Introducing Hana, my little white stray

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Alison&Hana

Member Since 2014
My name is Alison and I live in Thunder Bay, Ontario in Canada.

Just over two weeks ago I took in an elderly stray cat. She had obviously been in a loving home as she was rather well fed and very friendly. Despite this, I have been unable to find her owner. It seems she has found her retirement home. She is white with green eyes and I call her Hana.

I took her to the vet and routine blood work led to further tests. It turns out she has problems with her kidneys, is anemic, blind in one eye, and on Friday I got a call from the vet confirming that she has diabetes.

I am going back to see the vet to find out about starting her on insulin. Now that I have learned more, I am also interested in finding out the actual numbers. The vet did give them to me last week but I must admit to feeling slightly overwhelmed at the time.

She is currently eating a canned pate that is geared to cats with kidney issues but it is too high in carbs. I am looking for recommendations for food that is low in carbs and won't stress her kidneys. Actually, since I am new to all this I am open to any and all help.

Thanks for all the incredible support I have already received on the FB group!!!!

Thanks
Alison and Hana
 
Welcome Alison and extra sweet Hana to the FDMB! The is the best place you never wanted to be if you have a sugarcat!

I'm glad you came over from the Facebook group too since the real experts are here and we all want to help you learn everything you need to learn so you give Haha the best possible life!

When you go shopping, here's our "getting started" shopping list.

1. Meter ie Walmart Relion Confirm or Micro. (about $15) These are the best choice until the ears "learn to bleed"...then the Prime is the cheapest one for replacement strips. The Confirm and Micro take the smallest sample size...the Prime take a little bigger sample Since you are in Canada, you may not be able to get to a WalMart regularly, but if you can (or have friends/family that can ship you supplies if you need them), the Relion meters are great. I think the Bayer Contour is another favorite of the Canadians in the group
2. Matching strips (about $19 for 50, $36 for 100) Prime strips are $9 for 50 Will vary depending on what meter you end up using
3. Lancets - little sticks to poke the ear to get blood . new members usually start with a larger gauge lancet such as 28g or 29g until the ear learns to bleed. Optional - lancing tool. (about $8 for lancets, $5 for lancing tool ...not required if you can freehand poke)
4. Cotton balls to stem the blood
5. Neosporin or Polysporin ointment with pain relief to heal the wound
6. Mini flashlight (optional) - useful to help see the ear veins in dark cats, and to press against
7. Ketone urine test strips ie ketodiastix - Important to check ketones when blood is high
8. Sharps container - to dispose of waste syringes and lancets.
9. Treats for the cat - like freeze dried chicken
10. Karo syrup/corn syrup or honey if you dont have it at home - for hypo emergencies to bring blood sugar up fast
11. A couple of cans of fancy feast gravy lovers or other high carb gravy food- for hypo emergencies to bring blood sugar up fast

Next, since you haven't started insulin yet, now's the time to start learning to home test while you're transitioning her onto Low Carb food. You have already got the list. We also have lots of CKD cats here, and they just eat the foods that are both low carb and low phosphorus....Friskies Special Diet Turkey & Giblets is a favorite around here because it's low in both.

When you talk to your vet, if he starts to discuss insulin, there are only 3 that work well in cats. Lantus (which has a published protocol that has shown up to 84% of newly diagnosed cats able to go into remission within the first 6 months), Levemir and ProZinc so you'll want one of those 3 insulins. They aren't cheap, but we can help teach you how to make it as affordable as possible.

By going ahead and learning to home test now, IF you start on insulin later, you'll be really ready and we'll be here to help you with doseage and everyone else as this dance moves forward. It's much safer to get home testing down first while dropping the carbs in the food before starting insulin. Hana has been diabetic for awhile...another week isn't going to make a big difference in the grand scheme of things

For now though, get her used to being tested (I know you saw the YouTube video I posted on the Facebook group) and practice. It can be really helpful to decide on one specific place that you want your "testing spot" to be. As many times a day as you can take Hana there, take her and give her ears a quick rub (if that's all she'll allow) and then give her a yummy treat. Soon, she'll start to associate that special spot with the yummy food and not care what you're doing with her ears!

Don't want to overwhelm you too much your first post, but the people here are very generous with their time and we all love to help out.

If you have any questions, ask!
 
One suggestion for food is Friskies Special Diet canned foods. You want to avoid the chicken with gravy flavor because of the carbs. Witn had both CRF and diabetes for several years. I fed her this food and it kept both her glucose levels and kidney values stable. She lived to the great old age of 19.
 
Thanks so much for the info. I am off shopping with my list and feeling less overwhelmed. I am nervous about learning to test but I guess that's normal.

I am sure I will be back with lots of new questions. Thanks again

Alison
 
I am nervous about learning to test but I guess that's normal.
Click to expand...

That is completely normal! :-D I remember telling my husband that I didn't think I could test Jersey; I was certain he would have to do it. Although it took practice in the beginning, I can now test her by myself - using just one hand. Seriously. He can, too - and he's not really a "cat person." ;-)

People have tons of tips on how to test at home, and we can walk you through all of the steps. We won't leave you alone to figure it out on your own.

By the way, I applaud you for taking in/keeping little Hana with all of her medical issues. That says a lot about the type of person you are. :YMHUG:

Shelly
 
You might practice testing on an apple and yourself to get a feel for it and then test Hana.
 
Hi Alison!

How are things going with you and Hana? When are you due to go back to the vet (or have you already gone)?
 
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