8 Month old kitten diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes, please help me.

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Mars

Member Since 2020
Hi,

My eight month old kitten started losing weight rapidly. I took him to the vet and they did bloodwork only to find out he had high sugar. They were surprised as they’d never seen a kitten with that so they assumed it must be a false positive.

they took a urine analysis and confirmed there was sugar in the urine.

my world felt like it fell apart.

I ran as soon as I could to another vet for a second opinion. Same thing. Blood sugar level of 293 and sugar in the urine. Lost another half a pound since the last vet visit not even a full week ago. No personal experience with it. Said “wow it is strange for your kitten to have this, as it is very rare, but the numbers are there..”

I asked him how kittens with juvenile diabetes typically do from what he’s read or heard from colleagues. He gave me a thumbs down sign and a “so/so” sign but no thumbs up. He said there’s most likely other underlying issues that are going to make his life difficult.

According to the vet, I was looking at bills of up to $3000 over the next two months because it’s irregular for a cat this young to have diabetes and most likely he has other issues with his pancreas or thyroid that they need to find out.

His name is Salami. He has a brother and sister that I found off the street in a box one day. Their names are Gremlin and Susu.

I understand that these things happen, and that not everyone gets a fair chance at life. You can’t control genetics. However, previous to this one of my pets died due to an allergic reaction to Anastasia during surgery and another had feline leukemia and had to be put to sleep because of how progressively worse it got.

I was ready to put down whatever I needed to for Salami. I only ate Ramen last month to save for his vet bill.

The vet bills kept piling up.

I don’t know what to do anymore. All the vets I’ve spoken to have said it’s a rare case and they’ll need a specialist.

I love my kitten. I love him so much and I don’t want him to go away, but it seems like my only options are surrendering him and hoping to give him a shot at life despite being in a depressing shelter, or putting him to sleep.

I live in NYC if anyone knows any programs or foster homes or anything for my kitten. I don’t want to separate him from his siblings but it seems like I have no more choice.

I tried the best I could. I don’t know what I can do anymore. I have his bloodwork, xrays, and his urine analysis.
 
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Can you post the analysis here? Is your kitten on insulin? If so which type insulin? I dont have enough expertise to recommend advice but others here do. Hang in there for more responses. There is a wealth of information here with people along to help.
jeanne
I posted a link to your thread in community. The more eyes the better!
 
I've attached the findings.

I'm bawling my eyes out and I honestly just wish this wasn't the case. It feels so unfair. He's so young.

He does not have insulin yet. They want to put him on Lantus I think.
 

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Hi kitten Salami! I did not catch your humans name. Would you introduce him/her to us please? First name is good enough.

Deep breath, hold, release, deep breath, hold, release, deep breath,hold, release.

We can help you and your kitten. There will be a lot of work involved. There is a lot to learn about treating a diabetic cat. It will seem stressful and overwhelming at times. But we are here to help.

We have had diabetic kittens here before, not a lot but there have been some.

It's possible for a diabetic kitten to live well and successfully for many years after diagnosis.
We can help you with that if you are interested.
We have had 2 diabetic kittens so far this year on the message board. One of them was in Spain, the other in the US.

The 5 basics of caring for a diabetic cat or kitten are a good insulin, a good low carb canned food, home testing, and a vet that will work with you and help you, and a support group such as this.

Lantus is a good insulin for cats and kittens. We know of places to obtain it at lower cost.
A low carb canned food such as Pro Plan Focus pate kitten food or Fancy Feast pate kitten food are appropriate foods for a diabetic kitten. Pro Plan (made by Purina) makes a line of kitten foods in their Focus line. Look for Kitten Chicken & Liver Classic, Kitten Ocean Whitefish & Tuna, Kitten Salmon & OceanFish

Fancy Feast makes a Tender Ocean Whitefish Feast flavor, as well as a Tender Turkey Feast flavor.

Your vet is correct and there may be other medical conditions going on with your kitten.

Did the vet check for infection or inflammation? Sometimes, that can raise the blood glucose levels.
There is also a phenomenon called "vet stress" where the blood glucose (BG) levels can be elevated at the vet but are perfectly normal at home.
You might want to purchase an inexpensive human glucometer and matching test strips and a box of lancets, and test your kitten at home. We can teach you how to hometest.
 
Deb & Wink said:
Hi kitten Salami! I did not catch your humans name. Would you introduce him/her to us please? First name is good enough.

Deep breath, hold, release, deep breath, hold, release, deep breath,hold, release.

We can help you and your kitten. There will be a lot of work involved. There is a lot to learn about treating a diabetic cat. It will seem stressful and overwhelming at times. But we are here to help.

We have had diabetic kittens here before, not a lot but there have been some.

It's possible for a diabetic kitten to live well and successfully for many years after diagnosis.
We can help you with that if you are interested.
We have had 2 diabetic kittens so far this year on the message board. One of them was in Spain, the other in the US.

