July 24, 2012--Nanner has been home with Suzanne for a year now. She writes:
Happy 1 year Gotcha day, Nanner!
"You are truly a silly boy who loves to eat cobwebs, chase his own tail, and hang out on the top of the fridge all day, looking for treats. Thanks to Jennifer J for helping me find him, Paula for fostering him so wonderfully, and Venita and Wendy for helping him get home to me last year despite crazy travel hijinks!"
November 29, 2011--Nanner sure landed softly when he chose to live with Suzanne. It's been four months that Nanner has been with Suzanne, and this little Siamese boy with the floppy ear melts his mama's heart on a daily basis. He's also one to keep a close eye on, as he loves scouring the kitchen for fallen food items! His diabetes remains well regulated despite some fallen pasta excursions.
Today Nanner will be getting a dental with a few extractions too - ouchie! Please send all the healing vibes possible his way.
July 25, 2011--Suzanne + Nemo of FDMB adopted Nanner and he was flown to her on July 22. Or, he was to be flown to her. Paula and her husband drove him to ST. Louis, MO, to catch a flight to Newark and then on to Syracuse, NY, but he got stranded in Newark because of severe hot weather.
Wendy and DH pulled him from the Newark airport, kept him overnight, and drove him halfway to Suzanne the next day.
June 6, 2011--In the past few months, DCIN's adoptions of unwanted diabetic cats have generally involved cats that were at risk of being killed simply because they were diabetic. Nanner isn't presently at risk. However, how can you look at that face and not want to give him his own home and heart?
The folks at the KattyShacK in Smithville, MO, are Nanner's angels. Nanner's family lost their home and could not take him with them when they moved in with relatives. Nanner was taken to the vet to be killed, but then surrendered to KattyshacK for adoption. Nanner is currently in a foster home to be able to better control his diabetes.
Nanner is a tabby Siamese mix. Oh my goodness, look at those blue eyes. He is about eight years old and is neutered and front declawed. He is small and underweight, currently weighing about six pounds.
Nanner was diagnosed diabetic with very high blood glucose (BG) levels in November, 2010, when he was taken to the vet for weight loss. His foster Mom Paula (an experienced diabetic caregiver) doesn't think Nanner has ever been properly regulated since he was diagnosed. She is unaware of any past diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) or hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
Nanner is thin and drinking too much water, but his water intake is reducing as Paula is working on regulating him on ProZinc, twice a day. Nanner is getting used to hometesting. Paula says that right now it is a two-person job as Nanner squirms (no biting or scratching). Nanner's BG levels are improving under Paula's care, which includes a diet change to low carb canned. Nanner is not a picky eater.
Nanner is very friendly. He likes to sit on laps and get petted. He is sleeping in the recliner that is in our office, which is where he is staying while becoming used to us. I've never had him at the vet, but his general behavior indicates he should behave well.
Nanner was fine with other cats while he was at the shelter, we sometimes put up all the dry food and let him run around with the other cats that aren't in kennels. With ours, I'll know more when he's seen more than someone's paw under the door. His former family had kids so he's OK with them.
Nanner has no other known health issues, no observed behavior problems (he's been good about using the box), and has tested FIV/FeLV negative (date unknown), and the status of his vaccinations also is unknown at this time.
August 19, 2011--Because of other issues taking her attention, Carolynn has decided to keep Tiko for the time being. We are taking him off the adoptables list.
I want to share the card DCIN helped Tiko send to Carolynn and her family when he recovered from his DKA. Yes, DCIN was able to assist financially, but Carolynn contributed $800 to his care and her vet provided about $2,00 in free services and products. Thank you Carolynn, and your most caring vet (who took Tiko as a surrender rather than PTS), for saving Tiko.
July 8, 2011--The sweet orange little man is doing very well after the DKA and has been ketone free since then.
It's time now to find him his furrever home. He is a very sweet and gentle kitty but the other cats in the home are not able to accept him and it's causing things to be very tense for the resident cats.
**************************************************************************** June 18, 2011--We are happy to announce that DCIN has been able to collect the full $2,500 it was raising for finance DCIN's share of Tiko's emergency care for DKA.
