Posting for new member. Diabetes and Asthma

[Elizabeth and Bertie]

@duppy

Hello Deb, welcome!
I've just copied your post from the Announcements forum because more folks will see it here.

Eliz

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Hi. I guess this is where I introduce myself since apparently I'm unable to do it anywhere else. I don't have privileges to just post a thread introducing myself and can only reply. I also don't have privileges to edit my profile as suggested, which is odd. I just joined a few minutes ago.

I had 2 lynx siamese cats. One I lost last week due to diabetes complications and had to put him down. It was horrendous----I had no support system, so I had to see him die at the vet by myself. I switched vets because my previous vet wasn't catching any of this and they contributed to his death by not giving a damn. They just wanted me to continue getting all tests done in their office and to pay constantly, which was sickening.

I had a checkup in August for my 15 year old siamese kitty where I paid through the NOSE for vaccinations, teeth cleaning, and a checkup to catch anything weird like this. They said he was fine although he was losing weight. After my 1st cat died and I realized humans aren't told to just go to the doctor every few months for a blood test to guesstimate how much insulin to take in order to live (because they'll die that way!) I switched vets. That vet ran tests the previous vet should have done and diagnosed him with diabetes also. They also claimed the previous vet didn't really clean his teeth and they want to clean his teeth again for me. I've moved to many cities for jobs as an analyst in tech fields and Indianapolis has the absolute worst veterinarians I've ever come across in my entire life.

Oh, also...my 15 year old cat who's been diagnosed with diabetes also has asthma. I have asthma and also have one of those Aerokat type containers, so I give him a few puffs of my Albuteral when absolutely necessary. I'm not sure if there's anything else someone could recommend. My cat, Bailey, has always had asthma and it's not a heart issue nor is it heartworm---it's asthma. He had steroid injections (not even very much---maybe 5 total over time) to stop his asthma attacks, which must be how he obtained diabetes.

Any guidance would be appreciated. I can copy/paste this elsewhere if you'd like but I would like to have the proper permissions to do so, as well as the proper permissions to update my profile please so people don't think I'm a troll.

Thanks,

Deb.

 

[Sharon14]

Hi Deb, sorry you’ve had trouble posting! We have a few folks here with kitties that have asthma, one is @DebG maybe she’ll have some insight for you.

 

[DebG]

@duppy

Hello Deb, welcome!
I've just copied your post from the Announcements forum because more folks will see it here.

Eliz

- - - - -

Hi. I guess this is where I introduce myself since apparently I'm unable to do it anywhere else. I don't have privileges to just post a thread introducing myself and can only reply. I also don't have privileges to edit my profile as suggested, which is odd. I just joined a few minutes ago.

I had 2 lynx siamese cats. One I lost last week due to diabetes complications and had to put him down. It was horrendous----I had no support system, so I had to see him die at the vet by myself. I switched vets because my previous vet wasn't catching any of this and they contributed to his death by not giving a damn. They just wanted me to continue getting all tests done in their office and to pay constantly, which was sickening.

I had a checkup in August for my 15 year old siamese kitty where I paid through the NOSE for vaccinations, teeth cleaning, and a checkup to catch anything weird like this. They said he was fine although he was losing weight. After my 1st cat died and I realized humans aren't told to just go to the doctor every few months for a blood test to guesstimate how much insulin to take in order to live (because they'll die that way!) I switched vets. That vet ran tests the previous vet should have done and diagnosed him with diabetes also. They also claimed the previous vet didn't really clean his teeth and they want to clean his teeth again for me. I've moved to many cities for jobs as an analyst in tech fields and Indianapolis has the absolute worst veterinarians I've ever come across in my entire life.

Oh, also...my 15 year old cat who's been diagnosed with diabetes also has asthma. I have asthma and also have one of those Aerokat type containers, so I give him a few puffs of my Albuteral when absolutely necessary. I'm not sure if there's anything else someone could recommend. My cat, Bailey, has always had asthma and it's not a heart issue nor is it heartworm---it's asthma. He had steroid injections (not even very much---maybe 5 total over time) to stop his asthma attacks, which must be how he obtained diabetes.

Any guidance would be appreciated. I can copy/paste this elsewhere if you'd like but I would like to have the proper permissions to do so, as well as the proper permissions to update my profile please so people don't think I'm a troll.

Thanks,

Deb.

I'm sorry about the loss of your kitty! My kitty Fritz has asthma and I have been treating him for close to 8 years. He started out on Flovent as needed, then progressed to twice daily puffs. I had Albertoul as a rescue only. When he had seasonal flare ups requiring the addition of oral predisiolone which I would treat then taper off..After many years of Flovent puffs his nasal passages and throat would get terribly irritated. I have since then taken him off the Flovent and only treat with a twice daily dose of the oral predisiolone. Now the treatment for your kitty would be determined by the severity of the asthma. It is not a good idea to treat only with the rescue Albertoul it should only be used as a rescue. If it were my kitty and mild symptoms I'd ask the vet for oral predisiolone start with a higher dose and treat for two weeks while twice daily giving the Flovent then taper off the oral. Please never start oral then abruptly stop it is dangerous to just stop. Keep the Albertoul as a rescue. Also changing kitty litter to no dust I have the Breeze litter box and it is awesome. I also run a air cleaner and a cool must vaporizer 24/7. No cleaning odors or scented anything in the home. No cigarette smoke fireplace smoke. Keeping stress to a minimum too helps. If I can be of help please let me know. I need to add Fritz also has diabetes. When giving oral you'll need to adjust the insulin accordingly as it raises the by. But as you taper off the insulin will also need to be adjusted down. I hope this info helps.

 

[Elizabeth and Bertie]

Just tagging @duppy to ensure she sees replies here.

 

[Debbie in Arkansas]

Welcome Deb! I'm sorry to say your story sounds very much like mine I lost my 15 year old Bo in Sept. I didn't do enough to help him with his diabetes. His litter mate, Luke, is diabetic now. I feel this is from the prednisolone he has been on for his asthma. I have learned more in one week in this group than I did in the 14 months Bo was diabetic.

I don't know if anyone has mentioned this yet but you need to join the feline asthma inhaled meds yahoo group.

Amazon has the AeroKat that has the mask that is smaller for cats. I have one of the human spacers and the mask is really too big so I bought the cheaper brand of the AeroKat.

You can get Flovent/Flixotide much cheaper on Inhouse Pharmacy site. I have bought from them for about 15 years.

You had mentioned the vet wanting to clean your baby's teeth. Please don't allow him to be sedated until his asthma is well under control. Even then there is specific protocol which must be followed to ensure his safety. The inhaled meds group can help more with that.

Let me know if you have any questions and best of luck to you