So my cat (yes this is the SAME cat) was recovering from the pit bull attack when he developed diabetes. I am thinking about my options and hoping to get some insight from you folks. I wasn't sure whether to post here or in the pets forum, but my concerns are mostly boondocking-oriented, and probably apply to humans with diabetes too, so here goes.He is a special cat. One of those pet-human bonds that go very deep. He also has other health problems -- pemphigus, and a partial cleft palate. He is 10. I love him a lot.I have health problems of my own. I had planned a 'trip of a lifetime' for this fall and winter, and it may be my last chance. Or not, but maybe.I was planning to spend 2-3 months in remote areas, a mixture of boondocking and established campgrounds, and then the winter in a place I have not been before. And in the spring, more months on the road -- maybe even all winter too if I feel like it.I've been reading a lot online about feline diabetes. It's pretty high maintenance. I don't think I have anyone I can leave him with who could give as good of care as I could on the road.I can't stay at my S&B over the winter because of my own health issues.I am worried about veterinary emergencies on the road, and about stuff like keeping insulin cool and unshaken.I am not sure how well I will be able to handle the added workload of caring for him while camping. I will have to scale back, not sure how much. My schedule is flexible and so is my mindset.On the plus side, he has adapted well to being indoor only, and not seeing much of the other cats, these past 6 weeks. A big change from his former mostly- outdoor life in a neighborhood FULL of cats. So this makes me think he might do ok living in the van with me. I sometimes put him on a leash and open the door, to get some fresh air in the house and so he can go out if he wants. Today for the first time he went a couple steps out the door, then came back in. He does not get upset about the leash, although I think he feels LESS safe with it on, for obvious reasons.So, can you folks tell me anything? Any boondockers here with diabetes? Or with pets who have it? Honestly, I don't even know what my questions are, but I feel like anything you can share would be useful.

Been type 2 for over ten years no problems. We boondock 99% of our RVing

What is the longest stretch of boondocking do you plan on doing at a time? 4 days? A week? Longer? How long will the established campground stays be?How far out from civilization do you plan on going? 1 hour? 4 hours? Longer?With a good mix and not too far out, you can get into an area, stay close or in the town for a couple days and locate emergency vets, etc., then head out to boondock - you'll know exactly where to go if the cat has an emergency while you're boondocked.But, no matter what advice folks can offer on how to do it, the question YOU need to answer is:If something happens to my cat during this trip will I be OK with that?There is no right answer - but the answer you choose will tell you what you should do (no matter how hard that decision might be).

toedtoes wrote:you can get into an area, stay close or in the town for a couple days and locate emergency vets, etc., then head out to boondock - you'll know exactly where to go if the cat has an emergency while you're boondocked.This is a good idea and not one I had articulated quite so clearly to myself yet. In an emergency, go BACK to the last town, and know where the vet is there.If something happens to my cat during this trip will I be OK with that?Well, yes and no. I won't bring him unless I think it is the best bet for him. If I can come up with a better alternative I will do that. This thread is about scoping out one option.

Crazy Ray wrote:Been type 2 for over ten years no problems. We boondock 99% of our RVingI am so glad to hear it!My vet cautioned me about not shaking up insulin. Do you put some sort of cushioning under the vial/s in the fridge?

For keeping the insulin from the heat, I use one of these. It also organizes all my supplies, very handy. Since you'll be running your freezer, just rotate the ice packs.Diabetic organizer

Forum Discussion

Naio

Explorer II

Jul 12, 2015

Boondocking with a diabetic cat?

So my cat (yes this is the SAME cat) was recovering from the pit bull attack when he developed diabetes. I am thinking about my options and hoping to get some insight from you folks.

I wasn't sure whether to post here or in the pets forum, but my concerns are mostly boondocking-oriented, and probably apply to humans with diabetes too, so here goes.

He is a special cat. One of those pet-human bonds that go very deep.

He also has other health problems -- pemphigus, and a partial cleft palate. He is 10. I love him a lot.

I have health problems of my own. I had planned a 'trip of a lifetime' for this fall and winter, and it may be my last chance. Or not, but maybe.

I was planning to spend 2-3 months in remote areas, a mixture of boondocking and established campgrounds, and then the winter in a place I have not been before. And in the spring, more months on the road -- maybe even all winter too if I feel like it.

I've been reading a lot online about feline diabetes. It's pretty high maintenance. I don't think I have anyone I can leave him with who could give as good of care as I could on the road.

I can't stay at my S&B over the winter because of my own health issues.

I am worried about veterinary emergencies on the road, and about stuff like keeping insulin cool and unshaken.

I am not sure how well I will be able to handle the added workload of caring for him while camping. I will have to scale back, not sure how much. My schedule is flexible and so is my mindset.

On the plus side, he has adapted well to being indoor only, and not seeing much of the other cats, these past 6 weeks. A big change from his former mostly- outdoor life in a neighborhood FULL of cats. So this makes me think he might do ok living in the van with me.

I sometimes put him on a leash and open the door, to get some fresh air in the house and so he can go out if he wants. Today for the first time he went a couple steps out the door, then came back in. He does not get upset about the leash, although I think he feels LESS safe with it on, for obvious reasons.

So, can you folks tell me anything? Any boondockers here with diabetes? Or with pets who have it? Honestly, I don't even know what my questions are, but I feel like anything you can share would be useful.

Boondocking

Dry Camping

Public Lands

Dakota98
Explorer
Jul 12, 2015
For keeping the insulin from the heat, I use one of these. It also organizes all my supplies, very handy. Since you'll be running your freezer, just rotate the ice packs.

Diabetic organizer
Naio
Explorer II
Jul 12, 2015
Crazy Ray wrote:
Been type 2 for over ten years no problems. We boondock 99% of our RVing

I am so glad to hear it!

My vet cautioned me about not shaking up insulin. Do you put some sort of cushioning under the vial/s in the fridge?
Naio
Explorer II
Jul 12, 2015
toedtoes wrote:
you can get into an area, stay close or in the town for a couple days and locate emergency vets, etc., then head out to boondock - you'll know exactly where to go if the cat has an emergency while you're boondocked.

This is a good idea and not one I had articulated quite so clearly to myself yet. In an emergency, go BACK to the last town, and know where the vet is there.

If something happens to my cat during this trip will I be OK with that?

Well, yes and no. I won't bring him unless I think it is the best bet for him. If I can come up with a better alternative I will do that. This thread is about scoping out one option.
toedtoes
Explorer III
Jul 12, 2015
What is the longest stretch of boondocking do you plan on doing at a time? 4 days? A week? Longer? How long will the established campground stays be?

How far out from civilization do you plan on going? 1 hour? 4 hours? Longer?

With a good mix and not too far out, you can get into an area, stay close or in the town for a couple days and locate emergency vets, etc., then head out to boondock - you'll know exactly where to go if the cat has an emergency while you're boondocked.

But, no matter what advice folks can offer on how to do it, the question YOU need to answer is:

If something happens to my cat during this trip will I be OK with that?

There is no right answer - but the answer you choose will tell you what you should do (no matter how hard that decision might be).
Crazy_Ray
Explorer
Jul 12, 2015
Been type 2 for over ten years no problems. We boondock 99% of our RVing

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Boondocking with a diabetic cat?

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