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JenJee

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Hi everyone! My name is Jenelle and I have acquired a cat whom I have named Saul. He lived with my brother and his fiance and they basically threw him outside 2 years a go and recently told me that he was dying. They said he has diabetes and an abscess in his mouth and is probably in kidney failure. She was about to have him put to sleep (which she said she could do with an overdose on Xanax! What?!)

I am the animal lover of the family and with my Mom's help, we are working on "Operation Save Saul." I took him last Friday after convincing them to give him to me and he's now at the vet getting stabilized with his first dose of insulin. He can't have surgery yet on his abscessed teeth so that will wait. It was confirmed that he's diabetic with readings in the 400's, has a bunch of rotting teeth but his organs are healthy. He can live a long healthy life with some work.

So this is my first diabetic animal and I'm enjoyed reading all the info on this board, though I have much more to learn. I just ordered a home test from Walgreens thanks to the link provided.

I was a little sticker shocked at the price of his insulin with is 150.00 a bottle. The receptionist said it will last a few months probably but we'll have to see how many units he needs. He's already tapped my resources (though my tax refund coming will cover his teeth issues) so the at home glucose test info has been a Godsend.

Thanks for listening, everyone and I hope to get to know you all soon and learn from the wealth of information available here from all of you.
 
 

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Jenelle,
Bless you and your Mom for taking on Operation Save Saul. You're awesome people!
Is he able to eat okay with the teeth issues? You've read about feeding only low-carb canned foods? Great that you have ordered a test kit, and when you get it, if you need any help, we can take you step by step through the process.

Which insulin did the vet prescribe?

You are right, he can live a long healthy life, and diabetes is certainly a manageable condition. I think I'd have to slap my brother in your shoes. I hope he realizes you just saved his (former) cat's life.

Carl
 
Hi Jennelle!
You are an angel! Saul is lucky to have you. I am new on here and was just recently born into this new world of diabetes!! You'll find lots of great information and people on this site!

Good luck!
Nancy
 
Hi and welcome.

It's great that you are taking this cat in and taking over his care.

What kind of insulin are you using?

If you are using Lantus or Levimer, it is more cost effective to purchase the pens rather than a vial. While the initial outlay may be a bit more expensive, you will get longer use out of the pens and if it goes bad, you haven't wasted an entire vial of insulin.

Remember to keep the insulin in the fridge as that will increase the viability of the insulin.

There are coupons for Lantus $25 off, in the supply closet forum that may be useful to you.

I found that if you shop around and call local pharmacies, you may find it cheaper. For me Costco was the cheapest priced and if you are a member, there is an added discount.


What is the dose and frequency you will be following?
We recommend the start low and go slow approach. Meaning, starting at 1 unit or less twice a day (BID) and with home testing helping you, slowly adjust the dose as needed by 0.25 or 0.50 units at a time.

What meter did you purchase?
If it has TRU in the name, it's not a reliable meter and instead you are better off getting an inexpensive meter from Walmart - the Relion brand is good, inexpensive with reasonably priced test strips.

You mentioned the cat is at the vet getting stabilized. Unless the cat in DKA or hypo, staying at the vet to get stabilized or regulated is not going to help. It takes more than a few days, week and home is the best place for the cat. As vet stress and such only raise the BG levels.

The teeth problem as well as any other issue can play into the diabetes factor and it is best to get those problems resolved in order to have the best chance of going into remission.

There are three key factors to managing diabetes: food/nutrition, home testing and insulin

1) Feline Nutrition: Now, as far as diet - definitely dump the dry food (if you are feeding any) and if the vet recommends purchasing prescription food like DM just say "no thank you". ALL cats, and especially those with diabetes, do best on a species appropriate diet that is high in protein and low in carbs. Dry food DOES NOT fit that bill and DM food, even canned, just really isn't that great as far as quality. Most here on FDMB feed low carb/high protein canned, raw bought from a pet store or they make there own.

