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31. 

    Azdebra:
    I don't have any such jars but I bought a small snap lid plastic container the perfect size to hold at least 100 to 200 used syringes and put a big label on it saying USED SYRINGES. When it is full I'll take it to the vet for proper disposal and get another. It was really cheap but is quite sturdy and proof against any needles poking through it. Of course, I bend the needle after use and then put the cap back on for safety.

    MCW and WWM:
    I've got both some honey that was on hand in the pantry and picked up some fresh maple syrup when buying groceries this evening. So I've got both handy in case of need. I forgot the fish gravel when I was out but can get that another day. We aren't yet at the point of my doing glucose checks at home. Although I told the vet I'd like to learn so I don't need haul Alice over there each time. However, as the rechecks are as much to give her a complete looking over and check my log for food intake, tray output, and overall condition, I don't object to frequent visits at present.

    JCAT:
    I hope to eventually be able to give Alice her shots while she is eating. But if not, I can keep giving them after she finishes. I'm making it a love ritual and so far she is putting up with it quite well.

    SMM:
    Well, I am somedays overwhelmed wondering when I get some "me" time but that has been more on days when I'm cleaning up endless nasty messes from cats throwing up and/or messing outside the litter boxes. Getting Mandi's UTI cleared up has definitely helped lessen that. And as Alice continues to respond to the insulin and gradual diet change I'm not having her get sick all over the place, at least so far she hasn't the past couple of days since the insulin started. I did manage to go to a large gathering of friends for dinner and the birthday party for their 2 year old grandson last evening and spend 5 hours away from Alice without her coming to any harm from my being gone. I was worried about her all the time but she and I both did well for me to get out for awhile.

    Eventually I'll get all this running smoothly and be able to make minor adjustments in the insulin schedule to allow for my schedule needs for work, commuting, and having some social life outside of home. But as I am typically a homebody anyway, I hope it will prove fairly easy to manage as time goes on.

    Thanks again folks. I'll give occasional updates and likely be asking more questions of those of you experienced in dealing with diabetic cats as I think of them. I appreciate all the wonderful help!!! God bless.

    Posted 3 years ago by Marnet #

32. 

    Marnet, it sounds like you are doing very well with your care for Alice. You are right about taking her in for the glucose testing right now, because it will take a little time to get the insulin dosage just right. I did have a cat who lived with diabetes for many years, but that was a long time ago (he has been gone for almost 6 years now, hard to believe) so I am sure that the treatments have come a long way. Back then they didn't even have special dietary food for diabetes. Gibbie was always a gentleman and never gave me a hard time about his shots. I remember the vet telling me that the area on the back of the neck is not terribly sensitive so it really doesn't hurt too much. Make it part of her daily ritual and you shouldn't have much of a problem. I hope everything continues to go well.

    I forgot to add, I used to collect our empty coffe cans from work to put the needles in. When it was full I would tape the top on really good and drop it off at the vet. You could fit many needles into one of those cans!

    Posted 3 years ago by NNGM #

33. 

    NNGM:
    Ah, coffee cans is an idea. I don't drink coffee and with Dad gone I don't have any around anymore but I'll ask friends if they will save an occasional empty one for me! Thanks.

    I gather from what the vet has said that diabetic care for animals has improved greatly in just the past few years. It is considered a quite manageable disease. Sadly, I know some people who had their cat put down just a couple of years ago because they wouldn't take on the task of the daily insulin shots. My feeling is that I would put Alice to sleep only to end suffering if she reaches a point that she is whether from the diabetes or any other condition. Inconvenience on my part isn't a reason. When we adopted these kitties into our lives, we accepted the responsibilities that go with them, including when the tough times come. Would I prefer healthy cats? Absolutely!!! Mostly so they had better quality of life and longer lives. And, frankly, so it was easier, less time and resource consuming, and less expensive for me. But given I don't expect anyone to euthanize me when I have inconvenient and expensive health problems, I surely can't envision doing so to pets I dearly love. Along with the joys of pet ownership come the demands and responsibilities.

    Now if I can just teach them to throw up on the bare floor and not the carpet..... :-)

    Posted 3 years ago by Marnet #

34. 

    HAPPY PROPER HEALTHY POO ALERT!!! Woo hoo, for the first time since she got so horribly sick throwing up and having watery stools 5 nights ago due to the diabetes, Alice has produced a proper normal solid stool a few minutes ago!