The 5 basics of caring for a diabetic cat or kitten are a good insulin, a good low carb canned food, home testing, and a vet that will work with you and help you, and a support group such as this.

Lantus is a good insulin for cats and kittens. We know of places to obtain it at lower cost.
A low carb canned food such as Pro Plan Focus pate kitten food or Fancy Feast pate kitten food are appropriate foods for a diabetic kitten. Pro Plan (made by Purina) makes a line of kitten foods in their Focus line. Look for Kitten Chicken & Liver Classic, Kitten Ocean Whitefish & Tuna, Kitten Salmon & OceanFish

Fancy Feast makes a Tender Ocean Whitefish Feast flavor, as well as a Tender Turkey Feast flavor.

Your vet is correct and there may be other medical conditions going on with your kitten.

Did the vet check for infection or inflammation? Sometimes, that can raise the blood glucose levels.
There is also a phenomenon called "vet stress" where the blood glucose (BG) levels can be elevated at the vet but are perfectly normal at home.
You might want to purchase an inexpensive human glucometer and matching test strips and a box of lancets, and test your kitten at home. We can teach you how to hometest.
Click to expand...

my name is marcel

could you please send the links and a hometest guide? i can get the human glucometer and matching test strips as soon as possible. would it be likely for the kitteen to have sugar in the urine too if its stressed?
 
Most shelters in NYC that take in cat surrenders from owners can only give the cats that come in a very limited time in the shelter. That is because there are so many cats and kittens surrendered, that there is not enough space for them all. One to 2 weeks is usually the time limit for a surrender before they are euthanized.

There may be rescue organizations that can help you. Which borough of NYC do you live in?
Anjellicle Cats Rescue is the only name I can remember right now. I know they pull cats from the kill shelters and try to find foster homes for them. I don't know if they will take in cats from a private home.
 
Glucose in the cats urine is usually a sign of either diabetes or an infection/inflammation.

Is your kitten receiving antibiotics right now?

p.s test guide coming
 
Here are some good testing links for you.
This is everything, including videos.
Hometesting Links and Tips - includes numerous links, instructions, pictures, & videos

This is some specifics about getting your cat comfortable with the testing process.
•Ear Testing Psychology•

This document has a diagram and some tips on testing. You will need to scroll to the very top of this next document, since it opens at the very last post. Look in post #1 in the following document.
Marje and Gracie's Testing and Shooting Tips

This is the diagram of where to aim the lancet.
Testing
We all know the basics:
  • Warm the ear with a rice sock or a warm washcloth wrapped in a plastic bag.
  • Either freehand or use a lancing device; new members usually start with a larger gauge lancet such as 28g or 29g until the ear learns to bleed; then progress to a 31g or 33g which are finer.
  • Be sure to poke in the "sweet spot" and not the major vein that runs along the length of the ear. Poking the vein will not only hurt, but will result in a lot of blood. The sweet spot is on the edge of the ear.
4395c545-36bf-4aba-bec7-4392fcdb191c-jpeg.48119

But did you also know there is a particular way for the lancet to be used? It has one side that is beveled so the sharpest part goes in first, if used correctly.
 
Deb & Wink said:
Glucose in the cats urine is usually a sign of either diabetes or an infection/inflammation.

Is your kitten receiving antibiotics right now?

p.s test guide coming
Click to expand...

He is not receiving antibiotics right now. I wasn't able to get to the stage where I could afford all the test they were asking me to do. It was like $2000 just for this month.

I will call Anjellicle Cats Rescue. What should I say to them?

I live in Queens but I'm willing to go anywhere.
 
Tell them your situation. Ask if they know if any available help. Ask if they would take on a diabetic kitten. Ask them for other resources you can contact. Network.

There is Flatbush Cats, but they do street cat rescue and are in Brooklyn. Worth trying to contact them also.
NYC ACC is one of those public shelters that has a strict time limit on surrenders. Not a no-kill shelter.
Bobbi & The Strays are out on Long Island.
 
Also check with either your animal control or humane society to see if they can recommend any low cost vets to help with the rest of the testing.

Though there is a little bit of a learning curve at the beginning, we can help you learn how to care for a diabetic cat giving the best care but also economically.
 
Yes. An infection could cause the glucose levels to be high.

You still may need insulin while treating the infection. It is very important that you also home test. As the infection clears the insulin dose may need to be reduced or hopefully he may be diet controlled.
 
unfortunately none of the rescues i've called so far are willing to take a diabetic kitten.

one of them forwarded me to a vet who can do the initial check up for $55 fructosemene (im not sure how thats spelt) for $46 and the ultrasound $460. i still cannot afford that.

they forwarded me to the dotty fund and i wrote them an email since then.

does anyone have any other ideas? i really don't want to let my little guy go.

