Keito Update: BGL Curve Tests at the vet

His BGL curve test results weren't as great as we would have liked (it tends to drop too much after 2pm) but instead of trying different insulin, we will try feeding 4 small meals a day (1/2 tin of food 4 times a day). Instead of morning, midday, evening, he will be on a slightly "Hobbitized" feeding schedule. Morning, Midday, afternoon snack, evening meal.

Dr D did say that even if these numbers don't change or he doesn't go into remission, as he is alert, active, eating, drinking, uhh visiting the litterbox regularly, and being ‘more 'Keito', and isn't in any sort of insulin shock, we can stay with this treatment. He *is* 14, so making his twilight years comfy is more important than the perfect BGL curve.

He is back home, and I just wish you could hear the purring.

Good news and bad news

Good news: my BGL, Iron, Cholesterol, Liver, Kidney, blood pressure, heart rate is freaking fantastic!  Better than average.  (muppet cheer) Thyroid levels lowest end of normal which is why I am back on thyroxine. Wish my outsides looked as healthy as all my insides tests show I am.

*sigh* Bad news: Knee MRI results: I have a torn meniscus, two areas... and a touch of arthritis. The arthritis I already knew about, as it's been like that with that knee for over 30 years (was injured way back when)

Have referral to knee specialist, same one that repaired Wing 's knee (even though HE says it's debatable, but he's walking better, limping less. He just didn't get his magic wand repair to make it like he was when he was 20)

Keito Update: Home sweet home.

We were able to bring Keito home last night, after we were given a demonstration as to how to give him his insulin injection, his new feeding schedule, and what to keep an eye out for regarding anything adverse.

When we got him home, Trance was “Ooooo you’re back!” and sniffed him all over. Ziggy was pretty much the same.  Big boofy Loki reacted as if he had seen a ghost!

Much pats, scritches and happiness about having him back home.

This morning:

Where’s my breakfast!  I was awakened by gentle nibbling on my fingers and my cheek.  IOWs, back to normal behavior!

Breakfast is served, and Loki no longer behaving as if Keito is a ghost. 

Prepped Keito’s single insulin injection. 

The injection was so easy, the needle so small, that I had to double check to make sure the syringe was empty.   Keito is now snoozing in his favorite ‘after breakfast’ spot. In Alan’s room.

As I typed earlier, I know our time with him is limited. 4 maybe 5 years, but I want those years and want him as healthy as possible during them

Keito Update, Morning Edition

Went to the vet for an in house pet visit. We weren't even all the way into the room before Keito started meowing.. LOUDLY. Demanded to be pet and patted NOW.  Considering the limp dishrag that we brought in Sunday, this is one helluva improvement.

PET ME NOW, HUMANS!

It seems that Keito might be able to get by with only having one small dose of insulin a day.  Three feeds a day (half a tin of food three times a day), one insulin injection, as two makes his BGL drop too low.  Also, the dose he needs is smallish.  This augurs well for him going into diabetic remission, as low dosage of insulin needed is one of the criteria.

Plan of action today: Morning feed, small dose of insulin 30 minutes later.  Afternoon feed, fresh water. BGL test. Evening feed. 30 minutes another BGL test.  See what the 'curve' is. Don't mind a wavy line, just do NOT want peaks and valleys.

Keito Update, Morning edition

When we entered the kennel area, Keito whipped his head around, looked at us, half blinked his eyes (cat version of a smile), and started purring his bones apart. No longer a limp bit of fur!

We brought in some tins of his favorite food. Popped one open. He immediately got up and started meeping at us. Put half of it in a small dish, and he proceeded to inhale it. Remember, he didn't eat Sunday, had to be force fed via a syringe Monday, and Tuesday morning. The fact that he is eating with a hearty appetite is a good sign.

Diabetes: BGL up again over night, that is normal. BGL was 12, not 19 or 21 this time. And this is on a smaller dosage of insulin.Now that he has eaten, they will wait, test blood, then give appropriate even smaller dose of insulin.

Dr M was thrilled at how well Keito is responding, that it's "One of the best responses she's ever seen."

After we latched the cubby door shut, Keito immediate started meowing, meeping and whining to be let out. Another good sign. So, today, hoping to get gentle curve of BGL instead of peaks and valleys.

I know he's 14.. and that our time with him is limited. Probably another 4 to 5 years,  but I want those years.

Keito is at the Vet

Sunday morning, Wing found Keito laying on the floor, not moving or reacting to being spoken to. This is very unusual for Keito, as he is a very chatty moggie.  He had been fine the night before.

