Another newbie

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davenportn

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Hi there,
I'm Nancy, and my cat GG (short for Gray Ghost because he is so skittish and shy) was diaganosed with diabetes a week ago. We caught it early so everything else (ketones, kidney...) are good. I switched him to all wet, low-carb, high-protein diet immediately. I was out of town so I started injections just yesterday and he is already doing better. When I got the call I spent hours reading on this web site - THANKS for all the great info! I look forward to reading more and I hope to get him regulated soon. He's 14...and I know he has a lot left in him. My biggest issue is getting him to warm up to the cat-sitter so she can give him shots when I'm out of town. I REALLY don't want to put him in the hospital while I'm gone....it would scare him way too much....and be very expensive.
 
Welcome Nancy and GG!

I'm happy to read you've already been doing your homework! :-D


My biggest issue is getting him to warm up to the cat-sitter so she can give him shots when I'm out of town. I REALLY don't want to put him in the hospital while I'm gone....it would scare him way too much....and be very expensive.
Click to expand...

I am a pet sitter myself! So maybe a few suggestions from me might help. Yes, getting GG to 'warm-up' to the pet sitter is a nice idea, but honestly most ghost kitties...stay ghost kitties. So my suggestion would be can you set GG up in a single room with only one or two hiding spots. And definitely no bed to hide under or can the bed be taken out temporarily?

I set up my foster room with no bed, but I use a small hutch with the lower cubby hole doors slightly ajar to allow my fearful fosters a place to hide. Their own little safe spot, but one that lets me get them if I need too.

This might be an option for your sitter and GG. GG still gets the comfort of home, but the sitter is able to locate GG fairly quickly and administer GG's insulin.

Another this to consider is to have your sitter give a reduced dose of insulin. The reason for this is often times sitters are not testing before shots. A half unit reduction generally helps 'maintain' some level of reasonable blood glucose level, but also keeps the cat out of the danger of a hypo with no one around.

Edit: I have found Easy Cheese a very wonderful tempting treat to 'get to know' shy kitties.
 
Thanks Blue.
Last night I rearranged the spare bedroom and changed the futon bed back into a couch. I may have to even take that out.
I like the idea of a hidding place for him but still where the cat-sitter can get to him. I'll try to rig something this weekend.
I plan to sit in there and read to get him use to spending more time in that room. It was his first hiding place we I got him from the shelter 4 years ago, but he doesn't use that room any more.
 
Even a book shelf with slider doors or thumbtack a towel in place on 3 sides. Kitty needs to feel safe and the sitter should go about cleaning the litter box, setting the feeding station, and prepping the insulin shot first.

I would still encourage the sitter to tempt GG out from her "safe spot," if at all possible.
 
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