Newly Diagnosed Cat with Diabetes New Years Eve

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Jennifer W

Member Since 2024
Hi everyone, my sweet cat was hospitalized nye with Diabetes Ketoacidosis. She was released on the 4th, and she also has low potassium, a bacterial virus in her gallbladder and pancreatitus. She was compliant with me until the 8th with her insulin injections, antibiotics, anti vomiting and appetite stimulant. She also had the libre 2 installed on the 4th and was supposed to stay on for 14 days, but it fell off on 10th. She was supposed to go back to get another sensor on, but she bit and scratched me when I tried to get her into the crate. She is now scared of me and she still eats low carb wet food and water, but she will run from me when she sees me. I am heartbroken that she is scared of me. She is 11 and I have had her since 2012. I am worried about her not having her 2u every 12 hours insulin and checking her glucose. I dont know what to do, please help. I have the feliway plug ins and talk sweet to her. Has anyone else experienced this? We didnt even know she had diabetes.
 
I’m tagging a few experienced members here for you. It’s important she gets insulin and food after a DKA episode. That much I know @Bron and Sheba (GA) @Sienne and Gabby (GA) @tiffmaxee

one thought, if a cat is in pain, it will often behave in a different way than usual. Is there someone who can help you get her in a carrier to the vet? The liner has been known to fall off and some cats are able to get it off
 
Luckily she has been eating fine, but I just tried to approach her again and she ran away. I live alone and I am basically the only human that she knows. Thank you for your response
 
Try sitting on the floor in a smaller room where she can't get so far away from you and just talk to her quietly (like read a book) and have some small treats that she really likes (baked Chicken worked best for mine). Every once in awhile, toss a piece in her direction but don't get over-excited if she eats it. Just a "good girl (name?)" and go back to reading out loud for a little while and toss another treat. Slowly try to get her to come a little closer to you each time but if she backs off, toss another treat back where she was comfortable eating and slow down even more.

As for crates, if you know you're going to need to crate her, put the crate out in the house somewhere so she see's it and gets used to it being "just another piece of furniture". When the only time our cats see a crate is right before we're trying to shove them into it to go to the vet, they have good reason to be freaked out. As she gets used to it just sitting there, maybe try putting a treat closer to the open door. Gradually (sometimes days or more), encourage her to put her head in to get the treat, then her front paws, then her body, etc. etc....Once she is OK going in, close the door, give her a treat and open the door. Gradually increase the time she spends inside as long as she's not freaking out.

Eventually, you should be able to put the crate out 4-7 days before you know you need it so she can get used to it being just another piece of furniture again, toss treats to get her in, close the door and you're off to the vet. (it can also be helpful if you can get her into the crate without freaking out if you put her in the car, drive around the block and go back home. If every time she gets in the dreaded crate she ends up at the vet, she has no reason to want to go in and sit calmly in the crate.

You may also want to hire a cat behaviorist who knows lots of ways to work with cats with problems like this. I know one if you want their name. send me a private message.
 
I was going to suggest treats, as well.

I had a kitty who would not let anyone get near her to test which was hugely problematic when I had to travel for work. However, she was very food motivated and would let the cat sitter give her a shot while she was eating. Most of even the most temperamental of cats will tolerate getting a shot while their head is in their food bowl.

I'm also linking information on home testing. There is a Facebook group for cats using the Libre. You should be able to put one on yourself but regardless, having a hand held glucometer as a back up is a good idea.
 
Larry and Kitties said:
I do not understand what is meant. One can have a bacterial infection or a viral infection and they are caused by different infectious agents. There is no such thing as a "bacterial virus".
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Sorry, that was a mistype, I am just a bit stressed here, i meant bacterial infection.
 
Chris & China (GA) said:
Try sitting on the floor in a smaller room where she can't get so far away from you and just talk to her quietly (like read a book) and have some small treats that she really likes (baked Chicken worked best for mine). Every once in awhile, toss a piece in her direction but don't get over-excited if she eats it. Just a "good girl (name?)" and go back to reading out loud for a little while and toss another treat. Slowly try to get her to come a little closer to you each time but if she backs off, toss another treat back where she was comfortable eating and slow down even more.

As for crates, if you know you're going to need to crate her, put the crate out in the house somewhere so she see's it and gets used to it being "just another piece of furniture". When the only time our cats see a crate is right before we're trying to shove them into it to go to the vet, they have good reason to be freaked out. As she gets used to it just sitting there, maybe try putting a treat closer to the open door. Gradually (sometimes days or more), encourage her to put her head in to get the treat, then her front paws, then her body, etc. etc....Once she is OK going in, close the door, give her a treat and open the door. Gradually increase the time she spends inside as long as she's not freaking out.

Eventually, you should be able to put the crate out 4-7 days before you know you need it so she can get used to it being just another piece of furniture again, toss treats to get her in, close the door and you're off to the vet. (it can also be helpful if you can get her into the crate without freaking out if you put her in the car, drive around the block and go back home. If every time she gets in the dreaded crate she ends up at the vet, she has no reason to want to go in and sit calmly in the crate.

You may also want to hire a cat behaviorist who knows lots of ways to work with cats with problems like this. I know one if you want their name. send me a private message.
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T
Chris & China (GA) said:
Try sitting on the floor in a smaller room where she can't get so far away from you and just talk to her quietly (like read a book) and have some small treats that she really likes (baked Chicken worked best for mine). Every once in awhile, toss a piece in her direction but don't get over-excited if she eats it. Just a "good girl (name?)" and go back to reading out loud for a little while and toss another treat. Slowly try to get her to come a little closer to you each time but if she backs off, toss another treat back where she was comfortable eating and slow down even more.

As for crates, if you know you're going to need to crate her, put the crate out in the house somewhere so she see's it and gets used to it being "just another piece of furniture". When the only time our cats see a crate is right before we're trying to shove them into it to go to the vet, they have good reason to be freaked out. As she gets used to it just sitting there, maybe try putting a treat closer to the open door. Gradually (sometimes days or more), encourage her to put her head in to get the treat, then her front paws, then her body, etc. etc....Once she is OK going in, close the door, give her a treat and open the door. Gradually increase the time she spends inside as long as she's not freaking out.

Eventually, you should be able to put the crate out 4-7 days before you know you need it so she can get used to it being just another piece of furniture again, toss treats to get her in, close the door and you're off to the vet. (it can also be helpful if you can get her into the crate without freaking out if you put her in the car, drive around the block and go back home. If every time she gets in the dreaded crate she ends up at the vet, she has no reason to want to go in and sit calmly in the crate.

You may also want to hire a cat behaviorist who knows lots of ways to work with cats with problems like this. I know one if you want their name. send me a private message.
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Thank you for the great tips, I will read her a book and give her treats.
 
Jennifer W said:
Thank you for the great tips, I will read her a book and give her treats.
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If you don't start to make progress, send me a message and I'll give you the name of a cat behavior specialist I know. They also loves to work with diabetic cats and humans with physical or emotional disabilities. It's not free, but they have worked miracles and it's important that your cat gets her insulin, especially with a recent DKA.
 
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