Beginning prozinc

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Sorry I may have a repeat of this post but it's slightly different please read below. Thank you!

Hi, I'm beginning my insulin for my cat Tobey who just got diagnosed with FD but I believe it was because he just got off steroids ve,a use 6 weeks ago he was not diabetic. He is almost 12. Just starting low carb wet food. Tiki cat chicken and fancy feast classic chicken. Have 3 other cats and have to convert them all to same food since I am a busy working mom. Dry food was so easy because of how busy I am. I wish I could find a low carb dry food but not sure if that is going to hurt Tobey even more. I will stick to wet food if that's my only option. I love him and will do what I have to for him to get better. Hoping he goes into remission since he just got diabetes. Vet is going to show meveryone how to doeverything tonight. They are notrecommending to change anything untilafter the 1st 2 weeks when we do the glucose curve. I am nervous because I wastold by some he can easily be overdosed if I don't adjust. But I trust my vet at same time. She said she's going to give him 1 unit forthat 1st 2 weeks. It's u100 prozinc and I have the u100 syringes too. Any advice I am so overwhelmed and nervous.
 
Hi Stephanie, welcome to the ProZinc Forum! Have you started home testing yet? Since Tobey's diabetes may be due to steroids, it's very important that you do because as the steroids wear off his insulin needs may drop. Also the change to a low carb food may help drop his numbers, which makes testing at home even more important. If you haven't completed the switch to canned food yet, you may want to keep giving a little dry until you get the testing down pat. .5-1 unit twice a day is a good starting dose, but please do double check that your insulin is u100 and not u40. Either way you can use the u100 syringes, we'd just have to use a conversion chart.
 
Hi Stephanie, welcome to the ProZinc Forum! Have you started home testing yet? Since Tobey's diabetes may be due to steroids, it's very important that you do because as the steroids wear off his insulin needs may drop. Also the change to a low carb food may help drop his numbers, which makes testing at home even more important. If you haven't completed the switch to canned food yet, you may want to keep giving a little dry until you get the testing down pat. .5-1 unit twice a day is a good starting dose, but please do double check that your insulin is u100 and not u40. Either way you can use the u100 syringes, we'd just have to use a conversion chart.
Hi, I'm actually going to change out my syringes today because pharmacy gave me the wrong ones. I haven't started home testing yet. And hes been on cannex food iver a week now. Going to vet tonight to get the whole thing started and shown what to do. Vet said we are giving 1 unit twice a day. Then adjust based on the curve we do in 2 weeks. I will home test him during that 2 weeks. I am just scared to poke him so much. She said move around his ear and also maybe his paw pads but she didn't think I'd need to test that often. Do your agree with vet?
 
Some of us test a lot, maybe more than necessary, but it is essential that you test before each shot, and try to get some mid cycle tests in so you can see how low the insulin takes him. I shoot @5 AM, so I can get a +3 before i leave, and can feed Colin a snack of low or high carb depending on his numbers. Then I always get a before bed test, if he's a bit lower than usual at that time, I'll set the alarm to get another test a little later. It takes a bit to get a routine, but once you do it's pretty easy to follow. As far as poking goes, Colin now comes right to me as soon as I sit in our 'testing' chair. He doesn't mind the pokes because he knows that means snack time.
 
I replied on your other thread, Stephanie. Shall we stay with this one?

So you are getting U40 syringes?

I'd get him used to the poke first. Decide where you want the testing place to be. Some people have the kitty between their legs, some on the counter, some on the couch or bed. The other thing is to find. Treat he loves and use it only for testing. At my house PureBites and bonito flakes are popular; both are low carb. Take him to the spot, lots of praise and pets, his treat and let him go. After a few times, add warming his ear. I used a rice sack (thin sock filled with raw rice and knotted, heated in the microwave until very warm). Hold it next to his ear for 30 seconds or so, praise and pets, give the treat and let him go. The hope is by the time you add the poke, he will be looking forward to the treat.

One unit should be okay - as long as you are testing. You can keep him safe by being able to tell what his levels are when you need to know.
 
