Susie, Diabetic Cat
Management of Feline Diabetes Introduction There is no cure for diabetes, and once a cat has the condition, it is usually for life. Treatment is aimed at managing the condition. It is normally possible to manage diabetic cats and many cat owners have reported that their cats have continued to benefit from a normal quality of life. Life expectancy can also be normal, provided that the diabetes is stabilised properly and that treatment continues regularly, even if diagnosed in a young cat. The key message is that diabetes is not a death sentence and with a little extra care, it can be managed successfully. The condition is very similar in people and in animals. It is therefore no surprise that there are also similarities in the approach to manage it. This usually takes the form of regular injections of insulin, often with dietary control and always accompanied by some sort of monitoring of key signs. There are also some differences however. With people, the objective is to enable them to manage the condition themselves whilst continuing their normal lifestyle. This might involve regular monitoring of blood glucose and perhaps varying the insulin dosage accordingly, all done to a strict time table in relation to meal times and with the benefit of responding to their own symptoms. With animals, it is impractical to monitor the condition so closely, so the objective is to manage the diabetes in such a way that the symptoms are removed (excessive thirst, etc) and quality of life is maintained. Depending upon the details of treatment and monitoring, this might leave the blood sugar or more specifically the blood glucose (BG) level slightly elevated, perhaps with just a trace of glucose in the urine, or perhaps an almost normal BG. There are 2 key stages: Regulation or Stabilis Continue reading >>
Financial Aspects
"How much will this cost to treat?" This is one of the questions often asked by a caregiver with a newly diagnosed diabetic pet. The answer depends, of course, on the level of care one intends to give the animal. Less care means less cost. If all one intends to do is administer insulin and nothing else, there is only the cost of the insulin (which varies by type) and the syringes or insulin pen. Caregivers may be instructed by the veterinarian to leave the animal in their care for a few days, up to a week, to allow the animal to be "regulated" on a proper dose of insulin. That may cost $100 to $200 a day (US dollars and US price levels). The vet then may want the animal returned every month for a glucose curve; another $150 perhaps. Many caregivers feel these are unnecessary expenses because an animal rarely can be regulated in such a short period of time and the stress associated with the clinic stay can lead to atypical blood glucose readings. Those costs can be significantly lowered if the caregiver hometests blood glucose levels. Here are some typical costs in US dollars at US price levels for the most common supplies: BCP PZI insulin, 10ML U40, $40 This vial contains 400 units of insulin and if the caregiver gives 2U BID, the vial will provide shots for 100 days. Therefore, this insulin at this dosage costs ~$12/month. Syringes, box of 100 U100, $15 to $25 With BID shots, this box will last 50 days. Monthly costs: $9.50 to $15.50 One Touch Ultra Glucometer, $0 to $70, depending on source, sales, rebates, and "package deals" with test strips The glucometer, regardless of the brand or style, is not a significant cost because of the plethora of sales, rebates, and package deals. This is generally considered to be a one-time cost. However, you should have a back-up met Continue reading >>
Feline Acromegaly: An Essential Differential Diagnosis For The Difficult Diabetic.
