My husband and I just found out our 15 yr old tiger stripe (LC) is Diabetic. We had to leave her in the emergency clinic overnight ($1300..) and we are to pick her up tomorrow and take her to our vet. We always thought our long hair calico (Misty) would go first (she is 16 yrs old, and definitely showing age). "LC", is a small, active, little spitfire who can be cranky, but loves my husband and me and she is very dear to us. Nothing we've been told, or that I've read online (have been on the internet all day) is comforting. We are retired and travel a lot and are supposed to be leaving to Alaska in three weeks. We have an out of state family wedding we planned on attending next weekend and have no idea how we are going to manage injections, the cost....the realities....OMG. We adore this cat and it has been like a flood zone at our house today. The sheer magnitude of undertaking this is so overwhelming I feel paralyzed. Doing blood tests and giving injections ...I'm not sure I'm even capable of doing this even if she were a sweet, cooperative little kitty (and she's not!). We get MAJOR problems just trying to apply Advantage!! Help...
New and Overwhelmed--Update below, a stroke took LC too soon
- Thread starter Daylady
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Sue and Oliver (GA)
Member Since 2009
Re: New and Overwhelmed
It is overwhelming at first. Will it help to know we all felt that way and we all (and our kitties) survived? Once you take control and get a plan with wet low carb food, testing at home and a good mild insulin, it really does get better.
The first thing you can do is to get the supplies for testing and practice with the meter. Knowing what LC's blood glucose levels are will help you figure out how best to treat her.
Post your city and state. Maybe we have a member who lives nearby and could trade pet sitting and/or be a support for you. We took Oliver with us when we traveled. Would that be a possibility?
It is overwhelming at first. Will it help to know we all felt that way and we all (and our kitties) survived? Once you take control and get a plan with wet low carb food, testing at home and a good mild insulin, it really does get better.
The first thing you can do is to get the supplies for testing and practice with the meter. Knowing what LC's blood glucose levels are will help you figure out how best to treat her.
Post your city and state. Maybe we have a member who lives nearby and could trade pet sitting and/or be a support for you. We took Oliver with us when we traveled. Would that be a possibility?
Re: New and Overwhelmed
Thank you so much for your encouraging words. Taking LC with us would not be a possibility so we are really almost as desperate about this as trying to figure out how to handle the treatment. We live in Petaluma, California if there is anyone out there who is close by, we would love to know. Thanks again.
Thank you so much for your encouraging words. Taking LC with us would not be a possibility so we are really almost as desperate about this as trying to figure out how to handle the treatment. We live in Petaluma, California if there is anyone out there who is close by, we would love to know. Thanks again.
nancy and payne
Member Since 2010
Re: New and Overwhelmed
Petaluma the egg capitol of the world! We live in Benicia about an hour south of you. PZI is an insulin just for animals, OTJ is off the juice .... some cats with the right diet can cease to need insulin. Whatever you have going on in your life, you can do this ... you need to get supplies and start testing, maybe you can find someone in your area to do the testing/shots while you are away. As with all things in life nothing happens at the perfect time .... we can walk you through this. Yes it has been expensive but once you get everything set up, the costs come way down. Your kitty needs you, you can do this!!
Nancy and Payne
(name tells you all you need to know, except now she is happy and back to her old self!)
Petaluma the egg capitol of the world! We live in Benicia about an hour south of you. PZI is an insulin just for animals, OTJ is off the juice .... some cats with the right diet can cease to need insulin. Whatever you have going on in your life, you can do this ... you need to get supplies and start testing, maybe you can find someone in your area to do the testing/shots while you are away. As with all things in life nothing happens at the perfect time .... we can walk you through this. Yes it has been expensive but once you get everything set up, the costs come way down. Your kitty needs you, you can do this!!
Nancy and Payne
(name tells you all you need to know, except now she is happy and back to her old self!)
nancy and payne
Member Since 2010
Re: New and Overwhelmed
One more thing .... there is something special about our sugar babies, they seem to know that we are helping them. Cats that are really difficult normally will usually let you test and shoot, most of us have a special relationship with these babies. I also have an LC, he is a very precious little guy. It the beginning EVERYTHING is overwhelming, it will get better, I promise.
Nancy
One more thing .... there is something special about our sugar babies, they seem to know that we are helping them. Cats that are really difficult normally will usually let you test and shoot, most of us have a special relationship with these babies. I also have an LC, he is a very precious little guy. It the beginning EVERYTHING is overwhelming, it will get better, I promise.
Nancy
Sue and Oliver (GA)
Member Since 2009
Re: New and Overwhelmed
I have sent out some feelers for members who may live nearby. We do have lots of people in CA.
If you can't find a member who wants to help with petsitting, you might consider a vet tech. They know how to test and give shots and usually are looking for extra work. A possibility for your Alaska trip.
