CincySportsFan, here is a website that has some information and a message board where you might be able to ask questions and get some answers: http://www.felinediabetes.com/

 

A couple more links that look promising:

 

http://www.petdiabetes.net/

 

http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/diabetes.html

My apologies to all for attempting to provide a different perspective. I didn't chastise anyone for their choices. I only said what I thought. I never claimed as fact, as right, or as wrong, and I never told anyone they had to listen to me. Far be it from me to voice an opinion on a open forum...

My apologies to all for attempting to provide a different perspective. I didn't chastise anyone for their choices. I only said what I thought. I never claimed as fact, as right, or as wrong, and I never told anyone they had to listen to me. Far be it from me to voice an opinion on a open forum...

 

There is an appropriate place and time to voice certain opinions. Where else on here have you voiced the same opinion? Or is it just for the posters that are animal lovers and have sick pets? Think, man, think! Is this REALLY the place/time to present that view? This isn't some YouTube comments box.

 

Here's an appropriate saying for you: Just because you HAVE freedom of speech doesn't mean that you should always exercise it.

CincySportsFan, here is a website that has some information and a message board where you might be able to ask questions and get some answers: http://www.felinediabetes.com/

 

A couple more links that look promising:

 

http://www.petdiabetes.net/

 

http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/diabetes.html

 

 

TB&G - Thanks for the info on the websites. I had actually already found the one, but will take a look at the other two as well.

 

I feel like I'm back in college cramming for an exam...only this time it's in a class I didn't even know I was taking! It's sometimes hard to wade through paragraph after paragraph after paragraph of text to find the tidbit of information that you were looking for. That's why I thought some of my fellow BGP'ers might be able to offer a more personal insight.

 

Also, TB&G...thanks for the understanding too. I know some people may only look at them as an animal or just a pet. But, ours has become part of the family. And it's hard to just give up on him.

TB&G - Thanks for the info on the websites. I had actually already found the one, but will take a look at the other two as well.

 

I feel like I'm back in college cramming for an exam...only this time it's in a class I didn't even know I was taking! It's sometimes hard to wade through paragraph after paragraph after paragraph of text to find the tidbit of information that you were looking for. That's why I thought some of my fellow BGP'ers might be able to offer a more personal insight.

 

Also, TB&G...thanks for the understanding too. I know some people may only look at them as an animal or just a pet. But, ours has become part of the family. And it's hard to just give up on him.

 

No problem, CincySportsFan. I, too, am an animal lover. I had a beloved cat pass away back in March, due to cancer. It was very tough. I believe that we have a responsibility as pet owners to care for our animals. They add so much to our lives and really, truly help us relax and calm our souls.

 

Keep us updated and good luck!

There is an appropriate place and time to voice certain opinions. Where else on here have you voiced the same opinion? Or is it just for the posters that are animal lovers and have sick pets? Think, man, think! Is this REALLY the place/time to present that view? This isn't some YouTube comments box.

 

Here's an appropriate saying for you: Just because you HAVE freedom of speech doesn't mean that you should always exercise it.

 

Who said I wasn't an animal lover? I'm a pretty big fan of my dog. I've had him for 8 years now, and it's definitely going to be hard to let him go whenever that happens. I also never implied that people shouldn't enjoy themselves - not once. If I thought that, then I wouldn't have my dog in the first place.

 

I simply said that pets are animals and I don't necessarily have the same view on going to any kind of added means to extend life as I do with humans. Still, I wasn't telling anyone what they should do in any given situation - just giving my thoughts. I understand that you don't agree with them, and that's great. That's your right, just like it's my right to express those thoughts. Anyway, you made it perfectly clear that you don't agree with me, True Blue, and as far as freedom of speech goes, I'll be sure to check with you the next time I think I might want to exercise it. You seem to know all the ins and outs of it, and you've got all the answers...so if you don't mind, I'll run everything by you first, boss. Thanks.

Cincy,

 

Good luck with your cat. He or she is lucky to have an owner like you. Don't be too hard on the Colonel. I am a lifelong pet owner and lover, but to be honest I would not spend that kind of money every month for a pet. I have a friend that gave her dog chemo and another who gave her dog dialysis. I would never do that either. Both dogs died after they spent a small fortune. We all have our value systems and limits. Hope the cat does well.

Who said I wasn't an animal lover? I'm a pretty big fan of my dog. I've had him for 8 years now, and it's definitely going to be hard to let him go whenever that happens. I also never implied that people shouldn't enjoy themselves - not once. If I thought that, then I wouldn't have my dog in the first place.

 

I simply said that pets are animals and I don't necessarily have the same view on going to any kind of added means to extend life as I do with humans. Still, I wasn't telling anyone what they should do in any given situation - just giving my thoughts. I understand that you don't agree with them, and that's great. That's your right, just like it's my right to express those thoughts. Anyway, you made it perfectly clear that you don't agree with me, True Blue, and as far as freedom of speech goes, I'll be sure to check with you the next time I think I might want to exercise it. You seem to know all the ins and outs of it, and you've got all the answers...so if you don't mind, I'll run everything by you first, boss. Thanks.

 

You gave your opinion and I gave mine on what you said. End of story.