Abstract PRACTICAL RELEVANCE: Clinicians who deal with diabetic cats can have mixed experiences. Some patients are 'textbook cases', responding very well to insulin administration; others prove to be more challenging. Recent studies have shown a significant proportion of problem diabetic cats to have underlying acromegaly (hypersomatotropism). Recognising this syndrome in these cats will be key to successfully managing the concurrent diabetes. PATIENT GROUP: Just like the 'normal' (non-acromegalic) diabetic cat, the acromegalic diabetic cat tends to be a middle-aged to older male neutered domestic short hair. However, with increasing case experience, this signalment may change. Most patients are insulin resistant, although this may not be the initial presenting sign. No breed predispositions have been recognised to date. CLINICAL CHALLENGES: There is no single diagnostic test for feline acromegaly - a confident diagnosis relies on a combination of clinical signs, feline growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor 1 levels, and intracranial imaging. Additionally, the ideal treatment protocol has yet to be established. Currently, radiotherapy is considered by many to be the best treatment; however, costs, the need for multiple anaesthetics, and the often delayed and unpredictable treatment response represent serious limitations of this modality. Previously, medical treatment has proven unsuccessful. Recent studies provide some evidence in favour of, and some against, the use of newer long-acting somatostatin analogue preparations in a proportion of acromegalic cats. EVIDENCE BASE: Two recent studies have revealed a relatively high prevalence of acromegaly among diabetic cats. One also specifically assessed the value of hormonal tests, computed tomography and magnetic re Continue reading >>
Feline Diabetes: Symptoms, Treatments, Prevention, And Diet Tips
An alarming number of cats are developing diabetes mellitus, which is the inability to produce enough insulin to balance blood sugar, or glucose, levels . Left untreated, it can lead to weight loss, loss of appetite, vomiting , dehydration, severe depression, problems with motor function, coma, and even death. To find out why so many cats are being diagnosed with diabetes, and what owners can do, WebMD talked to Thomas Graves, a former feline practitioner who is associate professor and section head of small animal medicine at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. Graves’ research focus is on diabetes and geriatric medicine. Q: How common is feline diabetes? A: The true incidence isn’t known, but it’s estimated at 0.5% to 2% of the feline population. But it’s also probably under diagnosed. Q: What are the signs of diabetes in cats? A: The main symptoms are increased thirst and increased urination. And while we do see it in cats with appropriate body weight, it’s more common in obese cats. Some cats with diabetes have a ravenous appetite because their bodies cannot use the fuel supplied in their diet. Q: What’s the treatment for a cat with feline diabetes? A: Diet is certainly a component. It’s felt that a low-carbohydrate diet is probably best for cats with diabetes. Treatment is insulin therapy. There are some oral medications, but they have more side effects and are mainly used when insulin can’t be used for some reason. There are blood and urine tests, physical examinations, and behavioral signals, which are used to establish insulin therapy. This is done in conjunction with your veterinarian. We don’t recommend owners adjust insulin therapy on their own because it can be sort of complicated in cats. Most patients come in every t Continue reading >>
How Much Do You Spend On Your Pet? $3500 For A Diabetic Cat And Other Expenses
When I spotted the headlines saying that cost of raising an infant to the age of 18 has now topped $245,000, I heaved a sigh of relief that this is one financial challenge that I, at least, won’t have to confront. Much as I enjoy spending time with my niece and nephews and my friends’ children, I don’t have any of my own. And the cats that I do share my home with aren’t nearly as expensive to maintain as children. They don’t require school supplies or iPhones, fees for after-school activities or haircuts. I suppose I try could dressing them (but really, why?), cat-sitting on my trips is considerably cheaper than babysitting fees and even premium cat food is a relative bargain. Then an influx of kittens forced me to ponder, once more, the challenge that hanging onto a pet presents for too many Americans living paycheck to paycheck. It all happened one Friday evening as I was sitting on my porch, working on my laptop. Before I knew it, the children in the house next door were bringing me kittens – lots of kittens – to hold onto