New thread started for Ronald Divito

[Jill & Alex (GA)]

Copied PM and started a new thread for Ronald Divito. I'll send him the link.

Hi, I'm not sure how this works but here goes. Single guy here - two cats (both around 11 years old). One recently brought in for something else (sneezing) and blood work showed high sugar (glucose?) level over 500 (510). Vet (new to me) was 'alarming' telling me that I need to get her in to start insulin to regulate her, etc. Between that and the sneezing and zooming ahead in my mind I thought that putting her down would be the way to go (the thought of two injections/day, traveling, having another cat, testing levels just put me over the edge). I walked around in tears the past two days trying to figure out what to do (thinking that I was going to spend a few more days with her and then put her down tomorrow). Then I started doing research, and though I still don't know what to do, I am posting on this site for some help. Can this be treated with diet alone? (or at least until there are more signs that she is not doing well?) Is that cruel? I don't see anything different in her other than she drinks a lot and pees a lot in the litter box. She is curled up on the couch right now with her sister and the whole thing is just confusing to me. Any thoughts? Of course I'm afraid of being 'judged' -- but -- whatever...I just want different ideas/thoughts if anyone has any (and sorry I don't know how to use this FDMB and randomly chose some names from the list.

 

[FurBabiesMama]

Welcome @Ronald Divito. I think all of us are upset and overwhelmed when we get the diagnosis. If your cat is drinking and peeing a lot, you are already seeing the symptoms. The next thing to happen, if it has not already, will be weight loss though she will be starving and wanting to eat excessively. They definitely do not feel well when their glucose runs high for a long period of time, and it can start to affect other things, like the kidneys. So, it is not something you want to just ignore, but it is very treatable and does not have to be a 'death sentence'.

For some cats, changing to a very low-carb, high-protein wet food diet is enough to bring their glucose down, but that is not enough for many. You could certainly make the food change first and see how that goes. If that is not enough, would you be willing to at least try giving insulin? It becomes routine fairly quickly, and there are people here who have just about every situation you can think of, so there would be lots of support and advice for handling whatever may come up for you. Home testing seems very daunting at first.. it definitely did to me.. but it also becomes routine and is not nearly as bad as you think going in. That is also something people here can help you with.

If you want to try, we can help.

 

[Veronica & Babu-chiri]

Welcome @Ronald Divito, learning about this can be overwhelming and terrybly scary, especially if is only you who takes care of your cats, and if on top of that you have a full time job I know you probably had a panic attack ( at least I did), but it is manageable, you'll get a routine established and it won't be so bad really and it can be done

A diabetic cat can leave an almost normal long life with just some adjustments like the type of food he gets, and you can actually feed both your cats the same food it will also benefit the non diabetic so that you don't have to give them different food separate them or anything.

With only one test is hard to say right now how bad he really is, but with a result over 500 he'll probably need insulin on top of changing his food, but some cats do become just food regulated after a while even if at the beginning they did needed insulin ( my cat Babu- Chiri is proof of that ), no way of knowing so no promises there but is a real possibility.

Event if he does needs the insulin, the testing and shooting will only take a few minutes ,once you get the hang of it , I won't lie the first few times is complicated but is just a matter of practice.


So as they said we can help you if you are willing to at least give it a try

 

[jayla-n-Drevon]

you have great advice so I am just cheering you on so you don't feel overwhelmed....

 

[Idjit's mom]

Please re-read the previous posts. Idjit was just diagnosed 4/3, not very long ago. I had a panic attack, did research and discovered this board, and learned so much, actually more informative than the vet. Changing the diet is so important, and help getting your kitty feeling better is right here. I did not think 2 old seniors would be able to manage, but with the information, support and advice of these fine people, we have managed to test, give insulin injections and help our fourfoot. You learn, practice, become much less overwhelmed, and find hope and solutions. Hugs!