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"Heck's Coming With Me"
Posts: 10797
   
Location: Kansas | About a year ago I had to bring a barn cat to live in the house because of injuries (pellet gun) that crippled him badly enough he couldn't fend for himself outside (coyote food). Now he's diabetic and the vet recommends insulin shots but I hate the thought of 60 shots a month for this poor cat. I've changed his feed to m/d. Is there an alternative to insulin or are the shots that hard on them. He's 11 years old and is not sickly but his hind legs are giving out on him.
Thanks for any input. I didn't even know cats got diabetes. |
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 Good Grief!
Posts: 6343
Location: Cap'n Joan Rotgut.....alberta | I had one...he lived for years..he got his needle twice a day...its not that bad its only under the skin...and nothing will replace his need for insulin. .he will die if you dont treat him......m
Edited by mruggles 2016-02-25 8:59 AM
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Member
Posts: 8
| i have a 12 yr old dashound that i give 2 shots of insulin a day. he also eats the w/d. i have been doing this well over 1 year now. He does fine with the shots but you have to remember that when you get a new bottle its stronger then when the bottle is almost empty. Also never give the medicine if they haven't ate because it will cause there sugar to go very low. They could pass out, mine will wobble around and not be able to walk and i have to feed him syrup and milk so that the level will go back up instantly, Its crazy but its manageable. |
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 Party Girl
Posts: 12293
Location: Buffalo, Wyoming | My grandparents treated my old dog for about 5 years with twice daily shots. She got a treat after every shot and she would tell them when they were late on giving them. It is just under the skin, he should do just fine. Give him a treat every time and he will not know the difference. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1162
Location: White Mountains of AZ | If you get a diabetic food, you may be able to reduce how much insulin, but he'd still need the two shots daily for diabetes. I work for a vet, and we've seen some pretty good luck with switching them over to a diabetic food as well! |
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"Heck's Coming With Me"
Posts: 10797
Location: Kansas | He is getting the m/d catfood and loves it. Right now the biggest problem is that he seems to be losing control of his hind legs. He already had a decided limp in the front end because of the pellets. I had decided to just let him go and eventually put him to sleep but am rethinking that (guilt). |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1162
Location: White Mountains of AZ | That is a tough call. We always say to base it on THEIR quality of life. We see so many sick/older animals that can barely move, go to the bathroom all over themselves and the owners just "aren't ready yet". It's very tough to lose an animal, never gets easier  |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 425
Location: California | Maybe try the insulin and see how he does on it before making the decision? If you feel like he is not doing as well as you'd like, then at least you tried? I'm a freak, I always have to try something. lol. |
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Good Grief!
Posts: 6343
Location: Cap'n Joan Rotgut.....alberta | That seems a bit cruel..if you dont want to give him the shots. .then put him down..dont let him suffer....the longer you wait the worse he is gonna get.....m |
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"Heck's Coming With Me"
Posts: 10797
Location: Kansas | mruggles - 2016-02-25 9:46 AM That seems a bit cruel..if you dont want to give him the shots. .then put him down..dont let him suffer....the longer you wait the worse he is gonna get.....m
That's the gray area. He's very happy, eats well, is not sickly at all. It's the weakness in his legs causing the alarm. I have spent so much on this animal, probably $1000, as he was shot in the mouth on one occasion and in the chest on another. I'm going to talk to the vet and give it a try. I wonder what to do though when I can't be home to administer his shot. My husband is not behind me on this at all. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1162
Location: White Mountains of AZ | It's hard with no support. I get that! Hopefully your vet can offer some other suggestions for your boy! |
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Member
Posts: 8
| I dont believe the shots will help with the legs. |
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Industrial Srength Barrel Racer
Posts: 7268
| Bless your heart for caring so much!! BIG hugs gal! |
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"Heck's Coming With Me"
Posts: 10797
Location: Kansas | Griz - 2016-02-25 11:08 AM Bless your heart for caring so much!! BIG hugs gal!
Thanks Griz. We're all a bit insane when it comes to our critters. When the vet saved him from the last pellet attack, I almost wished she hadn't. It was very tough on him. I asked her to put him to sleep but she was intent on saving him and kept him for several days at her own expense. |
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"Heck's Coming With Me"
Posts: 10797
Location: Kansas | materdog - 2016-02-25 10:13 AM I dont believe the shots will help with the legs.
I wondered about that. |
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Good Grief!
Posts: 6343
Location: Cap'n Joan Rotgut.....alberta | One of the symptoms of diabetes is weakness so yes the back leg issue could be a symptom....and for me the rare odd time i couldn't be home i had a friend that could do it. ....but even when i was on the road i would drive home to give him his needle....even when it was an inconvenience. ..m |
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Good Grief!
Posts: 6343
Location: Cap'n Joan Rotgut.....alberta | Frodo - 2016-02-26 10:27 AM
Griz - 2016-02-25 11:08 AM Bless your heart for caring so much!! BIG hugs gal!
