Ready for Suicide

[lshaffer]

Okay, so toward the end of August my "little" 15-year-old boy Long John Silver got all these welts on his back end. He was scratching and licking all the skin off. He spent two months in a cone collar while we worked with the allergy vet going through the food test, which didn't work, and then doing the skin prick test, which came back with all sorts of allergies. We started him on shots every day while giving him TRIAMCINOLONE orally for the itching.

A couple weeks into the initial shots period, he started drinking TONS of water, and then one day he just couldn't get up on his feet. We took him to the regular vet who did blood and glucose tests and found that he was diabetic. This is apparently a common reaction in cats to Triamcinolone (so why do they prescribe it?). We were hoping that just halting the steroid would turn him around, and it looked like it was working...and then it wasn't. His initial sugar level was over 400. Then it went down to 350 and now it's over 400 again. So now, on top of the allergy shots we now have to start him on diabetic maintenance with MORE shots and pricking his little pads. I'm at my wits' end and don't want to torture him with shots all the time and pricking him, but I don't want to euthanize him either (believe me, that's been debated).

Diet is not a concern since he really likes the Purina DM food, so not concerned about that. My vet recommended the Alpha Trak 2 kit but reviews complain about how expensive it is.

I'm getting some good information from this forum about human products to use, but could always use more. I saw Freestyle as being a cheaper alternative to Alpha Trak. Does anyone know anything about the Freestyle system?

My one big question is: Do the cats get used to getting pricked all the time? My vet says they usually don't have a problem with it and get used to it pretty quickly. I don't want him to run from me and see me as the bringer of pain.

Also, I'm totally new to this so I don't know anything about meters and readings and such. What do I need to look for? What's a normal sugar level for cats? What do I need to be aware of?

I know....B-R-E-A-T-H-E.

Signed, Agitated in Atlanta

 

[Melanie and Smokey]

Welcome to the Forums. You will find a lot of great information here to see that diabetes is not that hard of a diagnosis to treat.

Could I ask you a favor and maybe edit that title? I know this is overwhelming, but suicide is a pretty hard word for many to swallow. I have a hard time when it is used in a joking manner.

Freestyle - not the most recommended meter. Its history is not good for cats though I have heard it has been improved. The Relion Micro has a pretty good track record. I have used The Aviva through 3 cats. Getting the strips over the counter isn't as cheep as the Relion, I order mine all on eBay.

All of my cats have adjusted fine with home testing and shots. Chris would rather be done and get to the eating part and he doesn't really like the insulin needle, but he is always so focused on getting to the food that I think he is mostly irritated about the distraction. Smokey, we had to test regularly and pretend to give her shots for a while after she was off insulin because she would lay in her testing/shooting spot until we did it and wouldn't go eat her food. Cecil learned to jump up and lay on the counter at the sound of the meter or shake of the strips canister for testing within a week. Treats/food/lots of love right after the testing and shot show them it is is GOOD thing.

Best of luck to you and Long John Silver. It DOES get easier. Remission is a possibility for cats. Ones that have been put into diabetes by a steroid are very good candidates. My Smokey went into remission for a year and a half (then we found a mass on her pancreas), Foster Cecil we got into remission in a month after getting him onto the right diet and insulin and getting him out of the shelter, Foster ChrisFarley will start a trial off of insulin in a matter of days after being diagnosed about 2 months ago. I've had some pretty lucky kitties. Hope Long John is too!

 

[Larry and Kitties]

Welcome. There are better meters than the FreeStyle. I think one is the Relion (Walmart) confirm. The meter and strips are relatively inexpensive. Others will chime in.
Most cats do not mind the pricks/pokes. I have been poking my Patches at least twice a year for over 9 1/2 years.

 

[lshaffer]

Sorry about the subject. It's not that much of a joke though. Last night I was THERE. It's not just the cat with diabetes; it's everything else that's been happening piled on top of it. Believe me, euthanasia was definitely on the table as well, considering all the shots and pricking. Remember, he has to have allergy shots as well. I'm hoping it will end up like some of you said, where he gets ready for it in the morning so he can get to the treats.

I looked at the Relion and it looks like Walmart has the best price for everything, so I'll probably wander over there and check them out.

My vet wants to start him off on Lantus. Can you guys give me the best place to get it? I saw something on the board about the Solo Star pens. Has anyone used them? How long does one vial last?

 

[Critter Mom]

Hello and welcome to FDMB.

You've found a great place to get help. You won't be alone with this. I hope knowing this will help you a little. Things are overwhelming at first with just a diabetes diagnosis, so I can imagine it must be harder again given that Long John Silver (great name!) was already having allergy problems.

You'll be able to learn here, and we will help and support you with managing your cat's diabetes at home. There is a fairly steep learning curve at first but we can help you with that, and with any questions that you have. My cat was diagnosed only a few months ago and I was scared and overwhelmed. Saoirse is doing better, and I am much more confident about treating her at home now thanks to all I have learned here, and most of all thanks to the incredible level of help and support we have received from the wonderful, caring people on this forum.

