Insulin Resistance Primer from Melissa and Popcorn (GA)

We've all heard about insulin resistance and wondered just what it was and just how common it really was - since its a term that's thrown out there a lot.  Melissa had prepared this document with her Popcorn's assistance to help us all truly understand what insulin resistance is by relating her and Popcorn's story.  Please be sure to thank Melissa next time you bump into her in cyber space!  Выкуп автомобилей, vortex estina.

There are many reasons for "insulin resistance" including true insulin resistance which is very rare.

Popcorn was a VERY difficult to regulate kitty and was pronounced "insulin resistant" by every vet. For many months he was on 32 units of insulin daily (he had to be given 3 shots daily just to keep his bgs under some semblance of control.).

We worked very hard at finding what did and didn't work with him, and finally more than a year after he was diagnosed, we found our solution. With a structured feeding schedule, the addition of Regular (called Neutral in the UK - I don't know if BCP here has the 100% beef Regular), and the 100% beef PZI (we used the UK PZI - as it was the only one available at the time), Popcorn went from 32 units a day to 12 units and under for several years. Enjoy the benefits of click here poker games just now!

Here's the scoop on "insulin resistance."

There are many types of insulin on the market. Many of us have found our biggest success with the 100% beef PZI.

True insulin resistance is uncommon. But a cat can seem to be "insulin resistant," so the following (from Ettinger's textbook) should be checked out:

1. Inactive insulin
2. Diluted insulin
3. Improper administration technique
4. Inadequate dose
5. Somogyi phenomenon (very important - see this link or this link for more info)
6. Inadequate frequency of insulin administration (most cats need shots 2x daily)
7. Impaired insulin absorption (esp. Ultralente insulin)
8. Anti-insulin antibody excess
9. Infection
10. Acromegaly or Cushings
11. Hyperthyroidism
12. Renal insufficiency
13. Liver insufficiency
14. Cardiac insufficiency
15. Chronic pancreatitis
16. Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency

Try to avoid giving injections in the scruff of the neck. The lower down on the body (toward the tummy), the better the absorption.

My Popcorn had chronic pancreatitis and chronic renal failure and yet managed to finally get regulated in spite of these diseases, so there is hope!

We went through Ultralente, NPH, Lente, pork/beef PZI, 70/30 before we found success with the UK PZI (100% manufactured beef).

Feeding schedules are very important when it comes to regulation. Some cats, the lucky ones, can free feed while others must have regimented feeding times. Popcorn couldn't have one morsel of food in-between shots or his bgs would skyrocket. It took us a very long time to find this out, but it made a major difference for him.

We also found that any dry food (higher carbs) caused a dramatic increase in bgs for him. Popcorn also had a history of post meal glucose spiking (post-prandial) and a sluggish onset of the insulin. Consequently, we had to add Regular to his insulin regimen.

Feeding Purina DM or another high protein diet can make a big difference. Adding high quality protein (chopped egg, boiled turkey or chicken pieces) to the meal will help bring down the glucose. The higher the protein content given, the lower the bg. The higher the carbohydrate content given, the higher the bg.

Always make sure that the cat has normal renal function before increasing the protein content of the food.

For cats with good renal function, adding chromium to their regimen can also help bring down the glucose levels.

I HIGHLY recommend that you begin home bg testing if you're not already doing so. It can make the regulation process go much faster as well as save a life.

Hope this helps!
Melissa & Popcorn (GA)