Anonymous Cat #2

This cat owns a person who is well respected in the FDMB Lantus Insulin Support Group. This person has fallen on very hard times and is embarrassed that s/he cannot afford to treat her/his diabetic cat. The cat needs a relatively expensive surgical procedure and fairly soon. DCIN has agreed to keep this person's identity confidential. That makes it difficult to raise the ~$1,000 still needed for the cat's procedure. But we are going to try. Some appeals from other well-respected members of the Lantus Insulin Support Group who know about this situation:

Please consider helping this sweet kitty get the surgery that is needed. This affectionate kitty tries so hard to please his/her owner and hides the pain that s/he may be feeling. The owner and kitty are members of LL and enjoyed the camaraderie and support of so many helpful members. As a result of being part of this FDMB family, the kitty was able to go OTJ to the delight of the owner and friends on the board. This member continues to visit LL as well as other forums whenever possible, which is a lovely way to pass on experiences and support. If you can find it in your heart to give a donation, I know this owner and kitty will be extremely grateful. I did and hope others will too. CD and BigMac

CD asked that a few of us lend our support to one of the beans/cats who will remain anonymous to the members at large. Bean/Cat were relative short timers in LL. Bean worked her heart out to get Cat OTJ. I'm sure she would do next to anything to take care of Cat and it is heartbreaking to learn that they are in a difficult financial situation. I'm sure whatever DCIN can provide, will be appreciated. Sienne and Gabby

Fall 2010 Fundraiser

Thank you all so much for your donations and your prayers and well wishes. We didn't make the fall budget, but we got darned close with $3,194.04. And our anonymous 10% matchers, S&B, will be donating the entire $377.80, despite not making the goal. That leaves DCIN with a very successful Fall Fundraiser of $3,571.84!!!! Now for the prizes. I used a random number generator on the Internet to sequence the prizes and to draw the wining numbers. The result is: 0217 wins the Bruno the Cat SnuggleSafe Cover (Snuggle Safe not included) and $20 worth of Starbucks gift cards. 0229 wins a gift certificate for a memorial or other video to be custom made by dian and wheezer plus catnip toys from Althea. 0408 wins a gift certificate for a session with Dawn Allen, an animal communicator. 0007 wins a Craig CMP628E 2gb MP3 + video player. 0550 wins a hostess basket, containing several handcrafted items (including a bread cover, a neck scarf, and a soy scented candle) and some awesome cookies. 0499 wins a Bayer Contour USB meter kit, with 500 strips and 300 lancets. 0213 wins a hostess basket. 0185 wins A $25 gift certificate for products from Gina's Gourmet Creations, with free shipping. 0462 wins a Bayer Contour USB meter kit, with 500 strips and 300 lancets. 0146 wins a hostess basket. 0013 wins a kitty pi made by Lynda and Scruffy. I haven't yet looked to see who the winners are. If you are a winner, please PM or email me your mailing address so that I may get your prize(s) to you. If there is a problem with the prize drawn for you (for example, you got a meter and strips but your diabetic cat is not insulin dependent, please let me know and I will see what I can do. There might be someone else who wants your prize instead of his/hers. ***********************************************************************

******************************************************************* Pleeze Hep DCIN Hep Udder Xtra-sweet Kiddies Update 11/21/10---3 more days. Almost half the goal left to go. ******************************************************************* Update 11/18/10--Two new prizes for the fundraiser, each a $270+ retail value. A Bayer Contour meter kit, with 500 extra strips and 300 lancets!! I am hoping this will encourage more participation as donations have leveled off and this is the final weekend before the drawing next Tuesday. (Sorry, I previously posted that these were the Contour USB meters, but those are all gone.) ************************************************************************

Update 11/2/10--An awesome challenge grant from an awesome couple. In honor of:

• DCIN
• All of the GAs
• All of the Foster Beans
• All of the Beans who have adopted unwanted diabetics
• All of those who take the time to help others on the FDMB and DCC
• All of those who have gone OTJ
• And to all of us who chose to stay the course with our beloved babies....and we never give/gave up on them!

