Cat question - Diabetes?

djd

My cat, Simon, is 14 years old.  He's always been a "big boy" (think Garfield, round and lazy!).

Over the last few months, he's slimmed down a bit, but nothing too alarming.  Now I notice that he drinks a ton of water and urinates a lot more.

Dr. Google points to diabetes or kidney failure.  He doesn't seem to be in any distress, is still as active as he's ever been, and his appetite hasn't changed.

Anyhoo, I will take him to the vet tomorrow, but I am just wondering what kind of treatment we can expect.   Anyone out there gone down this road?

Thanks in advance - I can always count on my cyber-sisters for practical advice.

Marple

Well, I know squat about cats (dog person) but if more water goes in, then more water comes out.  The ? is why?  A blood test will tell the tale.  My sister had a diabetic cat who did quite well for a few years.  Good luck at the vet tomorrow.

Anonymous

Donna, our Gizmo had diabetes.  He was also a fatty.  I can't even remember how we found out.  Anyway, I gave him insulin shots once a day.  I don't think we ever really had good control over his insulin level because of what he ate.  We had more than one cat.  We had to put him to sleep because of cancer..not diabetes.  Also, the vet that I used like the insulin that came from animals or something like that.  It wasn't the one we would use.  However, that is probably what most vets use.  We had to order ours and they shipped it in dry ice.  BTW, the shots were not bad to give.  And I thought I could never do it.  Good luck with your kitty.

Shirley

djd

Thanks, Shirley.  I have been reading about it online - can you believe there is a website called "felinediabetes.com"?

It sounds like a treatable disease, but requires a lot of work.  I can handle it, but my dad will not be pleased if he has to start giving Simon shots while I am on the road!   He's a big wuss when it comes to stuff like that, but my mom certainly can't do it - the least little scratch or bite from a cat always leads to serious infection for her!

celia088

Donna, my 18 year old cat also is fat and rotund. As he has aged he does pee a lot more and drink a lot more water.  Same thing goes for my 12 year old cat.  I have him (both of them) checked annually and have the vet do a senior blood panel and so far it has shown no diabetes and no kidney disease.  It could be that because Simon is aging, those functions increase, so his kidneys may be normal for his age.  On the other hand, those could be signs of diabetes, so it is a good idea to have him checked.  I would have them do a senior blood panel to check everything.  Good luck to Simon!!

celia 

djd

Thanks, Celia!  It is encouraging to know that it isn't necessarily diabetes!

coonie

aawwwhhh!  I have two dogs, so don't know much about cat health, but I will be praying for Simon that everything is A-OK!!!  Pets are so special !!!!

djd

Thanks for the kind thoughts, Lisa.  Furbabies are indeed a blessing!

AnneW

I've got a huge, Garfeild-type boy, and I'm sure he'll be diabetic one day, sooner rather than later. He's 6 years old, and about 25 pounds. He's a big boy--part Maine Coon--so an ideal weight for him would be 17 pounds or so.

He lives to eat. You can set the clock by him. I have to ration his food, and feed the other cat (a nibbler) in a different place, but big Murphy can still get to it...The vet just gives me the evil eye. I've cut this cat's calories way down, and he still gets fat (sounds like some people I know!)

But, for now he's healthy. And I know what's coming, if the mountain critters don't get him first...

Anne

nosurrender

Donna,

I had a full-figured calico cat that was pre-diabetic. The vet told me she needed exercise or I would wind up having to give her shots. I bought her a leash and walked her... it was hard to get her to do it but she finally got used to it and enjoyed the walks. The little bit of exercise she got turned her around and her blood went back to normal again.

She did have thyroid problems and had to take thyroid meds and she drank a lot of water then.

I hope Simon is ok.

g

Anonymous

My calico, Ginger, had been somewhat overweight until she was about 9 years old when she started to lose weight, drink more and pee more. She was diagnosed as diabetic and put on a special Science Diet made specifically for diabetic cats. I also had to inject her with insulin twice a day. After the first week, it was a piece-of-cake and became just part of our lives. The insulin and syringes were inexpensive and the food wasn't too costly either. She gained weight (too much!) and lived another 6-7 years.

Simon will be fine, Donna, even if he is diabetic.

~Marin

coonie

Donna----just checking on Simon. Did you take him to the vet? Hope everything is ok.

djd

Quick update:  I took Simon to the vet.  He has lost 2.5 pounds (down to 15 from 17.5 in July) which is a little worrisome.  They did an x-ray of his abdomen but it was clean (vet thought she felt an obstruction) and now I am waiting for the blood work results.   I'll definitelty come back with an update when I know the results this afternoon.

djd

Well the verdict is in.  Simon's bloodwork is EXCELLENT!  The vet was shocked how great the test results are.  His glucose was more normal than most cats she tests, and not anywhere near high-normal.  And the rest of the panel was just as good, especially for his age!

Phew!  This cat has a history every few years of doing something weird that causes me to go dump a wad of cash at the vet, but always with the same results - excellent bloodwork and no indication of anything bad going on.   Go figure...I'll just count my blessings instead of looking at my bank account, I guess!

coonie

Hooray for Simon!! Maybe you can give him a little tuna tonight to celebrate

djd

Haha Lisa - How did you guess?  He's actually not a tuna fan, but I gave him wet food late last nite and twice today instead of the morning only serving! 

crazy4carrots

Donna:

I bet all us cat lovers have been watching this thread, hoping for good news -- and I'm sure we're all very relieved for you -- and for Simon, too!

I've heard it's usual for aged pets to lose a little weight (I know my previous cats all did), so Simon's just behaving the way he should.

Now you'll really be able to enjoy Thanksgiving.  Happy, happy!

Linda

celia088

Donna, i had a strong feeling that Simon COULD be ok since i have a healthy 18 yr old fatty boy (17 lbs) who pees and drinks a lot.  Like Simon, he is also in super good health...no diabetes.  But we also have the occasional health freakout.  This summer Zeebie jumped down from something (we think) and apparently injured his spine--couldn't lift his tail and pee and was making weird noises of pain.  He got rushed to the pet ER, was kept overnite and he had x-rays, an echocardiogram, and other stuff  because they thought he threw a blood clot and was going to be paralyzed.  All tests came out good and with pain meds he was much better by the next day.  We spent the whole federal rebate on this.  A month later he was seen by a veterinary cardiologist ($$) who said Zeebie was in great shape.  He is now on an aspirin regimen to prevent any clots from forming, but we are in the poor house.  Very happy that my little soulmate is healthy tho.

 Really glad to hear that Simon is good!!!

celia xo