We are a very sad family tonight. Our very loved and spoiled cat was diagnosed with diabetes today. He is only 7 years old. Right now he is still in the hospital until they get his blood sugar under control. Our vet advised us to think of euthanasia as an option, because diabetes in cats is very difficult to control and that even with daily insulin injections we shouldn't expect him to have quality of life for much longer than a year. After discussing it as a family we decided that we have to try the insulin injections and see how things go.

I would like to know if anyone here has experienced treating a diabetic cat, and if so could you help me to know what we are in for and offer any advice you might have?

Our previous cat died of old age at age 20 and was never sick her entire life, so we know this will be difficult.

I'm very sorry to hear about your cat being diagnosis. It won't be easy to treat but hopefully you'll be able to get it under control. I think the best advice would be to do more research into it via internet, books and your vet and learn as much as you can about it. This means you'll be able to understand it and be able to recognise signs that his sugars aren't right or ohter illnesses associated with it. Good luck and I hope you can get it all under control and help you cat lead a happy life.

Its a very sad thing indeed... I never had a cat with diabetes, I did have one get the cat equivilent of Aids though....

Try this site for helpful info on this topic.

http://www.felinediabetes.com/

Hiya! I'm very sorry to hear about your cat. Just 3 weeks ago my cat died aged 14..she'd had diabetes for about 8 years and was a very happy kitty. When she was younger we noticed she was drinking a lot and putting on a lot of weight..eventually we found she had diabetes. It was a shock and we were upset but we were prepared to do anything to help her. It is a lot of responsibility to inject every morning but it can be done. My cat had regular visits to the vets to make sure it was under control and not suffering. She died of kidney failure 3 weeks ago but she had a long and happy life..when we put her to sleep she was lying there purring to the end. Its definitely worth trying..I know all animals are different but for us it was the right decision. Dont give up..if you are willing to take on the responsibility then your cat may go on to still live a good life..mine did!! If you find that he is suffering then maybe it is time for him to go..but at least you would have tried. I hope this helps a bit..

Thank you everyone. I have done some research online and didn't find any of it very encouraging, but LoopyLou, your post gives me some hope that we may be able to do this. Your cat lived a happy life for 8 more years! I sure hope ours will!

The vet hasn't explained everything yet. When we pick Marmalade up on Thursday night (if they stabilize his sugar by then) he will teach us how to do the injections and when, give us new low-carb food, etc. What he has told us already left us pretty discouraged, but we are going to try the treatment anyway. As long as he seems content and does well we'll keep up the treatment.

The vet told us that the incessant thirst may never go away, even with treatment. The poor fella was practically living by the water bowl the past week. I can't imagine being constantly thirsty like that. It must be awful.

Poor thing..Marmalade sounds like a cutie! Rosies vet was very encouraging the whole way through..I guess they all have different opinions. You sound like a very caring family..I'm sure you'll make the right decision. Dont give up hope.

I am sorry to hear about your cat. I think you are very brave for deciding to give your cat shots daily! Good luck and I wish you the best!

oh sweetie im sorry i hope you make sure your sweet kitten, i always say kitten no matter how old. i hope your sweet kitten has been blessed with such responible and loving owner such as you and or your family. if the vet hasnt mentioned this and i dont know if he has perhaps this infor might help you. {STAY POSITIVE, BE BRAVE, KNOW THAT YOU HAVE ALOT OF PEOPLE HERE THAT REALY DO CARE AND I MEAN THAT. i DONT KNOW YOUR FACE TO FACE BUT I CONSIDER THIS WEBSITE AND EVERYONE IVE INTERMINGED WITH LIKE ANOTHER FAMILY TO ME. IM 38 SO CALL ME A MOTHERHEN SOP{sort of speak}
AND DO NOT FEED HIM TABLE FOOD AT ALL NOR MILK UNLESS THE DOCTOR SAYS TOO INFACT YOU CAN ALWAYS TAKE THE INFO HERE AND CALL YOUR VET AND ASK HIM IF IT IS OK. 2ND OPINIONS ARE NOT BAD MAYBE IT COULD SOMEHING NOT AS BAD AS SHOTS PERHAPS. LIKE I SAID A 2ND OPINION WOULD BE A GOOD INVESTMENT.
ALL IN ALL. KEEP HIM INDOORS I KNOW ALOT OF CATS THAT GET THIS TYPE OF BLOOD
CONDITION FROM OTHERS CATS. BRUSH HIS TEETH . KEEP SPIRITS UP FOR YOUR LITTLE ONE , YOUR KITTEN CAUSE HE/SHE WILL ALWAYS BE YOUR LIL KITTEN ,.. IT STILL IS AND HAS A HOPEFUL FUTURE EVEN IF SOME MINOR CHANGES HAVE TO BE DONE .

