Diabetes and anesthesia

I have 2 long-haired cats and they both have diabetes. I have them shaved or groomed 2 or 3 times a year. The groomer won't touch them unless they are knocked out completely. I have never had a problem and didn't worry so much since the groomer is in the vet's office. But we did have a cat a few years ago that lost weight suddenly, so we took her to the vet. She was really scared and the vet gave her an injection to calm her so he could examine her. We didn't know she had diabetes. She went into a diabetic coma and died. It was horrible. I would hate myself something happened to them. Any advice? The vet says it is perfectly safe but I still worry.

I would worry too - anesthesia will cause the blood serum glucose to be significantly lower ... my suggestion is to withold insulin until the next day after grooming if they are going to administer anesthesia.

By the way, what kind of anesthesia are they using? Gas or injectibles?

Is this the same vet that you lost the other cat with??? If so i`d find another vet.
They can probably have anesthesia....but a relyable vet should be finding out what their blood sugar level is BEFORE he does that ...and then do whatever he has to do to regulate it to make it safe....just like they do with diabetic people!
Linda

I would avoid shaving and professional grooming altogether for diabetic cats (actually for all cats). Stress can raise BG (blood glucose), anesthesia can cause BG to crash, stressed cats often won't eat which creates further havoc...it's just too easy to become a dangerous mess. It's a risk worth taking for dental cleanings and other medical surgery, but not for grooming.

There is a groomer at the vet's office I used to work at and the screams that came from the cats in there would make my blood curdle. Grooming really is an awful experience for cats. You are much better off brushing them yourself at home and taking them to the vet only if they really need to have a nasty mat shaved.

I always tell our clients to withhold food and insulin, then bring in their insulin the morning of the anaesthetic. We can then check the patients blood glucose in the morning and give at least some insulin. (It is not a good idea to skip an insulin doses altogether.) We then check the blood glucose after the procedure and feed the patient as soon as it is safe. I have never seen a diabetic patient crash after an anaesthetic. If an owner is really concerned- I tell them to feed their pet and give insulin as normal. There are plently of ways we can get around a patient having a full tummy- it just requires more careful observation.

I will definitely ask them if they do this. I do always have their glucose tested each time they are shaved. They are beautiful with their long hair but it is very fine and matts easily. They hate a brush. They bite and grab the brush and actually sling it across the room. They are spoiled rotten. I will have to get them groomed this time, but I will try the brushing again. Thanks for all the advice. Oh and yes it is the same vet that we lost the other cat too. They have saved a lot of our pets and are probably the best vets in this area. They made a mistake and it cost us dearly. Rowdy was only 5 and we still have her mother. I know she wondered what happened to her baby and I wish we had known about the diabetes. I have to admit when it comes to diabetic cats they told me they don't have much luck but I have talked with the other vets in town and they don't know as much. They are not bad enough to take insulin though, thank God for that. I have tons of questions about diabetes that I can't get answered.

I am sure they use injections and then they use one to wake them up. I am not sure what they call it.

I have no real info but when my 17 yr old kindey girl got her dental she was given extra fluids

Hi, I just got her groomed and she is fine but if you have any info on diabetes in cats or know where I can find something helpful please let me know. We lost one cat to diabetes and I want to find out more and keep these alive. These are my babies. They are sister and brother and they are 8 years old. Sissy's glucose level was 309. They don't really tell me anything. They said just keep her on the Purina DM, but she is not bad enough to try anything else. I take her brother, Boxer in next week and I hope his glucose level is not higher than last time.

My favorite site on the topic of cats and diabetes is www.gorbzilla.com - check it out!

Now, if you have any questions on high protein treats for diabetic cats, that I can discuss