New Mom to Diabetic Cat

[tabascocat2]

So, my Mom passed away recently, and I took in her 13-year-old cat. He is FINE outwardly. He was diagnosed with diabetes about a year ago, but was never treated, because my Mom couldn't possibly do it (he is very very big), and we couldn't go there every day or cart him around from her home. Other than some neuropathy in his back end (walking on his hocks), he has had no symptoms that I can decipher. That symptom came and went over the past year, when he lived with my Mom. Now that I have him, he doesn't have that symptom, either. He eats, drinks, pees, and poops normally. He does not vomit, he plays, he is shiny and sleek, happy as a clam. I have a 5 lb cat with kidney failure, and she drinks and pees a good third more than he does!

Had him retested, and he is still diabetic. Still asymptomatic. I am trying to work with his "cure", but he is not really MY cat, you know? He and I have a good relationship, but not the long-time trust that I have with my existing cat of 17 years. He is catching on to the two injections every day, the visits to the vet in he carrier, etc. He is hiding from me, and now that he is being treated, he is very unhappy. It is costing a lot of money--already over $1000. The only thing he really likes about the whole thing is the food, which he loves, much better than the food he was used to eating--Nature's Balance--which he has completely abandoned in favor of the diabetes prescription diet.

Right now, he is at the vet for a few days so they can monitor his glucose--the other option was for me to get him and and out of the carrier every day this week, carting him back and forth while trying to get to and from work every day. That was not going to work, but the cost of keeping him there is exorbitant. And the vet then wants me to take him there once a week for an unspecified period of time.

It won't be long before he will not come near me at all. He is far too big for me to manage if he becomes really uncooperative--he would completely fill the seat of the average lawn chair. Does that provide a visual? He is not quite bob cat size, but close. He is about the size of a small beagle and very fat, too, on top of that.

I'm not sure this is manageable, and I feel badly, but also completely overwhelmed. It is not making a lot of sense to me, to go through all of this. Any ideas?

 

[Phoebe_TiggyGA_NortonGA]

Welcome to FDMB -

the treatment of diabetes gets easier with practice - and if you learn to test your kitty's blood sugar at home -- no more weekly trips to the vets office.

Most vets don't discuss or recommend testing at home -- they don't want treatment to feel like a burden and cause pet owners to put healthy cats to sleep. Can you imagine if we put diabetic humans to sleep? yikes!

Read the "sticky" posts at the top of the forum list -- there is a ton of information and video clips on how to test at home. Most of us test before every shot to make sure it is "safe" to give the insulin. Humans do it - why shouldn't we do this for our cats?

We use a human glucometer -- choosing one that takes a tiny amount of blood with "sipping action strips" and affordable test strips. (the meters are nearly free - and the test strips cost anywhere from .20 to 1.20 per test. There is a link for a Newbie Kit which includes a meter and some stuff to help you get started -- many of the members here donate to the Newbie Kits to help out people like you who come here seeking information and help.

There are good foods that are not prescription -- most here feed the grain-free flavors of Fancy Feast. Janet & Binky's Food Charts list carbohydrate content for many foods -- we recommend low carb - below 10%. The list is very long -- so check both "old" and "new" canned food lists to find flavors / brands.

Hang in there -- come back here and post questions -- this is a world-wide group, so someone is usually online.

Edited to add --- with such an extremely large cat -- you may want to read about Acromegaly. This is a condition that causes insulin resistance and thus diabetes but not in the traditional sense -- the kitty has a functioning pancreas. My first diabetic cat, Norton, had acromegaly (excess growth hormone that can cause gigantism)

 

[Just-As-Appy]

Oh my goodness - good for you for taking in your moms cat. It definitely does not have to be this expensive! There are a few key things that will help immensely. First, a lo carb diet will help both his weight and his blood glucose. There is a great list compiled by a member of this board that lists many of the cat foods available and their nutrient content. Look in the FAQ for new members. If you aim for a carb content between 6 and 10 you'll find many options.

Second, rather than carting him to and from the vets for blood testing, you can test at home. This will not only tell you that it is safe to give insulin, but it will tell you when his dose needs to be adjusted. And the best part - it will save you many dollars.