S&B will match 10% of all donations to this fundraiser, to the total fundraising goal. That means that if the rest of us can come up with a $3,778.00 sundae by digging through our change and sending prayers and good vibes, S&B will put an additional $377.80 cherry on top. Awesome, S&B. We hope to take you for every penny!! Cha-Ching!! Oh, and S&B are not getting numbers for the prize drawing. So their matching donation does not change your chances to win a prize. ********************************************************************** Initial post, 10/30/10--You can support DCIN and specific cats during this Fall 2010 fundraising contest!! (We aren't calling it a raffle because PayPal will close DCIN's account for gambling if we call it that.) DCIN has had several items donated to award as prizes in this contest. So far, DCIN has:

• Three hostess baskets, containing several handcrafted items (including a bread cover, a neck scarf, and a soy scented candle) and some awesome cookies.
• A gift certificate for a session with Dawn Allen, an animal communicator.
• A gift certificate for a memorial or other video to be custom made by dian and wheezer plus catnip toys from Althea.
• A Craig CMP628E 2gb MP3 + video player with a snazzy color touch screen display
• A Bruno the Cat SnuggleSafe Cover (Snuggle Safe not included) and $20 worth of Starbucks gift cards
• A $25 gift certificate for products from Gina's Gourmet Creations, with free shipping
• A kitty pi made by Lynda and Scruffy
• A Bayer Contour USB meter kit, with 500 strips and 100 lancets
• A Bayer Contour USB meter kit, with 500 strips and 100 lancets (again)

For only a $5 donation, you can receive one chance to the prizes in this contest. You can specify which cat you wish to help, or leave your donation unrestricted. Our goal for this fundraiser is pretty high, much of that the result of vetting costs for dental and other surgical procedures. Our goal---$3,778. All amounts received will first go to cats' individual accounts before the request for unrestricted funds. All donations are a deduction for US income taxes. This is the breakdown of the fundraising budget: $1,000..Anonymous Cat 2, future surgical procedure .....120..Bill, past dental .....100..Blackie, past and future supplies .....176..Jake, past vetting for high BG levels .....200..Orinch Boyz (Beasley and Twinkie), future costs .....400..Porch2, future dental .....900..Tawny, past and future costs and future dental .....150...Tinkerbelle, past and future costs .....232..Yoda, past vetting .....500..Unrestricted $3,778 (The pages for some of these cats need to be updated and some need to be created. Stop back during the next few days for updates.) DCIN and all the cats it has and is helping thank you for your generosity during this fundraiser. DCIN will send you a number for each $5 that you donate. We will be pulling the winning numbers on Tuesday November 23, the Tuesday before US Thanksgiving. This contest is open to folks around the world. You can donate to this fundraiser by sending funds through PayPal to ennis93 @att.net (remove spaces). Please choose the personal tab and gift radio button to make your donation without part of it going to PayPal fees. Do not use the word "raffle." You can simply indicate it is for the Fall 2010 Fundraiser. Please email me at the address above if you want to mail a check. If you want to help a particular cat, please include that in the memo line on your PayPal transaction or check. Some might be wondering what DCIN uses unrestricted funds for. There have been a number of cats helped through unrestricted funds. If the need for a particular cat is small and expected to be temporary, DCIN often will not open a separate account for that cat and simply pay for its needs through unrestricted funds. DCIN also usually buys test strips on EBay using unrestricted funds and does not then charge that cost to an individual cat's account when sending the strips for that cat. DCIN has not had a fundraiser since June 2010 because of the generosity of its supporters during that fundraiser and since as individual needs arose. Those who work behind the scenes for DCIN are extremely thankful for this support, as are those who have been helped by your generosity. We have been able to save several diabetic cats from euthanasia recently, as well as relieved the financial and emotional stress of treating an owned diabetic cat for many beans. Sometimes, all it takes is a small amount of help and some moral support to get a diabetic cat healthy and on its way to remission. Sometimes the need is greater, for example with the several dentals and other surgical procedure that DCIN would like to be able to finance. And if you don't have the money to donate, in no way should you feel badly about that. If you are reading this paragraph, your heart is with us, and that is enough for us. Bless you all.

