I was just told my cat is a diabetic

[GladdysMother]

My name is Sarah, and I have a two year old kitty, and I found out this morning that she is diabetic, and I am so scared about what to do now. I fee alone and afraid, afraid for her, and her health, and her quality of life, how will i be able to help her and keep her healthy. any advise is greatly appreciated. Thanks,

 

[Pandasmom]

I don't have a whole lot of advice as of yet... but I just wanted to say that you're not alone - we're in the same boat.
Today was day 1 of Odie's new life-with-insulin too.
There seems to be tons of info and advice on this site, even though it's a big overwhelming at first.
Good luck
Odiesmom

 

[LynnLee + Mousie]

Hi Sarah and welcome to FDMB!

May I ask how your kitty was diagnosed and/or what symptoms did you see that made you take her to the vet to be checked? I ask because most diabetics are a bit older when they are diagnosed so everyone is gonna want to know that info just because not many are diagnosed so young.

My Mousie was considered very young for a diabetes diagnosis back when she was diagnosed in 2006 as she was only about 4.5 years old at that time so while it is not unheard of, it is a bit more uncommon

Does she have any other health conditions or is she taking any medications?

And just keep reading and ask questions as you go along. Get a notebook and jot notes down and then just ask whatever you want to ask, we've all been there and every question is a good one. It's how you learn about this disease and how to treat it and react to it.

It will seem overwhelming these first few days but in a couple weeks you will be wondering what you were so worried about, seriously.

 

[Venita]

Hi Sarah. Welcome to the best place you never wanted to be.

Please do tell us what Gladdy's vet has told you s/he wants to do about Gladdy's diabetes. Will you be giving a pill or insulin, and what kind. Will th vet be teaching you to home test blood glucose levels (you don't have to buy the expensive animal calibrated glucometer and we can tell you why). Will the vet be putting Gladdy on prescription food for diabetics (that is an expensive and really not necessary diet, we can explain how there are better low carbohydrates available commercially). Knowing the path the vet will be sending you and Gladdy down might help us help you avoid some of the bumps in the road.

Best to you and hugs to Gladdy.

 

[Terri and Lucy]

Hi Sarah--welcome to FDMB. You and Gladys will be fine. The diabetes diagnosis is scary at first, but then it just becomes part of a daily routine for you and your cat.

Can you tell us how your vet diagnosed Gladys' as diabetic? For example, did he take a blood sample, review it, and come back with the diagnosis or did he take the sample, send it off, and call you a day or so later? I ask because the diagnosis should always be made on the basis of a fructosamine test, before you start giving insulin.
http://www.labtestsonline.org/understan ... /test.html

If he didn't do the fructosamine, please ask him to do so before you start insulin. This test will delineate new problems such as infection, stress and give you a longer-term view of glucose levels. Here's the chart to help you understand the relationship between a fructosamine level and a blood draw level:
http://www.sugarcats.com/infirmary/fructosamine.asp

 

[ceil99]

Yes, please give us more information.

2 years old is quite young.

Is she eating dry food? All she may need is for you to get her off that and onto wet food. This will bring levels down dramatically.

 

[Jayne & Sweety]

I found out this morning that she is diabetic, and I am so scared about what to do now. I fee alone and afraid, afraid for her, and her health, and her quality of life, how will i be able to help her and keep her healthy.

Hi Sarah,
We all can relate to the overwhemling fear at first, but you came to the right place. So Breathe....you are not alone. You will be able to help her and keep her healthy. You came to the right place to be able to do just that! So read everything on this sight, learn everything you can. This board has saved many, many cat's lives.
Sorry you have to be here, but welcome.
Ask as many questions as you have - we are all here for you both.

Jayne & Sweety

 

[Hillary & Maui (GA)]

WELCOME, this forum is a great place to gain knowledge and really learn how to manage feline diabetes. By doing just a few things each day (that really won't take up much of your time at all), you won't need to worry about losing your precious cat, not where feline diabetes is concerned.

There are three key factors to managing diabetes: food/nutrition, home testing and insulin

1) Feline Nutrition: Now, as far as diet - definitely dump the dry food (if you are feeding any) and if the vet recommends purchasing prescription food like DM just say "no thank you". ALL cats, and especially those with diabetes, do best on a species appropriate diet that is high in protein and low in carbs. Dry food DOES NOT fit that bill and DM food, even canned, just really isn't that great as far as quality. Most here on FDMB feed low carb/high protein canned, raw bought from a pet store or they make there own.

Here great links, one is to a food chart put together by one of our board members that breaks down the carb % and protein % of most of the commercial brand foods. You want to keep the carb % below 10% and around 7% is great. The other link is to a site by a vet "Dr. Lisa DVM" ... who also posts on this board from time to time ... there is in-depth info. there about many things, including nutrition and how to make raw food.
Nutrition/food info

The good thing with feeding your diabetic cat this way, is that it is ALSO good for any non-diabetic cat too. All your cats can safely eat the same food without worry and it may save you some costs and headaches of having to do separate feedings and keeping track of what they are eating.


2. Home testing: It is impossible to convey the value of testing your cat's BG (blood glucose) level at home. Some vets will "suggest" this, but most won't even mention it. They will send you home with insulin and an amount to shoot and maybe some instructions about hypoglycemia (blood sugar dropping to a dangerously low level).

Well, the thing is, human diabetics don't EVER give themselves insulin without checking there BG to make sure it is safe to do so, so why shouldn't it be the same for our kitties. Here on FDMB it is. You will notice that the vast majority of people here test their cat's BG at least 2x/day (before giving each shot to make sure the level is safe enough) and periodically at other times to see how the cat is responding to the current dose. We use a human glucometer, test strips and lancets - which are all very readily available and easy to use.

Our kitties get lots of love and treats for "putting up" with this and most of them actually come out to be tested on their own 'cause they want those treats . Here is a collection of great links that "Carolyn and Spot" pulled together about hometesting. See what you think ... it truly is the best way to not only keep Your cat safe but also really get a handle on this disease and help him to live a healthy life with FD (feline diabetes).

Home testing Links

3. Insulin: There are several types of insulin available. Many people, myself included use Lantus or Levimer both of which are great insulins. They are gentle insulin and given twice (BID) per day in 12 hour increments.

Please read up on the insulins available, here is a link to the Insulin Support Groups:

Insulin Support Groups

However, one caveat and again this shows how these three things are inter-related:

If you are feeding dry food or even a high carb food, BEFORE removing these foods, please make sure of your insulin dose as it will most likely need to be reduced, so as to avoid a possible hypoglycemic situation due to the removal of the dry/high carb foods that will lower the BG’s and reduce the amount of insulin required. Again, another reason why home testing is important.

I know this all seems like a lot, and that's because it is ... there is a learning curve here. But as long as you are determined and keep at it, you will have it down before you know it and you'll be seeing the results in Your cat' overall health and happiness. Ask all the questions you can think of - that's why we are here!

Also, if you haven't done it yet, take the time and fill out your profile. It will help when others come on and read this. Also, let us know where you live - city/state as there are probably people in your area who can provide on the ground support and help you to learn home testing, etc.