Humanlin N and Purina DM

I found out yeterday that the love of my life has diabetis. I went here to educate myself and when I went to pick him up hey put him on humlin N and Purina DM 2 things this site NOT to do. I aired my concerns to the vet and she said I am a specialist. I agree and trust her, she assured me that both of those two things are the right ansers for Ruben. How do I know who to trust or what is right for my cat. She gave me a list of vet approved info sites but wanted to run this by some people here and see what they say. I just want to do right by him and in a state of panic, grief and despair. He is one of those animals that only come along once in a life time. My everything. I'm a mess. Second guessing every little thing. Please help. Beside myself. I love him so much.

 

Hello and welcome.

First I wanted to say don't worry, we can help. There is no reason to despair, diabetes is a controllable disease and with the right treatment your kitty can life a long happy and healthy life. You are in the right place!

I have asked to see if some experienced members can come over and advise since I am not experienced with that insulin.

While we wait, can you tell me if its purina wet canned or dry?


Wendy

 

He's usually a free feeder, so I am curruntly mixing his normal (newmans organic) w a litle Purina DM dry and giving him 1/2 a wet Purina can in the am and pm before I give him the shots. I am a wreck. Honestly. It is not my nature to be this way either. I was so OCD in the vets when they were showing me how to draw the insulin it took me like 10 times to make sure there was no air bubbles. My mom had to tell me let it go. LOL I am working on it. I know its best for Ruben when I am well. I totally effect him, I get that. He is on Lantus/G??gline (don't have it in front of me, but she said that was the N? I have no idea, just going with what they say. This cat, my friend, has changed my life. litterally. I am now a vegan and animal rights activist who speaks up for animals based on my relationship with Ruben. I have another cat whom I love as well, but it is that normal human/cat relationship. tI's much deeper with Ruben. I know it's not one sided either. The vet told me his heart rate dropped significantly when I showed up to get him, plus he shows me everyday that he is in tune with me. Thank you for your responce, its helping me off the ledge. lol. He is going in on Friday to have his levels tested. Was going to try at home but honestly think It might make me worse over thinking everything.

 

Wendy&Tiggy, Thank you so much for replying it felt like a deep breath. Feeling very alone and scared. Just need someone to take me under their wing.

 

Welcome! When I first arrived terrified and overwhelmed, some told me to breathe...and keep breathing.

If it is Lantus insulin, it is a good insulin. (Humulin not so much). Purina DM wet is not one of our favorites; it is expensive, no better ingredients than Fancy Feast or Friskies and liver based, so many cats tire of the taste. (dry DM is not good. See if your vet has seen this website by another vet about why carnivores need meat, not wheat: www.catinfo.org)

 

Not to worry. We are here. He looks and sounds like a great cat!

I do need to know exactly for sure what kind of insulin he is on though, can you go look at the vial for me and tell me what it says ie does it say lantus glargine on it? Does it look like this?

 

Definitely matters whether it's Humulin or Lantus/glargine...
Can you take a pic of your vial and post it?

Oh, plenty of "wings" here on the board that would be happy to help!

Carl

 

I love tuxie cats.

There are three main components to treating diabetes: food/nutrition, home testing and insulin

1) Feline Nutrition: Now, as far as diet - definitely dump the dry food (if you are feeding any) and if the vet recommends purchasing prescription food like DM just say "no thank you". ALL cats, and especially those with diabetes, do best on a species appropriate diet that is high in protein and low in carbs. Dry food DOES NOT fit that bill and DM food, even canned, just really isn't that great as far as quality. Most here on FDMB feed low carb/high protein canned, raw bought from a pet store or they make there own.

Here great links, one is to a food chart put together by one of our board members that breaks down the carb % and protein % of most of the commercial brand foods. You want to keep the carb % below 10% and around 7% is great. The other link is to a site by a vet "Dr. Lisa DVM" ... who also posts on this board from time to time ... there is in-depth info. there about many things, including nutrition and how to make raw food.
Nutrition/food info

The good thing with feeding your diabetic cat this way, is that it is ALSO good for any non-diabetic cat too. All your cats can safely eat the same food without worry and it may save you some costs and headaches of having to do separate feedings and keeping track of what they are eating.


