WileyWonderCat
Member Since 2013
I am really glad I found this board -it's already helped me so much through my initial emotional crisis. My name is Jenny and my cat Wiley (neutered male/11 yrs/black DSH) was just diagnosed with diabetes last week (9/18/13). I am feeling very guilty about it because I think his diabetes is the result of a steroid shot that he had at the beginning of August. Wiley suffers from pretty terrible skin allergies. I have not been able to determine the source of the allergies unfortunately, so the vet prescribed a depo shot (methylprednisolone). This is the second time that he has had the shot - his first one was last year and he did just fine. But this time, I knew immediately that something was wrong. He had severe side effects from the steroid, including classic diabetes symptoms (severe thirst, urination, hunger, and he was very lethargic). I took him to my vet a few times over the past month to do blood and urine tests, all of which showed elevated glucose. The vet wanted to wait until the steroid "ran its course" for about 30 days before he made an official DM diagnosis, as I guess the steroid can both mimic diabetes symptoms and/or actually cause diabetes. Unfortunately for us, the "symptoms" have not gone away. I never knew that steroids could do this - I am so sad and feel like I made a terrible decision to approve the steroids (even though they do halt the allergies).
Wiley started on Lantus on Monday (1 unit twice a day). I think I've been ok about giving the insulin...though sometimes I think it might be a "fur" shot. I have managed to give him the injection when he eats, as this is one of the only times that he isn't hiding from me right now. He's not trusting me anymore since I took him to the vet so many times over the past month. He eats and then immediately hides under the bed all day. I realize that I need to monitor him...it is very difficult for me since I work a lot. Unfortunately, my boss is not a "pet person" so doesn't really understand my need to take time off or work from home. This is pretty distressing for me.
I want to start home monitoring as much as I can - at least in the evenings and weekends. I plan to purchase a glucometer and other supplies in the next day or so. Regarding his food, I have never really had him on a high carb diet. He primarily has been eating Wellness brand (pate style) wet food with a smidgen of Royal Canin Urinary SO canned food mixed in. He had urinary infections and crystals a few years ago and I've always been afraid that if I take him off the urinary food completely, those issues might come back. I allow him to free feed on dry food but typically he ignores dry food and I end up throwing it away... so in terms of diet, I don't think I need to change much. The vet gave me Hills M/D but when I reviewed the content on this forum, its higher in carbs than the Wellness. So I'm at a loss as to whether I should even really switch him.
I'm blabbering on, but am hoping for some advice on the following:
1) How critical is it that the insulin injections are exactly 12 hours apart? Can they be within 1-2 hours give or take (e.g., 8am and 10pm)?
2) Should I take him off the Urinary wet food altogether? I found mixed results when trying to find the carb % for that food. One source said 21% and another said 4%. What?! Obviously there is an error somewhere. I wouldn't worry about it if it really is 4%.
3) Have other members dealt with diabetes and allergies? I am at a loss now for how to treat him for allergies. Poor guy can't catch a break. His allergies were gone until the past few days and now he is starting to itch and bite himself again. :sad:
I look forward to reading all of the posts and I am sure I will be back with frantic questions about home monitoring. I can barely give him an injection - not sure how I am going to manage to lancet his poor ear!
Wiley started on Lantus on Monday (1 unit twice a day). I think I've been ok about giving the insulin...though sometimes I think it might be a "fur" shot. I have managed to give him the injection when he eats, as this is one of the only times that he isn't hiding from me right now. He's not trusting me anymore since I took him to the vet so many times over the past month. He eats and then immediately hides under the bed all day. I realize that I need to monitor him...it is very difficult for me since I work a lot. Unfortunately, my boss is not a "pet person" so doesn't really understand my need to take time off or work from home. This is pretty distressing for me.
I want to start home monitoring as much as I can - at least in the evenings and weekends. I plan to purchase a glucometer and other supplies in the next day or so. Regarding his food, I have never really had him on a high carb diet. He primarily has been eating Wellness brand (pate style) wet food with a smidgen of Royal Canin Urinary SO canned food mixed in. He had urinary infections and crystals a few years ago and I've always been afraid that if I take him off the urinary food completely, those issues might come back. I allow him to free feed on dry food but typically he ignores dry food and I end up throwing it away... so in terms of diet, I don't think I need to change much. The vet gave me Hills M/D but when I reviewed the content on this forum, its higher in carbs than the Wellness. So I'm at a loss as to whether I should even really switch him.
I'm blabbering on, but am hoping for some advice on the following:
1) How critical is it that the insulin injections are exactly 12 hours apart? Can they be within 1-2 hours give or take (e.g., 8am and 10pm)?
2) Should I take him off the Urinary wet food altogether? I found mixed results when trying to find the carb % for that food. One source said 21% and another said 4%. What?! Obviously there is an error somewhere. I wouldn't worry about it if it really is 4%.
3) Have other members dealt with diabetes and allergies? I am at a loss now for how to treat him for allergies. Poor guy can't catch a break. His allergies were gone until the past few days and now he is starting to itch and bite himself again. :sad:
I look forward to reading all of the posts and I am sure I will be back with frantic questions about home monitoring. I can barely give him an injection - not sure how I am going to manage to lancet his poor ear!