We want to personally thank all the generous donors, but especially those who gave amounts in the triple digits and the final donor who stood ready to cover whatever we did not raise for other donors. Our sincere thanks to our safety net. We also thank those who cold not give dollars, but who gave so generously of their prayers and well wishes. We are certain it was this energy that pulled Tiko through his DKA.
DCIN has paid off the interest-free loan we took to cover the cost until we had the full amount raised. And we are happy to report that Tiko is a much loved baby and post this new picture to show you how comfortable he is in his new home..
There is a Chip-in for Tiko. What this does is take you to PayPal, but you don't have to have a PayPal account if you have a credit card. Between Chip-in and direct donations to PayPal, we have just broken the $1,500 mark on DCIN's $2,500 vet bill for Tiko. Just $1,000 to go.
An anonymous supporter is lending DCIN the difference between the $2,500 we paid and what we raise for Tiko. 25% of future unrestricted donations and future donations to Tiko will go repaying the loan until it is taken care of.
May 14, 2011--(I believe that Blogger ate some of the posts about Tiko.) Tiko came home to Carolynn's house from the vet's the evening of May 11. On the evening of May 12, Carolynn wrote this on the FDMB.
Well, after all the hugs, kisses, scritches and love everyone asked me to give Tiko Tiger, all I can say is...
I have a very happy, purring orinch kitty making it hard to type right now!
Last night his bgs were pretty scary high (461 at PM PS), but ketones were negative and today they're much better:
I still have to be very, very vigilant because when he went into DKA his bgs were no higher than they were today. But I have fluids, pepcid, Buprinex, antibiotics, and R insulin if any are needed. He most likely wouldn't survive another bout with DKA, so I'll do all I can to prevent that from happening.
He is eating really well... preferring the canned to dry DM so he hasn't had any of that since what he ate last night. I'm making his food soupy so he'll stay better hydrated and to still make it easier for him to eat since he had all those teeth extracted last week. Nice thing about the soupy food-- it's pretty often that as soon as he's done eating he needs to go potty so I've been able to get the ketone tests done!
Again, I cannot thank all of you enough... those that chipped in with donations and those that sent as much love and prayers as you could muster. They ALL made a difference... and are why Tiko Tiger is still here for me to write about. I fully believe that without all of you, he wouldn't have made it.
((((hugs)))) and more thanks than I could ever express.
Tiko has decided that food is good! He is better today. His hematocrit is rising and he seems much happier without all the poking and prodding. He isn't out of the woods yet, but today is showing some spirit.
I can't thank you all enough for the love and prayers being sent to this little guy... he is such a miracle.
May 10, 2011--Last night, we heard this about Tiko:
Tiko has taken a turn for the worse. His hematocrit is 15, bicarb level still too low, phos not rising like it needs to. Veins in both front legs are blown from the IVs. What little interest he had... in food is gone and he is fighting syringe feeding and handling.
His demeanor is becoming very depressed.
I had such hope this morning... he looked so much better. He was bright eyed, wagged his tail... and I heard his Fletcher purr... it was so strong.
But it looks like he's had enough. His vet wants to give him tonight... she cried when she called me.
Carolynn tells us they are treating for hemolytic anemia, seems a bit happier without as much poking today. Will take more blood this afternoon and she will visit him after work. Will update when we hear more. Thank you all for your continued prayers and healing thoughts.
May 9, 2011--Last night at 9pm Eastern, Carolynn posted on the FDMB:
Just spoke with the overnight ER vet and he said Tiko is perkier: wagging his tail and looking around. He's still being syringe fed every 2 hours, but everything is staying down. His phos levels are coming up, which help to make him feel better and indicate the DKA is improving a bit.
Tiko was down to 9.3 lbs from 11 pounds on Monday... but has put back on 1/2 lb with the feedings and hydration. They will recheck labs at 2am and I'll be picking him up before 8am to transfer him to my vet's for the day.
May 8, 2011--The estimate for Tiko's care is up to $2,700 to $3,200. DCIN can't afford any more than the $2500 it has committed to because donations are slow. We have about $500 now.
The ER called Carolynn and she wants to continue to give Tiko a chance, and agreed to cover his costs above $2500.
Jennifer and I both spoke to the vet last night. Tiko's abdominal X-Ray showed that his descending and transverse colon was full of stool. He received an enema, and is pooping on his own. His BG level 2 hours before his Lantus shot was 282.
