Sad diabetic cat mom

My cat Jazpurr was just diagnosed with diabetes. Blood glucose was 500. I am on a very tight budget and was told that the tests the first few months, insulin and food would run me $500 a month. Need advice for the most inexpensive insulin and where I get it. Still want something safe though. He already eats FF classic pates but I have 3 cats that I will probably ween off dry. Any suggestions? I'm feeling very overwhelmed and sad for my baby. My arms are all scratched up just getting him in the carrier for the first visit and now he will go every 10 days. Help!!!

 

Welcome. Sorry you had to come here, but glad you found it. You will get a lot of advice and support here. There is no reason for your cat to go to the vet every 10 days or for you to have to have tests that cost $500 a month. Once your cat has been diagnosed (usually through blood glucose test and urinalysis at the vet) and you have your insulin or just an insulin prescription, you should not have to go back to the vet for quite some time. The key is that you will need to do at-home blood glucose monitoring.

This is just the introduction forum. Please go to the Main Health Forum and post your questions, and you will get lots of help. There are people who can tell you how to do this as cheaply as possible while still giving your cat great care.

It's all overwhelming at first, but it will get better. Really.

 

First - BIG HUGE HUG! Getting hit with a diagnosis of diabetes is overwhelming - we ALL understand that, we got the same note...

Second - BREATHE! Deep slooooow breaths.....

There's somewhat of a cash outlay to begin but most of us don't pay anywhere near $500/month. We test at home using human meters instead of going to the vet, we adjust the insulin using professional, established safe protocols without visiting our vet, we don't feed expensive foods.

Right now your head's sort of reeling but poke around, read and post questions over in our Feline Health forum! There's lots of people here that love to help! Don't let us overwhelm you tho'...we can do that without realizing it.

More HUGS!!!

 

Sorry about your diagnosis, but you have found an amazing resource in the people and information you will find here. the first month of diabetes is EXPENSIVE with the insulin, needles, blood tests, ect. BUT after that it's much more affordable.

The price of insulin varies widely... vetsulin is about $50... It works great for me, but some find it doesn't last long enough... depends on the cat. Another great option is Prozinc which usually runs around $130ish. Lantus is a popular insulin on here... at the vet it will cost a LOT... like $300 for a 10 ml vial... but if you are in the US, you can buy it from Canada and have it shipped down (mark's marine pharmacy) for $150 for 5 3ml pens which could last you about a year.

The best way to save money is to learn how to test your cat's BG at home! it will eliminate the need to go to the vet for curves or fructosimine tests. Simple to do and will save you probably $100 or more a month in vet bills. If you are interested we can make you a shopping list of what you would need. I have a video in my signature showing how I test my cat.

 

Thank you for your reply. I have so much going through my head that a supply list would be perfect. My vet is recommending Vetsulin. How often would I check blood glucose? I watched some videos today about using a vein on the ear for testing...yikes!! It's hard to pin my Jazpurr down. I have scratched up arms just getting him in the carrier. I have found some websites to get the med for less. Thanks for listening and for your help

 

Welcome

This is the video that Janet made of her testing her kitty:



My first FD kitty was absolutely terrified of going in a carrier. He wasn't much happier about the ear pokes when we started...I don't know who cried more...me or him. Over time he got to the point where he would willingly come to the test area and wait to be tested. There are many more people with the same experiences. In order to get more views on your questions please post over in the Health section:

http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/forums/feline-health-the-main-forum.28/

And you will get lots of information and insight on different insulins and tips for making this journey easier for you and Jazpurr (love the name!!)

 

Actually it's not the vein you are aiming for, but right next to the vein on the outer edge of the ear. We call it the sweet spot.
At minimum check before each shot, and then try to get a mid cycle number. Vetsulin peeks around 4-6 hours after injection so getting readings in there is good. CC usually huts her lowest point at 5 hours after the shot.

Most people on here use human meters. I use a pet meter, which I LOVE, but the strips are expensive. If you are keeping costs down, go with a human meter.

Go to Walmart and pick up

1. Relion micro or confirm meter (not Prime) ($17)

2. Box of extra test strips ($36)

3. Box of 100 28 gauge lancets ($5)

4. Cotton cosmetic rounds ($3)

5. Neosporin ointment with pain relief ($5)

 

Welcome to you, Jazpurr and siblings!

Folks have already addressed your main concerns, but it will also help you to do a little bit more administrative stuff so that you won't have to repeat yourself, and so that we can give you the best assistance.

In http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/editing-your-signature-profile-and-preferences.130340/ you will see instructions for setting up a signature. That will allow you to have that line at the bottom of each post where you can share the particular (cat's name, your first name if you'd like, but we can just call you Jazmom if you prefer, cat's weight, insulin, diagnosis date, etc). And of course...we'd love a profile photo of your sweetie pie

It'll get better. It's overwhelming, but we have a combined wealth of experience. If you have a problem or question, someone here has likely run into it already and we'll try to help.

Best,
Sandi & Whisper.

 

I think we all shed a few tears when we first began this journey. I started in the vets office. I thought for sure my baby (even though I have 3) had been handed a death sentence. It's not I promise. You and Jazpurr will be just fine I'm sorry you had the find the best place you'd rather not be, but there's a wealth of information here and very experienced people. I don't know about the most inexpensive insulin. We use prozinc, and pay about $150 per vial. But it depends on where you live and where you get it.

The first few weeks are overwhelming. Just take a few deep breaths, tell yourself you can do this, and have a glass of wine (or whatever you like). I'll say through everything, the most important thing you can do for you kitty is take care of yourself. Sometimes we forget that we need certain things like relaxation and sleep. Don't deprive yourself of these. He'll be able to tell when your upset, anxious and will respond accordingly.

Testing at home will save you alot. Our vet is fine now (he likes to know what is going on) with us just giving him a curve from home once a week or 2. Going into the vet's office can raise a kitty's blood glucose by 100 points or more because of stress, so many readings they get aren't accurate. I say psshhhh to fructosamine tests. Haven't done one yet and don't really plan on it. You're vet may push it, but you can always say no.

You want to test the AM preshot and PM preshot (before feeding) and grab some mid-cycle numbers when you can. Most of us do a curve once a week (testing every 2 hours after shot for 1 cycle - 12 hrs).

HUGS and more HUGS!!! You got this

 

I'm a little late here but I cannot imagine what your vet thinks you need to spend that kind of money on. Noah has NEVER been to the vet for a diabetic related issue. Our vet trusts us. Noah is our second sugar cat and we drop off his curves every few months and our vet is satisfied with that.

 

we have a supply closet forum here....

quick... go to this link...http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/lantus-for-sale.184338/

there's a pen cheap....
if you can get lantus, it's a much better option than vetsulin. Vetsulin works but not nearly as well and you are likely to switch sooner than later.