Elliott Growltiger is Home!!

May 20, 2011--We found out yesterday that Angela, Elliott's foster Mom, if now his furr-real Mom. Congratulations Angela and Elliott!! You are home for good Elliott!! **************************************************************************** February 4, 2011--Another update in the form of a complete post. New pictures too!!

I’m Elliott. A 12 lb orange & white tabby gentleman looking for my forever home. I am affectionate and playful for being an estimated 6 years old. I am an inside cat and use the litter box and scratching posts provided. You can see that I lost my eye, so I always look like I’m giving you a playful little wink. Surprisingly I don’t shed much for a cat, even when I’m stressed (i.e. going to the vet!). My foster mom has discovered I LOVE to have my lips rubbed and all the usual cat scratch spots like my ears and my chin. I have some favorite toys I like to carry around the house from room to room. I like to sit in your lap or next to you and I will sleep on your bed at night. I do have a medical issue which was discovered a few months ago. I am a diabetic. After some diligence and patience, the veterinarian has me completely OFF insulin shots and my diabetes is being well controlled with diet alone. I do have to eat a high protein dry food (Purina DM). I will eat any other food you put down, so I can’t be in a house with other free feeding cats. You can contact my foster mom, Angela Berry, at aberry1144 @aol.com (remove space) or (704)398-2016 if you have any questions.

************************************************************************** Update 11/15/10--I received an update on Elliott in the form of a complete post that I put here in its entirety.

I’m Elliott. A smallish orange & white tabby gentleman looking for my forever home. I am affectionate and playful for being an estimated 10 years old. I am an inside cat and use the litter box and scratching posts provided. I was a medical mess when I came into the shelter and I’ve done really well recovering. You can see that I lost my eye, so I always look like I’m giving you a playful little wink. Surprisingly I don’t shed much for a cat, even when I’m stressed. I do have one remaining medical issue which was discovered a couple of months ago. I am a diabetic. After some diligence and patience, the veterinarian has me completely OFF insulin shots and my diabetes is being well controlled with diet alone. I do have to eat a high protein canned food and a dry food (Purina DM). I will eat any other food you put down, so I can’t be in a house with other free feeding cats. My foster mom has discovered I LOVE to have my lips rubbed and all the usual cat scratch spots like my ears and my chin. My foster mom also found out I like to ride on her lap in the car like a dog. Oh, I also sport a single black line on my lower lip for that gothic look. I have some favorite toys I like to carry around the house from room to room. You can contact my foster mom, Angela Berry, at aberry1144 @aol.com (remove space) or (704)398-2016 if you have any questions.

************************************************************************ Original posting, 10/27/10--Elliott is a beautiful boy that really deserves a furever home. As we all know, being one-eyed makes a cat a pirate, not a burden. I’m Elliott Growltiger. Or Elliott the One-Eyed Wonder. Elliot for short. (Growltiger from T.S. Elliot's "Cats" had one eye and one ear.) I'm a petite orange & white tabby gentleman looking for my forever home. I am affectionate and playful for being an estimated 10 years old. I am an inside cat and use the litter box and scratching posts provided. I was a medical mess when I came into the shelter and I’ve done really well recovering. You can see that I lost my eye, so I always look like I’m giving you a playful little wink. Surprisingly I don’t shed much for a cat, even when I’m stressed. I do have one remaining medical issue which was just discovered. I am a diabetic. I am currently on a special canned food and I will eat any other food you put down, so I can’t be in a house with other free feeding cats. I am on insulin shots twice a day but it is a little teeny dose (because I’m a small fella at 8.5 lbs) and I tolerate the needle stick well as long as you FEED me right afterward. My foster mom learned to give me the shots and says to be sure you know it is really not that hard. Just takes some planning and a bit of a firm hand with me because I squirm because I want to eat and I know she is going to feed me right after the shot. My foster mom has discovered I LOVE to have my lips rubbed and all the usual cat scratch spots like my ears and my chin. My foster mom also found out I like to ride on her lap in the car like a dog. Oh, I also sport a single black line on my lower lip for that goth look. I have some favorite toys I like to carry around the house from room to room. You can contact my foster mom, Angela Berry, at aberry1144 @aol.com (remove space) or (704)398-2016 if you have any questions. I love it when these extra-sweet ones can speak for themselves. But to add some information Elliott didn't give you---