The vet says that Tiko has basic acidosis (low pH), but before starting bicarbonate they want to see if fluids supplemented with potassium will help. They are going to sryinge feed some food.
Bottom line--the vet said that the steroids, lack of adequate pain meds, and constipation caused stress which led Tiko into acidosis.
This morning, the vet tech told me that Tiko hadn't eaten overnight, but just had a big breakfast. His glucose has remained high (no numbers given) during the night. He likely will receive another enema today She questioned his age of 6, saying it looked like a very hard 6, with muscle wasting. She said he is "the sweetest little boy."
We also have learned that the vet chart says the previous owners made Tiko live outside when he starting have litterbox problems. This sweet little man deserves a chance at a happy life.
May 7, 2011--Jennifer's update on the FDMB this afternoon about Tiko:
I can't thank everyone enough for what has been done for Tiko. He is just an amazing boy and deserves the chance he's been given. Little did we know what would transpire in a week:
Last Saturday 4/30: my vet had called me about an FD who had been brought in for euthanasia so my girls and I went to see him (he was named Chester at the time). I contacted Jenn (tuckersmom) and she started things rolling with DCIN. Brought Tiko home that same day, bg 239 at PM PS, started Lantus at 0.5U (was on 2u ProZinc).
Sunday 5/1: Tiko is purry and eating like a piggy. Using the litter box well. Growls when he sees or smells my other kitties through the French doors of my office. LB usage normal. Noticed he was coughing.
AM PS 225 0.5U
+7 198
PM PS 219 0.5U
Monday 5/2: Tiko went in for a previously scheduled dental. Ended up with ELEVEN extractions. Came home with pain meds and abx. Ate really well, LB usage normal. Told vet about coughing and she took a chest xray which showed the classic "donuts" of asthma.
AM PS 221 (no insulin given due to dental)
BG 239 after dental
PM PS 225 0.5U
Tuesday 5/3: Eating well, purring, now more curious about the other kitties. Played with the nip toys Jenn has sent and didn't mind Robbie hanging out with him. No swelling, receiving Bupe for pain and abx.
AM PS 244 0.5U
PM PS 239 0.5U
Wednesday 05/4: Refused breakfast; gave pain meds; he seemed kinda "blah;" youngest DD called me when she got home from school to tell me he still hadn't eaten and he was having to "suck in his belly really hard" to breathe; took him to my vet; Xrays not too different than Monday's; respiratory rate over 80; got dexamethazone injection and started eating (3 bowls of canned food) 3 hours later, resp rate down to 65
AM PS 214 0.5U
Thursday 5/5: Purring and happy at vet's; ate breakfast; was going to pick him up at 5; refused food for rest of the day-- vet was going to let me take him home because it was felt he'd be more comfortable; just before I arrived to get him, he started vomiting; vet decided to keep him overnight because something just wasn't right; gave him Cerenia and started IV fluids
AM BG 208 no insulin
PM BG 196 no insulin
Friday 5/6: very depressed demeanor; no vomiting overnight, resp rate 30; mildly uncomfortable on abdominal palpitation, mouth looked good; IV fluids continued; at noon he seemed a bit perkier but still no interest in food; afternoon urine test showed 4+ ketones; given cerenia and cypro
AM BG 208
Noon 156
PM BG 178 0.5U
Saturday 5/7: still very depressed; when offered food, vomited "large amount of coffee ground fluid" More cerenia given;
AM BG 189 0.5U
At this point I got to my vet's to see Tiko. He looked terrible. He sat up when I got to his cage, but then fell over. He tried crawling to me, so I picked him up and cuddled him. He was very weak, but there was a fighting spirit. Because of the amazing generosity, I was able to tell the vets that I could transfer him to the emergency hospital until Monday morning... there were many hugs and tears from the staff. Tiko has enchanted them all and they so wanted him to have a chance... which he now does.
How could anyone not love a kitty who allows this (pic taken last Saturday within 5 minutes of him getting here):
May 7, 2011--Chester is now going by the name Tiko. Tiko has been in veterinary care since Wednesday morning, when he was having trouble breathing. The vet was going to put him on oxygen and start inhaled steroids.
