New Mary Cat is Whisper

[maryw1963]

Hi all, new diagnosis. Whisper is an approximately 12+ neutered male that came into my yard in 2015 starving it took three years of feeding him till he finally let us touch him, in 2020 we built him a heated shelter and he pretty much moved into our yard after that Coming into the house only during extreme weather events. In 2022 my two female indoor/outdoor cats passed away, 1 from stomach cancer the other kidney failure from years of prednisone treatment for autoimmune disorders, both cats were treated for their conditions for six years, giving them additional time until the end. They were littermates and lived to the age of 14. Whisper than began spending 4 to 5 hours a night sleeping inside in our bed in winter but remained an outdoor boy who enjoys his freedom. In 2023 I took on a kitten who was found buy the side of the road and he is indoor only and has asthma. Now here’s my dilemma whisperer was diagnosed with diabetes four days ago we noticed he was losing weight and very hungry and drinking lots of water and I called a mobile veterinarian, he did really well but needed gabapetin. Whisper does not use a litter box even though he spends 4 to 5 hours at a clip inside the house he has never messed in the house. He always meows to go out. He’s a good boy. My dilemma is my husband and I have decided not to treat. We feel that whisper doesn’t belong to us. We belong to him. He trusts us. I don’t wanna break that trust by prodding and poking him. Is it wrong to not treat. I feed him very well he has always been fed fancy feast, pate beef, liver, and chicken. The dry food he ate was blue buffalo wilderness, duck and sweet potato. We have since taken that away, and I have added in tiki cat dark and tiki cat silver Senior my hope is that possibly he could go into remission with a better diet. I have also researched and decided to add in B12 and omega-3 fish oil. Has anyone had any success with diet alone?

 

[CORKY]

Welcome to FDMB
There has been success in remission with low carb diet change, but these cats are indoor cats, home tested and monitored on what they eat. Is a hard decision to make, and having two other indoor/outdoor cats, and Whisper not using the litter box, is also difficult, home testing creates a bond, and it does not hurt the cat, being an indoor/outdoor cat it will be difficult to control what he eats, it will be difficult to see remission as well, as for not home testing if he's given insulin, it will be a risk, there are cats that do go on remission with food change, but they are also closely monitored. I do know what you mean about losing that bond, when I adopted Corky at 8 weeks old I did not see him for a month, he hid all day under the bed, and then when he came out, I still could not carry him or when I would go past him he would gently moved away, and cuddles, only on his terms, that lasted 10 years until diagnosed 4 years ago, 9he will be a lifetime diabetic, so not even food change has caused remission, he is tightly regulated, but will always need insulin,) all cats are different now he does not leave my sight. he's stuck like glue. if he was only an indoor cat, you could always use the CGM The Libre, is a sensor placed on his back monitored 24/7 on your phone. I believe you have a decision to make weather to treat or not with insulin, but without knowing his glucose levels, without testing or insulin, low carb food might not be enough. I will tag a couple of members that may give you other input on whisper's situation, keep posting, we are here for you
@Sqeem3
@Christie & Maverick

 

[maryw1963]

Welcome to FDMB
There has been success in remission with low carb diet change, but these cats are indoor cats, home tested and monitored on what they eat. Is a hard decision to make, and having two other indoor/outdoor cats, and Whisper not using the litter box, is also difficult, home testing creates a bond, and it does not hurt the cat, being an indoor/outdoor cat it will be difficult to control what he eats, it will be difficult to see remission as well, as for not home testing if he's given insulin, it will be a risk, there are cats that do go on remission with food change, but they are also closely monitored. I do know what you mean about losing that bond, when I adopted Corky at 8 weeks old I did not see him for a month, he hid all day under the bed, and then when he came out, I still could not carry him or when I would go past him he would gently moved away, and cuddles, only on his terms, that lasted 10 years until diagnosed 4 years ago, 9he will be a lifetime diabetic, so not even food change has caused remission, he is tightly regulated, but will always need insulin,) all cats are different now he does not leave my sight. he's stuck like glue. if he was only an indoor cat, you could always use the CGM The Libre, is a sensor placed on his back monitored 24/7 on your phone. I believe you have a decision to make weather to treat or not with insulin, but without knowing his glucose levels, without testing or insulin, low carb food might not be enough. I will tag a couple of members that may give you other input on whisper's situation, keep posting, we are here for you
@Sqeem3
@Christie & Maverick