• He was diagnosed diabetic in September 2010. He was in ketoacidosis when diagnosed. The foster Mom says that there is speculation that a steroid shot put him there.
• The foster Mom speculates that vet will soon take him off insulin completely as he has steadily been weaned to lower dosages weekly. He has not been hometested.
• He is said to have no current medical issues other than the diabetes. He had an eye removed and recovered well from upper respiratory and neuter operations in foster care.
• He is FIV/FeLV negative and current on vaccinations.
• He eats Purina DM, wet, 3 cans per day (1.5 cans two times a day). His appetite is VORACIOUS!
• He has a slim, petite build. He is steadily putting on weight. He is now at9.2 lbs and starting to fill out.
• He has been indoor only since he has come into the shelter and foster. He does not seek to go outside.
• He is a happy, easy going cat, playful for his age. He sleeps in the guest room on the futon. He occasionally sleeps in bed with this foster Mom but for short durations. He will sit on your lap for short durations. He is not grumpy about it, but just seems to like his own space. He is easy going at the vet as far as his foster Mom knows.
• He gets along well with the foster Mom's two cats. She has no idea about dogs or children.
• His Petfinder page is here.

It is amazing to me that a shelter would have cared for a diabetic cat the way this shelter has cared for Elliott. He is with Charlotte Mecklenburg Animal Care and Control, and from what I see clicking through the shelter's Petfinder page to the CMPD Animal Care and Control page, this shelter takes amazing care in helping lost pets find their way home and placing abandoned or stray pets into furever homes.

Fly Free, Dear Reagan

February 22, 2012--Dear Reagan passed away unexpectedly yesterday, February 21, 2012. He was a happy guy the previous day until evening when he started to act sick and then vomited. In a matter of a few hours, his blood glucose level was over 600 and he was limp. Gail rushed him to the ER and he was anemic and his liver values were too high to read. X-rays showed an enlarged liver. He was admitted in critical condition with no immediate diagnosis.

We have not heard more from Gail except that her sweet boy was gone.

Grant Reagan eternal rest, Lord, and let perpetual light shine on him. Grant Gail occasional peace as she journeys the road of grief.

*******************************************************************************

February 8, 2012--Reagan has had such a hard time of things. Now he has to have an emergency whole mouth extraction of his teeth because of stomatitis. Gail cares so much for Reagan, but after all the medical costs from last year, this is just undoable on her own. Her vet is saying $2,000 to $4,000 for the procedure. DCIN has offered to do what it can, and would like to raise $1,000 to help. Please help us help Gail and Reagan.


*****************************************************************************

October 29, 2011--DCIN circulated this courtesy post of Reagan for awhile in 2010. FDMB member Gail (and Houdini) announced that she adopted Reagan on 10/23/2010, apparently a week before he was to be destroyed.

