Hi, some of you have been following Alex Olivia's story - in a nutshell, we rescued her and her lifelong partner Donovan off death row at the local shelter. They were staff favorites and put the plea out to rescues. They were in the shelter about two weeks and Alex Olivia began showing signs of diabetes - they are now with me in foster care since our rescue's group home (Howard Co Cat Club) has volunteers that come at various times. After a trip to the vet to get a blood panel done, and some postings here on the message board, she seems to be doing well, despite all she has been through. They are both about 10 years young and were brought in with another kitty (who went to a separate rescue) when their owner decided they 'had too many animals'. Her exam on intake was fine, but about day 11 she began looking sickly. Anyway, although they were tossed to the curb like an old pair of shoes, I like to think that she's doing much better now. I can't imagine the 'owners' would have taken care of her once she started showing signs of diabetes.
We are now desperately trying to place Alex Olivia and Donovan! We have a second business in which we travel and work weekend shows, long hours. I'm looking for any resources, tips, tricks, advice, etc. etc. that anyone might have for placing these sweethearts. Both are very docile - Alex Olivia sits in your lap for testing (I use her ear) and purrs her little heart out. She doesn't even notice when I give her the insulin shot! She is on a low dose now - 0.5 units every 12 hours and she is fluctuating between 109 and 228......I hear it's tricky to begin the process of reducing the dose, dealing with food (she is on Wellness CORE now) and balancing everything. The problem is I have zero experience in all of this, and given our schedule - which is about to pick up with spring shows - I don't feel as though I can properly do this. We need to get them in an experienced household, they really would make wonderful companions. They integrated with our kitties perfectly. I have upload a couple of videos to YouTube (haven't had the camera around to catch Donovan giving Alex Olivia her facial bath).
Thanks for any advice you all have regarding placing diabetic kitties!
Donovan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKJn-lgxFN0
Alex Olivia: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiZdTkiX6JU
We are now desperately trying to place Alex Olivia and Donovan! We have a second business in which we travel and work weekend shows, long hours. I'm looking for any resources, tips, tricks, advice, etc. etc. that anyone might have for placing these sweethearts. Both are very docile - Alex Olivia sits in your lap for testing (I use her ear) and purrs her little heart out. She doesn't even notice when I give her the insulin shot! She is on a low dose now - 0.5 units every 12 hours and she is fluctuating between 109 and 228......I hear it's tricky to begin the process of reducing the dose, dealing with food (she is on Wellness CORE now) and balancing everything. The problem is I have zero experience in all of this, and given our schedule - which is about to pick up with spring shows - I don't feel as though I can properly do this. We need to get them in an experienced household, they really would make wonderful companions. They integrated with our kitties perfectly. I have upload a couple of videos to YouTube (haven't had the camera around to catch Donovan giving Alex Olivia her facial bath).
Thanks for any advice you all have regarding placing diabetic kitties!
Donovan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKJn-lgxFN0
Alex Olivia: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiZdTkiX6JU