Some of us test a lot, maybe more than necessary, but it is essential that you test before each shot, and try to get some mid cycle tests in so you can see how low the insulin takes him. I shoot @5 AM, so I can get a +3 before i leave, and can feed Colin a snack of low or high carb depending on his numbers. Then I always get a before bed test, if he's a bit lower than usual at that time, I'll set the alarm to get another test a little later. It takes a bit to get a routine, but once you do it's pretty easy to follow. As far as poking goes, Colin now comes right to me as soon as I sit in our 'testing' chair. He doesn't mind the pokes because he knows that means snack time.
Where can I buy the u40 syringes?
 
Hi Stephanie and Tobey and welcome!

1 unit on the u40 syringes is 2.5units on the u100 syringes.
So you draw up to the 2.5units.

Home testing is indeed recommended. Because Tobey got steroïd shots (just like my kitty Baco) the moment they get insulin and the steroïds go away or weaken, the insulin can be to much, so that means that a kitty can drop too low., so it's advised to home test just to make sure Tobey is save:).

Oh and btw, diabetes that is caused likely due to steroïds gives you a change to get Tobey fully off insulin. The change is there, my kitty Baco had the same experience and is now off insulin after 2 months receiving insulin.
 
I replied on your other thread, Stephanie. Shall we stay with this one?

So you are getting U40 syringes?

I'd get him used to the poke first. Decide where you want the testing place to be. Some people have the kitty between their legs, some on the counter, some on the couch or bed. The other thing is to find. Treat he loves and use it only for testing. At my house PureBites and bonito flakes are popular; both are low carb. Take him to the spot, lots of praise and pets, his treat and let him go. After a few times, add warming his ear. I used a rice sack (thin sock filled with raw rice and knotted, heated in the microwave until very warm). Hold it next to his ear for 30 seconds or so, praise and pets, give the treat and let him go. The hope is by the time you add the poke, he will be looking forward to the treat.

One unit should be okay - as long as you are testing. You can keep him safe by being able to tell what his levels are when you need to know.
Thanks you can reply to either thread I see how I messed that up now. Sorry. I'm considering not taking him to the vet just yet. There's a lot of people saying to test his BG before starting him and taking to vet. Saving money and possibly his life. My vet is kind of stuborn and doesn't really believe in a lot of things from this forum. I have my gut instinct telling me to continue the newly adapted wet food diet, test him daily, and then decide to start insulin basedo on my findings and observations of course. I will monitor him closely but am not so anxious to give him insulin until I know for a fact he's diabetic. Testing him at home will give me a huge difference. See where I'm coming from versus my vet being so pushy and negatively acting on his diagnosis?
 
See if you agree with me on this...
I'm considering not taking him to the vet just yet. There's a lot of people saying to test his BG before starting him and taking to vet. Saving money and possibly his life. My vet is kind of stuborn and doesn't really believe in a lot of things from this forum. I have my gut instinct telling me to continue the newly adapted wet food diet, test him daily, and then decide to start insulin basedo on my findings and observations of course. I will monitor him closely but am not so anxious to give him insulin until I know for a fact he's diabetic. Testing him at home will give me a huge difference. See where I'm coming from versus my vet being so pushy and negatively acting on his diagnosis?
 
Some of us test a lot, maybe more than necessary, but it is essential that you test before each shot, and try to get some mid cycle tests in so you can see how low the insulin takes him. I shoot @5 AM, so I can get a +3 before i leave, and can feed Colin a snack of low or high carb depending on his numbers. Then I always get a before bed test, if he's a bit lower than usual at that time, I'll set the alarm to get another test a little later. It takes a bit to get a routine, but once you do it's pretty easy to follow. As far as poking goes, Colin now comes right to me as soon as I sit in our 'testing' chair. He doesn't mind the pokes because he knows that means snack time.
I'm considering not taking him to the vet just yet. There's a lot of people saying to test his BG before starting him and taking to vet. Saving money and possibly his life. My vet is kind of stuborn and doesn't really believe in a lot of things from this forum. I have my gut instinct telling me to continue the newly adapted wet food diet, test him daily, and then decide to start insulin basedo on my findings and observations of course. I will monitor him closely but am not so anxious to give him insulin until I know for a fact he's diabetic. Testing him at home will give me a huge difference. See where I'm coming from versus my vet being so pushy and negatively acting on his diagnosis?
 
I 200% agree. We all home test to know what our kitties are up to, and that they are save. If a vet gives you an advise and sends you home with it and then come back 2 weeks later to check his blood, there could happen so many things in between.
I don't want to scare you, but you know what I don't get? That vets send you home and let you comeback in 2 weeks without knowing what your cats BG does..... It's crazy. Imagin if a human with diabetes was send home with just insulin dose and that's it.. They don't do that to humans right? Humans needs to test daily to know how much they must dose themselfs, the same is applied to cats.

