What do you do with you diabetic cat when you go away?
- Thread starter Simke
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Elizabeth and Bertie
Member Since 2010
Hello,
Some catteries will give insulin shots, but I would think far fewer will actually test the cat's blood glucose before shooting...
Is there a neighbour who'd be willing to learn to test and give shots? Or a family member who could come to stay? Or a vet nurse/technician who could come and do this? Or an FDMB member living near you...?
Best of all of course (you know what's coming, don't you?) is that your husband learns to test and give shots. That would be pretty perfect! (However, in 6 years of my cat being diabetic my own husband has never learned to do this.... :roll: )
Eliz
Some catteries will give insulin shots, but I would think far fewer will actually test the cat's blood glucose before shooting...
Is there a neighbour who'd be willing to learn to test and give shots? Or a family member who could come to stay? Or a vet nurse/technician who could come and do this? Or an FDMB member living near you...?
Best of all of course (you know what's coming, don't you?) is that your husband learns to test and give shots. That would be pretty perfect! (However, in 6 years of my cat being diabetic my own husband has never learned to do this.... :roll: )
Eliz
Sorry, I was trying to say:
Yes, there are kennels that will do bs checks & shots.
Yes, boarding at a vet clinic is an option.
And yes, it is possible for it to get expensive.
(Sorry, I realized it read different a couple posts after your original post!)
I'm new to FDMB too, but my Munchkin has been diabetic for a couple years. I just learned to home test about a month ago. I feel your pain! When we were away from home it was always hard to find someone willing to give a shot, and even more difficult to find someone willing to do the bg tests before shots. We boarded Munchkin every time we left town with our vet, $12 to $15 per night. They didn't charge extra for giving the insulin shot, but some places do. However, they were not able to do bg tests before each shot. So, we boarded with a different vet the last time we left town and there was an upcharge for medication dosing (& pre-shot bg tests) but still came out to $15 per night. I've seen some places charge almost $50 per night for the same services. Some kennels will do the bg checks and insulin shots, you just have to ask around (or Google it) to find out which places. We'd take Munchkin with us when we travel if we could; might work for your kitty.
The last conversation I've seen on here talking about ways to find caregivers for while on trips is here:
viewtopic.php?f=28&t=93044&p=998611&hilit=+vacation#p998611
And, I don't have a link but you could try finding the FDMB Facebook page. They've talked a lot about it too on Facebook and quoted some prices, so you'll be able to tell if someone is giving you a reasonable price, or not.
MaryB & Chester
Member Since 2012
Our Chester is learning how to travel with us. We just ran him up for a weekend at my mom's. If he got stressed out, it didn't seem to affect his BG.
Other times we have boarded him at a place that was affiliated with our vet. It got a little expensive, but not unreasonable. Something like $15-20 a night if I remember.
If you have any veterinary schools around, you could see if there is a student who might like to earn some extra money. Or maybe one of the techs at your vet's office would be willing to help out on the side.
Other times we have boarded him at a place that was affiliated with our vet. It got a little expensive, but not unreasonable. Something like $15-20 a night if I remember.
If you have any veterinary schools around, you could see if there is a student who might like to earn some extra money. Or maybe one of the techs at your vet's office would be willing to help out on the side.
jrlepage
Member Since 2011
MaryB & Chester said:
This is a fabulous idea, I may use that one in the future. Just curious, if you don't mind sharing, why is your husband not up for giving the shots? Even if he didn't do the blood tests, as long as your kitty is stable, staying with the same dose for a few days while you're gone without testing should be okay. Is your kitty especially difficult to inject for any reason? I was able to show my in-laws how to do it, and they are by no means "comfortable" with needles. Not trying to pressure you if there are circumstances we aren't aware of, just seems like if he watched you do it and saw it was no biggie, he'd come around to the idea.
Is he afraid that he'll mess up somehow and hurt the kitty, and afraid of the repercussions of that? I know that was my in-laws main fear was "oh god if we kill my daughter and son-in-law's cat they'll kill us," but once I reassured them that it was easy and safe as long as they grabbed a pooch of chub on the shoulder and injected at an angle, they were fine with it. Taught them about hypoglycemia and left them some Caro syrup too just in case.
