Just found out today that my 10 year old male cat named Clyde has diabetes I am so scared for him the vet made it sound like we should put him down but said our other option is to try him out for insulin, they took blood from him today and vet said that his kidneys maybe too damaged but we just need to wait till tomorrow morning for the lab test on his blood. My husband and I are so sad! I blame myself for not being more strict with his food intake he has always been overweight! we have two other cats and the other two are not overweight and eat normal amounts of food. I love this cat so much! the other big concern is the cost we may have to cancel going to the family reunion this month since we may not have enough money to pay for the vet bill and the trip both! wow can anyone tell me how much the insulin will cost per month?
worried cat mom
- Thread starter hdeso
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Elizabeth and Bertie
Member Since 2010
Hello and welcome to you and Clyde.
A diagnosis of feline diabetes can come as a big shock. Everyone here has been where you are now and understands how you feel.
The good news though is that diabetes is usually manageable. And there are plenty of folks here managing their cats' diabetes on a tight budget.
There are also people here whose cats have diabetes and kidney disease.
The main costs involved are the intial costs (diagnosis etc) and the ongoing costs of insulin and other diabetic supplies.
Most of us here test our cats' blood glucose at home using ordinary glucose meters made for human diabetics; and this helps us manage our cats' diabetes as well as saving us money. (All glucose tests can be done at home instead of the vet's clinic).
What are you feeding Clyde at the moment? (And is he on low phosphorous foods for his kidney disease?)
Where are you in world? (The US?) If we know where you are then we will more accurately be able to let you know the likely costs involved.
(Keeping fingers and paws crossed for you in respect of Clyde's lab test results tomorrow.)
Eliz
A diagnosis of feline diabetes can come as a big shock. Everyone here has been where you are now and understands how you feel.
The good news though is that diabetes is usually manageable. And there are plenty of folks here managing their cats' diabetes on a tight budget.
There are also people here whose cats have diabetes and kidney disease.
The main costs involved are the intial costs (diagnosis etc) and the ongoing costs of insulin and other diabetic supplies.
Most of us here test our cats' blood glucose at home using ordinary glucose meters made for human diabetics; and this helps us manage our cats' diabetes as well as saving us money. (All glucose tests can be done at home instead of the vet's clinic).
What are you feeding Clyde at the moment? (And is he on low phosphorous foods for his kidney disease?)
Where are you in world? (The US?) If we know where you are then we will more accurately be able to let you know the likely costs involved.
(Keeping fingers and paws crossed for you in respect of Clyde's lab test results tomorrow.)
Eliz
Lisa and Witn (GA)
Member Since 2009
Hi and welcome to FDMB. Receiving a diagnosis of feline diabetes is scary and overwhelming. But, like Eliz said, it is manageable on a budget. I know this because at one time I was caring for two diabetic cats, along with 4 others, while unemployed.
To save on insulin, ask your vet to prescribe either Lantus or Levemir. The prescription needs to be for their pens. On both company websites, there are coupons that will bring down the cost to $25 per pen. You get 5 pens in a box. One box of pens should last almost a year depending on your dose.
For food, you do not need to feed Clyde prescription food. It is not low in carbs anyway. Instead feed canned Friskies or Fancy Feast. You want the pate flavors - nothing with gravy in the name.
I also suggest you learn to hometest. This will eliminate unnecessary trips to the vet just to be tested. Those tests are not very accurate because stress can raise a cat's glucose levels significantly. Instead you will use a human glucose meter and test a small drop of blood from Clyde's ear before every shot. The reasons you test each time is 1) to make sure it is safe to give insulin and 2) to determine if you may need to adjust the dose. We can help you learn to test if your vet is unwilling to show you. Don't let your vet talk you into the "animal" glucose meter. The test strips are expensive and the only place you can get them is at the vet. If you use a human meter, you can get strips at any pharmacy. A good inexpensive meter is Walmart Relion brand Confirm or Micro meters. I have also use the Relion brand syringes and was very please with them.
Even though it has been several years since I was unemployed, I figured out the cost for caring for my two diabetics was less than $75 per month. It has probably increase some but still should be affordable.
To save on insulin, ask your vet to prescribe either Lantus or Levemir. The prescription needs to be for their pens. On both company websites, there are coupons that will bring down the cost to $25 per pen. You get 5 pens in a box. One box of pens should last almost a year depending on your dose.
For food, you do not need to feed Clyde prescription food. It is not low in carbs anyway. Instead feed canned Friskies or Fancy Feast. You want the pate flavors - nothing with gravy in the name.
