Tes
Member Since 2023
Hello everyone,
I come here, like many before you, with a newly diagnosed diabetic cat, absolutely drowning in everything there is to learn.
Some background on our boy, Bobby Western. We found him outside a friend's house at the end of January (he had been sitting on her porch for a week, during a heavy storm.) Honestly, we weren't in any shape financially, or otherwise, to take in a cat but we just didn't feel right about leaving him. He was such a friendly guy, so we were certain he must have had people. For two months we searched around, and nothing. Put up notices, called all the shelters, posted online, notified nearby apartment complexes. No chip, not fixed. According to our vet, that means he's ours now (and of course he is, he's got us wrapped around his paws. He's fantastic!). Unfortunately, about 2 1/2 weeks ago, he had a pretty dramatic spiral in his health. He was pretty spry with no obvious health issues all the way up until that point, (minus a little tummy trouble initially, but my friend had been feeding him an inconsistent variety of cat food, while he was lurking around her porch. It stabilized when we got him on a consistent diet.). It was pretty shocking, I feel like he was just dropping weight like crazy in only a week, despite getting all the food he wanted. Started drinking tons of water, very lethargic, sleeping most of the day, etc. Not knowing what to do, I started giving him boiled chicken with all his meals, while we waited for his vet appointment. I was suspicious of diabetes (he has always had a slight rounded tummy) but he's so young (probably 2, certainly not older than 5). On vet day, he of course looked like he had completely bounced back (and honestly, seems to have only improved) but we bit the bullet and got full bloodwork anyway (I'm no vet, but what I'm reading right now says Superchem, CBC, T4, FT4ED, U/A were included in his testing.) Our vet confirmed he most certainly is diabetic, and well...here I am feeling very much like I've returned to college, pouring over every bit of information I can.
Now, the steps we've taken so far (and I honestly wish I had researched more before we did, but here we are.) The vet immediately recommended the new pill, Bexacat. She said, based on his bloodwork, and the fact that he's never been on insulin before, he's a perfect candidate. We've been given a week's worth of pills, and are to monitor him closely and within 3-5 days have him brought in to check his ketone and go from there. This medicine literally just came into the clinic that week, it's a new process for them, I think they don't even have the equipment to test ketone in house yet. (I'm not entirely sure, between the hectic situation and information being relayed between my partner, the receptionist, and vet, it's rather overwhelming.) I trust my vet so far, I don't get the sense that they specialize in diabetes in cats however and want to learn as much as I can, so we can work together. That said, the fact that this pill is so new means that I haven't been able to find a ton of information or hear about people's personal experiences and it makes me nervous. Given that he's young and otherwise healthy, I would love to work on his diet and get him off the dry and see if that could assist in anyway. For now, our vet recommended keeping his food consistent and not changing it as we test this medicine. (That said, her alternative recommendation for further down the line was only the prescription diet, we haven't really had much time for me to get her opinion otherwise. No mention of canned foods, or raw diets or anything outside of what could be prescribed.)
I'm trying to keep cool and calm, but I really hope that things goes smoothly with this pill. Western is a particular fellow. He is extremely sweet and kind, but very protective of his personal boundaries. When we were first getting to know him, he bit both myself and my partner (hospital visit hard) and he's very large and very strong. He's only getting sweeter by the day, but I get more than a little anxious at the idea of pushing and prodding on him day in and day out. I'm not needle shy either, I've owned countless critters and used to have to give a rat daily injections. It's just...tough to imagine with this guy. I want him to have comfortable life. I'll take one for the team and be the one he dreads seeing (my partner is his favorite anyway) but it breaks my heart. Not to mention, we were already on the cusp of financial ruin (we're thrifty and responsible, but it's just one of those times where every possible emergency happens at once.) I've never not been in a position to be able to take care of my animals before, I always find a way to cut whatever needs to be cut in order to make it happen. This is just an extraordinary sucky time, and it's horrendously panic inducing. I'm foraging dandelion and chickweed in our yard to fluff out our own diets. Ugh. Still, his life is worth it. One step at a time, I suppose. Problems for a later time.
