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marjen1963

Member Since 2012
Hello, I am having an issue with my diabetic cat. He is 13 yrs old and has had diabetes for about 3 yrs now and it just doesn't get under control at all. I have tried different foods and even making home made foods with a higher protein base for him. For about 6 months now, he has been missing the liter box and just going in different part of the basement and looses his bowels even in the kitchen at times. He eat and drinks a lot, but he is still boney. You can pet him and all you feel is bones. He has a fat stomach though from eating so I don't understand why the rest of him isn't looking better.

I've made several appointments to have him put down since I feel like its his time and he's not living a good life, but cancelled them just as many as I made. I have another one scheduled, but still feel I shouldn't do it. My kids tell me to let him die at home, but what if he's not living the right way? I just dont know what else to do for my little guy.

Anyone have any suggestion or thoughts, please PM me. I need some guidance on if I am doing the right hing or not. He still purrs, but the vet said they can do that if they are in pain to. I feel so bad right now and feel torn on the right decision.

thanks
 
Hi. I'm sorry that you are having troubles with your cat. I would encourage you to start home testing, if you are not already, so that you can know if the insulin dose is correct or not. It's the safest way to give insulin.

Also, the Web Master of this site does not allow dosing advice via PM. All advice must be done using this public forum, so that others can weigh in with their thoughts to any one else's opinions or suggestions.

I think once you get your kitty's diabetes better under control, that you will see him drinking and peeing less, and hopefully adding on some weight as well.

Please keep us updated, and ask as many questions as you want, using this forum.
You can also visit the ISG that corresponds to the specific insulin you are using. What type of insulin do you use?
 
Can you share more information with us:

- what type of insulin are you using
- how much is the dose
- how often are you giving insulin
- are you home testing
- what are the test results
- what kind of food are you feeding
- has your cat been checked for other health/medical conditions - such as hyper thyroid, etc.


The more information you can provide, the better we can assist you. and if diabetes is the cat's only issue, then NO, you don't need to PTS, as diabetes is very treatable and manageable. But we need to know what you are and are not doing in order to help.
 
Please tell us what insulin is he on and what is the dose you've been giving. As Dyana said, hometesting is going to give you the info you need as to how well his numbers (bg's) are doing.

Also, has he had his kidney values checked lately along with his thyroid? Do you know if the belly is just big from food or could there be fluid in there? My second diabetic was diagnosed at 13 and lived another great 5 1/2 years because of hometesting and the info from this board. Please don't give up on him yet.
 
Hillary & Maui said:
Can you share more information with us:

- what type of insulin are you using
- how much is the dose
- how often are you giving insulin
- are you home testing
- what are the test results
- what kind of food are you feeding
- has your cat been checked for other health/medical conditions - such as hyper thyroid, etc.


The more information you can provide, the better we can assist you. and if diabetes is the cat's only issue, then NO, you don't need to PTS, as diabetes is very treatable and manageable. But we need to know what you are and are not doing in order to help.
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He is on Humilin N and thats 2 x's a day
I think its like 0.5ml I also check his sugar a couple times a day but it doesnt seem to change. Its sometimes really high or comes down to like 300 level.
I am feeding him either chicken food or turkey, the best canned one out there. I havent had him checked for anything else because I can't afford the vet bill. They wanted me to keep him there over night and run all kinds of test. I know its my cats health but when you are the only person working in the house how can one afford a $500 vet bill. I try to make him home foods with turkey and egg whites as well. Now I noticed he has a lot of gas with the better food. I feel really really bad, but I think his time has come. I am at wits end and if the vet wouldnt be so much money I could help him more, which hurts me just as much.
 
Ask your vet for a better insulin like ProZinc, Lantus (Glargine) or Levemir. Very few cats do well on N......fast acting with short duration......and increasing the dose will not give longer duration. It all probability it is the insulin not working that is the contributing factor to his health and numbers.
 
Hope + (((Baby)))GA said:
Ask your vet for a better insulin like ProZinc, Lantus (Glargine) or Levemir. Very few cats do well on N......fast acting with short duration......and increasing the dose will not give longer duration. It all probability it is the insulin not working that is the contributing factor to his health and numbers.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I've been thinking of just doing that first before making a decision on putting him down. I just dont want him to be suffering or anything and he seems to be fine, but one doesnt know how he feels inside. I just had him for so long I hate the fact of having to do that part. I'm gonna call them today and ask more questions before making a decision.
Thanks you all for the help
 
I agree, you need a different insulin, one that works better for cats and is longer lasting.

My guess is once you do this, you will see marked improvement and won't think about PTS any longer.

You just need the right tools in order to help you.