A year after that adoption, Gail wrote a one-year anniversary post about Reagan on FDMB's Community Board. I had been unaware that Reagan had been through so much--

• Nov 2010–Difficult URI and bad teeth
• Jan 2011- dental with numerous extractions
• June 2011- Sky high liver values……Gall Bladder reconstructive surgery. 6 days in the hospital. More ATB’s, feeding tube, pain meds etc
• July 2011- Feeding tube out, stomach a mess …nausea and vomiting for a month
• Sept 2011 – turning around feeling better more active….no more vomiting or nausea
• Oct 2011– Stomatitis and elevated kidney values

If I had been aware that Reagan had had such health problems, causing such financial hardship for Gail and her family, DCIN would have stepped in before now. This week, DCIN paid $400 for future vetting costs, which got Reagan a senior check up (he is doing well) and will get him most of a dental.

This is a picture of Reagan...with his hair grown in after his adoption but before it was all shaved again in June for his gall bladder reconstructive surgery.

What a lucky boy Reagan has been to find such a welcoming home and hearts.

~Venita

Tornado in CA

In early September 2010, a young woman posted on the FDMB wanting to rehome her newly diagnosed diabetic cat Tornado because of financial issues. Tornado is 12YO, and has been with the family since he was a kitten. I spoke with the woman and offered help with hometesting and syringes. Because Tornado is on ProZinc and DCIN does not have a reliable supply of that insulin, I could not offer help with insulin. I offered mentoring help, which appeared necessary because the cat is on dry food (part of the diabetes problem) and is being taken to the vet for curve (part of the financial problem).

During our conversation, it appeared that Tornado may have other health issues because he has chronic diarrhea, and sometimes eliminates outside of the litter box. He also has neuropathy, which didn't jive with her earlier comment to me that during Tornado's last vet visit he had a "close-to-normal curve." DCIN's help was turned down. I was told that the young woman consulted with her financial helpers (her parents), with whom she lives while unemployed and considering whether to return to college for a graduate degree in an yet-to-be-determined field next year. They had decided that because I could not also help with insulin and vetting, that they would continue to look for a local home for Tornado, and take whatever steps were needed when they ran out of the current vial of ProZinc. SIGH. There are some things I think that I just won't write.

Isabell in NJ

Update 10/29/10--Isabell was adopted yesterday by a woman local to Isabell's NJ shelter. As one of the shelter volunteers posted in a comment to this blog page:

I AM HAPPY TO REPORT THAT ISABELL WAS ADOPTED TODAY! Her new mom has already let us know how much she adores her. It was a wonderful outcome for sweet Isabell. Thank you to everyone who contacted us about her and thanks to DCIN.

I also am pleased to report that two FDMB angels had stepped up to adopt Isabell in her final days. But the local adoption already was in progress and we were happy to see Isabell adopted locally. We hope Isabell's new Mom will join either or both the Feline Diabetes Message Board and the forum at Diabetic Cat Care for support and guidance on treating this dear cat that now has her furever home. ************************************************************************ Initial Post 10/18/10--Isabell is at risk of euthanasia on or about October 31, 2010. She has been in a no-kill shelter since April 2009 (1.5 years), and because she was diagnosed diabetic about three weeks ago, she will be euthanized if her next blood glucose reading (scheduled for 10/31/10) shows she is still diabetic. Current location: Central NJ, but we don't want to name the shelter in case management decides it doesn't like the bad press. In the meantime, nothing is being done to treat her diabetes, except that she is being given DM dry food. Shelter management does not want to start insulin because they are not able to administer it appropriately--they are not staffed to be able to shoot insulin every 12 hours. Shelter management believes it is more humane to euthanize Isabell than to treat her diabetes inappropriately. This girl is only about 5 years old. She has been overweight (on the chucky side with a stocky build) and unable to clean her own butt, and a sore that developed there was slow to heal. She was vetted and diabetes was found. Isabell is up-to-date on rabies and distemper shot, and tested negative for FIV/FeLV in April and November 2009. She came into the shelter through animal control. The shelter volunteers who are trying to place Isabell say:

She is quiet and sweet. She loves attention from people. Not really a lap cat, but she comes over to lay near you when sit with her at the shelter. She will snuggle up to you and always rub her face on you. Spends a lot of time resting in her wooly bed or stretched out on the floor. She doesn't stray far from her cage and bed. We have never seen her with the vet, but she hasn't had any issue with us when cutting nails, cleaning her bottom, etc.