Thanks Griz. We're all a bit insane when it comes to our critters. When the vet saved him from the last pellet attack, I almost wished she hadn't. It was very tough on him. I asked her to put him to sleep but she was intent on saving him and kept him for several days at her own expense.
Maybe u should send the vet bill to the mofo with the happy trigger finger....:)...m |
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"Heck's Coming With Me"
Posts: 10797
Location: Kansas | mruggles - 2016-02-25 1:08 PM Frodo - 2016-02-26 10:27 AM Griz - 2016-02-25 11:08 AM Bless your heart for caring so much!! BIG hugs gal! Thanks Griz. We're all a bit insane when it comes to our critters. When the vet saved him from the last pellet attack, I almost wished she hadn't. It was very tough on him. I asked her to put him to sleep but she was intent on saving him and kept him for several days at her own expense. Maybe u should send the vet bill to the mofo with the happy trigger finger....: )...m
We have (had) several really harmless and beautiful feral cats in our neighborhood. They ate our catfood in the barn and I was fine with that. Whoever is doing this has killed them all. No distinction between feral cats and pets. They just use them all for target practice. My cat was neutered and wouldn't harm a fly. He just liked to hunt. I hate this person but haven't a clue who it is. There's a lot of houses on one side of our 25 acres. |
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 Scorpions R Us
Posts: 9586
Location: So. Cali. | We are on our second diabetic dog. There is not an alternative to the shots and yes, it gets tough when you want to actually go somewhere. It's harder at first as you have to monitor them to assure you're not giving too much, as sometimes when you change their diets (low fat food, cut back, etc.) you have to change amount you are giving them. And, you'll be suprise what a difference it will make on him. Only downside we noticed with our first diabetic is he went blind I believe quicker than he should have (cataracs are a part of it). |
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 Veteran
Posts: 126
Location: Ohio | Whenever I diagnose an animal with diabetes (I am a veterinarian) I always have a heart to heart with the owner about the commitment this disease requires from the owner. Without having examined the cat it is impossible to say for sure but the back leg issue could be diabetic neuropathy that may improve with treatment. Cats can actually go into remission and I frequently have patients that do and no longer require insulin injections and can be managed on diet. This is most likely achieved with a diet of Purina DM and lantus insulin. Of course the lantus is probably the most expensive insulin. That being said some don't go into remission despite that combo and require injections for the rest of their life. If you can not commit to the rigors of treatment I do think humane euthanasia should be considered. Most cats that will go into remission do so within 6 months of treatment. Good luck in whatever you decide! |
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 Balance Beam and more...
Posts: 11511
Location: 31 lengths farms | Interested in if you do blood sugar tests or monitor sugar levels on dogs and cats like you do humans?
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"Heck's Coming With Me"
Posts: 10797
Location: Kansas | SNH - 2016-02-25 2:25 PM Whenever I diagnose an animal with diabetes (I am a veterinarian) I always have a heart to heart with the owner about the commitment this disease requires from the owner. Without having examined the cat it is impossible to say for sure but the back leg issue could be diabetic neuropathy that may improve with treatment. Cats can actually go into remission and I frequently have patients that do and no longer require insulin injections and can be managed on diet. This is most likely achieved with a diet of Purina DM and lantus insulin. Of course the lantus is probably the most expensive insulin. That being said some don't go into remission despite that combo and require injections for the rest of their life. If you can not commit to the rigors of treatment I do think humane euthanasia should be considered. Most cats that will go into remission do so within 6 months of treatment. Good luck in whatever you decide!
Thank you for your input. I spoke with my vet's technician and decided to give insulin shots a try. Have to admit I'm reluctant to make the commitment and if he were acting like a sick cat it would be easier to euthanize him; however, he plays with his toys, struggles but makes it on the couch to cuddle, and he eats like a normal cat. The litter box, however, is soggy mess and I have to change it often. |
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Good Grief!
Posts: 6343
Location: Cap'n Joan Rotgut.....alberta | run n rate - 2016-02-26 2:06 PM
Interested in if you do blood sugar tests or monitor sugar levels on dogs and cats like you do humans?
I never did...just have to monitor them for any changes...m |
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Balance Beam and more...
Posts: 11511
Location: 31 lengths farms | Just find it interesting as with humans you monitor quite a bit so how do you know if they , the animal, is high or low? Or you just give the insulin and hope for the best?
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 My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | Frodo - 2016-02-25 10:01 AM
mruggles - 2016-02-25 9:46 AM That seems a bit cruel..if you dont want to give him the shots. .then put him down..dont let him suffer....the longer you wait the worse he is gonna get.....m
That's the gray area. He's very happy, eats well, is not sickly at all. It's the weakness in his legs causing the alarm. I have spent so much on this animal, probably $1000, as he was shot in the mouth on one occasion and in the chest on another. I'm going to talk to the vet and give it a try. I wonder what to do though when I can't be home to administer his shot. My husband is not behind me on this at all.