What you are saying is totally right!
Cutting out the carbs (as much as you can) by giving low carb wet food.
Testing Tobey every Time before the shot, so AMPS and PMPS and then if you can test some nadir points, so +4 and +6 are great to test to see how Tobey is doing.

Everyone here can help you if you home test and set up a sheet were you can fill in Tobey's numbers so if you have doubts on what kind of dose you need to give, you just post on the forum and we will help you.

Everything you just said will help you, Tobey and it saves indeed a lot of money at the vets.
:bighug:
 
I 200% agree. We all home test to know what our kitties are up to, and that they are save. If a vet gives you an advise and sends you home with it and then come back 2 weeks later to check his blood, there could happen so many things in between.
I don't want to scare you, but you know what I don't get? That vets send you home and let you comeback in 2 weeks without knowing what your cats BG does..... It's crazy. Imagin if a human with diabetes was send home with just insulin dose and that's it.. They don't do that to humans right? Humans needs to test daily to know how much they must dose themselfs, the same is applied to cats.

What you are saying is totally right!
Cutting out the carbs (as much as you can) by giving low carb wet food.
Testing Tobey every Time before the shot, so AMPS and PMPS and then if you can test some nadir points, so +4 and +6 are great to test to see how Tobey is doing.

Everyone here can help you if you home test and set up a sheet were you can fill in Tobey's numbers so if you have doubts on what kind of dose you need to give, you just post on the forum and we will help you.

Everything you just said will help you, Tobey and it saves indeed a lot of money at the vets.
:bighug:
I'm am quite overwhelmed but what what you say makes sense. I just don't understand
I 200% agree. We all home test to know what our kitties are up to, and that they are save. If a vet gives you an advise and sends you home with it and then come back 2 weeks later to check his blood, there could happen so many things in between.
I don't want to scare you, but you know what I don't get? That vets send you home and let you comeback in 2 weeks without knowing what your cats BG does..... It's crazy. Imagin if a human with diabetes was send home with just insulin dose and that's it.. They don't do that to humans right? Humans needs to test daily to know how much they must dose themselfs, the same is applied to cats.

What you are saying is totally right!
Cutting out the carbs (as much as you can) by giving low carb wet food.
Testing Tobey every Time before the shot, so AMPS and PMPS and then if you can test some nadir points, so +4 and +6 are great to test to see how Tobey is doing.

Everyone here can help you if you home test and set up a sheet were you can fill in Tobey's numbers so if you have doubts on what kind of dose you need to give, you just post on the forum and we will help you.

Everything you just said will help you, Tobey and it saves indeed a lot of money at the vets.
:bighug:
Thanks, makes a lot of sense but I'm confused about the part you said here.."Testing Tobey every Time before the shot, so AMPS and PMPS and then if you can test some nadir points, so +4 and +6" The technical termsupport confuse me and I so stressed and anxious over this. Also I work and won't be able to monitor him more than an hour or 2 after I feed him since I'll be leaving for my job. I'm going to test him tonight and write everything down on a log. I need the sheet you have. Any other advice to get me set up as well as you would be awesome!
 
So I've decided to hold off on insulin aND the vet visit to get started until I get more feedback from his new diet and BG count from home monitoring. I truly believe and my gut tells me to do this.
 
Okay, let me explain. AMPS is de pre shot test you do in the AM time, so in the morning you should test, feed, shoot. That's the routine with Prozinc.
So you test his ear by poking it and get a little bit of blood on a teststrip (AMPS) then you get a number. Than feed Tobey and then give him his dose of insulin. The moment you test AMPS (for example at 7:00AM) than the +4 is 4 hours later, so that is 11:00AM. The cycle until PMPS is 12 hours. So at 7:00PM you do the same routine, test feed shoot. And catch some nadir numbers so +2 +4 +6 are great, you can do them in the weekends if you have time off.
I get that you are overwhelmed, men oh men, havent we all been in that state of confussed, scared... And that is not something to be ashamed off. We all had that time, but let me tell you, we all got over it, as soon as you start testing Tobey yourself you will feel in control and you feel that you can manage this sugar dance.
And working fulltime, I had the same thing. Worked 40 hours a week, i'm 27 so I wanted to do nice things with my friends/family and my lovely BF on my time off AND i had to take intens care for Baco my lovely kitty, and you seem to not handle everything at once but you will get there, believe me. In a few weeks you will be confident and you will manage the whole sugar dance.
I think you are making the right decision by hometesting Tobey.:bighug:
 
My vet didn't even tell me to test unless I noticed something was wrong or he was acting funny. Only other time to test would be at the 2 week mark when we do the curve.
 
