My mom's cat was diagnosed with diabetes almost a year ago. The only course of treatment has been diet change, as per the vet. We made a vet appointment for this afternoon with the intent of probably putting him down. I wanted to hear from someone on when to call it quits even though I realize that this is a subjective question. Goofus has had trouble walking for several months (he walks on his ankles instead of his paws now) and spends most of his time laying in the same spot on the floor since he can no longer jump. 2 days ago he started pooping around the house although he still manages to urinate in the litter box. He doesn't groom himself anymore. It is heartbreaking to watch him walk with his paws flopping around, out of control. I don't think he can feel his feet. I wanted to know if anyone had any suggestions on how to make this very difficult decision. My mom is elderly and finances are indeed an issue as well...Thanks in advance.
euthanasia scheduled this afternoon - opinions needed please
- Thread starter cfose
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Lisa and Witn (GA)
Very Active Member
Re: euthanasia scheduled this afternoon - opinions needed pl
It is not an easy decision, but feline diabetes is treatable. Most cats need more than a diet change though. Most cats do need insulin.
It sounds like he may have neuropathy in addition to the diabetes. This condition can be reversed once the diabetes is under control.
If you are willing to consider treating his diabetes with insulin, we can help you through the process. There are several options available to help minimize the costs of caring for a diabetic cat.
It is not an easy decision, but feline diabetes is treatable. Most cats need more than a diet change though. Most cats do need insulin.
It sounds like he may have neuropathy in addition to the diabetes. This condition can be reversed once the diabetes is under control.
If you are willing to consider treating his diabetes with insulin, we can help you through the process. There are several options available to help minimize the costs of caring for a diabetic cat.
Jana+BK+Chester(GA)+Wilbur
Active Member
Re: euthanasia scheduled this afternoon - opinions needed pl
Your vet didn't give insulin? If not, was there some reason for that?
As far as how he is walking, it sounds like one of the classic symptoms of an unregulated diabetic - and a symptom that resolves with regulation. Also, if your cat has been unregulated this long, he may well have ketones. Ketones also resolve with regulation and (probably) some IV fluids.
I'd hate to see your Mom's cat PTS over something that can be fixed. You mention your Mom is elderly, but there is nothing physically taxing in taking care of a diabetic cat. As for finances, there will be some financial consequences. However, as an example, there is currently a coupon for $75.00 off a box of five SoloStar pens (Lantus), which would leave approximately $30 left to pay for what would likely be many months of insulin. A box of 100 syringes costs approximately $15.00. We could have your Mom with what we call a Newbie Kit (which would likely include a glucometer and some testing strips, along with some other supplies). Since we encourage home testing, the expense of taking the cat to the vet for BG curves is gone - your Mom would do the curves and supply the information to the vet. The cost of food for a diabetic cat is whatever the cost is in your community for cans of Friskies, Fancy Feast, etc., and we have a list of low carb canned food that includes numerous varieties of common brands.
I'm sure you will have many more questions...please post back and we'll do our best to answer them.
Your vet didn't give insulin? If not, was there some reason for that?
As far as how he is walking, it sounds like one of the classic symptoms of an unregulated diabetic - and a symptom that resolves with regulation. Also, if your cat has been unregulated this long, he may well have ketones. Ketones also resolve with regulation and (probably) some IV fluids.
I'd hate to see your Mom's cat PTS over something that can be fixed. You mention your Mom is elderly, but there is nothing physically taxing in taking care of a diabetic cat. As for finances, there will be some financial consequences. However, as an example, there is currently a coupon for $75.00 off a box of five SoloStar pens (Lantus), which would leave approximately $30 left to pay for what would likely be many months of insulin. A box of 100 syringes costs approximately $15.00. We could have your Mom with what we call a Newbie Kit (which would likely include a glucometer and some testing strips, along with some other supplies). Since we encourage home testing, the expense of taking the cat to the vet for BG curves is gone - your Mom would do the curves and supply the information to the vet. The cost of food for a diabetic cat is whatever the cost is in your community for cans of Friskies, Fancy Feast, etc., and we have a list of low carb canned food that includes numerous varieties of common brands.
I'm sure you will have many more questions...please post back and we'll do our best to answer them.
A
Anonymous
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Re: euthanasia scheduled this afternoon - opinions needed pl
the change of diet would likely have been helped by insulin. i kind of wonder if the vet did not want to burden your mom with the shooting of her cat but at least he could have suggested it. the cat is likely dying of high sugar in his blood.
if anyone wants to test and give this kitty insulin it can all be changed around.
my cat was in the condition your mom's cat was in when dx'd. no telling how long he was diabetic for.
it's up to you and mostly your mom. we will do so very much to help. we will mail you for free all you need to test your kitties bg. we will teach you to shoot the kitty insulin. it's only hard at first...it becomes rather routine.
i for one will hold mom's hand and walk her thru every step if she chooses.
but diabetes is not an easy way to die and pts may be kinder if treatment is not opted for.
lori
and tomtom too!
the change of diet would likely have been helped by insulin. i kind of wonder if the vet did not want to burden your mom with the shooting of her cat but at least he could have suggested it. the cat is likely dying of high sugar in his blood.
if anyone wants to test and give this kitty insulin it can all be changed around.
my cat was in the condition your mom's cat was in when dx'd. no telling how long he was diabetic for.
it's up to you and mostly your mom. we will do so very much to help. we will mail you for free all you need to test your kitties bg. we will teach you to shoot the kitty insulin. it's only hard at first...it becomes rather routine.
i for one will hold mom's hand and walk her thru every step if she chooses.
but diabetes is not an easy way to die and pts may be kinder if treatment is not opted for.
lori
and tomtom too!
