Newly diagnosed in Alaska

[AlaskaKittyMom]

Hello to all,
My 15 year old cat, Meco, was just diagnoses with diabetes. Unfortunately by the time he was diagnoses, he was very ill with a glucose level of 680. He also had an infection and some liver issues. He is currently in the vet hospital on fluids and hanging on so far. The vet said his glucose level is now down to just under 300, so we have made some improvement overnight. He is not wanting to eat, so I spent some time here at the vet hospital "convincing" him to eat by putting each bite into his mouth one at at time until he ate it. (I don't think he was impressed)
I am a registered nurse, so I am familiar with diabetes, but I am new to having a cat with diabetes. I am an experienced "cat mom" but fortunately none of my fur babies have ever gotten diabetes before. My biggest concern is how I am going to care for Meco once he comes home with 8 other non-diabetic cats in the same household. Just wondering if anyone else has dealt with this and what suggestions they might have. I have given plenty of insulin injections to humans, so I figure it can't be that more difficult to give to a cat, right? (or am a seriously misleading myself?). Meco is naturally very easy going Garfield kind of cat. A bit overweight and orange and white. He is still pretty ill, but I just can't give up on him. I know I am going to have one serious vet bill, but I am just kicking myself for not recognizing the signs sooner. It didn't even dawn on me until the day he was really looking ill and he just kept drinking and drinking and drinking and then my nursing education slapped me in the face! My poor baby. I just feel so bad that he is so sick now. My kitties are my babies. All of my cats are rescues and they deserve a good life.
I wish I didn't have to find this site, but I'm glad to find the information I will need. Thanks for any suggestions. Tamera and Meco (and Mizzy, Ebony, Cocoa Puff, Critter, Casper, JoJo, Jayde and George)

 

[Jen & Squeak]

hi there and welcome! what part of Alaska are you in? My parents met there.... we used to have a member or two from those parts, as well as one across in Yukon, but we haven't seen any of them for ages.

Don't beat yourself up for missing the symptoms...many people do, even health professionals, and cats are good at hiding things

Liver values are usually out of whack when diagnosed, so that isn't a huge issue as long as he's eating. If he doesn't start eating very soon though, he's at risk for hepatic lipidosis as well as diabetic ketoacidosis, both of which are ketones which you do NOT want. So an appetite stimulant might be very helpful as would be syringe feeding which I've had two do for two different illnesses with Squeak and had to do once with my non diabetic. infection also increases the risk for ketones, so that must be treated and NOT with an antibiotic called covenia. Is the infection from mouth issues, UTI or ????

Diabetes is a relatively easy disease to treat once the cat is stabilized, and your background will help tons. The vast majority of us test blood glucose levels at home with human glucometers, most use either lantus or PZI or levemir as these are longer lasting in cats (twice a day shots), and a diet low in carbs and moderate in protein and high in moisture is very much advocated.

Let us know how else we can help, and please, read the fdmb faq which is sticked up a bit above your post

Jen

 

[Sue and Oliver (GA)]

Welcome Tamara and kitties,

It sounds like Meco has DKA? It is a dangerous situation and the hospital is the very best place for him. Many cats here have survived and thrived after DKA. If you add that to your subject line, others who have experience with it can help.

Meanwhile, you can get his treatment plan ready for home. We have a protocol that has been very successful: wet lo carb food, a mild long lasting insulin like Lantus, Levemir or ProZinc and home testing. Info about all those things are on this site.

Do lots of reading and ask questions. We would love to help you help your Meco.

 

[MommaOfMuse]

Welcome to the family.

I think I might be able to answer that question on how do you care for a diabetic in a large furry family of non-diabetics...Pretty easily actually, takes a little more time each morning and evening to test and give insulin to the diabetic and getting everyone to agree to the new diet but after that Meco will still be Meco he is just extra sweet now.

I personally have 13 cats two of which are diabetics. Everyone here eats what the two diabetics eat just regular Friskies pate style canned cat food. On just ditching the dry food, and putting everyone on a low carb high protein diet and testing BGs at home and a short course of insulin Maxwell (my first adopted diabetic) went into remission and just celebrated one year insulin free. And you can't believe how well my non-diabetics have been with the diet change as well..My guy with food allergies had those disappear, and the others are sleek shiney and oh so soft to the touch now. Those that needed to gain weight did, those that need to loose a few pounds did so effortlessly, and everyone are just much healthier and happier cats.

I recently adopted my second diabetic Musette and she is also on the same diet as everyone, for now she is still insulin dependent, but caring for her only adds about 20 minutes to my day...Just like in humans diet plays a huge rule in managing this disease, so if you can convince everyone to eat canned food (My bunch thought they hit the jackpot when they started getting nothing but canned) caring for a diabetic is no harder than caring for any cat, except you have to monitor their bloodsugar and give insulin and occassionally test for ketones. Otherwise they still eat like cats, use the litter box like any other cat, snuggle, purr and play like a normal everyday cat.

Mel, Maxwell, Musette & The Fur Gang