Animal shelter volunteer looking for more info

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The vet wrote me back and is very happy to hear I'm interested in fostering She-Hulk. She said She-Hulk is a really special cat and a real trooper. :) The vet thinks there is about a 50% chance that She-Hulk is truly diabetic -- she has been waiting for the steroids to leave her system to see if that was the cause of the glucose elevation. So she said it would be great if I could foster She-Hulk during the waiting period, and go from there. So, things are moving along! I'd better clean out my spare room!!
 
sotto1031 said:
The vet wrote me back and is very happy to hear I'm interested in fostering She-Hulk. She said She-Hulk is a really special cat and a real trooper. :) The vet thinks there is about a 50% chance that She-Hulk is truly diabetic -- she has been waiting for the steroids to leave her system to see if that was the cause of the glucose elevation. So she said it would be great if I could foster She-Hulk during the waiting period, and go from there. So, things are moving along! I'd better clean out my spare room!!
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She-Hulk aka Jenny Waters clearly lives up to her name in the Powers category! Are you home testing yet? Doing so will give you a more accurate picture of your cat's BG (blood glucose) levels and whether she is truly diabetic (still) or not. BG #'s at the vet tend to be higher, especially with a stressed cat.
 
Cat Ma said:
She-Hulk aka Jenny Waters clearly lives up to her name in the Powers category! Are you home testing yet? Doing so will give you a more accurate picture of your cat's BG (blood glucose) levels and whether she is truly diabetic (still) or not. BG #'s at the vet tend to be higher, especially with a stressed cat.
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No, I don't have her at home yet. The latest from the vet (about an hour ago) was that she is due to have a blood and urine recheck on Friday, at which point I think we will know what the next step will be. That is a very helpful point about stress, though! In the meantime I am going to meet with the foster care coordinator this week to get all the paperwork sorted. :)
 
Yes, vet BG levels are generally much higher. Vets often prescribe higher than necessary insulin dosing based on Vet BG #'s (which can be elevated as much as 100 points or much more). That's why we home test to determine the correct amount of insulin a cat needs or whether he/she needs it at all. The day I learned to home test, I learned CJ was hypo (BG #'s too low) and insulin was stopped. Had I continued giving her insulin blindly without home testing and just depending on vet, she would have ended up in the vet ER. She's been in remission since. If I took her to the vet for another BG check, I will likely get a very high reading because she is never a happy camper at the vet.

Home testing takes practice but gets easier. There are many handy tips and videos here to guide you.
 
Cat Ma said:
Yes, vet BG levels are generally much higher. Vets often prescribe higher than necessary insulin dosing based on Vet BG #'s (which can be elevated as much as 100 points or much more). That's why we home test to determine the correct amount of insulin a cat needs or whether he/she needs it at all. The day I learned to home test, I learned CJ was hypo (BG #'s too low) and insulin was stopped. Had I continued giving her insulin blindly without home testing, she would have ended up in the vet ER. She's been in remission since. If I took her to the vet for another BG check, I will likely get a very high reading because she is never a happy camper at the vet.
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Oh, this is very good to know! Thank you!
 
Shiloh & Rhonda said:
Are you spending some time with Jenny at the shelter? To help her get used to you?
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Yes, I have spent quite a bit of time with her over the course of my regular volunteer shifts, because she was an early favorite of mine. I haven't seen her since Saturday but will visit with her when I go to meet with the foster care coordinator. She has a very sweet, friendly demeanor -- not all all fearful or shy. And that's at the shelter! :)
 
Another update for you all! The vet told me that She-Hulk's blood sugar is still high, and she started her on insulin today. The vet would like to keep her at least over the weekend to see how she tolerates it. Tomorrow I go in for my regular volunteer shift, and I will be taking care of the foster paperwork so I can be ready for whatever happens. And of course, I'll be sure to stop by and visit with my sweet girl! :)

Thank you again, everyone, for your continued support and advice! Hope you all have a great weekend!
 
sotto1031 said:
Another update for you all! The vet told me that She-Hulk's blood sugar is still high, and she started her on insulin today. The vet would like to keep her at least over the weekend to see how she tolerates it. Tomorrow I go in for my regular volunteer shift, and I will be taking care of the foster paperwork so I can be ready for whatever happens. And of course, I'll be sure to stop by and visit with my sweet girl! :)

Thank you again, everyone, for your continued support and advice! Hope you all have a great weekend!
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What was Jenny's BG # this time? Which insulin was she put on and what is the dose?

Did we give you links for home testing? This is crucial to do while Jenny is on insulin.
 
Cat Ma said:
What was Jenny's BG # this time? Which insulin was she put on and what is the dose?

Did we give you links for home testing? This is crucial to do while Jenny is on insulin.
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The vet hasn't given me any specifics yet, I expect I will find out more tomorrow. I will be sure to do home testing once Jenny/She-Hulk comes home with me. :) Thank you!
 
@Cat Ma and @Critter Mom I had a wonderful visit with my girl yesterday! I sat down on the floor by her cage, and she walked right onto my lap. :cat: We took a few selfies. :D
 

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Critter Mom said:
Fabberoony! :D
She's such a pretty girl!. I just love the third pic of the two of you, Sarah. Looks like a match made in Heaven. :cat:

Mogs
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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...
 
Hi Sarah,

First up here are some :bighug::bighug::bighug:. I can appreciate your nervousness.

Here is a web search - there are some useful links on the page that might help you work out an introduction programme:

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=how+to+introduce+a+new+cat+to+an+incumbent+cat&t=ffab

I have a large resting cage for when any of my cats might have been poorly. I found it helpful to keep newcomers in the resting cage for several days when making introductions. I'm sure other members will be able to give you hints and tips. Perhaps it might be a good idea to start a new topic on the Feline Health board asking for tips on how to successfully introduce a new cat to the household? It would probably be seen by more people than on the 'Welcome' board.


Mogs
.
 
Cat Ma said:
@sotto1031, this has to be the friendliest cat ever! It is clear She-Hulk Jen has adopted you and you are hers to keep. The pictures are proof! Keep 'em coming!

Were you able to find out what insulin She-Hulk Jen is on?
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Awwww... yeah, she is a special little girl. :D

I don't know the specifics about her insulin yet -- I didn't get to talk with the vet on Saturday, only the foster care coordinator. In the meantime, I picked up this book called Your Cat: Simple New Secrets to a Longer, Stronger Life by Elizabeth Hodgkins -- I'm sure you guys know this book already. I read the chapter on diabetes last night, and it was really fascinating. She definitely reiterated a lot of what everyone here has said, about the importance of switching to a low-carb wet food, and how the right diet can even help a lot of diabetic cats stay off insulin all together. I will be switching my other cat to low-carb wet food as well, pronto!
 
Some cats do better with a gradual food change of about 20-25% different food every day or two until you've completely swapped out the old food. Going faster risks food refusals, diarrhea, or vomiting.
 
That's great news, Sarah! :D

Fingers and paws crossed that introductions go well. Looking forward to new piccies. :D
 
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