Audrey's Mom
Member Since 2014
Our lovely one Audrey has just been diagnosed with feline diabetes.
She normally weighed around 11.6 lbs. and is a wonderfully content indoor spayed cat with no previous health issues. It was the excessive water consumption, more than usual, ravenous quest for more food, and the noticeable rapid weight loss which led to a visit to the vet this past week, where she weighed in at 8.6 lbs. Her glucose at the time of diagnostic testing was;
GLU = 22.78 mmol/L Reference Range - 3.95 - 8.84
The diagnosis is indeed overwhelming, so I am glad to have found these forums (with links to additional credible information). I have never held a syringe in my life, so that in itself is a learning curve. Speaking of curves, I have not purchased a Glucose Meter as yet, but it's on my list to head out and pick one up as soon as possible. The recommendations on the Wal-Mart ReliOn brand is very helpful. I also have a family member that works at a major pharmacy chain, so I'll check their options as well. The vet would like a re-check in the early new year to do a blood glucose curve. I have always been a 100% loving pet owner and will do anything for our beloved pets, but I'm definitely not independently wealthy. I'd best learn how to take glucose levels and chart them.
Since Audrey was always a wet pouch/gravy licker lover, it was recommended to start out with the Purina DM Savoury Selects, so I've brought home about 12 cans from the vet. I am glad to know just from my quick reads of this forum this morning, that there are definitely same or better alternatives with some particular, regular brands of cat food.
We also have a beautiful 16 year old Shih-Tzu doggie whom has always been on a very healthy 'human' diet of lean chicken, beef, fish, sweet potatoes, veggies, etc. Since the dog's appetite is becoming less consistent in her golden years, it seems if I turn my back for a few seconds, Audrey is quickly cleaning up the dog's leftovers, as I feed them both at the same time. 'Aud' has been a quite a little piggy her entire life, but I've never seen a cat eat this fast with my turned back, as if she knows I will grab the dog's plate and remove it, so she's thinking "Hurry, hurry, hurry... Get this eaten!". In hindsight guess that situation may not have been favourable for Audrey.
A concern, as with others, is the timing of the 12 hour shots of Levemir. I'm the only one administering them for now (unfortunately, my spouse is away a lot and doesn't quite take to Audrey like I do). I have a fairly flexible work schedule and have chosen 8:00 a.m and 8:00 p.m., but there are times I have meetings at 8:30 a.m. and evening work until 9:00 p.m., so I really have to figure this all out. I'm also stressing right now, as we have a surprise, last minute and unplanned upcoming overseas trip very soon, and the boarding kennel (vet owned) is completely booked up. This means my daughter will come over to feed and administer the shots for Audrey, and her schedule is all over the place with different shifts. It's a little un-nerving thinking about how this will all fall into place.
For now, I'm just introducing us and I'm thankful for all the knowledge here. I haven't had a whole lot of spare time to delve deep into the boards as yet, but I have been pleased so far with what I've learned already. I plan to read a whole lot more after somewhat of a hectic weekend.
Cheers.
AM
She normally weighed around 11.6 lbs. and is a wonderfully content indoor spayed cat with no previous health issues. It was the excessive water consumption, more than usual, ravenous quest for more food, and the noticeable rapid weight loss which led to a visit to the vet this past week, where she weighed in at 8.6 lbs. Her glucose at the time of diagnostic testing was;
GLU = 22.78 mmol/L Reference Range - 3.95 - 8.84
The diagnosis is indeed overwhelming, so I am glad to have found these forums (with links to additional credible information). I have never held a syringe in my life, so that in itself is a learning curve. Speaking of curves, I have not purchased a Glucose Meter as yet, but it's on my list to head out and pick one up as soon as possible. The recommendations on the Wal-Mart ReliOn brand is very helpful. I also have a family member that works at a major pharmacy chain, so I'll check their options as well. The vet would like a re-check in the early new year to do a blood glucose curve. I have always been a 100% loving pet owner and will do anything for our beloved pets, but I'm definitely not independently wealthy. I'd best learn how to take glucose levels and chart them.
Since Audrey was always a wet pouch/gravy licker lover, it was recommended to start out with the Purina DM Savoury Selects, so I've brought home about 12 cans from the vet. I am glad to know just from my quick reads of this forum this morning, that there are definitely same or better alternatives with some particular, regular brands of cat food.
We also have a beautiful 16 year old Shih-Tzu doggie whom has always been on a very healthy 'human' diet of lean chicken, beef, fish, sweet potatoes, veggies, etc. Since the dog's appetite is becoming less consistent in her golden years, it seems if I turn my back for a few seconds, Audrey is quickly cleaning up the dog's leftovers, as I feed them both at the same time. 'Aud' has been a quite a little piggy her entire life, but I've never seen a cat eat this fast with my turned back, as if she knows I will grab the dog's plate and remove it, so she's thinking "Hurry, hurry, hurry... Get this eaten!". In hindsight guess that situation may not have been favourable for Audrey.
A concern, as with others, is the timing of the 12 hour shots of Levemir. I'm the only one administering them for now (unfortunately, my spouse is away a lot and doesn't quite take to Audrey like I do). I have a fairly flexible work schedule and have chosen 8:00 a.m and 8:00 p.m., but there are times I have meetings at 8:30 a.m. and evening work until 9:00 p.m., so I really have to figure this all out. I'm also stressing right now, as we have a surprise, last minute and unplanned upcoming overseas trip very soon, and the boarding kennel (vet owned) is completely booked up. This means my daughter will come over to feed and administer the shots for Audrey, and her schedule is all over the place with different shifts. It's a little un-nerving thinking about how this will all fall into place.
For now, I'm just introducing us and I'm thankful for all the knowledge here. I haven't had a whole lot of spare time to delve deep into the boards as yet, but I have been pleased so far with what I've learned already. I plan to read a whole lot more after somewhat of a hectic weekend.
Cheers.
AM
