Pets with diabetes
Diane's pet, Blue Max, is a Russian Blue mix. Max came to live with Diane when he was about five months old in January of 1992. It was only four months since Diane's previous cat, Dustie, had died, and she said, "No more pets!" But her goddaughter's father had a coworker whose cat just had kittens, and he said, "Just see what you think." Max was brought to the house on a Saturday night. By Sunday, Max had a name and on Tuesday Diane took him to the vet for an initial check-up, but it was another week before she acknowledged that Max was here to stay.
Even as a kitten Max was bigger than Dustie had ever been. At that initial checkup, the vet predicted an 11 pound adult. This is partly due to the Russian Blue in Max's background, as Russian Blues tend to be large and have a lot of muscle mass. Several years later when Max tipped the scales at 18+ pounds, the vet said he was too big. Like most of us in middle age, Max had "love handles" and a "spare tire" around his middle that was obviously unnecessary fat. Max went on a diet and lost almost half of himself.
But it was too little too late. In July of 2003, Max was not acting normal although he displayed no specific symptoms other than an increased thirst. This is one early sign of diabetes. Max spent a week in the hospital and almost did not recover. Once diabetes was diagnosed, before insulin treatment could start, he had to eat and he wouldn't. Finally coaxed to eat real cooked chicken, it was enough to start insulin treatment. After several days, he recovered just enough to come home. The bill for the week was several hundred dollars.
Now Max gets a specific amount of food at specific times and absolutely no more, and he gets no treats ever. He's hungry all the time. Diane hates being the sugar police and would like to give him a nibble to eat more than twice a day. Once he has eaten a specific amount of food, he is given an insulin injection. Cats are harder than dogs to regulate the appropriate amount of insulin and it's been a struggle. His glucose levels are still not where they should be.
Max is used to living with Diane and only Diane and is prone to hissing and growling with strangers if his mama is not around. This includes the regular cat-sitter who has a dog with diabetes herself. While she is willing to give Max a shot, she is not willing for him to be aggressive with her or hide and not get the insulin he needs. So, when Diane is out of town, Max is boarded in a cage at the vets, which they both hate. And Max hisses and growls and attacks his carers, so they are reluctant to give him any attention other than food and medicine. Max needs to have blood drawn at regular intervals to check his glucose levels. Being used to Diane and only Diane, he's not cooperative to have this happen. He needs to be sedated, or Diane has to come and help hold him. Diane says, "In all fairness, if I were being restrained by three giants while someone drew blood out of my neck, I wouldn't be happy, either."
For a free cat, Max has turned into a high-maintenance pet. The medicine and supplies, boarding, testing are all very expensive. Being in a cage and all the testing are not fun. This might have all been avoided if Max had not been allowed to get or stay overweight in the first place.
Having a pet in one's life is a life-long commitment. Dogs, cats, and other animals such as guinea pigs can become diabetic. Diabetes occurs in about one of every 400-500 dogs and cats. Most cats are over 6 years old; 75% are between 8-13. Most dogs are between 7-9 years old. Obese cats and dogs are at risk for developing diabetes. Cats over 15 pounds are at high risk.
The Pets with Diabetes website gives information on diabetes, common symptoms, causes, treatment and support from other diabetic pet owners.
Select the cat button to go to the Pets with Diabetes website.