Here great links, one is to a food chart put together by one of our board members that breaks down the carb % and protein % of most of the commercial brand foods. You want to keep the carb % below 10% and around 7% is great. The other link is to a site by a vet "Dr. Lisa DVM" ... who also posts on this board from time to time ... there is in-depth info. there about many things, including nutrition and how to make raw food.
Nutrition/food info

The good thing with feeding your diabetic cat this way, is that it is ALSO good for any non-diabetic cat too. All your cats can safely eat the same food without worry and it may save you some costs and headaches of having to do separate feedings and keeping track of what they are eating.


2. Home testing: It is impossible to convey the value of testing your cat's BG (blood glucose) level at home. Some vets will "suggest" this, but most won't even mention it. They will send you home with insulin and an amount to shoot and maybe some instructions about hypoglycemia (blood sugar dropping to a dangerously low level).

Well, the thing is, human diabetics don't EVER give themselves insulin without checking there BG to make sure it is safe to do so, so why shouldn't it be the same for our kitties. Here on FDMB it is. You will notice that the vast majority of people here test their cat's BG at least 2x/day (before giving each shot to make sure the level is safe enough) and periodically at other times to see how the cat is responding to the current dose. We use a human glucometer, test strips and lancets - which are all very readily available and easy to use.

Our kitties get lots of love and treats for "putting up" with this and most of them actually come out to be tested on their own 'cause they want those treats . Here is a collection of great links that "Carolyn and Spot" pulled together about hometesting. See what you think ... it truly is the best way to not only keep Your cat safe but also really get a handle on this disease and help him to live a healthy life with FD (feline diabetes).

Home testing Links

3. Insulin: There are several types of insulin available. Many people, myself included use Lantus or Levimer both of which are great insulins. They are gentle insulin and given twice (BID) per day in 12 hour increments. Or you could also choose PZI or the new version called Prozinc.

Please read up on the insulins available, here is a link to the Insulin Support Groups:

Insulin Support Groups

However, one caveat and again this shows how these three things are inter-related:

If you are feeding dry food or even a high carb food, BEFORE removing these foods, please make sure of your insulin dose as it will most likely need to be reduced, so as to avoid a possible hypoglycemic situation due to the removal of the dry/high carb foods that will lower the BG’s and reduce the amount of insulin required. Again, another reason why home testing is important.

Let us know how else we can help.
 
Wow Hillary, thank you very much for all this great info. I am glad you addressed the prescription food and it's funny because the vet was pressing it so hard yesterday and today he tells me after seeing for himself the lower reading that I should keep with the Merrick!

I'll check on the glucometer I bought because even if we're not giving insulin I will be checking him regularly to make sure it doesn't spike again. I know how incredibly fortunate it would be if he was okay without insulin and realize it may not go this way but I'm hopeful. I never did find out what kid of insulin they had planned to give but will definitely update if we do end up that route along with the amounts and frequency.

I want him on the very best canned food available so I will check out the link posted about food and see how the Merrick BG compares.

Again, thank you and thanks everyone for your support!
 
Oops I must not have submitted one post .

I just spoke to the vet to find out what kind of insulin he would be on and the vet said his first two tests this morning are in the 200's. Still diabetic, but if they don't spike this afternoon he wants me to keep him on the Merrick food and hold off on the insulin!
 
Hi Jenelle! Saul is a beautiful boy and I am so happy you have taken on the challenge to save him. I too was shocked at the price of the Lantus, but like Hillary said, it is cheaper if you shop around (especially Sam's Club in my particular area). If you keep the Lantus refrigerated, it can last up to 6 months (though some people do not get that long out of a vial). Saving Saul may be challenging at first, but you will be repaid in gratitude many times over. As you proceed, just post any questions, comments, frustrations (or successes) to this board and, almost like MAGIC, a bunch of warm caring knowledgeable people will jump in (seemingly out of nowhere) to help -- no charge! This is an amazing group and I am so fortunate to have found them. I have been here about a month myself. Welcome Janelle! You are doing a wonderful thing!
 
