In search of support-Newly diagnosed kitty

Status
Not open for further replies.
U

ucbran23

Member
God Bless all the members of the FDMB--It was an answered prayer that I found such a wonderfully compassionate group of cat owners/lovers. My Junior is just shy of 9 years and the day I found him I wasn't sure he would make it home. I have a weak heart when it comes to any four legged friend found alone on the streets, and Junior was stranded in the middle of the road on my way to work. I couldn't take my eyes off of him and my plan to pull the car over and quickly whisk him out of harms way was stopped short when he was hit by a van. He was tossed onto the sidewalk and surprisingly bolted into a neighboring yard. We took him for a full exam and other than being covered in fleas, dehydrated and malnurished; he didn't have a scratch on him. My miracle kitty came home and joined his three brothers (also three other rescued strays) Bandit, Smokey and Bryce. He didn't take well to people, other than myself, or his brothers. But he quickly formed a bond with Bandit that keeps the two of them together always. He still runs from strangers and at the sound of any loud noise or a quick movement he vanishes. His comfort, like so many people including myself, has been food. He retreats to the kitty room and scarfs down food when nervous. He lives for his morning wet food treat. (Smokey had a horrible fight for his life in 2005 from hypatic lipidosis (spelling?) caused by crystals in his urine setting him into the horrible death spiral--but we nursed him back to health with treatments and tube feedings then he took to wet food in the mornings and started eating solids quickly after that so when he got food in the am so did the other boys, and it has stuck ever since--happy to say since 2007 Smokey is FANTASTIC) So needless to say I allowed poor little Junior to become overweight, but with so many anxieties in his life I couldn't stand to deprive him of his coping mechanism of eating to make him feel better!

So when Junior starting looking like he was loosing weight I was worried. At first I thought it was due to our new house--we live in a larger house now and he has had fun playing and running in a more cat friendly enviroment. Lots of toys and cat trees galore in most of the rooms. But when he started drinking more and urinating more I knew what was going on. At a weight loss of of almost 8 pounds and a blood glucose reading of 400 we had our answer when we went to the vet last week.

I have found comfort with the FDMB because last night I had my first breakdown. I left the vet with so many questions and he was wonderful--we talked for almost an hour after closing about ALL the options and I told him I couldn't make any decision without doing research. So after I sat and sobbed my eyes out in the hallway last night, crouched down on the floor holding and petting my little Junior, I made him a promise to not be held back by fear and get proactive about finding the RIGHT answer and RIGHT treatment for him, and for me too.

Here are some current details:
1. Eating--no problem, he loves his fancy feast in the am (5:30 every morning I take one can and split it four ways and feed all the boys in the kitty room)
2. Drinking-Junior loves water, when Smokey was recovering we were told to put water everywhere--that kitties who suffered with crystals are better to have more water available for them so we have a dish in every room and he will drink at any chance he can get)
3. Sleeping--no more than normal, not lethargic at all
4. Attitude--my instincts tell me he knows he is sick and knows he wants help because he is very, very loving and was even very friendly with a family friend who was here to visit for a few days (normally he is a ghost when we have company but he was everywhere we all were everytime)
5. Aggression--he is more aggressive towards the other cats, he has made Bryce a target since he was the newest to join the family (he actually has been with us for 6 years but we moved him inside 2 years ago when we moved and Junior was not that close with Bryce but never gave him trouble until it seems he started getting sick and now he can't tolerate anything from him he will hiss or charge him if he comes too close and the other boys seem to get on his nerves a bit more than they normally would and he doesn't seem to be in a playful mood but a pissed off mood with them quickly-but he is never aggressive with us, he just wants love and cuddles)
6. Urinating--he of course urinates as much as he drinks, we are going through litter so quickly and I am now changing his favorite little box twice a day now AND THE BAD he is not making it to the litter box every time now, this just started this week. He urinated on the bed where he was sleeping, he urinated outside the box twice and urinated on the carpet in the hall. We decided today, after taking the down comforter to the dry cleaners for a $40 cleaning that we would keep him in the kitty room when we couldn't observe him, and that is breaking my heart. probably the hardest part right now but he loves that room and has fun sleeping on his favorite cat tree.

So tonight I sit typing this while Junior sleeps in the kitty room and so many many questions go through my mind.

