Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK
Cat Health & Behaviour => Health & Behaviour General => Topic started by: Kittybabe (Ruth) on January 27, 2011, 19:19:31 PM
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Lexy has survived six major leg surgeries, cystitis, one bladder surgery, arthritis in her hips, a transatlantic journey and a new home. My little girl will be 8 this April, and she has just been diagnosed as a diabetic.
I'm a little perturbed as I'm not sure how I'm going to manage to medicate her. For now we're getting more blood tests done to get a clear picture of what the medication regime will be, ie: prescription food and pills or insulin. Either way we now have a lifelong plan to prepare for.
Anyone with diabetic cats who might be able to give me a shred of insight on how to manage a tempremental cat, who has come out of her shell so much that this might make her revert, would much appreciate any info.
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Really sorry to hear this Ruth :hug: Hope you can get the diabetes under control ASAP. I have no experience of diabetes in cats but from what I know of you, you'll cope and I'm sure Lexy will too :hug:
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Sorry to hear the diagnosis. :hug: I don't have experience of diabetes in cats either, but I've often seen this site recommended for info http://www.sugarpet.net/ and there is a yahoo support group http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/DiabeticCatsDM/ which might be worth joining. Vet Lisa Pierson's site includes info on diabetes, which focuses on dieatary control http://www.catinfo.org/?link=felinediabetes .
Do they know whats caused the diabetes? - has she been on steroids at all? because certain steroids can cause diabetes - not sure if thats reversible once steroids are stopped. I hope you can find a way to manage whatever regime is needed for Lexy :hug:
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not had any experience of it but :hug: for you both
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Oh Sweetherat, you've been through so much with Miss Lexy and i am sure you both can coope . :hug:
Jasmine has experiance with diabetic cats, send her pm . I am sure she will be able to give you some info.
Love to you and Lexy.xx
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Thanks for all the links, appreciate the info. I'll PM Jasmine, Pav, thanks for that.
I figure I'll learn to deal with this, I just know Lexy so well and the thought of stressing her is just unbearable. Oh well, we coped with a move across the world, we'll cope with little ol' diabetes.
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:hug:
Lets hope prescription foods can keep it under control :hug:
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:hug: I can't offer any advice about a cat that needed help coming out of their shell because Tobes was always a cooperative Ginger Avenger. :Luv: He came and got me to give him his insulin jab in a morning; he knew it meant a small piece of ham......
Hope someone that has experience with a more nervy animal needing jabs can offer some input. :hug:
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Ruth feel free to om me for advice we have had 2 diabetic here at the Clan Tiger and Sweetie so are sort of up on the ins and outs of insulin, needles and food stuff
It is scarey for you both but a manageable illness and it you who has to get over any potential needle issue Miss Lexy will manage just fine :hug:
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Poor Lexy, I'm sure that you'll cope though Ruth and she'll feel better once on medication :hug: :hug:
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My Lacie is diabetic but luckily she is very laid back and will let me give her insulin injection with no fuss (she also gets a reward of a small piece of ham/chicken afterwards) So I can't offer advice on injecting a nervy cat, but maybe using a distraction technique might work as the don't really feel the injection itself. I just get lacie to sit on her bed which is on a footstool (I found injecting her while she was on the floor was difficult because of the angle) and she lies down (sphinx style!) which makes its easier to get plenty of scruff to inject into (when she sits up the skin is stretched slightly tighter). If you need any advice on diabetes in general, feel free to message me, I'm pretty clued up on it! x
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Sorry Ruth :hug:
I'm sure she will be fine with your TLC :Luv2:
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Thank you very much everyone. Liz, Lacie, I'll PM you. I just need to get my head around the change in lifestyle we'll need to take to especially as a I travel so much for work. Thankfully my cat sitters are skilled medicators so this might not be an issue for them.
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Sorry to hear about the diagnosis hun, but you two have been through so much, a few little injections won't come between you :hug: :hug:
Hope you manage to get lots more information and that medicating is not as bad as you thought :hug:
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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. :hug:
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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.
