Monty the Diabetic Cat
June 17th, 2010 by Two-Legs
At the age of 9 1/2 Monty was diagnosed with diabetes. Because he was otherwise so healthy, and because I am a nurse and I know people can live happy and healthy lives with diabetes I decided to treat and medicate Monty rather than have him put down. Now, with careful monitoring, Monty is happy and healthy. He does have his ups and downs but his condition is controlled and I wouldn’t be without him for the world. He’ll always be my baby. Please enjoy. I hope you find this interesting and educational. This is my first attempt at a movie and I decided to make a clip of my lovely boy Monty who is a black burmese cross cat.
- 25 Comments »
- Posted in Cat Health
October 20th, 2007 at 5:51 am
Thank you. My friends think I’m mad! Speaking of chubby, since adopting a new kitten Monty has put on half a kilo from eating kitten biscuits. The vet was not impressed! Neither is Monty now that he’s on a diet.
November 4th, 2007 at 8:04 pm
I work for a vet as a feline diabetes counselor. For anyone who has a newly diagnosed diabetic…it is very possible to reverse diabetes by feeding a low carb canned *only* diet and using insulin (Lantus or PZI only) to keep BG numbers in the normal range (which requires home testing.) See yourdiabeticcat dot com for an example. Sometimes even long term diabetics can be reversed although it is not as common.
January 1st, 2008 at 10:05 pm
he’s beautiful
January 1st, 2008 at 10:09 pm
I am looking after an iinsulin dependant diabetic cat currently called Heidi, around 12-14yrs old. She’s been living as a stray and was covered in skin wounds due to a possible flea allergy. She gets an injection twice daily and is very good about it.
February 7th, 2008 at 1:00 am
Thank you for posting your video. My Ginger has diabetes and now chronic renal failure, he’s not at his best poor soul. I tested him for the first time yesterday, boy it was hard, he didn’t like it.
February 7th, 2008 at 1:02 am
I tried again today but his ear wouldn’t bleed so I will try again tomorrow. I think I may have been pricking the wrong part of his ear. Monty is gorgeous, give him a cuddle from me
February 7th, 2008 at 4:36 am
Thank you for your comments. Believe me it does get easier and some days we have more luck than others. I have come to learn that when Monty won’t stay still to be tested his numbers are usually fine. It is definitely easier in summer when his ears are warmer. “markNtime” has an excellent YouTube called “How to Test Your Diabetic Cat’s Blood Sugar at Home” This is very helpful. I wish you and Ginger all the best.
February 9th, 2008 at 1:05 am
My Cleo is 13 and was diagnosed 2 years ago. She also doesnt mind the needle or any of the procedures. It’s like she knows its for her own good. She hates the visit to the vet when for her regular glucose curve check up.
February 19th, 2008 at 3:40 am
My 13 year old cat was diagnosed with diabetes just recently. It tore my heart apart hearing the procedure and what she will have to go through with the insulin shots, but your video helped relieve the stress that I was feeling. I do hope when she begins her treatment that all will go smoothly, and she will become a healthy, stable cat once again. Thank you for your inspirational video.
May 2nd, 2008 at 7:22 am
i am a diabetic and i see no point in life the only thing u get is this is bad and that isnt good and stupid people bothering u about your blood sugar
May 6th, 2008 at 8:17 am
I’m sorry to hear that. It must be a nuisance to be told what to eat and do all the time. If you are recently diagnosed I will tell you (as a nure)that it does get better. There’s a lot of education at the beginning. And once you become aware of what’s good for you and what’s not your body will recognise this and you’ll probably feel pretty crap if you eat the wrong thing. Maybe we’ll see a YouTube with your diabetes story – how it sucks to be told what to do. Have fun, Jody.
