Hi, newly pre-diabetic cat owner; how do you all cope with daily testing?
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Elizabeth and Bertie
Member Since 2010
Hi, by giving insulin injections and testing blood glucose you are not causing suffering, you are preventing suffering, and very possibly saving a life...
The insulin injections should not hurt the cat at all. And the same is very often true of blood glucose tests. And both of these are super quick processes.
'Most' people can learn to test and 'most' cats can be tested. It usually just takes a little time and patience.
When we give insulin this gives the cat's pancreas a bit of a 'spa break', a chance to rest and heal. If diabetes can be reasonably well regulated the cat may cease to show the clinical signs of diabetes. ...And let's be clear about the consequences of the alternative - of not treating the diabetes: High blood glucose levels can cause a lot of damage and suffering if left untreated, and can lead to death from very dangerous conditions such as diabetic ketoacidosis...
It's worth remembering that many cats have the potential to recover enough to go into 'remission' from their diabetes and become diet controlled diabetics, temporarily or permanently. Yours might be one of the lucky ones. But even if that's not the case, cats on insulin can live happy and healthy lives.
It's also the case that treating diabetes can strengthen the bond that we have with our cats. It is as though they know we are trying to help them. Many of us form particularly strong bonds with our 'sugarcats'....
I've been dealing with feline diabetes for over 15 years... My first diabetic was diagnosed at age 8 and lived to be 20. I adopted a second diabetic several months before he died. Both my cats went into remission from their diabetes. But my current girl came out of remission after a year. She is still a happy girl though, and is living her best life, thanks to insulin and hometesting of blood glucose.
Eliz
Elizabeth and Bertie
Member Since 2010
The Hill's dry food is far too high in carbohydrate. It will almost guarantee that your cat will go on to need insulin...
Since your cat is not yet on insulin your best bet is to switch to a low carb wet food, less than 10% calories from carbs (and trying to stay below 4 - 6% will work much better...). That will show you the baseline blood glucose level on a low carb diet. If it is clear after a week or two that the blood glucose hasn't come down sufficiently then it's best to start on insulin straight away. The longer the cat sits in high blood glucose levels the harder it can be to get control of them...
Also, it's always advisable to monitor the kitty's pee for ketones while withholding insulin. You can use ordinary ketone test strips made for humans. Anything above 'trace' is a reason to talk to a vet ASAP.
FrostD
Member Since 2020
I think this just about nails it, very well said.Hi, by giving insulin injections and testing blood glucose you are not causing suffering, you are preventing suffering, and very possibly saving a life...
The insulin injections should not hurt the cat at all. And the same is very often true of blood glucose tests. And both of these are super quick processes.
'Most' people can learn to test and 'most' cats can be tested. It usually just takes a little time and patience.
When we give insulin this gives the cat's pancreas a bit of a 'spa break', a chance to rest and heal. If diabetes can be reasonably well regulated the cat may cease to show the clinical signs of diabetes. ...And let's be clear about the consequences of the alternative - of not treating the diabetes: High blood glucose levels can cause a lot of damage and suffering if left untreated, and can lead to death from very dangerous conditions such as diabetic ketoacidosis...
It's worth remembering that many cats have the potential to recover enough to go into 'remission' from their diabetes and become diet controlled diabetics, temporarily or permanently. Yours might be one of the lucky ones. But even if that's not the case, cats on insulin can live happy and healthy lives.
It's also the case that treating diabetes can strengthen the bond that we have with our cats. It is as though they know we are trying to help them. Many of us form particularly strong bonds with our 'sugarcats'....
I've been dealing with feline diabetes for over 15 years... My first diabetic was diagnosed at age 8 and lived to be 20. I adopted a second diabetic several months before he died. Both my cats went into remission from their diabetes. But my current girl came out of remission after a year. She is still a happy girl though, and is living her best life, thanks to insulin and hometesting of blood glucose.
Eliz
While I don't understand the edit and "nevermind" - it's not as if any of us enjoy having to poke the cat. It is part of life and our responsibilities, no different than a diabetic human child would be. Like Eliz said, it is far worse to let it go untreated.
But I can tell you this, no it does not hurt them once you get the hang of it. Many of our cats gladly wait at their testing/shot spot, and not so much as a flinch once you've both got the hang out it. If youve ever had to use a 31 gauge needle on yourself, you really cannot feel it when done right.
If it comes down to an FD diagnosis, and you really don't think you can manage, there are lots of resources out there to help you re-home the cat to experienced caregivers - Diabetic Cats In Need being one of them
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