My kitty has diabetes

[alliecats]

I posted last week as I was troubled about my dear kitty (7.5 year old) and her health problems. Two weeks ago her blood work showed high liver values and elevated glucose. She has IBD and has been on Prednisone a long time (I am weaning her off). Today the vet determined that she has diabetes. I just gave my first insulin shot! I am kind of in shock. She still has something wrong with her liver but they don't know what, two of her levels went down a bit and one went up a good bit. I am just to keep giving her different kinds of medicine (4-5, plus two insulin shots per day) .
I am willing to do anything to get her well. I am just scared. If anyone has any POSITIVE experience in these areas, please let me know. Respectfully, please don't write and tell me about your kitty passing on or needing to be put to sleep, as I am not in a place where I can keep from panicking right now--normally I can take it but this is after three weeks of worrying and I am wrung out. I need inspiration & encouragement if you have a story to tell that fits the bill.
Also, please any prayers or pixie dust you have will be a big help. I can't express how much I cherish my cat. I have no children at the moment, so she is my child. PLEASE appreciate today how lucky you are if you have a healthy pet!! I appreciate her every day, but you can never do it too much.
Thank you.

 

[minniecarousel]

No experience with that here - but my Vet pointed out that my overweight, old, male tabby is in a high-risk category for feline diabetes. Good to hear that you are on top of things and treating accordingly. I would do the same!
Hang in there! & keep doing what you're doing.

 

[libba]

BTDT and that's all I'll go into! If you need to talk e-mail me!

 

[MB MinnieGirl]

We love them like family - because they are our family!

I understand your fear and am sending pixie dust and prayers your way. I will share no sad stories with you, but if you need to vent, scream cry or yell, you can PM me.

Your baby is young and obviously has a terrific caring and loving mom who takes excellent care of her...which is exactly what she needs. Now go rub her behind the ears and take care of yourself too.

 

[SnowAngel]

Prayers and pixie dust. It's hard when our pets are sick. They are so much babies especially if you don't have another one

 

[Catzeyes]

Sending you pixie dust for your kitty. 4 years ago my then 8 year old female cat got sick. She stopped eating for a day and then her skin began to turn a yellow color. I got her to the vet asap and they diagnosed some type of liver problem but were not sure what it was. We spent almost $2000 dollars in the two weeks while she was at the vets. Finally we had to say enough was enough we could not afford anymore. The vets could not give us any promises but they said they would teach us how to give the iv's and meds and let us take her home. I had to force feed her and we had to give her injections of meds and a iv of fluids once a day. I never thought I would have been able to handle it. Two weeks later she was eating on her own again and her color and levels were back to normal. I am happy to say she is alive and well, and the problem has never returned.

 

[DMickey28]

We have a cat that is 17+ years old. He has been diabetic forever. I honestly don't know how long, but at least 7 years or so. He is going strong. He used to get 2mm (whatever those lines are on the needle) twice a day and just went up to 4mm twice a day. He is arthritic so he creaks but he still jumps up on the chair for his food and he is still as affectionate as ever. We do not feel he is in any sort of pain and the insulin keeps him happy. He just had a recent check up with a teeth cleaning (they tend to get bad!!) and he got a good bill of health considering the diabetes and his age. I don't expect him to leave us anytime soon... he has a simple happy life...

Good Luck to your furbaby and keep trying to find the right medication mix for him.

 

[bballmom56]

We have a cat who was diagnosed with diabetes back in June. I have been giving him an insulin shot once every morning and he improved greatly. He had been very thin and has since gained weight. P and PD for your kitty for a speedy recovery.

 

[Mom2Em]

Our 14 year old cat has been diabetic for 3 years... We give him 2 shots a day... it was actually a godsend... he is in better health than he has been in years and asks frisky like a kitty again... Hugs and PD...

 

[alliecats]

Thanks you guys! It is good to hear some success stories. For those of you who do the insulin, how do you time it with food? Are your cats grazers or do they have mealtimes? I have two, and it is hard to regulate them. They like to eat small meals all day. I am not sure what I am supposed to do with the insulin & timing of food. I know the shots have to be 12 hours apart. Plus she has medicine to take on an empty stomach, medicine to take on a full stomach, medicine that we can give with the shot; etc. It's coreography!