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Ruth having had 1 feral and 1 domesatic diabetic I am sure we can pass on some handy hints :hug:
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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.
:hug: 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. ;)
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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!
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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.
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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. :hug: I think everyone approaches self medicating their animals with trepidation; it's scary. :hug:
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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! :hug:
Feel free to PM/contact me on Facebook if you would like to share/ask anything.
Jas
xx
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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 :rofl: :rofl: so stroke my tummy instead ;D
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 :rofl: :rofl:
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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.
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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 :hug: :hug:
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You'll see if there's anything awry with her, Ruth. They act differently; just as you're noticing now. :hug:
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. :hug:
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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 :hug:
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Ruth. :hug: :hug: 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 :hug: :hug: 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. :hug: You can both do this. :hug: :hug: (Lexy knows how to "kick ass" - Paddy sez)
xx
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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 :shify: she's now a clinical psychologist :evillaugh: )
Sending every good wish Ruth that the two of you quickly find a way to make this work :hug:
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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. :hug: :hug:
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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
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. :hug: :hug:
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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.
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We did it. First injection done. She didn't even blink yet I cried after.
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Thats great and it was relief and the letting out of stress, well done :hug: :hug:
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We did it. First injection done. She didn't even blink yet I cried after.
Aww sweetheart, well done :hug: :hug:x
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We did it. First injection done. She didn't even blink yet I cried after.
Aww sweetheart, well done :hug: :hug:x
Exactly. Same here - wot she said. :cuddle: :cuddle: Paddy sez "pprffpt!" ;)
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Aw hunnie, well done :hug: :hug:
Its often more stressful for us than it is for them :hug: xx
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Aaw well done Ruth :hug: What a star Lexy is eh? But of course she is. Bright and shiney one :)
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Oh Ruth Lexy was the star and Mummy the one who needed a hug :hug:
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I did the same Ruth. :shy: 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..... :hug:
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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!
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:gold stars:
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See, knew you'd be able to do it OK :hug: I'm sure it will get easier too the more often you do it :hug:
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Be positive tonight, you know you can do it and so does Lexy :hug:
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well done :hug:
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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.
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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 :) :hug: :hug:
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Morning Ruth. How's it going, and how are you? :hug: :hug:
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hope it went ok :hug:
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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.
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What a horrible thing to happen. Sending get well vibes for the lovely Lexy and lots of these :hug: :hug: :hug: for you Ruth.
Pancreatitits can cause high blood sugar so maybe she has had a problem with her pancreas for a while.
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Blimey Ruth that must've been terrifying. :care: Sending hugs to you both.
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Sending big :hug: and positiv vibes your way :hug:
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Sending lots of good wishes for Lexy and you :hug: :hug:
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Oh Ruth. Have just seen this. Sending all our love to you. And Paddy sends a disconsolate "ppprffppt" for his Lady Love, his Faberlush Lady Lexy of the Hooky Claw. :hug: :hug:
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Sending a big hug to you both :hug:
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Oh Ruth. Am so very sorry to hear this and sending the most positive vibes I can muster and many :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: for you both. Oh you are both going through the mill and so wish I could help :(
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Thanks everyone.
Lexy was fairly stable yesterday, however, last night she had a turn and they're trying to stabalise her again. I'm going to the vets later this morning to discuss the short and long term. She's comfortable and is being well looked after.
Thank you again for the positive thoughts and wishes. I'll update once I have more concrete news.
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Lots of get well vibes for Lexy :hug: :hug: :hug:
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So sorry to hear this - I hope Lexy stabilises soon. :wish:
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I keep checking on here Ruth. Hope Lexy is more stable soon. :care: And one for you: :hug:
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I am really sorry to hear that Lexi has taken a turn for the worse, I do hope she is now recovering.
Please have a look at www.diabeticcatcare.com
Even if you decide not to follow the Tight Regulation protocol, it is a mine of information including lots about pancreatitis. Learning how to home test will mean you never have to worry about hypo or hyper incidents.
