Kip's Friend
Member Since 2012
Hi,
First let me say thank you for offering so much valuable, supportive information to those of us who suddenly find ourselves dealing with a diabetic cat…I’m so grateful this website exists.
Here’s what I know of Kip’s story: A friendly but emaciated kitty showed up at a jobsite, a vacant house remodel, where I’d done a bit of design work and my friend Ron was working construction. "Kip" began coming around regularly as he was receiving some loving attention from R. and, pretty soon, some kibble, wet food, and his own water bucket. A bed was fixed up on the front porch as well, and for the next month he received regular meals and plenty of attention but still wasn’t gaining any weight and no one had come up with a plan for what might happen with Kip once the construction job ends. (R. already has four rescue cats and our client travels constantly for work.) Finally I opted to get him to our vet--despite household opposition to taking in any strays--just to see what we might be up against. At the vet’s on Friday, Kip was just as laid back and loving as he’s been while in a construction zone, but ravenous (as usual) for the little treats being offered. Staff figured he is elderly, although his teeth are in pretty good shape but he only weighs 8.6 lbs. on a long, big-pawed frame that should easily carry 10+. Blood tests pointed to diabetes but a urine sample was needed for confirmation. I brought him to our house on Saturday night, managed to get a urine sample to them on Monday morning, and today (Tues.) received confirmation that Kip is most definitely diabetic.
The household situation: Husband is adamantly opposed to dealing with Kip’s diabetes, much less taking in any additional strays. We have one territorial female feline already. Dani (normally an indoor/outdoor girl) has basically moved herself outside since Kip’s arrival, and hisses and growls during her brief forays back inside. It’s just been us three—in a small house, on a small budget… While I can’t just “look away” from a critter so clearly in need, I've created a tense, unhappy situation at home.
For now, I’ve switched Kip to an all wet diet (Wellness, chicken formula, no grains—again, thank you for all the amazingly detailed information here!) We have an appointment for Monday afternoon, for a full diabetes consultation. While I feel a need to help Kip and hope to get him stabilized, this also needs to be a temporary situation… Without my spouse’s support, it is impossible to adopt Kip, and Dani’s well-being must be considered too…
My plea: can anyone out there please consider taking in a good-natured, neutered diabetic male kitty into their household? He’s a wonderfully affectionate, handsome fellow in need of a good home. While the diabetes could be masking other problems, he seems to be in decent health despite of this, and tested negative for feline leukemia...In the meanwhile, I'll do my best to get his diabetes under control but simply can't keep him. I live in Washington State but am willing to transport him a significant distance if you’ll make a loving space for him.
Thank you so much for considering this…I’m pretty much at wit’s end and hope someone can help…
-Carrie & Kip
First let me say thank you for offering so much valuable, supportive information to those of us who suddenly find ourselves dealing with a diabetic cat…I’m so grateful this website exists.
Here’s what I know of Kip’s story: A friendly but emaciated kitty showed up at a jobsite, a vacant house remodel, where I’d done a bit of design work and my friend Ron was working construction. "Kip" began coming around regularly as he was receiving some loving attention from R. and, pretty soon, some kibble, wet food, and his own water bucket. A bed was fixed up on the front porch as well, and for the next month he received regular meals and plenty of attention but still wasn’t gaining any weight and no one had come up with a plan for what might happen with Kip once the construction job ends. (R. already has four rescue cats and our client travels constantly for work.) Finally I opted to get him to our vet--despite household opposition to taking in any strays--just to see what we might be up against. At the vet’s on Friday, Kip was just as laid back and loving as he’s been while in a construction zone, but ravenous (as usual) for the little treats being offered. Staff figured he is elderly, although his teeth are in pretty good shape but he only weighs 8.6 lbs. on a long, big-pawed frame that should easily carry 10+. Blood tests pointed to diabetes but a urine sample was needed for confirmation. I brought him to our house on Saturday night, managed to get a urine sample to them on Monday morning, and today (Tues.) received confirmation that Kip is most definitely diabetic.
The household situation: Husband is adamantly opposed to dealing with Kip’s diabetes, much less taking in any additional strays. We have one territorial female feline already. Dani (normally an indoor/outdoor girl) has basically moved herself outside since Kip’s arrival, and hisses and growls during her brief forays back inside. It’s just been us three—in a small house, on a small budget… While I can’t just “look away” from a critter so clearly in need, I've created a tense, unhappy situation at home.
For now, I’ve switched Kip to an all wet diet (Wellness, chicken formula, no grains—again, thank you for all the amazingly detailed information here!) We have an appointment for Monday afternoon, for a full diabetes consultation. While I feel a need to help Kip and hope to get him stabilized, this also needs to be a temporary situation… Without my spouse’s support, it is impossible to adopt Kip, and Dani’s well-being must be considered too…
My plea: can anyone out there please consider taking in a good-natured, neutered diabetic male kitty into their household? He’s a wonderfully affectionate, handsome fellow in need of a good home. While the diabetes could be masking other problems, he seems to be in decent health despite of this, and tested negative for feline leukemia...In the meanwhile, I'll do my best to get his diabetes under control but simply can't keep him. I live in Washington State but am willing to transport him a significant distance if you’ll make a loving space for him.
Thank you so much for considering this…I’m pretty much at wit’s end and hope someone can help…
-Carrie & Kip
