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08-08-2013, 07:18 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Montana
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Feline (or canine) diabetes
We just had to start giving our elderly cat twice-a-day insulin injections. My first time down this road with a pet.
Anyone been in my shoes? How long did they last with the injections? Months? Years? Trying to plan my next vacation, which won't be happening anytime soon with 2-a-day injections for the poor ole cat...
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08-08-2013, 07:36 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Texas
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We did that for 2-3 yrs on a cat we had. One day it got real wobbly and distressed.Took it to the vet, and he said no more shots, diabetes was gone. It's not that bad to do. Good luck
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08-08-2013, 07:36 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Northern Michigan
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Yes, we have had 2 Rottweiler's that were diabetics. The first one was a learning experience, but it will get easier as time goes on. It does take some adjustment, and you pretty well live your lives around feeding and shots every 12 hours. If you get to the point where you are checking blood sugars with test strips and do the curves, it will become apparent why the timing is so important. The last one we got was a super nice, good looking dog. When the owners found out he was diabetic they told the vet to put him down as they didn't want to deal with it. To make a long story short the vet called the rescue group that we got the first one from and they called us. He adjusted very well and was able to live an extra year and a half on the lake. We have two new ones now (non-diabetics) and they sleep until 10am most mornings, a welcome change of pace :-)
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08-08-2013, 07:52 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Georgia
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My first dog, a Kerry Blue Terrier, developed diabetes at the age of 8. I remember following her around with a pan to get a sample, testing the sample, then giving her a shot. We never did get her well regulated; she lost a lot of weight and developed cataracts. This lasted a year when we finally decided to put her down. This was back in 1975, so treatments hopefully have improved since then.
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08-08-2013, 08:04 PM
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Absent Comrade
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Join Date: Jan 2011
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My awesome black lab SAM became a diabetic for a few years then he went blind. Then he couldn't control himself. The vet put him down. His ashes are buried with my rottie. I lost my pals. I hate losing pets there like family. I just lost the very first cat I found abandoned too. It's been a rough few years. We just took in two kittens that no one wanted too. There two brothers. My three feral cats that I kind of tamed accepted them already and are playing with them. My oldest cat Rambo is the grandpa. He is getting old and going blind. I rescue abandon kittens when I go fishing. I tell them they just hit the lotto. Most are so starved there a day away from deaths door my vet says.
Once I feed them I have s buddy forever weTher it's a dog or a cat.
Last edited by BigBill; 08-08-2013 at 08:07 PM.
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08-08-2013, 08:08 PM
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Absent Comrade
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After my wife died I dated a nurse for a while. She had two tomcats, litter-mates, who were both diabetic. They had been for some time when I met the nurse, and both lived several years after that. She was the only one who could inject them, but they accepted it well from her.
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Oh well, what the hell.
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08-08-2013, 08:55 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Montana
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Wow, thanks crew. The stories are all leaving me hopeful of another several years with our furry friend/child.
Hopefully, my story will be like dave b's and kitty-kat will be cured.
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08-09-2013, 08:08 AM
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Location: SW CT
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I have a dog with Diabetes, its about a year now.
She gets two needles per day just after a meal
It made a big improvement in her life she regained energy and her activities.
In May we had a major setback, while not fully related to diabetes its related. She wound up with pancreatitus, a sever acute case. She was with in day of having to be put down, she did a big recovery and is even better today.
My point is that diabetic diets tend to have more fat in them and this isn't always good. Its a pit fall I wish I had known more about...
There is a good web site devoted to diabetic animals,
I think this is it,(this is a cold link, you need to cut and past) [urls]www.felinediabetes.com], I am not sure if I can post links so pm me if it goes away.
One big thing that helped was getting her on Novalin insulin, its sold by Walmart. I can buy a vial for around $20 and the price of syringes is the lowest I can find. So for us it cost under $40 per month. Places like Walgreens and our regular pharmacy wanted $60 to $80 per vial, big difference.
Be sure to discuss this with your vet.
It was rough in the beginning, she didnt like the shot and we we nervous and clumsy. It lead to chasing, holding down and not fun for us all. However she has adapted and we have improved our technique to be fast and gentle.
It will just become normal!
best wishes to you and your friend!!
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08-09-2013, 08:24 AM
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Location: Texas
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Our cat was 14 when he passed away, had been giving him shots for 5 or 6 years. I was the only one he would let give the shots.
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08-09-2013, 09:56 AM
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Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Northern Michigan
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Side note
We found that the best time to give the shot is while they are eating, especially if you are giving it on the nap of the neck. Get the syringe ready ahead of time, they are preoccupied and rarely even notice, it just becomes part of the feeding routine.
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08-09-2013, 10:11 AM
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Location: The Old North State
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My Russian Blue was diabetic. I gave her an injection daily. There's really nothing to it. The needle is short and it did not appear to bother mine. It really wasn't that difficult or hard to deal with.
Remember, all they have is you.
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08-09-2013, 03:36 PM
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US Veteran Absent Comrade
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Location: San Diego, PRK
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BTDT. We took in a Cattle Dog with diabetes.
She is going into her fifth year since Dx. and is 12YO now. She was adopted by a doctor & his wife who had her cataracts fixed. She is healthy, happy & spoiled rotten.
Rick and Lucy, our rescued cattle dog - Diabetes in Dogs: The k9diabetes.com Forum
Home testing is key to good regulation. If your vet discourages home testing find another vet. Loads of good info online.
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