Diabetes and older cats

[yngwie]

My big white DSH cat was diagnosed with diabetes in January of 1996. He was 9.5 years old at the time and the diabetes wasn't "caught early" as they say.

I give him an 'no-brainer' injection twice a day (at the same time that I feed him) and other than that, I don't have to do much else for him for his condition.

It's been 7 years (he's 16.5 now) and is doing just fine. He hasn't had a single health problem since that time.

It was shocking to read that a vet recommended putting down a cat because of the onset of diabetes! *Go to a different vet*

[jenluckenbach]

welcome to yngwie. I am so glad that your diabetic cat is doing so well. Mine did not fair quite so well. I too find it hard to believe that a vet would suggest euthanasia for this highly controlable condition.

can't wait to hear mor about this wonderful big white DSH cat, senior citizen

[tatsxxx11]

My Mr. B was diagnosed in January 2003 and is not only doing great, but apparently is one of those rare kitties (about 3% of the feline diabetic population) that actually becomes "non-diabetic" on their own! He was very ill with a blood sugar of almost 700 when he was initially diagnosed. Now after a 2 month course of insulin therapy (progessively lower doses) and a diet of Rx feline diabetic food, he is now completely insulin free; treated by diet alone! I shudder to think that my beloved Mr. B would have been deemed "untreatable" after that first visit and diagnosis.