We have no idea what she is like with dogs. She is not particularly fond of the kittens at the shelter invading her space, but is reasonably tolerant of non-aggressive adults. Isabell would stay clear of the loud, younger children when they came into the room the shelter. We have not seen any behavior problems. Occasionally the volunteers need to clean her bottom because she has trouble reaching. It seems like she has lost a little weight in the past few weeks, and her bottom has not been as bad. Isabell is not a demanding cat, and can actually be quite mellow. Since her diagnosis, Isabell has been kept out the main adoption rooms. Consequently, she is missing the usual attention, and it is even more obvious how affectionate she really is.

These volunteers really have their hearts in the right place, but they can't buck up against the shelter management. On the flyer they were allowed to put out about Isabell, they weren't allowed to mention her euthansia date. They had to ask the approval of shelter management to send Isabell's information to me. Sadly (or not), I won't remain quiet about her euthanasia risk. Sometimes it is only that fact that finds these extra-sweet ones a home.

Max in his new home in Nebraska

August 22, 2012--A quick update on Maxwell.

Maxwell ... certainly is no longer that skinny bedraggled boy that first arrived here, he is a lean 17lbs with a long flowing coat and every year I swear he gets more orange and less buff colored. He is such a character as well, he sleeps in bed with us every night. He starts out on either mine or Jon's pillow but once we settle down for the night Maxwell moves down between us so that he can sleep on his back under the covers with his head on the pillow. And there is nothing in this world he loves more than a good brushing to the point that I can't brush my own hair in the bathroom without him standing on the sink demanding to be brushed as well. So normally I end up with one brush in one hand doing my hair and another brush in the other hand brushing Maxwell.

**********************************************************************************

June 1, 2011--A video of Max in his garden. ***********************************************************************************
Initial post 10/10/10--Heading on the PM from cjleo:

Orange Cat to be PTS Tomorrow

Just the heading on a PM I hate to see. I can't take such messages public; they break too many hearts and result in complaints about DCIN putting unpleasant information in front of people who care deeply but don't have the resources to help. It's Thursday, just shy of 3pm. Thinking, thinking, who might be able to save Max, even if just a foster bean? He's a former Katrina cat, so I think of Mel, whose Muse also was a Katrina cat. Within 15 minutes, I had a yes from Mel, subject to her husband's OK. That only took another 3 hours. And the issue of foster v. adopt depends on the approval of the other furkids. Claudia talked to the vet, and the vet got the family of the former owner (who had just gone into a nursing home) to agree to pay part of the vetting and bloodwork. Thursday evening and Friday we were coordinating transport, even though any rescue still was subject to Max's health status. He was vetted Saturday morning--got exam, snap test for FIV/FeLV (negative), bloodwork for CBC and Thyroid test (the second because the vet DX'd a stage 2 heart murmur that might be HypetT related), vaccines, and health certificate. Also a lion cut because of mats. We will have to dig deeper for Max's prior vet records because the family took him to a new vet for the PTS. Rescue is a go with Mel and DCIN, and Claudia popped Max into a carrier to take him home. She started him on Lantus insulin (his readings at the vet's office were in the 400s.) We are still planning transport for the ground portions of Max's trip from Massachusetts to Nebraska, but he will be flying from Boston to Omaha on Continental Cargo next Friday, October 15. DCIN is hoping for donations of about $370 to pay for the flight and vetting. DCIN will be supplying Mel with Max's insulin and diabetic supplies, and vetting if it can afford it. Max's purrsonality? An adaptable snuggle bunny, we are told, and vocal. Good thing he's vocal, because we are sure he has many interesting tales to tell.

Toby Adopted by Don

December 18, 2010--Toby was adopted today by Don. See further updates about Toby and the rest of the diabetic crew he lives with at Don's Associates.


