Hello Kathryn and Prem Jaan Ji ! Wow what a story! It takes a brave, strong soul to help a pet through diabetes. It’s one of life's tests. It’s a commitment. It can be complicated and nerve wracking. It’s not every person who will treat this illness, so good for you for trying despite all the speedbumps along the way. Many people just assume it’s their cat’s time and let go. Some people hold on tighter. I’ve been known to grip pretty firm!

Let’s assume your cat is diabetic, or in the process of becoming diabetic. There is nothing wrong with glipizide and food to begin his therapy. But we need to realize that the latest research shows it only works in about 20% of cats, and it takes a month of two to see if it’s going to work. While we are waiting for it to work, we hope that glucose toxicity will not further damage the pancreas (which have to do with regulating blood sugar). So for many reasons, eventually, these guys need insulin to really get a chance at remission (i.e. becoming non-diabetic).

So, let’s assume it’s been between one and two months after starting the food and oral medications, and Prem Jann Ji remains diabetic. I would be getting a pee sample from your kitty. I would want to look for the existence of ketones, sugar or any infections that are making him resistant to your efforts at regulating him. Make sure there are no bad dental infections in the mouth.  

There is something really really important you said, a feeling I think is shared by many people. It’s this:

“Since I am not a Vet, I don't know if I should put him through the Insulin therapy, nor do I think I would be a good candidate to perform that, as who knows, I might give too much and there could be too low blood sugar, and an emergency. Plus I don't have a car, and he is heavy and I have a bad back. So in an emergency situation, it might go terribly wrong. Plus, I am wary of taxi drivers in this town.”

Let me tell you something. You braved the crazy taxi’s. You can take blood from your cat in your own home. You can give oral medications! There is so much here you have accomplished that is so difficult for so many. You have real skills and a cat with reduced fear levels that will let you do it. So don’t succumb to extreme reach barriers. An extreme reach barrier is the thought that in order to achieve something, we must go to the very extreme of that thing to have any success at it, so it’s something to be avoided. It’s a defensive mechanism we all do. We say things like “put him through” when we think like this, and while there is occasionally truth to that, it’s usually means “put me through”.

And you are way too strong for that (i know this from what you have done already). Just move forward, step by step, with a vet team that will give you a concise plan. A system. Check the pee, and check the blood at your next appointment and see if you need the insulin. I’ve never had a cat go hypoglycemic on me. I'm not saying it won’t happen, but it’s not an accident. It’s planning and a learned skill set - knowing when to give insulin and when to withhold it. Which you should do brilliantly. The plan should include insulins and foods designed to increase the chance of remission. I don’t know much about Fennugreek seeds. But I know the natural insulin I want produced is by your cat’s own pancreas. And if you can get them out of a glucose toxic state, you have a great chance at it. If diabetes is a test, you are so far passing with flying colours. Keep at it!

Good Luck!

Dr. Kris