My name is Tiffany. I have a cat named Chance that is 9 yrs.old and is new to the diabetes thing as so am I . He does not get a shot but instead a pill called Glipizide 5mg. 1/2 pill twice a day. When I took him to the vet he said his sugar was still high,tried uping the dosage but was to much and my kitty got very sick so we put hi on back to half a pill. I am so confused on what to do.
Hi, I'm new here
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My name is Tiffany. I have a cat named Chance that is 9 yrs.old and is new to the diabetes thing as so am I . He does not get a shot but instead a pill called Glipizide 5mg. 1/2 pill twice a day. When I took him to the vet he said his sugar was still high,tried uping the dosage but was to much and my kitty got very sick so we put hi on back to half a pill. I am so confused on what to do.
Deb & Wink
Member Since 2013
Hi Tiffany and sugardude Chance and welcome to the FDMB. Lots of experience here to help you.
First of all, take a deep breath, hold, release, take a deep breath, hold, release, repeat as needed. This can be overwhelming and nerve wracking. We are here for you.
Second, could you give us a little more background. Like diagnosis date, what the BG (blood glucose) readings have been, if you are home testing, why your vet decided on the glipizide and not insulin, what food you are feeding, any complicating medical conditions your cat may have, symptoms that led to the diagnosis, etc. This will help us to help you better.
We don't recommend the glipizide or any oral treatments for diabetes in cats. The issue is that they make the pancreas work harder and end up destroying more of the cells that produce insulin. Success rates are <15% for remission.
Giving shots may be scary, but it really is the best method to treat the diabetes for your cat. Success rates are >90% and greater with some of the insulins like Lantus. The insulin shots give the pancreas time to heal and produce insulin on it's own. Cats are unique, in that many cats can actually heal their pancreas and begin producing more insulin on their own.
I had this happen with my foster cat Wink. He was on insulin, and after switching him to a low carb <10% diet, he went into remission (OTJ or diet controlled status).
First of all, take a deep breath, hold, release, take a deep breath, hold, release, repeat as needed. This can be overwhelming and nerve wracking. We are here for you.
Second, could you give us a little more background. Like diagnosis date, what the BG (blood glucose) readings have been, if you are home testing, why your vet decided on the glipizide and not insulin, what food you are feeding, any complicating medical conditions your cat may have, symptoms that led to the diagnosis, etc. This will help us to help you better.
We don't recommend the glipizide or any oral treatments for diabetes in cats. The issue is that they make the pancreas work harder and end up destroying more of the cells that produce insulin. Success rates are <15% for remission.
Giving shots may be scary, but it really is the best method to treat the diabetes for your cat. Success rates are >90% and greater with some of the insulins like Lantus. The insulin shots give the pancreas time to heal and produce insulin on it's own. Cats are unique, in that many cats can actually heal their pancreas and begin producing more insulin on their own.
I had this happen with my foster cat Wink. He was on insulin, and after switching him to a low carb <10% diet, he went into remission (OTJ or diet controlled status).
KPassa
Member Since 2012
Welcome Tiffany and Chance! :YMHUG: There is a lot of information on feline diabetes and you've found the best place for help. It's easiest to think of managing feline diabetes like a triangle.
Insulin: Deb is right that the glipizide is not good for a cat as it damages the pancreas further. You will want to get Chance switched over to one of the only three insulins that has proven to work well in cats and is recommended for cats by the AAHA Diabetes Guidelines: Lantus (glargine), Levemir (detemir), or PZI/ProZinc. All other insulin does not work well with a cat's faster metabolism.
Diet: Just as human diabetics have to watch their sugar and carb intake, we also have to watch our kitties' sugar and carb intake. For feline diabetics, we recommend feeding food that is less than 8-10% calories from carbs, the lower the better. This means that most all dry food is out because it has such a high amount of carbs to hold it together. There is this fantastic list of the nutritional information for most commercial cat foods that we go off in trying to find these low carb food options. The website that list is from is also a great place to start for reading up on feline nutrition.
Home Testing: Again, just as humans test themselves to know if it's safe to give insulin, we also test our kitties to make sure it's safe to give them insulin and to help us monitor how well the insulin is working. It may seem ridiculously difficult to test a cat, but with a little practice and patience, you'll soon be just as surprised as I once was the first time Michelangelo sought me out for a test.
Please let us know how we can help you!
Insulin: Deb is right that the glipizide is not good for a cat as it damages the pancreas further. You will want to get Chance switched over to one of the only three insulins that has proven to work well in cats and is recommended for cats by the AAHA Diabetes Guidelines: Lantus (glargine), Levemir (detemir), or PZI/ProZinc. All other insulin does not work well with a cat's faster metabolism.
Diet: Just as human diabetics have to watch their sugar and carb intake, we also have to watch our kitties' sugar and carb intake. For feline diabetics, we recommend feeding food that is less than 8-10% calories from carbs, the lower the better. This means that most all dry food is out because it has such a high amount of carbs to hold it together. There is this fantastic list of the nutritional information for most commercial cat foods that we go off in trying to find these low carb food options. The website that list is from is also a great place to start for reading up on feline nutrition.
Home Testing: Again, just as humans test themselves to know if it's safe to give insulin, we also test our kitties to make sure it's safe to give them insulin and to help us monitor how well the insulin is working. It may seem ridiculously difficult to test a cat, but with a little practice and patience, you'll soon be just as surprised as I once was the first time Michelangelo sought me out for a test.
