Topic: So we managed to get through 5 years without diabetes... until now. (Read 10574 times)

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #54 on:** February 08, 2011, 22:59:09 PM »

Sending lots of good wishes for Lexy and you

Tiggy's Mum · « **Reply #53 on:** February 08, 2011, 20:11:47 PM »

Sending big

and positiv vibes your way

JackSpratt · « **Reply #52 on:** February 08, 2011, 19:15:44 PM »

Blimey Ruth that must've been terrifying.

Sending hugs to you both.

CarolM (Wendolene) · « **Reply #51 on:** February 08, 2011, 19:00:32 PM »

What a horrible thing to happen. Sending get well vibes for the lovely Lexy and lots of these

for you Ruth.

Pancreatitits can cause high blood sugar so maybe she has had a problem with her pancreas for a while.

Kittybabe (Ruth) · « **Reply #50 on:** February 08, 2011, 18:52:12 PM »

It did but unfortunately, coincidentally Lexy has contracted pancreatitis. So she has been in the hospital since last night, she had a hypoglycemic episode, we nearly lost her, but she is now stable. She may come home tomorrow.

Sorry for brief note, just have a million things happening and can't really focus on a full explanation at the moment and emotionally am fairly drained.

cazzer · « **Reply #49 on:** February 07, 2011, 10:13:27 AM »

hope it went ok

Sue P (Paddysmum) · « **Reply #48 on:** February 07, 2011, 06:55:29 AM »

Morning Ruth. How's it going, and how are you?

Rosella moggy · « **Reply #47 on:** February 04, 2011, 23:53:19 PM »

Sending no wobbly vibes for tonight's jab ..... deep breaths .....

Look Ruth; I scruffed our Billy and shoved him in basket today so life's choc full of surprises

paddypaws101 · « **Reply #46 on:** February 04, 2011, 22:02:03 PM »

Hi,
My cat Paddy is diabetic, so I can sympathise with what you are going through.
Can I strongly suggest that you buy a human glucometer from the chemist and learn to home test Blood Glucose? This way you will know exactly what is going on before you give a shot.
There are some really good videos on youtube which show you how, and I promise it really does become easy.
Lisa Pierson's site gives great advice regarding diet and also home testing.

cazzer · « **Reply #45 on:** February 04, 2011, 21:32:18 PM »

well done

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #44 on:** February 04, 2011, 21:07:35 PM »

Be positive tonight, you know you can do it and so does Lexy

Tiggy's Mum · « **Reply #43 on:** February 04, 2011, 20:05:52 PM »

See, knew you'd be able to do it OK

I'm sure it will get easier too the more often you do it

Jasmine · « **Reply #42 on:** February 04, 2011, 19:20:09 PM »

Kittybabe (Ruth) · « **Reply #41 on:** February 04, 2011, 16:41:46 PM »

Thank you. We had a little bit of throw-up this morning, but nothing dramatic. I expected it.

Suffice it to say, I'm a little more level-headed today. Now let's see the second one tonight, when I have no vet there to guide me!

JackSpratt · « **Reply #40 on:** February 04, 2011, 10:28:29 AM »

I did the same Ruth.

Funny how they take more things in their stride than we expect them to and because of the emotional build up we experience the sheer relief turns us into blubbering wrecks.....

Liz · « **Reply #39 on:** February 04, 2011, 10:13:08 AM »

Oh Ruth Lexy was the star and Mummy the one who needed a hug

Rosella moggy · « **Reply #38 on:** February 04, 2011, 10:07:47 AM »

Aaw well done Ruth

What a star Lexy is eh? But of course she is. Bright and shiney one

clarenmax · « **Reply #37 on:** February 04, 2011, 10:01:03 AM »

Aw hunnie, well done

Its often more stressful for us than it is for them

xx

Sue P (Paddysmum) · « **Reply #36 on:** February 04, 2011, 07:16:07 AM »

Quote from: pappilon on February 04, 2011, 01:45:41 AM

Quote from: Kittybabe (Ruth) on February 04, 2011, 00:06:30 AM
We did it. First injection done. She didn't even blink yet I cried after.
Aww sweetheart, well done :hug:x

Exactly. Same here - wot she said.

Paddy sez "pprffpt!"

pappilon · « **Reply #35 on:** February 04, 2011, 01:45:41 AM »

Quote from: Kittybabe (Ruth) on February 04, 2011, 00:06:30 AM

We did it. First injection done. She didn't even blink yet I cried after.