MY BEST ADVICE OVERALL IS TENDER LOVING CARE AND SEE IF YOU COULD GET ANOTHER PROFESSIONAL OPINION EXPECIALLY IF DEEP DOWN YOU MIGHT FEEL THE NEED TO DO SO. A GOOD VET WOULD TELL YOU TO GET A SECOND OPINION AND FIND A REPRABLE PROFESSIONAL VET IF NOT BY A RECCOMENDATION LOOK OR ASK SOMEONE YOU TRUST . IM NOT SAYING YOUR VET IS A BAD ONE I AM SAYING A REAL GOOD DOCTOR OF ANY SORT WILL AND MOST READILY IF SERIOUS WILL SAY TO PLEASE TRY ANOTHER DOCTOR OR SEEK OUT ANOTHER PROFESSIONAL OPINION. WOULDNT YOU AGREE?

Therye vary rare these days and sometimes they forget but if payments could be made or other compromise could be dicussed due to finances im sure a great family meeting could be called in the fa,ily or friends to try and solve this problem . , financally or and emotional fight this tooth and nail if you need to call around and talk to some vet offices look for anything you can ill back emotionaly and through prayer if need be and you dont mind. im so very sorry to hear this news and urge to go for the second opinion from anther vet if you can, IT MIGHT BE A DIFFERENT PROBLEM ALL TOGETHER IF THERE EVEN REALY IS A PROBLEM . IT COULD VERY WELL BE SOMTHING NOT SO BAD . LET ME KNOW YOU CAN EMAIL ME OR SEND ME A PERSONAL MESSAGE ,

IM HERE FOR YOU AND IM SURE I SPEAK FOR MOST EVERYBODY HERE EXPECIALY THOSE WHOM HAVE SHOWN GREAT CONCERN. I DO HOPE THAT THIS WILL NOT BE ANY MORE SERIOUS THAN IT SOUNDS DEAR

ABECROMBIE .....LET ME KNOW ,.NOW IM CONCERNED AND ILL PRAY FOR YOU AND YOUR KITTEN .MEOW SORRY FOR MISPELLED WORDS BUT SOMETHING TELLS ME YOUR CAT WILL BE FINE OR STABELIZED . DONT BE WORRIED UNLESS YOU HAVE AND RIGHT NOW YOU DONT HAVE TO PUT YOURSELF THROUGH HELL O.K ?

MY VERY VERY BEST THOUGHTS WITH MARMALADE
ABECROMIE

Hi!

I know how you feel since my cat too has diabetes, and even though she's been on medicine (not insulin) for 2 years which keeps her healthy, she's still slowly getting worse. Though she's nearly 13 and lived a long happy life. Hope things go well with your cat.


Bye!

Day Dreamer

Thanks so much for your kind thoughts everyone. Our vet phoned this afternoon and said that Marmalade is doing well so far. His sugar levels are coming down and he even seems to like the new food. He said he will likely be able to come home by tomorrow night, but he will call me to let me know for certain.

We know this vet very well. I've been going to him for over 30 years. He was just a young fella when I started taking my dog to him. That was before I was even married. He has seen us through a lot with all our pets over the years. I suspect he may have told us the worst right up front to test our mettle.....to help us find out if we thought we could do it. Now that he knows we want to try I know he'll support us through it. Even if it means we'll only be giving him another happy year or two, at least we'll know we did everything we could for him.

If you would like to "meet" Marmalade he has a little webpage on my site:

im glad that better news has arived for the lil kitten goo ,. hes cute baby talk wees sooeh cwute ," i bet hes smell good too ,. cats expecialy indoors smell fresh like sawdust or puppies ,. kitty smell landry clean laundry right anyway im glad your vet is a good one that made me feel good knowing that hes in good hands and with every life we just dont know marmalade might live for another happy belonging purry 10 years i hope ,... see my smiley hes happy to your down to eath earth chick. i tired and too far gone ill say wheww what a relief for the fam,. bye keep us posted if you need to or feel the need to were here i am so is my lil muffin boy simba ,. someday ill try and post my computer needs work in some hardware ,.. thanks for keeping touch with me us the um ,..



happy moms day if your a earth mom ,.. lol hey hey


you know read the guest book
talk with ya soon girl
abecrombie and......who else but only once ill type
ruff ruff read burtons in writers baord dark peotry ps i cant spell today sorry

I'm glad they've been getting your cat stabilised and blood sugars sorted, it must be a very upsetting experience. Marmalade is gorgeous! Definitely suits the name. Hope all goes well for you both and keep us all posted on your progress. Good luck! xxx

Thanks folks. He wasn't ready to come home today. Maybe tomorrow. I have to admit that I'm really nervous about giving him the shots, but I'm sure that will go away pretty quickly.

Abecrombie.....Thanks for the guestbook entry.

LACTATED RINGERS!!!!!!

No, it's not an insult. It's a form of medication. Many cats diagnosed with diabetes are given routine injections of lactated ringers in order to alleviate the problem. The only way I know this is that my Paramedic partner had a cat in which she treated this way.

earthchick,

I am really sorry to hear about your cat but very happy for you that he is feeling better and coming home. Give him a big hug from me and here's a hug from me to you (((Hugs))).
Stay positive sweets and just take one day at a time with Marmalade.

