carlieandleo
Member Since 2026
Hi everyone... my name is Carlie. My cat, Leo (7) was just diagnosed with diabetes today.
Leo has a very complicated medical history of UTI'S, Blockages, and even had PU surgery. He is a complicated guy. I would do absolutely anything for him. I have had him since he was 4 weeks old, and he has been with me through a lot of hard times.
On 1/19/2026, Leo was given the Upper Respitory Vaccine (a live vaccine). The vet told me he would experience some side effects... Lethargy, fever, no appetite. He did for the day and the day after, and seemed to be fine after that. Last Wednesday, Leo did not get up for breakfast. Which is very unlike him. I tried to get him to eat, but he would not come out from under the bed. Once again, red flag. I called the vet and got him an appointment for Thursday 1/29. I explained to the vet his hiding, no appetite, not using the litter box, and his overall weakness. After X-Rays, blood work, and an office exam, The vet seemed to think Leo just had a little virus, and gave him a steroid shot (Depo Medrol), and sent us on our way. I was hopeful Leo would be better the next day... he wasn't.
Leo was eating periodically, and drinking some water, but I could hardly get him to even stand or look 'alert'. I knew something was wrong, I just didn't know what. With all of his Urinary issues, I was worried about a UTI, but he was still peeing (only when lifted up and put in the litter box). I called the vet first thing Monday (2/2) and explained he wasn't any better (and at this point he hasn't pooped since Thursday 1/29).
We went in to vet again, and the vet said his blood sugar levels were a little high (226) but he was thinking it was just from stress. He wanted to do a urinalysis just to be sure. Well his urinalysis came back with Glucose levels at 3+. The vet diagnosed him with diabetes this morning.
A part of me is so confused how all of this happened so fast, I can't seem to accept it. I know it's not the end of the world, but I just can't help but feel at fault?
I will do anything for Leo, but I just worry I am going to mess up or put him through more medical trauma.
I don't know if the live vaccine is what revealed the diabetes or if I have just been missing signs all along...
I just gave him his first insulin shot, and he did good. I was afraid to hurt him, but he was happy to get some treats after.
I guess now I am in the research phase, and I am feeling so overwhelmed by the diets, at home monitoring, at home testing, etc... Is remission even something he can achieve?
I was just hoping for some guidance, or encouragement (for the both of us) as I know I am not the first (and won't be the last) to experience this.
Leo has a very complicated medical history of UTI'S, Blockages, and even had PU surgery. He is a complicated guy. I would do absolutely anything for him. I have had him since he was 4 weeks old, and he has been with me through a lot of hard times.
On 1/19/2026, Leo was given the Upper Respitory Vaccine (a live vaccine). The vet told me he would experience some side effects... Lethargy, fever, no appetite. He did for the day and the day after, and seemed to be fine after that. Last Wednesday, Leo did not get up for breakfast. Which is very unlike him. I tried to get him to eat, but he would not come out from under the bed. Once again, red flag. I called the vet and got him an appointment for Thursday 1/29. I explained to the vet his hiding, no appetite, not using the litter box, and his overall weakness. After X-Rays, blood work, and an office exam, The vet seemed to think Leo just had a little virus, and gave him a steroid shot (Depo Medrol), and sent us on our way. I was hopeful Leo would be better the next day... he wasn't.
Leo was eating periodically, and drinking some water, but I could hardly get him to even stand or look 'alert'. I knew something was wrong, I just didn't know what. With all of his Urinary issues, I was worried about a UTI, but he was still peeing (only when lifted up and put in the litter box). I called the vet first thing Monday (2/2) and explained he wasn't any better (and at this point he hasn't pooped since Thursday 1/29).
We went in to vet again, and the vet said his blood sugar levels were a little high (226) but he was thinking it was just from stress. He wanted to do a urinalysis just to be sure. Well his urinalysis came back with Glucose levels at 3+. The vet diagnosed him with diabetes this morning.
A part of me is so confused how all of this happened so fast, I can't seem to accept it. I know it's not the end of the world, but I just can't help but feel at fault?
I will do anything for Leo, but I just worry I am going to mess up or put him through more medical trauma.
I don't know if the live vaccine is what revealed the diabetes or if I have just been missing signs all along...
I just gave him his first insulin shot, and he did good. I was afraid to hurt him, but he was happy to get some treats after.
I guess now I am in the research phase, and I am feeling so overwhelmed by the diets, at home monitoring, at home testing, etc... Is remission even something he can achieve?
I was just hoping for some guidance, or encouragement (for the both of us) as I know I am not the first (and won't be the last) to experience this.