Deb & Wink said:
Yes.

https://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/endocrine/c_ct_high_blood_sugar
Click to expand...

thank you for that. it's a ray of hope right now. it seems the only shelter willing to take my cat is the ACC and i know what will happen after a week there.
 
Your first vet can add a fructosamine to the tests requested from that blood sample. Antech can do that. The vet that drew the blood and sent it off to the lab for testing.
It can tell if the high BG was partially caused by stress hyperglycemia.
 
Deb & Wink said:
Your first vet can add a fructosamine to the tests requested from that blood sample. Antech can do that. The vet that drew the blood and sent it off to the lab for testing.
It can tell if the high BG was partially caused by stress hyperglycemia.
Click to expand...

I just called my vet and left them a message. Any other ideas while I wait? I really want to do everything I can.
 
Deb & Wink said:
Your first vet can add a fructosamine to the tests requested from that blood sample. Antech can do that. The vet that drew the blood and sent it off to the lab for testing.
It can tell if the high BG was partially caused by stress hyperglycemia.
Click to expand...
I agree.

I don't think the ultrasound may be needed yet. An infection and the high glucose readings need to be addressed immediately.
 
Also start calling pharmacies to see if the will fill a prescription for a single pen of Lantus or Levemir. If you find one tell the vet you want a prescription for a single pen and also a separate one for a package of 5 pens. The single pen will allow you to start insulin right away. The package of pens you can order from Canada and that will save you a lot of money. You don't need to fill that one yet until you know if you will need to keep giving insulin.
 
Also, once you have the insulin, tell us what your starting dose is before you give any insulin. Unfortunately, too many vets start at too high of a dose. 1/2 to 1 unit twice a day is a good starting dose. Anything higher than that, you should reduce it to avoid risking hypoglycemia.
 
Hello Marcel!

I just wanted to say that sometimes it helps to be very honest with the vet about your finances. Call your vet. Tell them you can't afford further testing right now, but you would like to start by addressing the issues you already know about by getting an antibiotic along with the insulin. Honestly, in my opinion, the treatment for Salami might end up being exactly the same whether you get that MRI or not. Vets like to be thorough, and that's understandable. If your present vet won't help, call other vets. Take them the lab results from the first vet, and tell them your situation and that you need an antibiotic. Find one that will work with you. It might cost you another office visit charge, but that's way cheaper than an MRI.
 
Everyone, thank you. I’m bringing my cat to a new vet tomorrow to see what my options are.

Financials are the problem. I have friends that are willing to help me cover some initial cost, but does anyone know of any funds that may be able to assist?

For now I have a consultation planned with a animal hospital that specializes in cats for $95. They said they also work closely with an organization that could most likely rehome my diabetic cat if need be. They said they don’t believe euthanasia is a good option.

Another vet offered the following, he said vets wanna check everything and he understands the situation. He’s willing to do blood analysis for $25 for three weeks while we figure out the curve of insulin he needs. after that, every three months, then eventually every six.

I love this guy and I want to give him any chance at life that I can.
 
Once you learn to home test you will save more since you will be able to do your own curves and not have to bring him in just for glucose testing.

Hopefully the new vet will support home testing but if they do not, do not be discouraged. Unfortunately that is too common. You do not need your vets permission to test. Look at it this way, if Salami was your human child, you would not give insulin dose until you knew it was safe by testing glucose levels first. If you have your meter when you go to the appointment, take it with you and ask them to show you how to test. If the dose they start with is higher than 1 unit twice a day, let the vet know you feel more comfortable starting with the lower dose.

Good insulins that cats respond to are Lantus, Levemir, ProZinc and BCP PZI. Avoid Humulin, Vetsulin Novalin and Caninsulin. These are shorter acting insulins and most cats don't respond well to them.

As I said earlier, if Lantus or Levemir is prescribed, get two prescriptions, one for a single pen and the other for a package. Once you know how Salami is responding to the insulin, you can order the package of pens from Canada. A single pen will provide several weeks of insulin, so there is no hurry to order more.
 
Wise words Lisa! Home testing will save a bundle AND put you directly IN CHARGE. Its difficult at first so dont get discouraged. There help here with that too!
God bless you for doing what you need to do to help this little kitty cat. :bighug:
 
Lisa and Witn (GA) said:
How did the visit with the new vet go? I am hoping that they were able to help you.
Click to expand...

Hi,

So they recommended the following given my financial situation: No more test like ulltrasounds.
ProZing 1/2 unit 2x a day. Follow up in 3 weeks to check his blood sugar and get a fructosemene to see how his blood sugars doing at home.

I asked for a prescription for it and she said we'd cross that bridge during the checkup, so I can order it from elsewhere.

For now, I have a full bottle of ProZinq, the syringes, and they showed me how to inject him. Surprisingly less difficult than I thought it'd be!

