Hey y'all Mr. Thomas Richard Whiskers 9 years old was just diagnosed today and I am feeling a rush of emotions. Initially a diagnosis of arthritis was given by another vet. In caring for a foster kitty I was introduced to our new vet who picked up immediately that Mr. Whiskers was experiencing neuropathy not arthritis and suggested blood work which revealed his glucose over 400. The other vet didn't mention doing any blood work at all. I'm grateful that we know what the problem is. I'm stunned by the initial financial outlay as we are almost $500 in debt but my vet has allowed me to make payments for which I'm grateful. I'm grateful we can manage his disease and he will have a better quality of life. I'm prepared to administer twice daily injections and have done so twice today by myself. I'm heartsick my bubby is sick and I missed it. I blame myself, I blame the other vet who didn't pick up on this and all the money spent on a useless diagnosis and treatment of arthritis. But what's done is done and we will get through this Mr. Whiskers and I, we're a good team and we will prevail! I hope I can glean lots of helpful information and be a supportive forum member. Thanks guys for letting me vent!
Just diagnosed and overwhelmed
- Thread starter kyndlady
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BJM
Member Since 2010
Welcome to FDMB!
There are a few things we'd like to know, to help you out.
And, perhaps you might share your name with us?
Tell us about the insulin you are using and what the dose is.
As you are already giving insulin, you'll want to focus on learning to home test to keep your cat safe. There are some Secondary Monitoring Tools in my signature link, too.
After you are successfully home testing, changing the diet to low carbohydrate canned or raw food may bring down the glucose 100 mg/dL. Great info on feline nutrition may be found at Cat Info, including a printable list of commercial foods and their nutritional values.
There are a few things we'd like to know, to help you out.
And, perhaps you might share your name with us?
Tell us about the insulin you are using and what the dose is.
As you are already giving insulin, you'll want to focus on learning to home test to keep your cat safe. There are some Secondary Monitoring Tools in my signature link, too.
After you are successfully home testing, changing the diet to low carbohydrate canned or raw food may bring down the glucose 100 mg/dL. Great info on feline nutrition may be found at Cat Info, including a printable list of commercial foods and their nutritional values.
KPassa
Member Since 2012
Welcome! Yes, this is a manageable disease. And better yet! It is possible for cats to be able to go into remission!
Don't beat yourself up for not spotting it; cats are very good at hiding sickness and pain. We've all been there and and we're all here for you now. :YMHUG:
We also have some great cost-cutting tips to help stave off expenses from getting out of control. The number one most effective tool for managing feline diabetes is home-testing, as BJM mentioned.
Please let us know a bit more about you and any specific questions or concerns you might have.
Don't beat yourself up for not spotting it; cats are very good at hiding sickness and pain. We've all been there and and we're all here for you now. :YMHUG:
We also have some great cost-cutting tips to help stave off expenses from getting out of control. The number one most effective tool for managing feline diabetes is home-testing, as BJM mentioned.
Please let us know a bit more about you and any specific questions or concerns you might have.
Hi and thanks so much for your responses. My name is Sharon since I didn't introduce myself earlier. I was so overwhelmed initially. Mr. Whiskers is currently taking 4 units (we started at 2 units twice a day) of Vetsulin twice a day and is improving (big sigh of relief). While I have all the equipment to do glucose testing (I check my own) I have not yet done so mostly because well, I could come up with a hundred excuses but I guess I would like to see it done. I mentioned it to my vet but I guess because he prefers to draw it from Mr. Whiskers neck, he didn't seem interested in my participation or showing me how to prick the cat's ear -red flag or is it just me. But Mr. Whiskers is showing improvement after almost a month of injections and I feel now we have a handle on it. I'm comfortable giving him the injections and he seems eager to have them. Or maybe its the can of Fancy Feast classic he gets afterwards. With the canned food Mr. Whiskers doesn't seem to be interested in the dry food my vet says to leave out. So I don't fill the bowl very often and eventually I hope we can do away with the dry altogether. My goal for him to be in remission if at all possible. Glancing at the clock its time for me to head to work. Thanks again for your support, its greatly appreciated!