A
Anonymous
Guest
Re: euthanasia scheduled this afternoon - opinions needed pl
Jana please take note that if the Lantus is more confusing and harder on an elderly person the pro zinc is an easier and cheaper way to go. i will personally help every day.
Jana please take note that if the Lantus is more confusing and harder on an elderly person the pro zinc is an easier and cheaper way to go. i will personally help every day.
Jana+BK+Chester(GA)+Wilbur
Active Member
Re: euthanasia scheduled this afternoon - opinions needed pl
Regardless of the insulin, I absolutely KNOW the people here would help every single day in every way we could. Depending on the location, we may have some member(s) close enough to give "hands on" help with learning how to test, inject, etc.
Hopefully the OP will take all this information into consideration before making any final decisions.
Regardless of the insulin, I absolutely KNOW the people here would help every single day in every way we could. Depending on the location, we may have some member(s) close enough to give "hands on" help with learning how to test, inject, etc.
Hopefully the OP will take all this information into consideration before making any final decisions.
A
Anonymous
Guest
Re: euthanasia scheduled this afternoon - opinions needed pl
Yep, I wish more seniors would get involved as it would be so rewarding for them not to mention the kitty. I wish vets would reccomend us to seniors. I want to tell that Abbott Vet who posted here about THAT!
Seniors RULE! and they deserve a chance to help their kitties too! sounds as if she were never even offered the chance. :sad:
Yep, I wish more seniors would get involved as it would be so rewarding for them not to mention the kitty. I wish vets would reccomend us to seniors. I want to tell that Abbott Vet who posted here about THAT!
Seniors RULE! and they deserve a chance to help their kitties too! sounds as if she were never even offered the chance. :sad:
Sue and Oliver (GA)
Very Active Member
Re: euthanasia scheduled this afternoon - opinions needed pl
This process can be difficult for seniors at the beginning. After the kitty is on insulin, being hometested and fed the right food, it does become much easier. Any chance you or someone else in the family could "get him started" with the basics?
Diabetes is a treatable disease, and after a steep learning curve, is relatively easy. If the kitty is not elderly, he/she could have many good years left.
This process can be difficult for seniors at the beginning. After the kitty is on insulin, being hometested and fed the right food, it does become much easier. Any chance you or someone else in the family could "get him started" with the basics?
Diabetes is a treatable disease, and after a steep learning curve, is relatively easy. If the kitty is not elderly, he/she could have many good years left.
blackrockpixie
New Member
Re: euthanasia scheduled this afternoon - opinions needed pl
Hi.
After 9.5 years together and 3.5 years with diabetes, I had to say goodbye to my girl yesterday morning.
To your question, it seems like several things have not been tried:
1 - insulin
2 - perhaps adjusting food
My girl appeared to be on her last leg in Dec 2008, with the same symptoms of lethargy, decreased mobility, and poor potty. I had scheduled her final visit. I was reading these boards a lot, wanted to ensure I had pursued every option, but was also not making her stay longer than was enjoyable. I drew the conclusion that the food the vet had prescribed (wet and dry M/D) was counter to what a lot of other people had had success with...and seemed counter to what human diabetics needed.
Switching foods saved her life. She bounced back (never 100%) and got another quality year and half. However, that required twice daily expensive shots and an entire household really setting its schedule to her. I did it - happily. But, I realize that it's not always possible. I think that, if a family cannot put their hearts and time into it, a half measure is probably going to be really hard on a diabetic cat. The rewards from caring for sugarcats are greater than can be imagined.
I'm sorry you have to make this decision.
Hi.
After 9.5 years together and 3.5 years with diabetes, I had to say goodbye to my girl yesterday morning.
To your question, it seems like several things have not been tried:
1 - insulin
2 - perhaps adjusting food
My girl appeared to be on her last leg in Dec 2008, with the same symptoms of lethargy, decreased mobility, and poor potty. I had scheduled her final visit. I was reading these boards a lot, wanted to ensure I had pursued every option, but was also not making her stay longer than was enjoyable. I drew the conclusion that the food the vet had prescribed (wet and dry M/D) was counter to what a lot of other people had had success with...and seemed counter to what human diabetics needed.