I look forward to sifting through the wealth of knowledge all of you have collected, and am so grateful there is a community out there. Thanks everyone <3
I come here, like many before you, with a newly diagnosed diabetic cat, absolutely drowning in everything there is to learn.
Some background on our boy, Bobby Western. We found him outside a friend's house at the end of January (he had been sitting on her porch for a week, during a heavy storm.) Honestly, we weren't in any shape financially, or otherwise, to take in a cat but we just didn't feel right about leaving him. He was such a friendly guy, so we were certain he must have had people. For two months we searched around, and nothing. Put up notices, called all the shelters, posted online, notified nearby apartment complexes. No chip, not fixed. According to our vet, that means he's ours now (and of course he is, he's got us wrapped around his paws. He's fantastic!). Unfortunately, about 2 1/2 weeks ago, he had a pretty dramatic spiral in his health. He was pretty spry with no obvious health issues all the way up until that point, (minus a little tummy trouble initially, but my friend had been feeding him an inconsistent variety of cat food, while he was lurking around her porch. It stabilized when we got him on a consistent diet.). It was pretty shocking, I feel like he was just dropping weight like crazy in only a week, despite getting all the food he wanted. Started drinking tons of water, very lethargic, sleeping most of the day, etc. Not knowing what to do, I started giving him boiled chicken with all his meals, while we waited for his vet appointment. I was suspicious of diabetes (he has always had a slight rounded tummy) but he's so young (probably 2, certainly not older than 5). On vet day, he of course looked like he had completely bounced back (and honestly, seems to have only improved) but we bit the bullet and got full bloodwork anyway (I'm no vet, but what I'm reading right now says Superchem, CBC, T4, FT4ED, U/A were included in his testing.) Our vet confirmed he most certainly is diabetic, and well...here I am feeling very much like I've returned to college, pouring over every bit of information I can.
Now, the steps we've taken so far (and I honestly wish I had researched more before we did, but here we are.) The vet immediately recommended the new pill, Bexacat. She said, based on his bloodwork, and the fact that he's never been on insulin before, he's a perfect candidate. We've been given a week's worth of pills, and are to monitor him closely and within 3-5 days have him brought in to check his ketone and go from there. This medicine literally just came into the clinic that week, it's a new process for them, I think they don't even have the equipment to test ketone in house yet. (I'm not entirely sure, between the hectic situation and information being relayed between my partner, the receptionist, and vet, it's rather overwhelming.) I trust my vet so far, I don't get the sense that they specialize in diabetes in cats however and want to learn as much as I can, so we can work together. That said, the fact that this pill is so new means that I haven't been able to find a ton of information or hear about people's personal experiences and it makes me nervous. Given that he's young and otherwise healthy, I would love to work on his diet and get him off the dry and see if that could assist in anyway. For now, our vet recommended keeping his food consistent and not changing it as we test this medicine. (That said, her alternative recommendation for further down the line was only the prescription diet, we haven't really had much time for me to get her opinion otherwise. No mention of canned foods, or raw diets or anything outside of what could be prescribed.)
I'm trying to keep cool and calm, but I really hope that things goes smoothly with this pill. Western is a particular fellow. He is extremely sweet and kind, but very protective of his personal boundaries. When we were first getting to know him, he bit both myself and my partner (hospital visit hard) and he's very large and very strong. He's only getting sweeter by the day, but I get more than a little anxious at the idea of pushing and prodding on him day in and day out. I'm not needle shy either, I've owned countless critters and used to have to give a rat daily injections. It's just...tough to imagine with this guy. I want him to have comfortable life. I'll take one for the team and be the one he dreads seeing (my partner is his favorite anyway) but it breaks my heart. Not to mention, we were already on the cusp of financial ruin (we're thrifty and responsible, but it's just one of those times where every possible emergency happens at once.) I've never not been in a position to be able to take care of my animals before, I always find a way to cut whatever needs to be cut in order to make it happen. This is just an extraordinary sucky time, and it's horrendously panic inducing. I'm foraging dandelion and chickweed in our yard to fluff out our own diets. Ugh. Still, his life is worth it. One step at a time, I suppose. Problems for a later time.
I look forward to sifting through the wealth of knowledge all of you have collected, and am so grateful there is a community out there. Thanks everyone <3
