If you are one of those pet owners who have been approached by their veterinarian regarding diabetes in their cat, don't jump the ship yet, there is some good news you might want to read about. Diabetic cat owners will be happy to know that their beloved pet may still enjoy a long and fruitful life, despite the unfortunate news of being afflicted by diabetes. What does diabetes mean to you as a pet owner? Well, for the most part, it will just mean drawing some more of your personal time to care for your pet.
One of the tasks, which diabetic pet owners will need to spend some time in, is taking their cat to the veterinarian on a regular basis. Sugar levels in the blood need to be monitored constantly in order to make sure you are providing your pet with the proper dosage of insulin. Any irregularities in the diagnosis will allow the doctor to reduce or increment the amount of insulin you are giving your cat. The pattern of visits to the veterinarian will usually be every two or three months apart. It is important that your pet is not fed for at least twelve hours prior to every visit. Unlike human beings, sugar levels on a cat cannot be easily monitored at home. To begin with, blood must be extracted, a procedure which your pet will be in total disagreement. The blood must then be analyzed with special equipment most of us don't have at home.
Caring for a diabetic cat at home will consist of providing the cat with the adequate amount of insulin as prescribed by the veterinarian. Dosage will usually take place twice a day. The amount administered will vary according to the amount sugar in the blood, and will be indicated by the veterinarian after every visit. In order to reduce the stress of this routine, it is a good idea to work on a daily schedule. For example, providing your cat with insulin in the morning when you wake up every day will create a habit that is less likely for you to forget, like having breakfast or brushing your teeth. The second dosage, which needs to be at least twelve hours apart, could be when the kids get back from school, or before you go to bed at night.
Insulin is administered to your pet in the form of injections. Don't be afraid to ask the veterinarian for some training on how to do this. Injecting your cat will need some practice. You will need to learn what are the best spots to inject the needle, how far in you need to go and how fast to release the liquid. Performing the injection process well, will not only give you more confidence, but reduce the stress on the cat as well, who will learn to trust you with the needle.
Another aspect of caring for a diabetic cat is stocking the right amount of supplies. Be mindful of the amount of insulin in your possession, avoid running out completely. Remember to keep alcohol, cotton and syringes available. Nobody can deny that these things cost money. A box of one hundred syringes may cost up to $35 dollars, while insulin vials may run around $85. Take this into account when planning your schedule and make sure to include your pet's medical expenses into your personal budget. Last but not least, remember this is a labor of love. It requires a lot of personal time and patience to care for a diabetic pet. With proper care, your diabetic cat can enjoy a healthy and happy life for years to come.
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