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Cats and Diabetes » Group Forum

Just Diagnosed

  
Pumpkin - Loving Memory 2008

I love dogs, all- dogs, any dogs.		 
 
Purred: Fri Oct 26, '07 7:14am PST 
Hi Everyone,
Pumpkin was just diagnosed - yesterday - with diabetes. This is so new to me - I am feeling a bit overwhelmed. We go in tonight to meet with the vet and learn how to give injections. Any advice or helpful tips for us?
Thank you,
Pumpkin's Mom

Ashes RIP- March 27th- 2009

Meow~ I love- feet		 
 
Purred: Tue Oct 30, '07 6:59pm PST 
Good luck! Do you do the shots twice a day? What food did they give you , special kind? Ashes was was Diagnosed tonight with diabetes too. I learned how to give the shots but need practice. I have to be quicker and less scared.
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Pumpkin - Loving Memory 2008

I love dogs, all- dogs, any dogs.		 
 
Purred: Wed Oct 31, '07 11:18am PST 
Yes - twice a day shots and special food - Purina D/M. Pumpkin doesn't seem to mind the shots at all and has been feeling better the past few days! I would encourage you to visit http://www.felinediabetes.com/
if you get a chance. It has a lot of good information!

Best of luck - keep us posted on your progress...


Margarita

I am the cute- kitty with the- white paws.		 
 
Purred: Sat Nov 3, '07 6:49am PST 
Margarita was just diagnosed three weeks ago. We have to increase the insulin because they initial amount we were giving wasn't working. I hope she gets better.
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♥Mor- gan The- PirateGato

You Gotta Love- Me, I'm a Pirate		 
 
Purred: Sun Nov 4, '07 12:10pm PST 
Ok new Moms - here are some hints.

Give the shots while the kids are eating dinner. We really don't care, and we don't feel them. Mom puts me on her computer desk and holds my food dish and Dad gives me my shot. Dad says OK Morgan, and I jump down and Mom puts my food down.

I am on PZIVet, and I get my shots twice a day. Dad fills my shot and lets it sit for about 5 minutes to warm up. A cold shot will make us jump.

As far as food - I eat Fancy Feast. And for snacks I get chicken or turkey, and I eat 7 times a day. I also get Epizyme in all my food.

The Feline Diabetes Board is good - but sometimes they give wrong advice. And sometimes they are a bit overzealous.

They insisted Mom test me several times a day. Mom and the Doc talked, and because of the way he checks me - Mom only needs to check IF she thinks there is a problem. So far she hasn't had to. They also tell people to change doses, and depending on the Insulin you are on that can be dangerous. Be very careful .

What the Doc does is have me visit at certain times a day. If my levels are consistent, I can go monthly. If they aren't then I go weekly. Happily as I have gotten older, my levels are staying consistent.

I was born with Diabetes and bilateral cataracts, and I was diagnosed after I arrived from San Juan. The Vets who saw me first said I would not live a normal life, I would be hard to regulate, blah blah blah....

Thanks heavens Mom found Dr Nero, and I am his favorite patient. We have a very special bond, and we celebrate all special occasions together. You couldn't tell who was happier - Mom & Dad or the Doc when I came home from Cornell with my brand new eyes. They were all so excited I could see.
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Pumpkin - Loving Memory 2008

I love dogs, all- dogs, any dogs.		 
 
Purred: Mon Nov 5, '07 5:32am PST 
Thanks, Morgan! Giving the injections while Pumpkin is eating works 'purrfectly'!! He is still drinking a lot, but he does seem better - and his fur is looking nice and clean now, so I think he is feeling better. We see the vet in a week to check on his progress. I'll keep everyone posted. Thank you all for your support!

Isis

How did I get to- be so sweet?		 
 
Purred: Wed Dec 5, '07 4:06pm PST 
Definitely check out felinediabetes.com, but like Morgan said, people tend to be a little overzealous, actually hardcore on those boards. I think it is very important to be proactive in your cat's treatment and to understand to the best of your ability, what is going on with him. I did so much reading, that I ended up feeling very confused. Understand the basics, and have patience. Pay attention to his behavior, and know the warning signs of hypoglycemia. It's a scary thing that we went through more than once.

The shots were not too bad for me at first, but it got worse as time went on, and I believe it is because my girl no longer needed it (she has been off the juice for about 4 months now, and I think changing her diet to wet food made a huge difference). She is spunky, and her coat looks better than ever. She had dander for years, and it has disappeared. We got lucky, but also understand that it takes time for a cat to get regulated, so the dosage will most likely change several times. BTW, I just noticed you're in Buffalo, and so are we! Don't know what kind of insulin you're on or the type of needles you use, but I have left over supplies if you want them.

It is stressful, but hang in there. You might want to consider a low carb diet for your boy too. Many people swear by it. Lastly, here is a link to videos from Cornell. The information is excellent, particularly the one which shows just how to give the shot (very helpful) http://www.felinevideos.vet.cornell.edu/diabetes/index.shtml
Best of luck to you!
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Bubear (In- Loving- Memory)

If it moves,- hide		 
 
Purred: Fri Mar 7, '08 8:22pm PST 
Several people before me have recommended felinediabetes.com and I have to agree. But stay away from the tight regulation group initially. They really will overwhelm you. I do home testing, though not all the time, which helped me to get regulated. Panicked too much at the vet, so I was being given too much insulin based on the numbers at the vet. Mom knows what my numbers should be around with the home tests and keeps in touch with the vet about the numbers and dosage changes. I really don't mind the pricks as much anymore especially since I get a treat afterwards. Good luck.
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