I also suggest you learn to hometest. This will eliminate unnecessary trips to the vet just to be tested. Those tests are not very accurate because stress can raise a cat's glucose levels significantly. Instead you will use a human glucose meter and test a small drop of blood from Clyde's ear before every shot. The reasons you test each time is 1) to make sure it is safe to give insulin and 2) to determine if you may need to adjust the dose. We can help you learn to test if your vet is unwilling to show you. Don't let your vet talk you into the "animal" glucose meter. The test strips are expensive and the only place you can get them is at the vet. If you use a human meter, you can get strips at any pharmacy. A good inexpensive meter is Walmart Relion brand Confirm or Micro meters. I have also use the Relion brand syringes and was very please with them.
Even though it has been several years since I was unemployed, I figured out the cost for caring for my two diabetics was less than $75 per month. It has probably increase some but still should be affordable.
dirtybirdsoaps
Member Since 2014
Welcome to FDMB!
The initial diagnosis is a scary thing until you do your research, and read the posts from everyone here. Reading everyone's situation on here is very comforting that you are not alone, and have someplace to turn. First I will say, get a print out of the labs, they will help you greatly! Every vet is different, but I know sadly my vet was no help in this situation and I find my answers here not from her which is sad since she's the best vet I've found in years.
Hidey was on prozinc which was about $80 and last about 3-6 months depending on the dosage. Also when it comes to insulin start low and go slow, but the best advice everyone can give you on this board is the home testing. It cannot be stressed enough, and will save you a ton of money in unnecessary vet bills, and more health issues. The best, cheapest option is a human meter but some vets (like mine) push the alphameter- pet specific meter on you. Well it cost $150+ and when your testing non-stop it costs a fortune.....well being scared and not doing my research I fell for it After a month of spending insane money on test strips I changed to the relion micro from walmart.
Also, even if there is some kidney issues happening it can still be treated. Don't give up hope, and you are not alone
The initial diagnosis is a scary thing until you do your research, and read the posts from everyone here. Reading everyone's situation on here is very comforting that you are not alone, and have someplace to turn. First I will say, get a print out of the labs, they will help you greatly! Every vet is different, but I know sadly my vet was no help in this situation and I find my answers here not from her which is sad since she's the best vet I've found in years.
Hidey was on prozinc which was about $80 and last about 3-6 months depending on the dosage. Also when it comes to insulin start low and go slow, but the best advice everyone can give you on this board is the home testing. It cannot be stressed enough, and will save you a ton of money in unnecessary vet bills, and more health issues. The best, cheapest option is a human meter but some vets (like mine) push the alphameter- pet specific meter on you. Well it cost $150+ and when your testing non-stop it costs a fortune.....well being scared and not doing my research I fell for it After a month of spending insane money on test strips I changed to the relion micro from walmart.
Also, even if there is some kidney issues happening it can still be treated. Don't give up hope, and you are not alone
I would like to thank those that responded to my post your input was incredibly helpful. I would like to let you all know that I live in the United States in Iowa and my handsome Clyde cat is 10 years old. The vet called me and told me that Clyde would be able to try out insulin, he goes to the vet all day tomorrow so they will try out what type and how much he needs. I thank you all again for the responses.
JenM
Member Since 2013
I just want to say WELCOME and to ease your mind a bit that you indeed found the right place. When my cat was diagnosed, my vet made it sound like a life-ending, pocketbook breaking diagnosis. While the pocketbook definitely broke at first (he was hospitalized for 11 days), managing it much more affordable - THANKS TO THE HELP FROM THE FOLKS ON THIS BOARD. I've since found a new vet who is MUCH more helpful than the one who diagnosed him... but this board has TRULY been a lifesaver for my Tink (and a sanity saver for me). We're still having issues - he's back on insulin and I'm having a hard time finding the right dose... but these guys are GREAT and offer great advice. LISTEN TO THEM. Low carb is the way to go - NOT Rx food. I dont know WHY vets push the Rx food so much.
Good luck to you and your Clyde. You're in good hands here!
Good luck to you and your Clyde. You're in good hands here!
Clyde has only been on insulin for four days, and he is peeing less already seeing an improvement. I have a question for you all, I have noticed that since his diagnosis Clyde seems to be walking more on the bottom of his paws does this mean his paws are hurting? has anyone noticed this with their cat too?
Dyana
Member Since 2009
A lot of us just feed the pate varieties of Fancy Feast and Friskies. Try to limit the fishy flavors to once a week, if you can.
The walking sounds like neuropathy and lots of cats get that with diabetes. It should clear up (but it takes a while), with better control of his diabetes. You can also ask your vet if it would be okay to give him some methylcobalamin which should help the neuropathy.
