Hello there! I’m a new member to this forum, but not necessarily new to feline diabetes. My cat, Cloak (female, 6yo) has been diabetic since August 2022. It came as quite the shock as Cloak has never been obese or even overweight (she’s always been a stable 9lbs, until recently where she’s 7lbs - the emergency vet hospital told me she needed to lose weight?). From the get-go, we had immense difficulty getting her glucose stable & controlled. She was at 1 unit, then 2, until finally 4 units twice a day in October 2022. At that point, she remained pretty stable, but always a little high (300-400) & then finally was in the 250s May 2023. It should be noted she’s on Vetsulin (I didn’t know how unstable it was until recently) & her glucose/fructosamine checks were always done at the vet, who told me at-home testing was something I could do if I wanted, but wasn’t necessary. From May 2023-April 2024, she was doing great! No vomiting, excessive urinating/drinking, no diarrhea, stable weight (9lbs), she was more social than ever (she’s a very anxious, highly stressed kitty).
Cloak also eats canned wet Purina Prescription DM. I know most people on this forum dislike this food, but Cloak has a sensitive stomach & has thrown up every “good-for-diabetic-cats” brand I’ve tried (Fancy Feast, Wellness, TikiCat, a couple of others I can’t remember the name of).
In May 2024, she had a severe hypoglycemic episode, near coma state. Since then, it’s been absolutely horrible trying to get her stable & controlled. I’ve changed her insulin dose about 4 to 5 times since (from 2 units, to 1 unit, to 0.5 because her glucose went too low, back to 1, & finally to 1.5 units twice a day). About three weeks in May after her emergency visit & the first three insulin changes, Cloak had a Freestyle Libre monitor on (she eventually ripped it off), & her glucose was constantly jumping all over the place. It would read in the 400s, then shoot down to as low as 150/200. The emergency vet hospital eventually told me to keep her on 1 unit twice day. In June 2024, I took her in to have a glucose curve done after she’d been on her 1 unit twice a day for a few weeks; curve was still around the 400s. We continued the 1 unit until this past week, when I took her in for her 2-month glucose curve check (she’d also had some diarrhea, highly unusual for her). They did an immediate glucose curve & spot checked her there at the vet, which read to be 115!!!!! Almost three hours after her dosage & eating her food! So of course the vet said we needed to lower it to 0.5 units - mind you, Cloak has been excessively thirsty & urinating a lot so I had told the vet before the appointment we’d probably have to increase her dose. Well, today the vet called with Cloak’s full fructosamine lab work showing her to be at 713! I’m just feeling so confused & lost & defeated. I don’t understand how her spot checks can be as low as 115, but her fructosamine/glucose at a whole is in the 700s. Tonight, I tried to spot check her myself, but I only just started so it’s still quite a bit of a learning curve for me.
I just really need some advice from people who have been taking care of diabetic cats & have some firsthand experience. I cry all the time because I’m so stressed & anxious & worried about her - I have fitful sleep because I constantly wake up to check on her & make sure she’s not hypoglycemic. I go to work & worry about how she’s doing. I just want her to be healthy & happy & okay, & I’m so afraid I’ll kill her accidentally because we can’t get her glucose figured out. I’ve had Cloak most of my young adult life since she was a kitten (I’m 23 now, Cloak is 6), & I just want her to live a long, healthy life with me.
Cloak also eats canned wet Purina Prescription DM. I know most people on this forum dislike this food, but Cloak has a sensitive stomach & has thrown up every “good-for-diabetic-cats” brand I’ve tried (Fancy Feast, Wellness, TikiCat, a couple of others I can’t remember the name of).
In May 2024, she had a severe hypoglycemic episode, near coma state. Since then, it’s been absolutely horrible trying to get her stable & controlled. I’ve changed her insulin dose about 4 to 5 times since (from 2 units, to 1 unit, to 0.5 because her glucose went too low, back to 1, & finally to 1.5 units twice a day). About three weeks in May after her emergency visit & the first three insulin changes, Cloak had a Freestyle Libre monitor on (she eventually ripped it off), & her glucose was constantly jumping all over the place. It would read in the 400s, then shoot down to as low as 150/200. The emergency vet hospital eventually told me to keep her on 1 unit twice day. In June 2024, I took her in to have a glucose curve done after she’d been on her 1 unit twice a day for a few weeks; curve was still around the 400s. We continued the 1 unit until this past week, when I took her in for her 2-month glucose curve check (she’d also had some diarrhea, highly unusual for her). They did an immediate glucose curve & spot checked her there at the vet, which read to be 115!!!!! Almost three hours after her dosage & eating her food! So of course the vet said we needed to lower it to 0.5 units - mind you, Cloak has been excessively thirsty & urinating a lot so I had told the vet before the appointment we’d probably have to increase her dose. Well, today the vet called with Cloak’s full fructosamine lab work showing her to be at 713! I’m just feeling so confused & lost & defeated. I don’t understand how her spot checks can be as low as 115, but her fructosamine/glucose at a whole is in the 700s. Tonight, I tried to spot check her myself, but I only just started so it’s still quite a bit of a learning curve for me.
I just really need some advice from people who have been taking care of diabetic cats & have some firsthand experience. I cry all the time because I’m so stressed & anxious & worried about her - I have fitful sleep because I constantly wake up to check on her & make sure she’s not hypoglycemic. I go to work & worry about how she’s doing. I just want her to be healthy & happy & okay, & I’m so afraid I’ll kill her accidentally because we can’t get her glucose figured out. I’ve had Cloak most of my young adult life since she was a kitten (I’m 23 now, Cloak is 6), & I just want her to live a long, healthy life with me.