? A Bit Freaked Out!

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Jeff D / Sketch

Jeff D / Sketch

Member Since 2017
HI all my name is Jeff and I'm new to the site and studying the info here.
My 17 year old buddy "Sketch" was just diagnosed with Feline Diabetes after I noticed him drinking and using his box excessively the last couple weeks...plus seeming just a bit off. I am really worried about treating him as he is not the most cooperative cat (understatement)! Most my friends describe him as the "Steve McQueen" of cats...aloof and cool, fearless, good looking and lives life on his terms. Sketch doesn't like to be handled and only likes lap time on 'his' terms which will make it hard to monitor him let alone inject him. I have immediately switched his diet to all wet and raw and I'm hoping that diet change will help (however he is not obese or underweight). Although his symptoms have improved a bit with the diet change (water drinking and box use) although still higher than what is normal for him. We go back to the vet tomorrow to for a recheck and a bit of guidance in obtaining blood samples and discuss treatment options.
I've gotten pretty attached to the old guy and I'm really hoping I don't have to put him down due to him not allowing me to treat him as he has otherwise been an active and healthy outdoor / indoor cat.
Wondering if any of you have had a similar situation with treating a less than agreeable patient and if so any tips for a rookie???
 
Sorry for the diagnosis! Man... that's tough with a... shall we say INDEPENDENT cat. I have 7 and I know if it were Ally, Julie or Luna that were diabetic I would have a TERRIBLE time treating them. Fortunately CC is pretty chill, so if it had to be any of them, she's the easiest to work with!

There are definitely folks here with "spirited" kitties, so I'll let them give you their tips and tricks.

You did good switching to all wet food... make sure that they are pate only... NOOOOO gravy.

I can assure you that while it is scary at first to give the shots, that really the cat barely feels it. You might even be able to do it quick while he's eating... just quick pull up the scruff stick it in and shoot. the amount is so tiny that it really only takes a second. testing the ears might be slightly more challenging.... but we all find giving treats is a good incentive for them to let you do it.
 
Welcome Jeff & Sketch!
First thing, there are definitely people here that can help you learn how to treat Sketch :). Second, keep in mind when the Vet checks his BG it is more likely to be higher because kitties are usually stressed at the office. Lastly, when you get a post on the Main Health Forum, I will try to find a few people to send your way. Some with semi-feral cats who are treating successfully :cat:.
 
JanetNJ said:
Sorry for the diagnosis! Man... that's tough with a... shall we say INDEPENDENT cat. I have 7 and I know if it were Ally, Julie or Luna that were diabetic I would have a TERRIBLE time treating them. Fortunately CC is pretty chill, so if it had to be any of them, she's the easiest to work with!

There are definitely folks here with "spirited" kitties, so I'll let them give you their tips and tricks.

You did good switching to all wet food... make sure that they are pate only... NOOOOO gravy.

I can assure you that while it is scary at first to give the shots, that really the cat barely feels it. You might even be able to do it quick while he's eating... just quick pull up the scruff stick it in and shoot. the amount is so tiny that it really only takes a second. testing the ears might be slightly more challenging.... but we all find giving treats is a good incentive for them to let you do it.
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Thanks for the feedback and info!
Yes he is on all wet (Fancy Feast Classics as well as 'RAD Cat Raw free range chicken) both he eats well. I actually used to feed him a combo of Fancy Feast Classic was well as free feeding IAMs Adult dry.
I'm not worried about about hurting Sketch when giving shots or testing but more whether I can get him to sit still to allow me the time. I actually I think it would be more likely me to will feel pain from his claws!
I actually had a 23 year old cat that I gave fluids to at home and most the time he wouldn't even flinch when inserting the IV needle. But he was a much more manageable and easy to handle cat!
 
Yong said:
Welcome Jeff & Sketch!
First thing, there are definitely people here that can help you learn how to treat Sketch :). Second, keep in mind when the Vet checks his BG it is more likely to be higher because kitties are usually stressed at the office. Lastly, when you get a post on the Main Health Forum, I will try to find a few people to send your way. Some with semi-feral cats who are treating successfully :cat:.
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Thanks for the welcome and any advice you can send my way is much appreciated!
My vet did advise me about the higher BG readings and I had read that the readings can shoot up due to the stress. The initial readings were very high (527) and coupled with symptoms of increased thirst and urination it makes it likely he will be high. I think she is hoping to counsel and show me tomorrow during his recheck on being able draw blood for BG and test at home so that the numbers will be more accurate.
Thanks again.
 
