I just got the call tonight from my vet to say that my very old cat is diabetic (with levels above 35 which my vet says is the highest she has ever seen!).

So, it's a learning curve of insulin injections!

Has anyone else gone through this and have any words of wisdom to share? I am particularly interested in what food people have used. A low carb, high protein diet seems to be the way to go....any particular brand? Whilst I will spend whatever is needed, I am keen to keep costs down as much as possible so any money saving tips would also be appreciated.

xx

I have a diabetic cat she was diagnosed at 7 she is now 16yrs , I inject her everyday they get used to it, as for food I started of  worrying about the food but to be honest I decided that I would rather her enjoy her life and eat what she wanted within reason rather than pick and choose what she ate, my vet agrees with me ,I am just careful to watch what she is drinking , as long as that is under control then the feeding and insulin is ok. Stress is also a factor.

I buy the insulin off the vet but find the needles are cheaper at hyperdrug or vet medic .

Remember to keep the insulin in the fridge. I inject into the bottom rather than the neck as i found it didnt seem to bother her as much, nowadays she just looks at me as if to say ok get it over with! just be careful not to get it into the muscle as it can be painful for them.
Also remember to show other members of the family how to inject just in case you are not available.

Oh bless - me too, my cat was diagnosed two weeks ago. His level was also off the scale :-(
It's been an up and down couple of weeks and I hated leaving him there so they could sort out his insulin. It's still not right and he's having regular glucose tests. I hate doing the injections but he's a brave little chap. I'm sure it will get easier with practise but at the moment I shake like a leaf.
He isn't a good eater anyway so this is a problem - definately feed whatever your cat fancies and don't worry about special diets.
Good luck - to us both !.

Thanks guys :)

I've not started with the insulin as yet. The vet wants to check urine specimen which I will drop in today and wants me to read up and arm myself with info. She hopes to start him later this week on the insulin but didn't mention keeping him in. God, he would hate that! He's 17 and just doesn't cope with change :(

My cat isn't a good eater either. He is now on Gourmet souffle which he picks at throughout the day. The websites seem to say to give him set meals rather than free feed. I just can't see that working though. However, how would I then know whether to give him the insulin if he hasn't eaten?

He's to start with two injections a day...12 hours apart. That's not a significant tie for me as I also have a dog who has to get phenobarbitone twice a day so I have already learned to plan my life around these times lol

I am terrified about him having a hypo once he goes on to insulin though. How would I live with myself if something I gave him caused him ill.

I do feel quite anxious about this I have to admit.

The injections will get easier I am sure arched...I will be the same way as you initially I suspect.

My poor wee man :(

when he has his injection he must eat some food at the same time. My girl loves a bit of fresh chicken or any fresh meat to be honest ..her normal meal is whiskers pouches. My cat is on 5ml caninsulin a day. It doesnt have to be a large amount of food as long as he eats a little that is fine.

Just practice a few times on an orange .

alot of vets recommend felne w/d for diabetic cats , i knew someone with a insulin dependant cat and she did really well on it although its not cheap

I've got a diabetic cat too.  I tend to leave dry food down so that he can graze, but give him wet food twice a day.  That way I can guarantee that he comes in for his injections.  I inject him as he is eating and he doesn't take any notice.  Going hypo is always a nagging worry which is why I tend to leave food down for him to get to - does mean his weight isn't as low as it should be though!

Good luck! :)

God, the nightmare will be getting him to eat twice a day! He is such a fussy wee thing that I am not sure this is going to be feasible :( I will stock up on some fresh fish and chicken and see how we go.

So, are people not religious about what time they give the injections? Do you have to tie it into times when they eat? If they don't eat, you skip the injection?

I am sure it will become clearer over time!

Feeling a lot better after spending 30 mins with my vet :)

She's made things so much clearer and put my mind at ease about a lot of things. She doesn't believe in hospitalising cats initially and prefers us to start off at home. Apparently stress can raise a non-diabetic cats blood sugars to 19 so being hospitalised can give very false readings. Starting on 4 units twice daily and a glucose check early next week.

A brilliant thing she did was to shave his neck which makes it easier for me to give the injections initially. Already done the first one :)

Thanks for all your help guys :)

I'm glad you and you cat are happier.
Sadly my boy was too ill to take home without having blood sugars done and I'm afraid to say that the last couple of days has seen a rapid deterioration in his health. He hasn't eaten since yesterday lunchtime and is spending most of his time curled up alone upstairs. I've tried everything to tempt him to eat but I really feel he's saying goodbye.

> I've tried everything to tempt him to eat but I really feel he's saying goodbye

{{{{  HUGS  }}}}

Oh Arched...I am so very sorry :(

I am struggling to get my cat to eat also. It's such a worrying time.

I really do hope that we can both manage to get control over the diabetes. We are doing everything we can for them and, for now, that's as much we can do other than hope.

This cat was my very first pet...he is very special and it's just awful to feel so helpless.

Thinking of you both and sending you lots of positive thoughts

x

Just to let you know, I had to say goodbye to him this morning.
The hardest thing for me, but the kindest for him.

Colliecrew, please don't worry now that your boy will be as poorly, many many cats can live long and happy lives with this condition. I just know my boy was too tired to take it and he wanted to go.

((((((Arched)))))) I am so very, very sorry for your loss.

I know it's no comfort but you must remember that you did everything in your power for him. It's all we can do. When it's time, there is nothing else to do but be brave and selfless.

A lady from work said to me - "oh what a pain - there is no way I would tie myself to twice a day injections for my cat". Your boy was lucky to have such a dedicated person who loved him.

xxxx

Get some of the food from  the  vet that is consentrated so he only needs a little , open his mouth and pop it on the roof of his mouth he will then lick it off. They seem to love this food as it is tasty.
I have also used this foodhttp://www.ciao.co.uk/Gourmet_Gold_Ocean_Fish_Pate__7625145  from supermarkets which my cat loves...might also be worth a try.

At least you know he has had some food for his needle once his insulin levels are right he will want to eat again. Watch his fluid intake if he is constantly wanting to drink or sitting over the bowl he needs to be seen again by the vet. Stress does play a big factor dont stuggle with him with above just worked for me, I hold the cat from behind with a towel around him to protect your hands . If this is too difficult try warming the food as the smell encourages them.
My cat has been diabetic for 9 years . Eats normally not overweight and last time vet saw her he was amazed at how good she looked for her age and health issues.

Try pilchards in tomato sauce, I've been told that cats love them and they are very smelly too.  You need foods with enticing smells to get fussy/ill cats to eat.  Even warm them slightly in the microwave on a plastic dish!