My cat was recently diagnosed with diabetes

Gus (feline) was recently diagnosed with diabetes and as been on insulin (2 units twice a day) since the diagnoses.  My vet had me bring Gus to the office yesterday to leave him all day so he could have his glucose monitored.  This was a $200 visit.  I’m thinking there will be more such visits in the future.  Are there other less expensive ways to test feline glucose?  Plus, Gus wasn’t very cooperative with the vet and after several pokings, the vet decided to draw a vile of blood for one final attempt where I will learn the results today.  Any suggestions would be appreciated.  Thank you!!!

Hello!  I sympathise with Gus, as a fellow diabetic.  I also know that treatment for diabetes can be expensive, not least because the disease is chronic ie ongoing.  I can't discuss the future costs of Gus's treatment because I don't know him, but think it is important that you understand what your vets have tested and why, what the results represent and how this benefits Gus.  It doesn't change the cost, but can help to put you on a level of understanding to appreciate what costs you can expect in the future.  For instance, how often will tests need to be done?  Might Gus go into remission? You pay your vets to help you to  understand how best to manage the condition with what money is available, and to achieve this, talking about what money is available is vital.  We often find it hard, but Drs consider costs when it comes to human healthcare too.  In the UK the difference is that this is done behind closed doors, so in this culture it can feel a little awkward.   However, I hope that an open conversation with your vets about this can at least prepare you for what to expect.

Taking regular spot tests of blood glucose in cats is often unhelpful because blood sugar soars when cats are stressed.  Sending a blood test away that measures an 'average' blood glucose over the past few days, for example, may provide a much better measure of where a cats' blood glucoses are generally.  Buying a blood sugar kit and testing at home (like humans do) can be cheaper, but if Gus is stressed having blood taken, the results won't tell you anything.  I don't know any cat where 'spot' glucose tests are helpful.  Urine tests give some indication, but only a few days later and much more vaguely than blood tests.  I hope this is informative if nothing else!

Meanwhile, good luck with Gus's results - we look fwd to hearing how things go for you.