Jeff Davis said:
Thanks for the welcome and any advice you can send my way is much appreciated!
My vet did advise me about the higher BG readings and I had read that the readings can shoot up due to the stress. The initial readings were very high (527) and coupled with symptoms of increased thirst and urination it makes it likely he will be high. I think she is hoping to counsel and show me tomorrow during his recheck on being able draw blood for BG and test at home so that the numbers will be more accurate.
Thanks again.
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If you can get someone to help you, wrapping him in a towel will protect you from claws. When you go to the vet tomorrow ask them to cut his nails, too!
 
Jeff Davis said:
Thanks for the feedback and info!
Yes he is on all wet (Fancy Feast Classics as well as 'RAD Cat Raw free range chicken) both he eats well. I actually used to feed him a combo of Fancy Feast Classic was well as free feeding IAMs Adult dry.
I'm not worried about about hurting Sketch when giving shots or testing but more whether I can get him to sit still to allow me the time. I actually I think it would be more likely me to will feel pain from his claws!
I actually had a 23 year old cat that I gave fluids to at home and most the time he wouldn't even flinch when inserting the IV needle. But he was a much more manageable and easy to handle cat!
Click to expand...

My Yoshi was just diagnosed and he was a ferile kitten. I was terrified to give the shot, but it seems they barely feel it, especially if they're almost done w eating.

As most know here, I'm scared he's going to give me a problem home testing. Will find out soon. You can also test their paw, which not many seem to do, but is possible.

Good cat vibes!
 
Stressedcatmom said:
My Yoshi was just diagnosed and he was a ferile kitten. I was terrified to give the shot, but it seems they barely feel it, especially if they're almost done w eating.

As most know here, I'm scared he's going to give me a problem home testing. Will find out soon. You can also test their paw, which not many seem to do, but is possible.

Good cat vibes!
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Thanks for the input and good cat vibes!
Sketch was never a a feral cat from my understanding but I don't think he was treated very well...of course he's a bit hard to deal with too so I'm not sure which came first. My neighbor had inherited him from his daughter that had to relocate and he was never allowed in the house and had little contact outside of feeding time. I had seen him in the neighborhood but he was always reluctant to come to me. One cold and snowy night in late January a number of years ago he showed up at my back door. I didn't have the heart to turn him away so I opened the door, he stormed in and I gave him a warm safe place to sleep. He gradually warmed up to me and I inherited a new room mate! We've been buds since.
He is extremely touchy about his paws, stomach and hind quarters so I think it will be his ears which he is better about having touched or scratched that I will attempt testing on. Will keep all posted in few days after his recheck and my training from my vet! Hoping for the best and that he will understand that I am trying to help him and keep him healthy.
 
Jeff Davis said:
He is extremely touchy about his paws, stomach and hind quarters so I think it will be his ears which he is better about having touched or scratched that I will attempt testing on.
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Ha, I know what that's like. When I go to trim my little one's nails you'd think I'm amputating her paws by all the meowing, growling and hissing shes does. Then when it's all over she starts purring, go figure. Thankfully when doing the BG testing she didn't mind that much when I would poke her ear. Once I found the sweet spot that is.
 
Just performed my first BG test on Sketch without incident! :nailbiting: Was able to do it as he was sitting next to me nice and relaxed rather than stressed out in the vets office. And although I'm sure the diet change to all wet and raw plus not being stressed helped the readings are still high. Readings at the vet office was 527 and today on his first test it was 376 . I will test a couple more times over the weekend and then get with the vet on Monday.
 
Grats on getting that first test done! Chances are he is going to need insulin and the most important tests are pre-shot tests. We'll be here to help when you update :). Might want to start a thread on the Main Health forum at that point.
 
Yong said:
Grats on getting that first test done! Chances are he is going to need insulin and the most important tests are pre-shot tests. We'll be here to help when you update :). Might want to start a thread on the Main Health forum at that point.
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Thanks. Will do a thread on the main health forum once his treatment is settled on. I was thinking he will probably be needing insulin but wanted to see how he did on the new diet first. I'll be discussing it with the vet Monday. I (and Sketch) appreciate the support!
 
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