Bean is Adopted!!

Update 1/9/11--Bean didn't last long as a foster at Jennifer's house. She moved in on 5/22/10 and Jennifer announced her adoption on 6/13/10. And she didn't last long as a diabetic. She only had a few shots of insulin once she left Georgia. Bean is a most joyous cat and an important part of the household. Jennifer says that Bean loves interactive toys, though her favorite interactive toy is Lilly Grace, Jennifer's cat with Cerebellar Hypoplasia. Bean also is a social mentor for the other cats, currently helping to guide Kiki's adjustment into the household. When I come back, I want to be one of Jennifer's cats. This is Bean playing with her straw. ************************************************************** Update 5/19/10--DCIN is bringing Bean on as a foster cat. Jennifer (who adopted Mr. Darcy) will be Bean's foster Mum. We will be able to transport Bean quickly to her new home thanks to Marvie's trip to Georgia. She will be picking Bean up during the wee hours of Friday morning, and driving overnight back to Virginia. The next day, Bean will be transported to me by a lovely group of people on the DelMarVa peninsula, and she will finish her trip to CT either later that day or on Sunday. Because Jennifer is only fostering Bean, Bean still needs a furever home!! But because there is no longer a rush to find her a home, I have changed her "ranking" from 5 out of 5 cats to 3 cats. DCIN also will need donations to take care of Bean's vet bills. Jennifer is donating insulin, other diabetic supplies, food, and litter. If you would like to donate for Bean's vetting, DCIN's donation instruction page is here. ***************************************************************** Update 5/17/10--The situation is getting dire for Bean. She has to leave her foster home by June 1 because her foster Mum is expected a new baby in mid-June. The most important thing for Bean is that her new home be a "stress-free environment (no other animals or must have NICE cats and dogs)." If you read previous posts here, you will see that Bean has anxiety and separation issues that cause stress-related skin and eating problems. She is doing well on the Lantus, I'm told, having a pre-shot on her curve day that was <100. Please read through her entire blog page and, please, consider whether you have a place in your home and heart for Bean. ****************************************************** Update 5/13/10--Bean has been switched to Lantus. Here is a video of her playing. *************************************************************************** Update 4/25/10--I received an email from Abby, the rescue person for Bean.

From her foster Mum Shirin: "Bean is very stable and looks a lot better as far as body condition and hair coat than when she got here. She also is drinking and peeing less than she was when she got here. I still have her on the Novolin-N because her curve last week was quite good. I need to talk to the medicine residents about whether I should adjust her dose or not, but her blood glucose was down in the 100s during the day, which is a good sign. She's also acting happy and playful as ever so I think she's feeling really good. She might be able to be advertised as a fairly stable diabetic at this point. One comment: she's on the exact dose of the exact same insulin she was on when she arrived at my house but doing much better. I think the reason is because she is so much less stressed now that she is in a stable environment without mean kitties (no offense to Elphie). It's amazing how the body can get sicker due to stress. I suppose we should probably recheck her with the internists soon."

Sounds like Bean is really starting to regulate! I do think she gets stressed out and it takes some time for her body to recover. She needs a quiet home with animals that are not very dominant or territorial and will quickly accept her into the fold or no animals at all. Bean also needs a home where there is a consistent schedule and not a lot of deviation from that because it's clear to me she gets separation anxiety when she unexpectedly has to be apart from her caretaker for days at a time. I hope we can still find a furever home for her!

