Learning your kitty has diabetes can be overwhelming at first. You may be wondering how in the world you'll ever learn everything you need to know, and how you're going live with a diabetic cat.
When your kitty is first diagnosed, he'll more than likely need to be hospitalized for a few days until his blood sugar levels are stabilized. Then you and your vet can work together to develop a long-term treatment plan.
The most important thing you'll need is a good working relationship with your vet. You'll have many questions about managing diabetes, and your vet is the best person to answer your questions. You need to feel comfortable talking to him or her. Being satisfied with the answers you receive is very important. If you don't understand something, keep asking questions until you do.
Developing a treatment plan you can live with is essential. The biggest reason pet owners put diabetic cats to sleep is because the owners don't understand how much time is required to treat and monitor this disease. It's not because the kitty doesn't respond to treatment well. To manage this disease successfully, you'll need to work out a schedule that you can actually stick to. Plus your kitty needs to tolerate it, too.
Most people are horrified at the thought of giving their furball a shot, but it's not that difficult. Your vet will show you how to give the injections. The needles used are very small, so it won't hurt your furry friend much at all. It's scary at first, but believe it or not, most kitties would rather get a shot than have someone give them a pill! Giving your buddy his shots every day will soon become part of your daily routine.
You may feel guilty and wonder if it's your fault your kitty developed diabetes. You may feel angry about having to deal with this condition, or sad that he has it. These feelings go with the territory. You'll need to accept that you'll feel these emotions sometimes. But try not to dwell on your feelings or your buddy's illness too much. It's best to move forward and learn how to live with it.
Finding a friend or a relative who can give you emotional support is important. A fellow pet-owner, who understands what you're going through, will be more sympathetic. Look online to find support groups and forums for owners of pets with diabetes.
Some people won't understand why you're committed to taking care of your kitty. They'll make comments about wasting time and money on a "silly cat." It hurts to hear comments like that, especially if they come from well-meaning relatives and "friends." Don't worry about trying to explain anything to them, as they won't understand anyway. Don't waste your time and energy. Just smile and change the subject or wander off if they persist in bugging you about it. Your good friends will understand!
Vet bills can be a financial strain, so be upfront with your vet. Very few of us have unlimited funds, so you may need to work out a payment plan with him or her. Your vet can show you how to check your kitty's blood sugar at home, and how to give insulin shots if necessary. If you can learn how to do these things, you can probably keep your vet bills lower, especially after your cat's blood sugar is stabilized.
There's so much information about feline diabetes online that it can be overwhelming. Concentrate on learning what you need to know first. The more you can learn about this condition, the better off you and your furball will be. There is no cure for this disease, but if properly managed, it's neither fatal nor progressive.
Can feline diabetes be controlled with natural remedies? Visit Tips For Controlling Feline Diabetes Holistically to learn how to help your cat.
Darlene L. Norris has been owned by many kitties over the years. Now I've combined my love for cats and my life-long interest in herbs and healing at my new blog, Cool Cat Care Stuff. Information on natural remedies for cats can be hard to find. Stay up-to-date on the latest herbal and homeopathic treatments for your feline friends!
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