BBallmom56, aren't you the one who went to the Swan in June & we pm'ed about it a few times?

PLEASE keep the p & pd flowing. I want a happy Disney ending.

 

[r3ngels]

I know exactly what you are going through my cat has diabetes too... It makes me so sad to think of it. Sending pixie dust your way...

 

[Jockaroo]

Best wishes for your kitty. When we first got our rescue Scottie, we ran tons of tests on her because they thought she could be diabetic (4 yrs old). Now both my Scotties have an elevated liver enzyme that we are closely watching. (It is something that can lead to Cushings disease and other problems.) Right now Tipper is taking medicine in the a.m. on an empty stomach and I worry so much about my two. One thing the vet did tell us was to watch giving our Scotties too many steriods. Mac received a couple of shots for allergies, but the vet will not give more. He said the steroids could cause bad problems in the liver. You did mention that your kitty had been on steroids for a while. In addition to the medicines, you might want to check with your vet to see if there is any special diabetes foods for your cat. My Scotties eat a gastro-diet food that helps the liver.

I know the problems with my dogs are different from your kitty, but know that we are sending Scottie hugs your way.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I have two friends who've had pets with diabetes and done well - one a cat and one a dog. I saw the cat owner yesterday and asked about the cat and she said he was doing well (it has to be a couple of years anyway the he's had diabetes). She's a nurse and I'm sure she wouldn't mind giving you ideas if you ever want to email her. The only difficulty I recall her having is going on vacation but she found someone who takes care of the cat and gives the shots. So overall, it's going well.

 

[catsrule]

I know how you feel, I love my kitties so much. {{{HUGS}}} and belly rubs to your fur-baby! Sending some supersonic catnip your way.

 

[bballmom56]

BBallmom56, aren't you the one who went to the Swan in June & we pm'ed about it a few times?

Yep, that's me !

When the vet gave me my instructions, she never said whether the shots had to be timed with food. But I do it first thing in the morning and he is usually eating then. Do my cats (all 4 of them) graze all day? Good heavens, they seem to be eating constantly, at least one of them. My mother lives with us and she waits on them hand and foot. They have her trained! The one thing the vet did tell me to omit for the diabetic cat was any food with rice in it.

Your cat is so lucky to have you for a loving, caring mom .

 

[CRB#33]

My kitty was given insulin shots for 5 years until he died at a nice old age. It becomes a very normal part of your daily routine within a very short period of time.

Take care.

 

[mallcat]

Prayers & pixie dust coming your way for your beloved kitty. There are such success stories for feline diabetes. Your kitty has a great mom and is so lucky to have someone that will do whatever is necessary to keep her baby well. Lots of ear rubs and back scratches will help get you and kitty through the necessary treatments.

 

[alliecats]

Thanks to all of you for the support & encouragement. Please keep us in your prayers. Her name is Newkitty. I know, I know, lame name, long story. I generally call her bunny kitty, or baby.

 

[minnie56]

Lots of good wishes coming your way!!

I had a really sick kitty last summer for about 3 weeks....she cost me a small..no large....fortune! They thought Diabetes for awhile but eventually ruled it out and it was just a virus they ultimately determined...she is now fine.

I have no first hand experience to share except to say I am sure your baby will be fine!! Have faith and just keep loving and taking care of her.I know how you feel about her...I have 3 and I just spent the last 60 minutes outside searching for one of mine that my hubby swore he saw outside and I said "Not possible"...they never get out.Well..guess what? One did and he's now safely back inside where he belongs.They are our babies no matter what...good luck to you! Hang in there..

 

[Laura]

Just wanted to send good wishes for your kitty's health! I hope they figure out the liver stuff. I'm sure you'll get used to giving the insulin shots; it will become a routine. It sounds like you're taking great care of your cat. I don't know much about diabetes in cats, but I do know that they live pretty normal lives, like human diabetics.

I don't know if you've been searching much on the web about this, but here's some websites for you:
http://www.felinediabetes.com/
http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/diabetes.html
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Plains/1151/hlthlnks.htm