Just adopted diabetic senior

Discussion in 'Feline Health - (Welcome & Main Forum)' started by Ollie's Mama, Mar 31, 2017.

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  1. Ollie's Mama

    Ollie's Mama New Member

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    Mar 31, 2017
    Hi, I'm Margaret, and now Oliver's mama. I'm an experienced kitty mom, but Ollie's diabetes is a first. I'm a retired RN, however, so that helps some. I adopted Oliver just 16 days ago from the local FACE low cost clinic/shelter where he'd been for ten months, since his former human surrendered him when he was dx'd with DM in May 2016.

    My last cat baby died, age 17, in 2015, and after fostering a hospice kitty last year, I was finally searching for what I am thinking probably will be my last kitty baby ((I'm 73). Based on my experience with cats over my lifetime, I specificallysociable, affectionate male age 5-9 yrs. Oliver popped up almost immediately in my online search. He's half Siamese and possessed all the characteristics I was searching for. After applying and being accepted, I went for the meet & greet--and it was at first sight for both of us! I went out and bought some classic Fancy Feast and litter, took it home, brought out the litter box, bed, feeding dishes & matching placemats from storage, set it all up--then went back to the clinic and brought him home that day--March 14. He settled in quickly, and within 24 hrs we were joined at the hip.

    Oliver weighs 8.8, and is on Vetsulin 3u q12 hrs, on wet Purina DM mixed 1:1 with classic Fancy Feast in effort to reduce cost of food. I'm not home testing, at least not yet. Vet visit today, and his glucose level was 176 (6 hrs postprandial & insulin); pancreatic and liver enzymes within normal limits, so thankfully no pancreatitis. He is a beautiful, so sweet and loving little guy, and I am so thankful we found each other!

    I'm thrilled to find this website, and expect I will be checking in regularly. I'm VERY impressed with the quality of information available here, and the support demonstrated among the participants.
     
  2. Yong & Maury GA

    Yong & Maury GA Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2017
    Welcome Margaret and Oliver!
    Can't wait to see a picture of him :cat:. Your RN experience definitely gives a leg up compared to the average person. There are quite a few nurses around here :). Home testing of BG is our best tool! We strongly recommend it as well. Can help save money too because you can do glucose curves at home where Ollie will be more comfortable ;).

    We use a Spreadsheet here and all you need is a Google account: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/fdmb-spreadsheet-instructions.130337/
    If you need help setting it up, just ask.

    Also, setting up a Signature with some information helps before you head over to the Main Health Forum:
    http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/editing-your-signature-profile-and-preferences.130340/

    It's also good to have this upfront: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/how-to-treat-hypos-they-can-kill-print-this-out.15887/
     
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  3. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2016
    Kudos to you for adopting a diabetic kitty! We can help if you have any questions, just post them on the main health forum where they'll be seen by more people. :)
     
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  4. Ollie's Mama

    Ollie's Mama New Member

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    Mar 31, 2017
     
  5. Ollie's Mama

    Ollie's Mama New Member

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    Mar 31, 2017
    Thanks so much! You've given me a lot to follow up on, and I will do so in the next 24 hours. I am committed to providing Oliver the very best and most loving care & attention as long as we live for how much he has suffered this past year. His online petfind.com posting said he was miserable in the shelter situation and needed more attention than was possible there. The medical records they provided had an entry that he "seems to be a dog trapped in a cat's body--craves attention". It's not just attention that he needs; he loves people, and he needs love-- and he reciprocates in kind. Having been blessed to be the mama of a Japanese Bobtail in the past, I think this must be characteristic of Asian breeds.

    Finally, how do I upload a picture to my --what is that? Picture icon with the female symbol beside my posts? Still learning, here.
     
    Last edited: Mar 31, 2017
    Reason for edit: Not finishef
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  6. Ollie's Mama

    Ollie's Mama New Member

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    Mar 31, 2017
    Thank you , Kris. Once I met Oliver, his diabetes was a mere inconvenience, I knew this kitty was meant to be with me. I shudder to reflect at how miserable he was in a shelter situation for that long, and being a newly diagnosed diabetic on top of it all. He should've been fostered, as a breed characteristic social, affectionate cat like this should've never been subjected to such misery! I will spend the rest of our days together making it up to him.
     
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  7. Sharon14

    Sharon14 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 16, 2015
    Hi Margaret, welcome to you and Oliver! How wonderful of you to adopt a diabetic kitty and it sounds like a match made in heaven! I can't remember the exact steps to upload your pic, but click on your name at the top of the page then click on avatar, then follow the prompts. If you still need help figuring it out, ask again and I'll find someone better able to explain than techno mo me!:confused:
     
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  8. Phoebes (GA)

    Phoebes (GA) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2017
    Welcome Olliesmom, God bless you for letting him own you :) he sounds like a great kitty. Match made in heaven. Head bumps :cat:
     
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  9. Noah & me (GA)

    Noah & me (GA) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2016
    You're an Angel! Fostering cats, then adopting a senior. Sounds like us going through a shelter, "Any big-headed cats with one eye?" We try and take the un-adoptables, the ones that don't make the calendar.
     
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  10. Ella & Rusty & Stu(GA)

    Ella & Rusty & Stu(GA) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2010
    Hi Margaret and welcome to you and Oliver!
    Oliver is one lucky kitty to have landed with you. My husband and I (also seniors) adopted Rusty as a diabetic 7 years ago. We didn't know his age then, and we still don't, but he is probably around 17. Rusty, too was a lucky kitty. He had been found wandering the streets of Plymouth MA, discovered to be diabetic, and was fortunate to land with a foster mother who was a specialist in fostering diabetics. After several years with her, we adopted him through Diabetic Cats in Need (DCIN). Our previous diabetic cat had recently passed away and we wanted to help another. You will find that your already strong bond with Oliver will strengthen and strengthen. There is a special relationship that forms between a diabetic kitty and his human companion.

    You ask about creating an avatar photo. If you have a good picture of Oliver and need to shrink it to avatar size, here is a link to a website that tells you how to do it: http://www.shrinkpictures.com/create-avatar/
    You can then go to the "avatar" choice in the list that drops down when you click on your name at the top of the FDMB forum and use your newly "shrunk" photo (follow the instructions).

    Welcome again!

    Ella & Rusty
     
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  11. JanetNJ

    JanetNJ Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2016
    How is everything going?
     
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