while they went to capture the next member of one or more litters who had been foraging, with increasing desperation, in the neighborhood backyards for days. Before I knew it, there were five terrified kittens in my two cat carrying cases, and five devastated kids, whose parents had said a firm “no” to the idea of adopting one of them. Clearly, the kittens were spending the night in my bathroom. A dozen cans of cat food and nearly as many frantic phone calls later, the strategy was clear: their destination was the local animal shelter. Taking financial responsibility for three adult cats – only one willingly adopted, one of whom had been thrust upon me by the owners of a Brooklyn deli, one of whom had simply shown up in my home Continue reading >>
Frugal Feline Diabetes
A Note Before You Begin Reading One of the first thoughts to cross your mind upon hearing the diagnosis that your cat has diabetes is likely to be "Can I afford this?" Although you may feel guilty thinking this, it's a very practical question; your love for your cat may be boundless, but your budget probably is not. And although diabetes is very treatable, the costs can add up. The whole process can be much less expensive if you're willing to do some of the work yourself. One of the major expenses is having your vet test your cat's blood glucose; however, this can be done at home cheaply and easily (human diabetics do it all the time), so "Frugal Feline Diabetes" starts with home-testing. Before you start, you must read and understand the following disclaimers. 1.) The authors of this piece are a group of educated cat-lovers, not veterinarians. The following techniques should work for most cats, but you embark on this path at your own risk. We strongly recommend that you hire a competent veterinarian who supports home-testing to guide you and help you if an emergency happens. 2.) Many cats who are diagnosed with diabetes have other health problems as well, ranging from acute problems such as pancreatitis, liver trouble, urinary tract infections, and ketoacidosis to chronic problems such as renal failure and heart disease. If your cat is one of these, he will need professional veterinary care and possibly emergency treatment. 3.) Your cat must be diagnosed with diabetes by a veterinarian before you attempt these techniques. If you give insulin to a non-diabetic cat, you will likely kill him. One high blood sugar reading does not mean that a cat is diabetic. This must be confirmed with other tests and by observation of other symptoms. Your vet will probably quote you a va Continue reading >>
It Costs What To Treat A Diabetic Pet?
Pet diabetes is more common than you may think. Statistics show that up to 1 in 500 dogs and up to 1 in 200 cats become diabetic. Whenever I diagnose a pet with diabetes, I discuss the costs of ongoing care with clients, as they will likely need to budget for diabetic supplies. In general, there are monthly costs (insulin, syringes, test strips, perhaps an increased cost of food relative to the prior food), and there are the initial costs of diagnosis and equipment (glucose meters, test strips, sometimes urine strips). If a pet is diagnosed when ill with a complication, such as diabetic ketoacidosis, the initial costs could escalate quickly. Each situation is different. Each patient is different. Medicine is an art. You are unlikely to find 2 veterinarians who will treat any given patient exactly the same way. Some veterinarians (like me) ask clients with a diabetic pet to get a glucose meter and do the blood glucose curves at home. I find the results can be more accurate at home as the pet typically eats more normally at home than in a clinic setting. In addition to the improved results, the cost of glucose curves goes down significantly. I’ve worked in many practices over the years and have seen a blood glucose sample cost anywhere from a mere $8 to a whopping $49 per blood glucose sample. Most veterinary clinics charge somewhere between $10 and $20 per sample. By the time a vet has checked 6 to 8 blood glucose samples and hospitalized a pet for the day, it could end up costing up to $200 for a glucose curve. A client can purchase a glucose meter and 50 test strips for about the cost of one glucose curve in a hospital setting. Some diabetics are relatively simple uncomplicated patients. Others may make their veterinarians want to pull their hair out! If your diabeti Continue reading >>
Diabetes-free Life For Bennie With Cost-effective, Natural Solutions For Cat Diabetes