*********************************************************************************

Initial posting, 10/6/10--

"Toby is a very handsome boy with a super-soft coat and wonderful disposition!" Toby is an 11 YO, front declawed, DSH orange tabby boy that was surrendered to the Baltimore Humane Society because of the declining health of his owner. Toby has a good appetite and is eating Purina DM wet and dry. He is 15 pounds, having a large build but also being slightly overweight. He is an indoor only cat.

Toby is said to be a very sweet and friendly boy. He seems to enjoy being held and is affectionate towards people. (Note though that the shelter vet said that Toby does NOT like to be picked up. Maybe Toby can tell the difference between vettybeans and non-vettybeans.) The shelter staff does not know if he is a true lap cat or whether he is a nighttime snuggle bunny. Toby has lived with another cat that was privately adopted as it did not have health issues. The shelter does not know how he gets along with dogs and children. The shelter staff say he "probably would be fine around kids, he seems fairly laid-back and mellow, although he is understandably a little stressed here at the shelter (what senior cat wouldn't be?)."

Toby was diagnosed diabetic during bloodwork in May 2010. There is no known history of DKA or hypogycemia, and his past and current clinical symptoms of diabetes are unknown, except that there is no excessive urination or drinking of water. Toby is on a PZI insulin, 5 units twice a day. He is not being hometested, and the history of blood glucose levels the shelter supplied is here. His shelter vet says there are no other health issues, specifically no recent or current dental, urinary tract or upper respiratory problems. Toby is current on vaccinations and tested negative for FIV/FeLV on 8/15/10. A potential adopter can speak to Toby's current vet (the shelter vet) and DCIN has that contact information. Toby is not at risk for euthanasia at this time because his diabetes has been well maintained and he is healthy. However, the shelter staff are concerned that the longer he stays in the shelter, the more the stress of the shelter environment will cause a decline in his health and put him at risk for euthanasia.

Fly free, Mr. Miyagi

Update 12/11/10--Sarah called me today from the vet's office, as Mr. Miyagi was very unwell. She sent me this email later:

After speaking with the vet about our options, Dee and I decided to put Mr. Miyagi to sleep. It really wasn't what I wanted to do, but the vet seemed to think that without testing we wouldn't be able to treat him properly and whatever was wrong would just continue to worsen. I want to say thank you to you and Diabetic Cats in Need for all of the help and support that you provided to us. We are so sad and shocked right now; this all happened so suddenly and I really felt that his treatment was going well. The vet did indicate to me though that this seemed to be outside of his diabetes.... I know that both [Laur and you] cared about Mr. Miyagi as well. Again Venita, thank you so much. We really feel blessed for the time that we were able to spend with him.

**************************************************************** Initial Post, 10/2/10--On August 10, 2010, Denise of Fancy Cats posted Mr. Miyagi's need on the FDMB.

Owners of a 13 year old neutered male Maine Coon can no longer afford the insulin for their diabetic cat. Banfield Pet Hospital of Fredericksburg has a charitable trust that would continue to pay for [his] regular exams & vaccines if someone would adopt the poor guy. He has a sweet temperament, lives & gets along with another cat. Please let me know if you have any interest in providing a much needed home to a cat that has done nothing wrong but still must leave its home.

The first question was whether the owners would keep and treat the cat if they were to get financial assistance. The answer was yes, and Laur took the DaddyBean and cat to a new vet, got him a script for insulin, and supplied the insulin and other diabetic supplies. (Mr. M had just been DX and had not yet started insulin.) Turns out Mr. M also had a UTI and ketones (although not serious enough to treat). Although we would like to hear more often from Sarah and Dee, we think of Mr. M and his very long whiskers fondly and peek in on his BG spreadsheet from time to time.

