Calloway's eating!! update 12/2

**Medusa** · 11-19-2008, 11:41 AM

Oh darn it anyhow! I was hoping for better news but we'll deal w/what is. You'll learn how to do the injections w/out a hitch, Jen. If you can handle school kids, you can handle a silly needle. (I wouldn't be able to handle the school kids.) I never thought I'd be able to administer subQ treatments to Puddy either but after a while it became second nature to me. If it's any consolation, my mother was on insulin and later was able to go off the injections entirely. I don't know if the same thing can apply to cats but, as you say, we can hope, can't we? Hang in there and know that you and Calloway are never far from my thoughts and are always in my prayers. Keep the faythe.

**Moesha** · 11-19-2008, 03:23 PM

When Morgan was diagnosed with diabetes I thought my heart would stop, especially since this came only a couple of months after losing my dear Simone to congestive heart failure. Diabetes is a very treatable condition though. The insulin shots are not bad at all! I promise and I hate needles too. And there is NO BLOOD! The needles are so small that neither cat I've given shots to has acted like they even cared they got the shot. It is just given in the back of the neck. You don't have to find a vein or anything difficult like that. It is really not bad at all. It sounds much worse than it is. I think Morgan's highest reading was 380something when he was started on the insulin and diet change. It took awhile but the numbers slowly came down. I hope all turns out well for Calloway.

**GILL** · 11-19-2008, 03:33 PM

Well it's not hard to give the insulin. I am deathly afriad of needles, but giving a shot to someone else NO PROBLEM. The love of my life PATCHES had to have her shot every morning my wife or I did this for almost 16 years. Right now I am trying to control myself with diet, so I don't need the shots.
So I hope it all works out for you & Calloway.

**Medusa** · 11-19-2008, 03:44 PM

Yes, that's right; I forgot to mention that the needles are of such thin gauge that Calloway probably won't even notice. They're not at all like the heavy gauge needles that I had to use for Puddy's subQ's. We're w/ya, Jenn.

**Reachoutrescue** · 11-19-2008, 03:50 PM

Oh, Jenn, I am so sorry to hear this. You and Calloway will be in our prayers. Get better fellow...we are all pulling for you.

**Catlady711** · 11-19-2008, 06:41 PM

Sorry to hear Calloway's glucose went up. Hopefully they'll get the dose of insulin he needs narrowed down quickly and he'll be feeling better soon.

It's not that hard to give insulin shots. We've had MANY a client come in terrified of needles or giving shots, and a week or two later and they're old pro's at it and say it's not as big of a deal as they thought. You'll get the hang of it quickly, and get over your nervousness after a few times. Usually the vet will have you come in and give the shot there a couple times to make sure you can do it correctly and help if you have any questions.

**Emeraldgreen** · 11-19-2008, 11:33 PM

Oh gosh Jenn, I'm sorry to hear about Calloway's glucose level still being so high. Barney got the same results with his blood test today and was started on insulin too.

The vet gave him his first dose in front of me and I swear, he didn't even blink. The needle is so short and skinny. She showed me how to tent the skin between his shoulders and then gently slide the needle in. I'm not a needle person either but we can do this! LOL

I'm hoping that Calloway and maybe even Barney can be weaned off the insulin as Moesha's cat was. That gives me hope.

I hope he starts eating more soon. Maybe he will once his blood sugar evens out? Prayers and hugs for big beautiful Calloway.