Advice! Diabetic cat!...

RE: Advice! Diabetic cat!...

James Colver Cert. Ed, RVN — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 20:08:51 GMT

Also agree with what Sal says. I believe that ProZinc is usually the first choice for diabetic cats (longer acting than caninsulin so keeps the cat normoglycaemic for more of the day rather than having swings - this is really important for cats in order to avoid further damage to beta cells) - although both ProZinc and Caninsulin are licensed.

I think that glargine is not licensed over here so would be unable to use it under the cascade.

RE: Advice! Diabetic cat!...

James Colver Cert. Ed, RVN — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 20:02:33 GMT

Hi, it IS possible to get good control and still be realistic regarding expectations around work, finances etc :)

'Rigid adherence to a 12 hourly injectionschedule, although ideal, will be unachievablefor many owners. Allowing flexibility withdosing (12 h ± 2 h), and/or simply missing aninsulin injection when work or social commit-ments preclude dosing at the correct time, areacceptable compromises.'

Don't worry about being rigid with the food either, current thinking is that cats should be allowed to graze if they want to, or just keep the same routine as they normally would.

Also - why don't you do the curves at home..? Much more ideal - you would likely get more accurate readings that way!

Best thing you can do is read the ISFM guidelines. Good luck :) Maybe pussycat will even go into remission :)

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1098612X15571880

RE: Advice! Diabetic cat!...

Sal the 1st — Sun, 10 Nov 2019 21:24:33 GMT

lost my elderly diabetic cat earlier in the year. My working hours were a real PITA to be honest. I was doing 10.30 - 6,30 leaving for work just before 9 and getting back after 7. I did all my glucose curves at home. I just tried to get injections as close to 8am and 8pm as I could a few times the evening one was a bit late when I had to stay for an OOH at work or i didn't get home before I went to class but as I understand it the timing isn't as crucial with cats as it is with dogs.

I wouldn't say his glucose levels were fantastically controlled in spite of my best efforts but they were the best I could get them and he had the best life I could give him (he had liver issues was 15+ and was suspect for acromegaly - in other words a disaster in the making). A happy cat was very sad to lose him even though I had only had him for less than a year, but I knew when I took him on he only had a few months.

I will say trying to stabilise him on caninsulin twice a day was much harder than my previous cat years ago that was on the insuvet protamine zinc once a day. Not sure if the prozinc would be any better for you as it has a longer duration. I was using 100iu/ml protamine zinc on my previous cat and I had to be really on the ball in the early days but now there is access to 40iu/ml it might be useful/safer for you? Another to consider which again is a longer duration would be the Lantus glargine depending on how diabetic you cat is

I think sometimes its difficult in our job to get your head round not doing things exactly to the book but its all about finding something that works for both of you.

happy for you to pm me if you think it might be of use.

RE: Advice! Diabetic cat!...

madelinepikevn@aol.com — Sun, 10 Nov 2019 20:28:56 GMT

This is where we realise what it's like the other side of the table x

My darling boy was diabetic for the last 4 years of his life. He didn't have text book control or regime as I live alone and work erratic shifts and commutes ( anything from 6am leaves to 10pm homes and night shifts!)But we managed it and we both had a good quality of life.

It was hard to mentally come to terms with to begin as we all want gold standard for our pets and expect as nurses to get able to give it.

However accepting if had to fit around life and not to punish myself for it or feel guilty ie letting myself have that post work drink.... was really important to me/him / our bond.

You will find your way with it x