I don't know about your kitty, but mine is so used to it now I just pet him a few times, grab a pinch of skin firmly, jab the needle like a dart, inject, wait a second, remove needle, massage and done. Takes like 5 seconds. Maybe ask your bubbie to try doing it a few times while you're around? Anyway, just some thoughts! :smile:
Hillary & Maui (GA)
Member Since 2009
There is a member who was doing just what you are asking about - taking the cat with her while traveling. She was driving about 3-4 hours away and the cat would stay with her in an apartment at the work location during the week, then drive back for the weekends.
I will ask if they will visit you to tell you all about it.
Most cats don't like to travel, I don't think this guy liked it very much, but they did it anyway, it was the only solution they had and he just recently went OTJ (off insulin - into remission).
So, it can be done and the only way to know how yours will handle it, is to try it at least once. Will you be staying in a hotel or apartment? If hotel, will they allow animals? You will want to make sure the maids don't come in to clean - as they tend to leave the door open while cleaning and of course make noise , all of which will scare the cat.
And prep your car with LB's, cat carrier and large crate so he has room to walk around in safely and you can put in room with you - so if you do get maid service - you can have him safely tucked into a crate with food, water, LB.
I will ask if they will visit you to tell you all about it.
Most cats don't like to travel, I don't think this guy liked it very much, but they did it anyway, it was the only solution they had and he just recently went OTJ (off insulin - into remission).
So, it can be done and the only way to know how yours will handle it, is to try it at least once. Will you be staying in a hotel or apartment? If hotel, will they allow animals? You will want to make sure the maids don't come in to clean - as they tend to leave the door open while cleaning and of course make noise , all of which will scare the cat.
And prep your car with LB's, cat carrier and large crate so he has room to walk around in safely and you can put in room with you - so if you do get maid service - you can have him safely tucked into a crate with food, water, LB.
Lisa & Leo
Member Since 2012
Hi Simone,
Hillary asked me to stop by and share our experiences traveling with a sugar kitteh. I work in Maryland and live in NJ, and drive down to stay in an apartment 3-4 nights a week to work. When Leo was diagnosed, we thought DH could do it while I was gone during the week, but he travels a fair amount too. I looked all over for a sitter who would shoot AND test. None. I tried vet techs, who were amazingly unreliable and, I think, concerned about liability if they shot Leo and he went too low. A vet hospital/boarding facility I found would test, but cost $18 PER TEST in ADDITION to the overnight stay. Way ridiculous (although they are in my back pocket for emergencies.) We don't have family or friends in the area who could help at the level we needed.
Soooo, we looked in to taking Leo with me, and he ended up being a Commuting Kitteh for 7 months. I will say upfront, Leo did not like traveling one bit. He was never able to mellow out, and he stressed a lot, had poo, pee and barf episodes, and lay in a zoned state for the 3-4ish hours it took. I had the car covered in pee-pads, a stack of towels and many wipes. I had a small milk crate under the front seat with his supplies, food, Karo, paper towels, wipes and litter box wipes, plastic and garbage bags, etc. We made many emergency stops and I had to wash his bed several times. It made me feel terrible. But please don't let this scare you - because we worked out a method and despite the stress (which often drives up BGs) we were able to get him off the juice! So while it was a challenge emotionally to travel with him, it was still the most positive thing, because otherwise he would not have kicked the habit. I was *very* motivated to keep him on the tight regulation protocol, and I think he knew it - he was a little trooper. Interestingly, he behaved differently at my apartment because he was the only cat there - we have another at home. So he got 100% attention, and that compensated a little for the trips I think. Plus I got a little furry lover boy as a room-mate during the week!
So, it can be done. Most cats are better than Leo BY FAR so don't immediately reject the idea of taking Simke with you! I wrote a document called Traveling with Diabetic Kitties (it's in my sig) that is a collection of our lessons-learned if you do decide to travel. Leo was unusual but we still made it work. Looking back, it was worth the challenge of course, even if it seemed like we were stressing him out at the time. I think cats understand what's going on around them, and DH and I really believe that Leo knew we were trying to make him better.
If you have any questions, I'll check back but you can PM me any time.