Please let us know how we can help you!
Thank you both for replying.Let me start by saying Chance has always been in good health until this never had to bring him to the vet.He was about 10 to 15 pounds or better before this all started.Started out vomiting alot, just thought he was not feeling good,then at the endish of September he starting peeing in my daughters room,by oct. I brought him to the vet because he had lost so much wieght in a short amount of time and had him stay at that vet where he was on an iv over night. Picked him up the next day ,looked better that was on the 16 of Oct.I pick the pills because I'm in a really bad way right now and thought I would try this cause I can't afford the insulin.This came on so fast and he was so weak that I thought I was going to have to put him down.$450.00 later pills were my only choice right now.I took him back to the vet last week and the checked his blood glucose and he said it was high and to give him 5mg two times aday,but then he got sick throwing up.wasn't sure if it was from taking him off of the prescription diet i/d or going back to the purina friskies or the meds,so the vet told me to go back to half a pill 2 times a day and he's eating friskies now.I have to go back in a month to check his glucose.I am thinking of stopping the friskies ang trying the fancy feast. Now he eats like he's never full,digs in like a mad man and he is still peeing more then he should and more aggressive then he use to be. I am just so upset with the whole thing. :cry:
Hillary & Maui (GA)
Member Since 2009
where in PA are you located, we have several PA members.
Dyana
Member Since 2009
Hi Tiffany.
I hope you can get some insulin soon. There are coupons for Lantus, and sometimes pharmacies will split a box of 5 pens, and will sell you just one pen. I have heard of people getting a pen for $25.00. A pen will last you about 2 months or so. Please test Chance of ketones. Ketone test strips are about $8 for a bottle of 50 at Walmart. If you could afford it, it would be good if you could also pick up one of their inexpensive meters and some test strips. If money is super tight, you could get ketone test strips that also test for glucose in the urine. It's not ideal as glucose doesn't show up in the urine for hours after it measures in the blood, but it would give you an idea of how Chance is doing.
Check The Supply Closet on this forum often, because sometimes people give away supplies. I have bought insulin through Craigslist once (5 pens for $20). You'll probably need your vet to write you a prescription. You can also see if DCIN can help. I wish you the best of luck with Chance. You have come to the right place for help and guidance, just ask.
I hope you can get some insulin soon. There are coupons for Lantus, and sometimes pharmacies will split a box of 5 pens, and will sell you just one pen. I have heard of people getting a pen for $25.00. A pen will last you about 2 months or so. Please test Chance of ketones. Ketone test strips are about $8 for a bottle of 50 at Walmart. If you could afford it, it would be good if you could also pick up one of their inexpensive meters and some test strips. If money is super tight, you could get ketone test strips that also test for glucose in the urine. It's not ideal as glucose doesn't show up in the urine for hours after it measures in the blood, but it would give you an idea of how Chance is doing.
Check The Supply Closet on this forum often, because sometimes people give away supplies. I have bought insulin through Craigslist once (5 pens for $20). You'll probably need your vet to write you a prescription. You can also see if DCIN can help. I wish you the best of luck with Chance. You have come to the right place for help and guidance, just ask.
KPassa
Member Since 2012
Tiffany said:
We can help you with all sorts of cost-saving options. You can also contact Diabetic Cats in Need and see if they might be able to help.
As it seems you already found out, the Friskies Pates are just fine to feed your diabetic kitty and much cheaper than the "prescription" food you get from the vet. There are also some cheaper ways of getting proper insulin, like Lantus. And home-testing will save you a bundle on costs since you won't have to take him into the vet for expensive curves. Most of us around here use the ReliOn brand human meters from Walmart since those are the cheapest around and much less expensive than a pet-specific meter yet just as accurate.
Please let us know with whatever else we can help you!
misty1477
Member Since 2013
Hi Tiffany and Chance....Welcome to FDMB.
I live in the Back Mountain area....about 1 or 1-1/2 hour from you. If you need help when it gets time to start home-testing (doing the pokey-poke) and giving shots, please PM me. I could go to your house and show you...if you would like me to. :smile:
The Relion Confirm meter and strips are a good choice....inexpensive and does not need a lot of blood (easier to test).
You will need lancets too. Get 28-29 gauge to start with until Chance's ears 'learn to bleed'.
We are all here to help guide you along the sugar-dance. cat_pet_icon
I live in the Back Mountain area....about 1 or 1-1/2 hour from you. If you need help when it gets time to start home-testing (doing the pokey-poke) and giving shots, please PM me. I could go to your house and show you...if you would like me to. :smile:
The Relion Confirm meter and strips are a good choice....inexpensive and does not need a lot of blood (easier to test).
You will need lancets too. Get 28-29 gauge to start with until Chance's ears 'learn to bleed'.
We are all here to help guide you along the sugar-dance. cat_pet_icon
Elizabeth and Bertie
Member Since 2010
Hi Tiffany,
You've had some great advice so I just wanted to say 'Welcome to FDMB!'
I'm sure you and your boy, Chance, will do just fine. :smile:
Do consider taking up Misty1477's offer of help. It can be really useful to see how tests are done. And you'll get the chance to meet an FDMB neighbour too!
Eliz
You've had some great advice so I just wanted to say 'Welcome to FDMB!'
I'm sure you and your boy, Chance, will do just fine. :smile:
Do consider taking up Misty1477's offer of help. It can be really useful to see how tests are done. And you'll get the chance to meet an FDMB neighbour too!
Eliz
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