I'm so happy to have the guy with me. I really cannot stress how much happier I feel. I've actually been smiling today.

However, I must also stress my financial situation is sort of in a bad place for the next test. The vet still recommends getting him an Ultrasound as soon as I can afford it. If anyone knows of any funds, or places I might be able to get donations for Salami's ultrasound, it would be super appreciated.

I would also appreciate information on where I can get the products I need in the cheapest possible way to take care of him (needles and the insulin)
 
Did they say what test they would be doing in 3 weeks? If it is not a fructosomine test and they are only checking the glucose level at the time of the visit, it would be better for you to test before every shot and provide that data instead. Glucose tests at a vet can be higher at the vet due to your cat being stressed. By providing your own readings will give the vet more accurate information about how well the dose is working.

Did the vet say anything about the white blood count being high from your lab work and if there is an infection?
 
Lisa and Witn (GA) said:
Did they say what test they would be doing in 3 weeks? If it is not a fructosomine test and they are only checking the glucose level at the time of the visit, it would be better for you to test before every shot and provide that data instead. Glucose tests at a vet can be higher at the vet due to your cat being stressed. By providing your own readings will give the vet more accurate information about how well the dose is working.

Did the vet say anything about the white blood count being high from your lab work and if there is an infection?
Click to expand...

It is a fructosomine test.

I asked about antibiotics and she just said it's just unlikely and probably wouldn't change anything.
 
Mars said:
Everyone, thank you. I’m bringing my cat to a new vet tomorrow to see what my options are.

Financials are the problem. I have friends that are willing to help me cover some initial cost, but does anyone know of any funds that may be able to assist?

For now I have a consultation planned with a animal hospital that specializes in cats for $95. They said they also work closely with an organization that could most likely rehome my diabetic cat if need be. They said they don’t believe euthanasia is a good option.

Another vet offered the following, he said vets wanna check everything and he understands the situation. He’s willing to do blood analysis for $25 for three weeks while we figure out the curve of insulin he needs. after that, every three months, then eventually every six.

I love this guy and I want to give him any chance at life that I can.
Click to expand...
Once you confirm the diagnosis, the ongoing cost is not crazy high, esp if you test at home. Once I started testing at home my cat didnt go back to the vet for a year. I have a video in my signature showing how I test my cat CC at home. A vial of insulin can be pricy, but most vials last 5-6 months so it's not a frequent purchase.

Syringes at the vet tend to be high priced, but you can get them cheap at Walmart or Adwdiabetes.com. Usually around $15 for a box of 100.

Diabetes is not Death sentence, and while that first month of tests and supplies are expensive, that is not going to be ongoing.

A number in the 200's for a newly diagnosed cat is not super high. We have a lot that test at 400+ at diagnosis, so you probably caught it early.


Also want to say that I thought two shots a day was going to be torture for my cat. Three years later I can tell you is not a big deal and my cat barely notices.
 
Hello,

I just wanted to provide an update. A hospital I spoke to says they have someone willing to give him a forever home.

I am weighing my options financially, as it does seem like this person is more equipped to deal with Salami's issues. However, I sure will miss the guy a lot. :(

edit: I just found out the person looking to adopt him is someone who works at the hospital. I feel that this is the most viable option for Salami, even if I do really want to keep him. He will have all the care he needs there, such as the ultrasound I couldn’t afford and so on.

Although bittersweet, this is the most amazing thing that could’ve happened.

I’ll be spending time with Salami until Saturday and continuing his insulin.
 
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Lisa and Witn (GA) said:
We wish you could keep him but completely understand the situation. You want to do what is best for Salami. Hopefully the new owner will be willing to keep you updated on how he is doing.
Click to expand...

I think so. The hospital staff seem like very nice people.

Salami will get the best care he possibly can this way :) I’ll be driving an hour away with a friend to get him there.

I appreciate all your advice. I think this is, even as much as it hurts, a very good thing for him.
 
jt and trouble (GA) said:
Wish we knew how it went...sigh I do hope its all ok with Salami.:bighug:
Click to expand...

I can't imagine the pain Mars feels that he has to give Salami to another family. I am so proud of Mars, for his unselfishness...and true love to Salami.. He let Salami go, for Salami's own good... It must have been very painful....hurtful, but letting him go to another family who can give Salami a better life and treatment.. is the true, selfless love he can give him.
I live in NY, but was too late when I saw this message. I actually message him earlier asking if he was able to give him insulin and I will help him, then I found out that Salami now belongs to another family.

Hope the best for both of them...

I hope he constantly sees Salami...
 
I too hope he is included in Salami's future. I know it had to be hard. But he did give Salami the gift of life. What better gift is there?
Mars if you ever come back to read this please know we all are on board. You did the right thing. :bighug:
Your family at FDMB.
 
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