Hi, My cat has been diagnosed with Diabetes Ketodacis, can't spell it.

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Smokie

Member Since 2017
Hi, my cat has a Urinary Tract Infection and an infected tooth. I have taken her to the vet and she had a urine test and blood test done. This is how her diabetes was diagnosed, I was told it is very expensive to treat. Like $2,000, in the beginning with all the tests and things. She will be 14 years old this month. I have had her since she was kitten. Not sure what to do, the vet said to put her to sleep. I am not ready to say goodbye yet, but don't want her to suffer either. I brought her home and am giving her medication two times a day to treat the infections.
 
DKA (ketoacidosis) is a very serious condition and can be difficult to treat. If there’s any way for you to get her back to the vet, that would be best. It’s extremely important for her to get food, water, insulin and antibiotics to clear the infection. Please come to the Main Health Forum and tell us how she’s doing.
 
Sharon14 said:
DKA (ketoacidosis) is a very serious condition and can be difficult to treat. If there’s any way for you to get her back to the vet, that would be best. It’s extremely important for her to get food, water, insulin and antibiotics to clear the infection. Please come to the Main Health Forum and tell us how she’s doing.
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I did not spend anywhere close to $2000.It was $265 for the blood work and $140. for the insulin. The insulin should last me about 3 months.Good luck with your kitty.
 
The dental work and anesthetic would be the most expensive thing. I would ask the vet to make sure of any other teeth that need to come out now, extracting a tooth is not a big deal once he's already under. Cats can live a meaningful life with no teeth at all. After that everything should be manageable, you just got hit with a few issues all at once. We can help you with everything, it doesn't have to be a tragedy and it certainly does not necessarily have to cost you 4 mortgage payments. Noah is our second diabetic cat and should have had all his teeth pulled a long time ago, a story for another day, but he's almost 14 and is a pretty happy cat. Don't get overwhelmed or consumed with guilt, we all love our cats and we've all been where you are now.
 
Diabetes isn't a death sentence at all! Dakota is 16 years old, now been diabetic half his life - 8 years.

If she indeed has Diabetic Ketoacidosis, she needs to be at the vet's office with IV fluids to flush ketones, antibiotic for infection and short acting insulin to control her glucose until her blood returns to ph neutral instead of acidic.

HUGS 'cos it hurts when our babies hurt.
 
I am still working out what to do. The vet quoted $2,000 plus for treatment, they won't let make a payment plan. I was going to see how my cat goes on a low carb, high protein diet. I got rid of the dry food, she is still eating and drinking. I was told to put her to sleep. I am still giving her medication for the infections.
 
Smokie said:
I am still working out what to do. The vet quoted $2,000 plus for treatment, they won't let make a payment plan. I was going to see how my cat goes on a low carb, high protein diet. I got rid of the dry food, she is still eating and drinking. I was told to put her to sleep. I am still giving her medication for the infections.
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the 2000 quote is for the diabetes? No. Get a copy of your lab reports and call other vets. Find one that supports you doing curves and testing at home. Fructosamine tests are not necessary and curves at the vet are not necessary if you do them yourself.

Your upfront costs beyond the initial bodywork you've already had done should be

the insulin (this price varies depending on which one you get. Vetsulin is $50, ProZinc around $130, lantus is $300 but half that if you order from Canada).
Syringes $17
Relion micro or confirm meter from Walmart $17
100 extra test strips $36
Box of 100 28 gauge lancets $2-$10 depending on the brand you get.
Ketones testing strips $10

That's it. You can test her at home... The test will be more accurate at home anyway. I have a video in my signature showing how I test my cat CC.
 
Smokie said:
I am still working out what to do.
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Hi,
my cat had DKA and we cared for her at home except 24 hours ER stay. Cats with DKA need food, insulin, antibiotic for infection and SQ fluids.
Good thing that your girl eats and drinks - mine got to the ER after she stopped.
I'd like to urge you to get insulin, human glucometer and testing strips from Walmart - JanetNJ gave you great info about that - and start her insulin therapy at home ASAP. We can help. There are many cats on this forum who survived DKA but it is best to act promptly. My vet also suggested not"many option we have left" after I could not pay for her staying at his clinic for days - what did he know? Ducia is fine now - although is still not regulated. Diabetes is manageable condition - you just need to aggressively address the DKA issue.
 