Posted in Cat Diabetes Barbara’s neighbour in central Connecticut finds a lot of comfort and joy in spending time with his two cats. The sweet two kitties are close companions and are like family to this man who is blind and disabled. Last year, Bennie, a beautiful grey tabby, became very ill. He lost a lot of weight and his hair fell out; and an inevitable vet visit revealed he had cat diabetes. Sadly, Bennie would require daily insulin shots. Because Barbara’s neighbour was on a fixed income and did not see well enough to administer a daily shot, he made the very difficult decision to euthanize his beloved friend. He was heartbroken. This is when Barbara decided to help. “I suggested we look for another option and that there was nothing to lose,” she says. After doing online research to find a product that would help the cat cope with diabetes, Barbara came across Blood Sugar Gold and ordered it. “To say this is a miracle would not be overstating anything,” she reports. Bennie started eating again, gained weight, and his coat is now glossy and soft. “He feels great, continues to play outside chasing leaves,” says Barbara. “If I hadn’t seen the results myself, I would be skeptical.” Barbara is proud that she could identify a solution that did not come with a high price tag and did not involve daily painful injections. Now Barbara’s neighbour can continue to enjoy life with his wonderful companion in the neighbourhood. (Review received by Five Little Hens, Central CT, November 23. 2015) Pet Wellbeing offers safe and effective natural options made by Holistic Veterinarians, as well as timely customer service open seven-days a week, to help every parent make timely, safe decisions for their pets’s wellbeing. Please verify your decisions with our Continue reading >>
10 Good Things About Owning A Diabetic Cat
Many people hear the news their cat is a diabetic and they think it’s a death sentence. This is not true. Don’t panic. On the positive side: 1. It’s a treatable disease. A diagnosis of diabetes means your cat can get treatment. When an older cat is presented to me with the common symptoms of drinking lots of water, urinating tons and losing weight, a diagnosis of diabetes can actually be good news. It’s often better news than kidney or liver failure in many cases. If your cat seems very thirsty, this is not normal. Get the cat to the vet. Early intervention with diabetes, as with so many other diseases, gives your cat the best chance of a better life, and possible remission. 2. Sometimes diabetes is reversible; it goes away. With proper diet and the correct insulin therapy, a significant number of cats can go into remission, or have their diabetes reversed. We don’t completely understand this, but we are getting better treatment results with low-carb/high-protein diets and early insulin intervention. Diabetes is more common in male cats, and the statistics show that males have a slightly better chance of reversing their diabetes. 3. Better diets are helping diabetics live healthier lives. A poor diet may have brought on your cat’s diabetes in the first place. Now it’s time to get back on the right track. Most experts recommend a diet with about 7 percent carb content. Fancy Feast Chunky Chicken or Turkey is a good choice for a diabetic. Friskies and 9 Lives have some options too. Evo95 Duck or Venison is great protein, low in carbs. Some of these “regular” cat foods are probably better than the prescription diets, in my opinion. If your cat is addicted to dry foods, the Evo dry diets are probably the best. I still wish you could convert Mr. Mug to a we Continue reading >>
Diabetes In Cats: Symptoms & Treatment
Diabetic cats are more common than we think. So, if you have a cat you may be curious about feline diabetes, which is becoming an increasingly troublesome issue for our feline friends. We’ve compiled what you need to know about feline diabetes symptoms, medical complications, and the three main treatment options. Identifying signs early on can help extend and improve your kitty’s quality of life. What is feline diabetes? Like human diabetes, feline diabetes has to do with the production and use of insulin in the body. Insulin is a hormone secreted by the pancreas, which plays an important role in regulating the level of glucose in the bloodstream. Glucose is like cellular fuel that cats, people, and all living things need to stay alive. With human or feline diabetes, the pancreas either isn’t producing enough insulin or the body can’t use it properly to balance glucose levels. When there’s too much insulin in the body, glucose builds up and causes a condition called hyperglycemia. What is hyperglycemia in cats? Feline hyperglycemia is the technical term for high blood glucose in cats. When a sick cat becomes hyperglycemic, the body can’t use glucose for fuel and starts breaking down fats for energy. This process results in a waste product called ketones. If the level of ketones gets too high, it causes ketoacidosis, which is a life-threatening situation that requires immediate medical attention. If you have a diabetic cat, it’s important to keep an eye out for signs of hyperglycemia, such as: ● Acetone or fruity smelling breath ● Lethargy ● Increased thirst ● Shortness of breath Treatment for cat hyperglycemia may include fluid therapy, insulin, and hospitalization. What types of feline diabetes are there? Feline diabetes is classified into two dif Continue reading >>
