could stress be misdiagnosed for daibetes?

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seattlecat

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We recently gave one of our cats to my sister-in-law. He is a manx mix and was very large anyway. He weighed 23 lbs at the last vet visit. We just learned he is now only 15 lbs. I was concerned and my s-i-l took him to the vet. They say he has diabetes. He did always seem to drink a lot of water and did eat a lot (although he still had a defined abdomen area). The new house has two kids. And the baby (2 yrs) screams and is very curious (read: terror) about the cat. Is there any possibility this could be stress and not diabetes? He can't live with our other cat unfortunately and now we don't know what to do. Suggestions?
 
If the vet did a fructosamine test, then, yes. That's a definitive test.

Those symptoms, weight loss, drinking and peeing a lot do point to diabetes,
and some other things also.

A single spot check of Blood Glucose at the vet could be stress, but then should
be followed up with a fructosamine test.
 
OK, thanks. I will ask. They took him to a vet we don't use because they had a coupon and we thought maybe we should get a second opinion. Seems like it's certain with that test if they took it. Appreciate the information. Also, any ideas on how to manage this is the cat is outdoor?
 
seattlecat said:
OK, thanks. I will ask. They took him to a vet we don't use because they had a coupon and we thought maybe we should get a second opinion. Seems like it's certain with that test if they took it. Appreciate the information. Also, any ideas on how to manage this is the cat is outdoor?
Click to expand...


Well, I guess you could start with our FAQ, here:

http://www.felinediabetes.com/fdmb-faq.htm


Is he ONLY outdoor ?

What part of Seattle are you in (general location)....I'm in Enumclaw
 
Just to help you with your housekeeping, I would get a copy of every test they do so you'll have it handy if you ever get a second opinion. I didn't do that when we first started and it's a pain to get it all later.

I can't tell (or maybe missed) what the time frame was from when he was at 23 to the 15. Regardless, he could also have hyperthyroidism. Sometimes HT and diabetes have similar symptoms and sometimes go hand in hand. The test for HT is called the T4 test. My cat has both and personally I think HT is easier to treat than diabetes.

I would try to get answers sooner than later. A rapid weight loss can also create other complications like feline hepatic lipidosis, aka fatty liver disease. From what I understand, when cats lose weight too quickly, their bodies process their own fat for energy. Fat builds up in their liver, they lose their appetite and the disease could become fatal.

Good luck!
 
I'm in west seattle. Let's see - the other questions - the weight loss happened very rapidly - maybe just over a month or so. After reading all the posts, it does sound like diabetes. And he is an indoor/outdoor cat. That's how he was when we got him (he was a stray). Right now he is not with us and I feel time is of the essence. I'm not sure where to start! We don't have the resources to rack up a huge vet bill. I just looked online and saw a product called Mellit. Has anyone heard of this as an alternative to insulin?
 
This forum will help you control your cat's diabetes as cheaply as possible. Unless there are complicating factors your shouldn't need to see the vet again except to get insulin and show you how to give him shots and test his blood. If you use Lantus (glargine) as your insulin, we can also recommend getting the little pens, instead of the vials, as they last longer and will save you money in the long run. The vet may say you need to bring your cat in for the day or overnight to run a glucose curve. If you learn how to home test (And you should!), you can save yourself money and get more accurate readings by doing this at home yourself.
You don't need to buy the vets recommended 'diabetic management' food. There are cheaper and even some better alternatives to this.

There is no alternative to insulin. But if you are willing to put in a little elbow grease, you may be able to get your cat regulated quickly, and if you lucky, maybe he may become a diet controlled diabetic.
 
There are 3 key things to managing diabetes:
1) Diet: Canned, low carb wet food, often with water added to make it about apple sauce consistency. No dry food at all. Any high carb food will keep the cat's blood glucose (bg) high.
2) Home testing: Using a human glucometre, test the cat's bg before every shot, and as many mid-cycle tests as you can manage. This will tell you how the insulin is working in the cat's body and when to adjust the dose. We can help with this - it seems intimidating at first, but becomes quite routine.
3) Insulin: The sooner insulin is started after definitive diagnosis, the more likely the cat is to become regulated. The problem (and what makes the cat diabetic) is that the pancreas is not happy for some reason and so giving insulin allows the pancreas to rest and heal.

With a diet change, and a resting/helaing period, sometimes the pancreas will recover enough to begin producing its own insulin again and the cat no longer needs insulin. This is called remission - but remember the cat is always considered diabetic and the diet part must continue to be followed. Many people also continue testing once every few weeks to make sure that the bg remains in the normal range.

I am not familiar with the product that you mentioned, but I do know that trying to force the pancreas to work is like trying to walk on a sprained ankle - you can do it for a while, but it will heal a lot faster with rest and support.
 
OK, thanks. We are going to get him and bring him back here tomorrow. If he has not had the definitive glucosamine (?) test I think we should get that. I will read more and I'm sure I will have questions. We aren't prepared to keep him forever but perhaps we can nurse him back to health while we are seeking a new home for him. Appreciate the support.
 
Seattle cat,
Good morning to you. I wanted to let you know that my Sugar Bean lost 3 lbs very quickly, She went to the vet, DX mid March, Insulin, food change and was in remission by 5/24 (last insulin shot!) It went fast and we were lucky, but the vet did tell me it was probably onset by stress (I moved 9 hours away and then back to same area in a different home - all within 6 mo. She had never been out of her home in 8 yrs other than yrly vet check ups). I am now unpacked, she gets to go outside for 20-30 min. daily, and seems happier. I am trying everything I can to keep her stress free and off insulin.
Get your baby back, give insulin (testing first), and change food would be my advise and who knows, perhaps you both will get lucky and be able to stop the insulin.
I know my Bean does not like alot of ppl or kids in the home. I live alone and the home is pretty quiet. We are going thru losing a fur-sibling just this friday after 14 yrs., and Bean seems sooo sad, breaks my already broken heart. I tested Sunday, and she is staying in the 50's, but she was almost 70! I dont know if that is because of the stress of loosing her sister or not, but we went and got her a new playmate - on lone - to see if they will mix, she will be happier and her bg numbers stay where they are suppost to be. We tested again last nite, as she still is acting sad, and her bg was back in the 50's! Meanwhile, our new addition (calling her HOPE for now), is living in a closed in space, all smelling each other. She gets to come to work with me this week while the other 2 girls smell her area.
Anyway, I am rambling and must get to work!
Gooood luck, encouraging hugs to you both
 
If you find out he is for sure a diabetic, I suggest taking a trip to Walmart and buying the ReliOn glucose meter. It costs about $10 for the kit. It will help you greatly in knowing what his blood sugar is everyday. I live in Ballard and would be more than happy to come over and show you how to home test. :)

-Sarah
 
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