Hi, that is great your cat is ok. My cat is still much the same, eating and drinking. I saw you can buy
the glucometer and strips and syringes on Ebay. It looks like you need a script from the vet for the insulin
though. I live in Australia, so we don't have a Walmart here. My cat has had the antiobiotics already for her tooth and UTI infections. I haven't been sure what to do, so my cat would need a stay at the vet then? I wouldn't know if my vet would let me treat my cat at home or not. He said I would have to put her to sleep if she doesn't get treatment. I am nervous about doing it myself though. My cat is on a low carb diet now.
 
Hi there,
Smokie said:
My cat is still much the same, eating and drinking.
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Good to hear it!
Smokie said:
I wouldn't know if my vet would let me treat my cat at home or not.
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you do not need permission from your vet, you are an adult
Smokie said:
I haven't been sure what to do, so my cat would need a stay at the vet then?
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You need to start home testing and insulin therapy ASAP at home. It is very easy, believe me.
I am tagging other Aussies here so to help you to choose a glucometer, lancets, etc., and good cat food options available in Australia. Diabetes is so sooo manageable condition - you'll be surprised how easy it is in just few weeks!
@Bron and Sheba
@Girlie's mom

there must be other Australians whose names I cannot recall at the time...
Smokie said:
so my cat would need a stay at the vet then? I
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not necessarily - mine didn't.
Smokie said:
My cat is on a low carb diet now.
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That's a half battle won! Congrats! His insulin needs must be very low by now then.
 
Smokie said:
Hi, that is great your cat is ok. My cat is still much the same, eating and drinking. I saw you can buy
the glucometer and strips and syringes on Ebay. It looks like you need a script from the vet for the insulin
though. I live in Australia, so we don't have a Walmart here. My cat has had the antiobiotics already for her tooth and UTI infections. I haven't been sure what to do, so my cat would need a stay at the vet then? I wouldn't know if my vet would let me treat my cat at home or not. He said I would have to put her to sleep if she doesn't get treatment. I am nervous about doing it myself though. My cat is on a low carb diet now.
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So glad he's still eating. You can get a meter and strips at any pharmacy. Pick one that takes a 0.3 size sample. The brand isn't important. Then also get 100 test strips, and 26 or 28 gauge lancets. Get that perscription for insulin. Start with 1 unit every 12 hours and we will help with dosing from there. Keosticks can also be found at any pharmacy and are inexpensive. These will test for ketones. You dip the tip in fresh urine to test for ketones. Anything over a trace go back to the vet. In the meantime switch to low carb food and add extra water to the food.
 
I have to buy things before I can even start. How do you collect the urine from your cat? So, I need to extra water to her food. How many meals should I be giving her in a day? I feed her in the morning and then again later in the evening. She is very hungry most of the time.
 
Smokie said:
I have to buy things before I can even start. How do you collect the urine from your cat? So, I need to extra water to her food. How many meals should I be giving her in a day? I feed her in the morning and then again later in the evening. She is very hungry most of the time.
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If she's not bathroom shy you can just put it in the urine stream or collect a bit with a long handled laddle. If she IS bathroom shy, some put a bit of plastic wrap on the litter and bunch it up so that a little puddle can collect and test from there.

Unregulated cats are hungry because their body can't utilize the nutrients in the food properly.... so they are LITERALLY starving. Feed her as often as he wants.... when you start testing, don't feed at least two hours prior to the pre shot test, otherwise she can eat. Most of us feed about 4 times a day. If you aren't home during the day you can freeze a portion and let it thaw so it's fresh later, or get a timed feeder.
 
Hi @Smokie and welcome to FDMB.:)
I am so sorry I didn't see the tag before this.
I also live in Australia and will help in any way I can
First of all....I would find another vet. It is not a death sentence to have diabetes and is very manageable.
Saying it will cost you $2000 in the beginning is absolute rubbish.
Your costs will be the the glucometer and strips and lancets.....about $110 ....to home test the blood sugars.
Syringes 100 $30
Glargine insulin $65
Ordinary low carb food you can buy at the supermarket.....no extra cost.
Ketostix to test for ketones $12
That is a lot less than $2000!!!!!!

If you do the testing yourself you will save heaps of money.......almost all of us home test here. It is easy and quick .....takes a few days to get the hang of it but we will help and it doesn't hurt kitty.
You have got lots of great advise already. Keep posting and asking questions. This site is fantastic and you will get genuine and excellent advice.

If you have not already got your glucometer.....post and I will help you get a good one. You can buy them at the local chemists but you need to make sure you can buy one that has reasonable costing test strips. That is one of the main costs in looking after a diabetic cat.

