This Sucks!!!

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Rusty14

Rusty14

Member Since 2015
My 14 year old Rusty was diagnosed last week with diabetes, and with all this 'SS, BG levels never right (the meters ), bumping, Vets wrong on subject of foods, the NUMBERS, different insulin types, testing at home, it's all just too much for ME, let alone my very skittish cat, Rusty. I KNOW I can't do all this! I know it. It sounds cruel, probably, but I also have to consider my cat, and how terribly independent he is. Poke his ear? Yah, right! And forget about the paw, he would freak if I touched his feet! So, got some low carb wet food, took away his hard food, and I'll see how he does. This is just TMI totally!!!:cool:
 
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Deep breath. I remember when my cat was first diagnosed, he was almost dead he was so sick due to the weight loss. When I took him into the vet, I was expecting something like brain cancer because I took care of a cat that died of that, and he was acting similar. When the vet told me "diabetes" I wanted to hug her, I was actually happy. I was happy because I have taken care of human diabetics, and knew this disease is manageable, and people (and cats) live long and happy lives as diabetics.

Even still, the first few months were a little bumpy learning how to give shots, getting the dose and insulin right, and learning how to test at home. It's a learning curve, but honestly, since I've been taking care of Max's diabetes for almost a year now, all these things feel easy and routine, like brushing my teeth. Takes just about that much time as well.

Max is now happy and healthy, with no complications. He actually comes to my lap when he sees me pull out the glucometer. He actually -likes- getting his ear poked because he knows he gets cuddles after. Max is a little bit of a shy guy as well, so this went better than I thought it would. Combing his hair is more traumatic to him (he hisses) than when I give his shots.

It does get easier. Really. Hang in there.
 
Yup, it really does suck. We've all felt exactly the same way you feel. You just need to take a couple of deep breaths and tell yourself that you CAN do it. I'm not gonna lie, the first month is pure hell, the second month gets better, not a lot, but better. After a few months it'll be so easy you won't even think about it anymore. Your sugar baby needs you. It does get better, it does get easier. And Rusty WILL get used to you messing with ears or his feet. My Goof is afraid of his own shadow and you can't wrinkle up a piece of paper without him headin for the hills, but he's adjusted to being poked and doesn't even stop purring now when he's being being tested. You'll get a lot of help here, don't cut yourself or Rusty short, it'll be ok.
 
You got that right -- this sucks! The first few weeks, I cried a lot of tears of frustration and felt totally useless when it came to helping my little sugar cat. I was on the verge of giving up so many times. But the people on this board were so patient, helpful, and encouraging, I`m glad I`m hanging in there. And my Lulu is worth it. So is your Rusty. I think you`re being too hard on yourself. Be gentle with yourself and know that this takes time and practice.
 
Wow. Thanx for the encouragement, you guys! I'm not healthy myself, and I guess I let my mind get the best of me. I will make an appt with my Vet, and educate myself on this site, when I need help. Thanx again for your kind responses!:confused:
 
Slow deep breathing may help bring down some of the tension you are feeling.
Start by exhaling completely.
Pause a moment.
Slowly inhale.
Pause.
Repeat.

Give yourself about 20 minutes of time doing this while thinking about peaceful pleasant things. Stuff can be put on hold for 20minutes; you'll get back to it in a bit.

from The Relaxation Response by Dr Herbert Benson
 
I know very much how you feel as my fur child was also just diagnosed this month, getting him to tolerate the testing has been a trial. I found using the right meter means the difference between success and failure or at lest me hating my self. Breath your fur baby will sense your confidence and react accordingly Magellan's challenge has been getting him off of free feeding. You can do this have faith in yourself and your fur child :bighug:
 
Well, with all the encouraging responses I'm receiving, how can I not try?! I will get another appt at my Vet, I guess, as she wants to teach me what I need to do. Sure seems costly, but I also sure love my Rusters! I'll keep you all posted...
THANX so very much!
 
We can help you do it as economically as possible too....if you get a script for Lantus (an excellent insulin) a lot of us are buying from Marks Marine in Canada because it's 1/3rd the price it is here. All the info is in the very last post in the "Insulin from Canadian Pharmacies" thread

Home testing will save you a lot of money by not having to drag your cat to the vet every week or 2 for a curve/fructosamine test and will be more accurate than testing at the vet as well as keep your cat safe by knowing how he's reacting to the insulin at home

If you live in the US, WalMart has the cheapest meters that a lot of us use called the Relion Confirm or Micro....it's about $15 ...the nice thing about those 2 meters is they use the tiniest blood sample (and I mean you really only need a pin-head sample size) The replacement strips are $35.88 for 100

You'll need a box of lancets (whether you get a lancet device too is up to you)....I just freehand with the lancet so I don't use the device. I feel like I can control where I poke better by freehanding. The lancets you should get should be 25-28gauge lancets (made for "alternate site testing", but they'll make the biggest "hole" until the ears "learn to bleed". I think I can just look at China's ears now and they'll start bleeding...LOL

A bag of cotton balls or cosmetic pads are great for staunching the blood after poking, and a little Neosporin with Pain Relief ointment can really help too

Here's my "testing tips"

It can be really helpful to establish a routine with testing. Pick one spot that you want your "testing spot" to be (I like the kitchen counter because it's got good light and it's at a good height....it also already blocked 2 escape routes due to the wall and the backsplash) It can be anywhere though...a rug on the floor, a table, a particular spot on the couch...wherever is good for you. Take him there as many times a day as you can and just give his ears a quick rub and then he gets a yummy (low carb) treat. Most cats aren't objecting so much with the poking..it's the fooling with their ears they don't like, but once they're desensitized to it and learn to associate a certain place with the treats, they usually start to come when they're called! Or even when they hear us opening the test kit!