The walking sounds like neuropathy and lots of cats get that with diabetes. It should clear up (but it takes a while), with better control of his diabetes. You can also ask your vet if it would be okay to give him some methylcobalamin which should help the neuropathy.
Elizabeth and Bertie
Member Since 2010
Re: food
Hiya,
We recommend low carb wet food for diabetic kitties. But if your cat is used to dry food it may take a little while to transition him to wet low carb. And in fact it is very important that you don't switch him to low carb at the moment until you have learned to hometest and can monitor his blood glucose levels.
That's because switching to a low carb wet diet can reduce a cat's blood glucose levels dramatically, and the insulin dose Clyde is currently on may then be too high.
What insulin is Clyde on?
And what dose?
And would you like to share your first name with us?
Eliz
hdeso said:
Hiya,
We recommend low carb wet food for diabetic kitties. But if your cat is used to dry food it may take a little while to transition him to wet low carb. And in fact it is very important that you don't switch him to low carb at the moment until you have learned to hometest and can monitor his blood glucose levels.
That's because switching to a low carb wet diet can reduce a cat's blood glucose levels dramatically, and the insulin dose Clyde is currently on may then be too high.
What insulin is Clyde on?
And what dose?
And would you like to share your first name with us?
Eliz
Thanks for your responses Clyde is a 10 year old male cat we just got diagnosed and he has been getting 1 unit of Vetsilin 2 times a day, on Wednesday we will start giving him 2 units twice a day. I am testing at home using the urine test strips. my vet wants us to use the urine test strips and not the blood test she says that it will be easier on him with him just getting used to having the insulin injection. BUT it is hard to do the urine test since he has to be put in the bathroom and use a separate cat box since we have multiple cats! I am not sure if she will have us do the blood monitoring later or just the urine test this is all very new to me and I have not been getting much sleep for fear he will have a bad episode and need me to give him some syrup thank God that has not happened yet!
Deb & Wink
Member Since 2013
Well, learning how to home test could help to reassure you that Clyde's BG (blood glucose) levels are not too low and it's safe to shoot the insulin. I think it would help to relieve some of your worry.
We've taught many people how to home test over the internet.
Here is a list of supplies you would need for home testing. Most of us here use a human glucometer like the Relion Confirm or Micro from Wal-Mart. Inexpensive meter and the test strip cost is reasonable too.
Here is a link to the How To's of home testing. Warming the ear and treats are key.
Here is a link to Ear Testing Psychology, or getting your cat to accept the process written by member Kpassa.
You might want to look these documents over and see what is involved. It's a fairly simple process and easy to learn how to do the home testing. Plus, it gives you more real time, accurate results than the urine testing would do.
BJM
Member Since 2010
Blood testing is much more accurate than urine testing, which only tells you what has happened since the previous void. A simple ear vein prick on the outer edge of the ear can be used to test a tiny droplet of blood to get you real time information on how well his glucose is controlled. It can tell you how well the insulin is working. It can tell you if you need to intervene to protect him from having his glucose tto low, a condition called hypoglycemia, which can kill quickly. (Under 50 mg/dL is too low when using a human glucometer.)
It does take some practice and you do not need the vet's permission to do it. Maybe pick up the supplies and practice on an apple or yourselves a few times to get a feel for it. Then, when you're ready, you give it a go. Place a bit of folded tissue under the ear as you hold it to support the ear. Make the tiny poke between the smaall vein and the upper outer edge of the ear. Test with the glucometer.
It does take some practice and you do not need the vet's permission to do it. Maybe pick up the supplies and practice on an apple or yourselves a few times to get a feel for it. Then, when you're ready, you give it a go. Place a bit of folded tissue under the ear as you hold it to support the ear. Make the tiny poke between the smaall vein and the upper outer edge of the ear. Test with the glucometer.
I have a question about feline neuropathy, My poor clyde has neuropathy from his diabetes we are still trying to get his numbers stabilized and he has the classic symptoms of having neuropathy in his paws. I was doing some research and saw recommendations for using b 12 vitamin to treat this condition. my question is first has anyone used this for their cat and how do u administer it where can I get it to use for a cat?
thank u so much for your response just did some more research and found a product online called Zobaline that is a form of b12 for cats no sweetners in it either it is kind of expensive to order like 30$ for 60 tabs so maybe just get the human form that has no sweetners or not much rice flour that you suggested? not sure yet.
Deb & Wink
Member Since 2013
The human version, Xoboline, contains dextrose. You don't want to use that for your diabetic cat because it can cause the BG (blood glucose) levels to go up. Strongly suggest you stick with the cat version and one without artificial sweeteners because some of those are harmful to cats.
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