How to find Vet specializing in Feline Diabetes

Status
Not open for further replies.
P

Parents of Suki

Member Since 2014
New here. Received our Siamese, Suki's diagnosis yesterday. Overwhelmed by news, guilt, lack of knowledge, and how/whether to proceed. I've spent most of today surfing the web finding VOLUMES of information...frankly I'm on overload.

Are there vets who specialize in feline diabetes? If so, how can I find one?

Suki's glucose results: 407 (54-170 normal range). Suki was displaying behavioral issues two years ago (pooping outside litter box) so took to vet and he ran blood tests (glucose 247 but recheck in office to 132).

Suki drinks VOLUMES of water. I clean his litter box twice a day but still can't keep up!

Suki continues to eat lots of his food so I was shocked to see his weight has dropped: from 18# 13 oz. to 12# 8 ozs. Seeing him every day I just didn't recognize how much he had lost!

I'm sifting through all this. Any thoughts, advise, comments would be appreciated.
 
See my signature link Vet Interview Topics.

Do a Google Maps search on "veterinarian near your address" to see candidate vets near you.

Learn to home test the blood glucose. Use an inexpensive human glucometer such as the WalMart ReliOn Confirm or Confirm Micro. To learn what the numbers may mean, see my signature link Glucometer Notes.

Make sure you are feeding low carb, over the counter food, such as Friskies Pates or Fancy Feast Classic Pates. No dry; it doesn't clean teeth, it risks renal disease, it contributes to obesity. Read what Veterinarian Dr Lisa Pierson has written at Cat Info. IF you are already giving insulin, you must be home testing before changing the food or you risk fatal hypoglycemia.

If it turns out you need insulin for your cat, declare you want one of these: Levemir, ProZinc, Lantus, or BCP PZI. These all last about 12 hours in the cat. Other insulins last less time in many cats - Humulin or Novolin N or NPH last about 6-8 hours, Caninsulin or Vetsulin last about 10 hours in the cat.
 
Thank you for asking about Suki. He spent most of the weekend in his crate/carrier with the door propped open. Its quiet, and he has a good view of everything that's going on. He sat in my lap twice...VERY special time...even got a purr! :-)
 
Parents of Suki said:
Thank you for asking about Suki. He spent most of the weekend in his crate/carrier with the door propped open. Its quiet, and he has a good view of everything that's going on. He sat in my lap twice...VERY special time...even got a purr! :-)
Click to expand...
Yes, that dreaded diabetes diagnosis in one of our beloved cats can often lead to a stronger, more loving bond between cat and caregiver. Looks like that is starting to happen with you and Suki.

Not sure what you have decided, but cats can live long and healthy lives with diabetes. Yes, there will be changes, disruptions, scary moments and cheers of joy as your kitty takes baby steps on the road to recovery and regulation.

There are certainly a lot of vets out there to choose from, some more knowledgeable about feline diabetes and the latest research and treatment guidelines than others. Member BJM has that great link in her signature, down at the bottom of her post and questions to ask a vet. Sometimes, it's finding a vet you are mostly comfortable with and someone that is willing to learn and say "I don't know. Let me do some research and find out." Vets that are supportive of the 3 basics in treating diabetes, low carb food, a good long lasting insulin and home testing are gems to cherish.

There is a wide depth and breath of knowledge in dealing with the day to day management of feline diabetes here on the message board. Please, read other posts and condos, do some exploring but ask us specific questions also. There is probably someone here that has dealt with a similar situation before. We see more newly diagnosed diabetic cats in a week than most vet practices see in a year.

I will never, ever regret my decision to first foster than adopt my sugardude Wink from my local shelter. He has taught me so much and helped me meet some wonderful caring and giving people on this message board.

My best advice? Deep breathing exercises. Deep breath in, hold, release, deep breath in, hold, release, deep breath in, hold, release,...................

Those deep breathing exercises really helped me deal with the stress, to be calmer, to deal with the overwhelming amount of new information and the frustration of the vets and shelter staff that did not seem to know much about the best treatment for diabetic cats. I hope you find the same benefits I did.