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ruth I'm so sorry to hear this and very shocked, I hope she starts to get better soon
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:hug: thanks.
Paddypaws, thanks. That's a site I had already bookmarked. Once I know more about the outcome with Lexy I'll be able to determine the best care along with her vet.
She's had a tough day, she's stabilisng again however, they have had to supplement her feeding with fluids since she is not holding down any food.
Her breathing has regulated, and her eyes are very interested in what's happening around her. The Claw has been in use today, she's taken a dislike to one of the nurses. That's a positive sign.
I'm going to get some sleep, and then something to eat. I'll be back at the vets tomorrow afternoon, they want 24 hours to continue monitoring.
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Topping up the positive vibes for Lexy and the :hug: :hug: for you Ruth
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I am so pleased the vets are looking after her so well and the claw is in use, sending loads more good wishes :hug: :hug: :hug:
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Am very heartened to learn the Hooky Claw has been out, Ruth. Been thinking about you throughout the night, and hoping this can be sorted and stabilised so you and Lexy can be back home together, looking out of the window at the world going by. Paddy sends his very bestest. (And he had a right good wash before doing it to!) :hug: :hug:
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Thanks Sue. I'll see how things go with the vet today. She had a better night, she's brighter they tell me. I think we all agree she would do better at home to recover, but until I know what the potential risks are, she's staying put where they can act quickly if need be. Will see later today.
I miss my little alarm clock. :tired:
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:care: :care: Glad to hear Lexy seems improved today.
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Lexy will be coming home later today. She has managed to hold down food, and she's downright grumpy. The vet seems to think she's ready for her own home. Personally I feel that he wants to pass the grump onto me since he's not having any of it! :evillaugh:
We have changed her insulin as there is a strong possibility (based on a process of elimination) that the original insulin caused the pancreatitis (even though there is no historical data to suggest this has ever happened in another cat). If she reacts negatively to the new insulin in the same way, then we will have to stop all courses of insulin and determine the next best options which might involve an endocronologist. The vet seems to think that if that happens, Lexy might have a blood disorder and we would need to determine how best to manage her diabetes.
All that aside, my baby comes home today and I can't wait to see her.
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Ruth :Luv: Am so pleased to hear this.
Rushing off to tell Paddy........ ;) :hug: :hug:
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Pleased to hear she's coming home - nothing is ever straightforward is it.
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So pleased your alarm clock is coming home and fingers crossed she has no reactions to this new insulin Ruth :hug:
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Glad the Grumpy Madam is coming home. :) :hug:
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Very happy to hear she is coming home :hug:
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Not sure of the tiem difference so fingers crossed she's back home by now :hug:
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Just on my way to pick her up now :). Can't wait!!
Helen its just 5:30pm now.
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Well, we're home. She's a little grumpy, and we have had to have a talk about who is boss. Clearly I lost.
Its amazing how resilient they are, isn't it? Who would guess looking at her that just a few days ago we nearly lost her.
Madam is currently on my bed having a wash. I get an odd look now and again just to be sure I'm still here, but other than that, we're a lot more relaxed than when I collected her. I was serenaded the woes of the day all the way home.
Vet says she's much stronger especially now that she can manage food. We're on a restricted diet for a few days to make sure that her body can cope with food, but other than that, we're going to monitor for a few days and see how she copes with the new insulin. So far so good.
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Fingers crossed Ruth. I'm sure it will help her to relax being at home. The fact that she is grooming herself speaks volumes :)
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So pleased she is home and hope she continues to do well :hug: :hug:
Just out of interest Ruth, there was a thread recently about insulin on here and that one insulin that had already been withdrawn in the States was just about to be withdrawn in the UK too. That left only one type of insulin that some cats could not tolerate.
However there was an insulin for humans in the UK..................maybe also in the States...............that was exactly the same as the withdrawn one but not licenced for use in cats but the vets in the know could get for cats who had an intolerence to the other left.
