Just talked to the vet & got test results back and everything is pointing to Diabetes! I need to take in a urine sample to have checked out. Than the next step is probable insulin injections. Keep my little queenie in your prayers so we can make it thru this health challenge. Thank you so much family for I really appreciate your shoulder to lean on. Purrs of thanks from Dot too.
Daily Kitten Chat Forum » Cats & Kittens
DOTTIE HAS DIABETES
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Not a great diagnosis, but certainly much easier to treat than it would have been 50 years ago. Wishing you and Dottie good luck and a easy transition into her new medical regime.
Posted 1 year ago by CheetahBoysmommy #
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Thank you so much kits. I just have a ton of questions to ask the vet etc.
She has never been fat, always tried to feed her higher protein, less grain foods and urine health friendly. Well, I'm making a list/easy part, tee hee next challenge is urine sample...oyyy, wish me luck! -
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(((Dottie and JK)))
My mother had a diabetic cat when I was a young girl. Her name was Angel and she lived to be 18 years old. Not sure how old she was when she was diagnosed but I can remember my diabetic father spreading a towel on the kitchen island every morning, giving Angel her daily injection and then loading up his own needle and sticking himself too! Always struck me as a *slightly* funny image :)
I do hope the best for Dottie, though!!!!!!!Posted 1 year ago by roxysmommy #
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Diabetis can be treated, Kinker had it and would lie in front of me while I gave him is injection and then he got a treat afterwards. Walgreens has a good pet med program, buy the card for $20 annually and the meds are discounted. A box of 100 syringes was $11 and the bottle of insulin was $20 (lasted quite a few months).
Good thoughts for both of you ....
Posted 1 year ago by AZDEBRA 5/27 & crew #
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Giving insulin really isn't as bad as people seem to think; my Dad put off taking his beloved Velvet to the vet b/c he was sure that he would never be able to give her insulin. When he finally started, though, it was not bad at all. She got so used to it that she would come and sit by his chair when it was time for her shot- just part of her routine.
Zappo has been diabetic for 7 years now. He had one hypoglycemic reaction, which was pretty scary; as he is aging and losing muscle his insulin requirements are decreasing. You need to know how to treat suspected hypoglycemia- it is an emergency! The biggest inconvenience is that we have to board him anytime we want to take a trip; I have friends who will cat-sit but won't go near a cat with a syringe. And Zappo wasn't very happy changing from free-feeding to meals twice a day, but he did. We have a glucometer, and I swear the husband is more trouble than the cat when it comes time to check his sugar! Admittedly, the Lantus he's on is not cheap, but he uses only a unit a day so it lasts quite awhile.
I know there are some very brittle cats, but with my n=2, it has not been that difficult. And don't beat yourself up about her becoming diabetic; being overweight and eating high-carb foods are risk factors, not determinants. You can only minimize, not eliminate, risk.
I attach the link on diabetes from Cornell veterinary medicine; it includes treating hypoglycemia. (I can elaborate on my experience if anyone wishes) http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/brochures/diabetes.html
Posted 1 year ago by Kiplings_cat #
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((((JK and Dottie)))
Positive thoughts and prayers. I haven't dealt with a diabetic kitty but I know all will be okay :)Posted 1 year ago by cricketsmama #
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If your vet is still open go get some of the pellets for collecting urine. What you do is take a clean, empty litter box (or facsimle thereof) and put the pellets in for her to scratch. you have to leave her in a room with the box "till she goes" but it makes it easier to collect the urine. Good luck and I'll say a prayer for her (and you!)
Posted 1 year ago by Jetta and Boo Boo's Mom #
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JK--My Bosley was diagnosed with diabetes just a year ago. Although it takes a little trial and error at the beginning to get everything regulated, it's actually not that big of a deal around my home anymore. :) In fact, it's almost comical how he meows/purrs/sits up for his shot every morning and evening (cuz he knows his food is next!). My vet has even joked that he needs to be the spokesman for feline diabetes! I don't do the pee-strip thingys--I just keep an eye out for how much he's drinking and urinating. There were quite a few vet visits at first, but then things tapered off and it's no big deal anymore. I wish someone would've told me that a year ago, because it was so overwhelming--especially with a vet not that experienced with diabetes. Thankfully, Bosley and the vet are teaching each other quite a few things. I do know that my vet no longer thinks that the best option is putting a cat to sleep just because of this diagnosis. Bosley the educator. . . I guess it runs in the family! :) Good luck, sweetie.
Posted 1 year ago by FondaHonda #
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Jeankit, I'm sorry to hear about your Dottie having diabetes. *hugs*
My Alice kitty is diabetic. Like others have said, it can be managed. Giving insulin shots is not difficult and most cats adjust well to getting them. Just be sure to make the procedure a gentle loving time and Dottie will learn that she feels better for getting the shots and that you always give her lots of good love.