His breathing improved the next day, but he wouldn't eat and was having pain.
Friday morning Tiko still was not improving. He was put on IV fluids and tested for FIV/FeLV (both negative). They also tested for FIP (don't know the results) and discussing chronic pancreatitis. Friday evening, Tiko was showing ketones (I don't know whether it was blood or urine). His blood pH is still good, so the vet was not thinking diabetic ketoacidosis, but Tiko was getting fluids and the vet was watching for DKA.
The vet who rescued Tiko was apparently providing these services free of charge.
Today (Saturday), Tiko is being transferred to an ER vet to keep him stable during the weekend. No longer will his medical care be free. DCIN is responsible for these costs because it agreed to take Tiko on as a foster cat. (By the way, Carolynn and her girls have fallen hard for Tiko and may not let us adopt him out.)
Please help us help Tiko. Information about donating for Tiko is here. We don't yet have a target for this fundraiser, but I suspect it will be high. This is an ER.
Update at noon Eastern time--Tiko is at the ER and has been evaluated. He is dehydrated, heart beat is normal, breathing has a little effort, but lungs sound good. His mouth is inflamed, and Tiko is producing excess saliva. His colon seems filled with rock hard feces. His abdomen is painful. He is borderline DKA.
Dr. A said that Tiko's problems started when he finished his dental pain meds on Wednesday. She is going to put him on IV fluids with supplements for the possible DKA. He will be put on pain meds. She will take an XRay of his abdomen to confirm that the problem in his bowels is feces, and give him an enema.
Carolynn says that Tiko looks bad, but has spirit. Kim the vet tech said that Tiko is very tolerant of and stoic with the handling. They both think that Tiko has the strength and will to get through this.
The estimate for two days of ER care is $1,900 to $2,500. I authorized payment from DCIN. Please help us help Tiko.
May 2, 2011--Today is dental day, and we've only raised $55 of the $400 target for the procedure.
Update: DCIN raised $130 for the dental, but didn't use it. He had his dental on Monday, with 11 extractions. Thank you to all who donated for that. The vet (the one who rescued Tiko) did the procedure for free, so the donaitons will go into Chester's fund.
April 30, 2011--Chester in foster care with FDMB’s Carolynn, Fletcher (GA) and Robbie.
Today, Carolynn got a call from her vet about a handsome orange boy that was surrendered. He is six years and was brought in for euthanasia, but thankfully this vet knew that FD is not a death sentence. The vet called Carolynn and asked if she could take him or if she knew anyone who would be interested. She immediately contacted DCIN and after speaking to Jennifer (FDMB’s Tuckers Mom), Carolynn agreed to foster Chester.
He was on 2U BID of ProZinc and eating dry food. He got soiled on his way to his new foster home, got a bath and his BG after all of that was a not too horrible 263.
Carolynn will be starting Chester on 1/2U BID of Lantus tomorrow and changing his diet to a healthy grain-free, canned only diet. Chester weighs 11 pounds but his ribs are easily felt, she will be monitoring his weight during the diet change as well as monitoring his BGs.
Chester needs a dental and the procedure is scheduled for Monday. Costs are expected to be about $400. DCIN will be paying for the dental; would you be able to help? You can help by sending your tax-deductible donation through PayPal to ennis93 @att.net (remove space). More detail about making a PayPal donation for Chester’s dental is on this page.
DCIN will also be helping with Chester's diabetic costs while he is fostering with Carolynn.
September 22, 2012--"Alex and Donovan have fit in amazingly fast and well..and they are a joy every day..everyone that has met them loves them!! They both have amazzzzing puurrsonalities, and are good snugglers, players, and also have really good cat breath!!! When I approach Alex, she "barks" at me with affection..which makes me melt every time..Donovan is very suave..and brings a lot of style to our place..he is soooo sweeeet!! Everyone gets along!!!"
June 5, 2012--Alex Olivia and Donovan traveled home to Indiana yesterday. It was a very long ride, but they made it safely, and are now enjoying their new home. I am so happy for them, their new Mom Jeanne, and all the other critters in the home.Thanks so much to the White clan for driving them from Maryland to Indiana.
