Hi. I'm a kittymom but my kitty has heart disease not diabetes. But I am catsitting my grandcat who is diabetic. He is constantly starving and managed to get into the cabinet and knock the cat food onto the floor while I was gone for a short time. Apparently he had a great time. I know hypoglycemia is dangerous, and having had some experience with it I think I would recognize it. But I don't know what to expect or look for if he pigged out. He is pretty well regulated, and had just gotten his evening insulin shot. Should I watch him all night? and what am I watching for? I don't have a glucometer here but will certainly have my son bring one tomorrow. Am I right in thinking this is not as bad as a severe blood sugar drop? What would constitute an emergency?
Thanks Everyone.Crisis Averted but I'll be back!
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nancy and payne
Very Active Member
Re: Catsitting: son's diabetic cat got into cat food bag!
I think you will be fine, what does he usually eat? A diabetic cat who is hungry all the time, is suspect. I can't guide you too much if you can't take his blood glucose #'s, do you know any of his recent #'s? Is the cat food he knocked down, food he normally eats? I'll stick around for a few minutes, if you want to get back.
Nancy
I think you will be fine, what does he usually eat? A diabetic cat who is hungry all the time, is suspect. I can't guide you too much if you can't take his blood glucose #'s, do you know any of his recent #'s? Is the cat food he knocked down, food he normally eats? I'll stick around for a few minutes, if you want to get back.
Nancy
nancy and payne
Very Active Member
Re: Catsitting: son's diabetic cat got into cat food bag!
sorry it's late and I missed the end of the post. An emergency is when the cat is in distress, breathing hard, licking lips and sometimes seizures. You are right, going hypo is the extreme danger but I am worried about his extreme hunger, are you feeding wet or dry? Also, you need to take his BG readings with a meter before each shot .... how else are you going to know if it's safe to shoot?
Nancy
sorry it's late and I missed the end of the post. An emergency is when the cat is in distress, breathing hard, licking lips and sometimes seizures. You are right, going hypo is the extreme danger but I am worried about his extreme hunger, are you feeding wet or dry? Also, you need to take his BG readings with a meter before each shot .... how else are you going to know if it's safe to shoot?
Nancy
Re: Catsitting: son's diabetic cat got into cat food bag!
Thanks, guys. I watched him during the night--such fun. He's gotten his insulin this morning and seems fine. I agree about the hunger---I've said all along something's not quite right. He just looks bad to me. But the vet he is seeing says it's ok. He's very much about staying on a strict regimen and my experience with diabetes is there isn't really a perfect schedule? Too many varibles. He's always been like this--climbing walls for food, but he seemed pretty content until yesterday. Sorry I didn't respond earlier I was watching the response page, not this one. This sweet pushy guy is a lot to handle especially for a young single guy. Is there a vet who's knowledgeable you would reccommend?
Thanks, guys. I watched him during the night--such fun. He's gotten his insulin this morning and seems fine. I agree about the hunger---I've said all along something's not quite right. He just looks bad to me. But the vet he is seeing says it's ok. He's very much about staying on a strict regimen and my experience with diabetes is there isn't really a perfect schedule? Too many varibles. He's always been like this--climbing walls for food, but he seemed pretty content until yesterday. Sorry I didn't respond earlier I was watching the response page, not this one. This sweet pushy guy is a lot to handle especially for a young single guy. Is there a vet who's knowledgeable you would reccommend?
Re: Catsitting: son's diabetic cat got into cat food bag!
I'm actually in Seattle--didn't realize this is a nationwide site. But I'm from Texas. No, I haven't tested--my son's at work, and his stuff is at his girlfriend's. He seems fine--sleepy but it IS Seattle
I'm sure he will take a couple days to get back on track? I'm going to call his vet. I didn't want to worry my son (he's worried about other things right now). Thanks for keeping up.
I'm actually in Seattle--didn't realize this is a nationwide site. But I'm from Texas. No, I haven't tested--my son's at work, and his stuff is at his girlfriend's. He seems fine--sleepy but it IS Seattle
I'm sure he will take a couple days to get back on track? I'm going to call his vet. I didn't want to worry my son (he's worried about other things right now). Thanks for keeping up.
