Need to vent

So just a quick vent of discouragement/frustration. I feel so overwhelmed, I've been eating so much junk I might just give myself diabetes. I feel like switching to wet food shouldn't be that much of a change, but it has made feedings a nightmare. I started feeding all the critters Fancy Feast after we found out about Bear, and my cats (who have never complained about food) all of a sudden are picky eaters. Sometimes they eat, sometimes they don't. Then they look at me like I'm torturing them for not feeding them. I feel like we are going through SO many cans, and while I now know how bad it was for them, I feel like we didn't go through as much dry food. I may be selfish, but I miss the convenience of dry food. In the back of my head I've got the overwhelming feeling of learning how to treat Bears Diabetes, and feeling so jealous that you all know what your doing. I keep telling myself that this will get better, but right now I just want to cry. Thanks for letting me vent, I feel a little bit better...

 

Hello to you and welcome to FDMB. I'm sorry you are feeling so frustrated and discouraged, right now. Just know that you're not alone with those feelings... others here are experiencing them, too, and it's a very normal response. Most of us here have shed many tears over all the problems and stress of nurturing a diabetic kitty. You will become very experienced at it, but it will definitely take some time, practice, and patience. You'll get there. And it's perfectly fine to vent. Sometimes venting is the safety valve we need to maintain sanity. I'm speaking from experience. And please don't feel that we all know what we're doing. It may look that way, but we're all still learning, just like you. I can, however, tell you that it does get better with time and experience. Honest!

My Hannah is also a picky eater. Transitioning her from her favorite dry food to Fancy Feast classics was difficult, to say the least. And it's now almost two years since she was diagnosed with diabetes and the picky eater thing is still ongoing. We have resorted to Cyproheptadine as an appetite stimulant and it works quite well... not perfect, but certainly better. I know that's most definitely not the answer for your multiple cats, but perhaps your kitties would prefer a different brand of cat food... maybe Friskies pates? Have you tried other wet, low-carb brands to see how they respond? Maybe this link would be helpful to you: Good Info Those little cans of FF are expensive when you're feeding multiple fur babies, so changing brands might be worth a try for several reasons. Yep, dry food is definitely more convenient. I don't think anyone would argue that. But the lower-carb wet foods are so much better for our cats. By feeding it to all of them, you may even be preventing another one of them from becoming diabetic. That's a very good incentive in itself.

You can do this! And never, ever hesitate to come here for advice or to vent. Best of luck to you, Bear, and the rest of your fur babies.

 

I know your frustration! I am just starting out and it's been rough! Especially since it seems like my kitties were prescribed too much insulin and they were hypoing it twice a day! And my vet is not open to any education so I feel like I am on my own. I WILL not kill my kitties over ego. And the other vet in town treats diabetic cats just like my current one. I am not holding out hope finding a vet 40 minutes away to treat differently, but I am going to try. If I can't, I'll be headed 4 hours west to Colorado Springs. At least ill get to see my sisters, lol.

On top of the diabetes they have both had infections (which we are currently treating for both). One of my kitties were diagnosed after he had surgery to remove a cyst. This journey we're on started after losing our Pom on December 1. He was 18, blind and deaf. I was having to spend a lot of energy on him! I haven't had a break from health issues on my fur babies for 3 months!

Hang in there. My cats love the Friskies pate. They are eating more than what they were!

 

@Mum of two felines, thanks for chiming in, here. I admire your persistence in trying to find just the right vet for your kitties AND for doing what many of us also do... not taking a break from all those feline health issues. It's not easy, but your efforts will pay off! My Hannah is lucky to have a good vet who puts a lot of confidence in how I'm caring for her. I actually think he's learning a little from me... and he's willing to do so, always open to suggestions. And if the truth be known, I think I've learned more about diabetic kitties and their care from this message board than I have from the vet. So read, read, read, and pay close attention to what goes on here. There are some very knowledgeable and experienced folks, always willing to help. I have put a lot of trust in them and I am forever grateful. Plus, they're here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week if you have a question, need support, or wonder about adjusting those insulin doses. Can't ask for more than that!

And I'm so glad to hear that your fur babies love the Friskies pate. See, @lgunn23, there's hope for finding just the right menu!