May 19th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
i have a cat named monty, too! he’s a fluffy orange tabby
August 1st, 2008 at 10:51 pm
My cat died recently from kidney failure caused by diabetes,i injected him with caninsulin twice a day for 2 years,he even recovered from neuropathy(weakness in the legs) i had to have him put to sleep as he would not eat anymore & became very depressed & lethargic, i tried everything i could to save him,he was 10 years old, one thing i learned was that i will never ever feed a cat dry food again,prescription food or not it’s no good for your cat,they are not meant to eat dry food..BEWARE!
August 4th, 2008 at 1:02 am
Thank you for your comments. We had an old siamese when I was little who lived on a piece of fresh meat each evening and whatever he could catch. He lived to be almost 18 and was healthy until the end. I always feed my cats fresh meat now but with biscuits through the day as they are inside cats. In my opinion the biscuits are too processed to be their only food. It would be like us living on cereal all our lives. I’m sorry your cat had to be put down.
August 25th, 2008 at 1:05 am
im a diabetic. i knew that animals could have diabetes, but ive never actually seen one with it. monty is cute!!! i couldnt poke my cats ear. i would shake so much.
September 2nd, 2008 at 9:10 pm
Well, I’ve got a 14 year old Burmese cross and he’s diabetic too. Currently though, he’s got a case of pancreatitis which is terrible – but curable. I’m just keeping my fingers crossed though. I don’t want to hear any bad news about him because he’s been my companion for more than half my life.
September 16th, 2008 at 5:07 am
I can’t believe it but just watching the first minute of your video has me in tears. Our family cat, Buster, was diagnosed diabetic only two or three months ago and is now ketoacidotic and unwilling to eat and unable to stand. He’s now staying in the animal hospital with IVs and the like. I’m just not sure I will ever get to see him swat at a toy ever again. Thank goodness your Monty has not seen the same effect from Diabetes. Your cat is beautiful and happy – May he live a long life!
September 16th, 2008 at 5:08 am
I should also add that Monty looks just like Buster! Only a bit more thin.
September 16th, 2008 at 10:31 am
I’m so sorry to hear about Buster. I really hope he pulls through. Luckily I think we caught Monty’s diabetes early so he had a few years of good health but unfortunately at age 12 we had to have him put down.
I still miss him dearly and I can understand wht you are going through with Buster.
All the best, My thoughts are with you.
September 17th, 2008 at 11:28 pm
I apologize profusely, I wasn’t aware. I’m sorry that he had to be put down. It’s an awful experience and I wish it upon no one! We put Buster to sleep last night at about 6.10. It was very hard but I know now he isn’t suffering. He is going to be cremated and we’re going to bury him in our backyard, so we always know he’s around. I don’t think it’s legal but it seems only right. Thank you for your kind words, and I wish you all the happiness in the world.
September 18th, 2008 at 10:40 am
Don’t apologise, you weren’t to know. Monty is also in the garden, in the spot he liked to sit in, watcing the world go by. I planted a rose over top of him so I’ll think of him wen I see the flowers bloom.
March 26th, 2009 at 6:56 am
Yes, yes, yes! I’ve recently learned this myself. Thank you for sharing your story and getting the word out about this common misconception. 3 separate vets I called recently are still recommending dry food–proof that even vets haven’t all caught up with this knowldge. Though my 13-year-old diabetic cat has improved on Welness canned food, I’ll probably be putting him down soon, because the diabetes has already done its damage. So sorry for your loss. This is really painful.
April 3rd, 2009 at 8:34 pm
I dont believe you have the right to put him down ;( this is only God to decide!! not you I dont know who invented this idea to put a living pet to sleep .. let him die when his time comes! so sad what you people doing
January 6th, 2010 at 1:53 am
Thank you for this lovely video. I’m sorry to hear that Monty had to be put down eventually. I just learned that one of my kitties (age 10) has diabetes so I’m trying to learn all that I can.
January 6th, 2010 at 3:33 am
I’m glad that you are doing your best to learn how to deal with this condition. Thankfully it is manageable and you should have a few more good years with your kitty-cat. I’m glad that we could help you.