The vet called with the test results. Mischief’s blood sugar is elevated, which means he’s probably diabetic. There’s also some indication of possible liver damage. Further diagnosis would require taking him to a clinic for imaging and confirmation of possible treatments. I was warned that this could end up costing close to $1000. Since I don’t drive, I would need to use Uber to get him to the clinic and back (my regular vet is accessible on public transit). I’m going to think about it over the weekend.
I’ve done some online research which makes it sound like untreated feline diabetes would be fatal within anywhere from days to weeks, but he’s been showing his symptoms for well over a month. He’s going to be 14 in April. He doesn’t appear to be in any pain ATM. A number of years back one of my cats had developed a tumor on his neck; treatment would have been not only expensive but require trips to the clinic several times a week, so I opted to forgo it. It was several months before he started showing sufficient signs of discomfort that I took him for his last visit to the vet.
I have a 17 yr old kitty that has been insulin dependant diabetic for about three years. He gets an injection twice a day and he’s been fine. We have to test his blood sugar now and then to adjust the dosage but otherwise it’s easy-peasy.
Much, much easier to give a cat an injection than a pill.
A year ago I would have despaired at the prospect of giving Mischief any medication on a regular basis, as he was very skittish and trying to catch him for any purpose was nearly impossible. Getting him into a carrier for trips to the vet was an exercise in futility. During the past few months he’s become much more sociable, and today I didn’t have any trouble picking him up to give him his antibiotic.
Another vote for treating Mischief. Giving cats insulin shots is almost as easy as petting one. The needles are hair fine, I’ve accidently stuck myself and the only reason I noticed was because the needle was in my hand.
Our diabetic cat lived a few more years with treatment and he was happy until a few days before we sent him off to the bridge.
Started typing before the new year, so I’m posting here anyway…
I typically spend my New Years Eve selecting charities and making end of year donations, but I’m so sick and fucking tired of the email flood from various charities that I didn’t donate a damn thing today. Seriously, some of these places were emailing every couple of hours. Checking my personal email shouldn’t feel like being at work.
I know that there is a new thread, I’m posting here to say that I feel your pain. I fire charities that turn into spammers. Heifer International I’m looking at you!
To all the assholes in my neighborhood shooting off fireworks. My poor dogs. We have a new neighbor and sounds like sticks of dynomite.
For nothing. All New Years Eve is is an excuse to get drunk and act a fool. End of story.
We are just changing calendars and nursing hangovers, people. Any New Years Day feelings are for simps. Especially New Years Resolutions. Some people seem to think it is some sort of psychic reset where things will be different. Grow up. Its not a new year. There is no difference between 12/31 and 1/1 and more than there is a difference between 2/7 and 2/8.
You want to make changes to your life? I applaud that. But you can start those changes on any day. Saving it for 1/1? Setting up for failure.
We had a cat in our barn for a few years (he just showed up one day). When he seemed to be dropping weight, we had him checked over and found out he was diabetic. He wasn’t easy to handle so it was suggested we try a food for diabetic cats that was very high in protein, very low carbs.
The cat did great. The food was expensive, and some was eaten by possums/raccoons, but hey.
I think he’s on to me now. When I tried to pick him up for his noontime antibiotic he made a run for the bedroom. I managed to sort of grab him before he made it under the bed, but he dug his claws into the carpet and in trying to get him loose I lost my balance and ended up on the floor, but still holding on to him. Trying to stand up (with my bad knees) while Mischief was fighting to get loose would have made a terribly amusing video. But I managed to carry him to the couch and get the medicine down his throat with only minor damage. I’ll see what happens when I try to give him his evening medicine.
My current plan is to call the clinic on Monday and discuss my options with them, including possible costs, and then make a decision. I’ll post updates in the January rant thread.
We were lucky this year: the fireworks were in the far distance, not close by. Also, no gunshots in the nearby park. ( Yeah, that’s another thread but Man those Asshats piss me off.)
Yep. I subscribe to a couple of newsletters (via magazine subscriptions) that are worth reading, and there are a handful of retailers whose emails are allowed. And of course, the bills and payment verifications.
Sunday night he ran off every time I tried to give him his medicine. So Monday morning I decided to just squirt the antibiotic over his wet food. He ate it right down.
Today I had the first optical migraine I’ve had in years. No biggie, I just went blind for half an hour or so. I have so much work to do, I really don’t need this shit right now!
I subscribe to a couple of newsletters (via magazine subscriptions) that are worth reading, and there are a handful of retailers whose emails are allowed. And of course, the bills and payment verifications.
I have so much work to do, I really don’t need this shit right now!