new SugarBaby

[pixiistixx]

Hello everyone!

I just found out that my big ol man, Levi, has diabetes. We found out on Wed. I have given him a total of three shots, I wasn't able to pick them up until after work yesterday. We have a set schedule and we do feeding before his shots. Sadly, while I cannot be at home he seems to get really sluggish throughout the day. I had to move back home a year ago due to the ending of my relationship with my fiance. Luckily, I moved home with my grandmother and my mother. They are comfortable with feeding him throughout the day when he seems sluggy or hungry. He has been put on Hills M/D canned food and loves it. When I found out his level was 457...my vet and I were worried that if he was not going to eat he would need to be hospitalized. Luckily we (Levi and I) got home and he chowed down on the food! So this is good news! While we are just starting our journey, I know that we will both be able to adjust to our new life. He is also on antibiotics for a kidney infection poor boy! He will be 12 Sept 5th.

While I was at the vet, my doctor had asked me if I wanted to go ahead with the insulin injections. I was shocked that he was asking this and said "Well of course! He's like my child, why wouldn't I?" He explained to me that not everyone is willing to go through the injections and will just have their pet put to sleep. I was shocked and burst into tears. I couldn't imagine my life without him! He's been with me since I was 15 and we have gone through some horrible rough patches. He has stuck by me through all the horrible times, how couold I not return that level of love...it is unconditional and that means NO MATTER WHAT I will love him. I have a thyroid disorder so I'm used to having to do medication every day, now we just take ours together. Since he has had to go on a diet, I have joined him...me more willing than him I'm sure.

His step-brother is a bigger cat as well so I will be watching him to make sure he is healthy. Currently his weight is okay.

My vet has proved to be one of the best. He has the best manners and the softest way to break bad news to you. He kind of eases you into it, which is nice. I knew the second he brought in two papers it was something bad. He started by telling me that the pain he was feeling during the physical exam was that he has a kidney infection. As I have family members that were diabetic, I knew where this was going. I instantly burst into uncontrolable sobs. He offered me a tissue and waited till I gained my composure to continue. He proceeded to tell me about his blood sugar and that he was, 100% diabetic. A million thoughts ran through my mind, mainly how do I help him..if I can and will he live a happy long life like a normal cat? My vet told me that he can live a longer life although this can surely shorten their lives. He has answered every question I have had even when I have called more than three times in one day. I just had so many questions and I couldn't think of them all at once. I'm terrified that I did this to him or that I wont be able to help him have a long healthy life. He told me that's not the case and I shouldn't feel guilty. I love my vet very much, so happy I found him!

I'm scared and I still randomly burst into tears and start bawling....all I have to do is think about him and I start. Some of my friends are more understanding others, not so much. Levi has always been first in my life but now it's just a little different. We can do this. I love him with my whole heart.

 

[Sue and Oliver (GA)]

It's great that you like your vet. He sounds very compassionate. You have a beautiful kitty!

What insulin are you using? Dose?

We test our kitties at home so we can know before each shot that it is safe to give the dose we are planning on, and midcycle to find out how the insulin is working. (we figure we would test our 2 legged children before giving insulin so we do the same for our 4 legged ones.). The numbers from the vet can be less accurate than numbers at home. Stress raises glucose levels and cats are stressed at the vet.

 

[Carl & Polly & Bob (GA)]

Hi and welcome to the board!

It's awesome that you have a good relationship with your vet. That's very important, I think, and I think my vet is the best one in the world. :smile:

There's only one thing I've read that you said that I wanted to mention that I think you're vet has "wrong", and my vet did too. The Hill's M/D. It is "supposed" to be Hill's prescription diet for diabetic cats, so I can understand your vet pointing you in that direction. The problem is, as far as appropriate food for a diabetic cat, it isn't really good for them. My cat loved it too, but only for about 2 days, then he didn't want anything to do with it. I think it's because it is primarily liver, and who the heck wants to stick their nose in liver several times a day? :smile:
The real problem is that it contains too many carbohydrates for a diabetic cat. I think it's the lowest carb style that Hill's makes, but it's still what we would consider "medium carb" because it contains 14% calories from carbohydrates. The lower the percentage of calories from carbs the better for a diabetic cat. We advise less than 10%, and even better, keep it under 7%.

The good news? There's lots of low carb choices, and Levi will love at least some of them. Here's a link to some nutritional charts for canned food. We call this "Binky's List". You'll notice that many flavors of Friskees, Fancy Feast, Special Kitty and lots of other brands show a carb % well under 10%. And all will be cheaper per can than the Hill's M/D, and will have ingredients that are at least as good quality wise. You'll see all the Hill's products on one of the charts, so you can see how M/D stacks up against others.

http://binkyspage.tripod.com/canfood.html

Carl

 

[pixiistixx]

I will apologize for spelling/typing errors as I'm on my phone.

