Gracie is a rescue cat, approximately 8 years old. She is usually a wonderful affectionate girl, but now she just tired and listless. She has always been overweight, and indulged her instead of restricting her food. She passed her annual physical in late June and the vet was pleased she was down to 13 pounds. Two family emergencies took me out of town two separate times this summer and an excellent caregiver took care of her.
the caregiver She noticed a change in Gracie, but thought she was depressed because I was gone. When I returned last Sunday I was alarmed at how thin and listless she was and took her to the emergency animal hospital. She was down to 10.5 pounds. They kept her two days, diagnosed diabetes, and referred me to a clinic specializing in cats. New vet performed her own test, confirmed the diagnosis, prescribed insulin, and scheduled a second test in 2 weeks. I am giving Gracie insulin injections twice a day and feeding her Purina DM. She wants her old food and is still pretty listless. Last night she sat in her litter box for half an hour, something she has never done before. She is urinating and defecating normally. Her new vet is just out of school and strikes me as somewhat indifferent. When I expressed concern at Gracie's weight loss, she asked why I wanted her to be fat. When I asked how the disease would affect her, she replied Gracie probably had three more years to live. When I said she I was worried about the listlessness, she shrugged. I don't think she is a good fit , but I also realize how guilty I feel at failing to put her on a diet and at missing the signs something was wrong and worry that I am projecting my failings on her. Friends have given me the names of other vets to try. Gracie has been through so much, I don't want to put her through any unnecessary trauma, but I also want to be sure I am doing the right things for her. Any ideas would be welcome. Should I try another vet or wait and see how I feel after Gracie's next appointment in 2 weeks? Is listlessness normal at this stage?
the caregiver She noticed a change in Gracie, but thought she was depressed because I was gone. When I returned last Sunday I was alarmed at how thin and listless she was and took her to the emergency animal hospital. She was down to 10.5 pounds. They kept her two days, diagnosed diabetes, and referred me to a clinic specializing in cats. New vet performed her own test, confirmed the diagnosis, prescribed insulin, and scheduled a second test in 2 weeks. I am giving Gracie insulin injections twice a day and feeding her Purina DM. She wants her old food and is still pretty listless. Last night she sat in her litter box for half an hour, something she has never done before. She is urinating and defecating normally. Her new vet is just out of school and strikes me as somewhat indifferent. When I expressed concern at Gracie's weight loss, she asked why I wanted her to be fat. When I asked how the disease would affect her, she replied Gracie probably had three more years to live. When I said she I was worried about the listlessness, she shrugged. I don't think she is a good fit , but I also realize how guilty I feel at failing to put her on a diet and at missing the signs something was wrong and worry that I am projecting my failings on her. Friends have given me the names of other vets to try. Gracie has been through so much, I don't want to put her through any unnecessary trauma, but I also want to be sure I am doing the right things for her. Any ideas would be welcome. Should I try another vet or wait and see how I feel after Gracie's next appointment in 2 weeks? Is listlessness normal at this stage?
