Erin n Rudy
Member Since 2018
hello all - please excuse my ramblings but I seem to have nowhere else to turn and have stumbled upon this great group that I pray can maybe steer me in the right direction. I am struggling with a huge amount of guilt and hope someone can help me out.
My cat Rudy was diagnosed with diabetes in January after giving the typical signs - accidents outside litter box, large amounts of urination and drinking and very rapid weight loss. He is a very large boned cat and tall, and used to weigh 22 lbs in his prime. I am horrified to say he weighs a mere 12 lbs now and is still losing. He turns 18 on July 21.
Our vet had told me to begin treating him with insulin but also changed his food to Purina DM. I chose the wet food after a bit of research. He was to be given 3 units of insulin 2x a day for a week and we were going to do a panel or every two hour check a week after starting the treatment. He made it five days before his seizure. After a rush to the vet and fluids and life saving measures I decided to really educate myself on this and feel so stupid for blindly injecting insulin as per directed. I now understand the diet should have been changed and dosage should have been checked as we moved forward. He has not been on insulin since.
Since then we had a lot of trouble with getting him to eat so I took your suggestions and looked at a very extensive food chart from a great vet in the states and put him on specific brands from friskies that are 5 or lower in carbohydrates. He rebounded and was doing great w no insulin at all. However now he has been going downhill again and I am at a loss. My vet has basically left it with me as he is old And we can put him down but my gut tells me I am missing something here. He still goes outside and hunts, still seems to be happy and not in pain or not showing me any signs, slightly increased urination and has bouts of soft stool that can move into diarrhea, but his weight which was slowly going up is declining again and his coat is dull.
I understand he is older and I am happy for the years I have had with him but I feel I can do more for him. When I test his blood sugars at home I’m told the range I’m looking for is between 5-12. I calibrated my testing unit with my vets to ensure accuracy. I have tested him every 2 hours 3 days in a row and couldn’t get a reading above 12. (Keep in mind this is with no insulin only the change in diet.). I feel I can’t give him insulin as at times in the am before I feed him he can be at a 3.5. He just slowly eats a bit all day and I rotate the kinds of food and have done literally everything I can think of to try to get home to eat more (and have used all your suggestions as well).
I would appreciate your support and suggestions and please keep in mind all blood work and testing has been done however I feel at this point making more vet visits is a mute point as I don’t feel I’m being heard and feel that they do not wish to pursue Rudy’s case due to his age. And quite frankly it’s getting very expensive to hear put him on insulin when I feel I would give him another seizure.
I look forward to hearing from any and all who gave time to respond. Thanks in advance.
My cat Rudy was diagnosed with diabetes in January after giving the typical signs - accidents outside litter box, large amounts of urination and drinking and very rapid weight loss. He is a very large boned cat and tall, and used to weigh 22 lbs in his prime. I am horrified to say he weighs a mere 12 lbs now and is still losing. He turns 18 on July 21.
Our vet had told me to begin treating him with insulin but also changed his food to Purina DM. I chose the wet food after a bit of research. He was to be given 3 units of insulin 2x a day for a week and we were going to do a panel or every two hour check a week after starting the treatment. He made it five days before his seizure. After a rush to the vet and fluids and life saving measures I decided to really educate myself on this and feel so stupid for blindly injecting insulin as per directed. I now understand the diet should have been changed and dosage should have been checked as we moved forward. He has not been on insulin since.
Since then we had a lot of trouble with getting him to eat so I took your suggestions and looked at a very extensive food chart from a great vet in the states and put him on specific brands from friskies that are 5 or lower in carbohydrates. He rebounded and was doing great w no insulin at all. However now he has been going downhill again and I am at a loss. My vet has basically left it with me as he is old And we can put him down but my gut tells me I am missing something here. He still goes outside and hunts, still seems to be happy and not in pain or not showing me any signs, slightly increased urination and has bouts of soft stool that can move into diarrhea, but his weight which was slowly going up is declining again and his coat is dull.
I understand he is older and I am happy for the years I have had with him but I feel I can do more for him. When I test his blood sugars at home I’m told the range I’m looking for is between 5-12. I calibrated my testing unit with my vets to ensure accuracy. I have tested him every 2 hours 3 days in a row and couldn’t get a reading above 12. (Keep in mind this is with no insulin only the change in diet.). I feel I can’t give him insulin as at times in the am before I feed him he can be at a 3.5. He just slowly eats a bit all day and I rotate the kinds of food and have done literally everything I can think of to try to get home to eat more (and have used all your suggestions as well).
I would appreciate your support and suggestions and please keep in mind all blood work and testing has been done however I feel at this point making more vet visits is a mute point as I don’t feel I’m being heard and feel that they do not wish to pursue Rudy’s case due to his age. And quite frankly it’s getting very expensive to hear put him on insulin when I feel I would give him another seizure.
I look forward to hearing from any and all who gave time to respond. Thanks in advance.
