We have diabetes :(

Discussion in 'Feline Health - (Welcome & Main Forum)' started by LittleRoo, Jul 4, 2017.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. LittleRoo

    LittleRoo Member

    Joined:
    Jul 3, 2017
    Hi to all the pet moms and dads here!

    Blood tests are back and my 9 year old cat, Little Roo, was diagnosed with diabetes today. The vet also ran a fructosamine test and I will find out those results on Wednesday. Her levels are pretty high: 384! I've taken up the dry food and will have her (and my two other kitties) on Fancy Feast Classic wet canned food from now on. Little Roo isn't on the insulin yet but will most likely start on Wednesday. Besides learning that dry cat food is so bad (who knew??) I also wonder if Lactulose (maybe even Miralax, although prob not,) has also contributed to raise her levels so high? Anyone have trouble with Lactulose and diabetes here?

    As for the Lactulose: On April 10th 2017, Roo got all backed up and had to be sedated for an enema. After that, I got her on Lactulose and Miralax - which I put in her food. She's been on it ever since. But a few weeks ago, I noticed Roo feeling really bony! I could feel her spine down her back which I had never before. I also can feel it in her face. She even felt lighter to me. I know my cat very well! But when we weighed her at he vet just the other day - it showed she actually gained a little weight!! But even the vet said she felt more bony than usual. That's when we began the blood work.

    I'm pretty worried with all this now. Costs - because I'm struggling financially due to suddenly and unexpectedly being a single woman. Long story there....

    I'm also worrying terribly about Roo's life of course! I'd like to learn how to test her myself. Maybe I can save some there? And the insulin is quite expensive from what I hear. $115.00 bucks a bottle! And that lasts only a month? Are there cheaper insulin's available? Ones that last longer? What about 1800PetMeds? And do most vets agree to let you do that being it will have to be prescription? I'm sure most vets would rather you buy from them!

    I'd love to be able to change her diet and see healthier results and change if possible. Does it take very long to see those results once giving up the dry foods?

    And lastly, I am already worrying about the insulin: too much= bad! Too little= bad! It sure is a stressful and worrisome disease! I work Monday thru Friday F/T but how will I know how she is doing when I give Roo her shot in the morning and won't be home till early evening? Should I hold off on starting the insulin until the weekend so I am around? Am I crazy for thinking like this? (lol, not).

    So, looks like I have my work and research cut out for me. Any guidance and direction here is much appreciated. I am thankful to find this group and forum. Looks to be a long tough road ahead and I know I will need all the help and advice I can get.

    Thanks from suzanne and Little Roo.
    P.S. Roo was a foster baby I bottle fed when she was only days old as her mom was killed :( She's my little angel girl, that's for sure. Follows me everywhere and sleeps with me every night <3 baby picture below:
     

    Attached Files:

  2. Yong & Maury GA

    Yong & Maury GA Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2017
    Welcome Suzanne and Little Roo!
    Adorable bottle baby you have! :cat: Guessing Vet is suggesting Prozinc, based on the price you listed. Come repost your question sections on Main Health forum so I can give a better reply :) and more eyes will see it there to chime in too!
     
    LittleRoo and Olive & Paula like this.
  3. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2016
    Welcome to you and Little Roo! :) Yes, we can help you to help her. You'll get more eyes on your questions if you post on the main health forum. I'll give you a bit of info to get started:

    Excellent! Friskies pates work too. Wet food really is best for all kitties.

    Many people here use plain canned pumpkin (not the spiced pie mix) in kitty's wet food to help with constipation.

    We have lots of tips to help you save money.

    Actually, insulins vary in cost from the lower cost of Vetsulin up to the pricey ProZinc and Lantus. All of them last longer than a month if stored and handled properly.

    Doing the food change before starting insulin is ideal because low carb wet food can have a big impact on blood glucose numbers. However, the only way to know is to start a BG home testing program to track the food effect. We can help you with that too.

    Exactly. The most dangerous is too much because it can kill quickly. However testing BG at home is the BEST tool in avoiding these issues.

    When you're ready to start it it's best to do that when you can monitor with home testing of BG.

    Many new people come here and are put off by the idea of testing blood glucose at home and think they won't ever be able to do it. Of course, we promote it strongly here because it truly is the key to helping Roo. Please don't dismiss the idea of it because it seems scary. There are many needle phobes here who have learned how to do it. :)
     
    LittleRoo likes this.
  4. Olive & Paula

    Olive & Paula Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2015
    Welcome Suzanne and Little Roo.

