Is Buffy a diabetic (long)

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Buffy&Coney

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Hello my name is Colleen,
This is my first post.
I am wondering if my cat Buffy is diabetic.

Bit of history: Buffy is 10yr. About 3 weeks ago I noticed he was eating less and losing weight. One Sunday he didn't eat or drink, so we took him to the E-vet.
After X-rays and blood work here are the results. The vet noticed his liver was enlarged and that is blood sugar was high (371mg/dl). So was his HCT,MONO,BUN,GLOB,
ALT,AMYL.

Couple of days later we went to our regular vet. He tested his fructosamine and it was 437.
Vet said it sounded like diabetes and to change Buffys diet and to come back in a month.

Quick forward to yesterday. Buffy didn't look to good , so we went to the vet. Buffys glugose was 476mg/dl.
Vet gave Buffy insulin, an antibiotic, B12 and put some fliuds under his skin.
Went to the vet today and Buffys glu was 311mg/dl.

I am taking him back to the vet tomorrow to see if Buffy needs more insulin.

Vet is abit confused as Buffy is not drinking alot of water, but does have other sighn of diabetes. Has lost about 5llbs in a couple of weeks. He used to be around 23/24llb, today he was about 18llbs.
Could this be an infection or diabetes?
 
Sorry my post was long, but I wanted to give you the information. Anywho, I have more blood work results I can give you if you want.
Advice always welcome,
and thanks for reading this, I'll try to make it short the next time :lol:
Colleen
 
The blood glucose AND the fructosamine levels indicate diabetes. However, the fructosamine s not that high (note the fructosamine and blood glucose levels are not the equivalent). Was a urine analysis performed? specifically were there ketone and glucose in the urine? Untreated diabetics can go into diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) which cause the cat to feel bad and not eat. It is a very serious condition.

What kind of insulin are you using and what is the dose? When was the blood glucose measurement made in respect to how long after the shot?
 
Hi Colleen,

Welcome! We'll do our best to help you and Buffy.

Not sure about the lab test values. Someone will be along to give you ideas on those. But, if you want to find out if Buffy is diabetic, you could start taking some blood glucose tests at home. This would give you a good picture of what is going on with this blood glucose levels. We use human glucometers and test our kittie's ears, just like we would with our children. Here is a website that has good beginning info: http://www.sugarcats.net/sites/harry/bgtest.htm and a video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zE12-4fVn8 Some cats are very stressed at the vet and stress raises bg levels. So we are much more confident about getting true numbers at home.
 
If Buffy is diabetic, you will have to get insulin and give it 2 times a day. Make sure your vet checks for ketones.

We strongly suggest learning to home-test Buffy's glucose using a meter. The ones made for people work fine for cats. Not all vets support home-testing, but it's the only way to really know what's going on and if it's safe to give insulin. You don't need your vet's permission to do it.

Come back when you have more information. We have lots of experience with diabetic cats and want to help.
 
Wow, Thanks for the replies, I really appreciate it.
At the E-vet, they said there was glugose in the urine. (5th Sept)
The regular vet said that he found ketones in Buffys urine (7th Sept)

The regular vet doesn't give us a report on what was said in the office, so it'd hard to remember everything.
Would Buffys urine test be on the blood work test? If so what would I look for, so I can tell you all.


Buffy had is first insulin shot yesterday evening at the vets. He had is second on at the vets this morning He said it was a very low dose.
Blood work was done on Buffy this morning, then he had an insulin injection.
I asked the vet about home testing ( learned from this board) vet is OK with it, but he admitted that he didn't know how the human machines worked on cats.

Buffys thyroid and pancreaus are normal.
 
Do you know what the insulin is? What is a very low dose? (Our suggestion is 1/2 to one unit twice a day to start.) Is Buffy at home now or still at the vet?
 
The ketones in the urine is not a good sign. Especially if Buffy is not eating much. It is a down hill battle, the ketone make the cat feel bad and not want to eat. The not eating just usually results in higher ketone levels. I suggest you go to a pharmacy and test strips that test urine for ketones if Buffy is still not really eating. . They are usually used for humans. You can also find combination strips that test for both ketones and glucose in the urine.
 
First thing; get more info on the ketones as that's serious. While I have no firsthand experience, I think that Buffy could get very sick very fast with ketone issues.

Now, get copies of ALL of the tests results. I keep a binder of every single test and the results for my cats so that I can see what the values are, which are with range, and which are out of range.
Once you have the test results and numbers, people can better help you with interpreting them.
You paid for the tests; you are entitled to copies of all the results. The blood tests, the urine tests, and even any Xrays and ultrasounds; get them all for your on records.

