denamarin

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RemyandAngel

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I have a couple of general questions-

First has anyone used Denamarin (to help with liver health) on a cat that is diabetic?

Second- Has anyone made a big move with a diabetic cat? There is a chance I will be making a move from Michigan to California and I am wondering how it would affect my cat. Many friends are just saying he would die from the stress. Has anyone found a big move difficult/not difficult? The actual transport? the adjusting after? Anything would be helpful. While he is a pretty mellow cat it has taken him a while in the past to get used to things

Thanks

Angel
 
Although every cat is different, we have traveled alot with ours. We fix them up with a litter box in the car and find pet friendly hotels. One thing that is supposed to help: Put some vaseline on your kitty's paws and have them walk around your house. The smell stays on their paws and when they go someplace new, they transfer the smell to the new place.

Do have to say, I did have a Siamese who screamed in the car. We didn't take him anywhere!
 
I haven't used denamarin, nor have I moved with an FD, but I have adopted several diabetic kitties in recent years and I can promise you, they weren't hurt. Bean and Mr. Darcy came up from down South (eastern coast US), Misty came from PA and Sadie was from Connecticut, the state I live in. They all did fine and that was adjusting to a new home and new cats/caretakers.

I think moving with your kitty will be fine, just keep yourself calm as our kitties often react to how we feel If we're stressed, they can get stressed.
 
Well, Hope was flown, 8 yrs. ago, from CA to MI and she did just fine.....shelter to a new home. Vinnie came via car from RI to MI........shelter to home.

As for Denamarin, a lot of people have used it.......good liver pill. I use Denosyl and Marin........two pills instead of the combined which is Denamarin. Reason being Denosyl is given on an empty stomach, I give Marin with food. I think there are just fillers in the Denamarin for the combining of these two meds. Both are excellent for the liver.
 
Never used denamarin so no advice there.

However, my recently adopted son Max was moved around alot before he got to me. He was first at a vet clinic in Mass where he was scheduled to be PTS, until Claudia rescued him, he spent a week in her home while we arranged transport to me. then he was flown from Mass to myself in Nebraska, but the closest we could get him by plane was Omaha which is about 250 miles from our house, so we drove him the rest of the way home. He has been fine with all the shifting around. And has adjusted beautifully not only to a new home, new beans but even to 10 new kitties and a large dog. Most cats are pretty adaptable.

Years ago I had to travel a lot for work and would take my cat with me wherever I went, she wasn't diabetic but was a bit of a timid cat, she got to where she loved to ride in the car and would run for her carrier if I would pick up the car keys.

Mel
 
Thanks for the replies. I would love some more input.
Is a road trip or flying better? I have a pair of siblings and they dont like to be sperated. Because I would be moving by myself I would have to fly the diabetic with me, return and then drive out with the other. That would leave him alone for at least a week with a caregiver in a new environment. Or I could drive out with both of them. I know flight would be faster, but I am worried about how he would respond to the noises and feelings of being on a plane. His sister cries in the car, but he is usually pretty quiet. I was feeling pretty confident in the move until my friends started saying he would do poorly, so hearing others opinions is definetely helping
 
Why not plan your trip with both of them safely in travel cages in the car with pet friendly hotels along the way? Even a crying cat eventually gives up and goes to sleep with motion of the car. Would save you time in the long run plus cost of flying plus leaving the other one alone for a week. Who would take care of the diabetic while you drove out with the one left behind? As long as you can safely stop for food and water and keeping an eye on the diabetic, you should be fine. Hopefully you hometest?
 
When I originally moved from Denver to North Carolina I drove with 2 cats, (neither diabetics) but they were a bonded pair and to fly them they would have to be in seperate kennels, so I elected to drive, got the largest dog kennel that would fit in my car and comfortably hold two 15 lb cats as well as a litter box. I was pretty worried about my singing siamese, but was able to get a mild sedative from my vet for him. (more for my sense of hearing than him). They both did great in the car, just make sure to call ahead to make sure any motel you are staying at is pet-friendly.

I think all animals do better on moves if they get to stay with the people they know. They know your voice so if you are driving at least you can talk or sing to them which I know at least with the two I moved with seemed to help. Also in the evenings when we would stop for the night, they still had me right there to cuddle with and reassure them. FWIW I would think it would be more stressful to fly to a new place, have mom leave you in a strange place, with strange caregivers, without your buddy cat. Than to have mom and your sister with you. Afterall, you can't really explain to him that mom has to go get sis but will be coming back. At least in the car with you, he would have his best buddy to cuddle with and make both of them feel more secure. Just my 2 cents worth.

Mel
 
Thanks everybody :)

Everyone seemed to say exactly what I was thinking. My choice would be to drive, but want to do whats best for him. I do home test so I can check him along the way.

Thanks again for all the help
 
I'd pick up some Feliway spray and set out the crates now, lightly spritzed, with comfy towels.
Repeat light spray periodically until you move. Apply light spray to car the night before (alcohol in spray needs to dissipate a bit as it can be strong!)

Some practice being in the crate with safe treats and toys to reinforce that this is not a bad thing.

Time permitting, work on desensitizing the cats to being transported.
Start with short experiences of being in the crate while it is moving - this may be done indoors, just to give a feel for it.
Very gradually, extend the duration, possibly add in placement in car with motion.
Only take short increments in duration and simulation of road trip.

For possible motion sickness, consider partially draping over some of the windows as the speed you drive may be more rapid than the cat's vestibular system can handle if they are looking out while moving.

Keeping the car somewhat cool may help prevent motion sickness.

Discuss with your vet how you will handle car sickness, etc. A mild sedative that your cat has a known good reaction may be helpful. If your cat has never had this kind of drug, I'd test it out at home first so there were no surprises while driving.

Also - who is packing up everything? If you have people coming in to help you move CRATE THE CATS before they come in. That kind of hubbub can permit a stressed cat to slip out and be lost, or get packed into furniture or boxes.

Some play sessions daily will help manage stress while you are packing up. Aim for 15 minutes or so per cat, twice a day. Before meals is a good time, as it simulates the hunt/catch/eat cycle of natural behavior.
 
Yes, Denamarin is a safe and excellent supplement for a cat with endocrine issues. Does your vet suspect a liver problem for Remy? Any cat who has suffered pancreatitis, DKA or hepatic lipidosis may benefit from Denamarin.
 
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