Sugarbaby Hall of Fame

Jo’s Milly (New Zealand)

Five years ago, Milly, my blue Burmese, was diagnosed with pancreatitis at the age of 10. A few weeks later she was diagnosed with diabetes. Luckily, within about four months, she rather suddenly went into remission. Life continued as normal.

Four years later, she was diagnosed again. Since she’d also been diagnosed with early-stage kidney failure (along with her sister, Daisy), I mistook her poor health for kidney issues not thinking for a moment her diabetes might be back. The vet said the chance of another remission was remote. But she surprised us all by going into remission within about 3 months.

Life once again continued as normal, until around four weeks ago when it was discovered she had it again. This time it was caught very early. Within a week of insulin, her levels came down to levels that were too low. She’s still fluctuating, and given her history of very sudden remission, I am keeping a very close eye on her. The vet says the chance of a cat going into remission for a third time is very unlikely, but I’m positive it will happen. At almost 16, she’s a wee trooper!

Here’s the two of them, Milly at the back and Daisy at the front. This photo was taken the day after her third-time diagnosis.

Julie’s Lolo (USA)

Lolo and I imprinted on each other from the moment he chose me at the shelter. He’s my BFF, and so when he was diagnosed with diabetes, I felt as if I had failed him. I cried every day while I researched the disease. My rambunctious, bouncy, rascal was weak and tired and couldn’t jump on the bed to get ‘hair time’, what were we going to do? The food they wanted me to feed him had more carbs than the Tiki brand he was already eating, so I just couldn’t give it to him! We made some adjustments to food, added in a bunch of exercises, and of course the insulin. I’m happy to say, he walks/jumps 99.9% ‘normal’, and his personality is back to his pre-diagnosis state!

Heather’s Cleo (Canada)

Cleo was diagnosed with diabetes in 2014 shortly after her ninth birthday. Before that she had never been sick a day in her life. But Cleo adapted seamlessly to twice-daily insulin shots and was unbelievably easy-going about home blood glucose testing. At her worst, Cleo suffered peripheral neuropathy in all four legs, making it heartbreakingly difficult for her to get around, and yet she did. She was such a trooper and I was so proud of her, not only for her perseverance, but also for letting me help her. Just over three months after her diagnosis, Cleo went into remission. Her body healed quickly, including her legs. I was so grateful for Cleo’s success, I wrote a book about our experience called The Comeback Cat. Cleo said she approved. Read more about Cleo…

Neeltje’s Gijs (the Netherlands)

Gijs came from an animal shelter as such a little boy; found in the forest with two baby sisters. He was so happy when he first saw our backyard and climbed the trees. Later in life he was on Alopectyl, which must have triggered his diabetes, along with a high carbohydrate diet. Gijs was diabetic for 8.5 years and lived a happy, normal life. He was on Caninsulin twice a day and he didn’t mind the injections and glucose tests. He was always an active boy and was the sweetest, cleverest cat you can imagine. Gijs crossed the Rainbow Bridge in 2011 at nearly 17 years old. A week before he was still a happy boy, but his kidneys failed suddenly. I still miss him very much and feel sad because he spent his last days at the vet feeling miserable. This was such a sad ending to a happy life. I hope he’ll forgive me one day.

Renee’s Toby (USA)

Toby was diagnosed with diabetes just before Christmas 2011. Having had another cat with diabetes I had an idea of what to expect and wasn’t looking forward to it. Luckily Toby is a real trooper. He doesn’t try to run when it’s time for his injection, but sometimes his curiosity makes it a bit more difficult. You see, as soon as I insert the syringe into his skin he just finds the need to turn and see what I’m doing. Sometimes it’s okay, sometimes I have to start over. One of the things that bothers me is that he has neuropathy in his legs. Over the past few months he has been improving and I hope that one day he will be back being able to jump.

Renee’s Teq (USA)

Teq was my first baby. I was really upset when, at age 19, he was diagnosed with diabetes. He was so good and made it very easy for me, at least as easy as it could be. Whenever I had to give him an injection I used the ribbed cap on the syringe to scratch his chin and behind his ears. When he saw the syringe he would actually come to me. Being new to all of this I thought that he liked getting the injection, that it felt good. I decided to ask my mom, who is also diabetic, if she felt better after taking her insulin. Since her answer was a definite ‘no’, I’d have to say that Teq just loved to be scratched. What a good baby.

My 2Pac (Australia)

When my beautiful boy 2Pac was diagnosed with feline diabetes I thought my world had come crashing down. My vet at the time sent me away with some needles, a $140 vial of insulin, and an orange to practice on. It was a terrifying time for us. 2Pac was the bravest boy any mum could hope for, and so I had to be brave too. Over the years I learned to test and monitor everything, and I became quite the expert! Blood tests were taken while 2Pac was sitting calmly on my knee, and insulin was often given while he was engrossed in his dinner. Needles rarely bothered him. We were amazing together, my boy and I, and I will love him forever. I know we will meet again across that rainbow bridge where we will be reunited.