Hello. I'm so glad I found this site. I'm at my wits end and in desperate need of help/advice. My male cat is about 9 years old, and about 15 months ago, coincidentally at the exact same time my daughter was born, he started peeing on the bathroom floor in front of his litter box. We suspected a behavioral issue at first due to the new baby, but then he started losing a lot of weight and became weak in the legs. A vet visit about 3 months later confirmed diabetes, and we started on Lantus insulin. We started small and slowly have been increasing his dose per our vets orders. He's currently on 4 units twice a day, and is still reading in the 500's. He did gain some weight back and his back legs neuropathy improved, but in these last 15 months, he has not stopped peeing huge amounts on the floor, right outside his box, and he tracks it throughout the house because it sticks to his hind legs, and he's peeing so much that it's ruining our (rented apartment) bathroom floor and peeling up the floorboard, despite me cleaning it every day, multiple times a day. He's been treated for a UTI twice now and both times the peeing continued. My biggest problem now is that I'm currently 20 weeks pregnant and due early July, I'm a SAHM with my fiance's income being our only income, and we just don't have the funds to continue taking him into the vet, treating him for UTIs, and trying different insulin, some being upwards of $100+. My fiance works 12 hours a day and so when my cat pees, I am usually responsible for the cleanup unless my fiance is home, which is getting increasingly difficult being pregnant and with a toddler. I'm beyond stressed out which I know is bad for the baby and I'm high risk due to previous preeclampsia, and I'm worried all the stress will end badly on my end. I love this cat but I don't know how much more I can take. We've tried lowering the box, getting a bigger box, we've done unscented litter, we have him on wet food, we've put pee pads down surrounding the entire box, but he pees so much that it soaks through the pee pads and just gets everywhere anyway. My toddler constantly tries to get into it and it just feels like my entire day just consists of keeping her out of the bathroom while I clean it. I'm so unhappy, I'm so stressed, I'm crying every day and I've brought this up to other people/forums and I've been guilted for suggested euthanization, which I really don't want to do but we just don't have the money or time or mental capacity to deal with this anymore. I'm having a C-section when my next baby is born and my fiance is only going to be able to take a week or two off work and then I'll be home alone with a 20 month old and a newborn, recovering from surgery and I don't know what I'm going to do at that point if I'm still dealing with this, which I have a feeling I will be. Please help me!!
New member. Desperately need help with uncontrolled cat
- Thread starter Meggie
- Start date
CORKY
Very Active Member
Welcome to FDF Maggie, we all have gone thru many frustrations as you have if not more, we are here for you, you are going thru a lot, with a toddler and a baby on the way, and financially troubled, if you are in US there are many Foundations willing to help with insulin and supplies, and this Forum can help you with indications on UTI's and dosing you are using a great insulin, Lantus is a 12 hour insulin, also it is important for you to home test, especially before each shot. A diabetic cat needs to have a diet of wet can food between 0-10% carbs, if you are feeding dry(kibbles) they are very high in carbs between 20-30%, we would need more about your cat to be able to assist you can create your signature and spreadsheet (link below) in the meantime I will tag several members that can help you with dosing and the UTI in question, I will tell you what was told to me at the beginning, take a step back breath in and breath out, cats are sensitive to our stress, we stress, they stress, and I was also to do the same to euthanize Corky, 3 years later he is as happy and healthy as he can be, Feline Diabetes is a manageable, the urination may probably has to do with the UTI, in the main Forum you will find sticky notes that contain a lot of valuable information, we are her for you to help you in this journey, any concern is not a small one so feel free to post post and post I will also tag several members that will answer to this post to help you with UTI concerns and dosing
@Bron and Sheba (GA)
@Sienne and Gabby (GA)
https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/financial-help-links.131190/
https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/new-how-you-can-help-us-help-you.216696/
https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/forums/spreadsheets-tech-support-testing-area.6/
Last edited:
Teresa & KitKat
Very Active Member
