I'd check around at the big box pet stores vs Amazon for Feliway. I don't know if Amazon is cheaper!
It did sound like the vets at KSU were supportive. We're seen cats return to normal numbers once on a low carb diet. A few things that can contribute to higher numbers are both stress in the environment and stress that can result from a medical issue. A urinary tract infection, upper respiratory infection, or a dental problem (including gingivitis/need for a cleaning) can cause inflammation/infection and raise blood glucose numbers. Once things clear up, numbers drop. The stress of going to the vet's office can also cause numbers to rise. All of that is important knowledge since I would likely encourage you to periodically check Pinky's numbers as a way to know if he's in good health. Even with the kitties here that go into remission, they are still diabetic -- diet controlled diabetics. You don't want to go back to feeding high carb food or your cat will be back in diabetic numbers. If you see numbers trending up, it may be that your cat is developing an infection or needs his teeth cleaned.
I'll stop meandering. The bottom line is that Pinky is in pretty good numbers. Frequent, small meals may help to keep his numbers in normal range. I would keep monitoring for a couple of weeks to be sure that things are staying in a solidly normal range. If so, it's less critical to rush to find a vet. You might ask if the school has a referral network so you don't have to stress out Pinky with a 2-hour drive. Did you happen to search for a feline friendly practitioner in your area? This is a link to the
search engine for the American Assn of Feline Practitioners.
No, I truly appreciate everything you have posted this evening. It's all been incredibly helpful. We
just got Pinky from my fiancé's parents at the beginning of December. We both believe he came to us sick, based on how he was acting at the time. He was severely overweight and only eating Meow Mix. My fiancé initially thought it was old age, and I didn't know Pinky's personality well enough at the time to know his behavior was abnormal. We quickly switched him to better food, but I don't think that was enough at the time. After just a few weeks, he was jaundiced. The vet who diagnosed him gave us antibiotics and an anti inflammatory. She had limited ways to diagnose him, so she gave both hoping it would help. Thankfully, something worked.
That was about three weeks ago. He's a completely different cat now. The vet who diagnosed him did a fructosamine test, but if he was sick that 2-3 weeks prior, I do wonder if his blood sugar levels were elevated due to an underlying sickness/infection, combined with adjusting to a new home after being in the same home for 15 years. Either way, I am happy to continue monitoring him. A couple of pokes a day to keep him safe in the long run is worth it. Also, my fiancé and I have both resolved to feeding him his new LC wet food, regardless of price, if it keeps him well fed, happy, and healthy.
The ER vet I initially went to kept trying to convince me to euthanize Pinky, saying that "it was the humane thing to do" and "he really just isn't worth it at this age". I had to sign an against medical advice form to take Pinky. That vet
really rattled my cage, and I lost nights of sleep worrying about Pink. I am glad I took him home, and I am glad I found this forum. I wouldn't have gotten through the past few weeks if not for your, and everyone else's, help.
We have several good vets here, but many of them are inexperienced with feline diabetes. I will continue searching and hopefully find someone who can help!