May 6, 2012--AO&D have the commitment of a home together with Jeanne and her crew. Jeanne adopted Brooklyn from the NYCACC last fall with DCIN's help. We know that AO&D will love their new home. Both Jeanne and Holly have friends traveling between Baltimore and Indiana soon who are options for ground transports for these two. We will be sure to let you know when this loving pair is at their new home and how they are doing. ~Venita
March 8, 2012--Updates on AO and Donovan from the comments below:
Monica said...
I am curious about their names, especially Alex Olivia. Who named them? What's the story?
March 6, 2012 3:05 PM
hollybee said...
HI Monica! Actually they came into the shelter with those names, provided by the 'owners' who dumped them there. I believe they turned in at least one other cat, and she went to rescue. I love that Alex Olivia has two names, I think that is so cute! Their names fit them perfectly....they are like Ward and June Cleaver, Donovan is the nice guy who would mow your lawn for you, while AO is the one who would make a casserole for you when you are ill. How anyone could shove them into a carrier and drop them at a kill-shelter is beyond me......they quickly became staff favorites and a plea went out to save them.
A rescue I work with (specializing in adult cats) was set to take them in, but needed to leave AO and D at the shelter for a couple of weeks while they moved location of their group home. During that time, AO got very stressed and began showing signs of being diabetic, boy was she a mess when I got her (we agreed to foster them since there are bowls of dry food at the rescue which wouldn't be good for her). She had diarrhea, a nasty URI, had lost half her fur, etc. I got a crash course on diabetes and we got her off insulin in about 6 weeks! She has been happy and healthy ever since, with the loyal support of her hubby Donovan, who is always quick to provide her with a face bath.....we actually just had an incident over the weekend with her getting a stomach bug, which I will post separately about. The good news is, because of that I had bloodwork and x-rays done, and she got a clean bill of health! Everything looks wonderful, even her gums and teeth are nice, the vet couldn't believe she was 11 : ) Thanks for asking about them! I wish I knew more about the origins of their names too.....it's rare (I think?) to hear of someone giving their cat/dog two names : )
March 7, 2012 9:23 AM
hollybee said...
Just a quick health update on Alex Olivia! We had a bit of a scare a couple days ago when AO (who has exhibited stellar health since going OTJ almost a year ago) started vomiting and having diarrhea. Poor thing couldn't keep anything down or in. Last week we had a temporary foster in our home, and although we kept him separated from the other cats, I must have inadvertantly carried some germs from one room to the next. He was from the streets, from a bad section of town, but I am happy to report he's already in a new home.
Anyway, I whisked AO off to one of the vets we use at our TNR clinics. She ruled out anything abnormal in the stool sample, and took x-rays and did bloodwork to make sure AO didn't get into anything she wasn't supposed to. Her x-rays looked great, except her intestines were full of gas and the walls were thickened. This was indicative of a viral or bacterial infection so she stayed the day at the vet on IV and received antibiotics. We brought her home last evening and she did great throughout the night, so I just got back from taking her in to have her IV catheter removed.
She is GREAT at the vet - very laid back, purrs the whole time, sits on my lap or on the scale : ) The only 'stress' related thing I noticed was that her ears turn fire red, like she is embarrassed or something, I had never seen that in a cat before......in addition to great x-rays (no signs of any tumors or anything else awry) her bloodwork was stellar! Of course her BG was up a bit, but that was to be expected. A couple other values were slightly elevated, but all were related to what she was going through. Her platelets, etc were perfect, yippee! So, if anything good came out of this, it's that we have a current full blood workup and x-rays on her as we keep moving forward in trying to locate their forever home!
March 7, 2012 9:35 AM
hollybee said...
Forgot to mention, her teeth and gums looked great too....vet couldn't believe she is 11!
March 7, 2012 9:53 AM
February 26, 2012--A video of Alex Olivia with her kitten-like energy. Please consider adopting AO and Donovan. They must be placed soon. They are on DCIN's 911 list.
February 12, 2012-- Great news for Holly!! She has been offered and accepted a fellowship in California. Although she won't be leaving for a few months, the bad news is that Alex Olivia and Donovan aren't able to go along.
