Feel Helpless

Status
Not open for further replies.
B

Buzz's Mom

New Member
I really just need to vent because I feel I am stretched as far as I can go.

Buzz was diagnosed with diabetes several months ago and to this point I have spent over $800 on treatment, food & insulin. Thankfully my parents were financially able to help out in the beginning because I am like so many others in that I live almost paycheck to paycheck. Buzz is large and very aggressive so home testing his blood has been impossible so far although I keep trying but this means a vet visit so that they can check him. When I first noticed his symtoms, he was urinating around the house and finally on my bed. This was caused by a UTI and to get my attention. Over the last few days he has been urinating around the house and I simply have no money to take him back to the vet but I know that is what I need to do. Not to mention his insulin will need to be refilled in a few weeks which is another trip to the vet for a check-up. I will going on vacation in 3 weeks that was paid for almost a year ago and is non-refundable so this puts more money out of pocket having to pay someone to administer his medications while I am gone. Sometimes I feel like I am being/sounding so selfish but I just not don't know how in the world I can continue to afford the care he needs. I am just at the end of the rope and do not know where to go from here.
 
All I can offer is that you may want to read the FAQ's here. It may give you some insight on how to get a handle on your situation. I'm sure there will be others come on with some ideas for you.
j.
 
My brain's running a bit slow this morning, so I'm not much help... I'm sure others will be along with some practical advice for you.

:YMHUG: But I wanted to at least send you some hugs :YMHUG:

Hang in there! You'll get thru this, and it will get better. cat_pet_icon
 
All I can tell you is that it is worth the expense, time and trouble in the long run. Even difficult cats come to appreciate that we are making them feel better and the bond deepens. And it is HARD. Some owners, sadly, put their diabetic cats to sleep. That is so sad. While the disease is work to manage, it is doable and cats here live long lives after diagnosis. You are working hard to save Buzz's life and it is taking a toll on yours. We have walked in your shoes and have been overwhelmed and depressed. Come on the forum when you feel that way. We'll comiserate, try to help and give you cyberhugs (( )).

Many people with difficult cats to test use the clothespin trick: http://www.felinecrf.org/giving_sub-qs_ ... _peg_trick It really has worked for a lot of us. If you can get him tested at home, that will help with much of your expense since you need take him to the vet for tests and curves no longer. Just fax your numbers to the vet.

You might contact your vet to see if one of the vet techs would be willing to test/give him the shot while you are on vacation. They are knowledgeable and often eager to make some extra money. Also, let us know your city and state. Maybe there is someone on the forum who would like to trade diabetic cat care with you.

Check out the supply closet. Sometimes there are supplies there - insulin and testing supplies. viewforum.php?f=15

And know that there is a community here that will support and care for you and Buzz. You aren't alone.
 
I know it all seems hopeless at the moment but it really does get easier. I have brothers that both have diabetes and when Nimzo was diagnosed shortley after his brother, I was devastated. He let me kow he was suffering by peeing all over the place but normally right in front of me! I think the vets thought I was seeing diabetes all over the place when I took him in just 2 months after his brother was diagnosed. Nimzo made Walter seem like a model patient by comparison. He hated the vets, he doesn't like being picked up, his ears are sensitive and made me feel like a torturer.

I was very lucky to have a wonderful lady, that I found through the FDMB, who come around and showed me how to home test. I found that having a strict routine of testing before food and injecting while eating helped to reassure the boys. We tested on the sofa, where I could squish them against a cushion, and after the first few times they did stop squirming. They rushed into the kitchen after testing because they knew the food came next. And then the injection was the easy bit as they had their faces in the food and didn't even notice the needles going in!

I got a meter quite cheaply at the chemist and I bought strips on e-bay. I found a cheaper supplier of syringes than my vets and they eat wet food from the supermarket. I'm in the uk so the names are different but basically the meat versions in jelly work well. So that made it all a bit cheaper. The vet supplies my insulin and does 6 monthly fructosamine tests but I do the regular checks to keep the costs down. I have done curves and given them to the vets in the past and the numbers are always better because they are not so stressed.

Big hugs and I hope things ease up for you soon!
 
I can completely identify with your situation. We are without a job and living off of savings right now while we wait for unemployment to kick in :sad:

One thing that might help your situation is applying for vet bill aid. There are a few organizations listed on the main FD page that you can search through:

http://www.felinediabetes.com/vetbills.htm

Hope this helps! cat_pet_icon
 
Aggressive kitty - I have one!

I can only address the expense issue to say that it really is worthwhile. My Moochie is 17 years old now and was diagnosed when she was about 13.5 years old.

The part that I actually can address more fully is the aggressive part. Moochie was absolutely horrible at the beginning. She is better now but OMG was she awful! What I can tell you is that what got us through was scruffing and actually laying on her for testing. I can't even begin to tell you how many times I dragged her biting and screaming from under the bed to test her. That was when the fun really began.

What I finally arrived at was to get her on the bed, lay my body on top of her, wrap my left arm around her chest to grab her right ear (I am right handed so if you are left handed just reverse this) and hang onto that ear for dear life.

I wasted a lot of test strips which made it a bit pricey at the beginning but it did get easier although it took a while.

The other option you have is urine testing. I know that there are a few people here who used that method for a long time before they were able to use a meter with their kitties - Ronnie and Moonie and Maryjo and Smokey for two of them. One long time member - Allie and Myrtle - tested urine for Myrtle from the time she was diagnosed because Myrtle would not tolerate BG testing. I would try very hard first for the BG testing but if all else fails, there is UG (urine glucose) testing. I think Bayer is the company that makes the test strips for the litter box.

I'm really sorry that this is so difficult - I do truly sympathize but I can tell you that it really is worth it.
 
Hey - you're in McKinney. I'm in Coppell.

I would be happy to help you learn to hometest. I also might be willing to watch your baby while you're on vacation (depends on when it is). I'll be offline the rest of the day, but I'll check back here this evening.

I also have a 5-pack of Lantus that you can have.
 
FD is a challenge, but you'll get through this. There are so many people on this site that would love to try and help you. Maybe if you can give us more information on why you're unable to home test. Is it that he's not sitting still for you etc. It would be awesome if Boo's mom could help show you some tricks. Has your vet tried to help you with testing? Sorry for all the questions, just trying to get an idea on your situation. Hang in there and keep us posted, ok?

:YMHUG:
 
Dear Buzz's Mom - One of the things you have to do is believe in yourself. Believe you can do it, cuz we all believe you can!!!
Heather and Boo have offered some MAJOR help (Way to go!) & trust me, it takes practice, patience & a lot of forgiveness for a biting & scratching cat, but if you believe it's possible, then one day - it WILL come to you. And when you get to that point when you won't have to take him to the vet any more for testing, you'll be able to look back with pride & smile at how much you have both learned & how easier things are now. But until then, just believe you & Buzz will work it out. I believe. And we're all cheering for you!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top