Awwww...Saul, you're just BOOTIFUL! You iz loved again! Makes my heart sing!!!

Welcome Janelle and extra sweet Saul AND your mother too!!!! THANK YOU!!!
 
I just wanted to edit my previous post regarding the TRU meter. In my personal experience with this meter, (and I purchased two of them), I got very unusual readings, even when I tested myself. I couldn't make heads or tails out of the readings, and was given some very good advice which was to stop using the TRU meter and to continue using the One Touch that I also purchased.

So, while the TRU meter is being promoted, personally I am not a fan and unless the manufacturer fixed the issues, I will continue to say it is not a good meter.

I apologize for any confusion or upset this may bring, but this is my experience and if you look at Maui's SS, you will see what I am referring to.

As you already ordered this meter, I suggest you try it and maybe compare it with another meter to see if you get good readings on it. And if not, then you may want to return it and use an alternate meter.
 
Hi Jenelle and Saul.

You and your mom are Saul's angels. I'm very new here as well but can say with some authority that these are the most amazing folk on the net. You are exactly where you need to be right now.

Saul is beautiful!!!!
Shai
 
I just also wanted to say thank you to you and your mom!! You'll find a ton of information on this board to get saul back to feeling awesome and we can't wait to take this journey with you guys and watch it happen!
 
Hello, Jenelle!

Welcome! You and your mom are awesome! Just a quick note, if you ordered your meter plus strips and have not received them, as yet, the only sure way to get your money back is to refuse to accept the entire parcel. Do not open it. I believe, it's a federal law that items connected to possible contamination by blood cannot be returned. Members of this board have had multiple problems with meters and/or strips with True or Free in the brand names. Even if the problems have been corrected (don't know this is so) you'd never know if any of your future purchases of the same brand were good or not. All my best, Sophie
 
Thaks for that info, Sophie. After reading about the Tru test I'd bought I ordered the ReliOn test instead and will return the other one unopened.

The vet said Saul is ready to come home and for right now, he does not need insulin! He still has high numbers the first one was 240, it went up to 296 and back to 275 so if they don't continue to go down, or go up then we will reassess.

So the vet said pretty much just keep him on Merrick and keep testing him and he should be ready for surgery in the next few weeks too. He can't go under until he's stabilized and he has abscessed teeth that also need removed.

This is truly a wonderful community and I'm very glad I found you all!
 
I'm glad Saul is ready to come home! Right now, the numbers your vet is giving are still diabetic numbers .. anything over 200 can cause renal problems .. average for a non diabetic, or a diet controlled diabetic is anywhere from 40-120, most of the time testing in the double digits .. But it will be good to test saul at home, where he's probably much less stressed!
 
Yeah I'll monitor over the next two weeks if they don't go down to normal we will probably get him on insulin but the vet was so encouraged by the drop in just 5 days that we'll see if diet change alone can do it. I am being realistic that it likely won't, but hopeful it will.
 
Welcome Jenelle! It sounds like you have a very good vet and that you are doing everything you can to help Saul. What an angel you are! Thank you for giving me continued renewed hope that there are good hearted people out there in the world.
He looks like a handsome boy and I am betting the love you give him will come back to you 100-fold. Keeping him diet controlled would be awesome, I hope it goes that way for you right from the start!
I am new at this too, as of May. It can be challenging, but it sounds like you have a good head start!
I wish you all the best!
Jill :-)
 
JenJee said:
Yeah I'll monitor over the next two weeks if they don't go down to normal we will probably get him on insulin but the vet was so encouraged by the drop in just 5 days that we'll see if diet change alone can do it. I am being realistic that it likely won't, but hopeful it will.
Click to expand...

And since Saul is coming home- the higher #'s might be the stress of being at the vet with all those other animals and the sounds of the dogs! Here's hoping they will come down!

And PetSmart is saying it is canned food month for pets so they have the higher priced ones $.15-.20 cents cheaper per can if you stay that route :-D .
 
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