Well that's unfortunately why we all come to this forum, to exchange knowledge. Vets do have knowledge but not with the real personal experience with diabetes. That is the big problem. If they did have the knowledge than this kind of forum wasn't needed. We all searched for answers that the vet didn't gave us. Some vets are open to the forums that there patients are on, and some don't. My vet was really open to it and wanted to know more about what was said about Baco and the advise I got from here so she could learn from it to help other kitties in the office to get better threatment.
 
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Well that's unfortunately why we all come to this forum, to exchange knowledge. Vets do have knowledge but not with the real personal experience with diabetes. That is the big problem. If they did have the knowledge than this kind of forum wasn't needed. We all searched for answers that the vet didn't gave us. Some vets are open to the forums that there patients are on, and some don't. My vet was really open to it and wanted to know more about what was said about Baco and the advise I got from here so she could learn from it to help other kitties in the office to get better threatment.
Do you think I have to be at the vet for them to show me how to inject? I've injected a cat before. However keep in mind I am not going to give him any insulin unless I notice he has high above normal numbers. I'm going to read up a lot more on how to handle this myself instead of using my vet.
 
I'm not going to tell you not to go to your vet for Tobey. I will tell you that you can test at home, you don't need your vets permission. You can feed an over the counter food instead of one that he sells and you can follow dosing advice you get from Sue and Rachel. When I first started here, my vet wasn't too keen, but after awhile he saw that I knew what I was doing, well actually that Sue, Rachel and Robin knew what they were doing, and now he's on board. You need a vet to work with you through this and if yours isn't willing, then maybe look for a new one.
 
I'm not going to tell you not to go to your vet for Tobey. I will tell you that you can test at home, you don't need your vets permission. You can feed an over the counter food instead of one that he sells and you can follow dosing advice you get from Sue and Rachel. When I first started here, my vet wasn't too keen, but after awhile he saw that I knew what I was doing, well actually that Sue, Rachel and Robin knew what they were doing, and now he's on board. You need a vet to work with you through this and if yours isn't willing, then maybe look for a new one.
OK I haven't told my vet anything yet. I'll monitor and go from there. I'll let Sue and the others know if I need dosing help.
 
Is the set up for the excel sheet clear for you Stephanie?
Btw, you did receive already prozinc right? And you already got a home test kit?
So if for instance his numbers are high tomorrow you can give him insulin right?
 
Oh and btw yes, I would go to the vet to learn how to give insulin. It is good to see how to do it and learn it.
 
OK I haven't told my vet anything yet. I'll monitor and go from there. I'll let Sue and the others know if I need dosing help.
I'm feeding fancy feast. Vet recommended it.
Oh and btw yes, I would go to the vet to learn how to give insulin. It is good to see how to do it and learn it.
I will go and see what they tell me there but I want to wait until I've tested his BG at home. I do not have a tester yet. I wanted to get one immediately and heard walmart has it all. I can keep my u100 syringes just guess I just need to follow the conversion. Costco said the lowest they has was u30. I do think think they knew what I'm needing. As for tonight and giving insulin, I will ask my vet if I can just give it to him without coming in. I cancelled my appointment today because of work. I have a neighbor who gives her cat insulin and she said she'd help me out. Which in turn do you think I still need a bet visit if she's going to help me? She when can help me test.
 
No than I would let my neighbor help me out, no need for the vet to teach you how to give your cat insulin. (That is what I would have done)
 
Yes really don't forget to use the converting chart for the u100 syringes. That is really important to covert otherwise you will give Tobey to much insulin. When are you picking up a home testing kit?
 
No than I would let my neighbor help me out, no need for the vet to teach you how to give your cat insulin. (That is what I would have done)
OK I agree. She wasn't very fond of changing the dosages regardless of home test results until after the initial 2 weeks then do a curve and make adjustments . Meaning she is my vet.
 
