My cat was very recently diagnosed with diabetes. He had been to the vet in July and was given a clean bill of health with no symptoms noted. Duke, was nine years old and the sweetest, most gentle and loving animal I have ever known. His symptoms seemed to appear out of the blue. We went to the vet on Saturday and had to wait until Tuesday to get blood work back. In the meantime, he kept getting worse. I did all that I could possibly do for him at home. We went to the emergency vet on Sunday afternoon. It was then that we found out that Duke was diabetic, with possible liver complications. He had wonderful care around the clock and began to improve, but had additional complications. He passed away early Tuesday morning and I am completely heartbroken. While I was prepared to deal with the insulin, I had no idea how sick he really was. Duke's health deteriorated so rapidly. I have three questions. First, is it possible that diabetes could be a result of a corticosteroid shot he was given in July to aide his breathing? Secondly, I would welcome any suggestions you have for dealing with Duke's grieving sister at home. They were very close and often slept in a heap. I am at a loss. Finally, I would like to donate to an organization which directly deals with the treatment or prevention of feline diabetes. I wish that I had known about the disease before it was too late. Thank you.
recent diagnosis
- Thread starter Jennifer
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TheresaJ860
Member
Hi Jennifer,
I am so sorry for your loss! If you could go back to your original post, and change the subject, adding the rainbow, or candle it will let others know to look. (Subject could be, recent diagnosis and sudden death...)
I don't know about the steroid shot, my cat also has asthma, and the vet told me he could not go on steroids with diabetes. However, there are a great number of wonderful folks on here that know a great deal than I do.
I know the pain of the sudden illness and death of a beloved cat, and will keep you in my prayers. Grief in us humans and in the other cat is so difficult, ((((hugs))))
Theresa and Christian
I am so sorry for your loss! If you could go back to your original post, and change the subject, adding the rainbow, or candle it will let others know to look. (Subject could be, recent diagnosis and sudden death...)
I don't know about the steroid shot, my cat also has asthma, and the vet told me he could not go on steroids with diabetes. However, there are a great number of wonderful folks on here that know a great deal than I do.
I know the pain of the sudden illness and death of a beloved cat, and will keep you in my prayers. Grief in us humans and in the other cat is so difficult, ((((hugs))))
Theresa and Christian
nancy and payne
Very Active Member
Jennifer, I am so sorry! the sudden loss of a beloved companion is always so hard and it makes us question everything we did. I don't know about the steroid and diabetes? My Payne who is a very complicated diabetic, takes steroids daily to stay even .... so? good/bad?
His sister will grieve but maybe, in time, you can welcome a new brother or sister into your home. The heart will hold much love and your little guy will be snuggled there forever.
There is a group called Diabetic Cats in Need, they help on the front line. They don't deal with prevention but they help diabetic cats who have no homes finds homes and they help people with diabetic cats who cannot afford treatment or supplies.
Remember the love, that is the important part after all and it seems you did everything you could. Trust me I have played the "what if's?" It doesn't work .... you are in my prayers.
Nancy and Payne
His sister will grieve but maybe, in time, you can welcome a new brother or sister into your home. The heart will hold much love and your little guy will be snuggled there forever.
There is a group called Diabetic Cats in Need, they help on the front line. They don't deal with prevention but they help diabetic cats who have no homes finds homes and they help people with diabetic cats who cannot afford treatment or supplies.
Remember the love, that is the important part after all and it seems you did everything you could. Trust me I have played the "what if's?" It doesn't work .... you are in my prayers.
Nancy and Payne
C
Carl & Polly & Bob (GA)
Guest
Jennifer,
It breaks my heart to read of your loss. It is easy to see from just your brief post how much Duke was loved and will be missed. I lost a dear kitty early this year, Lillian, who went from seemingly perfectly fine on one day, and lost to me 3 days later. To this day, I have no idea why, or what happened. She passed before I could get her to the doctor.
Likewise, I wondered about the grieving issue as I still had her littermate and brother Bob. They were as close as two cats could be, and he would vocalize his loss and I didn't know what to do or how to help other than to love him more. In fact, I felt his grieving went on "too long", and didn't understand then (but I do now). What I mistook for grief (I am positive that is what it was at first), became him getting ill, losing weight, and many other symptoms. I mistook for grief what was actually Bob becoming diabetic. I almost lost him. T
he blessing behind all of this is that I found this website, and it has literally changed his life and also changed mine. Why I am telling you this, I suppose, is that I want you to realize that this isn't just a place for people with diabetic kitties. It is a place where everyone who joins is made to feel like family, and people are here 24 hours a day to share our experiences about our dear cats, to help each other out, and to, sometime, console each other when one of our beloved pets is lost to us. You are here now, and will always be welcome. The knowledge base here, not just about diabetes but about any other feline malady you can think of is astounding.
