Feeling defeated

[Angela P]

Hi everyone.
Maybe I just need to vent? Maybe I need some advise? I’m just feeling so defeated and over it. My 13 yo guy was diagnosed a couple months ago. We've done 3 glucose curves trying to get his dose dialed in. At curve #2 things were looking better, his numbers were coming down and getting close to ideal and doctor said start doing 3 units. BUT! Curve #3 he started at 8am with a reading of 700! He’d never been that high before. Now doc thinks it might be the insulin pen (maybe the injection isn’t going in right? maybe it isn’t giving to right dose?) and wants to switch to vials. I’m just feeling so lost. I feel like this is such a set back. Personally, I wonder if his huge spike was from either accidentally eating the other cats food or from the fact that this punk keeps knocking over the garbage can and eating anything he can.

On top of that I’m starting to just feel like I can’t do this anymore. Its starting to hit me, if he doesn’t ever go into a remission I literally can’t go anywhere. I’ve tried calling 3 different boarding facilities and no one will take a diabetic car. So why does that mean? I can’t go to parents for the holidays? We can never go on vacation? It’s hard enough just now knowing I HAVE to be home by a certain time to give him his evening shot.

I’m at a total loss. I don’t know what to do. I don’t want to have to put him down, but I can’t live a life of not being able to do anything. Then I think about the money. It’s already cost of over $500 to get this far and it’s only going to keep going up. It doesn't help that I have my own health issues that were diagnosed in May which mess with my energy, motivation, memory. Basically it’s just a s*** show over here.....

 

[Margie and Jackson]

I am about to go on a 3 week vacation. I have a friend who I’m training to give shots. You can still go on vacation if you want to. I’m buying insulin from Canada at less than half the price. You don’t need to go to the vet for curves. Use a human meter for a fraction of the cost. Most vets can put you in touch with people who will care for your cat.

 

[FurBabiesMama]

Hi. Managing diabetes often takes time. It is often said here that it is a marathon, not a sprint. So you are not the first person whose cat was not regulated after just two months, nor are you the first to feel discouraged and overwhelmed. Things do get better, especially if you educate yourself and learn when to go along with the vet versus when the path they are sending you down is not the right one. This site provides a wealth of information and the support of a lot of people who live and breathe this... some of us for years. It is true that caring for a diabetic cat requires commitment and there are some sacrifices involved - only you know if you are willing to do that for your cat - but there is virtually no challenge that cannot be overcome if you have the desire and if you reach out to let others who have lived it offer help. There are a lot of people who work full time, who have their own health issues, who travel, who have very limited funds, etc.. Diabetes is not a reason to have a cat 'put down'. It is such a manageable condition. You coming here is a good sign...consider all of the input you get, ask all the questions you have, go to the forum for the insulin type you use and read the sticky posts about it. Give it a chance to work out for you and your baby. Then, if you do reach a point where you just do not feel able to do it, please consider finding a new home for your cat rather than having him put to sleep.

Regarding insulin pens. Rather than putting a needle on a pen and injecting the cat with it, you can just use the pen as a mini-vial and use insulin syringes to draw out the insulin dose and inject. The pens can only give shots in 1 unit increments. That is too large of an increment for dosing changes for a little cat. Also, pens have to be primed which is a waste of insulin, and you are not supposed to refrigerate them when you are using them to give shots, so they lose effectiveness quicker. A lot of us here use the pens. We keep them refrigerated so that they remain effective for a few months instead of 28 days, and we use syringes for the shots. This is a big cost savings since we are not having to throw away insulin and it allows us to give doses in smaller increments.

You said your cat's numbers were looking better then the vet changed the dose and now they are worse. If the vet had you go up an entire unit, it is very possible that you have passed right by the correct dose. If, for example, your cat was looking good at 2 units but not quite in the desired range, the dose should have been increased to 2.25, not to 3. If a cat is getting too much insulin, that can cause their glucose to go too low which can then cause their body to react and send their glucose up really high (aka bouncing).

Home testing is very important. It is really the only way you can know the impact of an insulin dose and can make sure it is even safe to give insulin. Having a curve once every few/several weeks only shows you what is going on that one day, and since it is common for cat's glucose levels to be increased by the stress of a vet visit, the vet is then deciding to raise the dose based on inflated stress numbers. Have you tried home testing? It is one of the most important suggestions you are going to get here. Many people say that after they start home testing, they feel reduced stress because they actually know what is going on with their cat's glucose, and there are less vet visits, this is also another cost saver.

Your cat's food has a huge impact on glucose. Is he on a low-carb wet food diet? Some cat's who are changed over from dry food see such a reduction in glucose that they need very little insulin or even go into remission. (It is important to be testing before making this kind of diet change for safety.)

 

[Veronica & Babu-chiri]

Welcome and take a big breath, your cat's diabetes diagnose can seem like a lot right now and all that one has to learn at first can be a bit overwhelming, but once you get the hang of it, it does get better, you just need a bit more information than what the vet gave you.

Insulin is not a medicine so there's not such a thing like an specific dose that should work for your cat it has to be adjusted (sometimes frequently) to accommodate your cat's needs, and to know what he needs the best way is to test at home as they mentioned (for that you need a blood glucose meter that can be a human one with the advantage that the strips are cheaper in human meters ) and those needs can be influenced by a lot of things, just like diabetic humans have to get off of sweets and sugar, diabetic cats have to get off of carbohydrates, so what he eats is important. Also like they mentioned too much insulin can look as too little

If he has some other health issues besides diabetes can also influence so let us know if he has some other issue.

