[cowsmommy]

My cat, Cow, has been diagnosed today with diabetes. The vet has told me I have two options. 1. Try insulin and diet management - he has told me this is very difficult. He says that if I give Cow insulin in the morning before work and he doesnt eat or vomits he will die from the insulin I gave him. 2. Put him to sleep.

Are these really my ONLY two options? Is treatment really a crapshoot everyday when you go to work? The vet says 70% of highly dedicated owners will put their diabetic cats to sleep b/c they cant handle the frustration and stress leaving the cat alone.

I feel as if this is all my fault. I let him eat too much and gave him too many treats. I was warned about his weight...but even diet foods didnt help. Hes always been big. I feel like Ive given my baby a death sentance.

Heartbroken,
cowsmommy

[Advert]

---

[Heather Sharada]

That is very stressful for you and if he was mine I'd be giving him a chance.

I think your vet may be posing the worst case scenario....and you need more information as you have indicated. I am not a vet nor have I had a diabetic cat but try googling for information - here's one that is encouraging......and there appear to be lots...

http://www.sugarpet.net/things.html

This is a University report...also encouraging to try treating...and recommending the cat reduce weight

http://www.vet.corne...s/diabetes.html

...and I did not read this one but it is specific for diabetes...

also there will be yahoo support groups for people in similar predicaments

http://uk.answers.ya...12181031AATBsLE

http://felinediabetes.com/

[cowsmommy]

thank you so much for your info and help.

[my4cats]

Put him to sleep????Is your vet serious??? Im sorry but thats ridiculous. I would be finding a new vet. My cat has diabetes and it is very easy to manage. At first I found it a bit stressful while they adjusted her insulin doses but now its a breeze.

My cat was on glargine (insulin), they put her on a regime where they planned to get her into remission which they did. I would see a vet who is aware of research into insulin and diabetic remission. If done right and if it works for your cat, he might only need to be on insulin for a few months and then hopefully remission. Doesnt work for everyone but does for some.

Other than that, I gave my cat insulin morning and night and then it got down to morning only. No changes required with her diet. I did change her to diabetic biscuits for a while but she copes without them. She now has usual feeds of breakfast and dinner. No special meals required in between.

Happy to answer any other questions about my experience if you are interested.

[Patricia L]

I agree, lots of people manage diabetic cats (and dogs) very well and have very few issues.
Where do you live? Maybe someone here can guide you to a more realistic specialist vet who will be more supportive in managing this with you.

[cowsmommy]

I am in shock to find out that people and their cats are living and managing with Diabetes. I am disgusted with my vet.

Is it possible to treat him without Insulin? I have heard some people are treating their cats with diet alone? Thanks everyone for your help and support!

oh, and I am in Toronto, Canada

[my4cats]

I dont know about diet alone. Maybe do a search on that one. Another thing you could try is homeopathic drops. There is a place here in Australia that sells a regime for diabetic cats. I went with insulin I guess because thats what I know and I was determined to put my cat in remission.

I wouldnt leave it too long if I was you because you dont want his other organs affected (which is what happens if left untreated for long period of time).

I am still shaking my head in disbelief at your vet. I see many people come into my vet for their insulin etc. I dont believe at all that 75% of highly dedicated owners would put their cat to sleep. What crap!

Makes me sad to think of cats he may have pts unnecessarily.

[my4cats]

Maybe you could ring around a few vets in your area and see what their view on diabetes and treatment is.

Good luck. Dont give up on your furry, this is a treatable condition.

[cowsmommy]

thanks to the advice received here and on another board I have made the decision to treat Cow and his illness. You have given me hope!

I have made contact with another Diabetic Cat owner in my neighbourhood and she has offered to come and show me how to test Cow at home.

What a wonderful bunch of people!!!!!!!

THANK YOU!