I do not know, or can't point you to any concrete information about the link between diabetes and steroids. I do know that when I joined, one of the things I asked was if Bob had ever been given steroids. I understand that a cat that has had steroids stands a better chance of it being a short term condititon and can go into remission. I believe there are other more experienced members who can answer that particular question better than I can.
One organization that may fit the type you are looking for is Diabetic Cats In Need. Here is a link to their site which tells you of their mission:
http://fdmb-cin.blogspot.com/p/our-mission.html
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family and with Duke's dear sister
Carl in SC
It breaks my heart to read of your loss. It is easy to see from just your brief post how much Duke was loved and will be missed. I lost a dear kitty early this year, Lillian, who went from seemingly perfectly fine on one day, and lost to me 3 days later. To this day, I have no idea why, or what happened. She passed before I could get her to the doctor.
Likewise, I wondered about the grieving issue as I still had her littermate and brother Bob. They were as close as two cats could be, and he would vocalize his loss and I didn't know what to do or how to help other than to love him more. In fact, I felt his grieving went on "too long", and didn't understand then (but I do now). What I mistook for grief (I am positive that is what it was at first), became him getting ill, losing weight, and many other symptoms. I mistook for grief what was actually Bob becoming diabetic. I almost lost him. T
he blessing behind all of this is that I found this website, and it has literally changed his life and also changed mine. Why I am telling you this, I suppose, is that I want you to realize that this isn't just a place for people with diabetic kitties. It is a place where everyone who joins is made to feel like family, and people are here 24 hours a day to share our experiences about our dear cats, to help each other out, and to, sometime, console each other when one of our beloved pets is lost to us. You are here now, and will always be welcome. The knowledge base here, not just about diabetes but about any other feline malady you can think of is astounding.
I do not know, or can't point you to any concrete information about the link between diabetes and steroids. I do know that when I joined, one of the things I asked was if Bob had ever been given steroids. I understand that a cat that has had steroids stands a better chance of it being a short term condititon and can go into remission. I believe there are other more experienced members who can answer that particular question better than I can.
One organization that may fit the type you are looking for is Diabetic Cats In Need. Here is a link to their site which tells you of their mission:
http://fdmb-cin.blogspot.com/p/our-mission.html
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family and with Duke's dear sister
Carl in SC
Jennifer & Saima (GA)
Active Member
I am so sorry for your loss of your sweet kitty Duke. Unfortunately I don't have any input into your questions, but I just wanted to mention that you and Duke's sister are in my thoughts. I can't imagine the shock and grief that you both must be feeling right now.
MommaOfMuse
Very Active Member
Jennifer,
I m so sorry for your loss of your beloved Duke, I know all about being all ready to fight this diabetic fight only to lose your partner quickly. My own Muse passed away shortly after I got the news that she was a diabetic. Her death tore my heart apart, I felt I had failed her in so many ways, I think we all do when we lose one of our beloved animals. Then through this board and DCIN (Diabetic Cats In Need), there came a big guy named Maxwell, his owner was ill herself and going into a nursing home, her family didn't want to be bothered with treating him, so he was scheduled for euthansia, he had 24 hours left to live. When Venita the lady that runs DCIN asked if I would be willing to open my heart and home to save him, I jumped at the chance. That was October 15th of last year, today Maxwell is a treasured part of my family, along with his diabetic adopted sister Musette (yes she is named for my first sugarcat).
Not only did the addition of Maxwell help heal our heavy hearts, he helped heal Muse's best friend Amon Ra's heart. And just as importantly Maxwell taught me that I could do this, I could learn to manage a diabetic cat, Maxwell has been in remission and off insulin now for 10 months, he will celebrate his first year insulin free on November first of this year. And because of him, I had the tools to turn around and save another diabetic Musette from certain death. And with what I learned in managing both of my diabetics from this site, my other 11 cats are leading much healthier and happier lives.
I applaud your decision to want to donate to a charity that is working to treat or prevent diabetes, but when you are ready you might also consider, like I did to opening your heart and home to an unwanted diabetic. There are just so many of them that their owners don't cherish enough to fight for their lives and would rather have them put down rather than take a few extra minutes of their day to test blood sugar and give a couple small shots. Or if they will not outright put them to sleep themselves, will turn them into shelters where it is more than likely they will still be put down. And should you somewhere down the road decide that you would like to take in one of these unwanted extra sweet kitties, you will find a world wide community right here that not only will guide you every step of the way, but will move heaven and earth to get that new family member to you.