The link Kiplings Cat gave to the Cornell web site is an excellent source to read and learn from!
And the plastic pellets Jetta and Boo Boo's Mom speaks of is the easiest way to get a urine sample. Substitute it for litter in a scrubbed clean and empty litter tray. After Dottie pees, then pour the urine back into the sample cup and take it to the vet for analysis.
I don't know if it would work for Dottie but my Alice kitty has gone into remission after she began eating the special dry food I have for my Mandi cat who has a protein allergy. Mandi eats Royal Canin's Hydrolized Protein dry kibbles available from the vet. It is soy based with no other carbohydrates. Soy has a very low glycemic index. Alice also gets some Fancy Feast canned food of the classic variety so there is no carbs in it, not even for gravy; just meat. Now, all that said, be sure to work with your vet to find what diet works for Dottie! Not all cats respond the same. Alice used to be on special diabetic dry food which didn't help in her case. But obviously it does for many cats or it wouldn't be so widely used.
Good luck. And always know that any of us with experience with having diabetic cats are happy to share our knowledge and help you find all the resources you need to get educated on how to help your precious Dottie.
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Oh, I'll add one strong suggestion. Start keeping a log of when and what and how much Dottie eats, how much she drinks, how much she pees, how she is feeling, if she throws up, etc. Also, once she is on any medication, especially if giving her insulin shots, you need to log the time and dose you gave. Otherwise at some point you'll be unsure just when you last gave a shot. It is as important not to overdose as it is not to miss a dose.
I bought a cheap students composition book from the dollar store to keep my log in. After trial and error, I developed my own charting system for logging entries.
What is of great help is to take that log book with you whenever you take Dottie to the vet so he (or she) can see at a quick read the specifics of how Dottie is responding to diabetic care.
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'A box of 100 syringes was $11 and the bottle of insulin was $20 (lasted quite a few months).'
Was this in 1970? ;)
Posted 1 year ago by FondaHonda #
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My Willie kitty had diabetes and he lived to be 18. You do have to be vigilant in monitoring water consumption, peeing and eating but it honestly isn't that difficult. Willie never minded his injections at all. He was the most special kitty!
Posted 1 year ago by WillowandWindismom #
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Zappo's 19 and still purring...although he is showing his age and I have to keep reminding myself that he will not live forever, no matter what good care I take of him.
Posted 1 year ago by Kiplings_cat #
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With all of your help I feel positive. So this new lifestyle for my little kit has begun! Another trip to the vet last nite to get urine sample and speak w/vet. We are to go in on Monday to learn the ropes. They had to order a special insulin for she is so petite. She also got a shot of antibiotics to clear up a slight unrine infection and some new noms and she seemed perkier this morning. Started to purr right after got out of her carrier when we got home so I was happy too! The vet said it is less common for smaller cats to have diabetes which for her is more age realted.
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{{{JK & Dottie}}} Good wishes of encouragement to you. Leela offers soothing leg rubs to you and will hold Dottie's paw for injections if she wants.
Posted 1 year ago by JoanfromNewJersey #
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Lady Coco and Sophie D. send head bonks and purrs of encouragement.
Posted 1 year ago by GizzysAuntie #
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After discussing Dot's case w/2nd vet on Saturday I wanted to check out a more holistic approach for treatment too. I was wondering if anyone has had any experience in this area. I did again see that raw feeding is highly recommended along with some vits & supplements. I am planning on another discussion w/vet & pharmacist today. Just wondering if anyone has something to add. (Per discussion since Dot is so petite now/at 4lbs down from her usual lite weight at 7 lbs all of the adjusting w/amounts and almost force feeding may be so stressful on her, hmmm.)
I found a helpful site. www.holisticat.com/diabetes/Holistic-Treatments.html -
JK, I would tend to favor a holistic approach too, although I'm not informed about feline diabetes. I do believe cats are generally fed too much processed grains, which may play a role in diabetes onset. Cats in the wild do not eat grains--they are obligate carnivores. My guess is that a major cause of human diabetes is overconsumption of sugar and processed carbs. The latter may also be linked to feline diabetes--that would be my conjecture.
I tried raw feeding my cats but was not successful with it. I now have them on mostly Wellness Grain Free, canned, with some of the new Purina Naturals dry food. I'm trying to keep dried food at most 15-20% of their diet. I still believe raw food is the healthiest for cats, but it is not an easy process. Bottom line: cats, like humans, have to LIKE eating the stuff. 'Healthy' food that is uneaten helps no cat. And my cats don't like raw, and I don't have any more time to futz around with it.
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