What to do if you have vacation plans

Debbrilacy

Debbrilacy

Member
My cat Milo is 10 years old, and currently on 1.5 units of pro-zinc twice a day . Long before he was diagnosed, we had signed up for a 9 day cruise, which is in 2 weeks. My neighbor is not hesitant at all about giving him his injections, and keeping his feeding schedule. I test his BG at least twice a day, and his numbers have been pretty consistent at this dose. Any tips of what you do if you go away, or do you recommend not going?
 
Most people seem to use a pet sitter. Vet techs often pet sit for the extra money so it's worth asking at your vet's office. You'll know they're comfortable with injections and anything medical. Anyone you trust to correctly test bg, measure insulin, and give the injection is fine :)

Some people board their cats if they don't have any other option. Not all boarding places will give medications of any kind or allow you to provide your cat's food so call around and ask. Other places may charge extra to give medicine.

Some cats like to travel so packing the cat up in the car for a road trip is something a few people may do.
 
squeem3 said:
Most people seem to use a pet sitter. Vet techs often pet sit for the extra money so it's worth asking at your vet's office. You'll know they're comfortable with injections and anything medical. Anyone you trust to correctly test bg, measure insulin, and give the injection is fine :)

Some people board their cats if they don't have any other option. Not all boarding places will give medications of any kind or allow you to provide your cat's food so call around and ask. Other places may charge extra to give medicine.

Some cats like to travel so packing the cat up in the car for a road trip is something a few people may do.
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Thank you. I admit I am very stressed about this! My good friend and neighbor has been my pet sitter for a couple years now, and I watch her 2 boys. She feels she won’t have a problem giving injections, and I am hoping since his numbers have been pretty steady, my vet will feel it will be okay to not do BG tests while we are gone.
 
I always boarded my diabetic cat at the vet's office when i went on vacation. My other cats I had family watch, but they weren't comfortable giving shots.
 
If your neighbor isn't hugely experienced with giving shots, have her come over to practice in advance of your trip. I'd also leave a "dummy" syringe -- set up the syringe with colored water/coffee/OJ, etc. -- to your cat's dose. We've had people make mistakes (e.g., measuring a dose of 5.0u when it should have been 0.5u). Having a visual helps!
 
I am like you that have friends that can take care of diabetic cats. How does Milo react if other people handle him? If he is fine with it, your neighbor should be fine. I would recommend having them come over a few times before your trip to see how they interact together. Maybe your neighbor would also be willing to learn to test him too.
 
Lisa and Witn (GA) said:
I am like you that have friends that can take care of diabetic cats. How does Milo react if other people handle him? If he is fine with it, your neighbor should be fine. I would recommend having them come over a few times before your trip to see how they interact together. Maybe your neighbor would also be willing to learn to test him too.
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He is usually comfortable with her, as she has fed him before. She hasn’t had to handle him much in the past though, so she is going to come over a few times, and then once she learns how to give the shot, we will leave her alone with him for a couple trial runs. He gets fed up on his perch, and willingly jumps up there, so hopefully that will be the case!
 
Sienne and Gabby (GA) said:
If your neighbor isn't hugely experienced with giving shots, have her come over to practice in advance of your trip. I'd also leave a "dummy" syringe -- set up the syringe with colored water/coffee/OJ, etc. -- to your cat's dose. We've had people make mistakes (e.g., measuring a dose of 5.0u when it should have been 0.5u). Having a visual helps!
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That is a great idea! We are going to have few practice runs, but I never thought about a dummy syringe. Thanks!!
 
Along with a phone number where you can be reached (not sure if one has cell phone service / Internet access on a cruise?), the phone number and address for the vet, and a phone number and address for an emergency vet just in case.
 
Absolutely! I am trying to be as prepared as I can for anything. And we will have international cell service. I am really losing sleep over this, though! I appreciate all the tips from this group!
 
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