 

You never do mention all of the other situations that you bring this up in...just owners of sick pets, I guess.

Cincy,

 

Good luck with your cat. He or she is lucky to have an owner like you. Don't be too hard on the Colonel. I am a lifelong pet owner and lover, but to be honest I would not spend that kind of money every month for a pet. I have a friend that gave her dog chemo and another who gave her dog dialysis. I would never do that either. Both dogs died after they spent a small fortune. We all have our value systems and limits. Hope the cat does well.

 

Thank you BeechwoodFan. I was trying to not be hard on the Colonel. After all, I had some of the same thoughts myself. Which is why I ended up trying to tone down my initial response to him. However, I did feel (as TB&G did too) that this was not the time/place to debate how people spend their money, and what it might be best used for.

 

After getting a 2nd and 3rd opinion from different vets, I've found that the $70-80 insulin is the top of the line, that is the best out there for cats. However, unless he ultimately needs that particular type, I could get a much more reasonably priced variety that would be $20-30 instead. Shoot, we spend that much evertime the family goes out to eat.

 

But, the reason for the post wasn't to ask "Would you" or "Wouldn't you"...it was to try and find someone, anyone, that had gone through this. Was trying to find out the particulars with the shots, test strips, etc. I can read all day long on how things "should" go...but we all know that the real world doesn't always follow the book. That's the reason for the post.

Thank you BeechwoodFan. I was trying to not be hard on the Colonel. After all, I had some of the same thoughts myself. Which is why I ended up trying to tone down my initial response to him. However, I did feel (as TB&G did too) that this was not the time/place to debate how people spend their money, and what it might be best used for.

 

After getting a 2nd and 3rd opinion from different vets, I've found that the $70-80 insulin is the top of the line, that is the best out there for cats. However, unless he ultimately needs that particular type, I could get a much more reasonably priced variety that would be $20-30 instead. Shoot, we spend that much evertime the family goes out to eat.

 

But, the reason for the post wasn't to ask "Would you" or "Wouldn't you"...it was to try and find someone, anyone, that had gone through this. Was trying to find out the particulars with the shots, test strips, etc. I can read all day long on how things "should" go...but we all know that the real world doesn't always follow the book. That's the reason for the post.

 

I'm so glad that you found a reasonable solution for your cat's illness. :thumb: Have you had any luck on those message board links?

Cincy, I hope the medical problems will work out for your cat. We are also pet owner's and have spent money some other people may question. It's your cat, and he or she is a member of your family. You will know when it is time to stop. Best of luck to your family and your cat.

I have been a nurse for a very long time and know quite a bit about diabetes. Human blood sugar can be difficult to regulate. I would think any animal would be even more difficult. Do you have to check a cats blood sugar throughout the day?

I have been a nurse for a very long time and know quite a bit about diabetes. Human blood sugar can be difficult to regulate. I would think any animal would be even more difficult. Do you have to check a cats blood sugar throughout the day?

 

From what I've been told multiple times, each cat is different. I think ultimately is comes down to how the cat is fed. I've talked to some people that still put out a bowl, and let the cat eat however much it wants, whenever it wants. They give the shots once in the morning and again in the evening. And they very rarely do bloodtests. Now the cat may not have had any problems for two years...but should/could it be tracked/controlled better? Possibly.

 

I think what's going to happen to ours is that he'll be given a specific amount of food, at specific times. That way you can properly coincide the insulin with the spike in blood sugar. Don't know how often we'll end up giving the blood tests. I would think if the diet is controlled, it'll make it much easier. (Just a guess, but that may make it even easier than humans, since our food intake changes daily.)

I'm so glad that you found a reasonable solution for your cat's illness. :thumb: Have you had any luck on those message board links?

 

Yes, I've found some interesting information and tips. The real question will be, how applicable will they be to our situation. As I stated in the previous post, the thing that has been stressed to me over and over again, is that each cat is different...even within the same breed. Sometimes I wonder how these articles can talk about things in a specific sense, when there are so many variables. But, definitely some good resources to have handy just in case.

 

Thanks again TB&G!

Well, after deciding that we didn't want to part with a part of our "family" just yet, we decided to get our cat treated. He spent 3 1/2 days with the vet getting the keytones in his system flushed out, and his blood sugar brought down. The vet let him come home this afternoon after responding very well to the treatment.

 

Did his first insulin shot this evening, and have to say, while it wasn't perfect, it went relatively easily. Can only imagine it getting better as we become more accustomed to giving them.

 

And just a quick comment about some of those who doubted whether the "cost factor" would be worth it. I've gotten a whole lot more educated on this than I was a week or so ago. I know PepRock had given me a general answer in regards to how long a vial of insulin might last...but, here's where we stand right now. The doctor has him on four units per day (two in the morning, two in the evening). The insulin we are using has 100 units per milliliter...and the vial has 10 milliliters in it. So, basically 1,000 units per vial. And with using 4 units per day, a vial would last us 250 days! (A far cry from the 30 that I had expected!) So, if you take the $28 that the vial costs and divide it over 250 days...you're looking at about 11-cents a day. Which means, for me, even if the doctor has to eventually double or triple the dosage at some point in time, the cost factor will not be a prohibitive one in making that decision.