If you go for one of the L insulins :

Lantus - AKA Glargine
or
Levimer - there are coupons in supply closet page for $25 off the cost of pens.

As these are human insulins, you will need to get them at a human pharmacy. Price shop it in your area to find out where you can get it cheapest. I found that Costco (or a similar type store) sold it cheapest in my area and you didn't need to be a member to use the pharmacy.

However, Costco doesn't take coupons, so check out one of the others that do and you may find a pretty good deal.

Prozinc, is an animal insulin and I believe you can get that from the vet. You may even be able to get it online, check it out - like 800-pet meds.com etc. They price match too. You will need a prescription from the vet if you buy online. But that's ok.

while prozinc requires a different syringe U40. If you have U100 syringes, there is a conversion chart you can use in order to get the correct dose.

Whichever insulin you go with, use the start low/go slow approach - start with a low dose .5 or 1 unit twice a day and based on home testing and guidance adjust the insulin as needed.

Hope this helps and you are able to change insulins.
 
marjen1963 said:
He is on Humilin N and thats 2 x's a day
I think its like 0.5ml I also check his sugar a couple times a day but it doesnt seem to change. Its sometimes really high or comes down to like 300 level.
I am feeding him either chicken food or turkey, the best canned one out there. I havent had him checked for anything else because I can't afford the vet bill. They wanted me to keep him there over night and run all kinds of test. I know its my cats health but when you are the only person working in the house how can one afford a $500 vet bill. I try to make him home foods with turkey and egg whites as well. Now I noticed he has a lot of gas with the better food. I feel really really bad, but I think his time has come. I am at wits end and if the vet wouldnt be so much money I could help him more, which hurts me just as much.
Click to expand...

Okay- Humalin N is not the best for a cat and someone covered that. I would like to address the food-

Is the canned food you are feeding CANNED CAT FOOD or is is tuna, turkey, or chicken in a can? BIG difference as cat food will have the necessary vitamins and minerals needed while canned meat- meant for humans- won't. If you do the canned cat food- what kinds do you use? Most of the canned food out there is still too high in carbs for diabetic cats as we want to feed under 10% carbs. Here are three lists for foods that include carb values:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc ... hYXc#gid=0 (called Hobo's List)
http://binkyspage.tripod.com/canfood.html (called binky's list)
http://www.catinfo.org/docs/Food%20Char ... -22-12.pdf (new list from CatInfo.org)

These rule out the gravy foods, diced foods, medleys- only the pate ones are usually under the carb count needed.

Two- when you make your own turkey and egg whites- do you heat up the egg whites? There is something about RAW egg whites that binds to vitamin B (or e/d?) that doesn't allow a cats body to absorb it- so the cat doesn't get the nutrient needed. The fact that you are willing to make food for your cat is great as there are recipes for raw cat food (I make it for my cat) and once you get the process down it does cost less than canned food. This site has a LOT of information about it and the recipe that I use:
http://www.catinfo.org/

I would check out these things first and get a different insulin. There is help out here- all you have to do is ask.
 
Hello and welcome to FDMB,

Other folks have addressed a lot of issues here and have asked a lot of questions. So I just want to reach out and give you a BIG HUG :YMHUG:

Hang in there. There is still hope for your kitty. :smile:
 
Thanks to all for your help. Today I had to say good-bye to my beautiful cat Bandit:( The vet said it was in his best to put him down since he had an enlarged kidney and spleen. He wasnt living a good life no more. It was very hard to do but I know in my heart it was right. He is now at peace.
 
So sorry to hear about Bandit.

He has now crossed to the bridge and is playing like all kitties should play.
 
It was such a hard thing to do but the doc said it was for the best. I still cry and think that he is gonna be there every time I turn around or come up stairs to wake me in the morning before because he is hungry. there was so many things that have now changed and I'm still thinking that the gate needs to be put up or there will be poop someplace going down to the basement. I miss him always being right by my feet all the time and almost killing me from tripping. I miss him so but I know he is happy now. As the poem says"please do not grieve it must be you who had this painful thing to do". It was but the right one, but I still must cry. In time my heart will heal. My other cat is now lonely. I'm wondering if he will be ok or need a friend. Well good luck all with your kities and I wish them all the best:)
 
Everyone including your other animals need to go through the grieving process. The loss of any family is difficult, we always want them to live forever. The most important thing is to be kind with yourself. Don't feel bad or guilty about the decision that was made, as you did what he needed you to do.

In time, the pain will lessen, just be patient and allow yourself whatever time you need. As for bringing someone else into the home, only you can answer that question. You are not replacing Bandit, rather you are opening your heart and home to someone who needs it. Talk with your other cat and family and you will know when and if the time is right to let someone else in.
 
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