Recent Content by jkbank

Thanks Carolina We have checked thyroid levels, in fact at one point they thought it was low (which is unusual in cats) but seems to be ok. They have done x-rays and ultrasound on the heart and kidneys, that was how they discovered the issues. I appreciate your suggestions though :)

Thanks Simka The vet and I both feel that addressing the diabetes is first priority right now. Clearly if we can get that better regulated, that will help the kidneys. However, the skin business has them stumped, and it is certainly distressing for us to see. My poor daughter is in tears over...

Hi there Took Gem to the vet for a recheck. This visit was mainly to see how the meds were working on her heart and liver but also check the diabetes. Her heart looks the same, which is good I guess in that it hasn't gotten worse. I asked for some clarification on the kidneys - they said it...

Hi Sugarcat - just popped on, thanks for your reply! I don't have the numbers from when she was there, but I know from talking to the vet that they remained on the high side. Tomorrow I will be home in the morning so I can get some readings closer to the time of the shot. Her 4 hr had dropped...

Here are numbers for the rest of the day: 2:00 - 335 6:00 - 319 (gave dinner but she didn't eat much) 7:30 - 431 (ate more, gave her 3u) I honestly don't know what to make of this, or is it too early to see anything?

Hi all Gem seems to be doing ok, better than when we brought her home Friday from her week at the vet, still not so energetic but better. I decided to give home BG testing a try best I can. I'm not at home to test every hour or even 2 hours but am trying to get a bunch of samples over a few...

Hi all Gem seems to be doing ok, better than when we brought her home Friday from her week at the vet, still not so energetic but better. I decided to give home BG testing a try best I can. I'm not at home to test every hour or even 2 hours but am trying to get a bunch of samples over a few...

Thank you. I do pop on and do some reading on raw but I don't think I'm there yet! I've considered ordering the Feline Pride (I think that's what it's called) as a way of dipping my toe in, but there's just too much going on in my life to take this on. In addition to Gem and all her new...

Thanks, I just didn't know whether kidney and heart issues presented any dietary restrictions I need to take into account. Not sure how the vet will respond, they want me to be giving her the Science Diet D/M - standard stuff from vets for diabetic cats. As far as I know, the insulin dose is...

Oh, and I suppose I need to discuss the food change with the vet re: insulin dosing? Gem is due back at the vet Tuesday for a recheck of everything. Should I wait and see what her glucose levels are at that time? Haven't really gotten the hang of home testing!

Thanks for your responses…the info you have posted is really interesting and informative! The fancy feast has been great in transitioning them from dry to wet. I do stick with the "classic" variety. Mine like the gravy also, and will sometimes lick that up, walk away and then come back for the...

Hi there, I've posted on the health forum about Gem, my 13yo diabetic cat who was recently diagnosed with heart & kidney problems. Here's a quick food history. For most of her life, we fed Gem Science Diet dry food (feline maintenance, I think, was the one). We didn't know any better, thought...

LOL, that's exactly right! The past day she's been putting her front paws in the box and then peeing on the floor. I can't tell if she can't hop in the box, or this is just the newest incarnation of all this. You know, at some point, we do have to laugh a little to get through all this! Gem...

I don't have the lab work in hand. If I remember correctly, the diagnosis was not just on labs but on ultrasound where I think they can see the damage. I was getting so much info at once that it was hard to take in and remember everything! I know! I was surprised she went for it because the...

Thanks Simka, it is hard to be dealing with so many things at once. And unfortunately, the medication for one thing makes the other worse. Yes, diabetes is a big reason for cats to start elimination issues. I don't know why, beyond that being a main way that kitties tell us something is wrong...