Caring For Your Diabetic Cat

If your cat has just been diagnosed with diabetes, you might be afraid of what the future holds for your beloved pet. The good news is that cats can live long, healthy lives after being diagnosed with diabetes. The trick is that you, as a pet owner, must be dedicated to caring for your cat. Diabetes is not a death sentence for pets. Following is information to help you understand what you need to do to help your diabetic cat.

Regular Medical Care: After your cat has been diagnosed with diabetes, it is imperative that you visit your veterinarian on a regular basis. Your cat will need regular examinations to check the blood sugar levels and to make sure that he or she is receiving the right amount of insulin. When your cat goes in for a check up, the vet will ask that you do not feed your cat for twelve hours prior to the check up. While your cat is at the check up, your veterinarian will draw blood and check blood sugar levels. People that have diabetes are able to check their blood sugar at home. Check with your veterinarian to see whether home testing for your cat is possible if you buy a glucose monitoring system. Your vet may or may not allow you to do this as it does have some risks involved. If you do not do the test properly, then the results could be inaccurate. Depending on your cat, it may be difficult to do it yourself. Regardless of whether you do home blood glucose tests or not, your veterinarian will probably ask that you bring your cat in every three months for this type of check up.

Getting your Cat Insulin: When your cat has diabetes, it is your responsibility to make sure that your cat receives the proper dose of insulin twice a day. The amount of insulin that your cat will need will vary according to your cat's individual condition. Most cats receive between three and five units of insulin two times per day. It is important that you establish a routine for your cat. Your cat needs to receive insulin every 12 hours. Most people that have diabetic cats give their cat an insulin shot at the same time every morning and at the same time every evening.

It is not difficult to learn to give your cat insulin injections. Your veterinarian will walk you through the process and then you can repeat this at home. Usually your veterinarian will recommend that you give your cat injections between the shoulder blades in the scruff of the neck. With patience and practice, your cat will barely feel the injections. In fact, most diabetic cats know when it is time to get their injection and they may actually remind you by meowing.

Stocking the Right Supplies: It is important that you have the right supplies on hand to help treat your diabetic cat. You will need a vial of insulin as prescribed by your veterinarian, syringes and alcohol swabs. It is always a good idea to order your insulin when you are about halfway empty. It may take a few days for your veterinarian to get your insulin in. Your veterinarian might also recommend getting your diabetic cat on vitamin supplements and starting him or her on a special prescription diet such as Science Diet W/D. You must be able to watch your cat immediately after he or she receives an injection. It is also a good idea to have phone numbers for your veterinarian and one or two 24-hour emergency vet clinics available to you at all times just in case your cat needs help.

Many people who own diabetic cats worry about the costs that this condition incurs. It certainly does cost money to take care of a diabetic cat. A vial of insulin will cost you approximately $85 and will last you about two months. A box of 100 Syringes will cost about $30 and will last you 50 days, as you should use a new syringe for each injection. Prescription food will cost you about $40 for a 20 pound bag. However, it is important to remember that your cat is a part of your family. Most pet owners do not hesitate spending this kind of money on their pets.

Patience and Love: Above of all, when you have a diabetic cat you need a lot of patience and a lot of love. It is not always easy to care for a sick or ailing cat. However, with the right care, you can expect your diabetic cat to have many more years of happy life.

Until next time,

Teia

PS. The above tips also apply to diabetic dogs. Because most dogs are larger than cats, the amount of insulin and food needed will be greater and therefore the cost will be higher.