We're going to have to rent a place out there and it's going to be hard enough with our 4 permanents.....we are going to be working hard to get all of our fosters placed (we currently have 4). Even if we could take them, Donovan is not happy not being able to be king of the fiefdom around here, and we'll be lucky to get a place out there 1/3 the size of this house......so he definitely wouldn't be a happy camper ;(
DCIN is now rating Alex and Olivia as 911. Although their lives are not in danger at this time, we have no idea what the future holds in a few months if they don't find a new situation. Alex Olivia hasn't been on insulin for almost a year. So a diabetic-friendly home is one we need to find--someone who will feed low-carb wet or raw food and test AO's BG levels from time to time.
January 29, 2012--I asked Holly for an update on AO and Donovan:
Yes, I have Miss AO and D still, coming up on one year.......we had a party yesterday and Donovan was the life of it ~ he is SOOOOO social, it was really fun to see! AO was very social, but she let people come to her instead : ) It was a party for our TNR group so everyone here loved cats.....
AO is very, very laid back......her favorite thing is to find a really comfy spot to snooze......and she LOVES for you to find her and give her rubs - she'll reward you with a squeaky meow, and a purr as big as the sun. Donovan is a curious kitty - he wants to see what's going on all the time. We'd love to get these two into a permanent home - Donovan is a bit antsy. Our male cat Beau only tolerates other male cats for a few months before he starts giving them the cold shoulder. Donovan would LOVE a home where he can have 'responsibility' - other cats would be fine, but he'd like to be the one with all the responsibility, to take care of the others and his humans, to be looked up to. The cat density here is a little too much for him and since we foster we have other cats come and go, so he's never quite sure what his 'role' is here.
Both are 'bed cats'.....LOVE to sleep in bed with you : ) AO's health is perfect these days......I randomly test her about once a month, she remains OTJ and thrives on a mix of Sophistocat/Fancy Feast. At the party yesterday, people couldn't believe how well she looked, they all remember the pics I first posted of her!
June 3, 2011--I was in Baltimore today, and stopped in to meet Alex Olivia and Donovan and their foster Mom, Holly.
Yes, I got waylaid four times by the four gray/gray tiger, 9-week old kittens in the front room. Ferals babies being socializing. "Take us home!!!" they quietly whispered in between their baby hisses. "Yes, I want to, but can't," I sighed in response.
I first met Donovan. He has the most awesome, thick but short medium-gray fur. Maybe five white pieces of hair on his chest. He likes to be petted, but doesn't at times, and will lightly nip to instruct the uninitiated in the proper way and time to pet. He doesn't mind sprawling on the dining table for his pets. Donovan not only looks after Alex Olivia, he worships her. He bathes her face. He follows her around. He worries if someone (stranger me) approaches her.
Alex Olivia is a quiet, well-mannered girl. To my way of thinking, she still needs to add some weight. Her diabetes has been diet controlled since early March. Sometimes, Holly told me, AO seems to not want as much attention as Donovan gives her. Yes, us fickle women. Complaining when we are worshiped.
These two cats would cause no ruckus in a household. They hang together, taking their own space in Holly's home. They seem to be each other's everything, but still have room in their hearts to love people.
Holly is an awesome woman. Among her many achievements are fostering for the Howard County Cat Club and coordinating the volunteers for the monthly spay/neuter clinics for Community Cats Maryland, a TNR group. I had a most enjoyable two hours with Holly and the ten cats that live with her.
February 24, 2011--
Alex Olivia and her lifelong mate Donovan (not diabetic) are in foster care with Holly for Howard County Cat Club, a rescue group in Baltimore, MD. Alex Olivia (AO) is the tabby and Donovan is the grey. We really would like to see these two placed together, as they are highly bonded.
Why were these two turned into an animal shelter?
Their 'owner' brought them in because they had 'too many animals' at home......I guess they were doing some spring cleaning ; (
They quickly became staff favorites because they are just so darn sweet, so a plea went out to save them.......
AO and Donovan are 10 years old and front declawed. They are eating Wellness CORE wet. AO is 7-8 pounds, thin but gaining weight (she had lost weight while at the shelter).
