Cat has diabetes

[Maridw]

Just found out that one of our cats has diabetes. She is 13 years old. She was peeing on everything which is kind of unusual for her, not completely unusual but for as much as she was doing it, unusual.

The vet said that we have two options: controlling her sugar with a change of food, or monitoring her sugar and giving her insulin injections twice a day. After we left the vet, my DH & I talked about it and we are going to try the change of food. I said that while I am not working, the injections would be fine, but if I start working again, it will be difficult. Also I don't know if I could give her the injections. It is difficult to give her pills or clean her ears, trying to give her shots and checking her blood sugar will be even harder.

We really hope that we can control her sugar with the food otherwise we are going to have to reconsider everything. I really don't want to put her to sleep, but she has had a very good, long life and don't want her to be in pain.

I am really grateful for the boards, because I can really open up and just let my emotions go. And everyone cares about what is going on with each other.

 

[Legendofthehawk]

My cat also has the diabetes. He's 14. We were never given an option of controlling it through his diet.. he went right into injections one time aday. They do a sugar curve every few months (which is pretty expensive). But giving the shots is no big deal, and they don't even put up a fuss with it.

Just load the needle, flick out the air bubbles, grab some fat and give injection. Just make sure to give it horizontal, not vertical.



Warm thoughts go to your kitty.

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

I will tell you honestly, having a cat with diabetes was tough for me. My cat was only 7 when he was diagnosed -- too young, I felt, to *not* try to control it. He would not eat the special diabetic food, but we switched him to another specialty food that helped somewhat, but we still had to do injections. We started off trying regular Humalog insulin but his diabetes was resistant to it; my vet hospitalized him and checked his blood sugar regularly and tried increasing amounts of insulin until it was human doses and it still didn't regulate his levels. We had to order a special pet insulin through the vet about every 2 months, at $66 each. My vet didn't have us check his blood sugar levels ourselves, we just gave him regular doses twice daily. It was not hard and he really didn't notice. The amount of time that it took for us to get his diabetes semi-controlled took its toll and he developed neuropathy in his back legs, so he was walking on his "ankles" as the vet called it. He couldn't jump anymore, he walked slowly and with difficulty. Eventually, with more regulation, some of those symptoms abated and he was able to walk better. About 20 months after he was diagnosed, his kidneys failed after so much damage and I had to make that decision we never want to make. While I know he was still very much loved and taken care of for those 20 months, I still ask myself whether I did it for him or did it for me. Of course, at the outset, I had no idea that his diabetes would be so resistant to treatment; even our vet said he had never seen a case like Shadow's. It has taken me almost 4 years to be able to get over my sadness about Shadow and feel like I can love another kitty; we adopted a kitten in January.

I would never say that I'm sorry we tried to treat him, but I wish I had realized sooner that it wasn't working as well as it should. I feel like he went through more pain than he should have.

 

[jwhtewolfd]

I am a vet tech at a feline exclusive hospital and proud owner of my very own diabetic kitty.

Diet control rarely works if the goal is to avoid insulin. But it may help her need less insulin, and I certainly recommend going with a canned food, low carb, high protein diet. But don't get your hopes up.

Insulin injections work best when given twice a day. It's a rare cat that will be ideally controlled on once a day injections. Actually giving the injection is a piece of cake. I give my guy his while he's eating and he's so busy chowing down he doesn't even realize anything happened. It's a VERY TINY needle.

The twice a day schedule takes a little getting used to, but it can definitely be made to work. It should ideally be 12 hours apart, but you can fudge a bit by an hour or two every now and then if needed.

Have your vet teach you how to monitor urine sugar at home (and if your vet doesn't have you do this, please find a vet more in tune with cats). There's very little need to check blood sugars at home. An occasional curve is a good idea, but you don't want to play chase-the-number. You will know she is well regulated based on clinical symptoms (weight loss/gain, appetite, strength in rear legs, water intake, urine output).

