Topic: Harry is diabetic and a little poorly (Read 4647 times)

Harry and Katies Mum · « **Reply #38 on:** June 14, 2009, 23:12:09 PM »

Yeah I'll talk to the vet next time we go and see how easy it is or isn't. I just like the idea of being able to keep a eye on what his sugar is doing rather than just every 3 weeks or how often we go although it could just be me fretting again.

Harry seems ok - he's playing and taunting the dog and comes up for his snuggles. His drinking has definately decreased, he's still a little piggy when it comes to food but then he's always been a little piggy so its difficult to tell on that score.

I'm really hoping that when we go back to the vets that his levels will have come down and we can stabilise him but we'll just have to wait and see.

Jasmine · « **Reply #37 on:** June 14, 2009, 23:05:06 PM »

Quote from: Harry and Katies Mum on June 11, 2009, 14:56:54 PM

Has your vet said anything to you about home monitoring his sugar. Our original vet wasn't very keen on us doing it but he's left now so I might ask the new vet what they think as poor Harry gets so wound up going to the vet it distorts his sugar figures anyway.

No, I haven't given this any consideration yet and tbh wouldn't for a while. I would certainly float the idea with your new vet though if you feel you can do this, especially as you say poor Harry is getting stressed. How is he now?

JackSpratt · « **Reply #36 on:** June 11, 2009, 15:10:16 PM »

The Your Diabetic Cat Site? It's great, but the posters can be a bit "You did what?! Gave you cat biscuits?!!" sometimes. Personally, I didn't want to take everything that was normal and tip it on it's side for Tobes, so although biscuits were most definitely cut down, he wasn't not ever allowed them

Harry and Katies Mum · « **Reply #35 on:** June 11, 2009, 14:56:54 PM »

Hi Jasmine

I can imagine only having had Sweep a week you don't really know what you are looking out for. I still panic when Harry is laying there asleep and I've been even worse now we've increased his dose. We've got a jar of honey specially for Harry too just in case, we decided to buy the runny honey but I don't know if there is a best one for them.

Ohhh I don't think I've seen that website before I'll have a look. There is a link on this thread posted by JackSpratt and I found the information on there really good.

I hope Sweep responds well to his treatment he certainly sounds like he deserves some tlc. Has your vet said anything to you about home monitoring his sugar. Our original vet wasn't very keen on us doing it but he's left now so I might ask the new vet what they think as poor Harry gets so wound up going to the vet it distorts his sugar figures anyway. Well fingers crossed we can get both our cats stabilised and settled.

Jasmine · « **Reply #34 on:** June 11, 2009, 14:23:19 PM »

Hi H&K's Mum,

I've sort of had the opposite problem to you - having had Sweep just a week, I don't know what's 'normal' for him, so have found it hard to rate his demeanour etc. and for the first couple of days when he was sleeping, I worried he might be falling into a coma (I have bought a jar of honey which I'm keeping by especially for him). Do you think thick or runny honey is best?

On a positive note, I have found a really interesting site which explains all about the different types of insulin (think it was a link from Sugarpets). I don't know if you've seen it or not, but for everyone's info:
http://www.caninediabetes.org/pdorg/insulin.html

Harry and Katies Mum · « **Reply #33 on:** June 10, 2009, 09:24:49 AM »

Hi Jasmine I know exactly what you mean about it all being new. I was in a terrible state in January when this all started. However it really hasn't been as bad as I thought it would be. Harry is a little angel as far as his injections go - well as long as he has his head in a bowl of food when you do it! I think what upset me the most was because I have had him for a while all the changes were or appeared to be gradual so I didn't spot them quick enough so I feel like I let Harry down. However having been put in contact with others it appears that this is fairly typical and we all go on a guilt trip it appears.

I wouldn't profess to be an expert on this condition however if you ever want to swap stories please feel free it certainly helped me loads when he was first diagnosed.