And third, depending on the type of insulin you are using, join one of the specific insulin suppost groups on this forum. There are several experts in each group who can help you if you have questions about his dose, glucose level, food, weight, other symptoms, and many other questions that come up.

Although it might seem odd to seek suggestions or advice from anonymous people on the internet, everyone on this board has (or has had) at least one diabetic cat. Yes, there are some on here with several diabetic cats. In fact, a few members actually adopt cats specifically because they are diabetic! If it were hard to manage a diabetic, you can be sure that they wouldn't be out looking for more of these cats!

Others will b along soon to ask questions about brand of food and type of insulin as well as dose. If you have qustions, post away and there wil be someone who can answer it.

 

[Kathyh]

Bless you for taking in this "sweet" kitty. You can almost eliminate vet expenses by consulting this list - lots of good information and people anxious to help.
I don't think most vets have any idea how high in carbs their Prescription diets are. There are many far less expensive alternatives in canned wet food - fancy feast; friskies; special kitty.....
My girl was only on insulin for a month, change in diet did wonders.
HUGS!!
Take a breath, you've certainly had a rough time of it! Then request a newbie kit.

 

[Sue and Oliver (GA)]

How wonderful of you to rescue your Mom's kitty. Hopefully in the process of treating his diabetes, the two of you will become more bonded. Surprisingly, that is often the case with FD cats and their caregivers; the kitties realize we are helping and they are feeling better.

As others have said, there are many ways to make this more economical. Testing him at home will save you lots of money and stress for him. Here is the link for the newbie kits: viewtopic.php?f=28&t=19541 Lori will send a meter, lancets, strips and other goodies for just the postage. Here is a video of how we test: Video for hometesting

We feed our cats over the counter food wet food, under 8-10% carbs that we can afford and that they will eat. A vet explains why wet food is best on this site: www.catinfo.org Here is a food list that helps you see the carbs in various foods: Janet and Binky’s chart

We will be happy to help you help your cat. Our protocol of wet food with insulin doses determined by hometesting has helped thousands of cats to regulation and remission. I hope you will let us help you.

 

[Just-As-Appy]

If you decide that you want to home test, or just want some hands-on help, you can post your nearest town and state/province and see if one of the experienced members is nearby to offer a visit. Its up to you, but some people find a visit to be reassuring and helpful. The details would be arranged by private message.

 

[Venita]

Hello TobascoCat!!

As others have said in other ways, hometesting is your first best tool for caring for this cat. Not only does homestesting significantly drop the cost of appropriately treating feline diabetes, it also can help you keep the cat safe from hypo and hyperglycemia. And it is better than testing at the vet, where the cat likely will be showing stress hyperglycemia.

What insulin is he on?

This cat appears to be Peake, which DCIN posted on the blog here. I am glad you have come here to ask questions about feline diabetes, treating Peake's diabetes, and deciding where you are emotionally with Peake.

 

[Byt2luv]

Hi Tobascocat,

When getting an unknown kitty it does take time to build up that trust in the relationship. I am a foster for a rescue organization and the kitties I try to help don't know me from Adam so I know exactly how you feel about your hesitation. It could just be that any hiding your kitty is doing right now is simply because he doesn't feel well and hasn't for a time, even though he may act normal. You will be amazed at how much easier things get once they start to feel better. When the insulin get regulated they will associate feeling good to being with you. My current foster I was told was very upset and grumpy for a good long time. Now she is the sweetest little girl ever and will actually rub up on the needle cap because she knows that makes her feel better. It is just a matter of pushing through to that point and to keep trying and eventually you will see how easy it can be. Can I also just say, thank you for taking in this little boy and getting him the care he needs. This makes you one very special person and I am sure that your mom is smiling down on you for taking him and trying to do what is best for him. I am not as experienced with diabetes as I am in handling untrusting or skittish kitties. You can always send me a message or ask on the board and I will help with what I can. You kitty has gone through a big change and is just unsure of where he is and is probably mourning... Thank you for doing all you can to make sure he is well taken care of.