You also have to remember...you're not poking him to hurt him...you're testing him to keep him safe and understand what's going on inside his body. There's just nothing better than truly understanding what's going on inside your kitty's body and with this disease, the more knowledge you have, the more power you have against it. The edges of the ears have very few pain receptors, so it really doesn't hurt them. Also, if you're nervous and tense, it's going to make your kitty nervous and tense too. As silly as it might seem, try singing! It forces you to use a different part of your brain!

It's also important to make sure his ear is warm. A small sock filled with a little rice and microwaved or a small pill bottle filled with warm water (check temp against your wrist like you would a baby bottle) works well

Keep talking and asking questions!! Yes, the sugardance can be very overwhelling at times, but we've all been through it and we'll all be happy to hold your hand all the way through and teach you what you need to know to keep your extra-sweet kiittes as healthy and happy as they can be!
 
Rusty14 said:
Wow. Thanx for the encouragement, you guys! I'm not healthy myself, and I guess I let my mind get the best of me. I will make an appt with my Vet, and educate myself on this site, when I need help. Thanx again for your kind responses!:confused:
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We're all very happy to help. We've all felt the anxiety you're feeling so when you need to vent, vent away!
 
I totally feel ya! Fred was diagnosed in Feb and I was a nervous wreck at first. The ear pricking is the easiest part, IMO. He barely feels it. Think about your ear piercing, the first time was a little painful, but after that....I test Fred wherever he's laying at the moment. Some people put their cat on a table. Whatever works for you.
Our kitties need us and love us. Your Rusty is so handsome. You're a good mama. You got this!
The most helpful videos are on You Tube. Testing diabetic cats. Giving insulin to cat etc. I even posted a good video here about condition your cat so they are more accepting of the shot. I'll find the link and share it.
 
Rusty14 said:
Well, with all the encouraging responses I'm receiving, how can I not try?! I will get another appt at my Vet, I guess, as she wants to teach me what I need to do. Sure seems costly, but I also sure love my Rusters! I'll keep you all posted...
THANX so very much!
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Also remember that Lantus, if refrigerated, will last months longer than the 28 days it says it is good for (around here CVS pharmacy has it the cheapest at $238 a vial - but remember you can get that to last 3+ months - some as long as 6 with no loss of how well it works - although to go that long I'd be sure to test so as to catch if it is degrading). Don't know about the other insulins so someone else would have to answer that.

My first cat with diabetes died in 1998. Back then glucose curves were only done at the vet, there weren't these forums for help. My cat lived a long time (years) with only that level of care with respect to the glucose testing. If your cat can't tolerate being pricked daily then just handle it the best you can. My cat mostly doesn't even feel the insulin shots, he does react to ear pricks however. Watch his weight, how much he is eating and whether or not he is eating, feed high protein, low carb food and odds are high he will be ok. Oh and keep tabs on his temperature. Hypoglycemia usually lowers body temperature, whether or not he is behaving oddly (sort of out of it). Those would be times to call the vet, test his blood sugar, possibly modify his insulin. Sure it is always better to test enough you know for sure what is going on, but if it stresses out your cat too much then you often have to compromise.
 
You may use some of the options in my signature link Secondary Monitoring Tools to help assess your cat, too.
 
Thank you all again! I sound like a broken record. .thank you..thank you. Anyway, all the info I am getting is truly alot to take in. How do you know when insulin goes bad? Do YOU adjust the amount yourself, if their BG is off, or do you call your Vet? So many questions! I guess I'll learn more after my appt with my Vet. Also, I had no idea insulin was that expensive! I've already paid nearly $250 for the visit, blood-draw and diagnosis. (Plus the flea med) This is gonna get very costly, as I said before! And I can't work because of my illness! I imagine that along with all the supplies needed, it will continue to rise. Oh well, I will take it one small step at a time. Give your kitty's a hug for me! They have GREAT parents! ; )
 
We use protocols to evaluate the insulin dose, just as human diabetics follow guidelines set by medicine.
 
Thanks BJM. Guess I'll learn all this when I go for the next appt. How and where to give the injections, the SS, BG levels, etc. Rusty judt had one of his 'seizures ' the Vet calls them. He walks sideways, and looks drunk! I just held him and tried to comfort him, but he doesn't like that. Then hr's fine! She said that it may have nothing to do with the diabetes. (?) Scarey!
 