Aww sweetheart, well done

:hug:x

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #34 on:** February 04, 2011, 01:06:36 AM »

Thats great and it was relief and the letting out of stress, well done

Kittybabe (Ruth) · « **Reply #33 on:** February 04, 2011, 00:06:30 AM »

We did it. First injection done. She didn't even blink yet I cried after.

Kittybabe (Ruth) · « **Reply #32 on:** February 02, 2011, 15:16:55 PM »

Thanks all for the replies. I appreciate the comfort and encouragement.

Jasmine, you're right, there are no guarantees, but I'll do my best to make sure she has the best quality of life.

Lindsey (thefunkyinuit) · « **Reply #31 on:** February 02, 2011, 15:16:08 PM »

I also worried about this but possibly more so because of my OCD, it sounds like a lot of work but measuring out all food and water and keeping a chart has really helped me, at the start I would also panic and think that I've forgotten to give her insulin shot (even though I knew I had!) I have a chart on my fridge where I write down the date, insulin time (AM & PM) food intake, water intake, how many poops and wees shes done, that she has had her kidney tablet and there is an area for notes for her weight/any behaviour which is out of the ordinary. I can keep an eye out for any changes and it really puts my mind at rest! My vet was pretty impressed by it too! If you think it would help, I could email you the pdf of the chart I use. x

Quote from: Jasmine on February 02, 2011, 14:51:50 PM

Quote from: Kittybabe (Ruth) on February 01, 2011, 16:31:12 PM
You know what my biggest fear is? It isn't injecting her, I know that over time I'll be able to do it without cringing. I have the biggest fear that I'll kill her with poor management of her diet and lifestyle. I place this solely at my feet, despite others telling me that it will be ok. I really do fear that I'll miss something and she could die as a result.

You're not alone in feeling like that Ruth and to be honest, I don't think that feeling ever goes away (well, certainly not for me.) It is a huge responsibility managing a diabetic cat, and a stark reality that if you get something 'wrong' - whether 'at fault' or not, the consequences can be fatal. There's no getting away from this fact; there are no guarantees.

The way I cope with this is to remind myself that without my intervention, Sweep wouldn't be here at all; I am giving him life every day. Of course, I am as meticulous in his regime as possible, monitor him closely and give careful consideration to any changes . In short, I do my very best, and at the end of the day... that's all you can do for Lexy too.

Jasmine · « **Reply #30 on:** February 02, 2011, 14:51:50 PM »

Quote from: Kittybabe (Ruth) on February 01, 2011, 16:31:12 PM

You know what my biggest fear is? It isn't injecting her, I know that over time I'll be able to do it without cringing. I have the biggest fear that I'll kill her with poor management of her diet and lifestyle. I place this solely at my feet, despite others telling me that it will be ok. I really do fear that I'll miss something and she could die as a result.

You're not alone in feeling like that Ruth and to be honest, I don't think that feeling ever goes away (well, certainly not for me.) It is a huge responsibility managing a diabetic cat, and a stark reality that if you get something 'wrong' - whether 'at fault' or not, the consequences can be fatal. There's no getting away from this fact; there are no guarantees.

The way I cope with this is to remind myself that without my intervention, Sweep wouldn't be here at all; I am giving him life every day. Of course, I am as meticulous in his regime as possible, monitor him closely and give careful consideration to any changes . In short, I do my very best, and at the end of the day... that's all you can do for Lexy too.

Rosella moggy · « **Reply #29 on:** February 02, 2011, 14:08:51 PM »

I've not contributed so far Ruth as nothing to offer you in the way of advice that would be of any use

If anyone can get over this latest hurdle, it's you. Lots of people have obviously found ways of coping with this illness in their cats so of course you will too. So sorry that life has thrown you another curved ball but you are getting so adept at chucking them right back

Wow a cat's skin must be pretty thick to bee comparable to an orange!

If it's any help at all, my sister had a Burmese girl called Ebony who lived to a ripe old age despite being diabetic. My sister didn't have needle ishoos tho as she was a nurse ("was" makes it sound like she is no longer around

she's now a clinical psychologist

)

Sending every good wish Ruth that the two of you quickly find a way to make this work

Sue P (Paddysmum) · « **Reply #28 on:** February 02, 2011, 07:41:48 AM »

Ruth.

You won't do anything to cause her death. As others have said, she trusts you, we trust you - it's not a misplaced trust

That's not to say you might not get side-swiped from time to time, but that's a cat's prerogative.

