Just found out cat is diabetic

[kathrynmbarber]

Hi, I'm Katie. My 6 year old cat is currently in an animal critical care facility receiving fluids and eventually insulin. She stopped eating. I had her at the vet yesterday and the gave her subqutanious fluids and I had to force feed her. They also took blood and urine samples. When the vet called with the results he told me to take her in right away. $1,400 for her to stay until Tuesday then she goes back to her own vet. I want to do everything possible but most of my family wants me to put her down. I can't in good conscious do that. I need help and support. I keep thinking what I did wrong or could have done. Any thoughts/prayers for Emily would be much appreciated.

 

[Blue]

Hi, I'm Katie. My 6 year old cat is currently in an animal critical care facility receiving fluids and eventually insulin. She stopped eating. I had her at the vet yesterday and the gave her subqutanious fluids and I had to force feed her. They also took blood and urine samples. When the vet called with the results he told me to take her in right away. $1,400 for her to stay until Tuesday then she goes back to her own vet. I want to do everything possible but most of my family wants me to put her down. I can't in good conscious do that. I need help and support. I keep thinking what I did wrong or could have done. Any thoughts/prayers for Emily would be much appreciated.

Can you find out what is wrong with your cat? There are many things that can be done at home so you don't have such an expense.

Why does your cat have to stay till Tuesday?what did the results say?
You can force feed at home and you can also give fluids and meds at home.
There are a few conditions that may require the cat to stay at the vet.

 

[kimouette]

kathrynmbarber if you KNOW you want to do everything possible to save your cat's life, then you should make your family understand you need their support and not this kind of lazy advice : putting a 6 year old cat who is diabetic and not dying of some degenerative disease is just laziness, or maybe a lack of love?

Gayle is right, there are many things you can do at home to save some money.
When you have detailed results and your vet confirms you have to give insulin to your cat, make sure to switch your cat's food to low carbohydrate canned food, and get back to us with some more details!

Good luck

 

[carolynandlatte]

How are things going?

It was about 5yrs ago when I had to hospitalize my cat (for reasons other than diabetes). I remember being so scared and everyone telling me there was no hope. It was the support and information from boards like this that gave ME hope and helped me fight with her. Latte lived another 3.5yrs.

If you have a chance to let us know what they found out, maybe we can help guide you and offer support as well.

hang in there!

 

[Melanie and Smokey]

HI Katie, Hope Emily is doing better today.

 

[twobopps]

I found out 2 weeks ago that my baby girl is diabetic. I suspected she had diabetes by her symptoms and told the vet that I wouldn't be open to submitting Katie Rose to such horrible treatments, but then realized that I didn't truly know what my baby girl would tolerate until I tried. After 2 weeks she has begun to adjust to the injections andI am beginning to think that we can do this. It doesn't hurt to at least try...I decided on giving it a month before putting her down and now realize I may not need to make such a decision. If you can afford the cost of treatmentit may be worth at least trying.

 

[Susan D]

Katie,

I can feel your pain, as I recall when I first learned that my kitty Sasha had feline diabetes. That was in the summer of 2006. Sasha has lived quite a long time with his diabetes under good control, until having some health issues in recent months as a 15 1/2 year old. I agree wholeheartedly with Gayle. First, it's important to find out what the diagnosis is, through your kitty's blood and urine tests.

Secondly, there is much that one can do at home without horrible veterinary expenses. All kinds of supportive and knowledgeable groups of people online, including this amazing one, help pet owners do this every day.

It's important to remember that many people do not understand treating a cat like a human member of the family, and thus giving that family member medical care and lots of love when such challenges arise. It says a lot that is great about you that you care enough to do this.

Contrary to any "burden" that people perceive with a diabetic cat or another issue, I found that it only deepened the deep, intimate bond that I have had with Sasha (and similarly with his brother Orlando, who passed away at age 16 1/2 in January). Take a deep breath, give yourself some time and space to learn what is ailing your kitty, and feel good about the way that you are standing up for your pet's care. You will get lots and lots of support in this.

Sending you and your kitty healing thoughts,
Susan and Sasha

 

[horselo285]

Hi Katie,

I just wanted to let you know that you and your kitty are in my thoughts and prayers.

I hope she is doing better. (((Hugz)))

Please don't hesitate to post her diagnosis on here. There are so many people who are very experienced and anxious to help. The people here are fabulous...I don't know what I would have done without them.

Good luck!