Mood changes in cat

[Jessica + Bo]

Hi all,

I think Bo's diabetes management has been going okay. Feel free to check out his spreadsheet and advise if theres something I could be doing better. But I'm starting to struggle a bit emotionally.

He tolerated the injections this whole time because i would let him cuddle with me after eating, brush him, sneak in the injection, then give him extra love and brushes. But the last 3 or 4 injections he won't come when I call him, and even when I get him comfortable with pets and brushes, he tries to run away as soon as the needle goes in and won't come near me afterwards. I think he has still been getting the doses, but it's hard to tell if he won't let me touch the area afterwards.

The BG tests have always been a struggle, but recently he has started growling at me at times when doing these. I've had him more than 5 years and he's never growled at me once before this.

He used to be so cuddly and such a loud purrer. But recently he won't come near me of his own accord. And even if he does ask for pets, he won't pur. It feels like his only friend is betraying him.

If I could snap my fingers and make him go into remission I would. But if I want him to stay healthy, I have to keep doing this to him and it's really starting to break my heart to see him acting so differently.

I also get stressed about false high numbers. If it takes me a while to get a reading and he's been struggling and growling, it feels like his numbers might be artificially elevated due to me.

I have started doing the BG tests in 1 specific room where we don't hang out in often so hopefully he will create the association that he doesn't need to be afraid for BG tests unless we're in that room. As far as the insulin, I might have to do the same.

Please any advise or kind words will be appreciated

 

[CORKY]

Hi all,

I think Bo's diabetes management has been going okay. Feel free to check out his spreadsheet and advise if theres something I could be doing better. But I'm starting to struggle a bit emotionally.

He tolerated the injections this whole time because i would let him cuddle with me after eating, brush him, sneak in the injection, then give him extra love and brushes. But the last 3 or 4 injections he won't come when I call him, and even when I get him comfortable with pets and brushes, he tries to run away as soon as the needle goes in and won't come near me afterwards. I think he has still been getting the doses, but it's hard to tell if he won't let me touch the area afterwards.

The BG tests have always been a struggle, but recently he has started growling at me at times when doing these. I've had him more than 5 years and he's never growled at me once before this.

He used to be so cuddly and such a loud purrer. But recently he won't come near me of his own accord. And even if he does ask for pets, he won't pur. It feels like his only friend is betraying him.

If I could snap my fingers and make him go into remission I would. But if I want him to stay healthy, I have to keep doing this to him and it's really starting to break my heart to see him acting so differently.

I also get stressed about false high numbers. If it takes me a while to get a reading and he's been struggling and growling, it feels like his numbers might be artificially elevated due to me.

I have started doing the BG tests in 1 specific room where we don't hang out in often so hopefully he will create the association that he doesn't need to be afraid for BG tests unless we're in that room. As far as the insulin, I might have to do the same.

Please any advise or kind words will be appreciated

Sorry to hear what you're going thru, of all I read the only suggestion I could give you about the shot, I give my Corky his shot while he eats 1/2 of his food he does not see the needle at all I lift his fat part just above the thigh or a bit higher and WALLA! he does not even know what happened, wish you the best

 

[Red & Rover (GA)]

Treats might help.

 

[Jessica + Bo]

Treats might help.

I've tried orijen, pure bites and kiwi kitchen but he won't touch them.

Do you have any other treat suggestions I could try?

He used to love temptations, but a few years ago I transitioned him to greenies because they were supposed to be healthier. He was resistant to that treat change as well, but after a while of no temptations, he accepted the greenies. Now with his diabetes diagnosis, no more greenies. And I can't get him to touch any of the low carb ones. His only "treat" since diagnosis has been catnip.

I don't think he likes the freeze dried stuff, but I'm having a hard time finding other options.

 

[Gus the Furminator]

I’m wondering if you’re applying pressure to the poke area afterwards. This will help stop any bruising from forming. You could potentially try a different injection site too. My guy got a tough skin in the scruff oddly early (like 3months) and so I started shooting on the side of the chest and he and I ended up preferring that location.

I might also suggest that you do your routine multiple times a day even without a poke. Let’s make it a fun time again.

 

[Gus the Furminator]

Do you have any other treat suggestions I could try?

I used to boil a chicken breast, cube it, flash freeze it (on a baking pan in the freezer… helps the cubes from sticking together) then put in a container in the freezer. Then every night I’d take out a few chunks out and let them thaw in the fridge for the next day.

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

Treats are whatever Bo likes. Is there anything low in carbs that he will pester you for? It could be something that you eat -- deli meat, cheese, or sardines are notoriously smelly and some cats love them. Churu cat treats are low carb. We had one member who used to buy frozen, cooked shrimp and defrost a shrimp or two for cat treats.

 

[Jessica + Bo]

Treats are whatever Bo likes. Is there anything low in carbs that he will pester you for? It could be something that you eat -- deli meat, cheese, or sardines are notoriously smelly and some cats love them. Churu cat treats are low carb. We had one member who used to buy frozen, cooked shrimp and defrost a shrimp or two for cat treats.

The only human food he was interested in was licking the crumbs off my plate if I had toast or a bagel. That's definitely not an option anymore.

I'll continue to try different things. I just tried deli meat and parmesan cheese, but he wasn't interested in either. He used to love the liquid from a can of tuna, but I stopped giving it to him out of fear after diagnoses. I'll try giving him some of the tuna next time I open a can, that could be a winner

 

[Snickers and Chrissy]

The only human food he was interested in was licking the crumbs off my plate if I had toast or a bagel. That's definitely not an option anymore.

I'll continue to try different things. I just tried deli meat and parmesan cheese, but he wasn't interested in either. He used to love the liquid from a can of tuna, but I stopped giving it to him out of fear after diagnoses. I'll try giving him some of the tuna next time I open a can, that could be a winner

Have you tried any of the stuff by Applaws? They have the freeze dried stuff, but since your cat doesn't like that they also have other options like tuna puree or tuna loin. Other stuff too, not just tuna. Honestly, most of the Applaws foods are like a treat, in my opinion. Even the canned stuff. Because none of it is listed as a "complete food," it's all "complementary food." I think the only complete food they have is dry food, which you wouldn't want anyway.

I don't know all the carb counts for everything, but I know the purees and loins are low carb. It wouldn't hurt to poke around their site a little and see if there's something that might interest your cat. I buy mine at Petco or Petsmart. Here's a link in case you're interested, but don't just stop at the official "treat" section. Look at the other stuff too. My cat likes their salmon mousse that comes in a can, and it's only like 30 calories and I think zero carbs (I'd have to double check that though). Good luck!

https://applaws.com/us/cat/cat-treat/

 

[Basic's Mom]

The only human food he was interested in was licking the crumbs off my plate if I had toast or a bagel. That's definitely not an option anymore.

I'll continue to try different things. I just tried deli meat and parmesan cheese, but he wasn't interested in either. He used to love the liquid from a can of tuna, but I stopped giving it to him out of fear after diagnoses. I'll try giving him some of the tuna next time I open a can, that could be a winner

My guy's favorite treats are temptations too. He refuses freeze dried treats, but is obsessed with churu. I would try that if these other suggestions haven't worked for Bo. One tube last me probably 2-3 days as I only squeeze some out for each test and injection.

You are doing great. I hope you and Bo have worked out his most recent kinks with tests and injections.