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Diabetic Stray Cat

We had a cat show up emaciated at our door. After a week of feeding her outside (and her sweet demeanor, which we thought would make her adoptable), we took her to the vet. We were told she was declawed (so she did belong to someone at one time, yet she wasn't reported missing) and she tested negative for disease. We had her vaccinated & groomed and brought her indoors. After 4 days, she had continued to urinate in the house and we took her back to the vet for further testing. They diagnosed her with diabetes. We began insulin and know that she's not likely to be adopted, so she is ours. We took her back to the vet yesterday for the curve test and they told us to double the insulin from one to
two units.
In the meantime, she's still urinating on the floors instead of the box. We also have to make sure any garbage cans are locked up because she will dump them over and eat out of them, even though there's a surplus of food. She weighed 4.4 lbs at an estimated 4 years old. Upon being weighed 4 days after the first visit, she gained 3 oz.
What I'm wondering is if the urination and trash diving behavior will change? We aren't giving up on her, but I guess I would like to know if there's an end in sight? Thanks so much.
13 Responses
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506791 tn?1439842983
This is a wonderful thing you are doing for Stella.

It took a long time for Anita and I to get through to Miss Teia, you might want to read my many posts about her.

Patient, persistent kindness, which I read you as giving, will win out.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you so much for the video. I'm going to go check it out now.
I know I have to cowgirl up and get over it, piercing her flesh with a needle.
Thank you for taking the time to respond. I appreciate you.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
No UTI. Which I know is suppose to be good news, but I was hoping a pill would fix it. All advice is to put her in the bathroom with her litter box. I just don't want to do that to her. I want to sit and love on her all the time, and I do, on the kitchen floor.
Her insulin units are where they should be, 2 twice a day. I was surprised to hear they got to 52 at 1:30 when her shot was given at 7:30. But they fed her and got them back over 100. She is constantly eating here, so I don't know how'd she would have time to get them down that low at home.
We bought a glucometer, but neither of us can put the lancet in her, after much research. I know that when push comes to shove, abnormal behavior, we will do it.
I appreciate your and everyone's knowledge and taking the time to share it. Y'all are incredible folk!
Nicole
Helpful - 0
874521 tn?1424116797
I hope your Vet is helping by showing you how to give insulin with more ease....I also want to send you this video that I hope will be of some help..best of luck to you and kitty, yes it will get easier and as Jade says soon be second nature..-)

http://www.partnersah.vet.cornell.edu/Caring-For-Your-Diabetic-Cat/How-To-Give-An-Insulin-Injection
Helpful - 0
242912 tn?1660619837
COMMUNITY LEADER
Hello again.  Another thought as to why Stella is still going outside the box.  Even though you clean it up, kitties sense of smell is 100X stronger than ours, so she will continue to be attracted to the places she has urinated.  Try cleaning every single place she has *gone* with a product like "Urine Ease" or "Natures Miracle Urine Destroyer"  I read high praise for the Urine Destroyer.  These can be found at any Pet Store.  

Best of luck at the vet today.  Fingers crossed no UTI.  I can imagine the nerves giving those shots, but it will soon be second nature for you both.  You are an awesome mom, N! ♥


Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks, Alex. Yes, I would say a minimum of twice a day. It's probably more. She goes on top and doesn't cover it with litter, so I am on top of it right then (sensitive nose).
She was suppose to go to have her 2nd curve test yesterday, but I messed up giving her her shot (nerves take over and I couldn't be sure how much got into her since there was some insulin on her skin when I got done), so that's all day today.
I have gone ahead and moved the litter box within her sight, IN the kitchen. I blocked 2 of the doors to the kitchen (the ones that go to hard wood floor part of the house, where she likes to do her business on). She did potty in there, but again, she walked past it to potty on the floor, too. Fun surprise walking through this morning. Haha I will post what the vet says today about the UTI test. Thank y'all!
Helpful - 0
539549 tn?1315981662
Oh yeah, she does use the litter box always for #2. sometimes #1.

I'd like to state that a cat will sometimes use the potty outside the box if it is full. We got a self scooping litter box or started changing/scooping the litter more often and had much more success than before on cats who refused to use it. I've had four cats always worked for me. I am  also a  diabetic of 11 years and can tell you from personal experience high sugars can cause you to crave food weight loss/weight gain and frequent urination along with the sudden need to go.
Best of luck to you with your situation
, Alex
Helpful - 0
242912 tn?1660619837
COMMUNITY LEADER
Oh, and do hold off on the FOURTH (lol) litter box until you find out the UA results.  God only knows what Stella was eating before, or how much water she was able to find, so a UTI is certainly possible.  I was also encourage you to feed her Wet food only.  
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242912 tn?1660619837
COMMUNITY LEADER
3 boxes and maybe more??  Aren't you guys wonderful!!  That's great she's using them with going outside the box only sometimes.  That does make me think a UTI is involved but hopefully not.  You also might add a little dirt to the new litter as Stella is used to going outside where everything smells natural.  Hopefully, the Urinalysis will be clear and it's just a case of not liking the litter.  

Aw, poor thing guarding her food dish.  Breaks your heart, eh?  It's best not to force things as I think you see, so if she wants to sleep on the floor, then a couple towels to make it softer will have to due for now.  A towel is likely the best bed she's had for a long time anyway.  

3wks is not long at all for Stella to get used to all this change.  The key here is endless patience...which you sure seem to have.  She is a lucky girl to have found you and your husband.  

Please update after her vet visit on Monday, or just anytime at all :)


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Avatar universal
Oh yeah, she does use the litter box always for #2. sometimes #1.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
We have 3 litter boxes now scattered through the house and the hubby wants to add more! I'm scooping all three twice a day. They didn't check for a UTI, but she goes back to the vet Monday and I will have them do that. The litter is fragranced, so that's something I will change out for unscented. Her name is Stella :) we've had her for going on 3 weeks. She also stands vigil at the food dish. We pick her up to put her in bed or to a spot that seems softer than the hard kitchen floor, but she won't have it. I gave up on that and put a towel down by the food dish for comfort. I appreciate all of your information. :)
Helpful - 0
242912 tn?1660619837
COMMUNITY LEADER
Oh, and another problem can be the litter.  It might help to change it to something else.  No perfumed type either.  
Helpful - 0
242912 tn?1660619837
COMMUNITY LEADER
Hello and welcome...Bless you for taking in this little kitty, issues and all.  I am thinking this little girl is still stressed with her new environment, as well as, now receiving an injection every day.  Even though she is so much happier off the street and in a warm, loving home, in her little mind, this has been so much change she isn't used to.  I don't know if you're used to cats, but the slightest change can stress them out, and her world has changed Big Time!  I would suggest getting some *Feliway* which can be found at any Pet Store and see if this helps the urinating outside the box. It's a pheromone plug-in that might help her relax more.  

With all the vet visits, can I assume a Urinalysis was done to rule out a UTI?  

I'm sure as time goes on and she becomes used to the fact, this wonderful new life is permanent, she will calm down.  Are you scooping her box several times a day?  That's an easy fix if not.  Most cats can be very picky about that.  Have you actually put her IN the litter box?  Maybe try that.  Does she EVER go in it?  Might be too big for her or too small.  She may prefer one with a lid.  

As far as the trash habit, again, I think that will improve with time.  She wasn't used to being fed so well before and who knows how long she was on her own, so might be a habit that will take some time to get over.  

How long have you had her now and what's her name?  

We are happy to have you here.  Others will be along with suggestions, I'm sure.  Best of luck!
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