Hi Jack Harry appears to be his normal self he isn't drinking nearly as much as he was and isn't peeing as much. He has always been a lazy cat much prefer sunning himself that running around or playing and he has always been greedy when it comes to food. I wouldn't say there has been any odd behaviour. I was really surprised by the results because since he had his antibiotics he appeared to have gone back to his normal self but perhaps I'm not remembering the Harry before he started the diabetes because I'm not sure when this all really started. I must get in some honey or something just in case he does have problems with the increase in insulin.

Thank you very much for the link you sent me I have now removed all dry food so his sister isn't very happy but she gets some as a treat on Sunday whilst Harry gets a little bit of fresh chicken or tuna (Katie turns her nose up at these funny little madam). I have found the highest protein lowest carb food I can without putting him on a prescription food so we will see how he goes on that.

Once again thank you all for your kind comments and your support.

JackSpratt · « **Reply #32 on:** June 10, 2009, 00:25:23 AM »

That's pretty high, but how is Harry in himself? Any odd behaviour?

Jasmine · « **Reply #31 on:** June 09, 2009, 23:18:48 PM »

Hi there,

I've just taken on a diabetic foster - Sweep (see the Rescue & Rehoming) section. I'm a complete novice to this condition so can't offer any advice, but keen to share experiences with other carers. Sweep is on the same type of insulin as Harry - Lente, and I'm currently injecting him 4 units in the morning and evening too. This might change tomorrow though as Sweep is off to the vets for a glucose curve (and he has been drinking and weeing lots).

Harry & Katie are very beautiful cats by the way!

Harry and Katies Mum · « **Reply #30 on:** June 09, 2009, 23:03:13 PM »

Hello all thought I'd just give you an update on Harry. He went back to the vets last week for a check up and they took blood for a fructosamine test. The vet called tonight with the results and his fructosamine is 649 and should be nearer 450. These figures don't mean much to me if I'm honest but she has asked us to increase his insulin to 4 u/i's morning and evening instead of the 2 u/i's and he has to go back in 3 weeks.

I am finding myself watching him like a hawk as I must admit I thought he was doing ok, his drinking is alot less than it was, and it seems alot to double his dose but we'll keep an eye on him and hopefully this will do the trick.

Harry and Katies Mum · « **Reply #29 on:** May 28, 2009, 23:49:51 PM »

Thank you for the links I will have a good read and see what information I can pick up.

The good news is the antibiotics have definately worked so at least that is one problem solved.

Thank you all for your lovely comments and support

JackSpratt · « **Reply #28 on:** May 28, 2009, 20:58:09 PM »

http://www.yourdiabeticcat.com/

Another good site.

Millys Mum · « **Reply #27 on:** May 27, 2009, 18:41:31 PM »

Iv not yet had a diabetic cat but do know of what seems like a useful website
http://www.sugarpet.net/

Both your cats are beautiful

JackSpratt · « **Reply #26 on:** May 27, 2009, 10:37:02 AM »

Senior food tends to be a bit nearer to the levels of ingredients in the prescribed food without having the smell that puts a cat off!

I've never heard of that insulin; will look it up!

Harry and Katies Mum · « **Reply #25 on:** May 27, 2009, 10:31:02 AM »

Hello JackSpratt

I hadn't thought about the senior food, at the moment he is on normal whiskas. I think his insulin is called insuvet lente or something similar? I'm hopeless at remembering the names of the drugs. He has 2 units in the morning and 2 units in the evening. His last blood glucose was 16 something but when we first took him he was up to about 24. He goes back to the vets a week Friday when his antibiotics finish so hopefully they'll do another test and it will have come down a bit further.

In himself he doesn't seem too bad he sleeps alot but then he's always been a lazy cat! He just seems to be drinking a huge amount still when he didn't used to drink alot.

Thank you all for your lovely comments. I think they are both special but they are the first cats I've owned.

JackSpratt · « **Reply #24 on:** May 26, 2009, 22:52:08 PM »

I did miss that yes. (Too busy looking at pictures...

