Animal shelter volunteer looking for more info

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Hello friends! (I really do think of you as my friends now. :) )

The little queen is home, and she is doing great so far. She hid under a dresser for the first few minutes, but it didn't take long before she was purring and cuddling up to me (and my boyfriend as well). She is an absolute doll. And she is so good with her shots! I was a bit nervous the first time, but she hardly even flinches. Right now she is on Novolin, 1 unit every 12 hours. The vet also has her eating Fancy Feast Classic, and she gobbles it right up!

Now for the trickier part -- my boy Anthony. On Saturday, he didn't really pay any attention to the closed door, apart from being a little miffed that he couldn't get into one of his regular napping rooms. Yesterday, he definitely figured out what -- or who -- was behind that door. He actually hissed at the door a few times over the course of the day. :( I have been very careful to give him lots of snuggles, pets, and play time. In general he seems okay, he doesn't hang around the door for very long. Mostly he just lounges around in his usual spots. But I am feeling pretty nervous about the whole thing. Especially since She-Hulk is clearly very eager to explore the great big world she knows is right outside that door!

To further complicate matters, my boyfriend and I are going out of town for a week starting on Saturday. I had talked to the vet about this ahead of time -- my upstairs neighbor and friend Stephanie used to work full-time at the shelter and is very happy to take care of both Anthony and She-Hulk for the week (we always watch each other's pets when one of us goes away). The other option would be to bring She-Hulk back to the shelter while we're gone, but I feel like that would be more traumatic for her. I'd rather she get to stay in a nice comfortable room than go back into a cage. Still, I do wish I didn't have to leave right now!

As much as I do hope she can stay with us forever, I'm trying not to rename her until I know for sure. Now that I've gotten to know her better, she doesn't really strike me as a Jenny. (I do love some of the suggestions I've seen here!) I did have one idea come to me this morning. I put a portable radio in her room and set it to the local classical station, hoping it will help put her at ease while she is alone during the day. The first song that came on was Tchaikovsky's Sleeping Beauty Waltz. And I thought, what if I called her Aurora. She certainly is a little princess. :)

Okay, now for some piccies!! Thank you again, everyone, for all of your support. <3
 

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sotto1031 said:
The first song that came on was Tchaikovsky's Sleeping Beauty Waltz. And I thought, what if I called her Aurora.
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Oh that would really suit her! :cat:

The pics are lovely, Sarah. I especially like the one where she's beside the cat bed looking up at you. :D

The hissing behaviour from Anthony is pretty much to be expected. It's good that he's not camping beside the door.

I think if your friend can pet sit, it would be better for 'She-J' (can't do the 'Hulk' part; she's just too pretty!). I can understand your reluctance to leave the two of them at this point. Fingers and paws crossed that all will go well. :)


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She is soooo dang sweet and cute, Sarah!!
Congratulations!!!!
When I transitioned another kitty into our established home, I did as you're doing..put kitty in own room with door firmly shut. Let the others stay outside and sniff, etc.
When I could do so safely, I would "switch them out" and let the other in the room, door shut, to toleration.
It helped to acclimate all to each others scents first.
When I did begin face to face introductions, they were very brief, at first, working forward. This can take a few weeks, for some. You know Anthony, so you'll know.
I never let them be together for awhile, without supervision.
And I kept a soft large pillow handy in case I might have to gently separate the occasional mini spat, by providing a safety barrier. Just watch their signals.
Wishing you all the speedy success possible!!
 
Thank you, @Critter Mom, @Squeaky and KT, and @Tucker&Me! This is all very reassuring, I admit I was a bit of a nervous wreck last night. :nailbiting: I'm feeling so much better about things today.

I probably won't try to introduce them face-to-face until I come back from my trip (I'm gone from August 29 to September 4), which gives them a couple of weeks to get used to each other's smells through the door (and maybe also on some blankets or towels that I will swap between their spaces).

Does anyone have experience with Jackson Galaxy's Spirit Essences? I wonder if that might help Anthony as well. I am really not worried about She-Hulk, I think she's going to be very excited to have a new friend. :)
 
@sotto1031 She-Jen has really won our hearts. Love the photos!

Please read the Novolin primer at http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/humulin-n-primer.303/

Novolin/Humulin (both are the same; just different manufacturers) are not the best insulins for cats. Few cats get more than 6-8 hours of benefit on it. It doesn't last up to 12 hours like longer-lasting insulins such as Lantus or Prozinc. To get optimal benefit, one would need to give Novolin every 8 hours. Few caregivers have the patience or time to do that. Novolin is a fast/short acting insulin and can cause sharp bounces in BG levels.

This is why home testing is an absolute must. I had CJ on Novolin and at best, she was getting 6-8 hours of use on it. The day I learned to home test was the day I learned she was hypo. Had I not been home testing and had I given her insulin that night, she would have ended up in the ER. Wonderful members here helped me get through the hypo episode. Be sure to stock up on honey, karo syrup or a high carb gravy food like Fancy Feast's Gravy Lovers. Or you can add honey or karo syrup to a low carb food. You can't always tell by looking at your cat if she is hypo or not. I could not tell with CJ.

Familiarize yourself with this important guide: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oI_34_EgqeKdpyttFW0oLoG1mbw16IkATAWHhoQD2JU/pub

Let us know what She-Jen's BG #'s are so members can help advise about dosing. If Novolin doesn't work for her, we can give you tips for getting other insulins at an affordable price. If finance is an issue, we can give you some links to places that may be able to assist you.

