My first vacation since going OTJ... worried!

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JenM

JenM

Member Since 2013
So, I have my first vacation coming up since Tink went OTJ. It's been several months, and I've gone to testing every other day. He's usually under 110, and rarely over 120.

I am going to be gone (like WAY gone, out of the country) for 8 full days. My 18yr old will be taking care of everyone. Mind you, Tink is technically her cat... but it was my pocketbook that took the hit for his vet bill and my routine affected by the care he needed. :roll: Anyway... I'm thinking about NOT having her bother with testing just because I dont feel like it's really needed and I think it'll just cause him added stress. At least by having her take care of things, there wont be a "stranger" in the house, so he should be pretty at ease - though probably wondering where the heck I'm at. She KNOWS he needs to only eat specific food (everyone is on Wellness GF now) and to be fed ON TIME and that this can only be fudged by no more than an hour. He's currently DIET CONTROLLED and has been since mid November... so I THINK my worries are just... well... me worrying for nothing. :oops:

Do you guys see any reason to worry about this?
 
I don't think you need to worry, but understand perfectly that you would. Maybe plan to check in every so often to be reassured - maybe even just by email. I would tell her that if he seems off in any way to check his numbers. Most often when the mom leaves and the cat has issues, it's because he's stressed (which Tink won't be) or fed the wrong food (ditto).

And have a good time!
 
Under the "Be Prepared" category:

Give her a written "Authorization to Treat" and if needed, a dollar limit. Sometimes, stuff happens.
Let your vet's office know she will be taking care of him.
Provide her with the complete contact info for your vet, hours of availability, directions, and a map.
If your vet is not a 24 hour facility, provide the contact info for the nearest 24 hour facility, directions, and a map.
Let any close neighbors know she'll be there, car description and license plates. If close enough friends, share their phone numbers with her.
Depending on community size, let the local police know she will be there, her cell, and license plates

If she's not local to the community, a map with places to shop, eat, pharmacy, etc may be helpful.
 
Thanks, both of you. I think I'll also make sure THIS GROUP is bookmarked on the home computer (I usually get on at work) and show her how to post on it, just in case she runs into any problems. So if ya'll see "me" post from May 9-May 17, give advice in newbie-speak! HAHA. To add to my stress, my cell phone isn't going to work where I'm going. She SHOULD be able to call the hotel from the house... but whether or not they'd be able to get ahold of me quickly (without my cell phone working) is debatable. She lives at home (HS Senior), so no worries about cops/neighbors or her not knowing the area. I've already started having conversations with the Tinkster about being a good boy while mommy's gone. cat_pet_icon
 
Everything will be fine. Just make sure your kitty is fed the same food he's been getting. I currently just test Dusty once a week and his numbers are always in the 60-70s range with my tester. I'm getting ready to go on vacation too for 8 days and just won't have the sitter do any testing, no need. I'm sure Dusty will be stressed but what can happen in 8 days? He might loose some weight and be really mad at me but I always get a really nice homecoming when I return from a trip. In case of an emergency just make sure your daughter knows where the cat carrier is, the vet's phone number, and like BJM said, an authorization to treat letter if your vet requires one. Enjoy your vacation, you've earned it! :-D
 
Put any high carb food or treats in a different place or hide it so she doesn't feed by mistake. Also work out a plan for what to do of she thinks she will be home late.. Like leaving out foodsicles.

I don't know if I would have her test as you can't assume any weird numbers aren't stress and you would probably wait till you come back to decide about insulin or vet visits.
 
I think you are in the clear, and if the diet remains within the good choices, you prob. have nothing to worry about.

Have a great time away from it all.
 
I just returned from a 10 day vacation and all was well. There was no testing done while I was gone and Dusty was just fed his usual diet of Fancy Feast. He managed to loose .3 lbs which is good since he was slowly gaining more weight than I preferred and his glucose reading was 53 this morning. I'm very relieved to know I can leave and nothing bad happens to his glucose readings. :-D
 
We know you were worried about going away on vacation, but sounds like everything was fine and Dusty even managed to lose a bit of weight.

Hope you had a great vacation and feel more relaxed and energized.

Yes, our OTJ kitties can tend to gain a bit of weight. I have to cut back a bit occasionally with my Wink, only about 1/2 an ounce less food a day can make all the difference for him gaining more weight or holding steady on his weight.
 
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