Home testing is very easy and it will help you find out what Buffy's blood glucose numbers are at home. Quite often, numbers taken at the vets are higher than when at home. Anyone on this site can help you with testing, so just pick up a regular glucose meter at the pharmacy. While you are there, you should pick up a pack of Ketostix so that you can test Buffy's urine at home for ketones. Ketones must be treated quickly so most people test their cats' urine regularly.

Food - what are you feeding? Quite often, some cats become diet-controlled diabetics. If you are feeding any dry foods or treats, try switching to only wet food. Wet low carb foods are what need to be fed. Trying a food improvement may be all it takes to get Buffy back on track.

If it does come about that Buffy's diabetic and needs insulin, no big deal. Once you get Buffy on insulin, you will see a great improvement in your Buffy.
Be sure to ask what type of insulin has been given so far and what was the dose.
 
Hi Colleen,

You've gotten some very good advice already. Just saw you are currently online. If you want to talk to someone directly, respond and I will send you a private message with my phone number (or you can send me a PM with yours).

Thanks,
Jeanene
 
My husband has the one touch ultra smart, I will use that, once I figure out how to use it.
I've been watching the videos on how to prick Buffys ears.
I am not sure what type of insulin the vet gave Buffy, I think the dose was something like .1 or .01,
Buffy spent a couple of hours at the vet this morning and is now home with us.

I used to feed Buffy Purina 1, :oops: I am in the process of figuring out what he likes, So far I have tried EVO wet food and Fancy Feast, He seems to like the fancy feast better, but will eat some of the EVO. He ate a can of FF yesterday and so far 3/4 of a can today, he is still not drinking water, so I put water in with his food.

I will ask the vet for more info on his ketones tomorrow when I take Buffy in . I will also buy some strips to test his urine.

I have copies of all of the lab work that was done by the E-vet and my regular vet, so if you want to know any results, please ask away.

Thanks again for all your advice
 
Excellent - it sounds like you are doing alot good already.
Tomorrow, be sure to ask the vet what insulin and also the dose.

Yes many people feed fancy feast or friskies or 9lives wet foods. Be sure to give the pate varieties because the ones with the gravies are much higher in carbs. So long as all the dry is gone, you're doing great.

I also add water to the foods for mine; I call it soupy slop, but they seem to love it. It gets the water into them and that's pretty important.

The OneTouch meters are great. If you have any problems with the testing, just ask and someone here can help with an answer. Buffy's ears will 'learn' to bleed, so don't be frustrated if you have difficulties in the beginning. Buffy will get used to the tests; mine usually sleep through the pokes.

About the ketones, also ask how your vet intends to treat for the ketones, and ask for the vet's explanation of what the ketones mean.

When you take Buffy in for the insulin shot, why not have the vet show you how to give the shot so you will have some training right away. It's easier and much cheaper to give the shots yourself.

Make a list of questions before you go to the vet office; it's so easy to forget some questions so a list is always good.
 
I thought I would update you all who tried to help us.

Buffy passed away at the vets office yesterday evening/morning.
A couple of weeks ago we took him to a specialist to get an ultra sound, it was dicovered that
Buffy had a cyst/growth on his pancreas. The specialist prescribed 3 wks of anti-biotics.

Buffy was doing great, until Sunday eveining when he stopped eating. On Monday night he just
didn't look right. we took him to the vets on Tuesday morning. Buffys glocuse was 700 and his temp wouldn't
even register. During the course of the day and evening Buffy seemed to be improving. Sugar got down to 84
and his temp got upto 99. Vet kept him for the night where he passed.
The vet thinks the cyst may have ruptured. Vet said Buffy wasn't in pain and that he was found in the same position
when the vet lasted checked on him.
Rest in Peace our Buffy boy, you will be sorley missed
Colleen :(
 
I am so sorry for your loss. When my Bob passed away, he was also found in the same position that he was last seen alive in. I took comfort in the belief that my boy just closed his eyes and went to sleep. I hope that you will be able to take some comfort that as well. Both you and Buffy will be in my prayers.
wings_cat
 
I am so sorry for your loss. I know exactly what you are going through, as I just lost my diabetic cat. It's amazing how attached we become to our little furry creatures. Some say animals need us to survive, but sometimes I feel as if I need them to make my life complete. They hold such special places in our hearts. I hope you are doing ok.
 
Thank you so much for your kind words.
They really mean alot to me as I am having a hard time accepting the fact that he is gone.
 
I am so sorry to hear this....It's so hard when they leave us. At least he is well and running free with all our babies that have gone before.

Sending you hugs (((((Coleen))))
 
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