WickedSteppMom
Member
Hi all! I apologize in advance for the following novel: I've been reading this site (and several others) obsessively since my vet called me Tuesday morning to tell me that my Stinky-kitty has diabetes...his fasting # was 375. He's 12 & has been getting blood tested every 3 months for the last 9 months b/c his pancreatic enzyme was high. This time & the last time, it was lower, but he's been on Purina EN mixed with just a smidge of Friskies (or he won't eat it b/c it's SO bland!) I'm incredibly upset with myself b/c I KNEW something was wrong with him--I just...knew. I told my husband, I told the vet tech/vet at the visit 3 months ago that his personality had changed dramatically, his activity level had changed, and I commented to the vet tech that he had developed a HUGE dandruff problem (he's a black cat & it looks like he's been playing in the snow.) The vet tech told me to get some fish oil supplements. I had no idea until I read it here yesterday that dandruff could be a symptom of diabetes! There was one day this summer where I'm fairly certain he had a hypoglycemic episode...he came out of my bedroom & just laid down on the wood floor next to the bathroom door, wouldn't even try to make the rest of the way down the hall, wouldn't lift his head when I talked to him/petted him. I tried to call him for food, which usually brings him running & he just laid there...my 2 y/o son stomping around by him didn't even move him. I brought him some food (Friskies w/out the EN) & water, and called the vet, but b/c all I could tell them was "something's just not right..." they couldn't give me an appt until the next day, and he was doing much better by then.
I've looked at the food charts & am pleased to see that Friskies are fairly decent as far as feeding goes, though I may try switching to Special Kitty (if I can find them.) We have been doing 4 small meals/day & I'm wondering if this is going to be a problem when it comes to testing/feeding/shot? I will at the very least have to adjust the feeding schedule, as we've been doing roughly: 7a, 12p, 5p, 11p. They (I also have a non-diabetic kitty, Mo) also have a bowl of dry food that is left out all the time for free-feeding, but it gets 1/2 cup of food put in it at the 7a feeding & rarely is completely all eaten at 7a the next morning. Do I need to discontinue that altogether, or can I keep doing it as long as it's a high-protein/low carb/grain-free food like Wellness CORE or Innova Evo?
These may be totally unrelated, but Stinky vomits (big, horrible, trailing-through-the-house) any time he has something w/beef, so could it potentially be an issue if he's put on insulin that comes from beef? Or is that like comparing apples & oranges?
I go to see the vet tomorrow & she's going to show me how to do the shots, talk to me about the home monitoring (They suggest the AlphaTRAK) & she wants him on the special diabetic diet. I'm so thankful I found this site & can go in there tomorrow armed with the knowledge that I DON'T need the AlphaTrak or the special diet. I've printed out a bunch of the info I've found here & put it in a binder, have watched multiple videos on how to test & how to do shots. Luckily, I did IVF to have my daughter & give myself shots for my migraines, so I'm not afraid of needles, I just don't relish the thought of hurting my poor kitty...even if it is to make him feel better. I appreciate any & all advice and anything you think I should ask my vet tomorrow.
~Alyssa & Stinky
I've looked at the food charts & am pleased to see that Friskies are fairly decent as far as feeding goes, though I may try switching to Special Kitty (if I can find them.) We have been doing 4 small meals/day & I'm wondering if this is going to be a problem when it comes to testing/feeding/shot? I will at the very least have to adjust the feeding schedule, as we've been doing roughly: 7a, 12p, 5p, 11p. They (I also have a non-diabetic kitty, Mo) also have a bowl of dry food that is left out all the time for free-feeding, but it gets 1/2 cup of food put in it at the 7a feeding & rarely is completely all eaten at 7a the next morning. Do I need to discontinue that altogether, or can I keep doing it as long as it's a high-protein/low carb/grain-free food like Wellness CORE or Innova Evo?
These may be totally unrelated, but Stinky vomits (big, horrible, trailing-through-the-house) any time he has something w/beef, so could it potentially be an issue if he's put on insulin that comes from beef? Or is that like comparing apples & oranges?
I go to see the vet tomorrow & she's going to show me how to do the shots, talk to me about the home monitoring (They suggest the AlphaTRAK) & she wants him on the special diabetic diet. I'm so thankful I found this site & can go in there tomorrow armed with the knowledge that I DON'T need the AlphaTrak or the special diet. I've printed out a bunch of the info I've found here & put it in a binder, have watched multiple videos on how to test & how to do shots. Luckily, I did IVF to have my daughter & give myself shots for my migraines, so I'm not afraid of needles, I just don't relish the thought of hurting my poor kitty...even if it is to make him feel better. I appreciate any & all advice and anything you think I should ask my vet tomorrow.
~Alyssa & Stinky
I'm hoping that by going into the vet appointment very prepared tomorrow & w/printed info to back up my claims, the vet will understand why I don't want to do some of the things she's suggesting. She's really nice & seems to care a lot about my kitties, but no one cares about them more than I do.