9/08 FRED

[Kathleen and Fred]

Hi Everyone! It's been a long summer and a long time since I checked in. As you can see from his chart, Fred is doing great! We made it through my having to be out of town and my neighbor is very proud that she can give him shots if now needed in the future. So maybe I won't have to be chained to my house and in insulin bottle!

A coupe of things seem to be keeping Fred on track. 1) I have switched TOTALLY to Sheba pate. I can get it at GJ's for about $.45 a can. The flavors are beef, chicken and salmon. I'm sure he gets tired it these, but his numbers stay low when he eats only Sheba pate. The other forms of (even) Sheba will send the numbers up some. I didn't note that on his chart, but when you see the numbers above 150, know that he's had a rotisserie chicken, other wet food, or has not been n his schedule.

Which brings me to the next reason I think he's doing well 2) Fred eats often during the day. He gets breakfast at 7am with his shot, a snack around noon to 1pm, another snack around 4:30-5pm and dinner at 7pm with his shot. I also give him a snack around 10pm and (when I have to go to the potty) he gets a thawed food popsicle - around 2am. These frequent feedings (amounting in total to no more than 10oz per day - Fred weights 15.5 lbs) seem to help a lot with keeping him regulated.

I know we're close to being able to get him OTJ, but for now I'm happy that he's doing well over all. His exam this year came back with perfect results, his dental operation only required cleaning - no extractions. He's getting older (14 in July) and has some stiff days from his stroke last Spring. But, all in all, Fred is doing great.

Thanks, as always, for your support. I believe it has kept Fred alive and well for many years!!

Kathleen & Fred

 

[Sue and Oliver (GA)]

How lovely to hear from you and Fred, Kathleen, and see Fred's ss. All those beautiful blues! It sounds like you have figured out the perfect diet for him. Great job! I remember last year when you were scared you might lose him. How wonderful that that the two of you are doing so well.

 

[terriy]

It is so very nice to hear of such a success! :smile:
I am thrilled to hear that you will no longer be chained to a meter and a bottle of insulin! As much as we love them It so nice to be able to get away once in a while and not have to worry about them.
I turn down so many opportunities to go out of town because of my fur baby. Most everyone that knows me either thinks I'm crazy for doing so or the first thing they say is "well I'd know that you'd like to go but because of your critters, I know that you are not able to" Most don't understand at all!!
I'm so very happy for you! Keep up the good work!!

 

[Kathleen and Fred]

Thanks to you both!!

I look at this animal-person relationship as a life-long commitment (mine or theirs, whichever comes first!). These little "fuzzy butts" are not objects that we can trade in or trash when we get tired of them - they are another form of precious life that must be appreciated and cared for. We never expect, when we first hold that little kitten or puppy, that they will get sick. But if that happens, we need to uphold our end of the bargain and take care of them to the best of our abilities. And in return we get unconditional love along with moments of laughter, reflection, joy, companionship and the knowledge that we are helping to be good stewards of God's wonderful creation.

Fred and I will check back soon....

 

[Grayson & Lu]

Hi Kathleen -

Just stopping by to say hi and CONGRATULATIONS on getting Fred to such good numbers! It's so amazing when we see them go from crazy numbers to good ones. Wishing you a smooth road to OTJ!

Lu-Ann

 

[SweetAngel]

hi Kathleen,

Great news. I look at my furbabies the same way as you do. I chose not to have children, my cats are my babies. Angel is one of the first cats in the uk to trial Prozinc.

I noticed you give Fred a tiny dose when his numbers are low, that's reassured me. Angel is a big cat too, his cut off point for insulin is 7 (128 in US numbers I think) on an ALPHATRAK!! and I was so used to not giving insulin if he was under 150. Angel may or may not (depending on which batch of test strips are correct) be over half way to being OTJ.

Hope Fred continues to do well xx

 

[cocokitten]

Hi everyone, I'm new to the forum, but not new to cat diabetes. My husband and I are very lucky to have opposite schedules, so someone's always home to give our boy Kitten a shot. But our friends and family know we can't go out during his shot times. Some friends find it hard to understand. I even had a coworker say (after we spent $2,000 on Kitten's last medical ER) that we should put him down! UGH!!!

Anyone here have a diabetic kitty with heart disease on top of it? That's what our poor Kitten is blessed with. We're just hoping and praying his kidneys keep up with all his meds.

I've been reading about your successs with Sheba. We too had great success and it's very afforable. We did just recently switched Kitten to Nature's Variety. Most of their flavors are under 3 carbs. Expensive as all hell, but he's been doing well on it-as in, he eats all of it. We took him off it because he's sensitve to fish. They put fish oil in almost all wet can food for some reason. Still trying to get his numbers down. Right now his 300/400 during shot time. Thanks to some super nice, helpful, and smart folks here, I think we can get it low and even to remission again.

Jessica and Kitten