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Sunday, May 17, 01:35:19 PM

[ Login ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, 2, 3, [4], 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 ]

• What makes it scarier with cats is that they can get to a point they don't need insulin (honeymooning) and if not caught (why lots of people test at home) then they go too low and go into coma and die. High blood sugar makes them feel blah and tired but the damage to the body is slow but low blood sugar kills. Make sure Ken keeps some white corn syrup around and if he see Chic acting drunk, staggering, tipping...better to rub some syrup on the gums and be safe. This is hard in cats to spot cause they don't move around as much as dogs. Once Bogie did this, I called the dogs to go outside and he got up, staggered, st down, looked at his legs, tried again and then tried to move fast like he could outrun the feeling. After sugar is used then they also need some food to keep the sugar up. If he ever chooses to home test, go to the cat board and look in the Supply Closet, people give them away to help others. (NT) -- Denise, 8:19:56 am, Thu, 01/17/08
  • I do have a question Denise...it's about diabetics....I'm assuming I know the answer, but here it goes anyway...my Dad is diabetic and really does fairly well managing his sugar levels..until the summer..then he tries to do too much and his sugar dips way low....he knows it because of being confused and the staggering...I know this is bad for him, but try telling him this...but then he will get something to eat and drink and bring it back up...any idea what exactly he is doing to himself each time he pulls this stunt?? Thanks... (NT) -- Kate, 9:35:25 am, Thu, 01/17/08
    • PS...he is not on insulin, he takes the sugar pills....he is one of the few people that I know of that had to go on insulin and was able to work himself back off..... (NT) -- Kate, 9:36:25 am, Thu, 01/17/08
  • I don't think Ken's ready yet to try the home testing, although our vet has discussed how he can use the ear vein to take a blood sample. But Ken's too afraid yet. Also, the day we bought the syringes at the pharmacy, we also picked up some fresh honey for Ken to keep on hand........and he's used it once on Chicory when he thought he was acting a bit funny. The big problem is ----- Chicory is so darn mellow and at his age, he sleeps most of the time. Chicory doesn't even react when they take blood from him. And, I don't know if you remember me mentioning this but it was Chicory's staggering that made me tell Ken to take him to the vet. He was really out of control in his rear legs. But that's all normal now and he's walking like he should. (NT) -- Sandy, 10:41:28 am, Thu, 01/17/08
    • I suppose I could learn how to test him but it would be next to impossible for me to make it over to Ken's house every day between 7 and 8 a.m. Ken doesn't live that far away but the timing is so bad for all of us. Besides, Chicory is HIS cat so it's best that Ken learns...........if he opts to try and test at home. I haven't posted on the board yet but have been doing lots of reading, registered at the board and have looked through the Closet. I'm amazed at how giving and open the people are there. Just a really great group of people. Anyway.......back to Chicory. Ken gets him up at 7:45 give or take, feeds him (which can be a struggle) gives him his insulin and then Chicory goes back to bed and curls up on Ken's pillow. And Sleeps. And sleeps. What a life, huh? (NT) -- Sandy, 10:47:02 am, Thu, 01/17/08

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• Sandy, sounds like Chicory is doing well....I'm so glad!!
  This is really and eye opener for me too...Luckily niether Maggie or Josie are diabetic, but there is always that chance it will happen as they are both aging. So, I'm learning right along with you guys from your posts and what Denise is able to help with.... (NT) -- Kate, 9:21:23 am, Thu, 01/17/08
  • In most cases the low blood sugar causes confusion, the brain isn't getting enough sugar. If glucose drops even more then the liver will release glycogen to raise sugar to keep the body from coma but it can only do so much. Low sugar temporarily effects the brain but sustained low blood sugar can effect the brain permanantly. Seizures. come, death. I'm sure he knows what he needs to eat when he gets low. Many people drink OJ and eat a piece of bread, the OJ is fast and the (better being whole grain bread) will last awhile, adding protein makes it stay up longer too. (NT) -- Denise, 10:51:28 am, Thu, 01/17/08
    • Thanks D....he seems to be able to bring it up pretty well when it happens...but I'm sure it's not good to have it happen too frequently....
      actually now, he has slowed down so much since November, that I'm not seeing this problem arise too much this summer....I just don't think he will be capable of doing too much this year like last year..he has really slowed down since November....it's amazing how much in just a few short months.... (NT) -- Kate, 11:22:37 am, Thu, 01/17/08

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• So glad to hear Chicory is doing better!! (NT) -- VikiKat, 8:41:46 pm, Thu, 01/17/08
  • I was always glad I had a diabetic dog instead of a cat cause I couldn't imagine injections and testing but my sister, for one, had just as easy a time as I did. If Chic takes the shots OK he probably won't mind testing, the newer lancets are so tiny. My sister never once failed to get blood from the ear even without warming it. I could never get Bogie's ear to bleed so that's why we use his inner lip. ANY info that can be gathered about how daily glucose numbers go is very helpful. I'm not sure what that curve at the vets cost but fructosamine tests are cheaper, it's one test and the cat doesn't have to stay all day. Curves aren't real accurate when an animal gets stressed, glucose usually goes higher than normal but some animals it actually gets lower when stressed so that's why lots of cat people depend on fruc tests. I'm sure his frailness is mostly due to age, old cats get that deflated look in the hip area. (NT) -- D, 5:58:45 am, Fri, 01/18/08