    Once you find out which insulin,check out the supply closet here. Some members sell, give, or donate their unused insulin.

    I'm more of a lurker now as my kitty has GA. Good luck, you will be fine if you make this site part of you daily life when starting this journey. I will see you around.
     
    LittleRoo likes this.
  5. JanetNJ

    JanetNJ Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2016
    welcome! we are here to help if you need us.
     
    LittleRoo likes this.
  6. Catdaddy87

    Catdaddy87 Member

    Joined:
    Jun 15, 2017
    It's overwhelming at first but you will start to get a handle on the ins and outs of Diabetes. Just take your time and try not to stress out. lol
     
    LittleRoo likes this.
  7. NanD

    NanD New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2017
    Oh...I'm sorry and know how bad you feel. I hope our story helps you. Don't give up.
    Tiger: 13 yrs old. Indoor cat. On (small amount/daily) prednisone and prescription food for skin allergies for past 10 years.
    Diabetes Diagnosed: May 25, 2017. Lantus insulin, AlphaTrak2 Home test kit, Prednisone (2 weeks to whene off every other day - after 10 years on pred) and antibiotic for UTI for 2 weeks. Vet unsure if Tiger is prednisone or insulin dependent.
    Food: changed from Science Diet CD dry to Science Diet MD can. Treats are dehydrated chicken.
    Meds: Lantus began 1U 2x/day; week later, upped to 2U 2x/day. three weeks after diagnosis, vet upped to 3U 2x/day...within four days, Tiger showed signs of Hypoglicemia (random peeing in house, disoriented, back legs wobbled - we thought he was dying); we called and took to ER vet. Honey on finger was licked; brought BG down. Returned to 2U 2xday and monitored closely. Vet thinking Tiger is producing insulin again.
    Outcome: In less than five weeks, Tiger went from BG 521 (on 5/30) to BG 92 (which began his remission). Tiger (and I) can now do ear pricks/BG tests without an anxiety attack. Our family is grateful! For those of you with long-term diabetic cats, I feel for you. I could not imagine doing this beyond a few months. The stress. The loss of freedom. The cost. If you are newcomer to this site, DO NOT GIVE UP. Many cats go into remission within 4-8 weeks if using Lantus insulin and can food. Keep them on high protein/low carb can food. Wheen off prednisone, if your cat on it. This contributed to Tiger's illness.
    Key factor that helped me: this site and excellent website for $20 vet chats. justanswer.com
     
    LittleRoo likes this.
  8. LittleRoo

    LittleRoo Member

    Joined:
    Jul 3, 2017
    thank you for sharing your story with me! I hope Tiger is doing better now! I'm hoping the diet change will also help with remission. Still waiting from vet and app to see what he puts her on and how we go forward.
     
  9. Wesley and Spicoli

    Wesley and Spicoli Member

    Joined:
    Feb 16, 2017
    Be sure to tell the vet that you're changing her food. A lower carb diet alone can drastically lower a sugar cats BG lvls quickly.

    Too much insulin is far worse than too little. Hypo is real and that's why we all home test - to see how kitty is responding to insulin. And too little, well we've all had a fur shot or 10. It's not ideal but it happens. If this happens to you never give more insulin. Just wait till the next scheduled dose.
     
    LittleRoo likes this.
  10. LittleRoo

    LittleRoo Member

    Joined:
    Jul 3, 2017
    Thank you for the sound advice!! <3 How long do you think with the switch over from dry to all wet for good or maybe better results? Week, weeks, month, months?
     
  11. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2016
    If you post on the main health forum you'll get more people reading/answering your questions. :)
     
    LittleRoo likes this.
  12. NanD

    NanD New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2017
    Tiger is doing soooo well and we r grateful. thx. on food, quicker u move to can, the better. we changed from Science Diet CD dry to Science Diet MD can. Treats are dehydrated chicken. the can food will be factor in your cat going into remission. good vet with diabetic success is key factor ... but u know your cat. monitor everything.
     
    LittleRoo likes this.
  13. Wesley and Spicoli

    Wesley and Spicoli Member

    Joined:
    Feb 16, 2017
    We saw almost immediate results after a diet change. Within 1 month he was at half his starting dose. But every cat is different.
     
    LittleRoo likes this.
  14. Cherish Gallagher

    Cherish Gallagher Member

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2017
    Welcome! :)
     
    LittleRoo likes this.
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.

Share This Page