Good luck!!! It can be tough with the traveling. Hopefully all Simke will need is a pre-shot test and maybe you can find someone to help out. Or get DH on board. Mine, like many others here, didn't want to test and shoot but learned and did it under duress, but he did it because he is Leo's daddy and he knows Leo loves him.
Lisa & Leo
Hillary asked me to stop by and share our experiences traveling with a sugar kitteh. I work in Maryland and live in NJ, and drive down to stay in an apartment 3-4 nights a week to work. When Leo was diagnosed, we thought DH could do it while I was gone during the week, but he travels a fair amount too. I looked all over for a sitter who would shoot AND test. None. I tried vet techs, who were amazingly unreliable and, I think, concerned about liability if they shot Leo and he went too low. A vet hospital/boarding facility I found would test, but cost $18 PER TEST in ADDITION to the overnight stay. Way ridiculous (although they are in my back pocket for emergencies.) We don't have family or friends in the area who could help at the level we needed.
Soooo, we looked in to taking Leo with me, and he ended up being a Commuting Kitteh for 7 months. I will say upfront, Leo did not like traveling one bit. He was never able to mellow out, and he stressed a lot, had poo, pee and barf episodes, and lay in a zoned state for the 3-4ish hours it took. I had the car covered in pee-pads, a stack of towels and many wipes. I had a small milk crate under the front seat with his supplies, food, Karo, paper towels, wipes and litter box wipes, plastic and garbage bags, etc. We made many emergency stops and I had to wash his bed several times. It made me feel terrible. But please don't let this scare you - because we worked out a method and despite the stress (which often drives up BGs) we were able to get him off the juice! So while it was a challenge emotionally to travel with him, it was still the most positive thing, because otherwise he would not have kicked the habit. I was *very* motivated to keep him on the tight regulation protocol, and I think he knew it - he was a little trooper. Interestingly, he behaved differently at my apartment because he was the only cat there - we have another at home. So he got 100% attention, and that compensated a little for the trips I think. Plus I got a little furry lover boy as a room-mate during the week!
So, it can be done. Most cats are better than Leo BY FAR so don't immediately reject the idea of taking Simke with you! I wrote a document called Traveling with Diabetic Kitties (it's in my sig) that is a collection of our lessons-learned if you do decide to travel. Leo was unusual but we still made it work. Looking back, it was worth the challenge of course, even if it seemed like we were stressing him out at the time. I think cats understand what's going on around them, and DH and I really believe that Leo knew we were trying to make him better.
If you have any questions, I'll check back but you can PM me any time.
Good luck!!! It can be tough with the traveling. Hopefully all Simke will need is a pre-shot test and maybe you can find someone to help out. Or get DH on board. Mine, like many others here, didn't want to test and shoot but learned and did it under duress, but he did it because he is Leo's daddy and he knows Leo loves him.
Lisa & Leo
Wendy&Tiggy(GA)
Member Since 2011
I have a pet sitter that I use (I asked my vet for a recommendation) and she is comfortable testing and giving shots.
I also had a husband who wasn't keen on testing but I managed to wear him down with logical reasoning and explaining how important it was for the cat, and to keep me happy and to stop me stressing. And it saves money if the cat had a hypo because he wouldn't test. He caved. Anything for a quiet life.
I also had a husband who wasn't keen on testing but I managed to wear him down with logical reasoning and explaining how important it was for the cat, and to keep me happy and to stop me stressing. And it saves money if the cat had a hypo because he wouldn't test. He caved. Anything for a quiet life.
KPassa
Member Since 2012
What I've done is found anyone I can to be my backup. :lol: The first person I trained was my brother (who's currently living with me till he gets his degree at the end of this month). He's not very reliable because he's a "free spirit" and doesn't want to be pinned down by having to remember to test and/or shoot a cat. When I had to leave for a business trip back in December, I then also trained one of my friends who was in need of some spare cash. A bit of a disaster happened and my brother's girlfriend swooped in to assist (with no training) and she was able to figure it out from having seen me do it often enough and looking up youtube videos.