Maybe if someone sees this post they could find the link.
It could be this is what has already happened to Lexy?
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My last act before bed, the link that I mentioned below
http://www.purrsinourhearts.co.uk/index.php/topic,36184.msg643983.html#msg643983
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I know the one you mean, Gill. Lexy was on Prozinc a new insulin specially formulated for cats and the only FDA approved one (in the US) for this purpose.
Edited: have read the link. Thanks.
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:wow: Just wanted to send this: :cuddle: :hug:
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So what insulins are there for her to try now? (Glad she's acting more like herself. ;)) :hug:
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So pleased Lexy is back home and feeling much better :hug: :hug: :hug:
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Hope Lexy is enjoying being home and all is going well. :hug:
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Hope Lexy is doing well :hug: :hug:
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Ruth, hoping all is well with you and the Faberlush Lady lexy. Sending much love your way :hug: :hug: :hug:
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Thanks everyone. JS, Lexy is now on Humulin N. We're up to 2 doses a day now and we're not seeing much of a reaction. I've had the Karo Syrup on hand and haven't had to use it yet. She gets a little tired about 6 hours or so after the injection but she's pretty bouncy back and no major lethargy to note.
She's been very vocal with me, her water consumption is almost back to normal again and her litter tray activity has been normal. An no more being sick. We've been migrating her onto a high protein, low carb diet, some very good brands here that provide for this without being exorbitant and she's taken to it well. She's still a little wary. Vet came round this evening to check up on her and see how she was doing, so she was not happy with me. The vet did tell me that its still early days. A reaction, if she does have one, may not happen fast with this insulin as it did with the other. So we'll keep monitoring.
The vet made a great observation, and he says that whilst he has no proof, he has made an observation that there is a common denominator in all the cats he has treated in the past that have contracted diabetes, including his own cat. They had all at one time suffered some kind of trauma (whether man made or accident). Especially as there is no concrete proof as to what causes diabetes (so many factors can do it), that its tough to rule out a trauma that may have impacted the pancreas and as a result diabetes has occurred. Not something I will spend much time pondering but I found it interesting.
Anyway, we're about to get ready for our dinner. Just wanted to send an update, haven't wanted to post much until I knew what she was doing.
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Ruth so glad you and Miss Lexy are both coping with her diabetes, there are some great foods about and if she likes them all the better ;D
Our 2 diabetics the late Tiger and HRH Princess Sweetie were both on injections twice a day and sadly never took to the food so they both had normal cat food with extra meals at injection time
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So pleased Lexy is doing well so far and keep my fingers crossed that this continues :hug: :hug:
Interesting about the vets theory and hope that Sasa and Misa will be Ok...............sigh as I suspect that many of our rescue cats have been traumatized
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Ruth, Paddy and me are sending you and der Faberlush Miss Lexy lots of "gud fud" vibes, and a snoozle... :cat rub:
I confess I'm still quite amazed and impressed that in NY you get house visits without a murmur. Knowing how hard it is to get any vet in our area to agree to a home visit, it fair blows me away. Credit to your veterinary practice. ;D
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Hi Ruth, sounds like you're an old hand at this already! :) Hope Lexy can stabilise on the new insulin. :crossed:
As to your vets's theory - well Sweep had to have a laminectomy and a pro-lapsed disc rehomed to his mid-back area in Dec 2007 (he was hospitalised for a long period as he had to learn to walk again). He was diagnosed with diabetes about 18 months later. His hormonal levels suggest his diabetes is caused by a tumour on the pituitary gland, but we declined a CT scan to confirm this as we thought he had been through so much already. Perhaps, it was the trauma of it all, poor boy.
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Poor Sweep. :'( He's such a little fighter. I do wonder if that theory holds water, I just found it really interesting. He said that for his cat, he was the only one in the litter who contracted diabetes, none of the rest of the litter did (none suffered a trauma). His fell from a window. Unfortunately, his cat died much later from cancer, as did another one of the litter mates, but they were all free from diabetes apart from his boy.