Once regulated, do they ever get back to 'normal'?

[Jen and Alfie]

Warning, vent alert!...

Since being diagnosed around 5 weeks ago, poor Alfie has been like a different cat.

He used to spend most of his day asleep on our bed or on the sofa, loved to play and would jump on our laps in the evening to puddle us with his paws. On rare occasions, (usually when I was out!), he'd even curl up on my husband's lap for a snooze (he's not a lap cat!).

Since being diagnosed, he doesn't really go upstairs and can usually be found either under the dining table or on it, or hanging out on the kitchen windowsill, which he's never done! He doesn't seem to sleep in the day at all anymore.

I don't know if it's the constant poking for blood tests, the change in diet or just his illness in general that's making him like this? Maybe he just doesn't want to go too far from his food bowl as he's so hungry all the time?

My husband said earlier today 'it's like we've been given a totally different cat... a rubbish one!'

We're both really missing our furry boy. Can anyone give me any hope that the old Alfie we know and love might come back eventually once he's feeling better? When he's having a good cycle he seems brighter and less miserable, but he's a long way from being himself.

 

[Shiloh & Rhonda (GA)]

Oh yes @Jen and Alfie , they do return to their "old" self, once they are regulated. My Shiloh has been diet controlled for almost two years, and it is like that four month period never happened. But you can't let your guard down. Once diabetic, even though regulated, or diet controlled, they are always diabetic, just in remission.

 

[Kris & Teasel]

First, I love that blue on your SS! Second, you don't have a "rubbish" cat, but an unregulated diabetic cat. I encourage you to adopt the mind set that this is indeed a marathon, not a sprint. Five weeks is a very short time in the process of regulating a cat. I've been at it 18 months and am just now seeing better numbers. Mind you, Teasel is a very difficult cat. Many become regulated long before this. Some become regulated but never achieve remission so you have to be prepared for that too.

 

[Jen and Alfie]

Thank you both. I know it's still very early days. He just seems so very sad most of the time, it's hard to watch.

I'm not aiming for remission, I accept that regulated is probably the best we can hope for, I just don't want to watch his quality of life deteriorate any further. He used to be such a relaxed and happy cat; how he is now doesn't seem fair on him.

But, the odd blue is a real sign of hope, so I'll keep persevering as long as he does

 

[Shiloh & Rhonda (GA)]

As Kris said, it is very early in the process. I understand the sad and hard to watch. I never hesitated at first about treating Shiloh, but there were times that I wondered if I was doing the right thing. I did. And so are you. And I never aimed for remission either, but Shiloh was determined. LOL. It is perfectly normal for you to worry about his quality of life, and none of us can really advise you about that, as we don't know Alfie, AND every cat is different. Just give him some time. And yourself! Hugs and deep breaths.

 

[Squeaky and KT (GA)]

He really will return to 'normal'. One day you'll realize 'Hey, there's my kitty'! One day he'll suddenly appear on hubby's lap. One day he'll be back in the middle of the floor with you having to step over him. It just takes time. Life will always be just a little 'different' due to diabetes but 'different' isn't less!

HUGS!!!

 

[Jan Radar (GA)]

In the early days of diabetes at our house, we were also very sad about how poorly our little furry friend felt. He was skinny with every bone protruding from his spine, his coat was in poor condition and he was simply not interested in playing with his favorite feather toy or even sitting in our laps. It took about 2 months of insulin therapy to see the weight start returning and a glimmer of hope in his eyes that he was feeling better on some days. About 12 weeks into his treatment plan was the day he begged us to get out his feather toy. It was a memorable turning point for us all. Hang in there and know that the sugar dance is a marathon. These are for you

 

[Yong & Maury GA]

With exception of last week, around Month 4 is when I started seeing the "old" Maury. He wasn't regulated by any means but he had less red and black numbers. I remember wanting to cry myself to sleep because my boy couldn't come up the stairs and if I brought him up, he'd have to get back down by himself. My 18lb cat was down to 10lbs too It is difficult to see our babies not feeling well but you're doing all the right things!