)

Tobes absolutely detested the food that was suggested for him and we found a good compromise was senior cat food; specifically Felix. I've probably missed this info too - but what insulin is Harry on?

Tiggy's Mum · « **Reply #23 on:** May 26, 2009, 22:13:27 PM »

Phwoar - What gorgeous cats

JS, not sure if you missed this bit but I know that Toby was diabetic - what did you feed him?

Quote from: Harry and Katies Mum on May 26, 2009, 14:02:07 PM

Now all we need to do is get his diabetes stable which might be a bit more of a challenge. I would be interested to hear from any one else how has a diabetic cat as the vet is trying to force us into putting Harry on a special cat food, which I don't object to but with 2 cats its difficult to make sure he eats his own and not his sister's or they will both have to be fed the same. I have also heard of others having good results sticking to the likes of whiskas and we really don't mind doing the injections so I would be interested in comments for and against the special diet food.

JackSpratt · « **Reply #22 on:** May 26, 2009, 22:11:06 PM »

Harry is a handsome lad - glad there's been an improvement. (Of course, Katie looks lovely too!

)

Harry and Katies Mum · « **Reply #21 on:** May 26, 2009, 21:49:15 PM »

I thought you might like to see a picture of Harry and Katie. Harry is the tabby and Katie is all black.

Harry and Katies Mum · « **Reply #20 on:** May 26, 2009, 21:42:03 PM »

Thank you for suggesting changing the thread title Tiggys Mum. I think I've done it right.

Janeyk · « **Reply #19 on:** May 26, 2009, 16:22:49 PM »

Glad there is some improvement in Harry

Tiggy's Mum · « **Reply #18 on:** May 26, 2009, 15:42:48 PM »

Glad his tummy is better

I have no idea about diabetes I'm afraid, It might be worth changing the title of this thread to a diabetes related one. I know there are a few on here who have/have had diabetic cats, if you edit your first post and change the title of that one it changes the title of the thread.

MrsR · « **Reply #17 on:** May 26, 2009, 14:13:32 PM »

Keep us up to date hunnie x

Harry and Katies Mum · « **Reply #16 on:** May 26, 2009, 14:02:07 PM »

Hello all I just want to say thank you for all the positive healing vibes for Harry. He has been a little star taking his tablets and even when we dropped one of the floor he gobbled it up! Without going into detail his poos are much better and I haven't seen a cow pat since he started on the antibiotics and certainly no nasty smells so hopefully they are doing the trick.

Now all we need to do is get his diabetes stable which might be a bit more of a challenge. I would be interested to hear from any one else how has a diabetic cat as the vet is trying to force us into putting Harry on a special cat food, which I don't object to but with 2 cats its difficult to make sure he eats his own and not his sister's or they will both have to be fed the same. I have also heard of others having good results sticking to the likes of whiskas and we really don't mind doing the injections so I would be interested in comments for and against the special diet food.

Once again many thanks.

bonnielass · « **Reply #15 on:** May 23, 2009, 11:27:58 AM »

Sending some positive healing vibes for little Harry and hope hes soon feeling better

clarenmax · « **Reply #14 on:** May 23, 2009, 11:04:12 AM »

Sending get well wishes to Harry

Max has to have daily tablets, without fail I always use Defurrum treats, you can break them in half and there's gooey stuff inside, so the tablet gets hidden and they don't notice

Janeyk · « **Reply #13 on:** May 23, 2009, 08:22:33 AM »

Sending get well wishes for poor little Harry xx

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #12 on:** May 22, 2009, 19:00:02 PM »

hope harry gets better soon

Rosella moggy · « **Reply #11 on:** May 22, 2009, 14:32:15 PM »

Our Tom used to eat Synulox like treats. I used to teaze him with them a few times then let him have one. Used to work fine for the 1st few days at least....

