Diabetic Cat

[NorthernAutumn]

Hey all! My Mom and Dad just called me up to tell me that Smokey (9 yo), the resident evil "attack and kill" cat has been diagnosed with diabetes. He went to the vet after rapidly dropping half his body weight, drinking like a fish, and piddling all over the house. After much haranguing from me about how horribly sick he looked, my parents finally took him to the vet.

I'm looking for any useful information (website, tips) you can give me to pass on.

My parents are doubting their ability to administer insulin shots to this demonic animal, as the vet has to actually knock the cat out to get a blood sample (doesn't sound promising for daily injection, does it). Pills are just as bad. Only positive thing is that an 8 pound cat is easier to fight with than an 18 lb. tiger :?.

Thanks in advance for any and all diabetic cat suggestions. (Hoping to hear from seniorcats :biggrin2:too!)

 

[LadyBug]

i have diabetes(human, type 1). all i can say is good luck. having diabetes is hardas a teen. it's even harder for mothers and fathers who have small children, as they can't tell you if they feel bad like low blood sugar bad. i'm guessingcats are about as bad. i've gotta go eat dinner, so ihave to scoot. but good luck. and maybe check out thisstuff



HUGS:hug1!

Anna

 

[seniorcats]

Peg may information as her mother's cat is diabetic. I've only dealt with a few cats at the shelter. Personally, i find giving a shot easier than pilling some cats. Your parents may want toget a top opening carrier and put him in the carrier for testing and his insulin. PetSmart and Pet Supplies Plus have small and medium carriers with2 openings, top and front. Either that or do it in a small room like the bathroom.

Their vet or vet tech should demonstrate the right way to give insulin and then make sure they understand it. Is there any way he can take an oral med that could be put in food or a pill pocket treat?

 

[NorthernAutumn]

He's a street fighter to deal with, anyway. Pilling is possible, (the whole hold the cat, stick pill in mouth, hold mouth closed whie simulating a fall works well with him), but makes him exceptionally angry.

My parents are concerned that (as he is a very moody cat) his quality of life will diminish greatly if he has to become an indoor, monitored, pilled/syringed cat. He absolutely screams and bites to go outside.

(I think they are worried as well about getting hurt by him, and them hurting him.) But yes, I think they would find pilling more managable than insulin...

 

[Bassetluv]

Will admit I know nothing about diabetes in cats. My brother's cat though, was diagnosed as being diabetic not long after he and his wife adopted her from the shelter. She takes meds, but it's in liquid form, which seems much easier to administer than pills. (My own cat is on meds for IBS, and she was on pills, but since switching to liquid doses life has become much more pleasant for both of us. )

So I'm wondering if your parents' kitty would be able to take meds in liquid form? It might depend upon the severity or type of diabetes, I suppose, but if possible it might be a lot easier on them.

Hugs to Smokey, and your parents :hug:

 

[NorthernAutumn]

Do you happen to know the name of the liquid med? I don't believe that their vet knows about any other diabetic solutions beside insulin... He's certainly open to suggestions tho

(Dr. Silver refuses to even attempt to pill this animal; just sends us home with meds:biggrin2

 

[Bassetluv]

No idea, sorry...butif I can find out from my brother I will let you know.

 

[NorthernAutumn]

Thanks, Bassetluv (Helps that you're in Ontario too:biggrin2

 

[seniorcats]

Glipizide and metaformin are 2 oral meds that can be used. Generally, but not always, the insulin injections work better.