Thanks for the reply it actually helps l

Welcome to FDMB
There has been success in remission with low carb diet change, but these cats are indoor cats, home tested and monitored on what they eat. Is a hard decision to make, and having two other indoor/outdoor cats, and Whisper not using the litter box, is also difficult, home testing creates a bond, and it does not hurt the cat, being an indoor/outdoor cat it will be difficult to control what he eats, it will be difficult to see remission as well, as for not home testing if he's given insulin, it will be a risk, there are cats that do go on remission with food change, but they are also closely monitored. I do know what you mean about losing that bond, when I adopted Corky at 8 weeks old I did not see him for a month, he hid all day under the bed, and then when he came out, I still could not carry him or when I would go past him he would gently moved away, and cuddles, only on his terms, that lasted 10 years until diagnosed 4 years ago, 9he will be a lifetime diabetic, so not even food change has caused remission, he is tightly regulated, but will always need insulin,) all cats are different now he does not leave my sight. he's stuck like glue. if he was only an indoor cat, you could always use the CGM The Libre, is a sensor placed on his back monitored 24/7 on your phone. I believe you have a decision to make weather to treat or not with insulin, but without knowing his glucose levels, without testing or insulin, low carb food might not be enough. I will tag a couple of members that may give you other input on whisper's situation, keep posting, we are here for you
@Sqeem3
@Christie & Maverick

Hi Cork, thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with Corky—it really helps to hear real stories

I completely understand what you’re saying about monitoring and how important that is, especially with insulin. That’s honestly where I’m struggling. Whisper isn’t a typical indoor cat—he’s been semi-feral for over 10 years, and while he’s come a long way, handling him regularly (like for home testing) would be very stressful for him and likely damage the trust we’ve built.

That’s really what’s making this decision so hard. I want to do what’s best for him, but I also have to consider his quality of life and what he will realistically tolerate.

Right now he is eating very well, acting like himself, and still enjoying his routine. My hope was to try a low-carb diet first and see how he does, understanding that remission is possible but not guaranteed.

The CGM you mentioned is interesting—I may ask my vet about that since it might be a less stressful option for him if we go that route.

I know insulin without the ability to test isn’t safe, so I’m trying to balance doing enough versus putting him through something he won’t tolerate.

Thank you again for your kindness and support—it really means a lot. I’ll keep updating as we figure this out

 

[CORKY]

here's a link for the CGM, all you need to know! the sensors can be replaced by you is easy as pie, you so not need to spend on vet visits or buying them from him, he will charge you more. he can send the prescription to your favorite pharmacy best to you and keep us updated on Whisper we would like to know
Getting Started With Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) for Diabetic Cats

 

[TommyMommy]

Hello, I'd like to chime in. Timmy, Tommy, and Tammy are three siblings that were born in a barn. Yes, I call them my three ferals. They are currently indoor/outdoor cats. Tammy spends the most time inside, but Timmy and Tommy prefer the outdoors. I have a heated cat house that sits on the porch right outside the sliding door. I have a cat tree just inside the sliding door. Whenever I need Tommy to come in for a reading/shot (twice a day), I make the crinkly noise with the wrapper and he comes right in like magic. I give him a treat (after the shot) and lots of loving when he comes to the tree. I didn't think it was possible but I got him into the tree every three hours the other day (Miracle!) but I should probably reconsider doing the continuous meter. Anyway, my point is, even skittish ferals can be trained.

 

[Hendrick Cuddleclaw]

Cats are very food motivated, generally, and diabetic cats even more so. I thought "poking and prodding" my boy Hendrick would cause him to hate me, but if you play your cards right, the entire thing becomes something kitty actually looks forward to. We started by picking a spot for the home testing and then we brought him there for pats and treats and attention, a few times each day.

Then one of those times, after he was used to it, I tried to get a blood droplet from his ear. I was not successful my first time but the conditioning was underway and before long he was going by himself to 'the spot' and sitting there waiting for a treat and pats and attention. Sure, for one split second there is a poke but that is not the focus, the food is. He of course gets treats after as well.

The people here told me that home testing would actually create a much stronger bond with my kitty but that sounded a bit unrealistic to me. Every word is true though. Years later, Hendrick is in full diabetic remission and his blood glucose is diet-controlled but that bond we formed back in 2022 remains as strong as ever. He will always be my special boy who meets me at the door and wants to cuddle and tuck his head under my chin.

A debt I cannot hope to repay to the kind souls here. Literal living angels, helping strangers and their cats, day in and day out --- just because it is needed.