Diabetic shots for an old cat w/ kidney trouble

[MJIthewriter]

In this last year, our cat Waldo has fallen apart. We are treating him for hyperthyroidism for about a year now.  Recently his kidneys have started to give way.  I switched his diet to something for kidney health.  He was still not improving, so we scheduled another appointment earlier than the three months they advised to check his levels.

Now he's developed diabetes. His other levels seem to be stable. We're given two options on what type of shots we want to give him. One is designed for cats, but costs a lot more. The other is designed for human but can be used on cats.  I'm not sure what option would be better.  I'm also left with a decision, if this doesn't work how long I should give it before deciding to let him go.

[MJIthewriter]

Well the curve test didn't go over so well. His levels stayed flat-lined at 500 something and they quit the test realizing there wasn't any change. They didn't charge me for the test figuring that he may not have gotten his insulin this morning. It may not have gone in right when I gave him the shot. I'm trying again tomorrow and will have the vet give him the shot.

[zodiacqueen]

That's good!  I must've misread what you wrote.  At least, that's positive and you don't have to worry about that.

Hang in there w/ Waldo, w/ some patience you'll be able to get control of his sugar.  You've got him on some very good quality food!!!  If I were you, I'd ask your Grandma if she fed him a little more than usual before your vet visit.  And, I'd ask her to cut out the evening snack.  If you're giving Waldo a "set" amount of food every day, and he's getting a "set" amount of insulin every day.....you'll have more control.  That evening snack, probably flooded Waldo's blood w/ extra energy and he didn't have enough insulin to take care of it......so his sugar got too high.

[MJIthewriter]

She was FIV negative, so no concerns there, unless she got exposed right before we found her.  We could do another test in 30 days and see.  I'm not sure about Waldo if he will be living much longer. That is my worry if we can't get his blood sugar sorted out.

I measure out his food, half cup a day.  Grandma usually feeds him an additional small amount at night.  We are feeding Waldo royal canin dry and wet food for kidney health. We're feeding the female innova senior food. (not ideal, but it was what we were feeding Waldo before his health went downhill.)

[zodiacqueen]

OMG.....I can imagine how frustrating it is for the sugar to be so high again, after you've been trying so hard to get him back to normal.  I KNOW you've been trying, too.  I'm sorry to see that his sugar is so high.  What in the world caused his sugar to get so high again? From what I know about human blood sugar(best friend was diabetic), stress, infection, eating more than usual can cause the sugar to go up.  I have a feeling that blood sugar is similar in both humans and cats.  Do you think maybe he ate more than usual?  I imagine you're already giving him a very specific amount of food each day to get his sugar under control?

My heart goes out to you, and I hope that you'll be able to get control of his sugar soon!!  With all the BS you've been going through lately, you deserve some good luck!

BTW, that's awesome that new kitty has been spayed.  I had a feeling that she was, since the owners went through the trouble and expense of declawing.  I do have to say, though, that I'm very worried about her being positive for FIV and worry that Waldo will be exposed to it.  What are the vet's thoughts on this?

[Maddie6]

Hi,
I'm sorry to see Waldo's bg so high.  Unfortunately, when they are at the Vet and stressed, it raises their bg, and so this is not a true test of how they are really doing.  The new kitty could also raise Waldo's bg with added stress.  How much insulin is Waldo on presently.  Oh I see above he is on 4 units.  Maggie was on Lantus insulin, and it was a dose every 12 hours.  The best thing is to home test, but I know this is not always easy for pet owners, and  Vets realize this, too.  The curve will help determine how Waldo is doing different times of the day.  

It's nice of you to help the stray kitty, as that is how I found Maggie.   I hope someone places an ad looking for her.  With her being declawed, she cannot defend herself outdoors, so it's great she found you.

[MJIthewriter]

Whoever had the stray took care of her at one point. She's very affectionate and not afraid of people. She wasn't afraid of the vet either. She was already spayed. That saves us having a lot to worry about. Otherwise I would have had to get it done and pay for it.  Unfortunately whoever had her also had her front declawed. I'm not happy about it, but what has been done there's not much I can do now.

Whatever happened, I imagine she has been lost for quite a while.  She isn't starving, but we need to get her weight up.  Waldo is right now laying on the ground.  If I bring the other cat down near him he won't move. He just lays there and hisses a few times. Poor guy.  The female cat takes it very serious and is terrified. She won't go anywhere close.  When I found her she had a couple scabs on her face. I imagine she got in a fight with another cat.  I'll keep checking for lost cat ads. If someone does come for their cat, I will suggest they keep her indoors only or at least put a tag or microchip on her. (she came with neither of those). In the mean time I believe it is better to keep her in one place rather than let her loose to get further lost.

I'm keeping the new cat mostly upstairs and Waldo down on the main floor and basement. I want to work towards getting the other cat comfortable to be downstairs as well.