Yes, my sweet Oliver died at 17 from heart disease, not diabetes. Following the advice and protocol here, we were lucky enough to get him off insulin within 6 months of diagnosis. It doesn't happen for every cat, but does happen for many.
I have sent out some feelers for members who may live nearby. We do have lots of people in CA.
If you can't find a member who wants to help with petsitting, you might consider a vet tech. They know how to test and give shots and usually are looking for extra work. A possibility for your Alaska trip.
Yes, my sweet Oliver died at 17 from heart disease, not diabetes. Following the advice and protocol here, we were lucky enough to get him off insulin within 6 months of diagnosis. It doesn't happen for every cat, but does happen for many.
Re: New and Overwhelmed
Thank you to everyone who responded. It has been a very rough couple of days. I'm sorry to report that our little LC suffered a massive stroke this afternoon that left her without any voluntary motion. The vet said there was virtually no chance of recovery and there was no choice but to put her down. We could not bear to leave her in that state, or go off and leave her in a hospital so terrified and unable to move. It is a very sad day for us, but I am truly grateful for people who were willing to reach out and help. Thank you. Daylady signing off.
Thank you to everyone who responded. It has been a very rough couple of days. I'm sorry to report that our little LC suffered a massive stroke this afternoon that left her without any voluntary motion. The vet said there was virtually no chance of recovery and there was no choice but to put her down. We could not bear to leave her in that state, or go off and leave her in a hospital so terrified and unable to move. It is a very sad day for us, but I am truly grateful for people who were willing to reach out and help. Thank you. Daylady signing off.
C
Carl & Polly & Bob (GA)
Re: New and Overwhelmed
Oh my God, I am so sorry to hear this! My heart goes out to you and your husband.
Fly free sweet LC.
Carl
Oh my God, I am so sorry to hear this! My heart goes out to you and your husband.
Fly free sweet LC.
Carl
Sue and Oliver (GA)
Member Since 2009
Re: New and Overwhelmed--Update below, a stroke took LC too
Oh, no. I am so sorry to hear this. I hope the memories of your happy purr filled days with LC will bring you comfort.
Oh, no. I am so sorry to hear this. I hope the memories of your happy purr filled days with LC will bring you comfort.
kay&junior
Member Since 2011
Re: New and Overwhelmed--Update below, a stroke took LC too
(((((((((hugs))))))))))
(((((((((hugs))))))))))
jt and trouble (GA)
Member Since 2009
Re: New and Overwhelmed--Update below, a stroke took LC too
So sorry for your loss of your little "Spitfire" LC. My heart goes out to you.
Fly free little one, land ever so softly,
jeanne
So sorry for your loss of your little "Spitfire" LC. My heart goes out to you.
Fly free little one, land ever so softly,
jeanne
Re: New and Overwhelmed--Update below, a stroke took LC too
Words can't express how much all your kind words mean to me....knowing that complete strangers were prepared to reach out and support us, and then share in our grief. Thank you so much...
We are trying to focus our attention on our second cat, Misty, who is a long hair calico who is actually a year older than LC was and has suddenly gone into massive decline. She spends almost 24/7 so far under our king size bed that we can't reach her. She is very timid and it has always been her nature to hide when frightened (and everything frightens her), but lately it is constant. She has lost weight and her hair is getting matted from sleeping in the dust under the bed and she is confused by the absence of LC. Sigh... this is not an easy stage but we are trying to go one step at a time.
Words can't express how much all your kind words mean to me....knowing that complete strangers were prepared to reach out and support us, and then share in our grief. Thank you so much...
We are trying to focus our attention on our second cat, Misty, who is a long hair calico who is actually a year older than LC was and has suddenly gone into massive decline. She spends almost 24/7 so far under our king size bed that we can't reach her. She is very timid and it has always been her nature to hide when frightened (and everything frightens her), but lately it is constant. She has lost weight and her hair is getting matted from sleeping in the dust under the bed and she is confused by the absence of LC. Sigh... this is not an easy stage but we are trying to go one step at a time.
Sheila & Beau GA & Jeddie GA
Member Since 2009
Re: New and Overwhelmed--Update below, a stroke took LC too
I am so sorry for your loss. Fly free LC. rb_icon
Since Misty is 17 she might have hyperthyroid. But is there any chance she is also diabetic? Give her extra attention this week. If you can. get her to a vet before you leave and at least get blood work started. A senior panel (blood work) is a good place to start.
I am so sorry for your loss. Fly free LC. rb_icon
Since Misty is 17 she might have hyperthyroid. But is there any chance she is also diabetic? Give her extra attention this week. If you can. get her to a vet before you leave and at least get blood work started. A senior panel (blood work) is a good place to start.
Harley and Pattie
Member Since 2010
Re: New and Overwhelmed--Update below, a stroke took LC too
I am so sorry to hear about you losing LC. My prayers are with you.
pattie
I am so sorry to hear about you losing LC. My prayers are with you.
pattie
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