There is a way that they can get financial help with insulin and supplies, maybe some of the members you tagged will know how to do that. That could be a great relief.Welcome to FDF Maggie, we all have gone thru many frustrations as you have if not more, we are here for you, you are going thru a lot, with a toddler and a baby on the way, and financially troubled, if you are in US there are many Foundations willing to help with insulin and supplies, and this Forum can help you with indications on UTI's and dosing you are using a great insulin, Lantus is a 12 hour insulin, also it is important for you to home test, especially before each shot. A diabetic cat needs to have a diet of wet can food between 0-20% carbs, if you are feeding dry(kibbles) they are very high in carbs between 20-30%, we would need more about your cat to be able to assist you can create your signature and spreadsheet (link below) in the meantime I will tag several members that can help you with dosing and the UTI in question, I will tell you what was told to me at the beginning, take a step back breath in and breath out, cats are sensitive to our stress, we stress, they stress, and I was also to do the same to euthanize Corky, 3 years later he is as happy and healthy as he can be, Feline Diabetes is a manageable, the urination may probably has to do with the UTI, in the main Forum you will find sticky notes that contain a lot of valuable information, we are her for you to help you in this journey, any concern is not a small one so feel free to post post and post I will also tag several members that will answer to this post to help you with UTI concerns and dosing
@Bron and Sheba (GA)
@Sienne and Gabby (GA)
https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/financial-help-links.131190/
https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/new-how-you-can-help-us-help-you.216696/
https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/forums/spreadsheets-tech-support-testing-area.6/
CORKY
Very Active Member
I have also received assistance for supplies such as insulin and syringes and much more from this link in our Forum, sometimes they only as to pay for shipping
https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/forums/supply-closet-for-sale-or-free.15/
Bron and Sheba (GA)
Very Active Member
Hi Meggie,
I’m sorry you are going through all this. I know you must be very frustrated and upset. I hope we can help you.
I would like to ask you a few questions to gather information if that a Ok.
What are you feeding your kitty (name?)
Are you home testing the blood glucose?
What glucose meter are you using?
Did the vet send a urine away to test which antibiotic was needed or did he just give you an antibiotic without testing for sensitivities?
Would you be willing to set up a spreadsheet and signature so we could help you.?
You mentioned trying different insulins. What were they?
Are you currently giving Lantus insulin?
Has the vet suggested any medications to try and stop any anxiety your kitty may have?
Please hang in there and we will do our best to help you.
Bron
I’m sorry you are going through all this. I know you must be very frustrated and upset. I hope we can help you.
I would like to ask you a few questions to gather information if that a Ok.
What are you feeding your kitty (name?)
Are you home testing the blood glucose?
What glucose meter are you using?
Did the vet send a urine away to test which antibiotic was needed or did he just give you an antibiotic without testing for sensitivities?
Would you be willing to set up a spreadsheet and signature so we could help you.?
You mentioned trying different insulins. What were they?
Are you currently giving Lantus insulin?
Has the vet suggested any medications to try and stop any anxiety your kitty may have?
Please hang in there and we will do our best to help you.
Bron
squeem3
Very Active Member
Diabetic Cats In Need https://dcin.dreamhosters.com/ @Chris & China (GA) is involved with that organization and can direct OP to the resources.
There's also this but the info may be out of date now: https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/financial-help-links.131190/
How to get the box of Lantus pens for $35: https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/sourcing-insulin-more-economically.288053/ A box of 5 pens will last you at least 5 months if not longer (one pen is good to the last drop).
What are you feeding your cat? You don't need expensive and worthless prescription food of any kind. They contain no magic ingredient.
Insulin syringes - WalMart's Relion brand is popular and affordable among many FDMB members. This might be an option for you. I'm sure there are other inexpensive brands out there and some can be purchased online. Amazon sells insulin syringes with no prescription needed.
Are you in the US and have a FSA or HSA account (or something similar if you live outside the US)? If you do, you can use those funds for diabetic supplies. Keep receipts as proof. No one will ever ask who you're buying the supplies for or request a doctor's note or anything.
Some diabetic cats have another health condition that results in a huge insulin need. The vet can test for Cushing's disease and Acromegaly.
Welcome to FDMB.
First.... Deep breath. We're here to help.
The first few months of managing our cat's diabetes was overwhelming for all of us. I can only imagine what it's been like with a toddler and now a toddler and a pregnancy.
The questions that Bron asked are important. If you're feeding your cat a diet that's more than 10% carbs, that's something that needs to be changed. Many of the "prescription" diabetic diets are surprisingly high in carbs. Most vets don't realize this and are unaware that the pet food manufacturers lost a class action suit for calling food "prescription" when there's nothing medically useful in the food. You can save a lot by not using a prescription pet food and your cat's blood glucose will benefit from being on a low carb diet. FYI - the amount of carbs are not listed on label and rarely on the food's website. This is a list of most of the canned foods available in the US along with a note about the amount of carbs.
