what could be the problem?

by Melissa
(Colorado)

We have an 8 yr old tortoise haired female (spayed) cat. She used to be very onery but now she loves everyone and can't get enough attention. She follows everyone around looking to get pet. She was just diagnosed with diabetes. We started her on insulin (she is up to the 3 mark on the syringe). She still drinks a lot and urinates an outrageous amount of urine. Her food has been switched to a weight management and diabetes control food. This has all started about 1 month ago. The vet just keeps upping her insulin. She started at 1 dose and 14lbs, the next week she was up to #2 dosage and 13lbs then this past monday (aug 1st) she was at 12.6 lbs and upped to #3 mark for insulin. She leaves us hairballs every single day when it used to be once every 6 months or so. Today she threw up some slobber and brown slime. Could this be something other than diabetes? Her blood/sugar level was 400 then up to 420 the next week and the vet did not do a test this past monday.

RESPONSE:

So sorry to hear about your poor kitty. Diabetes is very difficult to control in cats and can cause all kinds of other physical problems. I suspect the hairball problem is also associated with the diabetes. Try giving her some hairball paste to see if it will help control the problem and keep monitoring her with the vet. It may take several months to get her diabetes under control but it can easily get out of control so careful and frequent monitoring is necessary. And keep giving her all the love and attention she wants. She deserves it!

Donna - House Full Cats Mom