November 5, 2026, 12:12 pm | Read time: 6 minutes
In June 2022, the cat Jackie was diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. A few weeks later, he was dead. In between, his owners went on vacation, leaving caretaker Victoria Elsner to manage the not-yet-stabilized diabetic cat alone, and a weekend during which the cat suddenly disappeared. Elsner recounts in a personal account how this happened, as Jackie’s case still occupies her thoughts. PETBOOK shares her story and explains what owners of a diabetic cat should consider when traveling.
How the Care Began
Jackie was a middle-aged cat weighing about 4.3 kilograms. Victoria Elsner describes him as easygoing, calm, and affectionate–simply a “nice guy.” From the start of her care, it was noticeable that he ate very poorly. Due to his poor general condition, his owners ordered a blood test, which revealed diabetes. An insulin therapy then began.
The owners wanted an insulin that needed to be administered only once a day or even less frequently. From a veterinary perspective, this was not a sensible solution at the time, says Elsner. Jackie was still in the adjustment phase, where regular blood sugar checks, possibly ketone checks, and careful monitoring are important to adjust the insulin dose. Therefore, they opted for an insulin that is injected twice daily. This aligns with what guides for cats describe: Insulin is usually given twice a day, and regular blood sugar measurements are necessary to adjust the dose. 1,2
Initial Care Under Difficult Conditions
Then the owners wanted to travel–right in the middle of the adjustment phase. Elsner neither knew Jackie nor his owners and had received the assignment through a recommendation. Nevertheless, she took on the care and thus practically the management of the diabetes adjustment.
Several factors made this difficult, she explains:
- Lack of Familiarity: Jackie was neither accustomed to blood sugar measurements nor regular injections. There was no prior medical training. For measurements, a needle had to be inserted into the ear, sometimes not enough blood was obtained, and the cat quickly became restless.
- Insufficient Supplies: Lancets and blood sugar strips were running low, making reliable measurements impossible as time went on. Even obtaining the right syringes was not without difficulty.
- Poor Appetite: Jackie often ate only when someone was present. At times, Elsner had to feed him with a feeding syringe to ensure he consumed enough for insulin administration to be feasible.
- Insufficient Care Time: Elsner was alone on-site and scheduled only every twelve hours. She considered this far too little for a not-yet-stabilized diabetic. She requested involving the neighbors, but they did not feel confident in measuring blood sugar, and there were doubts about their reliability in checking on the cat.
- Owners Unreachable: According to the caretaker, the owners were aware of the difficulties but did not want to postpone the trip. They were about 500 miles away and indicated they could not return in an emergency.
Elsner took Jackie to the veterinary practice multiple times, including for a long-term blood sugar check. Unfortunately, the values remained suboptimal.
Also of interest: Cat sniffs food but doesn’t eat? Here’s what’s behind it
The Turning Point
On Friday, July 22, 2022, Jackie was examined, fed, and given insulin in the practice in the morning. Afterward, a relative of the owners picked up the cat. At home, Jackie apparently panicked and disappeared for the entire weekend. A long time during which the cat received neither food nor insulin.
It wasn’t until Sunday morning that Elsner noticed Jackie had not been properly cared for since Friday. When he reappeared, he looked very unwell. Although Elsner urged Jackie’s owners to seek emergency veterinary care immediately, the family preferred to leave.
Soon after, Elsner found Jackie motionless on the cold tile floor. She administered glucose orally, alerted the emergency service, and took him to an animal clinic. There, blood and ultrasound examinations were conducted. Jackie had to be hospitalized, received infusions and medication, and was force-fed.
In consultation with the owners, Jackie was eventually euthanized. The reason given was that they did not want to leave the cat alone in a ward and wanted to spare him from dying in the clinic without his familiar people. Elsner accompanied the cat during euthanasia, holding him in her arms until the end.
Even Horses Can Get Diabetes–Here’s How to Spot It
This Cat Disease Is Often Detected Late
What Remains
For Victoria Elsner, it was “incredibly difficult”–even though she had known Jackie only briefly. An intense bond developed during those days. “What still occupies my mind today is the question of whether Jackie ever really had a chance,” she later reflects.
Whether Jackie would have recovered from the severe metabolic imbalance cannot be determined in hindsight; according to the treating veterinarian, the chances were limited. However, the caretaker felt that the owners were overwhelmed by the diagnosis and necessary therapy. The fact that the responsibility for a newly diagnosed diabetic was practically entirely transferred to a stranger while the owners continued their vacation was something she had to accept.
Elsner would not take on such initial care today, especially not for a newly diagnosed diabetic in the adjustment phase when the owners are not involved.
At the same time, a dilemma remains: If professional caretakers refuse such cases, overwhelmed neighbors or family members may end up taking care of them. Professional care, therefore, means not only feeding, playing, and cuddling but also “setting boundaries, demanding responsibility, and saying no if necessary.”
Also of interest: Where to leave my cat when I go on vacation?
What Owners of a Cat with Diabetes Need to Know
According to Allianz, cats can live many years with good quality of life with proper treatment. For many cats, remission is even possible, meaning blood sugar can be managed through diet without insulin. This requires close monitoring, especially at the beginning:3
- Owners are part of the therapy. Owners must administer injections correctly and recognize changes, hypoglycemia, or ketoacidosis. Ideally, they create a daily blood sugar profile at home.
- Hypoglycemia is the most important complication. It can occur suddenly, with symptoms like weakness, lethargy, seizures, and even coma.
- Coordinate feeding with the practice. Consistent feeding times and insulin after a meal are recommended. However, for cats with multiple small meals, the injection may not need to be tied to feeding. The practice decides which approach is suitable.
Anyone planning to travel should discuss it with the veterinary practice beforehand, especially with a newly diagnosed cat.