Diabetes and rear legs

hello. My 13 yr old 14lbs cat was diagnosed w/ diabetes early this
week. The vet put him on 3 units of PZI insulin twice a day along
with a DM diet. Today was my first day of shots. Giving the shots
was easy and didn't seem to disrupt my cat either.

My concern is that my cat appears to be nursing his hind legs -
limping almost. He also seemed to be very quiet. I don't think its
my imagination, but from reading the news groups, the level that my
cat is on seems very small (based on his weight).

I understand that diabetes affects the rear legs, but wouldn't I see
this before the insulin? I live in a three level place and I have
noticed him stiffening up walking up and down the stairs, but after
the first day of shots it seemed much more noticable.

Did anyone notice similiar behavior that I'm describing above?

thank you
- george

I found out my cat was diabetic because he was limping. If you JUST put him
on insulin, it could be a bit before it resolves.

The insulin isn't based on weight, it is based on the need. If the cat is
producing a little, but not enough, then it only needs a boost.

I would HIGHLY recommend you learn to take his glucose levels yourself. You
can do a "curve" and find out how the insulin is working with in him. A
vet should be able to teach you how to draw a small amount of blood out of
his ear, and you can use any commercially available BG monitors that humans
use. Being able to do it yourself is invaluable as most cats are so
stressed out when at the vets that they give false readings.. something my
own cat tends to do. Her levels go up instead of down.

Good luck!!

"George" wrote in message
om...
hello. My 13 yr old 14lbs cat was diagnosed w/ diabetes early this
week. The vet put him on 3 units of PZI insulin twice a day along
with a DM diet. Today was my first day of shots. Giving the shots
was easy and didn't seem to disrupt my cat either.

My concern is that my cat appears to be nursing his hind legs -
limping almost. He also seemed to be very quiet. I don't think its
my imagination, but from reading the news groups, the level that my
cat is on seems very small (based on his weight).

I understand that diabetes affects the rear legs, but wouldn't I see
this before the insulin? I live in a three level place and I have
noticed him stiffening up walking up and down the stairs, but after
the first day of shots it seemed much more noticable.

Did anyone notice similiar behavior that I'm describing above?

thank you
- george

I found out my cat was diabetic because he was limping. If you JUST put him
on insulin, it could be a bit before it resolves.

The insulin isn't based on weight, it is based on the need. If the cat is
producing a little, but not enough, then it only needs a boost.

I would HIGHLY recommend you learn to take his glucose levels yourself. You
can do a "curve" and find out how the insulin is working with in him. A
vet should be able to teach you how to draw a small amount of blood out of
his ear, and you can use any commercially available BG monitors that humans
use. Being able to do it yourself is invaluable as most cats are so
stressed out when at the vets that they give false readings.. something my
own cat tends to do. Her levels go up instead of down.

Good luck!!

"George" wrote in message
om...
hello. My 13 yr old 14lbs cat was diagnosed w/ diabetes early this
week. The vet put him on 3 units of PZI insulin twice a day along
with a DM diet. Today was my first day of shots. Giving the shots
was easy and didn't seem to disrupt my cat either.

My concern is that my cat appears to be nursing his hind legs -
limping almost. He also seemed to be very quiet. I don't think its
my imagination, but from reading the news groups, the level that my
cat is on seems very small (based on his weight).

I understand that diabetes affects the rear legs, but wouldn't I see
this before the insulin? I live in a three level place and I have
noticed him stiffening up walking up and down the stairs, but after
the first day of shots it seemed much more noticable.

Did anyone notice similiar behavior that I'm describing above?

thank you
- george