Pet Lovers

[photodreamr]

Hi All,

I don't post often, but I need some wisdom.  For the first time I have a diabetic cat.   He was diagnosed a little more than a week ago by the vet.

When we went there his glucose level was 500+ and weighed 9.5 lbs.  He was neever a fat cat so this diagnoses surprised me.  Armed with glocose monitoring stuff, insulin and new cat food we went home.  We kept the kitty on the insulin schedule and food schedule even though he was crying for food.  When given food he cleaned his dish so good you thoght it was a new bowl.

Went to the vet again after a week, my poor kitty lost a 1/2 pound and insulin still was 450-500.  We were asked to do a glucose curve and try some new insulin.  Glucose curve showed he was insulin resistant and after a couple days of the new insulin nothing has changed.

He seems to be losing more weigh and he is soo hungry my heart is breaking for him.  The vet has told us to stay strong with the diet.

I am scared with the weigh being lost.  I am trying to figure out when is enough is enough.  The kitty is a great cat.  He has helped me through some tough times and when I was sick in bed he only left me to eat and use the litter box.  He is the most gentlest kitty and woudl put up with about anything I ask of him.

Something is beginning to tell me it is time, but I don't want to let go too soon.  I keep thinking maybe this time his levels will go down.  But I don't want him to suffer by being hungry all the time.

Any word of wisdom?

[Anita Hug]

I don't have much advice to offer because I am not a vet and wouldn't want to steer you wrong.I might suggest that if you are not getting results with your current vet, you might want to get another opinion with a different vet office. What worked for my cat may be different than what will work for yours.

I'll say one thing - when I went through this, the precription foods the vets offered did not help at all. They actually caused other problems - itchy skin, goopy eyes, etc.  Reading the ingredients, it was no wonder. By-product meals, corn, lots of weird ingredients.  I switched to a different brand (Acana) with quality ingredients, and she did so much better.  The main thing is keeping the glycemic index of her food low.  Try playing games to keep her active also. Excercise is one of her best defenses.

I'd also be concerned if I wasn't seeing any improvement at all by now.  Give it a little more time...it can take a bit to see things stabilize.  Then see another vet. Good luck!

[photodreamr]

Timey,

thank you for your words of wisdom.  I appreciate the help.

[doxie1]

I am not a specialist with diabetes in cats. It sounds like you are doing what the vet suggests. Maybe ask the vet about the prognosis and how long until you see results.I have a great relationship with my vet where I can ask what they would do and value their opinion. I wonder if there are low carbohydrate treats that you can use.. I also wonder if your cat will adjust to the lower food after a couple of weeks.

I will say some prayers for you and your kitty.

doxie

[lolakimono]

@photodreamr

What kind of food are you using?

[photodreamr]

Royal Cain DM

[photodreamr]

Thanks Doxie...the vet said they are not sure and might hasve to do more testing.  Not to put a price tag on my poor kitty, but we have spent $1500 in the last week.  The last insulin ran $300.  They want to do an ultra sound then maybe an internal specialist.  I am not sure if we can afford all of that.

I asked the vet about the treats and more food but she is saying that a strict diet needs to followed.  It still breaks my heart becasue the cat is actually very hungry and when she was "normal" she was able to graze on 1/2 cup of dry food and 1 can of wet food. Currently the vet has her on 3 cans of wet food.  So I think is woudl have been the same amount of calories.  Like I said she was never a fat kitty.

I am going to go to a different vet...maybe it isn't diabetes.

[lolakimono]

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@photodreamr wrote:

I asked the vet about the treats and more food but she is saying that a strict diet needs to followed.  It still breaks my heart becasue the cat is actually very hungry and when she was "normal" she was able to graze on 1/2 cup of dry food and 1 can of wet food. Currently the vet has her on 3 cans of wet food.  

@photodreamr

Please ask the vet about adding canned pumpkin to the wet food to make kitty feel fuller.   

Also, if you don't have a fountain, you might want to get one as diabetic kitties will tend to drink a lot of water.

[photodreamr]

lolakimono,

I will do that.  I do have a fountain and he loves it.

[catlover]

One of our cats has diabetes-she's had it now for about 4 years or so.

We realized something was wrong when the cat litter box had a muddy consistency and not all of everything was clumping-

-she's been on regular people insulin now and is a healthy 13 pounds. Was 18 lbs when we adopted her and got down to 9 lbs when she was sick.

She eats all the canned food she wants............and she wants alot-talk about whining-sheesh.........

We found a place that charges quite a bit less than a regular vet-it's called Island Rescue on Long Island, NY.

She gets her shot 2x per day-and she is as healthy as can be. We love her so much.

Don't give up-and don't starve the kitty-canned food is fine-The vet told us no hard food-too many carbs-But I sneak and give her some sometimes and she's fine.