The Diabetic Cat

Butch was a huge, heavily muscled cat.  He didn’t walk, he “lumpfed”.  I’m sure that isn’t a word, but it should be.  He had the sweetest temperament and he was diabetic.  When I first met Butch his owner explained the routine, demonstrated the insulin dosage and asked me if I had any questions. 

“Yes”, I said, “will your cat door be closed while you are away?”

No, the cat door would stay open.  The owner explained that the kitties enjoyed spending time in the yard and they were quite safe. 

“But, what if he is not in when I come?  How will I be able to give him his insulin shot?”

 The owner told me not to worry.  If Butch wasn’t in the house I should just stick my head out the door and call, “Butch, it’s time for your shot.”  Right, I thought, and I envisioned extra time added to every visit as I searched for the cat.

The first visit…no problem.  Butch was in the house, sitting on the rug as if he were waiting for his meds.  The second visit…no Butch.  I looked all over the house, the worry building as each hiding place was empty.  I felt foolish as I stuck out the door and called, “Butch, it’s time for your shot.”  And then I went back to searching for the kitty.  In less than a minute, I heard the cat door swing open and shut.  When I reached the kitchen, Butch was sitting on his rug, waiting for his meds. 

I cared for Butch, on and off,  for several years when his owners would vacation.  I was always surprised that he would come when called, every time.  I was also surprised by how well he lived, and for how long, despite having diabetes.

If your cat is diagnosed with diabetes your first step will be to work with your vet to stabilize his condition by getting his insulin dosage correct.  This may take a little while, but don’t despair; once you get the right dosage the kitty will do well.  It is important to follow the vet’s instructions concerning food and care.  It is equally important to watch for changes in weight and behavior and report them to your vet.  Periodically, the dosage may change.

There are alternative treatments for diabetic pets, but I would not try any of them without the approval of your veterinarian.  Some changes in food or added supplements may help support the treatment your vet prescribes but you must make certain that they are not interfering with the treatment already being given.  If you are interested in natural supplements for diabetes treatment, you may want to read The Natural Cat by Anitra Frasier and Dr. Pitcairn’s Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats by Richard H. Pitcairn, D.V.M, Ph.D. and Susan Hubble Pitcairn.  Remember, check with your vet before trying any supplements or alternative treatments.

Senior Moments

This is Black Cat.  He is somewhere between 17 years old and the grave.  He came into our lives 15 years ago by breaking through our locked cat door, eating our cats’ food and liberally spraying his scent.  We trapped him, had him neutered (showed him didn’t we?) and started to look for a permanent home for him.  We didn’t want to get too attached so we called him simply “the black cat.”   Since he was either feral, or a long time stray it was difficult to find a home that was suitable for him.  It took a year for him to approach us at all and then only if we fed him.  It took another year before he would sniff our fingers and tentatively rub his cheek against them.  By the third year he was acting like a normal cat, somewhat.  And sometime, between then and now, he became the loviest, snuggliest, bestest kitty you can imagine.  We tried to find another name for him when it was obvious he was our cat, or rather, we were his people.  By then, Black Cat was the only name that fit.

He has brought us so much joy in the past 15 years.  It is important to us to give him an old age that is filled with as much comfort as possible.  Besides taking him to the vet as required and needed, here are some additional steps we take to keep our old cat comfortable.

·         We feed him smaller meals more often.  He has kidney and thyroid issues.  Feeding him small amounts 3 to 5 times a day helps his digestion and keeps him satisfied.

·         We provide warm, snuggly beds for him which are easy to access.  As he has aged he has lost body mass and fat.  He needs a little extra help staying warm.

·         We have placed stepping stools by his favorite chairs so that he can still get to his favorite places despite his arthritic joints.

So far, he still seems to be getting around and enjoying himself.  One of the last steps we will have to consider is when it will be the right time to let him go.  We won’t want him to suffer unnecessarily just because it is hard to say goodbye.  Until then, we plan to enjoy every moment of our time together.  Thanks, Black Cat.

Got Cat Care? Hints for Booking Holiday Pet Care.

Are you going away for the holiday? Have you booked care for Fluffy and Puffy and LeRoy? Pet sitters book up solid for the holidays. You may have already waited too long to book the sitter of your choice. Here are some hints to help you find a cat sitter, even at this late date.

1. If you have a regular pet sitter call now! Many pet sitters reserve their holiday appointments for established clients only. If they have room, they will give your booking precedence.

2. Is your pet sitter booked? Ask if they have a waiting list and get your name on it in case there are cancellations. Go directly to number 3.

3. If you don't have a regular petsitter or your pet sitter is booked begin searching NOW! You can find recommendations from vets, friends or online. Your local pet store may have a bulletin board that will have flyers and business cards. Call as soon as possible. Call more than one. If the petsitter is booked ask to be added to their waiting list.

4. If the petsitter you contact is booked solid ask if they have any suggestions of pet sitters who serve your area. Many pet sitters network with other pet sitters and may have a trusted associate to which they refer business.

5. Consider a pet sitter who is relatively new to the business. They are more likely to have space available. If their pet sitting references are few, ask for personal references. Are they bonded and insured? That is one indication that they take their business seriously.

6. Book an interview with the prospective pet sitter. This will be the best indicator or whether you've found the best pet sitter for you. Make a list of questions and make sure they are answered to your satisfaction. Note what questions the pet sitter asks you. Are they thorough? Do they have a strong understanding of what is needed? Do they write things down? If you have any reasonable reservations (other than the normal reservations we all have when leaving our pets in someone else's care) do not book them and continue looking.

In a future post I will talk about what to look for in a pet sitter. Now get out there and start looking!