Called South Street Vet, and managed to get him seen too immediately.  He was so limp, he just laid across Wing's arms on the exam table, unmoving.  He was dehydrated. So, he was admitted, had an IV hooked up, and his blood tested.  His Blood Glucose Levels were 8x of what they were supposed to be. He went from type 2 diabetes that could be controlled by diet, to type 1, the kind that needs insulin injections.

Monday report: Two low doses of insulin after being fed, and now it's 3.1. They still have to syringe feed him, as he tends to not eat when he is at the Vet, even if it's for a day.

No kidney, no liver, no heart or lung damage and his BGL is down. He is still a bit lethargic, but not to the point he was yesterday or this morning. Of course part of that could be because he is AT the vet, and not at home.

Tuesday aka today; we went in to see him, and to bring in some food from home.  He was alert, awake, and got up to walk over to us. Then the "Purrminator" (his nickname) started.   
Had a quick chat with Dr D. Keito's BGLs went up overnight, but I think that is to be expected. Insulin given, will be tested, then fed.

Discussed his treatment, and Dr D did say they were going for remission. Believe it or not, Keito NOT being obese lowers the chances, however his general good health boosts it back up.  He has up to a 67% chance of going into diabetes remission after treatment. Fingers crossed.

Tuesday PM:  Dr M called. It seems our visit perked Keito up. He really enjoyed the tin of food we brought in, so we will bring in some more tomorrow morning.

Diabetes: it seems that the low dose of insulin needs to be even lower as his BGL was 2.8. It needs to be a bit higher than that, so he needs lower dose of insulin after he eats. He also has a mild bladder infection, which is normal when there is glucose in the urine. All good, being treated.

Vet 'fessed up that it was very touch and go Sunday when we brought him in. His current status is damned good.

I've got good news, and bad news

Good news: the problem isn't fatal.

Bad news: I might have been walking around on a torn meniscus for the past two months. Have to schedule an MRI to confirm, but Dr H is fairly certain of his prognosis.  Will get MRI results and see what to do from there.

At least I didn't wait like Wing did, for 4+ years before seeing to it, so won't have developed arthritis in the joint.

Just what I needed.. another camera.

My little point and shoot IXUS 115 HS stopped working. The lens wouldn't come out, it would stick, and the mechanism would make a grind-y noise.

I got the Stylus 1 to be the at hand point and shoot.  Well, a few weeks ago, dug out the IXUS to get the SD card, and dropped it on the carpeted floor.  As the battery was still in it, I decided to power it up.

It's working again.  Whatever was causing the lens to make grinding noises is 'fixed'.  I guess it was a combination of "Did you turn it off and back on?" and "Just give it a good whack" repair.

RIP Richard Hatch

After a battle with pancreatic cancer, Richard Hatch has died, aged 71

I was fortunate enough to have met and had a long conversation with Richard during one of the SupaNova events in Perth.  It was quiet, not a lot of people, still afew die hards hanging around for autographs.  I got to talk to him for a while, twice.

“Never let others decide how good you aren’t”  was one of the best pieces of advice he shared with me.  He also told me (and it seems others) “Say yes. When you do, other opportunities will come along.” (or variations thereof).

He loved life, teaching, acting, writing, producing, mentoring.  He will be sadly missed.

#SoSayWeAll

It was beginning to look like a Hitchcock scene!

Wattlebirds, and New Holland, Singing, and Brown Honeyeaters all lurking and chirping because the feeders were empty!

Human heeded, took out bucket for warm soapy water, a pitcher of fresh 'nectar' and the garden hose. Scrubbed, rinsed then refilled the feeders. Put water in the ant moats.

I was watched by a Wattlebird

And a family of New Holland Honeyeaters wasted NO time to start feeding

 

This was a first

I ordered our groceries yesterday, and they arrived early. That wasn't 'the first'..

Alan put the groceries away, and checked the list.   5 large items missing. This was the first.  Also, have a grocery bag with two bags of grated cheese and a loaf of garlic bread we didn't order.  Seeing the list of our missing items, and what we mistakingly received, I surmised a bag got switched.

Called Customer Care - Told her the list of my missing items, and the things I didn't order.  She also agreed that seeing as both bags had chilled/refrigerated items, there was probably a switched bag.

Seeing as the missing items are the majority of the menu for the weeks, AND Ziggy and Trance's food, kind of need it.