Congratulations! I do hope She-Jen becomes a permanent member of your family!
 
sotto1031 said:
Does anyone have experience with Jackson Galaxy's Spirit Essences?
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I was a little disappointed with these. I believe if you look closely at the ingredients, you will notice that it is mostly water with the "spirits" of various ingredients. Might read more about it before buying them.
Feliway would be a better bet since it's at least been clinically tested.
 
Rescue Remedy is another option. I spray the pet or kid version (no alcohol) on my cats's bedding. Some rub a little on their cats' ears. Someone here has had luck with Nature's Miracle Calming Spray. I think that is sold at Petsmart. I use calming gels and chews for vet visits but it can also be useful at home with the introduction of a new cat.
 
@Cat Ma - any recommendations on the calming gels? I looked at the ingredients in the chews but they're a non-starter for Saoirse because they contain soy. :(

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@Cat Ma thank you very much for all the information about insulin and dosing. While She-Hulk is still in the shelter's foster program, I feel a little funny about challenging the shelter vet on her treatment plan, but once She-Hulk is completely in my care, I definitely plan to discuss treatment and insulin options with my regular vet. In the meantime, I will get started on home testing right away.

Now for an update on the kitty diplomacy front -- Anthony hasn't hissed at the door since Sunday. Now he just sniffs and sometimes will meow if I am in there. Last night while I was in the room with She-Hulk, I heard Anthony meowing outside (basically the same sound I hear if I ever try to close the bathroom door on him). So I decided to let them see each other for a brief moment. Holding She-Hulk in my arms, I opened the door -- I have a row of boxes in front of the door, so he was still behind a little barricade. Anthony just looked at her, almost as if he was thinking, "Oh, so you're the one I've been smelling." She-Hulk, on the other hand, channeled her namesake and hissed at him! I couldn't help but laugh, it was just the exact opposite of what I had expected.

As I fed her dinner, I sat on the floor in her room, right by the door, and I left it cracked a little so Anthony could poke his head in. He did a few times, and all he did was look at her while I gave him some pets. When She-Hulk was done eating, she came over to me, and when Anthony appeared in the door, she hissed at him again. He only hissed back after the third or fourth time, and it was sort of half-hearted, like he was saying, "Oh, give it a rest already."

Anyway, I think those two crazy kids will eventually work it out. :D

Now for more piccies!!
 

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I really, really hope so, Sarah. :) More lovely pics: she has the loveliest eyes! :cat:

It's so good to see her snuggled up and sleeping peacefully. Bless you for helping her, Sarah. :bighug:



Mogs
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sotto1031 said:
@Cat Ma thank you very much for all the information about insulin and dosing. While She-Hulk is still in the shelter's foster program, I feel a little funny about challenging the shelter vet on her treatment plan, but once She-Hulk is completely in my care, I definitely plan to discuss treatment and insulin options with my regular vet. In the meantime, I will get started on home testing right away.
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Love the piccies! Keep em coming! Sounds like things are going to work out with Anthony and our beloved She-Jen. I understand what you mean about challenging the shelter about Novolin and am glad you are getting started on home testing. I hope you'll be able to show the shelter the advantages of the other insulins and why they work better at some point plus home testing and about the benefits of low carb diets so they in turn can educate others.

Meanwhile, while our favorite foster kitty is on Novolin, we're here to help guide you with dosing, hypo crises, home testing and any questions you have.

Please give us BG #'s as soon as you can. Is She-Jen still on 1 unit of Novolin 2x/day?

Thank you for all you do for rescues, Sarah. You are awesome!
 
Cat Ma said:
Meanwhile, while our favorite foster kitty is on Novolin, we're here to help guide you with dosing, hypo crises, home testing and any questions you have.

Please give us BG #'s as soon as you can. Is She-Jen still on 1 unit of Novolin 2x/day?
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Thank you so much -- I can't tell you all how glad I am that I discovered this site. :)

The Queen is still on 1 unit of Novolin twice a day -- I was instructed to feed her first (Fancy Feast Classic), and only to give her insulin if she eats. I did find out her BG numbers -- on August 14, before starting insulin, she was at 376. On August 22, after being on insulin for a week, she was at 271. I will let you know what she is when I home test. I am also due to bring her back for a recheck at the shelter on Friday.

Glad you are all enjoying her pictures! :D
 
Fancy Feast Classics is a good choice.
Here's a handy primer on Novolin in our insulin forum (Humulin is the same as Novolin, just different manufacturers): http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/forums/vetsulin-caninsulin-humulin-n.19/

Especially read the section about how long to wait after feeding to give insulin. The primer says to wait an hour.

Unless you have the most super relaxed cat in the world, you'll likely get lower BG #'s at home.

Be sure to have BJM's glucometer guide on hand (see in her signature line above).
 
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sotto1031 said:
Yes I think so too. :)

I have to confess, though, now that it's all becoming real, I am getting more and more nervous about how my resident cat is going to cope. I really couldn't forgive myself if I caused him major distress. He's been my only child for 7 years. Still, I know I am doing the right thing by saving She-Hulk's life.

Help, my new forum friends! I need a little reassurance...
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I have to say I have two cats and they do have separate living quarters. Not generally the most acceptable plan, but Waimea is blind and Bojangles doesn't play well with others. Bojangles has the run of just about the full house. Waimea has her own room that Bojangles does not access. I've had Waimea 1.5 years, but she had her own room at the humane society for about 1.5 years as well. She's purrfectly content with her own quiet space where she is safe and I can visit her. She has all she needs. Again, I know this wouldn't work well for most cats, but given Waimea's blindess she is happy having her own space.
 
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