My poor kitty has been diagnosed with diabetes.
Here are the problems on faced with:
Injections are not an option. I have a nerve condition that causes my hands to shake. So I won’t be able to administer medication to him.
He will not eat the wet diabetic food. He’s okay with the diabetic kibble though.
So now what? Just continue the status quo and try to make him as comfortable as possible?
Sigh …
Have you considered having someone else administer the injections?
Oh, yes
Sigh+++.
No neighbor, relative, the mail carrier?
Someone who could help?
Our pets depend on us.
I also believe its a first world problem that we cater to non-livestock pets like we do. I certainly would give my pets insulin, if I could. So put me in that crowd.
How old is the cat?
How heavy is it?
Was it kidney that brought you to the vet?
Now the hard thing- death from diabetes would not be pleasant. Ketoacidosis or CardioVascular problems are bad news. Cats do badly with kidney disease.
Have you condidered euthanasia?
I have but the injections would be twice a day.
I live alone. I don’t think I’m going to find anybody to make that kind of commitment to come over twice a day.
And if there’s a service for that sort of thing I’m sure I won’t be able to afford it. No way something like that comes cheap.
Thanks
That’s terrible.
The commitment of twice a day would be asking alot.
Did you talk to vet about it?
He’s 15.
He used to be 20 pounds now he’s 16.
His kidneys are still good.
I have thought of euthanasia. But when though?
He doesn’t appear to be in too much discomfort right now. He is hiding but he still comes out for scratches and feeding time.
Not yet.
He was diagnosed at the emergency hospital. Because that’s what the vet told me to do.
He’s been on the diet food for a week. They told me to schedule for a consultation 10 days after he starts the diet.
But the problem with that is he’s not eating his diet food. Today I tried mixing the diet food with some of his old food. That went a little better. But I still don’t think he’s not
eating enough.
Oh. Poor thing.
I can’t tell you when, of course. He will be in obvious discomfort. Maybe seizures. Confusion. Stop eating. Terrible thirst, and lots of peeing.
Thanks Beck.
Perhaps some sort of cat rescue agency might be able to help? How far are your neighbors? Look for one with cats; they might be willing and able to help.
I was thinking Cat rescue people too.
They are the most dedicated people in the world. For such a maligned animal as the lowly cat, they work so hard.
Pampered pet, feral wild cat or innocent kittens.
I bet they’ll have some ideas.
Seconding discuss with your own vet. Maybe there’s some alternative way to get the insulin into him.
Get a second opinion from another vet. I say this from experience. My cat Seven was diagnosed with diabetes last summer. I spent 6 weeks giving her insulin shots twice a day. It was stressful for both of us. I was supposed to take her back for some all-day testing but I couldn’t get a response to my questions about that. I took Seven to a different vet and they tested her and she did not have diabetes. Fortunately, she did not have any adverse reaction to the insulin. But I would definitely get a second opinion before making any decisions.
Ooh. Cat insulin pump.
This should really be a thing.
My vet. told me that cats, unlike people, sometimes get temporary diabetes: in cats it can go away again.
I had a cat with temporary diabetes as a reaction to a steroid medication he’d been taking for a skin condition. Had to stop giving him that; and after a while the diabetes went away. Eventually figured out what cat food he was having intermittent allergic reactions to and the skin condition went away also. Cat lived into his twenties (exact age uncertain).
I don’t know whether there are any oral or topical diabetes medications that can be given to a cat. But yes, it’s a good idea to also have your own vet test him again, as well as to discuss whether there’s any way around the injection problem.
Maybe the vet could get you insulin pens? Some people who have issues with their hands, who can’t use syringes, can use these.
I just read you can get insulin pens for cats. Much easier to use. But more expensive.
Cats usually don’t use much insulin (a couple units a day, that kind of thing) so a pen might actually be easier to use even without the hand tremor.
Good stuff guys. I’m feeling a little better now.
I’ll definitely talk to my vet and the rescue shelter if necessary.
I’m so sorry about your cat. This is such a good place with good people sharing great ideas. I’m happy to hear you’re going to check the options out. Is there a chance the diabetes could be partially controlled by the diet, so maybe eventually only one injection would be needed?
Is there any chance your vet would work out some sort of payment system with you to have a vet tech do it? I’m sure that’d be expensive and you’d have to get your cat there 2x a day, but vet techs are fantastic.