Both kitties are VERY laid back. We have four permanent kitties and one other foster - Alex Olivia and Donovan have integrated perfectly, with no altercations. We have one room that is dedicated to fosters and that is where Alex Olivia spends all of her time (there is a low barrier, which Donovan jumps sometimes to go exploring the rest of the house, then he jumps back in to spend time with his 'woman'). I have left the barrier open at times and our other cats have been free to wander in. Alex Olivia enjoys picking a new spot every day to sleep and appears quite content. She tolerates being glucose tested using her ear VERY well. She will sit in your lap and let you lance her ear and do the test. She does not even notice when you give her the insulin shot. She has a very loud purr, a little meow, and will sit in your lap and rub on you. Both are just the sweetest, most laid back, low-key kitties.
Both cats get along with the other cats in the foster home. Their behavior with dogs and children is unknown.
In addition to the photos here, AO and Donovan each have a video:
AO was diagnosed diabetic on February 1, 2011, during a routine exam at the shelter. Although AO's intake exam on January 21, 2011, described her as healthy, the staff observed alopecia, weight loss, lots of water drinking (PD), and lots of pee in litter box (PU). They performed a urine dipstick test and the glucose level was 1000. It appears as though the symptoms manifested themselves during her stay at the shelter. AO has no known history of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) or hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
AO's current clinical symptoms include glucose ranging from 109 to 228 mg/dl, some alopecia (as you can see in one of the picture above), and hunger. AO is on .5U of Levemir insulin twice a day. A spreadsheet with her BG readings is here.
Both AO and Donovan have some upper respiratory issues from being in the shelter; the shelter put both of them on Clavamox. There is some sneezing and one of AO's eyes is runny, although it's now getting better. Holly adds Viralys (Lysine) to their water (Donovan isn't a fan of it in wet food) and wet food and has been putting Terramycin on AO's eye the past couple of days and that seems to be helping (she had tearing and some mucus).
The two have no behavior problems, such as spraying or inappropriate urination). They both tested negative for FIV/FeLV and were vaccinated in late January/early February 2011. Holly has copies of the records from the shelter. She also has records of AO's full blood panel in February from a private vet. I have contact information for the shelter and the private vet as well as for Holly.
AO and Donovan were meant to enter the rescue's group home and go up for adoption; however, when they found out AO was diabetic this wasn't an option because the rescue's volunteers do not come in on a regular basis. AO would not have been able to receive timely doses of insulin.
I have been fostering cats for various groups for over a year now and help them to adopt out the kitties. Unfortunately I have no experience with diabetes and have relied heavily on the advice of the FDMB group members. Also, in addition to working full time, we have a side business that involves long hours at craft shows/farmer's markets on the weekends--some of this will be overnight travel, the busy season starts in just a few weeks. I tried all of my feline connections to see if anyone else could foster, but either they don't have the experience or they are full.
Alex Olivia and Donovan are not at risk for euthanasia, but you can tell from the above quote from Holly that they need a new placement, if only a foster home, soon.
They truly are a sweet pair of cats that deserve every bit of this second chance they are getting!
If you are a member of the FDMB, you can follow AO's progress by searching the posts for member Hollybee.
April 4, 2012--From Claudia: "No one ever inquired after him. He was happy and playful over the weekend. He is buried with his favorite catnip toy and a blanket. He’s in a better place."
You were home all this time, dear Doug. Godspeed and Angelwings.
I need to try again to get a decent picture of Doug. He is all black, but my pictures show him as mahogany brown in color. Nothing has changed with him. A lower dose Lantus kitty that is a real good boy.
Update May 20, 2010--New pictures of Doug, a lovely black, insulin-dependent diabetic cat fostering with Claudia. He is still available for adoption. **********************************************************************************
Update January 25, 2010--Doug has moved down to foster with Claudia in Middleboro, MA. (Claudia also is fostering Pewter Boy and Rusty.) He arrived on January 16. Claudia writes:
Doug spent a few days in my office. He is easy to test (after he settled down). This past weekend, he decided that he would eat from the communal bowls, instead of by himself in the office. Watching the adaptation dance with the other seven cats in the house was fun. He talks a lot and made a huge vocal fuss over a soft toy he found. He was carrying it all over making all kinds of "Siamese" like sounds. Next weekend I will curve him, and see if we have progress toward OTJ [off-the-juice--remission]. If someone will take another diabetic, I now have 3 ready to go. Five diabetics is certainly eating into my syringe stash (10 a day for them plus at least 4 for me).
