Archive for the 'Cat Diabetes' Category
It’s been a while since I wrote. I’m getting used to my new routine. Insulin shots twice a day, different food. I feel better most of the time, but sometimes I feel pretty bad. Sometimes I get something to eat and it improves my feeling and sometimes I get a shot to improve my feeling. It depends if my sugar is too high or too low.
My owner still tries to prick my ear to measure my blood sugar level, but I don’t let her. Every few days we take a ride to the vet for a checkup. I’m getting used to the car ride now. I don’t like it, but It’s not as scary as before. At the vet clinic they’re really nice, they take blood from my leg and I don’t even feel that. They say I’ve lost a lot of weight. I’m not worried. I am well taken care of. I’m lucky my family is not afraid of needles… well some of them anyway.
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Here is some more information about cat diabetes. Pretty comforting really.
Diabetes is not a death sentence. Diabetes in cats is a treatable disorder. Many cat owners are able to control their cat’s condition for years, and the animals lead normal, happy lives. The treatment generally entails giving insulin injections once or twice a day, though a small number may be controlled through diet and oral medication.
People are often initially reluctant to give injections to their pets, but it isn’t really that distressing. Insulin needles are very small, and pets usually do not react at all to getting the shots. When one begins to treat a diabetic cat, their veterinarian will go over all the procedures, including feeding instructions and symptoms of too much or too little insulin and what to do in these cases. The veterinarian will also set up a schedule of regular recheck visits to gauge how the therapy is working and to adjust the insulin dose. A diabetic cat’s need for insulin may fluctuate up and down requiring a change in the insulin dose. Some cats’ need for insulin will actually cease as the pancreas resumes the secretion of adequate insulin. This reprieve is commonly referred to by owners as a “honeymoon”.
OK - that hurt!! My owner decided that she wants to monitor my blood sugar level at home, so she doesn’t have to take me to the vet every day. See, they have to know if the dose of insulin they inject me with is the right amount, and they have to know if my sugar is too low, and I should get something sweet to eat, or too high and I should get insulin. So with people they prick their finger to get a tiny drop of blood onto the special measuring stick, but with cats they have to prick our ear. OUCH!! it hurts and I won’t let them do it.
My owner saw a home-made video on the Internet of a lady who pricked her cat’s ear and the cat just sat there next to her and didn’t bat an eye. She brough me over to show me how well behaved he is. Well, I don’ know what you’re on dude, but this test hurts. no way. Find a different solution. Use telepathy. No needles in my ear.
What can i say? Being sick with Diabetes isn’t fun, especially for a cat as old as I am. the vet told my owner that it is difficult to balance the blood sugar level with older cats but that it’s possible. So my owner started injecting me with insulin twice a day. I don’t really mind that - the needle is so small and thin I don’t even feel it. She pulls up my fur on my back and injects under the skin. And then I usually feel better for a few hours, so its worth it.
I also got new canned food, a special diet for diabetic cats. Some fancy shmancy stuff. So thats a plus. And also - everyone treats me with even more respect than before. That’s very nice! Not that I ever had problems getting respect. Most people are afraid of me because I bite and scratch (sometimes), so I get plenty of respect.
I’ve lost a lot of wieght, and I never was overweight, so I’m kind of weak. But then there isn’t very much for an old cat like me to do anyway, right? So I mostly sleep.
My owner was talking today about testing my blood sugar level at home by pricking my ear with a needle….. hmmm, I don’t think so!! that sounds like it hurts. So I will keep you posted on that tomorrow.
Good night.
So, since I was diagnosed with Feline (Cat) Diabetes I’ve been looking up the subject on the Internet. Very interesting stuff. Here is an overview. I will update you on my treatment regime.
The disease appears to be most common in cats over six years old and in males (I guess that makes me special since I am female), particularly those who have been neutered. Certain breeds may be more at risk than others, but evidence of this is still unclear. Obesity is also considered to be a factor, although its precise role in this condition is not yet clear either.
An affected cat passes more urine than normal: this is because, when blood glucose levels are too high, glucose is lost together with water through the kidneys. Other symptoms may include:
- Increased thirst, due to the increased production of urine.
- Altered appetite: this is sometimes increased, but more commonly decreased.
- Weight loss.
- Poor coat condition.
- Lethargy.
- Depression.
Remember I told you that I wasn’t feeling well? It got worse, and my owner started getting worried about my strange behavior and a little annoyed that i started peeing all over the house (something I had not done for about 17 years). Anyway - she took me to the vet (HATE the car ride. HATE the dogs at the vet’s waiting room), and it took him 3 minutes to say he suspects I have diabetes. Then he pricked me with a needle to measure my blood sugar and guess what? The smart vet was right! I HAVE DIABETES !! HELP!
So, we were relieved it wasn’t cancer and that I’m not going to die tomorrow. And we were surprised to know that cats can have diabetes. But, OK. Now we know.
Now my owner has to buy some medicine - insulin, and give me injections every day (we’ll see about that), she also needs to monitor my blood sugar level so we need to visit the vet more often now (ughhh). She bought special diabetes canned food for me (hurray!! canned food), which I like!!
A very exciting day. I think i will go lay down now. I will let you know how it goes. Let me know if you have any questions…
I’m not feeling very well today. I noticed that I’m really thirsty all the time, that I started drinking like a camel and peeing like…. someone who pees a lot. My appetite is also not that great and I feel exhausted. I know what you think - I am about a hundred years old, so what if I’m tired? But I’ve been feeling great up until now. My family always said that i would live forever…. bury them all…. (who wants to do that? sounds like too much work).
Anyway - maybe its just a flu. I’ll wait a few days before I start thinking about the dreadful car ride to the dreadful vet.
I’m going to sleep now. I will keep you posted on my condition…