Many vets do not get a sterile urine sample when they diagnose a UTI. The problem with not doing so is you have no idea whether the antibiotic they've prescribed targets the bacteria that's causing the UTI. The process is called a cystocentesis (a needle inserted into the bladder to get a urine sample) and culture and sensitivity (C & S). The C & S allows the vet to grow a culture of the urine to identify the bacteria and prescribe an appropriate antibiotic. It takes a few days to grow a culture.
While you may be cleaning like crazy, you may need to also use a product that neutralizes the urine smell. You may not smell it but your cat may. They tend to pee where they smell urine. If the product you're using doesn't seem to be working, try a different one. I'd also suggest trying a different/new litter box. There may be an aversive smell in your current box and your kitty is avoiding it. Also, if your current box has a lid, get rid of the lid.
I'm also attaching a post about helping us to help you. It contains information on setting up a spreadsheet and a signature. If you're planning on joining us, they will be very helpful for you and for us.
First.... Deep breath. We're here to help.
The first few months of managing our cat's diabetes was overwhelming for all of us. I can only imagine what it's been like with a toddler and now a toddler and a pregnancy.
The questions that Bron asked are important. If you're feeding your cat a diet that's more than 10% carbs, that's something that needs to be changed. Many of the "prescription" diabetic diets are surprisingly high in carbs. Most vets don't realize this and are unaware that the pet food manufacturers lost a class action suit for calling food "prescription" when there's nothing medically useful in the food. You can save a lot by not using a prescription pet food and your cat's blood glucose will benefit from being on a low carb diet. FYI - the amount of carbs are not listed on label and rarely on the food's website. This is a list of most of the canned foods available in the US along with a note about the amount of carbs.
Many vets do not get a sterile urine sample when they diagnose a UTI. The problem with not doing so is you have no idea whether the antibiotic they've prescribed targets the bacteria that's causing the UTI. The process is called a cystocentesis (a needle inserted into the bladder to get a urine sample) and culture and sensitivity (C & S). The C & S allows the vet to grow a culture of the urine to identify the bacteria and prescribe an appropriate antibiotic. It takes a few days to grow a culture.
While you may be cleaning like crazy, you may need to also use a product that neutralizes the urine smell. You may not smell it but your cat may. They tend to pee where they smell urine. If the product you're using doesn't seem to be working, try a different one. I'd also suggest trying a different/new litter box. There may be an aversive smell in your current box and your kitty is avoiding it. Also, if your current box has a lid, get rid of the lid.
I'm also attaching a post about helping us to help you. It contains information on setting up a spreadsheet and a signature. If you're planning on joining us, they will be very helpful for you and for us.
Teresa & KitKat
Very Active Member
I could not think of Diabetic Cats in Need and that was who I was trying to come up with. Also, you are right she needs to get in touch with Chris & China.
CORKY
Very Active Member
DCIN at this time is only taking applications for a one time assistance, they are waiting for funds, I send Maggie the link for many Financial Assistance for FDC from our Main Forum.
Teresa & KitKat
Very Active Member
I glad you knew of the other ways for assistance, the only 1 I knew of was Diabetic Cats In Need.DCIN at this time is only taking applications for a one time assistance, they are waiting for funds, I send Maggie the link for many Financial Assistance for FDC from our Main Forum.
Suzanne & Darcy
Very Active Member
I recently had a person who adopted on of my foster cats contact me with a similar situation. In thos case, it actually was a behavioral issue because it started when the new baby arrived. The cat was ultimately rehomed in a different home with other cats and he does not urinate outside the litter box anymore. In your case it sounds like you have a lot more going on. Diabetes. Urinary Tract Infections. It could be FLUTD. If his blood glucose values are quite high then he will produce copious amounts of urine. I have seen other cats on this Board who started using their litter boxes again when the diabetes became regulated. Do you have access to a cat litter called Dr. Elsey’s Cat Attract? I have had very good results with that litter and problem cats. I hope we can help you with the diabetes and that things will improve. What kind of insulin are you using. We can help you with that if you can get a spreadsheet set up.
As a last resort, do you think you or your vet or a local rescue organization could help you find a new home for your cat?
Oh, and I trust you are not handling any feces or scooping it out of the litter box since that could put your unborn child at risk? If you are then I assume you are using disposable gloves and being very cautious?
As a last resort, do you think you or your vet or a local rescue organization could help you find a new home for your cat?
Oh, and I trust you are not handling any feces or scooping it out of the litter box since that could put your unborn child at risk? If you are then I assume you are using disposable gloves and being very cautious?