Teachknows
Member Since 2020
Hi. I am hoping I'm doing this correctly. Here's the Reader's Digest version of my situation. I have a cat who will be 11 in March. He and I have been together for ten years this week. He came at a time when I needed him. I love him to death. With that said...
In January, during his yearly exam, he was diagnosed with diabetes. Doc put him on a new diet with higher protein and lower carbs. Up til then, he was on a food that had helped him through years of having urinary tract infection issues. Once he began that food years back, we never had a problem again. Until now.
When he started peeing on the carpet in the last month, my anxiety level went up. I called the doc. He left for me a 10-day supply of antibiotics to apply to his earlobe. Last Monday, that application ended and he seemed to be improved since he hadn't had any accidents outside his litter box. However, the doc didn't believe at the time he prescribed that med that he was actually having that issue. He was more concerned that his diabetes had worsened. In two words, it had.
Doc looked at him two days ago. Sent in blood and urine. Results came back and doc said, "Uncomplicated Diabetes." He had been concerned about a thyroid issue as well, but that wasn't the case. He has lost ten pounds in 2020. He was a big cat, a long cat, but when the doc saw him, he was shocked at the weight he had lost. So...yesterday, the vet, after having received all the tests back said it was time to get him on insulin. The lantus glargine pen. I was to order online cuz it would be the least expensive, he said. I was not expecting what I saw last night when I ordered it. Add tax and shipping and the monthly cost is $135. That will be over $1600 a year. I truly was shocked.
This morning, I woke up to my cat next to my upper body. He hasn't done that in a long time. I was encouraged. That implied he was ready to eat. He's having no issues eating or drinking. No puking at all. I got up, fed him, he ate it, and within an hour or so, came into the living room, stretched out on the floor for a few minutes, got up and there it was. A large wet stain. I was sick to my stomach once again.
Nearly over here...so, I've spent $1000 on vet visits already in 2020. Not to talk about the prescription food. Then there's the new addition of insulin monthly. And I can tell you, more sadly than before, this cat is just not the Willy I have known for ten years. He just isn't the same cat any more. He sometimes looks like he's in a different world. His eyes just glaze over. He doesn't seem to be in pain. Doc said the same. But he is just not the same. And his hindquarters have changed. When he walks, he walks almost delicately on his back legs. They sometimes don't support him well. Doc said that's the diabetes. Doc also was bewildered as to why his heart rate was so rapid when he examined him, especially when the cat didn't show to be in stress.
Questions: Will the insulin repair ALL of this? The bigger question I'm dealing with is When is expensive too expensive to maintain the health of a pet? I am exhausted from following him around making sure he hasn't peed elsewhere. I am tired of feeling guilty about my thoughts. I am weary of feeling sad. I just need someone who knows and has been there for guidance. I live alone and will be in the same situation once Willy is gone. I'm not in a hurry to say goodbye but I've laid my situation before you. What would YOU do? Thanks in advance for any input.
In January, during his yearly exam, he was diagnosed with diabetes. Doc put him on a new diet with higher protein and lower carbs. Up til then, he was on a food that had helped him through years of having urinary tract infection issues. Once he began that food years back, we never had a problem again. Until now.
When he started peeing on the carpet in the last month, my anxiety level went up. I called the doc. He left for me a 10-day supply of antibiotics to apply to his earlobe. Last Monday, that application ended and he seemed to be improved since he hadn't had any accidents outside his litter box. However, the doc didn't believe at the time he prescribed that med that he was actually having that issue. He was more concerned that his diabetes had worsened. In two words, it had.
Doc looked at him two days ago. Sent in blood and urine. Results came back and doc said, "Uncomplicated Diabetes." He had been concerned about a thyroid issue as well, but that wasn't the case. He has lost ten pounds in 2020. He was a big cat, a long cat, but when the doc saw him, he was shocked at the weight he had lost. So...yesterday, the vet, after having received all the tests back said it was time to get him on insulin. The lantus glargine pen. I was to order online cuz it would be the least expensive, he said. I was not expecting what I saw last night when I ordered it. Add tax and shipping and the monthly cost is $135. That will be over $1600 a year. I truly was shocked.
This morning, I woke up to my cat next to my upper body. He hasn't done that in a long time. I was encouraged. That implied he was ready to eat. He's having no issues eating or drinking. No puking at all. I got up, fed him, he ate it, and within an hour or so, came into the living room, stretched out on the floor for a few minutes, got up and there it was. A large wet stain. I was sick to my stomach once again.
Nearly over here...so, I've spent $1000 on vet visits already in 2020. Not to talk about the prescription food. Then there's the new addition of insulin monthly. And I can tell you, more sadly than before, this cat is just not the Willy I have known for ten years. He just isn't the same cat any more. He sometimes looks like he's in a different world. His eyes just glaze over. He doesn't seem to be in pain. Doc said the same. But he is just not the same. And his hindquarters have changed. When he walks, he walks almost delicately on his back legs. They sometimes don't support him well. Doc said that's the diabetes. Doc also was bewildered as to why his heart rate was so rapid when he examined him, especially when the cat didn't show to be in stress.
Questions: Will the insulin repair ALL of this? The bigger question I'm dealing with is When is expensive too expensive to maintain the health of a pet? I am exhausted from following him around making sure he hasn't peed elsewhere. I am tired of feeling guilty about my thoughts. I am weary of feeling sad. I just need someone who knows and has been there for guidance. I live alone and will be in the same situation once Willy is gone. I'm not in a hurry to say goodbye but I've laid my situation before you. What would YOU do? Thanks in advance for any input.