Sharon
With the canned food Mr. Whiskers doesn't seem to be interested in the dry food my vet says to leave out. So I don't fill the bowl very often and eventually I hope we can do away with the dry altogether. My goal for him to be in remission if at all possible. Glancing at the clock its time for me to head to work. Thanks again for your support, its greatly appreciated!Sharon
KPassa
Member Since 2012
Here's a great page on ear testing and contains links to a few videos. I remember when I first started out, I had no idea what the heck I was doing besides "needing to test." Watching youtube videos really helped me see that it could be done. After that, it was simply a matter of actually getting it done. The first time was the hardest because I was completely unfamiliar with what I was doing and was worried I'd break something or do something wrong. Once I got the first test done, I realized I'd pysched myself up for nothing. :lol: ohmygod_smile Let us know if you have trouble with anything specifically.
Wendy&Tiggy(GA)
Member Since 2011
Thing is - if you start home testing and lose the dry, he might go into remission. Worth a try eh?
Re: Just diagnosed and overwhelmed Update
Hi, just wanted to drop a line and let y'all know how Mr. Whiskers is managing. We began glucose testing which was a bit challenging at first but now we're old hands at it. It's a good thing too because it turns out Mr. Whiskers was getting too much insulin. I developed a spreadsheet documenting the date time glucose levels, what food was offered and units given and with this information the vet was able to reduce his insulin to 2 units twice day. At this time Mr. Whiskers' glucose is running around 90 to 100mg/dl twice a day and I'm very hesitant to break from the tight regulation method by putting out kibble as my vet as directed me to. I feel Mr. Whiskers is doing well on wet food only and I'm hesitant to give insulin when it appears his pancreas is functioning normally. Since being offered ONLY wet food and NO kibble Tom's glucose level remains within normal ranges 60-120mg/dl Why add stress to his system by adding kibble & insulin when tight regulation appears to be working. Am I missing something? With these normal levels I'm hesitant to give insulin as well am I wrong in this? I would prefer twice daily glucose monitoring than to give medication and kibble to manage a condition that might not exist. Mr. Whiskers is more social, playful, always in a good mood, not flooding the litter box and in general just seems to be so much better with tight regulation. Am I missing something?
Hi, just wanted to drop a line and let y'all know how Mr. Whiskers is managing. We began glucose testing which was a bit challenging at first but now we're old hands at it. It's a good thing too because it turns out Mr. Whiskers was getting too much insulin. I developed a spreadsheet documenting the date time glucose levels, what food was offered and units given and with this information the vet was able to reduce his insulin to 2 units twice day. At this time Mr. Whiskers' glucose is running around 90 to 100mg/dl twice a day and I'm very hesitant to break from the tight regulation method by putting out kibble as my vet as directed me to. I feel Mr. Whiskers is doing well on wet food only and I'm hesitant to give insulin when it appears his pancreas is functioning normally. Since being offered ONLY wet food and NO kibble Tom's glucose level remains within normal ranges 60-120mg/dl Why add stress to his system by adding kibble & insulin when tight regulation appears to be working. Am I missing something? With these normal levels I'm hesitant to give insulin as well am I wrong in this? I would prefer twice daily glucose monitoring than to give medication and kibble to manage a condition that might not exist. Mr. Whiskers is more social, playful, always in a good mood, not flooding the litter box and in general just seems to be so much better with tight regulation. Am I missing something?
Wendy&Tiggy(GA)
Member Since 2011
You are totally doing the right things. Kibble will spike his blood sugar so don't give it.
If he is 50-130 for a week then try reducing the dose by 1/4unit since those are normal cat levels. If he stays at 50-130 for another week on the reduced dose then reduce by 1/4unit again. If at any point he drops below 50, drop by 1/4unit.
It looks like his pancreas may be healing. Let's see if we can reduce his dose a bit.. Although I am reading again and am confused.. Are you giving insulin or no?
Wendy
If he is 50-130 for a week then try reducing the dose by 1/4unit since those are normal cat levels. If he stays at 50-130 for another week on the reduced dose then reduce by 1/4unit again. If at any point he drops below 50, drop by 1/4unit.
It looks like his pancreas may be healing. Let's see if we can reduce his dose a bit.. Although I am reading again and am confused.. Are you giving insulin or no?
Wendy
Deb & Wink
Member Since 2013
You did say you are still giving insulin, from what I am reading here.
When, in relation to the shot, are you getting those 90-100 readings? With the pre-shot tests? Several hours later after the shot? It can make a big difference. If those are pre-shot tests, the dose may still be too high.
What time in the cycle is Mr. Whiskers nadir or lowest point? +4, +5, +6, +7??
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