Your vet said that? Jeezzz this is getting crazier by the minute (sorry for my rant) but I just can't believe that kind of advise! So if a kitty gets a hypo (low numbers) than regardless if you home test she wouldn't change the dosis.. Well that's really responsableo_O...
 
Well I use accu aviva check, but I don't think they've got it in the US (I live in the netherlands) but
@Sharon14 can you recommend a few meters? I don't know which ones are good in the US... I hear a lot of people about the relion?
 
Well lets not get into what she said... :banghead:Glad you found this forum, it will help you a lot and will help you understand everything in no time about a diabetic kitty and what you should do in different type of situations:bighug:
 
Oh you do have the accu check! Well that one I can recommend, really good meter! It's a human meter, but the relion s a little cheaper I've heard. The teststrips are so darn expensive so if the relion is cheaper (and I think it is) than go for that one. A lot of people here use it, so I wouldn't think that it doesn't work good or something like that...

For now, what time is it where you are at? And what time are you going to test Tobey tonight? (I ask this because of the time difference we have, i'm at 11:31PM right now and going to sleep) i will be around in about 8 hours again.
So if I know your time than I can be around at the time you are going to test..
 
Oh you do have the accu check! Well that one I can recommend, really good meter! It's a human meter, but the relion s a little cheaper I've heard. The teststrips are so darn expensive so if the relion is cheaper (and I think it is) than go for that one. A lot of people here use it, so I wouldn't think that it doesn't work good or something like that...

For now, what time is it where you are at? And what time are you going to test Tobey tonight? (I ask this because of the time difference we have, i'm at 11:31PM right now and going to sleep) i will be around in about 8 hours again.
So if I know your time than I can be around at the time you are going to test..
It is 430 pm here. I can test anytime. If recommended I will test as you think I need to before or after he eats?
 
So we have 6 hour difference, good to know.
Yes, test him before you give him food, and don't let him know he's getting food because if he knows it can spike his blood sugar.
So just relax, if he likes to lie on your lap let him sit there and pet him untill he is comfortable and them you can massage his ear a little bit or you can use a washing towel (the little once) put some warm water onto it and hold it against his ear for 5 seconds and that should bring the blood more up so if you poke him the blood will come out easy. Don't get frustrated if it doesn't work on your first try, or even second or more tries... You will get it eventually. Maybe your neighbor can help you out with the testing the first couple off times?
I will be up in 6,5 hours so I don't think I will be here when you are going to test him, but Sue, Rachel and Sharon will be most likely around to assist you if needed. If you need help from them you can put @(and then the name from one of them and a dropbox will appear.)
The person you tagg will get a notification so they see it quicker
 
So we have 6 hour difference, good to know.
Yes, test him before you give him food, and don't let him know he's getting food because id he knows it can spike his blood sugar.
So just relax, if he likes to lie on your lap let him sit there and pet him untill he is comfortable and them you can massage his ear a little bit or you can use a washing towel (the little once) put some warm water onto it and hold it against his ear for 5 seconds and that should bring the blood more up so if you poke him the blood will come out easy. Don't get frustrated if it doesn't work on your first try, or even second or more tries... You will get it eventually. Maybe your neighbor can help you out with the testing the first couple off times?
I will be up in 6,5 hours so I don't think I will be here when you are going to test him, but Sue, Rachel and Sharon will be most likely around to assist you if needed. If you need help from them you can put @(and then the name from one of them and a dropbox will appear.)
The person you tagg will get a notification so they see it quicker
Thanks so much! Talk to you soon. Nite!
 
Your welcome.
I will be reading your posts tomorrow morning (my time) excited to see how everything went!
:bighug:
 
Any meter is okay if it takes a small sample. It's the strips that are expensive. You can buy them on eBay cheaper, but the ReliOn is really the cheapest way to go.

Remember heating the ear and getting 25-27 gauge lancets will be a big help in the beginning.
 
The smaller the gauge, the larger the needle. So 25-27 gauge will be bigger diameter than 35-38 and thus make a bigger hole and easier to get blood.
 
It won't hurt your cat. The point is that you want to get blood on the first try or two and a larger lancet will do that. With the tiny ones, both you and the cat can become frustrated. So 25/27 gauge.

Once you have poked a few days or weeks, the capillaries will start to be more full of blood and a smaller lancet may work just fine. But in the beginning, it is almost as though they have to "learn to bleed"
 
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