Here with two diabetics

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Steph28

Member Since 2018
Hello everyone!

I am a dog groomer from Maryland who has had some unfortunate luck with my pets health in the last year.

I joined because December 4th I found out that my 9 year old tuxedo Frank is diabetic. And then January 4th my 5 year old tabby and white Elvis was also diagnosed with diabetes. We also have a 15 year old black cat named Banshee, who's only real issue so far is a suspected chicken allergy. This has been incredibly jarring and overwhelming. I am scrambling to put order and routine back in my life and theirs and feel like everything has been turned upside down for us.
I have a decent amount of experience with animals. Elvis is my bottle-fed kitty, I have had him since he was a day old after someone found him and brought him to the grooming salon I worked at. He is not overweight and the vet seemed shocked too.
Frank was found with his litter by my aunt who rescues cats. He is prone to weight problems and has been in lipidosis twice which I pulled him out of both times by force feeding method and the help of some meds.
This has been the hardest situation to accept though, and I am struggling but I will do anything to get them back on track.
I am glad I found this forum, I am sure I will need advice along the way and maybe eventually help others as well. I have a learning curve here but hopefully we will get there.
 
Hi Steph, welcome to you, Frank and Elvis! Wow, two diabetic kitties! As you say there is a learning curve, but we will help you get there. Come to the Main Health forum and tell us more about your boys and ask any questions you have.
 
With all the worries and troubles, there is a special bond between diabetic cats and their parents. The cats learn that everything mom and dad do helps them to feel better. The become more living and will let you know when it's time for their blood test. With two, you just buy extra low carb food and treats. It helps if both cats use the same insulin. For now, just read as much as you can and enjoy your Twice as sweet kittie
 
Hi Steph and welcome to FDMB. Taking care of two diabetic cats is no more difficult than taking care of one. I've been there, so I can understand the feelings you may be having. There are also ways to keep your costs reasonable for caring for them.

You will need to change their diet to low carb canned or raw food. Pate flavors are lower in carbs. Anything with gravy is much higher. Almost all dry food is high carbs including the prescription food your vet may try to sell you.

Are your cats on insulin yet? If so, what kind and what dose? With insulin you want to start at a low dose, preferably 1 unit, and if needed increase it slowly over several weeks to find the optimal dose. Good insulins that work with cats are Lantus, Levemir, Prozinc and BCP PZI.

We always recommend hometesting. You will check the glucose before every shot to make sure if it is safe to give insulin. This will also help you determine if the dose needs to be adjusted. It also saves a lot of money and time by eliminating the trips to the vet just for testing.

We can help you learn all of this. If you have any questions ask them on the Health board, it is the one most monitored.
 
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