Diabetic cats are a fact of life unfortunately. If your cat has just been diagnosed with diabetes, you might be afraid of what the future holds for your beloved pet. The good news is that diabetic cats can live long, healthy lives after being diagnosed with diabetes.
Let's dive right in.
How To Take Care Of Diabetic Cats
The trick is that you, as a pet owner, must be dedicated to care for your cat during his or her illness. Diabetes is not a death sentence for pets. Here is some information to help you understand what you need to do to help diabetic cats.
1. Diabetic Cats Need Regular Medical Care
After your cat has been diagnosed with diabetes, it is imperative that you visit your veterinarian on a regular basis. Diabetic cats will need regular checkups to check the blood sugar levels and to make sure that he or she is receiving the right amount of insulin.
When your cat goes in for a check up, the vet will ask that you do not feed them for twelve hours prior to the checkup. While your cat is at the check up, your veterinarian will draw blood and check blood sugar levels.
People that have diabetes are able to check their blood sugar at home. However, this is not possible with diabetic cats unless you buy a glucose monitoring system.
Your will probably be asked to bring your cat in every three months for this type of checkup.
2. Giving Your Cat Insulin
When your cat has diabetes, it is your responsibility to make sure that your diabetic cat receives the proper dose of insulin twice a day. The amount of insulin that diabetic cats will need will vary according to your cat's individual condition.
Most diabetic cats will receive between three and five units of insulin two times per day. It is important that you establish a routine for your cat. Your cat will need to receive insulin 12 hours apart.
Most people that have diabetic cats will give their cat an insulin shot at the same time every morning and at the same time every night.
Insulin Injections
It is not difficult to learn to give your cat insulin injections. Your veterinarian will walk you through the process, and then you can repeat this at home.
Usually your veterinarian will recommend that you give your diabetic cat injections between the shoulder blades in the scruff of the neck. With patience and practice, your cat will barely feel the injections.
In fact, most diabetic cats know when it is time to get their injection and they may actually remind you by meowing.
3. Stocking The Right Supplies for Diabetic Cats
It is important that you have the right supplies on hand to help treat diabetic cats. You will need a vial of insulin as prescribed by your veterinarian, syringes and alcohol swabs.
It is always a good idea to order your insulin when you are about halfway empty. It may take a couple days for your veterinarian to order your insulin.
Vitamin Supplements
Your veterinarian might also recommend getting your cat vitamin supplements and a prescription diet such as Science Diet W/D.
You must be able to monitor diabetic cats immediately after they receive their injection.
Contact Numbers
It is also a good idea to have some contact numbers for your veterinarian and at least two 24-hour emergency vet clinics available with you at all times just in case your cat needs help.
Costs
Many people who owned diabetic cats worried about the costs that this condition incurs. It certainly does cost money to take care of a diabetic cat.
A vial of insulin will cost you approximately $85 and will last you about two months. A box of 100 Syringes will cost about $30 and will last you 50 days, as you should use a new syringe for each injection.
Prescription food will cost you about $40 for a 20-pound bag. However, it is important to remember that your cat is a part of your family. Most pet owners do not hesitate spending this kind of money on their pets.
Patience And Love
Above of all when you have a diabetic cat, you need a lot of patience and a lot of love. It is not always easy to care for a sick and ailing cat. However, with the right care, you can expect diabetic cats to have many more years of a happy life.
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