Cat diabetes - not getting any better

[HannaSong]

Just wondered if anyone has a diabetic cat and how quickly the treatment worked for them? And if it went away at all?

My 14yo male cat was diagnosed with diabetes 2.5 months ago. We've been taking him to the vet every two weeks for blood curves and had has dose upped each time, his glucose is still "off the charts" and although the insulin is bringing it down its still way too high. I understand these things can take time but I'm really concerned about his quality of life atm.

He comes from a feral mother and has always been very nervous around people and has always spent 90% of his time outside. Since he's become unwell he is very lethargic, he begs for food constantly. He's also become a bit aggressive around food, trying to steal it from our plates. He drinks so much. He is unkept, he hardly grooms anymore and he smells terrible. He just spends all day inside, he doesn't even sleep much, just lies around waiting to see if we go in the kitchen.

If anything he seems to be getting worse, he started vomiting a few days ago and the vet says it could be the treatment or could be a bug. Then today (sorry for horrible description...) we noticed something sticking out his anus, we gently pulled and a full size sandwich type bag came out. I assume he ate it as it had some food in. Also probably explains the vomiting.

The vet trips are terrifying for him, he wets himself each time. I just don't want to keep doing this for months on end, he is so miserable, he cries at as constantly. He has always been such a energetic outdoor loving cat seeing him like this is terrible :(

I guess I'm hoping that someone will say their cat was in a similar position and made a full recovery and that it didn't take ages

My cat was diagnosed in sept with diabetes. We bought a glucose monitor and did the curves at home. (This isn’t very easy or nice, but doable)

His levels would be almost right, then shot off again. He was thirsty all the time. I’m afraid we made the decision to PTS a few days before Christmas. He wasn’t getting better and his pancreas had started to fail.

I’m sorry for your kitty. I know people who’s cats have responded well to insulin and they’ve lived a normal life. It does happen.

How much insulin is he having now?

What are you feeding him? Ideally he should be having high protein wet food only and at regular meal times, nothing else at all. If he goes out it's problematic because you won't know what else he's eating.

We also did glucose curves at home for our old girl. The stress off the vets can put the readings higher.
I do know someone who had a diabetic cat who didn't respond to Caninsulin which I think is the most frequently used insulin. They did find one he responded to.
Our cat also had IBD which meant insulin requirements changed regularly. Luckily we had the most wonderful vet who helped us a lot!

If the insulin is bringing the levels down, the cat can’t be resistant to it. Apparently getting a cat insulin dose correct is hard, dogs are easier.

My vet said it’s the worst diagnosis to give. She said cancer is easier to treat than feline diabetes. Due to the unpredictable nature of cats.

thanks for the replys

Dobby - Sorry about your cat :( He is currently on 5u of Prozinc twice a day. Its been increased by half at each appointment.

vivvat - we switched to the protein only wet food diet as soon as he was diagnosed. He was on a mixed diet before.

I don't know the exact numbers of anything - I felt a bit overwhelmed by it all a first but will ask to see them the next time. I know at his last curve his low was 17, which I think is still very high?

My cat was on cansuilin. He had 6units a day.

I think the dip in the glucose curve is meant to be 4-12. So if it’s 17 that isn’t too way off. We’d had highs of 40.

So do you feed, then immediately give insulin. Then wait 12 hrs for the next feed/insulin dose?

We did the curves but it was really stressful trying to get the prick in his ear every 2 hrs. The monitor clicks as the needle pops out and he knew that meant a prick.

My cat was on a prescription dry food for another illness. But the vet said not to worry about food, because they adjust the dose to the cat and it’s lifestyle.

Sounds like the clinical signs of diabetes are there though. What does the vet think? Can you have a frank discussion? I changed vets and found a fabulous vet who was really dedicated. We had some very honest conversations and she rang me regularly to see how he was.

With the doses. We increased every 7-8 days because that’s how long it takes to get used to the change in insulin. We did go up by one unit a time, then by half, but that was quickly as he’d been with a different vet who hadn’t changed the dose in a month.

Yes, 17 does sound high. I have forgotten exact numbers but I think the aim for the nadir was 5-10 (around 4-6 hours after giving the insulin). Not long before our girl was PTS some lower optimal numbers were mentioned but I forget the exact details now.
I'm guessing he's had tests to check nothing else is wrong? You could ask the vet if there's something else you could try insulin wise.
Have they done fructosamine tests? That shows how well the diabetes has been controlled over past few weeks (3 weeks I think). I do think trying a curve at home is worthwhile too-they vet or nurse can show you what to do. It is pretty straightforward once you've got the idea.

Frutosamine tests are so ££. I think I was paying £75 and they said they weren’t as accurate as glucose curves. But stress will release glucagon so they are better at home. Our monitor cost £96 from VetUK.

Home monitor - alphatrak starter kit is what you should look at and then buy supplies ongoing for it as needed. Home testing is much more accurate than in the clinic as it removes much of the stress on the patient. Prozinc is the best insulin for cats in most circumstances and important to combine this with a specific diabetic diet food. Check blood glucose levels every 2 hours over a 12 hour period and then adjust insulin doses according to vet advice from these. These bloods are best done every 5-7 days and adjust then rather than every 2 weeks.
Occasionally cats go into diabetic remission so monitor carefully for overdose once more stable. (Can use home monitor to check levels if worried going low too). Ideal levels to reach are 4-7mmol/l at some point in the day. Below 4 is too low and you need vet advice urgently.

Thanks again for the help.

He's not been tested for anything else (just normal blood tests which came back okay apart from the glucose) we also found out he had quite a bad heart murmur but I don't think they are related at all.

I think he had a Frutosamine test (I remember the vet mentioning something about checking how it's been affecting him over the past few weeks so could be that)

I did read about home monitoring when he was first diagnosed so I'll do a bit more research on that - if it means I don't have to take him to the vet as often I think that will help him fell a bit happier!

Home monitoring is perfectly doable. Also once you’ve got the kit you don’t have to pay the vet to do it.

Can the vet advise you on how to help him to be more comfortable. Doesn’t sound like a happy life for him. Can they do anything else to make him feel better?

Really hope things improve for you both.