I will plead with you not to consider euthanasia due to her diabetes. 13 is not terribly old for a cat, and with a little patience and knowledge you can give her several more good years. The fact that you are posting tells me you care about her. If you can regulate her well enough to control the clinical symptoms, she won't be in any more pain than a human diabetic who is well regulated. And like I said, the needle is TINY. Many owners are astounded at how well their cats tolerate the shots. Luckily they don't have "needle-phobia" like we do.

This is a terrible story, but hopefully it will get you thinking. We once diagnosed a lady's cat with diabetes and started going through the whole explanation of how to take care of the kitty. The lady says she, herself, is diabetic, and I thought how that would really work in the favor of the cat b/c the owner would understand the process and what was going on....can you believe that she insisted on putting the cat to sleep that day? I was beyond speechless. I could not participate. I sent a coworker in, and went outside to fume. I get angry just thinking of it even now. No one sentenced her to death when SHE was diagnosed! What a dispicable excuse for a human being. She deserved the same fate as her poor pet. Yes, I admit I was completely judgmental. I didn't know her living/financial/etc. situation, but I still stand behind my opinion and was totally disgusted.

 

[Katie's Butterflies]

My cat was just diagnosed as being diabetic too. She’s 12. We were told we need to change her diet. The vet tried to get us to use the prescription food, but I took one look at it and refused. It was filled with cornmeal. (1. corn is bad for cats, 2. if she’s diabetic you want to stay away from carbs) We changed her diet to all meat wet food. (no grains vegetables or fruits). She is acting a lot better. (energy wise, liquid intake/outtake etc) We have to take her back in in a few days to recheck her blood sugar, but I'm not worried. I think she’s doing just fine.

Claire&TheBoys:

jwhtewolfd: All I can say to your story is When my pets have been sick, I try whatever I can to make them better. I can't understand how someone would just want to kill a pet when the diagnosis is treatable! wow just wow

 

[jwhtewolfd]

jwhtewolfd: All I can say to your story is When my pets have been sick, I try whatever I can to make them better. I can't understand how someone would just want to kill a pet when the diagnosis is treatable! wow just wow

Not only that, but the woman had the VERY SAME disease! Unbelievable!

btw, thanks for understanding. i'm sure someone will say "a pet is not as important as a person," but that's just not true in my little universe and i was truly distraught that day.

 

[KristaTX]

for everyone on this thread.

My 9 year old kitty Ernie was diagnosed two weeks ago . I was suspecting diabetes to be the diagnosis because of his symptoms (increased urination, thirst, and hunger), but I was hoping it would be something easier to deal with or "fix". His blood glucose was around 600 and the urine test made the diagnosis final.

We started out with 2 units of Prozinc twice a day, which was increased last week to 3 units when they rechecked his blood. And today at the vet, she determined we need to go up to 4 units of Prozinc insulin twice a day. His blood glucose was 289 today.

The shots haven't been too difficult for me since I'm already a nurse. It's not going to be so difficult to deal with when I'm home, but we travel fairly often. And we are leaving in two days for a trip to Ohio and Niagara Falls. Great timing .

I asked the vet if it would be better to board him at their office where he could get the 2 shots a day, or keep him at home and have someone give him a shot once a day. The vet said that the stress level would increase his blood glucose so much if I boarded him that since it's just a few days he might be better off just staying at home and getting a single dose a day.

So my mom came over last night to learn how to give shots. I know she can do it, and he has done pretty well with the shots. But after today's visit to the vet (his third in less than two weeks), and with his brother Bert's visit to the vet today that required sedation and made him smell foreign to Ernie, Ernie is one very grouchy kitty right now. Even I haven't been able to give him his shot tonight. He's been so cooperative, too, until tonight. I should have waited to take Bert to the vet after our trip. Sigh .

Hang in there, everyone. Jwhtwolfd, thanks for what you have already written, and please feel free to give us all any more advice that you may have to share.

 

[Katie's Butterflies]

Not only that, but the woman had the VERY SAME disease! Unbelievable!

btw, thanks for understanding. i'm sure someone will say "a pet is not as important as a person," but that's just not true in my little universe and i was truly distraught that day.