2. Home testing: It is impossible to convey the value of testing your cat's BG (blood glucose) level at home. Some vets will "suggest" this, but most won't even mention it. They will send you home with insulin and an amount to shoot and maybe some instructions about hypoglycemia (blood sugar dropping to a dangerously low level).

Well, the thing is, human diabetics don't EVER give themselves insulin without checking there BG to make sure it is safe to do so, so why shouldn't it be the same for our kitties. Here on FDMB it is. You will notice that the vast majority of people here test their cat's BG at least 2x/day (before giving each shot to make sure the level is safe enough) and periodically at other times to see how the cat is responding to the current dose. We use a human glucometer, test strips and lancets - which are all very readily available and easy to use.

Our kitties get lots of love and treats for "putting up" with this and most of them actually come out to be tested on their own 'cause they want those treats . Here is a collection of great links that "Carolyn and Spot" pulled together about hometesting. See what you think ... it truly is the best way to not only keep Your cat safe but also really get a handle on this disease and help him to live a healthy life with FD (feline diabetes).

Home testing Links

3. Insulin: There are several types of insulin available. Many people, myself included use Lantus or Levimer both of which are great insulins. They are gentle insulin and given twice (BID) per day in 12 hour increments. Or you could also choose PZI or the new version called Prozinc.

Please read up on the insulins available, here is a link to the Insulin Support Groups:

Insulin Support Groups

However, one caveat and again this shows how these three things are inter-related:

If you are feeding dry food or even a high carb food, BEFORE removing these foods, please make sure of your insulin dose as it will most likely need to be reduced, so as to avoid a possible hypoglycemic situation due to the removal of the dry/high carb foods that will lower the BG’s and reduce the amount of insulin required. Again, another reason why home testing is important.

Supplies that you need:

human glucose meter and matching test strips and lancets - walmart sells relion brand which is the cheapest and do a sufficient job
keto stix - pick up at any human pharmacy - for testing ketones in urine
neosporin - or other antibiotic ointment with pain relief is fine - this is used to put on ears after testing to prevent bruising

scrip for U100 insulin syringes - with 1/2 unit markings

make your own warming sock - take one sock, add about 1/4 cup of regular rice, dried beans or oatmeal (oatmeal is my personal preference), knot the top, place in microwave 15-30 seconds until warm to touch, then hold on cat's ear for about 1-2 minutes until ear is warm - this will help warm the ear and make the blood flow better

where are you located - city/state is fine. There may be members local who can teach/demonstrate home testing in person.

And while this may seem overwhelming and stressful at first and yes it is. You will soon understand what we are talking about and it will get easier. Give yourself time to read, understand and ask questions. We are here to help.

 

a big heartfelt THANK YOU, to all who have posted. More focused on breathing instead of panic. He is on the Lantus/Glargine. So that makes me feel better as well. I was in such a hightened state of panic, I'm sure I jus heard wrong. I am going to talk to the vet about switching to all wet.
So grateful for this site.

 

In fact it becomes so easy to care for a diabetic cat that I adopted 3. Now that might not sound like a big deal until you look down at my signture and start counting the number of non-diabetics that I have...lol Yep if you get 14 you counted correctly.

Now if this was tough to do I certainly wouldn't have taken on 3 more ( lost Musette to anemia not diabetes) after my first girl passed away, with all the furry mouths I have to feed here already.

You have already found the best place you never wanted to be to help you help Ruben...oh yeah all 14 of mine eat what my diabetics do, good old fashioned Friskies pate and Maxwell has been in remission and off insulin for over two years now and Autumn is well on her way to remission as well.

Mel, Maxwell, Autumn & The Fur Gang

 

Welcome. I had one kitty,Twigie, who did great on N insulin. That seems to be an exception.
Could you post the "vet approved" websites? I am curious as to what your vet is thinking.

 

FYI Ruben has explosive diarrhea and vomiting. See this thread http://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=87532

 

thank you for posting the link to my other post. That is now priority. Please pray for him and me. I need to keep it together for him and am barely holding on. He's that unhealthy love. please let him be okay.