New member 7/18 Confused and terrified

Hi there!
So my sugar cat Mumf was diagnosed with diabetes on Thursday, his blood sugar and fructosamines are very high. Since he’s a difficult cat when it comes to being handled by strangers, the vet advised me to get dental work done first hoping that this will possibly lower his blood sugar. She had me convinced that I would not be able to inject him!
Luckily I found this group on Facebook and now this forum between then and now, and now I’m convinced if I practice and stay calm I will be able to inject him.

so I made an appointment with a different vet to discuss dental work on Thursday. Then yesterday evening the other vet called again and completely reversed her opinion. She said I need to get my cat on insulin asap, not to wait until Thursday, not to get dental work done first because he’s suffering and he might not survive anesthesia. That of course scared me again, the first time I communicated with her she also really scared me because she was very dramatic and kept mentioning that my cat will probably die.

so now we are set up to get him started on insulin on Tuesday. I’m kind of confused and also annoyed by this very rash communication. I’m very emotional and terrified of injecting my cat but thanks to the Facebook group on feline diabetes I’ve already heard some very kind and very helpful voices on how to coax my sweet boy into getting injected and getting his glucose tested at home.

Has anyone else had these strange experiences with vets? Where they try to scare you and just catastrophize? Like I’m not already doing that on my own
So the plan is, I’m going to take the week off work to get him settled. I have a long commute, and I work from 7 to 3. So this is not going to be easy.

Ugh, i am just overwhelmed and scared and terrified. Ordered a home testing kit already. Watched videos and practiced handling Mumf’s fur (tenting) and massaging his ear. I know that it all comes down to me staying calm, that’s going to be the biggest challenge.
Thank you for existing, fdmb!

 

I am sorry you've had such bad vet experiences so far. Unfortunately it's not unknown. We've even heard of some vet suggesting people euthanize kitties for what is a very treatable condition. And many of those cats are still here years later. Did the vet give any clue why she thought Mumf was in danger?

I would probe the vet as to why she didn't think he could handle anaesthesia too. Typically it's because of other conditions like kidney disease or heart disease that limit use of anaesthesia, not diabetes. My girl had plenty of them while diabetic. Would be good to know if there is another condition the vet is thinking about. Some vets aren't comfy giving anaesthesia to vets, but there are dental vet specialists who work with special needs cats all the time.

Did the vet mention which insulin she was thinking about? Prozinc, Lantus, and Levemir are all good insulins for cats.

What food is Mumf (love the name!) eating now? Like human diabetics, low carb food is best for diabetic cats. And if not on low carb now, that's a transition you can start immediately.

I am glad you are also considering home testing. Which test kit did you order? Don't forget to pick up some low carb freeze dried meat treats. Cats soon associated treats with testing and don't mind it. I was a wreck at first - not good with the sight of blood. My friends who know me were astounded that I was doing blood testing on my cat. Keeping calm (maybe singing), is definitely key. In the mean time, just get Mumf used to you rubbing the edge of his ear. Preferably followed up by a treat, so he starts building that association.

You can do it. We've all been terrified at the start and know how that feels.

 

Thanks so much your response. The vet didn’t say why she was hesitant about the anesthesia, they did a full blood work up and everything else is fine. Normally you don’t give anesthesia if there’s something wrong with the kidneys but his kidneys are fine. She said the diabetic cats might not make it.

I just came home from being out with a friend and my poor boy has vomited and has not been eating well today, so I think it really is time to get started on insulin. We have to hang in for one more day and then get started.

he’s been eating less and also moving less but I do get him to eat when I give him boiled chicken and things like that, so I try to keep his strength up just a little bit. We just shared a bit of boiled chicken and he ate it and so fine, was also rubbing up against my leg and purring. I’m just really scared that I might not be doing him any favors with insulin but as far as I know, the insulin will make him feel better, he will get his strength back and his appetite back. But practically the vet told me I should euthanize him. Even though everything aside from his blood sugar is fine.

i’m in Germany, and I ordered a home testing kit for cats off Amazon. The ratings are good and it seems to be a good device. The vet has not said which type of insulin she will bring, and I am convinced that my cat will not let the vet touch him. I’m pretty sure I will be the one administering the first dose etc. Thank you for the advice about singing while I’m doing the testing and the injecting, that is a fantastic idea. Because I’m going to be a wreck.

 

Welcome to the message board, although I'm sorry that Mumf's diabetes is our common bond. However, so many cats live long happy lives while insulin dependent.

Well that's just ridiculous. I have two diabetic cats, and I was floored to learn that both of them easily allow me to test their BG and to give insulin shots. With Jack, it took a little time and patience, but it didn't take very long. But Marley really surprised me. He's a cat that I can't pill and he's just about impossible to brush because he simply doesn't want it done. But, from day one, he not only tolerated but seemed to enjoy the entire process. You just never know. And you are spot on - Practicing and staying calm are key to all of it.

 

You don't need a cat specific test kit, most of us use ones designed for humans. The test strips for the pet ones are horribly expensive and that's what you go through. Our dosing methods are based on human meters, which not that long ago were all that were available. Plus human meter strips you can buy in stores if you need some quickly. However, if you like the pet meter, we do have people using them too.

You might want to invest in some ketone testing strips, Ketostix is one such brand, that test for ketones in urine. Ketones are something you want to avoid and if they get too high your cat will end up in the emergency. Make sure he's getting plenty of food and water for now. Sufficient insulin is key to reducing ketones, if present. Not all cats get them.

I think that in Germany vets have to start you out with Caninsulin, which is a pity. My girl started on it too. It's a great insulin for dogs, rather shorter acting in cats. A key to easier injections is smaller gauge needles on the syringes if you can get them that way. A size 30 or 31 gauge is good. Larger number = smaller needle.

Although the UK is not part of Europe, some of their supplies can be obtained there or online and this information from our Health Links forum might help.

• UK Diabetic Cat Food Info (includes some supplies) and UK Cat Food List

 

I want to second Wendy's suggestion to pick up ketone test strips. I always get a bit worried if a kitty seems lethargic.

 

Thank you!

You know, there is a veterinary clinic here that only cares for cats. I think I’m going to call there tomorrow and ask for their assessment of my cat’s bloodwork, because I’m hoping that maybe they will start him on a different insulin since they know cats better and don’t deal with dogs at all. The vet that would be coming on Tuesday deals with any kind of animal and is probably not as skilled.

I had originally made an appointment with that cat vet for Thursday to get my cats teeth checked out to possibly get dental work before insulin. But then that other vet called and drove me crazy yesterday, but my gut says I should really get a second opinion tomorrow.

will order those urine test strips as well!

 

You can pick up ketone test strips at any pharmacy/chemist for people.