As regular readers know, Nino the cat, was diagnosed with diabetes about nine months ago, and has been receiving insulin shots twice a day since that time. Seven weeks ago he had a hypoglycemic crisis, complete with convulsions and coma, which he not only survived, but has rebounded from with amazing vigor.
The most amazing thing of all -- Nino has gone into remission. As of yesterday, he no longer needs insulin at all.
I did some research this morning, and learned that Nino's diabetes was probably the result of steroid use. Nino suffers from extreme allergy to fleas, and had been receiving steroid shots three times a year for several years. Since being diagnosed with diabetes he no longer received the shots (we give him a Capstar every days to kill the fleas instead), and that allowed his pancreas to rebound. I did learn that even diabetes that is not steroid induced can also go into remission in cats, if they eat a low carbohydrate diet.
Leads me to wonder if taking steroids has a similar affect on the human pancreas -- like the steroids in my asthma medicine Advair.
1 comment:
How wonderful that Nino's diabetes is in remission. You raise some timely questions for follow up.
Hugs and blessings,
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