Switching foods saved her life. She bounced back (never 100%) and got another quality year and half. However, that required twice daily expensive shots and an entire household really setting its schedule to her. I did it - happily. But, I realize that it's not always possible. I think that, if a family cannot put their hearts and time into it, a half measure is probably going to be really hard on a diabetic cat. The rewards from caring for sugarcats are greater than can be imagined.
I'm sorry you have to make this decision.
Re: euthanasia scheduled this afternoon - opinions needed pl
It could be that you vet didn't recommend the best diet change. You don't say what the diet now is. If your Mom is feeding her cat other than wet or raw food, then diet continues to be a problem because dry food, including prescription food for diabetics like D/M and md, has too high a calorie count.
We can help you and your Mom help her cat.
It could be that you vet didn't recommend the best diet change. You don't say what the diet now is. If your Mom is feeding her cat other than wet or raw food, then diet continues to be a problem because dry food, including prescription food for diabetics like D/M and md, has too high a calorie count.
We can help you and your Mom help her cat.
Traci and Boomer
Very Active Member
Re: euthanasia scheduled this afternoon - opinions needed pl
Can we please have an update on what happened with this cat????
Can we please have an update on what happened with this cat????
Jana+BK+Chester(GA)+Wilbur
Active Member
Re: euthanasia scheduled this afternoon - opinions needed pl
OP hasn't posted back so, unless she PM'd someone, I don't think we know (well, I think we know...but we don't really know, if that makes sense).
OP hasn't posted back so, unless she PM'd someone, I don't think we know (well, I think we know...but we don't really know, if that makes sense).
Traci and Boomer
Very Active Member
Re: euthanasia scheduled this afternoon - opinions needed pl
Yeah, I think we can assume unless we hear otherwise.
Yeah, I think we can assume unless we hear otherwise.
Re: euthanasia scheduled this afternoon - opinions needed pl
I want to thank everyone who replied to my plea for opinions earlier this week. I apologize for not posting sooner. We took kitty to the vet and had a very long, difficult discussion. In the end, the vet convinced my mom that (and as one of you kind folks had mentioned) unless she commits to Goofus' care 24/7 we could end up making him even more uncomfortable and prolonging the inevitable. Sadly, my mom opted to say goodbye to her precious kitty. I offered to oversee the shots and testing but she didn't want me making the trip in every day (1 hour each way). She is also dealing with health concerns of her own and did not feel confident that she could give Goofus the care he needed. She agonized over this decision and is still crying. I think it was the vet admitting that there was no guarantee that treatment would make a difference in his quality of life since he was deteriorating so quickly. She seemed to think that he would be plagued with severe arthritis within a year because of the joint strain he has been under with trying to walk and move with his neuropathy. It is very sad.
We were very touched by the kind responses we received from our original post. This is a wonderful resource for folks with these special kitties. I have 3 of my own and thank God every day that they are healthy, happy, and a little crazy. I cannot thank you guys enough for your offers of help and support. It is all much appreciated.
Thank you-
cfose
I want to thank everyone who replied to my plea for opinions earlier this week. I apologize for not posting sooner. We took kitty to the vet and had a very long, difficult discussion. In the end, the vet convinced my mom that (and as one of you kind folks had mentioned) unless she commits to Goofus' care 24/7 we could end up making him even more uncomfortable and prolonging the inevitable. Sadly, my mom opted to say goodbye to her precious kitty. I offered to oversee the shots and testing but she didn't want me making the trip in every day (1 hour each way). She is also dealing with health concerns of her own and did not feel confident that she could give Goofus the care he needed. She agonized over this decision and is still crying. I think it was the vet admitting that there was no guarantee that treatment would make a difference in his quality of life since he was deteriorating so quickly. She seemed to think that he would be plagued with severe arthritis within a year because of the joint strain he has been under with trying to walk and move with his neuropathy. It is very sad.
We were very touched by the kind responses we received from our original post. This is a wonderful resource for folks with these special kitties. I have 3 of my own and thank God every day that they are healthy, happy, and a little crazy. I cannot thank you guys enough for your offers of help and support. It is all much appreciated.
Thank you-
cfose
A
Anonymous
Guest
Re: euthanasia scheduled this afternoon - opinions needed pl
thank you for updating us. i'm sure your mom is broken hearted. we all are when this needs to happen.
tell her we are all so sorry and understand her greif.
thank you for updating us. i'm sure your mom is broken hearted. we all are when this needs to happen.
tell her we are all so sorry and understand her greif.
jt and trouble (GA)
Very Active Member
Re: euthanasia scheduled this afternoon - opinions needed pl
I'm so sorry to read this. My heart and prayers go out to your mom and to you.
jeanne
I'm so sorry to read this. My heart and prayers go out to your mom and to you.
jeanne
Jana+BK+Chester(GA)+Wilbur
Active Member
Re: euthanasia scheduled this afternoon - opinions needed pl
I'm so sorry...please tell you Mom that all of us here are thinking of her.
Fly free, Goofus wings_cat
I'm so sorry...please tell you Mom that all of us here are thinking of her.
Fly free, Goofus wings_cat
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