Since then, I trained my little 2nd cousin (she graduates from high school this year) and she'll be coming out to stay at my house for a week during the summer when I take a road trip up north. I trained my next-door neighbor (who has since moved, but I know I can call him in a pinch if desperate). I trained one of my old roommates (who might be moving back in with me after the bro finds a job and moves out). I trained my friend's girlfriend who is interested in becoming a vet (she was accepted into some sort of equine program on the East Coast next fall). Basically, anyone who comes over to my house gets a crash course in feline diabetes. haha_smiley
I also spoke with the Vet Techs at my vet's office who do pet sitting services and they both were eager to learn how to care for a diabetic and even offered me regular price if I would train them. Haven't had to use this card yet, but I do want to train them anyway because it'd be great for the other diabetic cats in their care.
Here are some places to look:
I'm also leaving this weekend for four days and created this document for my friend who is going to be taking care of my Kitties (because my "free spirited" brother might be going to Vegas :roll: ).
(ETA: fixed link)
Since then, I trained my little 2nd cousin (she graduates from high school this year) and she'll be coming out to stay at my house for a week during the summer when I take a road trip up north. I trained my next-door neighbor (who has since moved, but I know I can call him in a pinch if desperate). I trained one of my old roommates (who might be moving back in with me after the bro finds a job and moves out). I trained my friend's girlfriend who is interested in becoming a vet (she was accepted into some sort of equine program on the East Coast next fall). Basically, anyone who comes over to my house gets a crash course in feline diabetes. haha_smiley
I also spoke with the Vet Techs at my vet's office who do pet sitting services and they both were eager to learn how to care for a diabetic and even offered me regular price if I would train them. Haven't had to use this card yet, but I do want to train them anyway because it'd be great for the other diabetic cats in their care.
Here are some places to look:
- Vet techs: offer to train them up for a discounted price
- High school and/or college students: put up flyers around the school campus or in your local coffee shop or on craigslist
- Relatives, even 2nd cousins ;-)
- Friends and/or neighbors: best bet is if they're already cat owners, then they're more willing to do it
I'm also leaving this weekend for four days and created this document for my friend who is going to be taking care of my Kitties (because my "free spirited" brother might be going to Vegas :roll: ).
(ETA: fixed link)
Anne & Zener GA
Member Since 2011
Someone found a pet sitter in Tulsa, OK through care.com that does insulin shots. I think she tested too. Our animal communicator (Terri Sides, walkingheart.com) talked to another kitty that did not do well traveling and had some suggestions to make the trips easier.
Liz
Liz
Dr Schrodinger
Member Since 2012
Simke said:Thanks for all the great suggestions, I just hope he gets better o I need a caregiver, he is in hospital now.
Oh I hope he feels better soon!
Ask at the vet clinic/office if there is a nurse, tech or intern who would be willing to do it for you?
One of the young nurses at the clinic I take Milo to comes round twice a day when we're away & will test & inject if necessary. We pay her cash-in-hand so it doesn't go through the clinic & she gets it all. She's only 22 so needs the money. She sends me text messages of how Milo & Lola are doing while we're away, bless her.
Thank you so much for all your great suggestions, sorry for the delay in getting back to you, I have had a very difficult week. First he was hospitalized from high glucose causing a potassium deficiency , and not responding to the insulin, then he had a hypo episode on the week end. So all in all a very stressful week. I don't think the vet clinic is an option as they charge 600$ for 5 to 8 bg tests.
On the good side my husband has agreed to inject but not test, needles and blood make him feel ill and light headed. Going away next Wed to Sunday, thinking if saying give him .75 if he eats and .5 if he doesn't, he has been very picky lately. He acts hungry but then walks away, on the fourth type of food today he ate( probably hoping for the gravy one he got on his hypo day )
The thing is if he had jus been left on Sunday we would have lost him. So feeling very worried about going away. I am going to follow suggestions though and see who I can recruit to check on him, and test him.
