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. -- Piggy's Pad

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Date Posted: 8:19:56 am, Thu, 01/17/08
Author: Denise
Subject: 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.
In reply to: Sandy 's message, "Chicory spent all day yesterday at the vet's office so they could do a glucose curve on him. Turns out that his insulin needs to be decreased since his blood levels were dropping too low. The vet says it's possible that his pancreas is kick-starting itself since Ken caught this so quickly. Chicory has gained weight, is walking normally again and the size of his pee clumps is back to normal. He still looks a bit frail but I think that's more due to the fact that he's over 17 years old and not the diabetes. The lower insulin dose started this morning and he'll go back for another test next Wednesday so I'd appreciate any good thoughts you could send his way." on 6:46:07 am, Thu, 01/17/08

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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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