Start with diet treatment? (everyone currently eats Hills C/D since Smokey got sick and the 1/4 can of fancy feast in the am for each kitty)
Start with insulin right away? (my HUGE fear is cost, both my husband and I are lucky to still have our jobs but we have taken together a 30% pay reduction and money is very tight right now)
Hospitalize to regulate? The vet didn't think he was in a huge danger right this moment, he said from the bloodwork the only thing that was off was the BG reading and that 'all majors organs' were working fine, he said if it wasn't for the BG reading he would say Junior was in great shape. Junior doesn't look sick to anyone who had not seen him before but if you knew how plump he looked before you could take one look and know he was sick by the weight loss.

OK and the one question that is stressing me most is that we are leaving for a 2 1/2 week vacation on the 26th of this month and I am so worried to leave with him in this condition, if I start treatment how can I take care of his treatment when I am gone, if I don't start treatment and he gets so bad that ketones build up and he dies alone without me at home.

I am sorry this post is more in a rambling format, but I realized the more I type the more tears start to form and at this point I am crying because I am so lost, scared and unsure what to do...but I have hope now because I KNOW I have all of the support I could ever need here.

Looking forward to making new friends and finding some comfort on the FDMB.

God Bless
 
You will be getting a lot of advice here in a bit. RE; cost. Number one, you can trade the cost of c/d for FF and testing supplies. Take some time to read this site: http://www.catinfo.org

No need for a special diet for any of the kitties. Wet food is the key there. I had a boy who had crystals and blocked and switching to a good wet food (and lots of water everywhere) along with feliway diffusers kept him fine.

#2, no need for vet stays. Get a meter *tomorrow* and start learning to hometest. The Relion Micro from Walmart is fairly economical. It takes a very small drop of blood and is a good one to start with.

If you vet puts you on Lantus, have them write the script for cartridges, more up front but last longer so even out to about 30 a month, depending on how much your cat needs.

Also, since he has NO other issues, I suggest do this in three steps...learn to test, get him on insulin, switch to all wet low carb food. There is always a good chance cats can go into remission and be diet controlled.

Re; the vacation, I don't know what to tell you there. Where are you going? Is it carved in stone?
 
Thank you I will take come time to read the site you suggested tomorrow!
Nice to know Wet Food is key---yeah I was really happy with Smokey's improvement over the course of the year of recooping--one of the worst experiences to date with a kitty but I learned so much and I learned to be strong for him--I knew he knew when I was depressed--he relied on me SO much during that time, so I know I must take the same approach with Junior. I really think Juniors attitude last night and this morning was affected by my outburst last night. Need to keep that to a minimum for his sake and mine.

So nice to know that you recommend taking charge at home too like I am reading from so many others as well! I am comfortable taking the reigns and getting the ball rolling!

We have an appt on Monday--I asked him to make some time for me on Monday to take a step forward.

Vacation--it is set in stone, we are traveling to Europe--had this planned for over a year. I am really looking forward to it, but having this come up is hurting my heart to be away from him during a time he needs me most. Some thought has been given to ask my vet to help me and board him,he will board only for medical reasons--but the cost of that could be very high. I have my mom who comes over to feed, change water dishes and clean litter boxes daily to help, but that is a huge burden already and to add insulin shots to that could be too much for her. So maybe I just need to take things one day at a time right now...
 
Well, you *could* talk to the vet about learning to test and switching to wet low carb food first and not have him on insulin until you get back from vacation. There is a danger there, but switching food, alone to low carb and NO dry has been known to alter blood glucose levels dramatically. If he has no infection, that could get you over. I have to say, I waited to start insulin (foolishly) much longer. You could at least see what a few days does for you. Since their system is used to FF, maybe go get some of the low carb ones and a meter and see what readings you get.
 
When you go to the store tomorrow for your blood sugar meter (glucometer), also pick up some ketostix. You can find them in the diabetes section of your local pharmacy (I understand some places have them behind the counter, but I've always found them in the aisle). You stick them in fresh urine and, if ketones are present, they change color. Small amounts of ketones may be treatable at home; the earlier you catch and treat them, the better.