    In the greater scheme of things with what so many others are dealing with, this is a minor occurence, I know. But for Alice, at the moment, it is one more step toward having the insulin and gradual diet change begin to really help. There is hope! *happy dance*

    Of course, she watched me change the litter trays (it's trash night) and THEN got in and made her happy deposit in the fresh litter! A cat, after all, must keep her standards high. :-)

    Posted 3 years ago by Marnet #

35. 

    Whoo Hooo! Happy Poop day! I bet she just plain feels a lot better too.

    Posted 3 years ago by paulajeanne #

36. 

    YAY! So glad that Alice is doing better! I really admire your ability to care for 3 medically needy kitties--you get 3 cheers as well!

    Posted 3 years ago by rainingwolf #

37. 

    Oh yeah, I should think so! She actually felt enough better this afternoon that she briefly chased Tigger for some cat tag.

    What I find amazing is how her coat already feels a trifle less rough, perhaps from some grooming, although I haven't seen her grooming. But she is stronger, getting closer to eating normal, not soaking down the litter so much, and generally perking up.

    The next trick will be getting her on a more set schedule for eating so I can keep the shots more evenly spaced close to the 12 hour interval and so that her glucose levels stay more even with less up and down. The past few days have been more about getting her to eat at all whenver she would have a few more bites. It's been a challenge to get her to eat enough at any time so I could safely give her insulin.

    Right now, because of that, the shot schedule got time shifted an hour at a time to noon and midnight. That's why I'm up at this hour, keeping an eye on how she is doing, since the vet increased the dosage and I have to make sure it isn't too much. So, I'm changing litter trays and putting out trash, washing dishes and doing laundry in the middle of the night. Good thing I'm a night owl by nature. In fact, getting back to an early morning schedule for job hunting in the next few days will be downright cruel to my sleep! :-)

    Posted 3 years ago by Marnet #

38. 

    Well, for some reason, most likely my not yet practiced technique, Alice has decided she doesn't like getting her shots. So, I've backed off trying to give them while she is eating and patiently wait until she is done, hold her and stroke her with lots of gentle love and then give the shot. Hopefully as she learns how the shots make her feel better and I get better at giving them with no discomfort she will feel more happy about getting stuck twice a day. Poor baby. Right now she is still so very thin and seems to notice even the tiny needle as being uncomfortable. Oddly, she simply didn't mind the first two days of shots. It was after Frisky went charging past on a wild romp, startling her once while I was giving her shot that I think has her now spooked. So tonight I'll try taking her into a closed room away from all the other cats, let her eat and give her shot with no other distractions or cats to make her nervous. This is still quite an adjustment and learning curve for me, Alice and the other kitties.

    Repeat after me now: I can make this work, I can make this work, I can make this work......

    Posted 3 years ago by Marnet #

39. 

    Marnet, you can do this! Are you lifting up her skin on the scruff of her neck? Or where are you giving the shot? I wouldn't give them while she is eating because she might associate that with food. Maybe when she's just a little bit sleepy. It's such a tiny needle and she will get to where she doesn't even feel it. You will, but she won't!

    Posted 3 years ago by WillowandWindismom #

40. 

    Glad to hear Alice is doing a bit better. Here is hoping all of your cats are doing much better. Sending you some hugs, Marnet.

    Posted 3 years ago by SylMiaFelixsMomma #

41. 

    WWM, I've been doing it down between the shoulder blades and lifting the skin there, alternating between the middle and either side. I'll try lifting the skin more at the scruff of her neck and see if that helps.

    When I asked the vet what the time window after a meal is for giving the shot she said right away without delay or that I could give it while Alice is eating once Alice has eaten at least a good tablespoon full. You're right about the shot during eating; it makes Alice want to back away from the food and not finish eating a full meal. So I'll wait until she's done.

    Thanks for the reminder about where to lift the skin; I think I've been lifting it too far down toward her shoulders.

    I'm determined to make this work in a manner that Alice feels comfortable with rather than being unhappy with her shots.

    Thanks, Sylvestersmiasmomma for the hugs and encouragement.

    Posted 3 years ago by Marnet #

42. 

    I've heard of cats who actually remind their humans that it's time for their shot. Let's hope Alice becomes one of them. Given her diabetic condition, what kind of treats can she have. A nice treat every time mommy gives her a shot might help her get use to them.

    Posted 3 years ago by CheetahBoysmommy #

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