Mel, Maxwell, Musette & The Fur Gang
I m so sorry for your loss of your beloved Duke, I know all about being all ready to fight this diabetic fight only to lose your partner quickly. My own Muse passed away shortly after I got the news that she was a diabetic. Her death tore my heart apart, I felt I had failed her in so many ways, I think we all do when we lose one of our beloved animals. Then through this board and DCIN (Diabetic Cats In Need), there came a big guy named Maxwell, his owner was ill herself and going into a nursing home, her family didn't want to be bothered with treating him, so he was scheduled for euthansia, he had 24 hours left to live. When Venita the lady that runs DCIN asked if I would be willing to open my heart and home to save him, I jumped at the chance. That was October 15th of last year, today Maxwell is a treasured part of my family, along with his diabetic adopted sister Musette (yes she is named for my first sugarcat).
Not only did the addition of Maxwell help heal our heavy hearts, he helped heal Muse's best friend Amon Ra's heart. And just as importantly Maxwell taught me that I could do this, I could learn to manage a diabetic cat, Maxwell has been in remission and off insulin now for 10 months, he will celebrate his first year insulin free on November first of this year. And because of him, I had the tools to turn around and save another diabetic Musette from certain death. And with what I learned in managing both of my diabetics from this site, my other 11 cats are leading much healthier and happier lives.
I applaud your decision to want to donate to a charity that is working to treat or prevent diabetes, but when you are ready you might also consider, like I did to opening your heart and home to an unwanted diabetic. There are just so many of them that their owners don't cherish enough to fight for their lives and would rather have them put down rather than take a few extra minutes of their day to test blood sugar and give a couple small shots. Or if they will not outright put them to sleep themselves, will turn them into shelters where it is more than likely they will still be put down. And should you somewhere down the road decide that you would like to take in one of these unwanted extra sweet kitties, you will find a world wide community right here that not only will guide you every step of the way, but will move heaven and earth to get that new family member to you.
Mel, Maxwell, Musette & The Fur Gang
ohbell
Very Active Member
Dear Jennifer,
I want to say sooo sorry about your loss of Duke!!
I lost my Gumpy girl very quickly as well. From being just fine, to emerg. room visits, vet visits over and over from mid May to July 15. I still cry over her daily and my Sugar Bean was soo upset. They were close kitties but not sisters and not sleep buddies... but she missed her - would just walk around, sleep on her toys, etc... I could not handle it, so we have a new addition to the family...Lil Sista... She was introduced quite quickly and I was not for sure how Bean would do, but believe it or not 6 weeks later, Bean and Lil Sista run thru the home chasing each other.... Bean still gets tired of Sista constantly wanting to play and be around her, but all and all Bean is NOT seeming to grive. And mommy is better just being able to watch the two of them.
As others have suggested, perhaps you could get in touch with DCIN.
VERY BIG HUGS TO YOU!!!!!
I want to say sooo sorry about your loss of Duke!!
I lost my Gumpy girl very quickly as well. From being just fine, to emerg. room visits, vet visits over and over from mid May to July 15. I still cry over her daily and my Sugar Bean was soo upset. They were close kitties but not sisters and not sleep buddies... but she missed her - would just walk around, sleep on her toys, etc... I could not handle it, so we have a new addition to the family...Lil Sista... She was introduced quite quickly and I was not for sure how Bean would do, but believe it or not 6 weeks later, Bean and Lil Sista run thru the home chasing each other.... Bean still gets tired of Sista constantly wanting to play and be around her, but all and all Bean is NOT seeming to grive. And mommy is better just being able to watch the two of them.
As others have suggested, perhaps you could get in touch with DCIN.
VERY BIG HUGS TO YOU!!!!!
KSAkitties
Member
Jennifer said:
(((Jennifer))),
I am so sorry for your loss. I know what it feels like to loose a kitty so quickly and unexpectedly.
Just to answer your questions:
1. Yes. corticosteroids could induce feline diabetes. I personally know of such cases. Here's a link: http://petdiabetes.wikia.com/wiki/Steroids. If you google it, you will find more info on this.
2. Regarding how to help Duke's grieving sister. I am sorry that I don't have a good answer for this. I am sure other members can offer you some good advice.
3. Diabetic kitties will forever have a special place in my heart. Taking care of sugar kitties helps us develop a very special bond with them, and I cherish every moment I have with my sugar boy Major. I support DCIN (Diabetic Cat in Need) http://fdmb-cin.blogspot.com/p/our-mission.html and In Memory of Magic: http://www.imom.org/.
Jen & Squeak
Very Active Member
I'm sorry for your loss and hope that you can find some answers.
For your grieving kitty, I would suggest looking up floral remedies for animals, searching specifically for one for grief. These remedies are safe and may help her. Also, spending time with her of course will help. And time. And if you are interested in trying something a bit different, a recommended animal communicator may also provide comfort to both of you.
Jen
For your grieving kitty, I would suggest looking up floral remedies for animals, searching specifically for one for grief. These remedies are safe and may help her. Also, spending time with her of course will help. And time. And if you are interested in trying something a bit different, a recommended animal communicator may also provide comfort to both of you.
Jen
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