Practice on the orange. Remember Lexy loves you - she's travelled an ocean to be with you again (okay - she had a little help from BA, but you get my drift...?) and you've been through all the rest without her packing her bags and coming to Paddy's house (I know, I know - the threats and the tears....)

This is just one more metaphorical "butt" to be kicked in life's grand scheme of things.

You can both do this.

(Lexy knows how to "kick ass" - Paddy sez)

xx

Liz · « **Reply #27 on:** February 02, 2011, 01:25:39 AM »

We got a practice with water on our darling Tiger the feral all 20lbs of tabby attitude and then came home and showed OH how to do it, we always distracted Tiger and Sweetie with food whilst giving the onjection - we never putthem on pseical food just their normal stuff and nice meals for the treat

Tiger was stable in 3 weeks and was out maurading again and was home by 7pm every night for his extra meal and injection - he lived for 4 more years and had heart issues his bloods were perfect even on the day he died

Sweetie has so many underlying issues but her bloods remained stable to

Both were on 2 injections a day 12 hours apart but once stable we had a lot of built in flexability with the times

Ruth you are a wonderful Mum and Lexy is in the best hands and you are together which is the main thing

JackSpratt · « **Reply #26 on:** February 01, 2011, 23:15:20 PM »

You'll see if there's anything awry with her, Ruth. They act differently; just as you're noticing now.

I actually got shown (once) on Toby with saline water so I knew exactly how I'd feel when I did it. The vet told me to stop panicking and remember why I was giving the injection. My partner offered to do the daily jabs but like you I knew I had to get over myself too. I've always had a bit of a fear of medical needles, but I'd taken the responsibility of Toby on, and that meant all the responsibilities not just the ones I chose to deal with. I actually got a glucometer to use at home so I could check sugar levels and was told by the vet safe and unsafe levels.

That boy was an awesome cat, and even with an illness that could've caused disruption it didn't. He was the most chilled out cat I have ever met.

Lexy might be a madam but she trusts you. Once she gets over the initial shock of the change in her routine she'll adapt to it. It'll be fine.

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #25 on:** February 01, 2011, 16:34:16 PM »

I am sure you will not kill her Ruth and that in cats they test regularily to see if the sugar levels are right,,,,,,,,,,,,,also I am sure your vet will give you pointers to look for should her sugar be too high or too low.

Dont be dispondent about this cos it takes a while to get right

Kittybabe (Ruth) · « **Reply #24 on:** February 01, 2011, 16:31:12 PM »

Thanks Jas, Gill, JS.

I have to admit I am tempted to get myself a Valium before the big deed. Lexy's such a little sweetheart but does she have a sharp claw and teeth... yes!

My vet is very confident that all will be ok. He says that an Orange is as close a match to a cat in terms of skin/consistency as we can get for this.

I have to admit to a few tears already. Lexy looks at me with such a sweet, adoring look each day, I know she's not well and she's trying to tell me that, her constant need to rub her face on me is a sign of this, she's not a naturally affectionate cat. It breaks my heart looking at her. I really just need to get over myself!

Oh and the travel. My poor cat sitter has only just become the love of Lexy's life.

You know what my biggest fear is? It isn't injecting her, I know that over time I'll be able to do it without cringing. I have the biggest fear that I'll kill her with poor management of her diet and lifestyle. I place this solely at my feet, despite others telling me that it will be ok. I really do fear that I'll miss something and she could die as a result.

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #23 on:** February 01, 2011, 16:05:27 PM »

I agree with Jasmine and JS, stress is definately a yes to start with and yes I pricked myself, usually when taking the top cover off the needle!

Also have had a struggling uncoroperative cat with needle in and no hands cos trying to hold him but this is one reason why the shorter stubby syringes are so much better.

I have to confess 7 days with Franta seems like 7 years but the more you do the easier it becomes cos you start to learn the best way for you and your cat and it helps when you become more confident and dont use her like a pincushion.

However never get over confident cos thats when it goes wrong.

Franta used to know when I was coming and he used to roll over on his back and waggly his feet at me as if to say........I got you now

so stroke my tummy instead

There are loads of us here that will commiserate with the failures and hysterics and support you and congratulate you when it goes well. So by next time I have to inject Franta agin you will be able to keep me calm

Jasmine · « **Reply #22 on:** February 01, 2011, 15:28:29 PM »

Agree with JS!

