Can anyone help?....London (N16)

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Davegravy

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Hello everyone,

Ok,first post here...but my cat,Bruises,has had diabetes for a while now.

My problem is;I'm going away on Friday for a week..I've been trying to show my flatmate,who initially agreed to administer his injections,how to do it..but she has limited use of one hand at the moment,and has now decided she just doesn't feel confident enough..

Which of course leaves me (not to mention Bruises) in a bit of a pickle..

I'm looking at other options...I could train up another friend..but there's now not much time..and there's also another couple who I know who's cat was/is diabetic,so I'm going to try and get in contact with them...

But failing alI that....I was just wondering if there's anyone in the N16 (Stoke Newington/Dalston) area of London who had experience with giving insulin to kittys,and who would be kind enough to give Bruises his shots every eve?...My flatmate could bring him over(assuming you're in the area-she doesn't drive)or you could come round and obviously I have insulin and needles.

He's totally fine with getting them,he's very well behaved,a pretty old man..but not at all grumpy...will usually purr throughout!...

I can offer payment if that helps...or otherwise will furnish with fine wine and exotic gifts...(..well..the exotic-ist Cornwall has to offer!!)

Will look into other options in the meantime...but any help would be maaaaasively appreciated..

PM me here...or direct email;deekayaitch(at)yahoo(dot)co(dot)uk

Thanks.
 
Thanks so much Simon...will keep you posted.

..and *big* thanks also,to whoever forwarded my post to him!!!



..BTW-Simon has very kindly passed my details on to board members local to me..but just so y'all know...I'm still looking!!



Thanks guys
 
bump! If I had the cash, I'd come and stay at your place while you are away to take care of him and see London again! I spent a week there last october and LOVED it.
If it gets down to it, can you kennel him? You would probably have to do it with your vet and it will cost you...the biggest expense for me (I had to kennel mine there 2 weeks after diagnosis due to a planned vacation) with the vet was the cost of them taking his BGs.

Good luck and safe travels! welcome to the board!
 
Hi from Surrey! You have my sympathies but 40 miles a day round trip through central London is a bit much for me I'm afraid - but I do think you have several options.
My first one would be to contact your vet surgery and see if there are any nurses there who would be prepared to pop in each evening and give Bruises his insulin - my own surgery has several nurses who top up their wages by doing little jobs like this for clients. Bruises would be in the best of hands and you'd be reassured that he'd be fine. If your own surgery can't help with that, ring around other vets locally.
Failing that, look for a local pet-sitter - they are all over the place these days, try doing a Google search for your area and make some calls. Pet-sitting isn't just coming to feed a pet, it can be anything you want it to, and good sitters will happily give treatment.
I would think one of those options would work out - good luck!
Diana
 
Thanks v much for the support and suggestions guys..

Doombuggy:Many thanks for your support,suggestions and welcome...Well,Kenneling him would be a very last resort...he's a pretty old guy..and has spent the best part of 20 years in this house...he would *really* not like it....Added to which,(but secondary)..It took me a year to pay off the cost of having him stay in the emergency vet for 2 nights when he was initially diagnosed with diabetes..(no insurance :cry: )..Cost me way more than I've ever had to pay on my own healthcare !!...of course his needs would be less intense..but I would imagine still very expensive...and he doesn't need anything else apart from his jabs.
My flat mate and him get on very well,and she's totally happy to feed and water him...it's just the injections.

Diana:Thanks so much for your suggestions-I wouldn't dream of asking anyone to come so far out,but thanks for even considering it!!!

On your advice I spoke to the vet today,and they do actually have a nurse who does house visits in tomorrow,so I'm going to speak with her then.
I've also found a few cat-sitters who look quite promising-I've just emailed them,so will see what they have to say.


I spoke to the couple that I mentioned in my first post and they treated their cat with tablets + total diet change and his diabetes is now in remission (as was Bruises' for quite a long while)...so not much use in my situ..But what do you guys think about the tablets?...do you think that could be a short term solution??

Thanks again for all the help peeps!
 
Glad to hear that you have a couple of options that are open - I hope the nurse can work out, or maybe a pet sitter. Either option would probably be cheaper than a vet kennel stay.

not sure about the pills. I have only had experience with the liquid insulin.
 
The pills aren't good for cats and actually can do more harm than good.

If it comes down to it, then you are better off not giving any insulin and letting the cat be high for a couple days.

It does sound like you have some good options, especially the visiting nurse. Not sure what all Simon suggested, but he's been around here a long time and someone you can feel confident in.

There is another UK person Steve & Jock (not sure where exactly they are) but Steve may be able to help as well.

And of course as a last resort, Miss Doombuggy seems eager to travel.....

Seriously, the nurse or a pet sitter sound like great options. Just make sure you meet them, introduce Bruises and see how they get along. Good luck and let us know how it goes.
 
Hello again all..

Thought I'd give you a quick update.

Well I'm back from my hols....

After meeting with a well-intentioned but..well,'not-so-great' candidate...(long story!!)...I managed to get a very nice girl from my vets to give Bruises his jabs..I actually didn't get a chance to meet her before I left,though I spoke with her a couple of times...but according to my flat-mate she was really good,and 'seemed like she knew what she was doing'..(which she obviously did,cause the old guy is doing just fine!)

She charged me £10 per visit..which of course is somewhat pricey for a 2 minute job...but totally worth it,to know he was in experienced hands,and didn't have to leave the house.

I'd just like to say thanks so much for all the suggestions and support guys,and if anyone finds themselves in a similar situation in my neck of the woods..I'd be totally up for coming over and helping out.

I'd also be very happy to share some of my practical experience with those local to me,who may be new to FD..(administering insulin,testing BG,dealing with 'Hypo's',diet etc,)..I guess that's what this board is all about,but real-life support/demos makes all the difference!

Big thanks again everyone.

Dave x
 
Hi Dave, glad it all worked out well, vet nurses are always my first port of call for things like this, and just to say - £10 may seem a lot for a two-minute job but remember that she had to travel to and from your house, using her time and petrol etc, so she couldn't really have charged a lot less. And you are paying for a professional service, in the same way you would any other qualified professional. I think that's a fair price.
Just to put it into perspective!
Diana
 
Diana&Tom said:
Hi Dave, glad it all worked out well, vet nurses are always my first port of call for things like this, and just to say - £10 may seem a lot for a two-minute job but remember that she had to travel to and from your house, using her time and petrol etc, so she couldn't really have charged a lot less. And you are paying for a professional service, in the same way you would any other qualified professional. I think that's a fair price.
Just to put it into perspective!
Diana
Click to expand...

Your absolutely right Diana...and worth every penny at twice the price!!

It was of course your suggestion to try and get hold of a nurse in the first place..so,big thanks for pointing me in that direction!

D
 
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