Initial Costs Of Feline Diabetes
Once your cat has been diagnosed with feline diabetes, you may be asking yourself "How much is this going to cost me?" In our experience, we had Kitty at the vets for a day. As he needs to be sedated before he even gets out of the carrier (did I metion he is an incredibly BIG cat?), we usually leave him there all day and pick him up after work. Our vet did a full blood workup, urinalysis and physical. It was approximately $350.00, which included keeping him there all day and the sedation. The special diet that he was given was about $20.00 per bag (lasts about 3 weeks). Our original insulin was about $7.00/bottle and the syringes were about $20.00. Doing glucose curves at the vets is far more expensive than doing them yourself (more on glucose curves at a later date). Our old vet charged about $100.00. For us to do it at home, we purchased the test strips. We got a deal that if you bought 100 test strips, the glucometer was free, so it was $85.00 to do 100 tests. These strips last about a month to a month and a half, depending on how often you are testing. Cost saving measures you can employ are: 1) Learn to do glucose curves yourself at home. It is easy and much cheaper than at the vets (as well as much less stress on the cat, which we have discussed earlier, may increase blood glucose levels) 2) You do not necessarily need to feed a prescription diet. We will talk about diets later and will give some suggestions on good food for your diabetic. 3) See if you can purchase syringes at the pharmacy rather than at the vets. The pharmacy syringes are much cheaper. Make sure that they are appropriate for the type of insulin you are using. Different syringes are made for different types of insulin. Once you are more experienced, you can do a simple conversion to use other syr Continue reading >>
Fundraising For Diabetic Cat Care
Diabetic Cat Care (DCC) is able to continue operating because of the generosity of our members and our involvement in Affiliate programs raising funds to cover site fees and expenses. There are no salaries paid or profits made at DCC. Each and every person helping others on forum at DCC is a volunteer, freely donating their time and knowledge gained from experience with their own FD cat. Properly treating the disease of Feline Diabetes (FD) isn’t without cost or commitment. Anyone who has cared for a diabetic cat knows from personal experience just how overwhelming it is, and it becomes that much more stressful when there’s no money to pay for necessities; whether those are emergency medical procedures, test strips, insulin, or even species appropriate low carb food. DCC when able, works closely with Diabetic Cats in Need (DCIN) in the US and Canada, and directly with owners globally on an as needed basis to keep diabetic cats alive, in their homes, and able to get the medical care they need to get them back to much better health. Donations can be made to DCC’s PayPal account simply by clicking on the donate button (below). Funds raised are targeted towards DCC member cats practicing Dr. Elizabeth Hodgkin’s (DVM) Tight Regulation protocol. When it turns out amounts raised surpass what is needed for an individual cat, the remaining funds are held in DCC’s account; then are used to help other FD cats or to buy supplies needed for DCC’s complimentary Diabetic Cat Kits offered to members around the globe wishing to practice TR. Another way to help DCC raise funds is to purchase FD supplies through affiliate programs. Purchases made with a direct click-thru to our Affiliate partners’ websites result in a very small commission being earned by DCC. The amount isn Continue reading >>
Diabetes Mellitus In Cats
