the latest lab results some time today; I'll ask then about how we'll assess when and whether to start insulin.
Records Transfer: Finally got my old vet's office on the line this morning. Guy was very friendly and helpful; wish he worked there more often! He's faxing her complete record to the new place. I got her blood glucose number: 361. Yeah. Diabetic all right.
Phew. I am so relieved to have her a) starting treatment b) at a friendly, responsive, available vet c) close to home. I hadn't realized how stressed I'd been. The enormity of the relief surprised me.
Because I'd been unsuccessful at getting her records transferred, I suggested simply doing another diabetes monitoring panel. It probably wasn't necessary but I wanted a backup plan to get things STARTED finally.
She weighs slightly under thirteen pounds now. Two weeks ago she weighed in at fourteen and a quarter at the old vet's (different scale); before the UTI she was 14.5; a year ago she was (IIRC) fifteen. Thirteen's fine, but the rapid drop isn't.
Murphy's Law said she wouldn't have any urine ready when she went in. I brought her back this morning for that. She's getting awfully tired of the carrier and the car.
New Diet: We got her some new high-protein low-glycemic-index food. The vet warned me that many staple cat foods have a lot more carbs than cats have evolved to eat. Sure enough, when I got home I saw that the food I had been using has corn meal as its first ingredient. Wow. Good to get her diet changed I'm sure. I'm transitioning by mixing new and old and gradually changing the mix. I am told that as long as the other two cats don't have kidney problems, they'll also do better on this than on the old food. That's handy.
No Insulin Yet: The vet was reluctant to start insulin right away. For one thing, we didn't have bloodwork in hand, and for another, sometimes diet is enough in the beginning. I'll get a phone call about the latest lab results some time today; I'll ask then about how we'll assess when and whether to start insulin.
Records Transfer: Finally got my old vet's office on the line this morning. Guy was very friendly and helpful; wish he worked there more often! He's faxing her complete record to the new place. I got her blood glucose number: 361. Yeah. Diabetic all right.
Phew. I am so relieved to have her a) starting treatment b) at a friendly, responsive, available vet c) close to home. I hadn't realized how stressed I'd been. The enormity of the relief surprised me.
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Wow, diabetic-ness confirmed. *hugs* and *kitty-purrs* to you both from me and
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*hugs* back to you and *scritches* to
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Smart Vet. Like us bipeds, diet is often enough. Thinking good thoughts for you and Duchess.
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What's the new food?
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We switched to a fancy-schmancy food with no cornmeal and it's made a big difference. Then there was a relapse, and we discovered that the new kitty catnip treats were corn-based. (Now they only get yummy liver treats.)
Best of continuing good luck to you & yours!
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Thanks!
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Grace: They assert that it's made from people food ingredients.
Sophia: And it's actually mostly meat-based, which is good for my beauty. preens
Grace: I think deer are stuffed full of it. I bet I could get a deer. It's probably no match for my mighty huntress skills.
Sophia: They also make...
Grace and Sophia: (in a reverent tone) ...gooshy food.
Grace: It's not as good as the patè but it's really really tasty. We don't like the seafood flavors though. Beef and chicken are the best.
Sophia: Gooshy food is much tastier than dry food. Plus it's, well, gooshy.
Grace: I hope the airplane cat feels better soon. Being sick is no fun.
Sophia: Maybe she needs some of those freeze-dried chicken treats. Those always make me feel better. But I hope she feels better too.
Meow?
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I'll tell the airplane cat you said nice things about her. She is very friendly and will be pleased to hear she has beautiful and mighty online kitty-friends.
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I'm so glad you're getting things under control!
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