Maintaining Your Diabetic Cat
It’s normal worrying about your favorite cat’s future if you recently learned that they have diabetes. This is even more so if your cat is your only companion in life. Whether you’re a retired pensioner or even an old fart, or not, you get more attached to pets. The good news is that cats that are diabetics can still enjoy long, healthy lives. The catch is that you, as a pet owner, must commit yourself to maintaining your diabetic cat as much as you can. With the right care, it is not necessary for pets with diabetes to die. You may learn more about what you should do to aid your diabetic cat by reading the information provided below.
Early treatment can cure it
With the right treatment, you might even be able to reverse the sickness if you identify it early enough. You can take several actions if your cat has diabetes. You may take care of their daily needs, learn how to administer insulin injections, and become knowledgeable about the warning symptoms of diabetic cats.
One such symptom is that your cat has changed in thirst, and even appetite. Also, the volume of urine your cat now produces are all signs that something is not quite right. Being thirstier than usual could be a sign that their blood glucose is not controlled as it should be. Should this take place, a trip to the vet is needed as soon as possible.
Regular medical attention for your diabetic cat
You must schedule routine veterinary visits once your cat has diabetes. To ensure that your cat is receiving the proper dosage of insulin and to check blood sugar levels, your cat will need routine and regular checks. When your cat visits the vet for a checkup, you are not to feed it for twelve hours before. Your veterinarian will take blood and test your cat’s blood sugar levels while it is being examined. Diabetes sufferers can check their blood sugar levels at home. Yet, with cats, this is not possible unless you get glucose monitoring equipment. This type of checkup will most likely need you to bring your cat in every three months. This period is established providing your cat is well-managed and no further problems are on the horizon.
Getting your diabetic cat insulin
If your cat has diabetes, you must ensure that it receives the correct dose of insulin twice a day. Depending on your cat’s condition, you may need a different dose of insulin. The majority of cats will take three to five units twice a day. Your cat needs a schedule that you must establish. Insulin doses for your cat must be spaced out by 12 hours. Most owners of diabetic cats administer their feline companions a shot each morning and evening at the same time.
It’s simple to learn how to administer these shots to your cat. Following a demonstration from your veterinarian, you can practice this at home. Most of the time, your veterinarian will tell you to provide shots to your cat between the shoulder blades in the scruff of the neck. Your cat won’t notice the shots at all with time and practice. Most diabetic cats are aware of when it is time to receive an injection, and they may meow to remind you.
Keeping the right materials for your diabetic cat on hand
If you want to help your diabetic cat, you need to keep the right supplies on hand. You will need an insulin vial, as recommended by your veterinarian, as well as syringes and alcohol swabs. Always order your insulin when you are about halfway through your supply. Ordering this from your veterinarian can take a few days. Your veterinarian may also suggest purchasing vitamin supplements for your diabetic cat. Also, giving him a specific prescription diet like Science Diet W/D. Additionally, it is a good idea to carry the phone numbers for your vet. Adding to that, at least two 24-hour emergency vet clinics with you at all times in case your cat needs help.
Diabetic cat owners worry about costs
There’s concern from many owners of diabetic cats about the expenses that come with this illness. The cost of maintaining your diabetic cat is undeniable. An insulin vial will cost you roughly $85 and last for about two months. You should use a fresh syringe for every injection. A package of 100 syringes will cost roughly $30 and last you 50 days. You should budget around $40 for a 20-pound bag of prescription food. Note that feeding your furry friend a diet rich in protein will help your cat’s body to reduce the amount of extra glucose it produces.
Companies that have such high-protein cat foods include Hills, Purina, and Royal Canin. Just like humans suffering from diabetes need to be careful what they eat, the same also applies to cats. It’s crucial to keep in mind that your cat is a member of your family. Most pet owners have no qualms about investing this type of money in their animals.
Your love and patience for your cat must not stop
When you have a diabetic cat, you need to have a lot of love and compassion for them. Taking care of an ill and injured cat is not always simple. Nobody said that maintaining your diabetic cat is easy, but with the correct treatment, you can expect your cat to live a happy and normal life.
Following the points listed above will help you keep your cat for many more years in which to enjoy each other. Remember that if you’re a retired pensioner, your cat might be your world to you. The same holds for your cat, as for it, you too are its world. When entering your Golden Years stage, your choice of pet will be an important one to make. So, for both of your sakes, don’t take it lightly. You must always take into consideration many factors, such as your finances, your health, your mobility, your available time to dedicate to your new pet, and many other things.
Should you need a helping hand when choosing your new companion, give animal shelters in your area a shout. In doing so, you’ll make the whole process as pleasant as can be, for everybody.