 

Oh, my... I just checked Buzz and Woody's spreadsheets, and I see what you mean about being prescribed too much insulin. Yikes! You made the right choice to cut way, way back and start out with low doses. Let them stay on those lower doses for a few days to see how they respond. Then you can increase (or decrease) as you learn where the doses take your kitties. It's good to increase in small increments of 1/4 to 1/2 unit, so as not to miss just the right amount. And one more thing... I notice that you gave insulin on some very low numbers. We recommend, as you're learning, that you give no insulin on numbers below 200. But then I also see that you've figured that out, as well. Good choice! You're already getting the hang of this! Once you gain experience, some of those higher blue numbers might be shootable, but not until you gain experience or seek advice. You are doing very well for someone who is just starting out. Good job!

 

Oh yes doesn't it become really irritating at the point you're at right now? HUGS and HUGS! It really WILL get easier. We were all right there in your shoes at one time. WE were lost, confused, irritated, sad, mad, all those things you're experiencing right now. One of these days fairly soon, you'll suddenly feel confident, knowledgable and happy - and will jump on a new person's thread and say 'Hey, it WILL get easier'!

More hugs, you can do this!

 

My experience is that some cats just will not transition to dry. I tried transitioning my diabetic Bailey to all canned for eigtht years or so unsuccessfully. Also now my civi's Moxie and Cookie eat little canned. I still offer the canned at every meal though hoping for the best.

 

Try sprinkling crumbled up freeze-dried protein treats on top of the food - it really helps to make it more tempting. If you get desperate try doing similar with a tiny bit of their old kibble. If they get more used to the taste and texture you should be able to phase out the sprinkles.

Meanwhile, have some ,


Mogs
.

 

When I was transitioning all mine, I put a bit of their dry food in my baby bullet type blender and made powder. I sprinkled a bit of this powder over the wet slowly working down to less and less until now it's only a 'treat' for the non-diabetics altho' Doc gets enough to smell it/taste a few grains. It's easier for some cats than others...

 

This page has some advice on transitioning from dry to wet food: http://www.catinfo.org/#Transitioning_Dry_Food_Addicts_to_Canned_Food_
I had to buy about a dozen cans each of a different variety to find one Callao would tolerate.

Keep in mind that canned food has a lot more moisture in it than dry food -- typically about 80% moisture in the canned food vs < 10% in dry food. That could be why it seems like your kitty is eating more of the canned food. If your kitty is eating all the food and still acting hungry, you might need to feed more to make sure kitty is getting the calories he/she needs. You can do a rough calculation of how many calories your kitty needs (Required calories per day = [13.6 X optimal lean body weight in pounds] + 70 according to catinfo.org) and how many cans to feed (look here for number of calories in a can of Fancy Feast or other canned food: http://www.catinfo.org/docs/FoodChartPublic9-22-12.pdf).

Something that I also notice with my kitty is that when her numbers are high, she is RAVENOUS. I think it's because her body can't process the sugar even though she needs it, so her body tells her to eat more and more and more.

Also, I have only the faintest idea of what I'm doing... and that's a general statement for my life overall! You're in good company! Just do your best for your critters, and don't forget to TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF too!

 

I have a feeling this is gong to be one of my little ones. She has never had anything other than kibble, and refuses to eat anything else. (even tuna juice) So for now she is eating the rest of my dry food. I put the wet food next to her and she slowly inches away. Hates everything about it!

 

Thanks for the response. I'm so sorry for all of your troubles. I feel so lucky that Bears health is good, other than the diabetes. It sounds like the advice we get here will save us a lot of stress. Best of luck with the vet!

 

Just an update they seem to be doing better with the wet food. I think a schedule is starting to develop, which is what I need. Thank you for the hugs and strength to keep going, sometimes that is all you need.

 

Thank you! I need to remind myself we are all here to learn. I tend to forget to secure my own oxygen before helping those around me. I had a slight break down the other day, but I've picked myself up, and am trying to be optimistic.

 

Thanks for telling me I'm normal, I feel far from it right now. I pretty sure I reached a new level of crazy cat lady (and I might smell like wet cat food ).... but very happy to be surround by all of you.