*************************************************************************** Update 4/8/10--I recived an SOS from Abby yesterday. In part:

I just want to update you on Bean. She's still getting a super high reading on her glucometer tests (upper 300s/low 400s) each day so the Novolin doesn't seem to be regulating her. I think I told Venita but the vet school here performed a ton of diagnostic tests, x-rays, blood tests, etc. and she seems to be completely healthy other than this problem with regulating her glucose levels. Her foster, Shirin, is going to do one more curve with the Novolin dosage at 3U, and if we're still not getting any positive results, she's going to be switched to 1U of Glargine every 12 hrs., and we'll do a curve after that to see if things change for the better. I have faith the Glargine will make a big difference but we won't know for several weeks. Otherwise, Bean is doing fine. She was having some separation anxiety, I think, because Shirin went out of town a few weekends in a row and I pet sat for her. Bean seems to be a social eater and even though she doesn't seem to be overly dependent on people, I think she might have PTSD from being outside for months fending for herself amongst a feral cat colony. So, when Shirin was gone several weekends in a row, [Bean] started to itch and over-groom herself and lost hair in patches around her body, particularly her head for some reason. We took her back to the vet school to see about skin problems she might have but she tested negative for anything that might cause this kind of problem. I personally feel that it's a behavioral thing and Bean just needs constant contact with people or other "friendly" animals to keep her anxiety level down. Her hair has almost grown back now, though. Anyway, I am actually having a really difficult time right now providing the foster with all the stuff Bean needs for her diabetes. I never realized how expensive this could get but I don't feel like I have any other choice right now than to care for Bean the best I know how. The Glargine is over a hundred dollars, and I'm getting that over the weekend. The foster needs more lancets and test strips plus litter. Bean goes through so much litter because she's peeing constantly, almost right after she drinks her water. I swear I wouldn't ask you this if I wasn't absolutely desperate but do you know anyone that works with the feline diabetes group who could sponsor Bean? Maybe a few people who could donate some things even if they don't necessarily want to send money? She's using the Contour glucometer you kindly supplied us! Thank you so much for that! It was a real blessing just to have a glucometer for Bean. If people could send Contour lancets, test strips, insulin syringes (don't know how that would work through the mail), etc., that would help Bean so much.

DCIN jumped into high gear. To avoid the out-of-pocket cost of the Lantus (and to use the better packaged 3ml pens), Melissa sent Abby 3 Lantus pens by overnight mail. I have ordered syringes to be shipped from Hocks.com, and also am shipping extra syringes and lancets I had here. I have suggested that Abby purchase a Walmart Reli-on meter and strips, and DCIN will reimburse her. I am really hoping that Lantus will suit Bean much better than the N. I have invited Abby to invite Shirin to join the FDMB so that she can at least read the protocol stickies on the Lantus Group. ********************************************************************** Update 3/30/10--I sincerely apologize for not posting this earlier. This is Linda Lee's report from visiting Bean on 3/7/10.

