Update on Woody Cat...
Woody had another 3-week follow-up visit with Dr. Sisco on Monday morning. As usual, he cried the entire 10 minutes it took to get there and up to the time when the tech took him back to do the blood draw for his glucose test. Poor Woody! He just doesn't like being confined and he REALLY doesn't like riding in the car.
Anyway, when the tech called me, I went into the available Exam room to wait for Dr. Sisco to come in and talk to us. Turns out Woody's glucose level was exactly the same as 3 weeks ago -- MUCH lower than when I first took him in, but still about 80 points above what is considered acceptable for a diabetic cat.
Dr. Sisco said she was suspicious that it is the STRESS involved in coming to the office that is making the reading high and asked if I would grant permission for her to do a Fructosamine test. After finding out the cost ($80) I said, "Well, we have to find out!" and she carried Woody back to the lab for another blood draw. They were back in less than 5 minutes and Dr. Sisco said, "He is such a good boy! He never protests; just sits on the table and lets me poke him with the needle. What an exceptional cat he is!"
The results from the test would be available later in the day, and Dr. Sisco said she would call me.
Of course the phone never rings until I am in the shower....but Dr. Sisco did leave a detailed message for me at 5:30 p.m. Turns out she was correct -- that Woody's actual INSULIN level was spot-on where it SHOULD be with the managed diet and the "spike" is most definitely caused by STRESS. She said she was very pleased with this result and unless he starts peeing a lot again, that she doesn't really need to see him for another 2 or 3 months. WOO HOO! This is wonderful news. So all I have to do is keep him on the Rx cat food and keep an eye on his water consumption and urine output.
I had told her that Jake and Woody had really started to PLAY again the last four or five days -- a sure indicator that Woody is feeling better and more like his old self. Jake, of course, is on a WEIGHT LOSS DIET and not particularly happy about it, but he's begging less and moving around more which is a good thing. This morning, they were racing from one end of this house to the other and then zipping out on the lanai and carrying on out there. Fun to watch and such a relief to see them both acting more like young cats again.
So to all of you who have expressed concern about Woody, thanks so much! I am relieved that we were able to get his diabetes under control in such a relatively short period of time and that so far it looks like he will be able to maintain without insulin shots. Almost forgot to mention that he gained another 1/2 pound, and is almost back to his normal weight of 15 lb. That may sound like a lot, but Dr. Sisco said it's the ideal weight for a cat of his size (tall with a long back!)
xoxo
Anyway, when the tech called me, I went into the available Exam room to wait for Dr. Sisco to come in and talk to us. Turns out Woody's glucose level was exactly the same as 3 weeks ago -- MUCH lower than when I first took him in, but still about 80 points above what is considered acceptable for a diabetic cat.
Dr. Sisco said she was suspicious that it is the STRESS involved in coming to the office that is making the reading high and asked if I would grant permission for her to do a Fructosamine test. After finding out the cost ($80) I said, "Well, we have to find out!" and she carried Woody back to the lab for another blood draw. They were back in less than 5 minutes and Dr. Sisco said, "He is such a good boy! He never protests; just sits on the table and lets me poke him with the needle. What an exceptional cat he is!"
The results from the test would be available later in the day, and Dr. Sisco said she would call me.
Of course the phone never rings until I am in the shower....but Dr. Sisco did leave a detailed message for me at 5:30 p.m. Turns out she was correct -- that Woody's actual INSULIN level was spot-on where it SHOULD be with the managed diet and the "spike" is most definitely caused by STRESS. She said she was very pleased with this result and unless he starts peeing a lot again, that she doesn't really need to see him for another 2 or 3 months. WOO HOO! This is wonderful news. So all I have to do is keep him on the Rx cat food and keep an eye on his water consumption and urine output.
I had told her that Jake and Woody had really started to PLAY again the last four or five days -- a sure indicator that Woody is feeling better and more like his old self. Jake, of course, is on a WEIGHT LOSS DIET and not particularly happy about it, but he's begging less and moving around more which is a good thing. This morning, they were racing from one end of this house to the other and then zipping out on the lanai and carrying on out there. Fun to watch and such a relief to see them both acting more like young cats again.
So to all of you who have expressed concern about Woody, thanks so much! I am relieved that we were able to get his diabetes under control in such a relatively short period of time and that so far it looks like he will be able to maintain without insulin shots. Almost forgot to mention that he gained another 1/2 pound, and is almost back to his normal weight of 15 lb. That may sound like a lot, but Dr. Sisco said it's the ideal weight for a cat of his size (tall with a long back!)
xoxo
Replies
P.S. I looked up Fructosamine Testing in Pets on the web and got a full explanation of how this test works. Very interesting reading for anyone who may have a pet with diabetes, but too involved to write here.
I saw the picture of the cats you posted on facebook they look happy and healthy.
I didn\'t know you are on Facebook would love to have you as a friend. If you want to be friends Find Donna Burrell. I guess I must have missed your kitties were ill. Take Care!!!
Happy to hear that Woody is fine!
I\'m so glad both cats are playing again.
good news..
Glad to hear that Woody is doing better and he and Jake are back to having fun.
Awww, glad your Woody is doing better. Our pets are such an important extension of our families.
Glad to hear Woody is better and the diabetes is under control.
I know you are very relieved about Woody. They are our family members and such a wonderful part of our lives. You sound so great too!
Awesome great news!!!
Glad everything turned out ok
Way to go, happy that Mr. Woody is doing so much better. I go another cat, from a rescue shelter, Petsmart. Mr. Artie Shaw Mouser and Mrs. Mocha C. Mouser. hugs
YAY!!!
Kathi, I am so thrilled to hear the news is so good about your darling cats. I have been so cut off from the world because my computer died a couple of weeks ago, and so I have had such limited access to a computer for my personal contact with friends etc. So sorry I did not even know you have were having a very worrying time about your dear Woody, but so happy to hear things are going so much better now. ((((hugs))))