Pet problems: Cat diagnosis
Posted on September 13, 2008 10 Comments
Owning a pet can do a lot of great things for a gal. There’s the fabulous companionship, the rewarding feeling that you’re actually, you know, taking care of something that’s alive and well, and all the doggie ladies know that a cool dog can serve as the perfect conversation piece. But there’s a downside to pet ownership that’s more significant than just cleaning the litterbox or having to go home early for a late-night walk: the cost it takes to actually have a pet.
Those of you who read often know that I currently have two pets: a cat, Nala, and a turtle, Betsy (after designer Betsy Johnson… I was really into pink clothes for a while). I sort of inherited the beast of a turtle while in college, but sweet Nala’s all mine. She sleeps with me at night, wakes me up for work in the morning and always lets me know she’s around – whether with a loud, comical purr or a loud, significantly less comical MEOW. A beautiful little calico, Nala was a shelter cat when we got her; we’ve had her for five great years (she’s 10 now).
Recently I started noticing Nala was drinking way more, using her litterbox way more and just acting out of sorts. We took her to the vet on Saturday. On Monday, after more than $250 worth of testing, the vet dropped the bomb: Nala has diabetes.
$60 more to confirm the prognosis, and here we are. It’s Friday night, and B and I are at home, staring at prescriptions for insulin and syringes, talking about expensive special food and testing equipment, and our schedules. How will we manage to give her two shots per day, 12 hours apart? How much will this cost? How did ths happen? Where do we go from here?
Pet ownership is a challenge, and one that’s easy to categorize as fun or a test of responsibility for future parents. Celebrities often tote pets around red carpets in handbags, like the latest accessory (see Britney, Paris). But the reality is, these are living things that need care and require time and commitment. Nala’s diagnosis is good reminder of that.
We’re going to try to regulate the diabetes, but I’m pretty sure it will not be fun. Luckily for me there are a host of free resources online to help navigate the process. If only the treatment was free, too.
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September 13th, 2008 @ 1:12 pm
Hi BB – I had a cat for over 15 years, and we dealt with health issues too. I was giving him IV’s every night, medications, whatever he needed to make him healthy. I have friends whose dogs have had chemo, or back surgery. Lots of energy, time and expense. My 6 yr old dog is healthy, but I’m sure there will be issues as she gets older.
Why do we do all this? Because we love them.
September 13th, 2008 @ 2:25 pm
I wish you the best with care for Nala. I owned two cats, one is still alive but after 16 years and living with an FIV+ diagnosis for 8 years and thyroid condition she finally succumbed. I would definitely do research on food. I did for my dogs and I found that there is so much unneeded ingredientsin pet food that bring on or worsen conditions such as diabetes that I went with a organic food from a company called “Call of the Wild” and “Solid Gold”. If you can find a holistic vet they maybe able to help you decrease the amount of medicine needed. Just a thought. Good luck – I will pray it turns out well for both of you.
September 13th, 2008 @ 6:47 pm
Just added the pic…that’s her, my little Nala. We learned how to give shots today; I’m dreading actually having to give them to her tonight. I hope it goes OK. Send good kitty thought my way.
September 14th, 2008 @ 12:43 am
ohmygosh! i read your blog all the time but i felt i needed to comment! last year my vet told me i needed to make sure my cat maintained a healthy weight since he was becoming a lil porker and could be pre-diabetic (he’s only 2 yrs old now). we switched both our cats from “free for all” dry food (full of sugar products) to scheduled feedings of grain free wet food (wellness). so of course i went crazy all over the internet doing research and found some great sites, including this one:
tho it was a bit of challenge to switch one cat to wet food!
http://www.catinfo.org/
they’re both doing quite well now
there are lots of resources out there and hopefully you and your vet will be able to reverse the condition or at least control it better! good luck!
September 15th, 2008 @ 12:54 pm
I have a beautiful kitty – he is 3 and mix Russian blue with gray tabby. He is the most beautiful creature and I love him to death (I adopted him 5 months ago) I would do anything for him.
Have you looked in to pet insurance? It might sound weird but it is pretty affordable.
September 20th, 2008 @ 4:24 pm
A few words of encouragement…My Mom’s 18-year-old-plus Siamese cat Sylvestor came to live with me when my Mom died and my Dad couldn’t keep up with the insulin shots. Silly was a wonderful cat and was very special to me. As for his diabetes, it was not much of a problem. He got insulin twice a day and was on Science Diet Senior Formula, dry food. I left fresh food out for him at all times and whenever he got his shots, I gave him just a dab of canned cat food that he really liked. It got to the point that he would come looking for me when insulin time came, because he loved the little bite of canned food so. His diabetes was very stable, although I certainly kept an eye on his water intake and the state of the cat pan!
He lived with me for about 5 years until his death and in that time he had 2 episodes where he landed in the vet hospital with low blood sugar, but he responded both times very quickly. The main thing to remember is: if your cat doesn’t eat, DO NOT GIVE HIM INSULIN! If you notice that he isn’t eating normally, contact your vet before your give him insulin. Silly was such a loving cat, I really miss him some days. His end came when he got to the point that he ate very little for 2-3 days, so I withheld his insulin. By this time, he was well over 20 years old and the time had come. My daughter and I took him to the vet and I had him put to sleep. Silly was so special that I certainly didn’t want him to be suffering. Now he is in Heaven with my Mom. P. S. I now have a Siamese that I got at the Humane Society, her name is also Nala…
September 24th, 2008 @ 4:36 am
Thanks everybody. You’ve been a huge help! I honestly had no idea how much care and love people give to their pets every day. You guys rock.
September 25th, 2008 @ 1:50 am
I wish you all the best with Nala and that she has a happy healthy long life. Pet ownership is a huge responsibility and a lifelong commitment. She’s lucky to have you.
September 29th, 2008 @ 9:38 am
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October 2nd, 2008 @ 3:27 pm
Good luck with Nala. It sounds like you are a great pet owner and she is lucky to have you.