I met Bean along with Abby & Shirin, her foster mom. I'm not sure how long Shirin's been fostering her but Bean looks well taken care of. In May, Shirin will graduate from UGA as a vet. In vet school, hometesting & owners taking over subQ's, etc. are encouraged. She remarked that she'd like to have people like me as her clients. Shirin's preggers w/baby due in June. She's able to continue fostering until her birth date. For the next few weeks, she'll be sorting their lives & will probably be able to continue fostering until a new home is found. ADOPTION Abby spoke lots about Bean's previous owners, past history, & current history. She's adamant about Bean being adopted by someone who's experienced in FD. There's no problem with Bean going out of state just so she's assured that she's going to a good home. She seems a little worried that Bean may not be adopted. SOCIALIZATION Abby said that Bean's at least 3 yrs old. She's lived with her but her youngest cat seems to terrorize Bean & it upsets Bean. She doesn't feel good about keeping Bean in a separate bedroom. HOME TESTING, CURVES, FRUCTOSAMINE Shirin has hometested Bean with a sterile needle before. She asked how often to test & BID before eating. When I got to her home, Bean was hungry & kept going into the kitchen. I asked Shirin to go ahead & feed her so she wouldn't be upset with anything I needed to look at. Bean ate her Hill's M/D dry & mellowed out. I demonstrated the Ascensia Contour along with the lancet. I offered Abby to hometest Bean but she was hesitant. On the few occasions that Shirin's HT'd Bean, she does it freehand with a sterile needle. I offered the lancet which she liked better than the needle. Five seconds later... 347 Shirin said Bean would be getting a fructosamine check in a couple of weeks. Shirin has the attitude that she's been taught the most up-to-date info so I didn't mention that if hometesting is done diligently there wasn't a need to check fructosamine. When Shirin speaks about her vet, she may be referring to one of her professors as being her vet. (Shirin doesn't have other pets.) She said curves would be done by her vet. Since she'll be testing Bean, I told her that she can do curves at home herself. She knows that it's better not done at the vet's because of stress, etc. not giving accurate readings. ITCHING/SCRATCHING & HYPER T HyperT ~ In looking at Bean's records, I didn't see a T4 test. I asked about that because of Bean's scratching. Shirin's vet said hyperT occurs in more geriatric cats. I remarked that younger cats have been dx'd with hyperT & if her itching returns, she might give testing more consideration. She said her vet will do any tests she asks for. PHYSICAL OBSERVATIONS WALKING ~ normal w/o neuropathy GUMS ~ pink TEETH ~ white & healthy looking NOSE ~ clear EYES ~ clear w/o cloudiness EARS ~ clean UNDERSIDE ~ from the bottom of her tummy to her neck, I didn't feel anything unusual. SPINE & BELLY ~ Can easily feel Bean's spine & no obvious belly sag. Abby wondered why she could feel her spine but since she's recently gained about 2 lbs., is it normal for her belly to sag & her weight not be distributed over her body. Yes, it's normal & she may have more of a pouch because of her pregnancy. I wonder how many times Bean's been pregnant. Her spine felt normal without protrusions. She didn't look abnormal when walking. Her ribs felt fine without extra weight. SIZE ~ Bean's a petite cat. She looks like a 10 mos. to 1 y.o. cat. Her face is small as is her head. Her paws are very small too. I said that Bean seems to be a petite cat. In looking at size charts online, 6+ lbs & Bean's physical appearance, she appears to be within a pound or 2 under normal range. IMHO, she doesn't look like a starving cat at all. She might could use a little fattening up but it may go directly to her belly, as Abby noted. In that case, she could become a chubby petite cat. TEMPERAMENT ~ When we arrived, Bean came to the dining room table which is closest to the front door & kitchen. She wasn't disturbed at all but stayed in the general area to probably check out the new people... not nosy & didn't care about the cat smells on me. She hopped on the chair seat in front of me & gave me a friendly look. I moved my palm-down hand toward her which she head-butted & moved closer for rubs. She didn't complain when I picked her up & allowed me to hold her like a baby. She put up with that for about a minute & turned jump down. She didn't squirm or get feisty to get down. Even Gary was able to pick her up. ~ Bean is INDEPENDENT but seems to like being around people. Not snugly but keeps a close eye out. ~ Bean stays INSIDE ONLY. When Shirin opened the sliding glass door for her 2 y.o. son to play outside, Bean noticed & walked toward the open door. Shirin said a soft "no" & gently closed the door. Bean walked away. ~ REVOLUTION ~ Bean gets monthly flea treatment but I didn't see any evidence on her. ~ INTERACTION WITH 2 Y.O. BOY ~ neither paid attention to the other. When we arrived, the son & his father were sitting outside. Dad asked if we were here to see Bean. The son started saying "Bean, Bean." He obviously loves Bean but doesn't run to her & hold her. It's like they both know that the other are part of their home. Shirin & Abby both said Cyrus is very gentle with Bean. They both said Bean had spent some time with a lab-size dog & she wasn't disturbed. They both said Bean tolerates other cats but I don't know. With Abby's situation with having 4 other cats & Bean in her home, I don't know. ~ Bean didn't jump on the couch or come to me while I sat on the floor. Shirin said she's definitely NOT A LAP CAT which I agreed. INSULIN ~ While Bean was eating, Shirin mentioned that her vet feels that 4u of N bid is the max. Bean's still drinking & peeing more. Shirin gave me the metric measurements but I didn't feel it necessary to remember them. I mentioned a change in insulin & that will be considered. FOOD ~ Bean eats M/D dry exclusively. Shirin said someone was giving her a bag of D/M & she was excited about getting free food that's appropriate for Bean. So I brought up wet food. I explained that most of the FDMB cats are on wet high protein/low carb & it's helped their BGs. Some of FDMB's cats have gone into remission when their diet is changed to wet. Shirin has strong opinions about wet vs dry & referred to several articles on the subject. She understands the controversy but since her vet feels that dry has more protein & fiber to be better for FDs, she agrees that dry is better than wet. She asked what kind of food my FD cat ate which I said that he changed to wet about 6 mos. into insulin. I couldn't answer that it helped his FD because, as Gary spoke up, we couldn't get Napoleon regulated. I mentioned that dry has more carbs than wet which isn't good for diabetics. As I said, Shirin was very adamant that she & her vet's opinions for dry food were best. In my mind, I could hear Dr. Lisa ranting. :) NIGHTTIME ~ Bean visits her foster parents for a few mins. when they first go to bed, then she finds her own sleeping spot. She doesn't sleep with them or snuggle. VOICE ~ We didn't hear a peep from Bean. So I assume she's not a talker. POOPIES ~ forgot to ask In my opinion (& Gary's), Bean looks & acts like a healthy, happy cat. Her personality may grow when she finds her furever home. I enjoyed getting to know Bean!