Squeaky and KT (GA)
Very Active Member
Re: Catsitting: son's diabetic cat got into cat food bag!
You're correct, this IS better than a severe blood sugar drop (hypo). Dry food, due to carb content, will raise a cat's blood glucose levels rather than lower them. The constant hunger is probably associated with the high BG numbers. What kind of insulin is he on?
Is it a long haired cat?
Hugs, you can breathe now...
You're correct, this IS better than a severe blood sugar drop (hypo). Dry food, due to carb content, will raise a cat's blood glucose levels rather than lower them. The constant hunger is probably associated with the high BG numbers. What kind of insulin is he on?
Is it a long haired cat?
Hugs, you can breathe now...
Re: Catsitting: son's diabetic cat got into cat food bag!
How true! I Was hyperventilating. I will try to breathe now, thanks! I've had various dogs and cats with health issues. The last of "the crew" handsome Elliot has heart disease and as the cardiologist reminded me the other day "they are subject to sudden death" which is scarey. But this blood sugar thing is awful! M. has been crazy hungry since he was a kitten. Now, some of that is probably habit (from being diabetic and no one knowing) but I think? he should be much mellower these days...therefore my concern over his treatment.No one (at the vet) ever said my son should test until I brought it up? And he's at work long hours so he didn't really push it. I've recently moved here, so I can help now. But what a job.
How true! I Was hyperventilating. I will try to breathe now, thanks! I've had various dogs and cats with health issues. The last of "the crew" handsome Elliot has heart disease and as the cardiologist reminded me the other day "they are subject to sudden death" which is scarey. But this blood sugar thing is awful! M. has been crazy hungry since he was a kitten. Now, some of that is probably habit (from being diabetic and no one knowing) but I think? he should be much mellower these days...therefore my concern over his treatment.No one (at the vet) ever said my son should test until I brought it up? And he's at work long hours so he didn't really push it. I've recently moved here, so I can help now. But what a job.
Squeaky and KT (GA)
Very Active Member
Re: Catsitting: son's diabetic cat got into cat food bag!
The Sugar Cat dance isn't really as hard dance, it just has different steps.
I'm not a fan of his vet....I wouldn't give my child insulin without testing, I won't give my cat insulin without testing. Vet testing just raises the cost as cat's usually stressed over vet visit raising the numbers.
The Sugar Cat dance isn't really as hard dance, it just has different steps.
I'm not a fan of his vet....I wouldn't give my child insulin without testing, I won't give my cat insulin without testing. Vet testing just raises the cost as cat's usually stressed over vet visit raising the numbers.
nancy and payne
Very Active Member
Re: Catsitting: son's diabetic cat got into cat food bag!
Joyce, the best thing you could do for your son is help get his kitty regulated. Also is he eating canned food? A low carb diet, like Fancy Feast pates, will bring his blood glucose #'s down and help him feel full. Also, you should let him eat .... that is how a cat tries to regulate themselves.
If you went to your first post and hit edit, then you can change your subject line to something like, Need a vet or help in Seattle. Also if you could undo the 911 because we are beyond that, at the same time, just hit hit again and it will go off, thanks.
What insulin are you using?
Joyce, the best thing you could do for your son is help get his kitty regulated. Also is he eating canned food? A low carb diet, like Fancy Feast pates, will bring his blood glucose #'s down and help him feel full. Also, you should let him eat .... that is how a cat tries to regulate themselves.
If you went to your first post and hit edit, then you can change your subject line to something like, Need a vet or help in Seattle. Also if you could undo the 911 because we are beyond that, at the same time, just hit hit again and it will go off, thanks.
What insulin are you using?
Maresydotes
Active Member
Where in Seattle are you located? North Sound? If you are close to Lake Stevens, I have a great vet I can recommend. Let me know if you are interested....
Karen & Smokey(GA)
Very Active Member
I'm near Seattle. SE King County (Enumclaw).
There's also Seattlebrian....but I'm not sure exactly where he is.
And Patti (and Merlin), down in Eatonville. But Patti has her hands full now...just lost Boris
yesterday, and Fiona is ill.
There's also Seattlebrian....but I'm not sure exactly where he is.
And Patti (and Merlin), down in Eatonville. But Patti has her hands full now...just lost Boris
yesterday, and Fiona is ill.
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