Hope they clear up whatever is ailing poor Harry

swampmaxmum · « **Reply #10 on:** May 22, 2009, 14:24:45 PM »

I'm sorry about Harry and about how you are feeling (you're in the right place on here)

Synulox don't seem to taste vile - mine have both had them straight down the throat and even if I get it a bit wrong, there's no foaming so I'd say that's probably the easiest way. Hope they work nicely asap.

MrsR · « **Reply #9 on:** May 22, 2009, 13:28:13 PM »

Awwww get well soon hunnie x

Don't feel guilty hunnie, you are helping Harry now and thats the main thing - we never know if we have or or doing the right thing for our furbabies - its tough

Harry and Katies Mum · « **Reply #8 on:** May 22, 2009, 13:11:40 PM »

Yep thats the one.

I'm hoping this will sort him out but I'm just a born worrier and always make a mountain out of a mole hill. Other half always has to bring me back down to earth with a good talking to

The vet suggested hiding it in food but when I tried that last night harry ate the food and spat the tablet out again so I've resorted to opening the mouth throwing tablet down the throat and making sure he swallows. Not very nice but at least I know he's getting them.

I'll give the tablets a couple of days and then be watching his litter tray to check his deposits! Nice job but needs doing

Tiggy's Mum · « **Reply #7 on:** May 22, 2009, 12:22:05 PM »

Synulox maybe? I think that's an all purpose general antibiotic. One of my boys had tummy troubles a few months back, he had antibiotics and then went on to have stool samples tested (

) - they all came back clear but this was after the anti-b's so we were none the wiser really. Touch wood he's been fine since though.

Are you getting Harry to take his tablets OK?

Harry and Katies Mum · « **Reply #6 on:** May 22, 2009, 12:11:13 PM »

Thank you for your replies I will definately pass the hugs onto Hary.

I think his antibiotics are Synidox or something like that. They are little reddy coloured tablets.

I do hope the tablets work otherwise my brain will go into overdrive as to what is wrong with his belly!!

Tiggy's Mum · « **Reply #5 on:** May 22, 2009, 11:41:26 AM »

soon Harry

Hope the antibiotics work for him, do you know what they are called?

Bazsmum · « **Reply #4 on:** May 22, 2009, 10:51:09 AM »

I have no experience myself of diabetes, just wanted to give Harry a big...

Dawn F · « **Reply #3 on:** May 22, 2009, 10:45:47 AM »

sorry to hear about Harry, we do have people with experience of diabetic cats on the board - glad you decided to join us!

CC & The Pussycat Guys & Dolls · « **Reply #2 on:** May 22, 2009, 10:40:42 AM »

Hope Harry starts getting well soon

Harry and Katies Mum · « **Reply #1 on:** May 22, 2009, 10:35:35 AM »

Hello all I signed on here awhile ago but this is my first post.

Well in January of this year we took my little Harry to the vet as he was drinking loads, peeing loads, eating loads and doing the most revolting poos that I call cow pats!

They diagnosed diabetes, no great surprise, and we haven't been finding the injections too bad. Harry did improve for a while and the cow pats did solidfy abit but for the last couple of months they've been horrid again. Anyway it was check up time yesterday so off to the vet we go again and our normal vet has left so we saw a new one. She thinks Harry might have some sort of tummy trouble and this has possibly caused the diabetes so for the next 2 weeks I've got to try and get him to take his antibiotics. Hopefully this will solve some of the problems but if not its sample time to see if there is anything else going on.

I suppose I'm feeling very low and need some moral support. Up until now Harry has been happy and healthy like his sister Katie, I rescued them from CP 4 years ago when they were 5 years old. I also feel like I've let him down as I should have noticed his diabetes sooner and perhaps I should have insisted the vet investigated his tummy trouble sooner.

Anyway any moral support you can offer is greatly appreciated as you all seem a lovely bunch.

Look forward to speaking to you all.

Author Topic: Harry is diabetic and a little poorly (Read 4647 times)