HI another newbie

[zoot]

My cat was diagnosed with diabetes a couple of months back. I had him in Caninsulin but the dosage recommended was too high and his blood sugars were too low (although the vet assured me he was fine). Anyway fast forward Pie had to go to kennels as I was in the process of moving and the person where I was staying hates cats. The kennels took him to another vet to get him checked, they changed his insulin to a once a day dose and all seemed to be fine, he improved dramatically. Got a call this week to say despite his blood glucose being within normal range he was ketoacidotic and has had to go back to the vet.

Now the vet is all doom and gloom about the situation - they have put him back onto twice a day insulin now but dont seem confident of that working. I am freaking out.

How is it possible for him to go from well controlled one week to out of control the next with no changes. Is it really all over now? Is there any hope that I can get his blood sugars back under control? I have been reading all about diabetes in cats and trying to get my head around what is going on. Is there anything specific I should ask them about it.

I just feel so helpless and feel like I have failed my cat.

 

[Blue]

The insulin Caninsulin is pretty good, for dogs, but not cats.

I don't know where you are located, but it would be good if you could switch to a better insulin, a longer lasting one such as Lantus, Levemir. There's no insulin that is good for 24hrs; most is given every 12 hrs.

Food makes a big difference as well; wet low carb drastically reduces the need for insulin and many cats are diet controlled needing no insulin, provided that they stay on a wet low carb diet.

If you could give a bit more info about yourself ... they may well be someone else on the board who is close to you and can help you a bit more.

 

[Sue and Oliver (GA)]

It comes through loud and clear that you love your cat and are trying to do the best you can. This is a difficult disease to learn, and it sounds like you have had some questionable advice from vets.

Cats have a faster metabolism than dogs or humans. Insulin only lasts 12 hours in cats; once a day dosing is not likely to work. Vets should know that.

I would guess one of the issues is that the vets have relied on tests at their offices where cats are scared and stressed. Stress raises bg levels, so doses determined at the vet can be too high once you get home.

Is he in the hospital? Is it a emergency hospital? Do you think they are capable? What treatments are they using? If you aren't happy with his care, you can post your city and state. Maybe we have a member nearby who knows a FD vet.

If he is at home, we can teach you to test his blood sugars at home so you can see how the insulin is really working.

 

[Carl & Polly & Bob (GA)]

OK, take a really deep breath, then let it out slowly....

Is it really all over now?

Absolutely not.

Is there any hope that I can get his blood sugars back under control?

Absolutely yes.

I just feel so helpless and feel like I have failed my cat.

You have not done any such thing. Diabetes isn't anyone's fault. If you had a 2 year old child that was diagnosed as a diabetic, would you blame yourself? This just "happens". It's happened to every one of us (at least once), and to every kitty whose "bean" has ever posted here.

I, like you, don't get how he can go from seemingly fine one week to out of control and DKA the next. But we can figure that out. When can he come home to you? If he is ketoacidotic, then the vet or emergency care is the best place for him right now. My Bob spent 3 scary nights (for me, and probably for him) in 24 hour care when he was diagnosed as DKA a few days after he was diagnosed with diabetes. That was in May. Tonight, he's purring by my feet and hasn't needed a shot of insulin since July 19th. If the vet can get him past the DKA episode, and you can get him home, we can help you handle this. Some cats go into remission quickly. Some never will. But diabetes isn't the end of anything. It's a treatable condition that can let you and kitty spend many more healthy and happy years together.

Ask your vet:
What sort of BG numbers is he getting?
Is he eating? If so, what is he eating?
Has the ketoacidosis improved any?
Can he prescribe a better insulin for him than Caninsulin? Lantus, Levimir, and Prozinc are three better choices.

If you can get some answers to the those questions, let us know what the vet says.

In the meantime, you can stay here and ask all the questions you need to ask. We will help you learn all about home testing, a good low carb all canned food diet, and so many other things, so that when he does come home, you'll have a better feel for what the future holds, and how you are going to take care of this, with our help.

Carl (and Bob) in SC

 

[doombuggy]

Hey, I just wanted to wish you a warm welcome and send a hug. :YMHUG:
I am guessing that you are in Canada? You have gotten some good advice here already. I would recommend Lantus as that is what we used and my cat went into remission after a month (see spreadsheet in my signature) along with a diet change and some excersie (we moved into a townhouse I bought a week before he was diagnosed). I feed Cedric only canned food now, mainly Wellness. It is grain free (well some of them are, and he only gets those), high protien and low carbs. He was getting Blue Buffalo Wilderness which is all of those things, but high in calories. When I took the dry away, his numbers (blood glucose) went down 100 points and 2 days later they were normal. Hopefully, you can get Pie regulated or in remission with some help and patience (something I am out of already today, but hey!)

If you can answer some of the questions the others have posted, we can help you. We have been there and know how you are feeling. hang in there.