Homeopathy for diabetes

Status
Not open for further replies.
M

mo 21

New Member
Mo is almost 22, and we have been her friends since she was discovered, abandoned, at 3 weeks old. She's led an active, feisty life, up until about 2 years ago, when a partial stroke left her with no hearing or sight. The feisty part is good - this cat just doesn't give in. She has adapted well to her new situation, negotiating the day with touch, taste and smell. The only real change is a reluctance to be handled very much, and only on her terms. She will now sit by us, but not on a lap - that sort of thing. I guess it's a fear of being moved around and losing the precise knowledge of where she is. So we've adapted pretty well, too - nothing gets moved around, and the routine doesn't change.

She's not been well lately and now has been diagnosed with severe diabetes, which has rapidly affected the nerves in her back legs (neuropathy), though she still gets up and down steps, and still enjoys her food. Our very sympathetic vet, a good friend, covers both traditional and homeopathic treatments, and, together, we've agreed to try homeopathy and herbs, at least initially, along with B12 for the neuropathy. We hope this is the right decision for Mo, to intervene at as low a level as possible, while ensuring she is in no discomfort, and hopefully improving her current health.

I'm wondering if anyone out there has dealt with a similar problem - diabetes in such an elderly cat, with other health problems - or has any experience of the effectiveness of homeopathy in a situation like this. We're realists, and know we are not talking of 'long-term' for Mo. And we've cared for her so closely over the last couple of years that I feel we'll know when she tells us that she's had enough. But it would be good to know if there's any advice out there as to how to do the best possible for her.

Thanks for sticking with the story. B.
 
I am so sorry your brave Mo and you are having to deal with this. I think the B12 is a good idea for the neuropathy. If I were you, I would make sure she has a steady diet of wet lo carb food; sometimes it can make a huge difference. And I would start testing her at home. That way, you will be able to see if the food means a downward trend in her numbers, which would be good. Or whether her numbers become too high. High numbers with no insulin can mean DKA which is deadly. And diabetic numbers with no insulin can literally cause her to starve to death; her body won't be able to process the food she eats. That really should not be an option, in my opinion. I am not aware of any homopathetic treatments that work; insulin is something a diabetic needs - even if only for a short time and in small doses.

We can help you learn to hometest. Video for hometesting The supplies are not expensive and even with her limitations, you should be able to work around her fears. Here is the food chart; we like to feed beween 8-10% carbs. Janet and Binky’s chart
 
Herbs, homeopathy and Methyl B12 are great ideas, but please tell me that this is in conjunction with insulin shots? You said the diabetes is "severe". Can you share some numbers with us? Insulin is not a drug, so please don't be afraid to start Mo on the injections, if you have not already done so.

Mo sounds like a wonderful cat, and he has been a part of your life for a very long time. Good luck, and may you still have much time left together.
 
MethylB12 as Karen mentioned, not regular B12. (Methylcobalamin B12)

While I understand your reluctance to treat with insulin, I have many seniors myself and one that lost her vision and we also could not change things on her much, a kitty with high blood sugar is not only feeling cruddy but you risk Ketoacidosis.

http://www.felinediabetes.com/ketones.htm

If this were my cat, I would consider a low dose of a gentle insulin called Lantus (Glargine). Hometesting could be difficult due to the blindness and personality, but a low dose of Lantus, combined with good monitoring of normal functions such as water intake, how the legs are doing, coat, appetite, urine output might be workable if you're willing to give it a try.
 
Thank you so much for your replies. I will raise all your points with my vet, who is a good friend, & who I feel confident of working with. We have started monitoring Mo - urine, weight, water intake, food, etc., and have by no means ruled out the insulin. We're more than prepared to do the caring, we're not sure if Mo is prepared to accept it. And I think our vet is concerned that, combined with her treatment for high blood pressure, the chance of easy control with insulin is not a strong one. Repeated visits to the vets office while attempting to get the balance right would cause Mo more distress than anything. (By the way, her glucose count was 38 - UK numbers, I'm afraid I don't know the translation to US system.) She does already have a low carb diet, but we will look into this further.

Many thanks for all your kind concern,
B.
 
Multiplier is 18 so BG would be 684 US. That is very high. I'm not sure poking the ear for blood would be great considering the recent blindness and deafness, I would consider urine testing. You could test at home using urine dip sticks. That would help avoid the constant vet visits and stress. Insulin would be warranted with numbers that high.

Normally I always encourage hometesting blood, but I'm relating your cat to my blind kitty, who was also deaf, her name was Lucy. She became deaf at about 15ish, not too sure of age she belonged to my in-laws before they passed. She lost her vision around 18 yrs. I can't imagine trying to hometest her. Plus I have a neuro kitty named Lilly Grace, she gets really upset with any change, even a truck driving by the house will set her off in a panic at times.
 
A BG of 38 is extremely high, and since she is already on low carb (canned?) food, then there is very little else that can bring that BG down. (By the way, just multiply by 18 to get the US values. 38 = 684) That level of blood glucose will wreak havoc on her internal organs, and her ability to absorb nutrients from food is impaired. An untreated diabetic can eat non-stop and still literally starve to death.

She is also at high risk for something called DKA, which is diabetic ketoacidosis, and can be fatal.

Insulin injections are easy and painless. I hope your vet can show you just how easy they are.

In the meantime, please try hometesting her glucose levels in addition to your other monitoring tools. You can adjust and balance her injections at home, and it will save those trips to the vet's office (which can indeed stress Mo and increase the BGs).

Best of luck. Mo is obviously a lucky, well-loved girl.
 
I am totally supportive of alternative/complementary health practices for me, my kids and my pets.

That said, your cat needs insulin NOW. INsulin is something your cat needs, and as others have said, with those numbers you cannot mess around.

Please, do not wait.

Jen
 
Please be aware that in addition to everything the others have told you, a cat can become insulin resistant if you allow high numbers without insulin to persist. You don't want that to happen because then it makes getting the diabetes under control even harder. Even if she is hard to regulate, having the insulin on board will minimize her symptoms.....if weight loss is due to diabetes, she'll gain weight back; if she is drinking alot of water and urinating alot due to diabetes, that will change as she gets the insulin in her system. Please do not wait.....She needs to be on insulin immediately. Good luck!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top