Kiki at Home with Jennifer

April 16, 2011--Kiki loves anything cardboard. She was rolling around and around, and refused to sit still for a photo. ******************************************************************** Update 12/11/10--Kiki's starts her final trip home to Jennifer with a farewell picture with Venita. (We are dressed alike in grey with unkempt hair.) ********************************************************************** Update 12/9/10--Kiki started her transport today. Gig and Donna, volunteers for the WV shelter, brought Kiki to Towson, MD, where I picked her up. Kiki is a most delightful girl. She immediately poured herself into my lap and gave me purrs, facebutts, and chin licks. She has the most interesting fur. Although her fur is very coarse now, it is gray with white tips. In the pictures, it makes her look dusty. She is doing well at Spa Venita, although she is in the guest bathroom instead of the guest bathroom because we have been told she urinates inappropriately. That hasn't been the case yet. She has had a massive pee, and a massive poop, since she got here. And in the litter box. Her evening preshot blood glucose level was in the 270s and she got 1U of Levemir. ******************************************************************************* Update 11/29/10--Kiki will be going home with Jennifer. We want to transport her on Saturday 12/11/10. Request for transport help along the PA turnpike is here. ********************************************************************* Initial post 10/1/10--I might yell at my husband for dripping urine on the side of the toilet, but I wouldn't kick him out of the house. But that is what happened to Kiki. Her person surrendered her to the Animal Friends of Barbour County in Belington, WV, for inappropriate urination. The things I could say about that. Kiki is a 9 YO, spayed charcoal tuxedo. She has her claws. She is 9 or 10 pounds, with a slim build. She has lost a lot of weight with the diabetes. She also drinks alot of water. Now that she is at the shelter and being treated for diabetes, she is eating Fancy Feast Classic 3x/day. Her appetite is ravenous. Kiki was diagnosed diabetic after she was surrendered to the shelter in August 2010. She has no known history of DKA or hypoglycemia. She is currently on Lantus insulin, 2 units BID. Kiki is not yet accustomed to hometesting, but DCIN has sent the shelter a meter and strips, and Melissa will be visiting to give a hometesting demonstration to as many of Kiki's caregivers as possible. Kiki is current on vaccines, but her FIV/FeLV status is not yet known. Medical records and the vet's phone number are available to potential adopters. Kiki is a loner and is shy around other animals. She likes her people and is good with children. She is easy at the vet. "Kiki is sweet and would do well in a home with other shy cats or by herself. If the only pet she has the potential to be very attached to her human. She was an indoor/outdoor cat, but does not need to go outdoors." Kiki was almost euthanized but the all-volunteer shelter decided to give her a chance at the last moment and the volunteers are treating her diabetes as best they can given time and financial limitations. That is why DCIN stepped in to help with testing supplies and perhaps her wet food diet. But the best answer for her situation is definitely finding her a new home. As you might know, DCIN is getting pretty adept at long-distance adoptions.

Blackie

October 27, 2011--Blackie is doing well. She is very tightly regulated, and is currently experiencing a rapid decrease in her dose. She has told her Mom she wants to go off the juice, and they are both trying really hard to achieve that.

Blackie was able to obtain some supplies and insulin through the Lantus Land Emergency Fund last fall. DCIN continues to send some test strips and help with the Lantus insulin.

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Update 11/1/10--DCIN, with the help of a sponsor, continues to be able to supply Blackie with test strips. The extra testing that Angela is able to do is reflecting better blood glucose levels. (Here is Blackie's spreadsheet.) Blackie also will be getting some Lantus and syringes that Bones did not use.

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Initial Post, 10/1/10--Angela in TX is yet another diabetic cat owner hit hard by current economic times. Folks who have been providing her guidance on the FDMB's Lantus Insulin Support Group have been asking her to test Blackie's BG levels more frequently. Difficult to do when you can't afford the test strips. DCIN got Angela some syringes, some of the strips she uses that were donated to DCIN, and a new Maxima meter and 200 of the test strips that I have been successfully buying up on EBay at very low prices. DCIN will continue to try to help Angela and Blackie.