Hi Tisha,
From what I've read, no, the oral medication for diabetes in cats is not very effective. I'm not a vet, but I myself, have a diabetic cat who is on insulin and I have done a lot of research on the subject.
I recently came across some interesting information on various medications being administered to cats who are hard to handle and/or who can't can't take pills. The medication is in the form of a 'transdermal gel'; this is a gel that is rubbed on the inner surface of the pointy part of the cat's ear and is absorbed into the bloodstream in that way. They do make a transdermal gel of 'Glipizide' which is a type of insulin that's used to treat diabetic cats. I personally have no experience with Glipizide but know that it is widely used. I use 'Humulin L' which is insulin of human dna origin. There are many different types of insulin and each vet has a preference and each cat sometimes does better on one kind than on another. More information about these transdermal gels are at this site:
http://www.wedgewoodpharmacy.com/monographs/transdermalGels.asp
I don't know if your vet has any knowledge of, or experience with, these transdermal gels, but you can inquire about it.
Is your vet asking you to bring in your cat to give the insulin because you're having problems giving the injections, now? How many injections does he need a day? Did your vet show you exactly where and how to give the injections? How much insulin does he want to start him on a day? What is his current blood glucose level (number)? What food is he eating now and has your vet discussed change in diet to a special food best for diabetic cats?
Does your vet want you to bring him every day or leave him there to be hospitalized while he's stabilized on the correct dose of insulin? Is that why you mentioned you don't want him to have to leave you?
Here is one of many websites for owners with diabetic cats; it provides a lot of information and is also a 'support group' for people who's cats were just diagnosed and even 'old pros' who have many questions:
http://www.felinediabetes.com/fdmb-faq.htm
If you can answer these additional questions about your cat's situation, I can provide you with some more information which may help once I know more details.
I'll stand by to hear from you.
Cher : )
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