Re: urine: if Junior goes on tile / wood, just mop it up with an old bath towel, splash some white vinegar on it, swish it around and then mop it up with the rest of the towel. (If the urine has been sitting for a while, I'll let the vinegar sit for a couple minutes.) To clean the towel, throw it in the laundry and add a cup of white vinegar in addition to whatever regular detergent you use. If I'm cleaning something heavy, like pillows or comforters, I'll add another cup of vinegar to the wash.

For carpet, I use a 50-50 mix of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Blot the urine, spray with vinegar, let sit, blot again. Re-do as needed. (Other folks swear by products like ZeroOdor; I happen to like white vinegar.) If you can't find some suspect areas, get a black light from your local hardware store or a StinkFinder from a pet store. Wait until night, turn off all the lights, and run the light a foot or two from suspect areas. Urine (and some other stuff as well) will fluoresce, making it easy to treat the areas.

If you decide to go with white vinegar, note that some stores sell it in gallon jugs. Prices in my area range from $1.79 to $3.29 per gallon, so it can pay to shop around.


Re: vacation: besides your mom, is there someone else you can ask to stop by and take care of Junior? Perhaps splitting the care between two or more people will make it more do-able. Alternatively, I and other folks here have hired the technicians from our local vet to come to our houses and take care of our cats; a lot of vet techs supplement their incomes that way. Your local vet techs may not be familiar with home-testing, but it's pretty easy to learn, particularly for folks who are used to handling lots of different cats.
 
Glad you found us, now the work starts for you, you have a lot of reading to do.

www.catinfo.org is the starting point. I assume you are feeding dry c/d, which is the underlying reason for all your problems, the diabetes, the crystals, blockages and IBD are all results of dry food diets and those phony 'prescription' diets are the worst, the ingredients are the cheapest possible. Don't take my word for this, do an ingredient comparison with comparable commercial foods.

You have been told to get a reading on Junior's blood glucose levels while he is at home. This is important because vet stress can raise levels and give a false impression of how serious the diabetes is. Your vet also needs to perform a fructosamine test, it is definitive for diabetes. I stress this because we have seen false diagnoses made without this test.

If Junior needs insulin it is best to start early at a low dose with a gentle, long lasting insulin such as Lantus or Levemir. Your vet may be unfamiliar with these insulins, so you will want to read up on them and share the information with your vet.
 
Welcome! Our Arnold is about the same age as your Junior. He was supposed to be 1 when we got him in May 2002 from the shelter. My mom passed on her genes for picking up strays. :lol: She has 2 dogs at her house that no one else wanted, a pit bull and a chihuahua, quite the pair! Anyways, we got dx just under 2 wks ago so we're new here too. Arnold's bathroom trips have already gotten better and he hasn't used our floor once since we moved him here from my MIL's. We're still trying to find the food that is right for him, one he'll like and won't break the bank. I'm a SAHM to 4 kids 6 and under, I know the $$$ pressure. If I was closer, I'd help w/ your kitties while you're on vacation. We leave in May for just over a week and thankfully my MIL is willing to help and will keep Arnold, we just have to get her up on testing his sugars and such. Stick around, you'll learn a lot, I have!
 
Breathe, you are in the right place to learn everything you can about your little one's condition. I was one of those that chose not to let the fear rush me into anything, even though the vet, and other well meaning folks, wanted me to start her on insulin. Hypo's scared me more. I decided to give the diet change a chance to work first. Number one - I threw out the dry food, and since I learned here that the stress of the vet trip can alter the bg readings considerably I asked for the Fructosamine test. After the results came back close, but borderline, I declined insulin, got the lowest carb food on the list along with a BG meter, urine & ketone test strips - and it worked for us in two weeks.
Is there any way you could postpone your trip? - How will you ever enjoy yourself? Unless he's hospitalized - you will be thinking of him all the time, no doubt. Your conscience won't let you not worry, I'm sure. If the cost of postponing is less than the hospitalization...maybe think about it? You'll probably be able to enjoy yourself more if you're not thinking about your baby in a cage?
 
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.
 
I am blown away by the support I have already received. What amazing people you all are!! Answered prayers!!

Today I ordered a starter kit online through the board. I am thankful that is offerred to those of us facing the diagnosis of our furry child and it is heartwarming to have this kind of financial help. I did go to walmart as some suggested to get the strips to test Juniors ketone level but have not been able to do that yet.

I did lots of reading on the areas that you all have asked and yes it is alot to understand but I am going slowly to learn the most I can.

