cat with diabetes

[themanager]

hello! i have a cat with diabetes that i absolutely cherish, i've been afraid to join even though i've been lurking for a year lol.

basically his story goes like this:

for a few months he was losing weight/drinking a lot of water, it concerned me so we took him to the vet. they didn't think it was an emergency so the app was months after we called due to covid apparently, but it ended up that he has diabetes. it was pretty advanced at this point as a few weeks later he went into DKA. we almost lost him, he was very very sick.

lucky for us, one day of hospitalization saved his life. now a year later he is still not regulated as he should be, but the vet thinks he's in remission. it's been a hell of a year... but here we are! possible remission thanks to high doses of glargine and constant care.

my little boy chester is a success story, even when they're on the brink of death they can come back, and although he can't use his back legs like he used to, he plays and enjoys life. i have to thank this board for helping me during the darkest times of his diagnosis and near death.

this cat is my soulmate, and while i hadn't registered until now everyone's advice on this board helped me.

so thank you deeply! we're not 100% sure he's in remission but with his latest symptoms it seems very likely!
here's the little guy, ignore his silly outfit it was sensor time and he likes to pull them off haha

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

If you're home testing, the way we define remission is that your cat would be in normal blood glucose numbers (50 - 120 on a human meter) for a period of 2 weeks. You would want to continue to get periodic (e.g., at least weekly) tests for a period of time to be sure everything is stable. Any infection or inflammation can cause blood glucose numbers to rise to periodic checks on numbers can tell you if your cat is getting sick or in need of dental work (i.e., the most common reason for a cat to fall out of remission).

Also, a cat that is in remission is a diet controlled diabetic. In other words, you should not go back to feeding your kitty high carb food.

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

year later he is still not regulated as he should be, but the vet thinks he's in remission. it's been a hell of a year.

Hi and welcome to the forum.
If your kitty is not regulated, he can’t be in remission, so I’m not sure how your vet came to that conclusion.
I would be very careful stopping the insulin, without him being in BGs under 100 for at least 2 weeks with a history of DKA.
It sounds as if he could have diabetic neuropathy of he can’t use his back legs like he used to.
it sounds to me as if he should still be getting insulin.
What dose are you currently giving him?

 

[Noah & me (GA)]

There is a mistaken belief that remission equals cured. If your cancer was in remission wouldn't you still go for annual checkups? A diabetic cat will always be diabetic.
Chester is your soulmate, let's keep him healthy with a few simple steps and some common sense. You yourself said "I have a cat with diabetes" and that he received high doses of Lantus. Are still testing and what are his numbers? Is he still getting Lantus or any other type of insulin?

you should not go back to feeding your kitty high carb food

This would be like an alcoholic, sober for ten years having "just a six pack" on weekends. Once an alcoholic or diabetic always an alcoholic or diabetic.
I sincerely wish you both all the best but why your vet thinks remission is permanent is a myth.