Plus read over the links you have suggested,
Thank you
On the good side my husband has agreed to inject but not test, needles and blood make him feel ill and light headed. Going away next Wed to Sunday, thinking if saying give him .75 if he eats and .5 if he doesn't, he has been very picky lately. He acts hungry but then walks away, on the fourth type of food today he ate( probably hoping for the gravy one he got on his hypo day )
The thing is if he had jus been left on Sunday we would have lost him
. So feeling very worried about going away. I am going to follow suggestions though and see who I can recruit to check on him, and test him.Plus read over the links you have suggested,
Thank you
Barb & Mr. Frog
Member Since 2013
Simke said:
When Frog was doing this, it turned out he was nauseous... I gave 1/4 of a 10mg(regular, not x str) tablet of Pepcid AC (make sure its the AC, the other kind isn't good for kitties in my understanding) Just a thought. I've also noticed he seems to gravitate to the liver/fishy foods more when he is nauseous.
Sorry to hear about the hypo incident, and very happy to hear kitty is ok afterwards.
hmjohnston
Member Since 2011
To help give the pepcid (very popular here) i slather some laughing cow cheese or low fat cream cheese on it- slurp! Down it goes.
If the cat goes to the bowl, licks a little and turns away, or licks their lips while at the bowl but doesn't eat- nauseous is probably the culprit.
If the cat goes to the bowl, licks a little and turns away, or licks their lips while at the bowl but doesn't eat- nauseous is probably the culprit.
KPassa
Member Since 2012
There's one more thing I forgot to mention when it comes to "Surrogate testing and shooting," as I like to call it. :lol: You have to be flexible and willing for there to be missed and/or delayed shots. It's helpful if the cat is in more stable numbers and there is little to minimal danger of ketones or overdose (due to shots not being exactly 12 hours apart). A lot of people give a lowered dose when they're gone just to help prevent this from happening. For example, this last weekend while I was gone, Michelangelo ended up with two skipped shots (one due to low numbers at PS) and one delayed shot (probably causing that low PS number).
Wendy&Tiggy(GA)
Member Since 2011
"surrogate testing and shooting" sounds like you test and shoot someone else instead. Like your husband. or another cat 
Rocky's folks
Member Since 2017
Have read all of the above and it is helpful. Fortunately, our cats travel well. Great for diabetic cat and less stress for us. Have short term coverage. My concern is when we travel and have a cat sitter come in twice a day for shots. Rocky has experienced, at different times a lethargic nature - he'll eat for us or, if necessary, karo and has responded. What happens when no one is here? Can you leave dry food down overnight in case he goes low? This is all rather new - 6 months and I don't want to make a mistake at his expense. Know we all worry about our "babies"
JeffJ
Member Since 2016
Theresa was afraid of testing and dosing too. Maybe you could try to desensitize your husband to the process. That desensitization is used for a lot of phobias. Maybe it will work with this too. It is only a small amount of blood. If there is no testing, the I would really minimize the doses he gets.
I hope your kitteh is feeling better.
I hope your kitteh is feeling better.
MJW
Member Since 2017
My Yum has been well regulated at around 3 units of Lantus twice a day. No one can touch her but me, unless she is caged. My vet says I could probably leave her off insulin for 3 or 4 days without severe consequences. I'm still not sure what I will do but I have to travel at some point.
Phoebes (GA)
Member Since 2017
I was tol
I was told Not to massage after shot?
Chris & China (GA)
Member Since 2013
This thread is from 2013 so it's probably better to start a new one, but you're right...you don't massage with Lantus because it disrupts the depot
MJW
Member Since 2017
I'm sure they can handle her if she is caged. But she will be very stressed in that case and she might stop eating. Also, they aren't there 24/7 if she were to go hypo. Of course, I would have them give her a reduced dose. And now it looks like she her kidneys are deteriorating a bit and she has a heart problem. I suppose those complications could change the vet's recommendation.
Rocky's folks
Member Since 2017
I don't feel Rocky is well regulated yet. Plan to ask vet about Lantus. I am thankful I found a sitter, Rocky likes her. I actually found her on line. Checked with a couple of sitters but they were "willing to try giving a shot" and this one already had experience and was comfortable with a diabetic cat or dog. I understand people recommend a "sitter dose" that is a 1.2 unit lower so that BG might stay a little high. Another vet question. This site has been so helpful. I don't feel like we're out their fishing for answers on our own. You all understand especially leaving them while traveling. Thanks for all your answers - you might this site great.
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