from a sugarcat chat @ Gorbzilla, lovingly compiled by Debra & Care Bear
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Welcome! You've taken your beloved cat to a vet and you have been told your cat is diabetic. Your mind is spinning, you know you need to ask questions, but what questions? Here is a list of questions from experienced and newbie caregivers, sorted into categories (initial diagnosis, insulin therapy, oral meds therapy), for you to print out and take with you. These questions have been asked by people who have already gone through the very same experience that you are having now. Remember, don’t play Spanish Inquisition with your vet -- but use these questions to give you a comfort zone when walking out of the vet’s office and as discussion points moving forward. payday loans no credit check
For more info on a new diagnosis, see the basics of feline diabetes, its a boy, its a girl, its a sugarcat and the FDMB FAQ. loans for people with bad credit
Initial Diagnosis questions: These are some of the questions that come to mind when one hears “your cat has diabetes.” I tried to place them in an order similar to what came into my mind upon hearing those very same words. Клиника врач офтальмолог Шаболовская.
Does this mean that Kitty will die?
Will having diabetes shorten Kitty's lifespan?
What are some of the possible complications of diabetes?
How long will it be before I see signs of improvement in Kitty?
How much will initial treatment cost?
Is Kitty sick in any other ways? Any infections? If so, do we treat the infection(s) first, then retest for diabetes?
What was Kitty's blood glucose upon diagnosis?
Did you do a complete blood workup on Kitty?
May I have a copy of Kitty's complete bloodwork?
Is this the end of my social life?
How will I treat Kitty?
Where will I get Kitty's supplies?
Where do I go in case of an emergency? May I have the phone number now to either you or the emergency clinic?
Do you have any other clients with diabetic cats? How many?
What do you consider to be a success? Can you define success?
Do you tailor diabetes treatment to each individual cat?
Why insulin?
Why Glipizide?
Why try diet change?
How much will treating Kitty daily cost?
What is regulation? How long will it take before Kitty is regulated?
Does Kitty have to be hospitalized until she/he is regulated? Why?
Are you comfortable with me taking charge of Kitty's day to day needs?
Do you recommend hometesting? If no, why not? If yes, will you help teach me?
How many times per day should I hometest Kitty?
What does “steriod-induced” diabetes mean?
How much water should I allow Kitty to have each day?
I normally take Kitty on vacation with me. Can I still do that?
Can you recommend a web-site for further information?
Can Kitty still have her/his annual vaccinations?
What are all the things I can do for Kitty?
Are there any vitamins that can help Kitty?
Can Kitty still have Catsip? Catnip? Treats? What can't Kitty have now? Why?
What should I feed Kitty? When should I feed Kitty, and how much?
Can my other kitties eat the same food as Kitty?
What should I do if Kitty won't eat?
What are ketones? Did you check Kitty today for ketones? How will I know if Kitty has them? What do I do if Kitty gets ketones?
What is a curve? Who will do it? Why? How often should a curve be done?
If I do curves, can I fax or email the results to you?
How often do you recommend bloodwork? Why?
Kitty is already on a medication for other health problems. Can this affect Kitty's diabetes treatment? If so, how?
Diabetes Management Treatments
Now that your Kitty has been diagnosed as being diabetic, find out which method of treatment your vet recommends for you. You'll find below some questions pertaining to the 2 most common methods of treatment (insulin and oral hypoglycemics). Remember to print these out and take with you to your vet, so that you can discuss each method.
Why did you decide to use insulin over other treatments?
Which insulin will I use? Why this one? Why this starting dose?
Will I need a prescription for insulin? Syringes?
Do I shake the bottle of insulin to mix it? How do I mix it?
How will my cat react to insulin?
Can you show me, using a syringe, what my Kitty's dose will look like?
Where will I give Kitty the shots? Do I have to use that particular place on Kitty's body?
What will happen to Kitty if I didn't inject all of the insulin because Kitty squirmed?
What do I do if Kitty has wet fur right after a shot? Why?
Do I do the shots myself, or will I have to bring Kitty to the vet for shots?
Can I still allow Kitty to eat freely, or will I have to schedule meals for Kitty?
What do I do if I can't get Kitty to eat prior to giving a shot?
I just gave Kitty her shot and now she has thrown up. What do I do?
How will I know the insulin is/isn't working?
I am going to learn how to hometest. At what numbers do I “not” give Kitty a shot?
Under what circumstances do I not give Kitty a shot? A reduced shot?
When do I give the shots? Before, during or after meals? Why?
What are the symptoms of hypoglycemia? What do I do if I see symptoms of hypoglycemia?
What if I occasionally need to change the time of Kitty's shot? Can I give it earlier, later?
I forgot to give Kitty her shot. What do I do?
What if Kitty fights my giving the shots? How do I manage that?
What do you use to decide whether a dose change is needed?
How long does Kitty need to be on “this” dose before I change it?
I forgot and left the insulin out of the refrigerator overnight. Is it still good?
What special precautions do I need to take when transporting insulin home? Why?
Will Kitty need to be on insulin forever?
Occasionally I have to be out of town on weekends. Can you recommend someone to take care of Kitty for me?
Oral Medications (like glipizide, glyburide, etc). Treatment Therapy
Why did you decide to try glipizide over other treatments?
How will I know glipizide is working?
What should I look for to tell me that glipizide is making Kitty sick?
What do I do if Kitty gets sick?
I going to learn how to hometest. At what numbers do I “not” give Kitty her glipizide?
Under what other circumstances do I not give Kitty her glipizide?
What are the symptoms of hypoglycemia? What do I do if I see symptoms of hypoglycemia?
Can I still allow Kitty to eat freely, or will I have to schedule meals for Kitty?
Do I give Kitty glipizide prior to meals or after?
What do I do if I can't get Kitty to eat prior to giving glipizide?
I gave Kitty her glipizide and now she has thrown up. What do I do?
What do you use to decide whether a dose change is needed?
What if Kitty fights taking her/his pills? Can I give the pill in food?
I forgot to give Kitty her pills. What do I do?
What do you use to decide whether a dose change is needed?
What times will I give Kitty glipizide? Can I be late or early with Kitty's dose? Why or why not?
What will happen if I miss giving a dose to Kitty?
Occasionally I have to be out of town on weekends. Can you recommend someone to take care of Kitty for me?
Will Kitty need to be on glipizide forever?
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