I just had to put my 12 year old dog to sleep because of his kidneys failing. We tried all we could before he took a turn for the worst; it broke my heart because it happened on the day I was suposed to bring him home. I hope things work and the shots work for him AND you. Many hugs for trying to make his life better and give him more time. |
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Member
Posts: 8
| The only way to tell, if you dont take them to the vet and have them tested, is monitor their drinking. The vet will tell you how much to give them depending on the animal. I almost all the time give what he recommended unless my dog doesn't eat. Or if I just opened a new bottle of insulin. |
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"Heck's Coming With Me"
Posts: 10797
Location: Kansas | Chandler's Mom - 2016-02-25 11:24 PM Frodo - 2016-02-25 10:01 AM mruggles - 2016-02-25 9:46 AM That seems a bit cruel..if you dont want to give him the shots. .then put him down..dont let him suffer....the longer you wait the worse he is gonna get.....m That's the gray area. He's very happy, eats well, is not sickly at all. It's the weakness in his legs causing the alarm. I have spent so much on this animal, probably $1000, as he was shot in the mouth on one occasion and in the chest on another. I'm going to talk to the vet and give it a try. I wonder what to do though when I can't be home to administer his shot. My husband is not behind me on this at all. I just had to put my 12 year old dog to sleep because of his kidneys failing. We tried all we could before he took a turn for the worst; it broke my heart because it happened on the day I was suposed to bring him home. I hope things work and the shots work for him AND you. Many hugs for trying to make his life better and give him more time.
Thanks and thanks to everybody for the help.
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Member
Posts: 29
| If you decide to treat, consistency/routine is the key. The shots are super easy--I have never had a client think they were difficult (I am also a DVM). It's getting them regulated and stable that can be hard. Some cats are easy and some are really hard to regulate. It sounds like he's fairly healthy (other than the hind leg issue--which is often due to the diabetes). And no, animals are not as strictly regulated as humans. Good luck! |
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Scorpions R Us
Posts: 9586
Location: So. Cali. | run n rate - 2016-02-25 1:40 PM Just find it interesting as with humans you monitor quite a bit so how do you know if they , the animal, is high or low? Or you just give the insulin and hope for the best?
We have an at home tester just like the human kind with strips. We try to test the levels the first week or so when we first start insulin. Once you get it pretty controled checking it is only needed, I would think, when there has been a change. Food (amount or calorie intake) exercise, etc. When we first found out our second dog was diabetic, my chi, we changed his feeding to two small meals a day and started him on insulin, he was doing very good but after the first couple days passed due to the decrease in food he had a mild 'episode' where the insulin amount became too much. Started panting and was very restless. Tested him and sure enough he was super low, rubbed some syrup on his gums and he was almost immediately better. I personally think the beginning is the most critical time, once you find the balance it becomes pretty easy
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Balance Beam and more...
Posts: 11511
Location: 31 lengths farms | Three*C*Champs - 2016-02-27 11:19 AM
run n rate - 2016-02-25 1:40 PM Just find it interesting as with humans you monitor quite a bit so how do you know if they , the animal, is high or low? Or you just give the insulin and hope for the best?
We have an at home tester just like the human kind with strips. We try to test the levels the first week or so when we first start insulin. Once you get it pretty controled checking it is only needed, I would think, when there has been a change. Food (amount or calorie intake) exercise, etc. When we first found out our second dog was diabetic, my chi, we changed his feeding to two small meals a day and started him on insulin, he was doing very good but after the first couple days passed due to the decrease in food he had a mild 'episode' where the insulin amount became too much. Started panting and was very restless. Tested him and sure enough he was super low, rubbed some syrup on his gums and he was almost immediately better. I personally think the beginning is the most critical time, once you find the balance it becomes pretty easy
that makes a lot of sense.
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Miss Southern Sunshine
Posts: 7427
Location: South Central Florida | I don't do a cat, but we did have a dog that we treated for about 4 years. It was not that big a deal once we had a pretty regular schedule.
With a dog, it was not that hard to run the little stick under her urine to check her levels and we did not do blood tests very often...
That might be difficult with a cat. However I don't even remember having to do that once her schedule was in place after maybe the first 6 months.
Once or twice she got "woozy" and we gave her sugar that the vet gave us for that situation. She saw the vet once a year after the first year, or if we had a question. She never ever seemed to mind the shot and I would do it again with out a question.
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 889
Location: Kansas | My best friends cat was diabetic and she did give shots. I was amazed that the cat actually liked them. If she was more than 30 minutes late the cat would go sit in the kitchen and basically ask for her medicine / shot by meowing loudly. |
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"Heck's Coming With Me"
Posts: 10797
Location: Kansas | runnin hard - 2016-02-26 7:40 PM My best friends cat was diabetic and she did give shots. I was amazed that the cat actually liked them. If she was more than 30 minutes late the cat would go sit in the kitchen and basically ask for her medicine / shot by meowing loudly.
Well, that's encouraging. |
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Is anybody treating a diabetic cat......