A couple weeks into the initial shots period, he started drinking TONS of water, and then one day he just couldn't get up on his feet.

The weakness may be due to diabetic neuropathy. It can be treated with vitamin B12. If your vets have not done so already, ask them to check Long John Silver's B12 levels.

We were hoping that just halting the steroid would turn him around, and it looked like it was working...and then it wasn't. His initial sugar level was over 400. Then it went down to 350 and now it's over 400 again.

Blood sugar levels naturally fluctuate during the day in both healthy and diabetic cats (e.g. rising after a meal - just like human diabetics). Unregulated diabetics have a higher range of numbers than healthy cats. The response to insulin treatment is gradual as it takes time for a kitty's body to adjust to lower numbers again. Different insulins work in different ways. Some are better suited to cats (e.g. Lantus, aka glargine). There are lots of education resources here so you will be able to learn how your cat's insulin works. As you may have already read here, some cats achieve diabetic remission which means that the condition can be managed with diet and insulin is no longer needed. Newly diagnosed cats prescribed long-acting insulins such as Levemir and Lantus stand the best chance. What insulin is your cat being treated with?

... have to start him on diabetic maintenance with MORE shots and pricking his little pads. I'm at my wits' end and don't want to torture him with shots all the time and pricking him ... My one big question is: Do the cats get used to getting pricked all the time? My vet says they usually don't have a problem with it and get used to it pretty quickly. I don't want him to run from me and see me as the bringer of pain.

We can help you learn home testing techniques. I think the majority of people get blood samples from the outer edge of the cat's ear. It takes a little time to get the knack. Here, you'll get all manner of hints and tips for how to help your cat get used to the experience of testing. It can be a little tricky to get samples sometimes at the beginning but within a very short time of starting to test additional capillaries grow in the test area and it becomes easier and quicker to get blood samples with minimum discomfort to your kitty.

Will your cat get used to testing? Absolutely! The secret is to make testing time a positive experience: give lots of reassurance and praise (fake it at first if you have to!). And diabetic-friendly treats (e.g. freeze-dried chicken). Many cats here actually remind their owners it's test time. Many people here tell stories of how, through caring for their cats' diabetes, their relationships with their cats became much closer and deeper. Cats are smart, and they quickly associate relief of symptoms with all the pricking and poking. I think that Long John Silver won't see you as a bringer of pain. I think he will be more likely to think you're a kitty angel sent to make him feel better. I was really scared that my girl would start to hate me as a result of my efforts to treat her. Now, she camps out at her testing station most afternoons waiting for me. She beams at me when she's being tested. Never would have believed it on day one after the Dx.

I'd just like to close by saying that unregulated cats can look very poorly indeed: lethargy and depression goes with the territory. Their coats may look a mess - and possibly get worse for a time. But ... with the right treatment(s) in place their powers of recovery can be truly amazing to behold. My cat looks younger and healthier than she has done in years (and she's got near kitten-soft fur since switching to a decent diet) . Diabetes is a diagnosis, not a death sentence. It is a manageable condition, and we are here to help you both with it.

 

[MommaOfMuse]

It does get much easier.

My Autumn was adopted after she was already diabetic, and she has had her ear poked 4-10 times a day for over 2 years now, not only doesn't she mind it, she begs for it to happen because she quickly associated a tiny poke to her ear netted her a tasty treat of her favorite food, boiled chicken. If I'm running late to test, she will come looking for me and then race me to her testing spot. And Purr contently while we test.

About the allergies. While he wasn't diabetic I had a little guy here that lived on allergy shots, or he would rip his face to shreds. When his best friend was dxed with diabetes, we changed everyone's diet to what she could eat, canned pate style Friskies. Surprisingly the other plus we got out of the diet change was Onyx (the one with allergies) had his allergies vanish. Then he escaped and was lost for 10 months, when we found him again he was once again eating dry food and the allergies were back. Got him home and back on the canned diet and again the allergies vanished. Exactly what in the dry food caused them we'll never know but every one of my cats' health improved because of one diabetic in the family and the change of diet.

I also have one guy here that just celebrated 4 years in remission and insulin free. And even after 4 years he still comes running when he hears the meter switch on.

Mel and The Fur Gang

 

[BJM]

The WalMart ReliOn Confirm or Confirm Micro use a tiny drop of blood and have fairly inexpensive strips. If you're not a fan of WalMart, you can click on our SHOP link above, click on the ADW link then search for the Glucocard 01 or 01 Mini which are generic versions of the Confirm. Also, the test strips at ADW can be bought in bulk which may save you money long term.

Have a look at my signature link Secondary Monitoring Tools for some additional assessments you may wish to make, such as urine ketone testing, dehydration checks, weight monitoring and so on.