 

Well, that gave me a smile! Your sense of humor will definitely help as you travel down this new and challenging path to nurturing your diabetic kitty... and those other fur babies that have now decided they don't like the new menu at your house. From one crazy cat lady to another, best of luck and huge hugs!

 

Glad to see you are feeling a bit better as you move through the week. Meltdowns are a normal part of this dance. My first BG test with Smokey there was blood all over the kitchen cabinets, my glasses, the counter, none on the strip, and none left in my brain. I had to lay on the couch for half an hour before I could try again without fainting. We are now many years later and on our 5th diabetic foster. I still come to the board for support and help. We are all in it together for our kitties.

I often comment to my husband on how well the garbage disposal ate that day when the cats are being fussy and a lot of food goes to waste. But we don't give up on kids who don't like veggies and just let them eat cheetos for every meal right? I have one that won't transition to wet, I won't push it because she came from a hoarder home and already has eating issues, but otherwise I've managed to crack even the toughest nut sent to me.

Good luck to you and Bear and the rest of your crew!

 

I can relate to your emotions. My Garfield was just diagnosed about 10 days ago. I have 2 other female cats who are use to dry food and drive me bonkers looking for it. I feed them Fancy Feast classic chicken and sprinkle a little of the freeze dried treat on top and it does help them eat the can food better. Sometimes I will take the girls feeding dishes and put them in my bedroom and close the door. After all kitties have finished eating I let them out. Less stress for me.
I still have a lot to learn myself and still get frazzled. But I know I wouldn't have learned as much if it had not been for this site and all the help everyone here has given me.
Next week at Garfields check up we will be discussing doing home testing. I will admit I am scared out of my wits to do this. Me and blood = pass out. I cannot stand the sight of blood. But because I love my fur baby so much I will find a way to what I need to do. I also am very fortunate that my husband helps me a lot doing the injections and feelings. I'm blessed there.
Hang in there! I'm hanging in there too! It's great we have such a wonderful support system here! I am so thankful to all who encourage us or lend some advice.
Sorry I have no words of advice or wisdom. This is all very new to me too.

 

@Catcrzymom, it sounds like you're doing a great job with the challenge of keeping all your fur babies happy at feeding time. As for the glucose testing, you will get the hang of that, as well... and you won't be passing out. I also cannot handle the sight of blood. I don't do well with needles, either. When Hannah was diagnosed almost 2 years ago, the thought of testing her scared the living daylights out of me. I bought a ReliOn Micro meter at Walmart on a Friday and it took me until the following Monday to work up the courage to use it on my sweet baby. I figured I would end up having to put my dizzy head between my knees to recover from the experience... but it went much better than I thought. I was shaking, but my head stayed put. The Micro uses such a small drop of blood, it made the task easier on both of us. And Hannah handled it very well, so that was extremely helpful, too. Then there was the matter of giving the insulin injections... my husband was giving them, as I didn't think that was something I could ever do. But he wasn't always around when Hannah's injections were due. Plus, he called me a sissy for not being up to the task. That was the factor that made me actually WANT to give the insulin, and it worked. I've now been giving her insulin for a year-and-a-half and I haven't passed out even once. You will get there, too. And you will look back at some point and be quite satisfied with yourself because you've managed to put Garfield's well-being ahead of your anxiety.

See? You've already said so! Best wishes and hugs.

 

Love, love, love reading what everyone has to say. You all are such great people and cat parents. It is great we can vent here when we feel the sugary melt down. We have all been there. Our kids know we love the challenge. I think my kids like to see who can spend the most money too. Fluffy hugs to all.

 

Sometimes you just gotta vent. Hubby has learned to stay away from me if I'm upset over the kitties. He's afraid I might come at him with a syringe if he's just a teeny bit unsympathetic. The good news is, everyone in this group knows "how it is". So tolerance for gripes is readily forthcoming. Lean on us, we don't mind a bit!

 

Well, now... that's how it goes at our house, too. My DH would be happy to know he's not the only one with a wife who's a tad bit on the cranky side when she's got kitty stress.

 

Lol, my perfume the last 7 months has been Eau de 9 Lives and Fancy Feast Parfum!

 

I've gotten a clean kitchen out of a meltdown a few times I might be just a little more than a "tad bit" sometimes