I adopted Sweep - a diabetic cat, a couple of years back.

It's completely overwhelming at first, and although it's a good idea to read about the condition as much as you can, I would get a handle on the basics and injections first.

I'm afraid I haven't had any experience of injecting a nervous cat: Sweep is a big bruiser and you have to be very firm with him!

Don't worry if it takes a while to get the knack. Thoughts that we were never going to get the hang of it/that we were hurting him, shaky hands and tears are all par for the course! Very occasionally, one of us still pricks a finger, or ends up running around the room chasing a cat with a syringe stuck in it's scruff because we weren't quick enough to push the plunger!

But don't fret - at the end of the day, injecting a cat is far, far, easier, and less stressful I think (for both parties), than pilling one!

Feel free to PM/contact me on Facebook if you would like to share/ask anything.

Jas
xx

JackSpratt · « **Reply #21 on:** February 01, 2011, 13:57:17 PM »

Ruth, the first time I gave Toby his injection I was nearly in tears. I was so scared of doing it wrong and hurting him.

I think everyone approaches self medicating their animals with trepidation; it's scary.

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #20 on:** February 01, 2011, 13:33:06 PM »

One thing that the vet didnt mention to me was that cats skin is very tough, more so than an orange I think and assuming the insullin just goes under the skin between shoulder blades roughly, I found it quite hard to get the needle in.

Over here you get different gauges of needles which are colour coded and if the insulin is just a clear liquid tou can probably use a fine gauge which is an orange based needle over here. Blue is slightly bigger and then green and if its a thicker cloudy liquid you need a bigger gauge.

I dont know what insulin syringes look like but suspect they maybe shorter and thicker than the normal 1ml syringe. I started with blue needles and 1ml syringe and then changed to the finer orange needles cos the finer they are the less discomfort for the cat. Last time the syringes where changed to 2ml ones which are shorter and fatter and so much easier to use, especially for the novice cos they fit into you hand and I found them much better.

I was always worried about how far to push the needle in but was causing more probs by trying to be only just in than pushing it in further and Franta didnt seem to feel it if I. pushed it in properly but if It just sorta pricked through the skin he could feel it and he ended up like a pincushion, the vet said I couldnt push it in too far.

I only had one practice and that was on Franta at the vets and it was so much harder by myself at home but if you have to do them everyday you will become so much more skilled then me.

Kittybabe (Ruth) · « **Reply #19 on:** February 01, 2011, 00:26:53 AM »

I'm working up my questions ladies, so once I have all the ones I feel that I should ask I'll send them on. The amount of info you can read is a bit daunting but there is nothing like a little experience from friends to ease your own fears.

Vet confirmed that he's ordered her insulin and once it arrives, snow storm allowing, he'll come over with lots of syringes and an orange so we can practice to our hearts content.

We're going to start with a dose of 2 units. It's low but he thinks that's the best way to start with the intention to start monitoring. Hopefully the 2 will be sufficient to regulate her. I just want to see her little face not be so hungry all the time and see her stop drinking so much water.

So looks like Thursday or Friday we'll do this once he has the insulin in.

For now, I'm researching raw diets or high meat content diets as I have to cut down her dry food. There are some good high meat content canned and pouch food here so hopefully this won't be too difficult to get her acclimated to a better diet for her condition.

Who knew!

JackSpratt · « **Reply #18 on:** January 30, 2011, 10:54:03 AM »

Quote from: Kittybabe (Ruth) on January 29, 2011, 12:27:44 PM

Thank you, JS. I just received the second blood test results. Insulin is the route to go, so we're going to start next week.

Hope figuring out the dosage is done quickly and smoothly. A wave to Lexy as I'm fairly sure she'd snub a fuss from me.

Liz · « **Reply #17 on:** January 29, 2011, 12:29:23 PM »

Ruth having had 1 feral and 1 domesatic diabetic I am sure we can pass on some handy hints

Kittybabe (Ruth) · « **Reply #16 on:** January 29, 2011, 12:27:44 PM »

Thank you, JS. I just received the second blood test results. Insulin is the route to go, so we're going to start next week.

JackSpratt · « **Reply #15 on:** January 28, 2011, 23:02:25 PM »

I should say, you can PM me about caring for a diabetic cat but my lad wasn't at all untrusting so I'd be no help with that side of things.

Author Topic: So we managed to get through 5 years without diabetes... until now. (Read 10574 times)