Help with a diabetic cat - Page 5

catlover · ‎03-13-2010

@photodreamr wrote:

so beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!

CATS ARE HEAVEN SENT

catlover · ‎03-13-2010

@catlover wrote:

this is one of her best positions...........she gets into the recliner backwards and curls up for a nap....cats are so funny!

CATS ARE HEAVEN SENT

ugabugabooooo · ‎03-11-2010

I haven't read through all of the posts yet but I have 2 diabetic cats. They are brothers. The first one was diagnosed about 5 years ago and his brother last year. I was told to start him off on 1/2 unit of insulin and each week increase by half unit based on his sugar readings. I take the sugar with a regular monitor like people use on the ear tip. I use Novalin N insulin from Walmart $24.95 a bottle. Two shots a day 12 hours apart. I take the sugar in the morning before the shot and then about 4 hours later if possible. I would change the dose on Saturday so I could check after a few hours and see how low the sugar was going. The number you need to go by is the lowest reading after the shot. The "curve" will tell you when the insulin peaks and then you will know to check at that point. Mine usually peaks about 5 hours after the shot.

The goal is to keep the glucose between 175-less than 300. Sounds like your kitty needs a lot more insulin to stop losing weight and stop feeling hungry all the time. My boys use 3.5 units each twice a day but they are big. I would ask the vet about increasing the insulin. You want to do it slowly and allow at least 5 days between increases to let it level off. You can also tell improvement by the drinking of water and the size of the urine in the litter . Lots was water drinking and urine is high sugar. You will see this decrease as the sugar gets into an acceptable range.

Good luck with your kitty. You may want to get a second opinion from another vet if you feel this one isn't moving fast enough. That is what I did.

Also, feed canned pate food. I use Fancy Feast Pate. My vet said only feed canned and the pate...no graveys. Dry food has lots of carbs which raise blood sugar. It takes a while to find the correct insulin dose and it does change over time. Lantus did not work for my cat but I think it was because we never got to a high enough dose with it. I talked to another vet and she switched me to Novilin N and it worked great.

photodreamr · ‎10-31-2010

ugabugaboo,

Thank you for your advice. We just started this insulin and I didi not know how long to keep on it . The numbers are in the 500s and hasn't gone down as of yet. There is a normal amount of unire in the litter box and has been since we started with journey and was giving him insulin. It was just the numbers and the constant hunger that was getting to me. Also the vet said his number had ro be 180..that seemed too far off. But around 300 soen't seem that bad. We were at 402 before the doctor wanted us to get Lantus.

To All,

This morning his numbers were 584 the same number we have been getting most of the time in the morning...But this time he did not wake me up so hungry. That was becasue we kept giving him food and he seems much calmer. We are giving him 2 marks of Lantus and will continue until we can get an appointment with another vet. We take his sugar right before he eats and then give him his insulin 1/2 hour after he eats..

Again, I am grateful to all. Please keep posting. You have been a great help with places for information and with the love and caring my kitty and I needed.

photodreamr · ‎10-31-2010

Chloee, thank you for the information. Can you tell me the name of the insulin?

photodreamr · ‎10-31-2010

To All,

Thank you for empowering me. I have gone to the website catinfo.org. There is so much information there. Thank you!!

I can't believe that we were getting closer with the other insulin we were giving him 4 units 2 time a day and his numbers were in the 400s, 402, 403. I thought he had to be at 180 which seemed so far off, I did not realize there was a good range and we were so close. Now the numbers are 584 and holding with the new insulin. 2 units 2 times a day.

I sent an email to Royal Canin asking for % of carbs, protien and fat per calorie in their diabetic cat food. Let's see what they come back with.

The kitty is getting all the food he want. I am rotating the fancy feat flaked fish which has low carbs with chicken an and liver and beef pate. This should give him a more rounded nutrition level.

I feelI am in charge now. I can't believe I didn't question anything the vet said. I did some research but looks like not enough. I aways question my own dr. why I didn't question the vet is beyond me.

Yesterday I thought I would have to put my cat down, becasue of the numbers and how hungry he was. I did not want him in pain or stressed out over this, he is too good of a cat and friend. Today, I have hope by listening to all of you.

You are the best!!! Please keep posting, I have a lot to learn.

Thank you.

staciesmom · ‎04-13-2010

@photodreamr wrote:
To All,

Thank you for empowering me. I have gone to the website catinfo.org. There is so much information there. Thank you!!

I can't believe that we were getting closer with the other insulin we were giving him 4 units 2 time a day and his numbers were in the 400s, 402, 403. I thought he had to be at 180 which seemed so far off, I did not realize there was a good range and we were so close. Now the numbers are 584 and holding with the new insulin. 2 units 2 times a day.

I sent an email to Royal Canin asking for % of carbs, protien and fat per calorie in their diabetic cat food. Let's see what they come back with.

The kitty is getting all the food he want. I am rotating the fancy feat flaked fish which has low carbs with chicken an and liver and beef pate. This should give him a more rounded nutrition level.

I feelI am in charge now. I can't believe I didn't question anything the vet said. I did some research but looks like not enough. I aways question my own dr. why I didn't question the vet is beyond me.

Yesterday I thought I would have to put my cat down, becasue of the numbers and how hungry he was. I did not want him in pain or stressed out over this, he is too good of a cat and friend. Today, I have hope by listening to all of you.

You are the best!!! Please keep posting, I have a lot to learn.

Thank you.

Good for you! I agree with what you are doing. You are the best advocate for your baby. Good luck and please keep us posted!

catlover · ‎03-13-2010

@staciesmom wrote:
@catlover wrote:

@staciesmom wrote:
Our dog, Zoey, was diagnosed with diabetes 2 years ago. I get her insulin at WalMart $25 per vial which lasts about 2 months. I give her 9 units twice a day. I don't think it's unrealistic to expect a drastic improvement in your cat's health almost immediately after being started on insulin. I think I would get a second opinion. JMHO
do you have pet insurance-the insulin costs us about $300 per vial which lasts 6 months..........that's alot!

No pet insurance, I get Novolin N at WalMart, which is what my vet recommended, and that is the regular price. It has to be refrigerated.

thank you so much!

CATS ARE HEAVEN SENT

violann · ‎03-10-2010

We had extremely good luck with our sweet boy when he was diagnosed with diabetes.

He was the sweetest, most laid back, loveliest boy you can imagine, and I actually think that his disposition was one of the reasons why his treatment was so successful.

We had excellent veterinary care for him (they all loved him as we did) and did everything to keep him well, as you obviously are doing.

Until your cat is stabilized, you need to be VERY STRONG.

As you know, cats can run the gamut of personalities and the personality of YOUR cat seems to be a little more difficult in his illness than our boy's was.

I definitely would NOT think of saying goodby until you're ABSOLUTELY POSITIVE that he can't be stabilized.

At this point you really are doing all the right things. Our boy went from about 24 pounds to about 15, but besides being too heavy he was also an extremely LARGE boy.

Hope you find some answers VERY SOON. Remember- a cat w diabetes NEEDS a special diet and it is more stress to have the soaring blood sugars than to be eating what and how much is healthy.