Hi folks 
I'm thinking of adopting a 10 year old cat with diabetes. I'm a retired RN and have diabetes myself which is now controlled with oral medication. I've been reading a lot about feline diabetes. It scares me! I'm not sure that I'd be able to give Elroy, the shelter named him, the care that he needs. I don't want to take him in and then not be able to care for him and disrupt his life more than it already has been. There's just something "in" me that keeps pulling me to that shelter's page. I see that cat, week after week, month after month - and no one wants him. I love animals and it breaks my heart.
Cost is a huge factor, from what I've read. The vet, where I think he "lives" now, has offered to donate all of his medical care at no charge. The board of directors at the shelter has agreed to donate all of his needed insulin and syringes. Those things would be beyond my ability to pay for as I live on a pension, so I was very pleased to read of their generosity.
I'm widowed, my adult son and I live together on the first floor of a two family house. My daughter lives upstairs, separate apartment, with four cats. My son "adopted" a cat about 4 years ago, a stray in the neighborhood. He was someone's cat at some point in time because he's very friendly and has what I call good house manners. I'll never understand how people can do that to a pet - abandon them to fend for themselves on the streets. We found out that he's FIV positive. The vet said there's nothing we can do other than feed him good food and love him. We do both He gets vet checked regularly, more often than a normal cat, just to be sure he's doing ok. She warned us that if he bites another cat, he could spread the FIV to an unvaccinated cat. He's an inside cat now - too many dangers outside -- cars, fleas, diseases, feral cats etc.
"Hey" (weird name with a long story behind it) is the first cat that ever owned us lol. We have always had dogs as pets. Our knowledge of cats has come from reading and practical experience. I've never introduced a cat into a household with another cat. I've read about it though. It's another area of concern that I have.
I'm not sure that Elroy would take to me or my son. Do cats settle in after a while and then it seems like they've always been here?
I hope that I'm not writing too much! I'm just really in need of help, guidance, opinions - good or bad. The needs and happiness of Elroy are what's important here! Please, don't be afraid of writing negative things!
If there are any questions that anyone may have, I'd be glad to answer them!
I'm thinking of adopting a 10 year old cat with diabetes. I'm a retired RN and have diabetes myself which is now controlled with oral medication. I've been reading a lot about feline diabetes. It scares me! I'm not sure that I'd be able to give Elroy, the shelter named him, the care that he needs. I don't want to take him in and then not be able to care for him and disrupt his life more than it already has been. There's just something "in" me that keeps pulling me to that shelter's page. I see that cat, week after week, month after month - and no one wants him. I love animals and it breaks my heart.
Cost is a huge factor, from what I've read. The vet, where I think he "lives" now, has offered to donate all of his medical care at no charge. The board of directors at the shelter has agreed to donate all of his needed insulin and syringes. Those things would be beyond my ability to pay for as I live on a pension, so I was very pleased to read of their generosity.
I'm widowed, my adult son and I live together on the first floor of a two family house. My daughter lives upstairs, separate apartment, with four cats. My son "adopted" a cat about 4 years ago, a stray in the neighborhood. He was someone's cat at some point in time because he's very friendly and has what I call good house manners. I'll never understand how people can do that to a pet - abandon them to fend for themselves on the streets. We found out that he's FIV positive. The vet said there's nothing we can do other than feed him good food and love him. We do both
He gets vet checked regularly, more often than a normal cat, just to be sure he's doing ok. She warned us that if he bites another cat, he could spread the FIV to an unvaccinated cat. He's an inside cat now - too many dangers outside -- cars, fleas, diseases, feral cats etc."Hey" (weird name with a long story behind it) is the first cat that ever owned us lol. We have always had dogs as pets. Our knowledge of cats has come from reading and practical experience. I've never introduced a cat into a household with another cat. I've read about it though. It's another area of concern that I have.
I'm not sure that Elroy would take to me or my son. Do cats settle in after a while and then it seems like they've always been here?
I hope that I'm not writing too much! I'm just really in need of help, guidance, opinions - good or bad. The needs and happiness of Elroy are what's important here! Please, don't be afraid of writing negative things!
If there are any questions that anyone may have, I'd be glad to answer them!
) I have had 4 sugar kitties, two of which were adopted. 