I guess we must live in the same universe

 

[bballmom56]

We had a diabetic cat and it was not difficult to manage at all. The vet started him on the human insulin, but that didn't work for him. Then she put him on the beef insulin and that worked. He got 2 units in the morning and 2 units at night. As others have said, we just did it while he was eating and he didn't even flinch. We got quite good at it!

The one time we did go away, we did board him with the vet as we didn't have anyone that we felt comfortable asking to do the shots on the regular schedule. He made out fine.

Don't despair and don't give up easily. It can be managed!

 

[jackemail]

I have had a diabetic cat and a diabetic dog. My cat was the most ornery cat around, but it was no problem at all injecting him twice a day...he never really seemed to mind. He was 13 when diagnosed, and he lived 2 more very good years.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Can you ask your vet what the regime would be like if you went back to work.

I.e. could you give injections before and after work, or is it on a set schedule that may conflict with work?

I have a difficult time giving my cats anything by mouth--but I would think an injection would be easier. In general "forcing" a cat to do anything by mouth is immensely difficult. But the shot isn't going in their mouth--so while they may not enjoy it...at least at the vet office, it seems to be somethig that is "easier" to do.

Hope all is good! Your kitty can do well with this.

 

[alliecats]

What jwhtewolfd said! YOU CAN DO THIS! This is long but I hope it will help you.

I am the proud owner of a cat with diabetes, pancreatitis, and inflammatory bowel disease. The diabetes is the easiest to treat of the three. Her pancreatitis has truly put the diabetes in perspective.

Despite the fact she is on massive steroids (for the other 2 conditions) which makes diabetes trickier to treat, she is well-regulated on her new insulin (glargine/Lantus) and was easily regulated on the old one as well.

I work a full-time job and go to grad school 1/2 time so I know how intimidating this sounds. But it's do-able. I give her 2 shots a day and check her blood sugar before each one with a home meter (Too easy! Just combine Blood Sugar Time with a Treat Time and the cat will cooperate, no matter how ornery. They usually love all-meat baby food as a treat--just check the label to make sure there are no onions).

Even if your cat does not go into 'remission' with just a diet change, it is possible that the diet change, combined with a long-acting insulin like Glargine/Lantus, will eventually result in a 'remission'. I belong to a feline diabetes message board (http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/--sign up & post for help. Full of very nice people like the DIS) and have seen it happen there many times after a few months on Lantus and low-carb food.

I agree about the content of those Rx foods--too much corn, still too much carbs. Purina DM dry is 13% carbs. In contrast, Wellness canned is probably about 6%. Even Fancy Feast classic varieties (no gravy/sliced/grilled) is better quality than the Rx dry. Some on the board use Friskies and Nine Lives with good results too, if you are on a budget. The lower the carbs, the better the chance for lower blood sugar. We call it the "Catkins Diet."

My cat will never have remission due to the steroids but I am ok with that. Insulin has allowed her to have a very high quality of life for coming up on 4.5 years now. It is worth it!

Just work with your vet, ask them any questions you might have, and you will be fine! GOOD LUCK!!!

 

[Maridw]

We were told to use the Hill's md formula. We had a dog that had to be on Hill id for a long time but we really didn't like it.

Any suggestions for food would be appreciated. We found a page that rates dog food and have our new dog on Blue Buffalo brand dry food and Wellness canned food.

It looks like the Wellness Core is low carb. We have been feeding the cats Purina Indoor Formula for some time because that is one that they all will eat.

Thanks for all the support.

 

[jwhtewolfd]

Can you ask your vet what the regime would be like if you went back to work.

I.e. could you give injections before and after work, or is it on a set schedule that may conflict with work?

I have a difficult time giving my cats anything by mouth--but I would think an injection would be easier. In general "forcing" a cat to do anything by mouth is immensely difficult. But the shot isn't going in their mouth--so while they may not enjoy it...at least at the vet office, it seems to be somethig that is "easier" to do.

Hope all is good! Your kitty can do well with this.

