Insulin advice please - going on holiday and worried

[ezmeecat]

Hi - Hope you can help me. I have a 15 year old cat who has been on twice daily insulin shots for 3 years now. Her fructosamine tests come back showing good regulation and she is in good health.

Next Friday I am going abroad and returning on Sunday. My mother and friend are both now trained in insulin shots, but as the cat knows its notme, she can run off and it can be tricky to give her the shots.

Worst case scenario - she is injected Fri am before I go, and then misses Fri pm, Sat am, Sat pm, Sun am and then I inject her Sun night on my return.
I spoke ot mey vet yesterday who said if she misses 4 injections shw wil be at a point where she was first diagnosed. Now when she was first diagnosed she had temporarily lost the use of her hind legs..she has no plantigrade stance now she is fine.
I asked the vet if her legs would be ok and he said he couldnt guarantee it. He advised at least one shot on the Saturday , so she only misses one shot each day.
I am sure that this will be done, but I feel really worried now about what will happen if my mum adn my friend fail to inject the cat.
Any thoughts? I have been away before and its never happened that my cat has missed more than one jab so Im probably worrying about nothing but would just like some advice from other diabetic cat owners.

Thanks very much

Sarah x

 

[DEF]

HI Sarah,

Someone else had a similar problem and the concensus was to keep said kitty who likes to run off and hide in one room where your mum can find her.

If it is a bedroom you need to block off access to underneath the bed as it can be difficult to get a cat to come out. I push mine out with a broom but the minute I go to that side to get her she runs back under. Maybe 2 people could manage it but easier to just make sure she cant get under there. Block with pillows, blankets, etc. OR Maybe a sitting room, kitchen or family room would work for you.

A cage is really so small and stressful--I wouldn't go that route. Your cat would tolerate a whole room so much better --just fix it up so that your mum and friend can just walk in , find , and inject kitty. Another thought is not to leave out food --so that when they come and feed her she will be more willing to come out. Does your cat like any treats like people tuna or Liv a littles that your caretakers could butter her up with? At least you got the hard part of finding someone to inject all figured out. Good luck.

Elaine and Pinky

 

[ezmeecat]

Aha - forgot about the idea of not leaving food out - that always works! Thanks very much for your reply - was just concerned about the worst case scenario dont want to come home to a kitty that cant walk!!!! :shock:
Thank you so much for taking the time to reply - was just overly concerned what would happen if, god forbid, she missed all her shots! :?