Thank you for the info! I would like to give him more of a varied taste selection! I really appreciate the info! I want the absolute best for all my fur babies(two cats and two dogs)!

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

Welcome to FDMB!

We often point out that this is the best place you never wanted to be. I suspect that for most of us, like yourself, the day you learned that your cat had diabetes did not rank as a peak moment. The good news is that like with humans, this is a manageable condition. Learning how to give shots and just as importantly, learning how to home test, will allow you to keep Levi safe and give you the tools to effectively manage his diabetes.

If your vet didn't instruct you on home testing, this is an easy skill to master. You do not need a glucose meter that's used for animals. A human meter works just fine! The house brand meter from Walmart, Relion, is the most economical of the meters available as are the strips you need for the meter.

If you haven't figured out the navigation of this board, in addition to Health, there are Insulin Support Groups (ISG) for the various types of insulin. The members of each board have expertise in how to use that particular insulin and can help to answer the questions you have about that insulin or dosing protocols/dose changes that are used. Here on Health, there is a wide range of expertise with more general topics (e.g., tips on home testing, setting up a spreadsheet for your test data, what to feed) as well as health-specific topics.

Carl provided you with Janet & Binky's food chart. One of the members here is in the process of compiling an additional list. Here's the link to Hobo's chart. Under 10% kcal from carbs is considered low carb, as Carl noted. Most of us use food that has about half of that amount of carbs.

 

[pixiistixx]

Ty for the info! I love the support here! The first day was tough but as I'm seeing him prove I'm feel better because I know he feels better. It really isn't that big of a deal, while at first step it does cost a bit of money but so I don't spend that on myself, really not that big of a deal!
Ty for the support! This is an amazing place!

 

[pixiistixx]

It's great that you like your vet. He sounds very compassionate. You have a beautiful kitty!

What insulin are you using? Dose?

We test our kitties at home so we can know before each shot that it is safe to give the dose we are planning on, and midcycle to find out how the insulin is working. (we figure we would test our 2 legged children before giving insulin so we do the same for our 4 legged ones.). The numbers from the vet can be less accurate than numbers at home. Stress raises glucose levels and cats are stressed at the vet.

The insulin that he is receiving is Lantus u-100 10ml. He receives 2 units twice a day. So far he's making amazing progress! I am happy to report he was "pawing" his favorite blanket. He has started to meow again in response to me talking to him and his coat looks better. Grooming has started again and purring is coming back to normal. Im very happy with the results as of now. I will be buying a tester and testing him at home. I just have to wait till I have money. I was lucky and found a full time job. I have been on unemployment since March!

 

[nwnews]

HI - welcome to the forum - as others have said this is the best place you never wanted to be. As your seeing it gets easier with time and some kitties love the treats they get after testing and shots - one person said her cat actually comes running when he hears the meter beep. Glad that you have found a job - I was unemployed for 13 months and my hubby 2 years - so I know how tough it is. I just wanted to mention that the cheapest meter & strips (the cost is in the strips) is the Relion Prime by walmart. I'm not a walmart fan but for this I'll shop there. The Relion Prime meter is $14.95 and the strips are $9.00 for a bottle of 50. Also their syringes are the least expensive (even beating Costco) at $13.00 for a box of 100. I bought my meter, 2 boxes of strips, and a box of syringes for $50. Do make sure that you dispose of the syringes responsibly - many places sells sharps containers and if returned at point of purchase dispose of the needles for free. I live in Oregon and my metro recycling has a program that for $5.00 you get a sharps container and when filled they dispose of the needles and give you another container for free. My cat was diagnosed diabetic at 18 years old and is still going at 19 1/2. Jan

 

[pixiistixx]

i'm truly grateful for all the information! this is a huge learning process and every little bit helps....i will be putting my non-sugarcat on a diet as well...he's larger than Levi....weighs less, but structure wise is larger. I feel that maybe if i'm proactive on their diets i can prevent him from becoming diabetic. I didn't realize how easy it was for them to become this way. i have also noticed, while doing research, that diabetes in animals is on the rise! it's horrible! i wish that there was something else that we could do! i think that more people need to be aware that this can happen to their pets. I have a lot of friends that were shocked to learn that cats and dogs can become diabetic! i knew that animals could but never really understood the symptoms. I have since posted something on fb to warn my friends with animals of the signs and how important it is to bring your cats (even if inside only as mine are) to the vet once a year for a check up! i wasn't doing this and feel that maybe i could have caught Levi's disease earlier than later.

 

[Tara & Buster]

Just wanted to welcome you, Pixxi! I am pretty new, so I don't give much advice, but I just wanted to share how wonderful these folks are and let you know you are definitely in the right place!! I have learned a ton in the last few months and I would be so lost without the support on this forum. Keep researching, keep posting and nevar give up on your kitty! :RAHCAT