Before and after work would be ideal. There is no set time it must be done; you make it work with your schedule. I have a client that works an early morning delivery route and he does the injections at noon and midnight. I do mine at 8am and 8pm. I used to set an alarm to remind myself, but now Louie can tell time and will start fussing at me when it's time for "breakfast" and "dinner" - aka insulin injections.

And yes, it is super easy, as other posters are saying, to give the injection. I think the hardest thing about it for most people is getting over your own fear of "I don't want to poke my cat."

What jwhtewolfd said! YOU CAN DO THIS! This is long but I hope it will help you.

I am the proud owner of a cat with diabetes, pancreatitis, and inflammatory bowel disease. The diabetes is the easiest to treat of the three. Her pancreatitis has truly put the diabetes in perspective.
...

Just work with your vet, ask them any questions you might have, and you will be fine! GOOD LUCK!!!

Thanks for your story, and the website. I will have to check it out. Might make a great support site to direct our clients to.

Diabetes, panceatitis and IBD? You are a trooper! Thanks for taking such good care of your girl. I just love owners who are willing to educate themselves and take a real role in their pet's disease process and care.

 

[DizBelle]

I suggest monitoring blood sugar at home. You can use the same monitors and strips made for humans. I suggest the Freestyle Lite monitor as it requires only 3 microliters of blood for the test (a teeny tiny amount). The monitor is super cheap and the strips can be found on ebay for less than half retail.

What you really, really don't want to do is give an insulin injection if his blood sugar doesn't warrant it. We've driven Spenser to dangerous hypoglycemia because we were giving shots "on a schedule" without testing to ensure that he actually needed it (before we really learned about managing feline diabetes). That was scary. My Spenser doesn't mind the test or the injections. Testing is really, really easy and I can't tell you the peace of mind it gives us to know that we only gave an injection that he needed instead of giving the injection and waiting to see what happens (does he go into seizure due to way too low blood sugar).

Fear not!!! It can be intimidating at first but you will get the hang of dealing with it and it will become second nature.

 

[KristaTX]

The vet has been pricking Ernie's ear for the blood glucose checks. Is that the site that those of you who check your cat's glucose levels use? I have a glucometer.

 

[Linda in sunny SC]

My cat has been diabetic for nearly 5 years. He is 13 now. I've been giving him insulin twice a day since he was diagnosed. He eats Friskies Poultry Platter canned food and Purina One Sensitive Systems dry. I test him with a Freestyle glucometer on the edge of his ear. He gets PZI insulin that I order from BCP pharmacy in Texas with a Rx from my vet. We started on Humulin then switched to IDEXX PZI which has since been discontinued. Here is a message board where you can find information: http://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/index.php?sid=1792840ef5eb810ac8a9e766e6ccba2d
Feline Diabetes is very treatable.

 

[DizBelle]

The vet has been pricking Ernie's ear for the blood glucose checks. Is that the site that those of you who check your cat's glucose levels use? I have a glucometer.

Yes, ear prick.

 

[mackeysmom]

My Mackey has been on insulin for diabetes for almost 5 years - he will celebrate his 14th birthday this weekend.

In the beginning it was a little crazy until his vet and I were able to figure out the best insulin/dosage - but it has been smooth sailing ever since He is currently on PZI - we've been lucky and only have to give it to him once a day.

I never thought that Mackey would tolerate the shots, or the blood glucose testing (I test him at home each day), but he has been a good sport about it.


-- Laura

 

[si-am]

We have an 8 year old Siamese who was diagnosed with diabetes a year ago. At first, we didn't think we'd be able to manage it, and I was devastated after his diagnosis (which cost us $1500 all up).

But it's NOT as bad as you think, I promise.

After he was diagnosed, BOTH our cats got switched to an all canned diet (high protein/low carbs). No need to buy the prescription stuff. We started insulin right away, and he has kind of been in and out of "remission" for a while. He will go a month or so without needing insulin, then his numbers will shoot up higher for a few weeks, and on and on and on. We never would have known this without hometesting.

We both work full time, and everything is completely manageable, just a little inconvenient at times.

Finally, I second the recommendation to check out the forums at felinediabetes.com The people there know EVERYTHING and can really help you get started.

Good luck!