Keeping up with the schedule can be a bit complicated at first but once you get a routine established is more manageable, and I do recommend you try and find a friend or a vet tech that you trust so that they can help you in case you get stuck in something at the office or in some other engagement or for whatever reason you are not able to get home to give the shot, you can call them to go to your house and give you a hand or during a vacation, some people actually travel with their diabetic cats, so there are a lot of different options for you to have a life and also take care of your cat. Let us know in which part of the world you are so that people here can make suggestions on where to get supplies cheaper, and other things.

 

[Dusty Bones]

I agree with Furbabiesmama, the dosing may have gone too high, that will cause high numbers by bouncing. You really have to be strict about his food, he MUST only eat low carb preferably wet food like Fancy Feast or Friskies pates, otherwise you'll never be able to regulate him. You'll have more control by testing him yourself before each shot and yes that adds a whole other dynamic to the situation but you'll be in control and it'll cost you less in the long run. People on this forum really know more than most vets, I could never have gotten Dusty into remission without them. Just take a deep breath, take a step back, commit yourself to your kitty's health and well being and let the experts here guide you. You can do it!!

 

[Rocky&Moe]

I'm single and live by myself so I fully understand your struggle. I don't have anyone who can care for my cat so I haven't spent a night away from home since he was diagnosed. In a pinch, I know I can board him at the vet so check with yours to see if that's an option or if they have any recommendations.

We're 3.5 years in and I only now started checking his glucose with a monitor. I hate doing it so I only check if I think something is off so I don't have to bring him to the vet. I'm going against the general consensus of this message board but you need to take care of yourself first. Start with the basics (injections, diet) and then add to the treatment as you are able.

I promise it'll get easier over time, especially with a routine. And hopefully your friends and family are supportive and willing to come to you so you don't always have to go to them.

This message board is a great source for finding ways to save money. A lot of the posts are about sites with the lowest costs for food, syringes, insulin, test strips. Your vet will probably be willing to work with you as well so don't be afraid to let him/her know you have concerns around the cost of treatment.

It can feel really isolating to go through this, since even the most supportive friends don't actually know what it's like. If you ever feel that way, please reach out so we can help you.

 

[JanetNJ]

you can't base a dose on one random reading. or even just one random curve, esp. if there's a possibility he got into contraband. I have a video in my signature showing how I test my cat at home. what pen is it... vetsulin? Lantus? If it's lantus you can buy it much cheaper online through marks marine pharmacy. If you are getting your syringes from your vet it's cheaper online as well.
I've gone on a few short trips. I boarded her at the vet. Some people ask a vet tech to come to the house and do shots. Some teach family or friends how to shoot. Some travel WITH their pets. (I'd love to do this next year.)

 

[JanetNJ]

and if it makes you feel better I didn't see a number under 300 until she had been on insulin for three months. with consistent testing, and careful food choices you will see results. FEED YOUR OTHER CATS low carb pate and then you won't have to worry about her getting into their food, and at the same time reducing the chances that your OTHER cats will become diabetic.

 

[Suzanne Burton]

Have you considered hiring a vet tech from your cat's clinic or other local clinic to come and take care of your cat? Your cat can stay by itself because of feeders and a litter box and a vet tech. Now, on the other hand, without any resentment, by diabetic dog goes with us wherever we go because we live in a very rural area and no one will watch a diabetic dog. Of course, we would take him with us no matter what.

 

[Lisa and Witn (GA)]

you can't base a dose on one random reading. or even just one random curve, esp. if there's a possibility he got into contraband.

I agree. Also a curve at the vet's office is not really accurate. Stress can raise glucose levels significantly, so the readings there may be higher than what it would normally be at home. If you home test and do your own curves, you will have better readings to determine how the dose needs to change.

 

[(GA) Gypsy's Parent]

I have had cats requiring subq fluids for more than three years. The thought of testing for BG in the ears TERRIFIED me. It turns out that it's not that difficult. The cat doesn't seem to feel anything and within two to three days, I had a good routine worked out. My cat gets her post-bathroom-visit treat when she needs pilling/fluids/testing. I hadn't ever done this but after a few weeks of this, she has started following me into the bathroom. I've spent a lot of $$ on cats and vet bills and wanted the lowest cost solution $20 at Walmart can get you a meter, 50 test strips and 28 gauge lancets. JanetNJ has an excellent video and advice for home testing.

Based on the many posts I've read here (I'm still new) I see many people who have had ineffective advice from the vet, but started home testing and getting dosing advice here and their cats are well regulated or have gone into remission. For me, a change from dry food to wet food seems to sufficient to get to remission, although I will always be testing, but will limit to weekly.

I am single and I have had old and sick cats and I hear you. One cat was easy to pill and I managed to find a friend who could pill my cat while I was away for a long weekend.

I don't know where you live (rural, city). Finding a vet tech who lives nearby to provide twice a day visits could solve your problem. If you live in an urban area, you might be able to find other diabetic cat owners and trade off diabetic duty for each other. Several years ago I managed to find people at work who lived nearby to trade off feeding duties (before my cats had health issues).

I understand your frustration; diabetes is not a disease where you can simply take a daily pill and make it better; it requires testing and management, but it can be regulated.

I was giving my cat ProZinc. Due to multiple cats and work schedule (I leave the house at 8:30 ttAM and arrive home at 8:30 PM), the cats get fed at 6:30 am and 8:30 pm. So the diabetic cat did not get tested every 12 hours, but was 10 and 14. There was no other option. So be it. It might not be ideal, but it's the best I can do and at least it's a schedule. She's not a cute, young or very lovable cat, so it's not like I could rehome her.

Please don't give up yet. You'll find wonderful support here and people understand where you are coming from. Many have been down a similar path. They can help you give your and your cat the best chance at regulation and possible remission.