Nicole and Simba
Member Since 2017
Hi everyone!
On April 25th, 2017, our orange kitty, Simba, pictured was very lethargic. We immediately got him to our vet to figure out what was going on. After 3 days of tests, hospitalization, and worry, we found out that our young 4 year old boy has diabetes. We brought him home and began insulin therapy (vetsulin, 2 units, 1x per day). He perked up and was back to his normal loving self within a week. After that visit, the vet bills totaled ~$1200. On 6/26/2017 we came home from work at 8:30pm EST to find our baby, Simba, behaving very similarly to the scary episode in April, but this time it was accompanied by vomiting and he was so weak he was off balance when he tried to walk. Our standard vet office was closed, so we took him right away to the nearest emergency clinic. He was diagnosed with Diabetic Ketoacidosis. He was hospitalized for 4 days (another $3600) to get him back on his paws. We brought him home and we were told to change his insulin to PZI (glargine is not an affordable option for us) 1 unit 2x per day. We had a follow up with our regular vet yesterday. Simba's urine output increased over the few days preceding the vet follow up for his blood glucose curve, but his appetite was great and behavior normal otherwise. When we picked him up from the vet yesterday, he seemed very tired and drained. The vet said it was likely due to the stress of the vet appointment. We were instructed to increase his insulin to 2 units 2x per day. When feeding time came, I couldn't get him to eat his food (we feed the classic fancy feast per lurking on this forum). As I couldn't get him to eat his food, I had to withhold his insulin. This morning, he also refused to eat. I called the vet and he said he doesn't think he is acidotic because he checked his bloodwork yesterday, but suggested when we get off of work to try to force feed him (which I can't even begin to think of how to do). I am nervous because we've literally drained our meager savings trying to get this under control and I am so scared to think what may happen. I want to get this under control, but how can I when he won't even eat?
**At the emergency vet appointment on 6/26, they did an ultra sound/xray and nothing was discovered. They have no idea what is causing his diabetes.
On April 25th, 2017, our orange kitty, Simba, pictured was very lethargic. We immediately got him to our vet to figure out what was going on. After 3 days of tests, hospitalization, and worry, we found out that our young 4 year old boy has diabetes. We brought him home and began insulin therapy (vetsulin, 2 units, 1x per day). He perked up and was back to his normal loving self within a week. After that visit, the vet bills totaled ~$1200. On 6/26/2017 we came home from work at 8:30pm EST to find our baby, Simba, behaving very similarly to the scary episode in April, but this time it was accompanied by vomiting and he was so weak he was off balance when he tried to walk. Our standard vet office was closed, so we took him right away to the nearest emergency clinic. He was diagnosed with Diabetic Ketoacidosis. He was hospitalized for 4 days (another $3600) to get him back on his paws. We brought him home and we were told to change his insulin to PZI (glargine is not an affordable option for us) 1 unit 2x per day. We had a follow up with our regular vet yesterday. Simba's urine output increased over the few days preceding the vet follow up for his blood glucose curve, but his appetite was great and behavior normal otherwise. When we picked him up from the vet yesterday, he seemed very tired and drained. The vet said it was likely due to the stress of the vet appointment. We were instructed to increase his insulin to 2 units 2x per day. When feeding time came, I couldn't get him to eat his food (we feed the classic fancy feast per lurking on this forum). As I couldn't get him to eat his food, I had to withhold his insulin. This morning, he also refused to eat. I called the vet and he said he doesn't think he is acidotic because he checked his bloodwork yesterday, but suggested when we get off of work to try to force feed him (which I can't even begin to think of how to do). I am nervous because we've literally drained our meager savings trying to get this under control and I am so scared to think what may happen. I want to get this under control, but how can I when he won't even eat?
**At the emergency vet appointment on 6/26, they did an ultra sound/xray and nothing was discovered. They have no idea what is causing his diabetes.
He is still very sick at the moment. Hoping he perks up and maybe will eat on his own tomorrow morning.
Applying pressure, so squeezing the poked spot on the ear with your fingers, not nails 
, for about 10 seconds or as long as he'll let you can help reduce bruising and promote healing too.