Connie and Em of the FDMB has a foster diabetic ready for adoption. Connie keeps a blog about her kitties, and these are the entries about Doug. Doug is owned by H.A.R.T. of Maine. This is what Connie wrote on the FDMB about Doug.
I am fostering Doug for a local shelter, so if you are interested, I can connect you up to them. I really believe Doug has some Siamese in him, as he has that longer face, and LOVES the sound of his own voice. He's also quite determined and strong of spirit like the other Siamese cats I know. He is adjusting well to being in the home. He probably could free roam in the home, but I'm just not ready to do that to my kids at this point. He's here for four more weeks, then he's headed down to Claudia's (cjleo) (in Massachusetts). He's currently eating raw (took to it very well - but does eat canned and was eating dry at the shelter) and is on Lanuts. He was on PZI but I think he needed TID dosing on PZI and I am not in a position to do that. He's still settling down on his dose, so he's not all that well regulated at this point, but I can see it happening. He was diagnosed with pancreatitis. But at this point we are simply dealing with the high BGs, and his catly attitude. He does love to sit and display his beauty. He also enjoys attention. He's not a jump up in your lap cat, but he doesn't mind one bit when I pick him up for attention, and is VERY good (and bleeds very well) for testing. My Ollie is a grumpy grumpy man, and doesn't really want Doug roaming around, so he's under strict supervision when he wanders, but as you can see from the videos that he gets along well with the attention of my other kitties.
In response to questions, Em said that Doug is 6 years old, currently has no behavior issues other then waking her up at 3am (which she thinks she has licked with a timed feeder to keep him distracted). He had pancreatitis, but that seems to be ok.
Pewter Boy has been with me since Easter of 2008. He was an owner surrender. The woman had raised him from a kitten, and she did not want him once he was diagnosed diabetic. My guess is that he was abused. He didn’t know how to play, and he cowered when approached.
He has learned to trust me and learned to play and to relate well to some of the cats in the house. I’ve seen tremendous progress with Pewter Boy. He is a large cat, not fat, just tall and long. He is rather solitary and doesn’t take to strangers quickly. He’s quite vocal now, telling me when he wants food or attention. He likes bottle caps and catnip mice.
He would make someone with a quiet home a nice pet. He just is not crazy about having 8 or more cats living in his home. His Lantus dose (2 u bid) has been very stable. And he is very meticulous about grooming his white fur.
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Update 10/17/10--Such a handsome cat, and no interest at all in him. Disappointing. From Claudia's recent update to me:
As he stays with me longer, Pewter Boy becomes more affectionate. And, he now talks when he wants food or attention. He is stable on 2 u of Lantus BID.
We did a dental on him last year. His health is great other than the diabetes.
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Original post, 12/9/09--Claudia (cjleo) fosters cat, I mean, she really fosters cats. She is known among her rescue group and local circles as the person who will foster feline diabetics.
Pewter Boy is one of Claudia's FDs that she would like to find a home for. About PB, Claudia writes the following. You can trust what CJ says, and she wouldn't omit something important about a cat's behavior. She's had too many surprises herself.
Pewter Boy is a very quiet, well behaved, solitary cat. I think he would love a house with fewer cats. He waits for everyone else to eat before he goes to the food dishes. He is getting enough food as you can see.
He came to me as a surrender. The woman who had him from a kitten was going to put him down because of the diabetes. I went and met her and took him. I think he may have been mistreated based on his behavior. It was months before he came to me to be petted. Now, he will crawl up in my lap when he wants attention.
He is also medically up-to-date with a dental late in the spring of 2009. He is on Lantus 2u bid. He is a very good boy, but he doesn’t like change. Whoever takes him will need to have lots of patience. He is younger than Rusty (8, I think); but he will make a good companion for someone older – probably a couple. I think children would scare him. I need help to test him which is why I suggest a couple.
November 29, 2011--Nanner sure landed softly when he chose to live with Suzanne. It's been four months that Nanner has been with Suzanne, and this little Siamese boy with the floppy ear melts his mama's heart on a daily basis. He's also one to keep a close eye on, as he loves scouring the kitchen for fallen food items! His diabetes remains well regulated despite some fallen pasta excursions.
