Any suggestions when elderly owner cannot possibly give insulin?

[bgenick]

I'm trying to advise an elderly owner whose cat has just been diagnosed with diabetes. It is physically impossible for this person to give injections. I advised her to change to low-carb food. I have been told that oral meds do not usually work in cats. What has your experience been? It would have to be something she could give in a pill pocket or similar. Greensboro, NC area.

 

[Kris & Teasel]

I can't think of a great solution. A low carb wet food diet is a good start but insulin might be needed. Oral meds down't work very well. Does this owner have a friend or relative who would be willing to take this on? Pets can be very important to the mental and emotional health of older people so I would hate for the owner to have to surrender the kitty.

 

[Noah & me (GA)]

This is a stretch but if the cat can be adopted, taken care of and travels well enough to visit that would be nice.
My BIL is having a hard time even though he knows his dog is here with us getting lots of love and medical attention.
Oral meds are a longshot.

 

[Elizabeth and Bertie]

I'm trying to advise an elderly owner whose cat has just been diagnosed with diabetes. It is physically impossible for this person to give injections.

Hi, I agree with Kris that transitioning to a low carb wet diet is a good start. And in fact, if the cat is currently on a high carb diet this may make quite a difference. It may be that lowering the carb content of the diet will reduce the blood glucose to a reasonable level, even if it is still above the normal range.

If the kitty has an infection or needs dental work, this can also raise the blood glucose levels until those things are resolved. (Although dentals don't seem to reduce blood glucose in all cats; it's not a miracle cure. But the cat will of course feel better.)

Regarding the oral meds, my understanding of Glipizide is that it makes the pancreas work harder, which can stress an already challenged pancreas.

Although the owner wouldn't be able to give injections, might she be able to use a Vetpen or some such thing..? Maybe a low carb wet diet with a nominal dose of insulin via Vetpen could be a course of action to consider...?

There was a situation, a few years back now, where as I recall, a member from Switzerland was helping an elderly lady in a neighboring village. Only occasional practical help could be given; but against all the odds that cat went into remission soon afterwards...

 

[Noah & me (GA)]

might she be able to use a Vetpen

I'm way out of my comfort zone with this. Would a pen, depot insulin and a change in diet be at all practical? I'm assuming testing would be infrequent.

 

[Elizabeth and Bertie]

Would a pen, depot insulin and a change in diet be at all practical? I'm assuming testing would be infrequent.

I'm also guessing testing would be infrequent (or non-existent), Dickson, as is the case with most cats on insulin, sadly... But to give 'no' insulin (or oral meds) puts the cat at higher risk of ketones...
There's no easy solution to this one... 'Safest' (no risk of hypo) would be the diet change. But that may or may not be sufficient...
.

 

[Noah & me (GA)]

My BIL had a brain injury so we had to make a purely emotional argument by flying 3,600 km to show him his dog responded well to us. Then we flew back home, then my wife did the whole thing over again so that's pretty extreme. Unfortunately he doesn't even want photos of the dog's new life but we think the family is interfering and "knows what's best". That is really messed up.
A much better reality is that I've seen senior and/or "sick" cats adopted many times. If you find out what people connect with; photos, Skype, once a month visits, that act of kindness and generosity can save someone's broken heart.

 

[Jeff D / Sketch]

I'm trying to advise an elderly owner whose cat has just been diagnosed with diabetes. It is physically impossible for this person to give injections. I advised her to change to low-carb food. I have been told that oral meds do not usually work in cats. What has your experience been? It would have to be something she could give in a pill pocket or similar. Greensboro, NC area.

How about a qualified pet sitter in your area? I had a pet sitter that learned to test and give Sketch shots and IV fluids for when I had to travel. She was bonded and insured and got along great with him. And Sketch wasn't an easy cat!!! A back up I had was an ex vet technician so she was already familiar with diabetic pet care. I actually found them on www.care.com. The top of the opening page has an option for "Pet Care".
You may even check with the vet. Sometimes one of their vet assistants / techs do pet sitting or care as a side job. Additionally your vet maybe familiar with several pet sitters that can help. Good luck hope you can find someone that can help out.

 

[Maggies Mom Debby]

I feel so sad for this woman. Not being able to take care your loved companion is so devastating! And surrendering the kitty may be hard - diabetic cats are not very adoptable.

I agree with Elizabeth and Kris. Start by changing to low carb wet food. Also check for infections, like bad teeth, to rule that out as a cause. It would help to know how high the BG was on diagnosis. If it isn’t too high, food alone might just do it.

If the low carb food gets the cat down somewhere in the 200 range, it may do ok without any insulin. Yes, I know that is not ideal, but if this woman can’t test or give insulin it may be the best that can be done.

Having a qualified pet sitter come twice a day to test and give shots sounds great, but it might cost way more than this woman can afford. Maybe have someone come periodically to test and see if the low carb food is helping, let’s say once a week to start.

I hope these ideas help!

 

[bgenick]

Thanks for the ideas! Indeed twice daily pet sitting is more than she can afford but ffeast classics are otw

 

[JanetNJ]

Thanks for the ideas! Indeed twice daily pet sitting is more than she can afford but ffeast classics are otw

Pen injectors are easy.... She would just dial in the dose.... No need to see tiny lines on a syringe. Look into it.

 

[Ana & Frosty (GA)]

Pen injectors are easy.... She would just dial in the dose.... No need to see tiny lines on a syringe. Look into it.

Great idea! I was at a loss for a second. This reminds me when we tried to teach my grandma to click the mouse on the computer she just couldn’t do it.

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

I agree that looking at the idea of a Lantus pen would be a good idea
Would the lady be able to feed the cat on a table, or even beside her on a lounge, and while the cat was eating, inject the Lantus pen which was predialed with the amount. Unless she is very physically disabled, this might be achievable with practise.
Keeping them together would be the best outcome for them both I would think, if the insulin and food could be worked out.

 

[Larry and Kitties]

I have used the pen (Levemir) but found that a syringe is easier to inject because the pen is a lot longer than a syringe. Also, if you use a pen you should not refrigerate an in-use pen since the temperature changes of getting a pen out and it warning and then putting back into fridge can result in air getting into the pen. If air gets into the little vial in the pen it is compressible and the dialed dose is inaccurate.

 

[membeth]

Glipizide isn't a first line treatment, but if you're in a situation where injecting insulin just isn't possible, it may help. My beloved childhood cat was an extremely aggressive jerk and there was no way we could inject him when he became diabetic. Glipizide bought him three more mostly healthy years.