Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[RaZ]

If she has diabetes, her weight loss is due to not enough Insulin (not producing enough, or not enough if you are giving it), leading to inability to utilize what she eats for fuel. No matter what is fed, if there is not enough insulin she will literally waste away. So sorry! Give her the best quality food you can afford (Purina DM would be a good choice), and enjoy her while you have her.

I did not know that. I'm not giving her any insulin and I'm not sure how I would do that. I also have the "sugar" and I've been losing weight too. I see that I'll need to do some research and find a way to better care for her. If she wasn't so darn skinny, you would swear that she is a normal, healthy kitten. She is certainly the boss here, Even the puppy won't test her. And when he naps on the couch, she will often cuddle in and sleep with him. My dogs and cats put the "fur" in furniture.

 

[aart]

I'm not giving her any insulin and I'm not sure how I would do that.

The vet didn't give any insulin/medication when they diagnosed her?

We had a dog with diabetes, had to give her a shot daily and test urine,
but that was when I was a kid. She also had special food.

 

[Folly's place]

Diabetic cats need insulin and also diet management! Oral meds or insulin for humans, and diet...
Mary

 

[troyer]

If some of our pets end up needing insulin, how do wild animals deal with those problems.
In our area we have a feral cat population. The very intriguing part of that is, they are barely half the size of our farm cats. I have had them around the farm on occasion and even had the privilege of having a feral female with three kittens under one of my log piles. When mature they look like a very healthy 1/3 grown kitten. Even as full grown adults they have a kitten look. Their fur has always been sleek and shiny whenever I've seen them. I saw one yesterday again and it was the picture of health. My current farm dogs don't tolerate any "strange to the farm" cats so they're not around anymore.
The size difference between the farm cats and the ferals makes it seem almost like a subspecies to the normal size cats. I don't have any pictures of them as it seems they are largely nocturnal.

 

[Folly's place]

Feral cats have short lives, and aren't ever obese. House cats, often obese, and fed odd diets, can get diabetes, and need specific diets, and meds.
Dogs and humans, and some horses, have similar problems.
Mary

 

[1muttsfan]

Feral cats usually have substandard diets, leading to Queens not having enough milk for their kittens to reach their full growth potential. They also live very short lives in general, just a few years often.

 

[Folly's place]

In the last moth we've lost a two your old hen to cancer (necropsied), a three year old hen who was not doing well for a while, and today, a May pullet who was a 'poor doer' since she arrived. I think she had a heart issue, so not a suprise there. And a missing hen since yesterday. Haven't found her yet, need to see if she's setting on a nest in the barn.
May these sad events be over!
We have four cockerels, and will be deciding who stays, as they can't all. Too soon to eliminate any of them, all are good so far.
Today is our last 90F day, according to the weather forecast. may it be true!!!
Mary

 

[ChickyCh00k]

Sorry about all your recent losses, @Folly's place ! I hope things start to turn around for you.

 

[Folly's place]

'Clusters of events' do happen, and I too hope this run is over!
Mary

 

[Sally PB]

Mary, sorry about the losses.

I am glad that the 90 degree temps are over for both of us! Not really ready for the 60s next week, but it'll make DH shut up about the heat.