Sheri & Cow

[Renae Bettenhausen]

I lost my Original Tommy to diabetes @2 1/2 years ago, but Diabetes is NOT a death sentence! In the last 2 1/2 years there have been major advances in treating feline diabetes. Others have already posted links I would have posted, but I would add that I would also call around your area and ask how much they charge to test blood glucose, and how each vet treats diabetes. While it is best IMHO to test at home, you will still need to have quite a few lab tests - partly to see if you are getting accurate results. Not every vet uses the latest medicine, and given what your vet has already said, ("The vet says 70% of highly dedicated owners will put their diabetic cats to sleep b/c they cant handle the frustration and stress leaving the cat alone" THOSE are NOT accurate statistics!) I would SERIOUSLY look into finding a different vet - one who knows more about feline diabetes, and is more willing to treat it.

I Personally know of 4 cats, that belong to different friends of mine, that have had thier diabetes go into remission in the last year, 1 with just with a change in diet. OK THAT cat gets a raw meat diet that's pretty extreme, but still.... there are a lot of cats who do go into remission. I don't know how big Cow is, or what foods you have been feeding him, but it is seriously worth a try to see if Cow will be one of the cats who DOES go into remission. And even if he does not, diabetic cats are still NOT time bombs! The newest insulin formulated for feline diabetes is a lot more stable, and effective, than what was available to me, and what I used with Tommy isn't even available anymore. It's possible that your vet just doesn't see all that many cats with diabetes, (Or the owners of the diabetic cats he does see find a different vet.) and he just does not know what the latest treatments are. He could be the BEST vet in the world for treating heart worm, or CRF, and just not have all that much experience with diabetes.


Your biggest expense is going to be getting Cow's Blood Glucose stable, but after that you, and Cow should be in reasonably good shape. Besides being less expensive, testing at home tends to be more accurate because stress causes a rise in blood glucose, and the stress of going to the vet can raise the blood glucose quite a bit, but you are still going to need the vet to closely monitor the situation. It would be helpful to have a vet you trust because it is going to have to be a close relationship for a while.

BTW Tommy was on a 2 X daily regimen, but Tommy was fully insulin dependent, and I was able to schedule his insulin to more or less convenient hours that still allowed me a work, and social life.

Renae

This post has been edited by Renae Bettenhausen: 08 October 2009 - 12:10 PM

[MATILDA'S MOM]

I had a dog diagnosed with diabetes when she was 9 and she lived out the rest of her years being treated with insuline shots 2x a day Her life was no shorter than that of a non diabetic dog!. We never were told not to leave her alone and that the only other option was to put her to sleep. It is a situation you can do- you just have to be willing to take on the shots and all else involved. Like the others have said- it is not a death sentence--Best of luck to you and your cat,

[karshe]

Are you anywhere near a university? that has a vetinary clinic attached to the university. If so I would give them a call to discuss your problem. You may have to make an appointment for this. I have found that these clinics are very up to date with treatment. Or do you have a specialist cat clinic, or a vet that specialises in Endocrinology? That might also be helpful.

Good luck with you cat. Sheryl

[raggiesrule]

I am really shocked at a vet saying you can not manage a diabetic cat - most cats and their owners manage every well and so will you I am sure once you get him on the right insulin dose and stable. There are even special diets now for diabetic cats and a change of diet can make a huge difference. I am aware of one cat that was still going strong at 19 and had been diabetic for years and years - her owners worked and still managed to treat her effectively.

You could also try an holistic vet for support - if you can find one that is truely wholistic in their view and uses a balance between conventional and alternate medicines you will definitely be on a winner. The next best thing is to find a holistic vet that will be happy to work with your conventional vet and together provide balanced treatment for your cat. I know a wonderful holistic vet that is returning to practise in Canada but unfortunately she will be in Edmonton. Here is a list of Canadian holistic vets in case you are interested http://www.acreature...terinarians.htm and if you are in Ontario are you close to Guelph (I know you said Totonto but I have no clue where that is in relation to Guelph) - they have an outstanding veterinary school.

Jo

[yvettecoco]

My aunt has a diabetic cat. The cat has been diabetic for about 5 years and she is fine!. When they go away on holidays the cat stays at the vets.

[Kicol]

What a great thing for you and for your kitty you found CW! Welcome to the forums. Sending lots of positive thoughts your way, knowing the diabetes diagnosis must have been overwhelming for you, but as you can see, there are many people treating their kitties.