We know how overwhelming and stressful this time can be. We were all new members at one point. Hang in there, we are here to help support you. {{{{{HUGS}}}}}
 
Thank you all for your support. Finding this site and realizing there are others living with feline diabetes has been such a life saver!

Last Monday our vet started Suki on ProZinc twice a day. Suki seems to be feeling much better and so far puts up with the injections. Our family vet wants to go slowly, get insulin started then deal with dietary changes later (contrary with most everything I’m reading on this site). Looks like my vet is supporting 1 of the 3 basics (low carb food, a good long lasting insulin and home testing). I think it’s going to be a learning process for both of us.

I have a question about healthy treats for cats with FD. I shake a container of tuna flavored treats to get Suki to come to me. This works especially well when it’s time for his shots. WHAT IS A HEALTHY TREAT? Any suggestions? Since I'm giving it twice a day, It should definitely be healthy!!!

I’m trying to remember the deep breathing exercises when I’m feeling like everything is out of control. One step at a time!

It’s wonderful to know there are so many wonderful people that love and care for their pets like we do. I just cannot imagine how life would be without them in our lives. Thanksgiving had a very special meaning for us this year! I'm so thankful for all your help and support! :smile:
 
Halo Liv A Little and Pure Bites freeze dried treats are good.

Get the dog sized bag as it is more cost effective. A vegetable peeler can peel of strips of freeze-dried meet for treats.
 
Prozinc is a good insulin. It's a step in the right direction.

We are big advocates here of home testing, especially if you decide to change your cat to a lower carb content food. Cats have been known to drop 100 points or more in their BG (blood glucose) levels with just the diet change alone. It's why we strongly suggest you are home testing if you are already giving insulin and decide to change the food you are feeding.

We want to help you keep your kitty safe, and home testing will help you do that.

My kitties love the Halo liv-a-little freeze dried food and the Pure Bites chicken flavor freeze dried. I've also used liver flavored Whole Life freeze dried.

Basically, for a food treat anything that is pure meat is good. Or perhaps a bite of cheese? or plain canned tuna or other fish. Most of the dry treats in the grocery store isle have grains in them like corn or wheat or rice which can spike your cat's BG (blood glucose) levels so we suggest steering clear of those.

A treat can also be something non-food, like brushing or ear scritches or petting your cat. Something your cat loves to do and that will help you to train your cat to come for his shot and testing.
 
I'm going out today to shop for treats! Maybe I've found another use for left over turkey! Funny, before Suki's illness he NEVER ate anything beside dry cat food (Siamese trait); now he's game to try everything/everything! :lol:

I got out of bed this morning to Suki greeting me and rubbing against my leg--looking for his 8AM SPECIAL ATTENTION!!! Really!!! It's not like he didn't ALWAYS get my attention...perhaps just not like clockwork. ;-) I'm thankful Suki seems to know/realize he has to sit still on my lap for a couple minutes BEFORE he gets his treat. So far it's a piece of cake!

I take him to office Wed. afternoon for glucose monitoring and dosage evaluation. I can already see he feels much better, and his water intake/litterbox output a little less...B-I-G sigh of relief!!!

Thanks again for all your help! (I/we CAN DO THIS!)
 
Yeah! Suki now waits for his test, then gets his treats. You and he are learning together.

Yes, leftover turkey is a great treat for a diabetic kitty. Anything that is pure protein like turkey, chicken, pork, shrimp, etc works well for most kitties.

Looks like your bond with Suki is growing stronger. That often happens when you are spending so much quality time with your sugar kitty.

BG (blood glucose) levels at the vet can be 180 points higher than they are at home. The vet may decide to raise the dose based on the BG readings at the vet office. We have found that the dose increase is sometimes too much. Please be cautious and help keep your kitty safe.

You know your cat best. Think about what the vet says and see if it makes sense based on what you have been learning.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top