Katie Theuns
Member Since 2021
Hi, and thank you all for being here for those of us feeling overwhelmed!
I have two diabetic cats, both recently diagnosed.
Cindy Lou Who is a 13 year old female who was diagnosed with both diabetes and hyperthyroidism on May 11 of this year. She currently weighs 6.4 pounds. She went in for a routine exam and vaccines and they wanted to run labs after feeling her thyroid.
Sterling is a 12 year old male who was diagnosed with diabetes on May 7. He currently weighs 9.6 pounds. We brought him in to the vet because he had lost too much weight (in October he was 15 pounds).
Both are currently on Vetsulin, which I’m reading isn’t the best for cats. I’m supposed to call the vet on Monday about Sterling (see end of post) and will ask about the other options I’ve seen here, and discuss with her. Our regular vet is in town now, but was actually out of town when they had their diagnoses. We saw a visiting vet then.
The vet who diagnosed them recommended Purina DM. She did actually recommend the canned version, but I told her that historically these two cats never ever ever would eat canned food. I had tried a variety of brands, types, flavors, and they would lick up any juices and ignore the rest. She said I could try the DM kibble but it wasn’t as good an option. We tried it. They like it, but luckily they seem to actually be willing to eat the wet food now so no more Purina DM.
I’m actually sitting in the drive thru line at the bank with my husband right now, and once we’re done here we’re going to grab canned food for the cats to try. I’ve been reading through here for recommendations but haven’t decided completely yet which to try first.
Yesterday, Sterling refused food. Including the wet treats (like Tiki Cat purée sticks) that I would give to distract from the injection. I wound up taking him in to the vet again, where they said he was extremely dehydrated (ironic, since he camps out at the water bowl - but I get it, the diabetes makes him drink constantly, but he was also peeing a lot AND often vomiting it right back up from drinking too much too fast). He’s hydrated and eating again now though. I’m supposed to call on Monday though to let them know he’s okay, and that I was able to remove his IV catheter (they left it in just in case he crashed again and we needed to take him to the emergency clinic, but said if he was eating this morning I could remove it).
Is there anything else I need to include? I am feeling a little overwhelmed, but honestly not as bad as it could be. I’ve been around (human) diabetics my whole life, and while it’s not exactly the same thing, it has helped my confidence a bit. I’m still worried I’m not doing right for the cats, but we’re getting there.
I have two diabetic cats, both recently diagnosed.
Cindy Lou Who is a 13 year old female who was diagnosed with both diabetes and hyperthyroidism on May 11 of this year. She currently weighs 6.4 pounds. She went in for a routine exam and vaccines and they wanted to run labs after feeling her thyroid.
Sterling is a 12 year old male who was diagnosed with diabetes on May 7. He currently weighs 9.6 pounds. We brought him in to the vet because he had lost too much weight (in October he was 15 pounds).
Both are currently on Vetsulin, which I’m reading isn’t the best for cats. I’m supposed to call the vet on Monday about Sterling (see end of post) and will ask about the other options I’ve seen here, and discuss with her. Our regular vet is in town now, but was actually out of town when they had their diagnoses. We saw a visiting vet then.
The vet who diagnosed them recommended Purina DM. She did actually recommend the canned version, but I told her that historically these two cats never ever ever would eat canned food. I had tried a variety of brands, types, flavors, and they would lick up any juices and ignore the rest. She said I could try the DM kibble but it wasn’t as good an option. We tried it. They like it, but luckily they seem to actually be willing to eat the wet food now so no more Purina DM.
I’m actually sitting in the drive thru line at the bank with my husband right now, and once we’re done here we’re going to grab canned food for the cats to try. I’ve been reading through here for recommendations but haven’t decided completely yet which to try first.
Yesterday, Sterling refused food. Including the wet treats (like Tiki Cat purée sticks) that I would give to distract from the injection. I wound up taking him in to the vet again, where they said he was extremely dehydrated (ironic, since he camps out at the water bowl - but I get it, the diabetes makes him drink constantly, but he was also peeing a lot AND often vomiting it right back up from drinking too much too fast). He’s hydrated and eating again now though. I’m supposed to call on Monday though to let them know he’s okay, and that I was able to remove his IV catheter (they left it in just in case he crashed again and we needed to take him to the emergency clinic, but said if he was eating this morning I could remove it).
Is there anything else I need to include? I am feeling a little overwhelmed, but honestly not as bad as it could be. I’ve been around (human) diabetics my whole life, and while it’s not exactly the same thing, it has helped my confidence a bit. I’m still worried I’m not doing right for the cats, but we’re getting there.