Junior had a great day! Makes my heart happy. Gave him his morning food then I cuddled up with him on the bed in our sparebedroom where we are keeping him so he can have a nice quiet place to get away and also selfishly to protect the house until his health improves. I have two letter boxes in the room too which I think he enjoys. No one to fight with wither which keeps his stress level down for sure. Every time I checked on him today to go in and give sone love he was comfy in the window sunning himself on his cat tree. I have started a log to of his behavior and of course when I start testing with the meter and ketone strips I will use this to keep a record here too.

Still planning on seeing our vet Monday working toward a new diet get some good home readings and report back to all of you and I am assuming make the next step to get the rx for lantus. Baby steps in a positive direction will be best for all of is I think. :).

I will see what I can do to set things in motion for Junior while we are away so that is still to be decided...

Wishing all of you and your loving babies a fabulous Valentines!! Much love to all!!!
 
hey there, sounds good. I'm the one in charge of the kits right now and wanted to let you know i got your request and your kit went out this morning before 9 am so you should have it pretty quick since i'm down in so cal and i ship priority mail. think monday might be a holiday though so not sure if there's mail on monday

how far is modesto from you? i think there's a member or two up in that area and if so maybe they can help or recommend something as far as the trip goes
 
Cindy + Mousie said:
hey there, sounds good. I'm the one in charge of the kits right now and wanted to let you know i got your request and your kit went out this morning before 9 am so you should have it pretty quick since i'm down in so cal and i ship priority mail. think monday might be a holiday though so not sure if there's mail on monday

how far is modesto from you? i think there's a member or two up in that area and if so maybe they can help or recommend something as far as the trip goes
Click to expand...


Thank you! Looking forward to receiving the package tomorrow, you are an angel! :RAHCAT I couldn't ask for more!!
 
JJ & Gwyn said:
When you go to the store tomorrow for your blood sugar meter (glucometer), also pick up some ketostix. You can find them in the diabetes section of your local pharmacy (I understand some places have them behind the counter, but I've always found them in the aisle). You stick them in fresh urine and, if ketones are present, they change color. Small amounts of ketones may be treatable at home; the earlier you catch and treat them, the better.
Click to expand...


I purchased some Ketostix and Junior was wonderful giving me a fresh urine sample as soon as I got home with them, did the test and it was negative. So that was good news. When I get the BG meter in the mail tomorrow I will start testing that and report back to all of you when I have done that and also what the Vet and I discuss today.

Thanks again everyone.
 
HI, glad you found this place too! Welcome!

I'm new but a couple of quick points I found. If you switch to low carb canned food before you go on insulin it is much easier to avoid hypo problems. So try to switch before you go to the vet, he can then give a more accurate dosage. The C/D he recommended is HIGH CARB 22%, low carb os 0% to 10%. Check out Janet & Binkys list. Some FF and even Friskies are lower carb than the C/D.

When I shopped around I found the best price for Lantus at Costco, they give an even bigger discount on Levemir. People here use both and I have heard they are very similar. Check w/ others who have more experience. I can say that in the month that Tess has been on Lantus her dose has been more than halved with the help of the folks here.

I live over in SLO county if you can't find anyone closer to help. Where are you in the valley?
 
Hello everyone! Happy Tuesday

I have the blood work results in my hand now. I want to post to have all of you review and give me feedback. I should be able to start home testing tonight:

BUN 20mg/dL
CREA 1.2 mg/dL
TP 8.2 g/dL
ALT <10 U/L
ALKP 51 U/L
GLU 491 mg/dL
 
Good evening everyone! Well I was certainly more nervous than Junior tonight, but on my second try we did it!

398 tonight.

Thanks to all for your confidence in me! So happy to have the first test behind me. So now I need guidance on how often should I test right now, haven't introduced any diet changes yet--that will start tomorrow night. Whew I did it!!! YEAH!!! Junior is such a trooper!!
 
CyrusMishi&Angela said:
Congrats on home testing.

Welcome to the vampire club! drinking24 (Sorry, don't have a vampire smilie)
Click to expand...

You are too funny!! I love it, thanks for the support!
I just got off the phone with my mother to tell her the good news and I decided that this all must be getting me ready for a baby someday, the non-furry four legged kind. :lol:
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top