New diagnosis and completely overwhelmed

[Michelle & Fluff]

Fluff was diagnosed about 3 weeks ago. He is still incessantly peeing outside of his box, and I am losing my mind. Now after reading these forums for the last 3 days I feel: 1 - extreme guilt, for not realizing how many symptoms he had prior to this. 2. frustration - because my regular vet retired and the newbie that replaced him didn't give me even a quarter of the info I found on here myself. Most of what she told me seems to be compeltely wrong and contradictory to every feline diabetes website and blog I have found. 3. I'm completely, absolutely, frighteningly overwhlemed because I am struggling to maintain my own health issues, my work schedule is chaos, and I am HORRIBLE about remembering to take my own meds everyday, so I am trying to figure out how in the world I will manage this without accidentally killing him.

Fluff is a 15 yr old Maine Coone mix. He was nearly 30 lbs for most of his life, but never "overweight" according to our old vet. I thought his weight loss over the last year or so was because he was old. He is not jumping and having a bit of trouble walking up the stairs. I thought that was due to age, arthritis, maybe even an injury because he still likes to fight the other neighborhood cat and fight/play with my dogs. He has gotten so lazy about grooming himself, that I am having to brush and cut knots and clumps out of his long fur. And I didn't even realize he was drinking so much water - I thought it was my dalmation until after he was put down.
I recently had to put down his "brother", my 15 yr old dalmation. (Fluff never figured out that he is a cat.) And I also have a 10 yr old English mastiff that is not far behind. I'm trying to figure out if I am trying to keep Fluff alive out of selfishness on my part, but still hoping I can get the health issues under control because I can't imagine burying another pet so soon...

 

[Kris & Teasel]

Michelle, you can do this and there are many of us here to help. It's overwhelming and terrifying at first but it does get easier. Please go read some of the stickies on the main page about how to use the forum, etc. We always ask a new person to tell us what insulin they are using for the cat, what the dosage is, what type of food the cat eats, whether the cat has other health issues, and whether you are doing home testing of blood glucose. All of this is taken into account when people here offer advice.

We also ask you to set up a spreadsheet into which you'll enter blood glucose test numbers as you go forward on this diabetes journey. The data is available for all members to see and they will use it to make dose recommendations once enough numbers have accumulated and trends are evident. There's a detailed sticky in the "Suggestions, Tech Support and Testing Area" section at the top of the main forums page that explains the spreadsheet. There are techie members who will set it up for you if you can't.

I realize this response has probably overwhelmed you further. Just break it down into little bits and take your time reading the info. And take some deep breaths ...

 

[MrWorfMen's Mom]

Welcome to FDMB, the best place you never wanted to be. We hear your frustration and understand completely as we have all been there but it does get easier and with a little organization, it's no big deal. First of all, know that you are not alone. We can help with just about anything cat. Secondly, diabetes is NOT a death sentence and you are not being selfish......you are trying to help Fluff. Take a deep breath and repeat. There is a learning curve but we can and will help you learn so you can help get Fluff back to his former magnificent self.

It sounds like Fluff may have some diabetic neuropathy given he is no longer jumping, having difficulty with the stairs and yes, even the peeing outside the box. He can't help it and it will improve as his diabetes is brought under better control. There is also a supplement you can give to help with this aspect of the disease.

As Kris said, we'd like to know a bit more about Fluff and the treatment plan your vet set out for him. At the bottom of our messages you will see some grey text where we put information about ourselves and our furkids so we don't have to repeatedly ask/answer the same questions in order to get/offer suggestions/advice. That grey text is called a Signature and you can set one up by going up to the top right hand of the screen and hovering over your user name. Click on the second menu item "Signature" and a text box will open up so you can type in the details Kris mentioned like, type of insulin, dose of insulin, diet, any other health issues, type of meter if you have one (we STRONGLY advocate testing here to keep our furkids safe and to be able to adjust dosages as needed), your location (state, province, country ) so if you need any info/suggestions they are area appropriate, and anything else you'd like to share. The signature only allows for two hard returns (presses of the Enter key) so we separate the info bits with a "| " or hyphen to fit it all in if need be.

Please come on over to the Health forum and ask any and all questions you might have. Don't be shy or think any questions are unwarranted. The only silly questions around here are the ones people don't ask!

 

[Critter Mom]

@Michelle & Fluff -

Wondering how you're both doing.

I am sorry you are facing into the overwhelming vertical diabetes learning curve so soon after losing your dear dalmatian so recently. The diabetes stuff alone is tough going at first but I feel for you that it has landed on top of you at this most painful of times. I really feel for you.

I'm trying to figure out if I am trying to keep Fluff alive out of selfishness on my part, but still hoping I can get the health issues under control ...

Very much the latter, methinks (and purely out of love for Fluffy because you've already found a place where you'll be able to learn how to help him feel well and happy again).

With regard to the reduced activity/athleticism it is possible that Fluffy may have a touch of diabetic neuropathy. (Another thing to investigate is arthritis issues and that may be helped by supplementing with Cosequin or similar products.) If it is due to neuropathy then the condition can start to improve as insulin treatment brings a kitty's numbers into better regulation but, supplementary to that, treatment with B12 methylcobalamin (e.g. diabetic-friendly Zobaline - available online) can be extremely successful in restoring proper nerve function.

Here's a video of a cat called Tootsie who was successfully treated with methyl B12 for his neuropathy. It may help you to identify whether Fluffy is showing (even mild) signs of neuropathy and maybe give you a little hope when you see how the right treatments for properly diagnosed issues can be utterly transformative for our precious little ones.

Mogs
.

 

[yukon25]

I am HORRIBLE about remembering to take my own meds everyday, so I am trying to figure out how in the world I will manage this without accidentally killing him.

I can't help with the cat treatment yet (companion of newly diagnosed diabetic kitty myself) but I can recommend a great smart phone app that will help you remember your meds and your cat's treatment. Med Helper and Med Helper Pro. I have two profiles set up, one for me and my meds/vitals, and one for my cat. Very handy and it's really worked well to keep me straight on my meds. I plan to use it for my cat as well once his treatment starts next week. Med Helper is free, the Pro version is $3.99. Well worth the $4 to upgrade.

 

[Michelle & Fluff]

I am HORRIBLE about remembering to take my own meds everyday, so I am trying to figure out how in the world I will manage this without accidentally killing him.

I can't help with the cat treatment yet (companion of newly diagnosed diabetic kitty myself) but I can recommend a great smart phone app that will help you remember your meds and your cat's treatment. Med Helper and Med Helper Pro. I have two profiles set up, one for me and my meds/vitals, and one for my cat. Very handy and it's really worked well to keep me straight on my meds. I plan to use it for my cat as well once his treatment starts next week. Med Helper is free, the Pro version is $3.99. Well worth the $4 to upgrade.

THANK YOU. I never even thought to look for an app! That may help.... I will certainly try.