Not all vets are up to date, so be prepared. These are protocols we use here.
For Lantus/Levemir - get the pens, not the vial; order from Mark's Marine in Canada if you have some time.
Tight Regulation
Start Low, Go Slow

For ProZinc/PZI - of the 2, PZI may be less expensive
ProZinc/PZI

For Caninsulin/Vetsulin (we do not recommend this one as it doesn't last 12 hours in the cat)
Caninsulin/Vetsulin

Humulin/Novolin NPH - definitely not this one - lasts about 6-8 hours, 10 at most, resulting in poor control)
Primer
 
@Shiloh & Rhonda ...that's for the vials, not the pens....the pens are over $450 in the states

That's why so many of us are buying our Lantus from Marks Marine in Canada! It's 1/3rd the price here! All the info is in the last post on the Insulin from Canadian Pharmacies thread

The pens really are the best buy though since you can use every last drop, where with the vials, unless your cat is on a pretty high dose, you're going to end up throwing a lot of it away, even after 5-6 months. There's 1000 units in a vial, so even if your cat is on 2U twice a day, 1000 units is 250 days worth and it just don't last that long.

The pens are like mini-vials that each contain 300 units and the entire box of 5 pens is good until the expiration date on the box...usually at least 2 years away
 
I read your initial post yesterday evening but didn't have time to post. It made me grin 'cos I remember being SO there. Know what? Sometimes it STILL sucks and we've been doing this dance for 4 years! But not for the same reasons... :) Dakota's our second diabetic, we adopted him already 'extra sweet' - couldn't have sucked TOO bad huh!

You asked a couple of questions above that I don't see answered...

Rusty14 said:
How do you know when insulin goes bad?
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When your test numbers show that insulin isn't bringing them down and you know there's nothing else that would be causing it (barring a medical issue)

Do YOU adjust the amount yourself, if their BG is off, or do you call your Vet?
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The heavy majority of us here adjust doses ourselves by testing and knowing when an increase or decrease is needed. We follow protocols that have been developed during scientific studies. Those are in the sticky notes at the top of the subforums (like 'Health').

I know this may all seem confusing right now but it will make sense soon. One thing to share - if your vet isn't up to date on FELINE diabetes, he may not know how to test bg other than with a vein blood draw. My vet, hopelessly out of date on diabetes, thought I was torturing my cat by testing using his ears.

HUGS!
 
How helpful! I feel all I do on this site is say 'Thank you, thank you, thank you! (One of those was just for you, Squeaky and KT !) Anyway, I think my Vet is educated about diabetes, yet she did want me to consider THEIR food, to include dry food. I have been told om this site NOT to feed any dry food! But we will see...If I remember correctly, Rustys' insulin is Lantus, to BJM. So I will ask for the pens, and not the vials.
For Shilo and Rhonda - I learn from everything anyone posts, so no big deal! Thanx again, to ALL of you!
 
Yup....LOL

When we adopted her (in the mid-90's) cocaine was in the news a LOT and my 17 year old son suggested I name her Coke

I said no to that, but since she is fine boned (like China) and totally white, I went a little "old school" and suggested China White

He liked it so that's what we went with! When I took her in for her first checkup at the vet and they asked me her name, I told them "China"....they knew that I'd had a habit of naming my animals "unusual" names, and looked back at me and said "China White"??

Had to giggle....they had me figured out pretty good
 
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and keep in mind, if you stick with it, there's the very nice chance that he will go into remission and you'll get a break! My Charlie took only a few weeks after we started the shots, and I know there's people on here that have beat that.
 
BJM said:
Slow deep breathing may help bring down some of the tension you are feeling.
Start by exhaling completely.
Pause a moment.
Slowly inhale.
Pause.
Repeat.

Give yourself about 20 minutes of time doing this while thinking about peaceful pleasant things. Stuff can be put on hold for 20minutes; you'll get back to it in a bit.

from The Relaxation Response by Dr Herbert Benson
Click to expand...
 
Rusty is ok, maybe I'm watching for 'change ' too closely. Seems a little bit slower in the morning, but gets back to his normal state, as the day wheres on. He is NOT on insulin yet. I have a friend who uses DoTerra Essential Oils on herself and her arthritic dog, and that old gal is climbing the stairs again! (the dog ) Anyway, there's a couple oils for diabetic cats, so I took away the dry food, feeding him 3 x day as opposed to once, with wet food and she's shipping me the oils. That's where I'm at now.
 
Rusty14 said:
Rusty is ok, maybe I'm watching for 'change ' too closely. Seems a little bit slower in the morning, but gets back to his normal state, as the day wheres on. He is NOT on insulin yet. I have a friend who uses DoTerra Essential Oils on herself and her arthritic dog, and that old gal is climbing the stairs again! (the dog ) Anyway, there's a couple oils for diabetic cats, so I took away the dry food, feeding him 3 x day as opposed to once, with wet food and she's shipping me the oils. That's where I'm at now.
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It is very good that you are watching Rusty closely. I am not familiar with using oils for diabetic cats. Great that you took away the dry food! And small feedings are better than one big one so that's another good change you've made.
 
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