Lottie

What is that exactly???




Thanks Lottie.


Well, he came home this afternoon and he is very happy to be back let me tell you. He has hardly stopped purring. Our dog, Mocha was quite happy to see him too. They are great friends. He is only allowed a small amount of prescription food each day which is hard for him. He has always been an all day nibbler, but now he gets fed twice a day a small amount of food. He has been begging for more all evening. At least he eats this new food well, which is surprising because he normally hates wet food. I guess he's just so hungry he'll eat anything. We were pleasantly surprised at how inexpensive the insulin and needles are! We were expecting it cost much more. The vet had my husband and I try a practice shot using saline solution instead of insulin and I am surprised at how easy it is to do. He doesn't seem to mind it at all either. Now we just have to get used to a new routine and then I hope he will stay well for as long as possible. For now we're just happy to have him home.

im so happy H A P P Y marmalade is better now , thats the reason why,.


i very pleased and ill thank god for the answered prayer ,. and releived to know that it is not as bad as first news . im also telling simba wimba boy the good news
all is well in this struggle somtimes life puts us through but now im sure the family can rest at ease and enjoy his recovery from the sugar shock that what i call it it sounds not so depressing,. i have a feeling the dog mocha is going to play momfor a while and spoiled rotten the both of them i bet you do spoiled with love and tendr loven care

that is always natures best medicine for any life ,it needs to know it is depended on for cuddles and cutness and best of all comanionship and comany what would the world be like without our domesticated lil pets ,. or animals in general .


so glad we have them today , best of luck and tell your vet hes the man

abecrombie

Hi there

My dear cat, Jarre, was also diagnosed with diabetes about a year ago. Today he is a very happy 11-year old cat, and gets insulin injections twice a day with 12-hour intervals. There are different types of insulins, and this is the second insulin we're using on our cat. This one has worked very well but is rather expensive. Its name is Lanthus, and it is a rather new type of insulin if I've understood it right. Giving injections is very easy and does not bother the cat, or at least our cat isn't bothered. Jarre also eats prescribed, slow-digesting food, small portions around 5-times a day to keep his blood sugar level steady. Everyone in my family keeps an eye on him a bit more closely than used to but otherwise it's just normal life for us. Hopefully your cat will feel better soon

Thanks abecrombi and Clocker. So far things seem to be going very well. It is mostly me that does his shots and I've not had any problems with it yet. He was having a difficult time with the 2 meals a day of wet food regime and missed his crunchy kibbles, so the vet has added in a small amount of dry kibbles (same type of food in dry form) that he is supposed to have to nibble on throughout the day. It didn't work quite as planned though. The first time I gave him the 1/4 cup of kibbles he scarfed it all down in one go because he is so hungry all the time. So I am now splitting that 1/4 cup up into 4ths again and giving it to him at different intervals, just to keep it spread out over the whole day. Other than that very small snag he his acting like himself again, just as playful as ever and very much King of the House. He is drinking far less water than he was and making far fewer trips to the litter box, so I'm guessing the thirst has lessened considerably. I hope he continues to do as well as he is right now for a long time!

An update for those of you who originally posted in this thread.......

This past Wednesday, Aug.2/06 we had to have our Marmalade euthanized. A week beforehand he seemingly out of the blue refused to eat anything and began drinking water like crazy again. For 3 months he had been doing really well and the insulin was doing its work. Marmalade seemed healthy and happy and we were really encouraged. At first I thought that this heat wave we are dealing with was messing with his appetite, as he would still eat his special treats (sugar-free). We took him to the vet and had his sugar checked. It was at 13.9, which was a bit high, but the vet felt that it wasn't too bad. We were given a sample of a different type of food, just in case Marmalade was tired of the other stuff. The next day, Wednesday Marmalade ate a tiny, tiny nibble of food and would eat no more. On Thursday he wouldn't eat anything but drank huge amounts of water which he promptly vomited up. First thing Friday morning, as soon as the vets office doors opened we were there again with Marmalade. The vet checked his sugar and in 2 days it had climbed to 23.
He was also dehydrated. The vet said we should leave him there in the hospital until they could get his sugar under control. On Monday morning I phoned and was told that they were having a hard time getting our kitty's sugar under control so he wasn't ready to go home yet. On Tuesday night our vet phoned at 11:00 p.m. from his own home. He told us that Marmalade's liver was failing now and his sugar was all over the map, extremely high one moment and extremely low the next. People had been working on him around the clock, but nothing was helping. Our vet advised that if Marmalade made it through the night we should consider having him euthanized in the morning. We didn't want our little buddy to suffer any longer, so we took the vet's advice.

Marmalade, like all our pets, was truly a family member to us. Every heart in our household is breaking, even our dog's. The dog and cat were best buddies. Since Marmalade was first diagnosed we knew this was going to happen, we just didn't expect it to be so soon.