I am so glad you did not take any notice of your vet.....he needs reporting for telling you to put down your beautiful cat.
Where do you live....I am in Sydney?
:bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
Hi, the vet said it would be very expensive in the beginning, and get cheaper. He made me feel bad saying a lady who was rich could afford the treatment, he suggested putting my cat to sleep. If she doesn't get treated or she will die horribly with the Ketotis. I still have to buy things, and will need a script for the insulin to buy it online. That vet is the closest to me. I might have to get a small loan though. I am nervous about treating my cat myself, a friend of mine is horrified that I would do it.

I live in NSW. My cat is still eating and drinking, and had weepy eyes. She is on a low carb diet now, no dry food at all.

Thanks for offering to help!
 
Hi again,
Do you have another vet in the area you live who you could go to?
Does your kitty actually have Ketoacidosis or did your vet say she would get it if she is not treated?

I would not leave it too long before starting the insulin. You don't get the insulin online, you would either get it from the vet or get a script from the vet and buy it from the chemist. Glargine is the best insulin for Smokie . It needs to be kept in the fridge....it lasts much longer that way.

It is perfectly normal to feel nervous and a bit overwhelmed at first......we all felt like that, but it will soon be old hat.

Don't worry.....some of my friends also thought I was mad treating a diabetic cat.........I just feel sorry for them that they don't feel love for animals or think they are easily expendable.
Try and give Smokie some extra fluids.....maybe try and put a spoon full in the food and make it soupy......if she will let you. Diabetic cats can get a bit dehydrated and they wee a lot more.

Please keep us updated with how you are managing. We will help all we can. And don't let your vet or friends put you off helping Smokie.
 
Smokie said:
Hi, the vet said it would be very expensive in the beginning, and get cheaper. He made me feel bad saying a lady who was rich could afford the treatment, he suggested putting my cat to sleep. If she doesn't get treated or she will die horribly with the Ketotis. I still have to buy things, and will need a script for the insulin to buy it online. That vet is the closest to me. I might have to get a small loan though. I am nervous about treating my cat myself, a friend of mine is horrified that I would do it.

I live in NSW. My cat is still eating and drinking, and had weepy eyes. She is on a low carb diet now, no dry food at all.

Thanks for offering to help!
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We are a community with people very experienced with every type of insulin. We can help you every step of the way. Just get that script and let's get going.... The sooner the insulin is started the better. You definitly could use a different vet though.... I don't care if this one is next door. He's either lazy or hasn't the foggiest clue how to treat it.
 
Yes, New South Wales. My vet said it was Ketosis, my cat will be turning 14 years old soon. Her name
is Kirra. I think she has had diabetes for some time, but I didn't know it, till now. My friend loves animals, just surprised I might do this. I have been reading about it. The other vet is on the opposite side of town, I don't drive either. My cat was very stressed going to the vet that time, not used to cars.

I have been adding extra water to her food, and I have noticed the extra big clumps of litter in
her tray!
 
Hi, I spoke to my vet today about getting a script for the Insulin. He said I need to bring my cat in
to do a curve and tests and things, which means she would stay for a day. It would cost sbout $300 to $400
that day. He said the human glucometers wouldn't be as accurate as their animal ones. I told him
I wanted to do this myself. I am just worried if she doesn't get stable that day, how many more trips to
the vet I would have to make. I don't hsve unlimited funds, I don't k ow what to do at the moment. I told
him she is on a better diet, then he starts talking about their food at the vet.
 
I’d probably let him do the first round of curves.... Get the script and then do it on your own. You could also agree to get an Alphatrak pet meter for curves you share with your vet.
 
Yes, I think I will have to do that, and then hopefully the vet will show me how to do the injections
myself. My cat gets very stressed out going to the vet too! I was going to buy a cheap human glucometer
today, and syringes. It is just the insulin I need now. I just want my cat to get healthy again.
 
Smokie said:
Yes, I think I will have to do that, and then hopefully the vet will show me how to do the injections
myself. My cat gets very stressed out going to the vet too! I was going to buy a cheap human glucometer
today, and syringes. It is just the insulin I need now. I just want my cat to get healthy again.
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If he insists that he doesn't trust the results of a human meter, you can use the inexpensive one for day to day and a pet meter for curves once a month.
 
Yes, that is a great idea. I read the Vetpen is good to use too, especially if you have bad hands!
 
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