********************************************************************* First post, 2/26/10--Bean, what a great name for a cat!! This young (estimated at 2 years old), small (6 lbs.) female tuxie has diabetes that appears to be steroid induced. Bean was abandoned at an apartment complex and a Good Samaritan reported seeing a small kitten, very emaciated but very friendly. When a rescuer came for Bean, she found an extremely thin adult cat, so skinny she looked like a kitten. From the start, Bean was extremely affectionate. Bean gained weight (although she lost some again with her diabetes) and her attitude is still as personable. Bean loves to sit and look out the windows. She gets along with calm, mellow dogs. She gets along fine with other cats but usually hangs out a lot by herself. Bean is a very independent cat but quite loving. She would be happy to be an only pet but would be fine in a house with other pets as long as they don't insist on constantly playing with her. Bean has been spayed, FIV/FLV tested negative, deflead, and dewormed, and is up-to-date on shots. Bean is an insulin-dependent diabetic getting 4U of N twice a day. She is said to be on a high protein diet. The vet records in January 2010 say Bean is on Purina Pro dry food. Bean has been in a foster home, but her foster family is moving out of the area and she needs to find a new situation. A purmanent home would be ideal. She is being handled by Cat Zip Alliance of Athens, GA. Her Catster adoption page is here. Her rescuer is Abby Griner, who can be contacted at kittycrusadersofathens AT gmail.com. Abby sent me complete medical information on Bean. (Sigh, why is it vets can't write legibly?) Bean was spayed in April 2009, in the second trimester of a pregnancy. In September 2009, Bean received a corticosteroid injection for excessive itching/hair loss. In mid-December, 2009, she was taken to the vet because of weight loss and increased thirst, diagnosed diabetic with a blood glucose level of 387, and started on 1 unit of N. In mid-January, 2010, Bean's fructosamine levels were checked (fair regulation at 587), and her insulin was increased to 4 units twice a day (there had been step increases since diagnosis). In early February, 2010, Bean had another fructosamine test (good regulation at 467), and her caregivers were told to keep her on 4 units twice a day and come back for another fructosamine check in 6 months (early August). Abby has lost almost 2 pounds since diagnosed with diabetes. Although Bean's catster page says "Adoptable within 150 miles of Watkinsville, GA," Abby says a longer distance adoption to the right home is not a problem.