In memory of supercat, Maxwell Hayman

[necklacemaker]

:YMSIGH: I am so going to miss my Max, I had to put him to sleep yesterday...his kidneys were just not working, and they were having to keep him in an oxygen tent due to shallow breathing. So they brought him out for a last goodbye, and I sat and petted him while the vet administered the shots. I was in tears, am in tears now, and will probably be for some time. He was a pound kitty (10 wks. old when I got him) and lived to be 11yrs. Miss you fuzzy wuzzy!

:YMSIGH: Hello,

New news to report on Max: today when I woke up, Max seemed definitely worse than he was yesterday, from what i can tell, he couldn't even walk, so I brought him asap to the vet who was concerned as I was...he even suspected diabetic ketoacidosis - and while this turned up not true, the other tests they did showed severe kidney malfunction, and had to move Max to a 24-hr hospital to clean out his kidneys via catheter, and will have to stay there for 2-3 days. I am very lucky to have a very great friend who loves Max almost as much as I do, and who paid for this whole shebang...something I couldn't possibly do!

(I promise I'll introduce myself later) My cat Max (ll yrs., diabetic type 2) was until recently a very healthy diabetic cat...then he started going into a decline - not really eating his Purina DM - if at all (it's kinda hard to tell - my other cat who's not diabetic likes Max's food) and starting to hide - but today, when I noticed he wobbled quite a bit when he walked is when I really realized how bad it was...these are all symptoms of hypoglycemia - so I grabbed the karo syrup...and I hope this is ok, i watered down his wet dm and fed him some using a "needle" i use for giving liquid medicine - eventually even using a small spoon. He's a lot better, but still very weak. The problem is I don't have the money to bring him to the vet - and in fact, if anybody has any idea how i can get insulin assistance, I'm all ears. Still, I know I have helped him today - he flops his tail to let me know he's ok, and he physically looks better...a good sign. If anyone has any other suggestions, please let me know.

Sorry - forgot to add some important info: Max's insulin is lantus (glargine) 3.5 units twice daily. I have never home-tested Max, but it sounds like a VERY good idea. I've also heard lately some very negative things toward Purina DM, which is kinda surprising, since I buy it from my vet's office...what store-bought canned food do you recommend?

sincerely,
necklacemaker

 

[Hillary & Maui (GA)]

Re: sick diabetic cat needs help

well the obvious question is are you home testing?

what insulin are you using?

what is the dose?

what you describe can certainly be signs of a hypo and how you treated it is fine, and a vet visit may certainly be in order.

if you could provide some more info, answer these questions, we will be better able to guide you.

 

[Venita]

Re: sick diabetic cat needs help

Hi NM and Max!!

We would love to help, but I think we are more in the dark than you are (at least I am). Not eating well and starting to hide "recently." Sounds like a bit more than a single day thing. And not eating is not good for a cat, because it can lead to all sorts of complications.

If you think Max presently is in hypo, you are doing the right think trying to get food into him.

A glucometer is your first best tool for caring for Max. Go out today and spend $29 at Walmart to get a Relion meter and 50 strips. We will teach you how to use it. Post your location, and perhaps there is someone close who can come by and show you how to use it.

If you think he is in hypo, don't be putting any more insulin into him. Get the meter, test him, and you will know for sure what the situation is. And as Hillary said, we need a bit more info to help. Insulin type and dosage. Other known medical conditions.

And we can talk about the food. The prescription diabetic food is not necessary (some would even say low quality). Many of us here feed low-carb commercial canned food; no dry food. There's a cost savings. But you can't change his food if you don't know his blood glucose levels because with better food he might not need as much insulin as you have been giving, and Max would be facing a hypo risk.

 

[tuckers mom]

Re: sick diabetic cat needs help

Ditto what has been said.

Get the meter, it's the most cost effective and safest way to treat your cat. We can help you find food that is probably better than the DM and also cheaper so you can save money there too.