Diabetes mellitus in cats is a complex disease that is characterized by the inability to produce or use insulin. The hormone, insulin is released by the pancreas and is responsible for regulating blood glucose. If insulin is absent from the body or the body is not reacting to insulin, the glucose that the cat is putting into the body by eating is not used for energy. To make up for the lack of energy the body needs to function, the feline’s body targets its protein and fat reserves. As a result, the cat will quickly lose weight as more and more of the fat storage is being used. Eventually the protein and fat storage will run out, resulting in a terminal condition that must be addressed by a veterinary professional. The symptoms associated with diabetes mellitus in cats are the body’s response to evaluated concentrations of blood glucose and the body’s inability to use the available glucose as a source of energy. A cat may respond by showing an overall body weakness paired with weight loss, polyphagia, polyuria, and polydipsia. A diabetic cat will have a decreased ability to fight bacterial and fungal infections, making them susceptible to chronic or recurrent infections. Felines often develop hepatomegaly, or fatty liver disease, as a result of lipid accumulation caused by the weight loss effects of diabetes mellitus. To summarize, felines suffering from diabetes mellitus will display the following clinical signs: Increased drinking (polydipsia) Increased urination (polyuria) Increased appetite (polyphagia) Lack of appetite (anorexia) Weight loss Types Diabetes mellitus in cats is divided into two groups; Type 1 and Type 2, with Type 2 diabetes mellitus being the most commonly seen in felines. Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: a total lack of insulin caused by a total des Continue reading >>
Cat + Kitten Insurance
Are you prepared to pay for a pet health cat-astrophe? With Petplan on your side, you are! Our unrivaled plan provides unmatched coverage for cats with moxie — for all nine lives and more. Protecting your cat with pet insurance from Petplan provides peace of mind that when accidents happen, you can pursue the best care for your best friend, no matter the cost. Our personalized coverage makes caring for your feline family member easy by paying you back up to 90% for your cat’s veterinary care, from the time she’s a frisky kitty all the way to her golden years and beyond. Now that's something to purr about! Our own data tells us there’s a 33% chance your cat will need unexpected vet care this year. To help illustrate that, check out a few of the most common pet insurance claims paid to our feline family members: condition average cost Petplan paid Neoplasia (cancer) $2,033 $1,469 Diabetes Mellitus $1,786 $1,417 Cystic Calculi (bladder stones) $1,599 $1,220 Kidney Disorders $1,571 $1,182 Non-specific GI Disease (vomiting) $850 $665 Periodontal Disease $846 $661 Hyperthyroid/Hyperthyroidism $838 $600 milo, Petplan protected As a pet parent, you want to keep your kitten feeling fine, but her curious nature often leads to costly calamity. We know better than anyone, since it was a $5,000 vet bill for our kitten, Bodey, that inspired us to start Petplan! But paying for veterinary care shouldn’t be a game of cat and mouse. Thankfully, Petplan provides pet insurance coverage for kittens as early as six weeks of age. It won’t stop your trouble-prone Tabby from swallowing a loose string, but it will help you sleep like a kitten when the reimbursement check arrives a few days later! bodey, Petplan protected Once your cat is protected by Petplan, you can enjoy the confid Continue reading >>
Feline Diabetes -- Introduction
SHARE It is common to feel overwhelmed with the thought of caring for a diabetic cat. But, there's no need to panic. It will require some additional time, expense and care, but once you settle into the routine, it becomes pretty easy. The other fact to consider is that it will be very hard (impossible, most likely) to find a new home for a diabetic cat. It is simply not possible for the vast majority of facilities to care for a diabetic cat. (See our General Help page for information on cat sanctuaries, including Tabby's Place.) Concerns People often balk at the idea of keeping their diabetic cat for one or more of the following reasons: Money: there will be some extra cost in caring for a diabetic cat. The ongoing costs of syringes and insulin can usually be kept to a minimum through careful purchasing. Most of the cost occurs during the weeks after initial diagnosis, as this may require multiple vet trips for blood glucose testing. However, it is typically feasible to do this testing at home (and send the results to your vet) at a greatly freduced cost. See our Feline Diabetes Resources page for pointers to lowering the cost of a diabetic feline. Fear of needles: pretty much everyone is afraid of needles and dreads the thought of administering an injection to their pet. We can assure you that your fears are groundless. Insulin needles are tiny and the injections are administered subcutaneously, below the skin, and not into a muscle. Giving such an injection is actually easier than pilling your cat amd is virtually foolproof. Very few cats show any discomfort to the injection. Restrictions on your life: most diabetic cats will need injections of insulin twice a day, approximately 12 hours apart. However, some cats can get by with once daily injections and diabetic cats Continue reading >>
