New diagnosis & learning to handle it

[Musita]

Hello and greetings from Finland. My name is Satu, and my 6 year old cat Muru (means crumb or a darling; depending on a day) was diagnosed with diabetes on wednesday 17.8. We went to see a vet because she wouldn't eat and her hind legs didn't work properly. (Yes she was in pretty bad condition; I've had a bad year and havent paid attention as much as I should. Shame on me, I know).

She was taken in immediately and was on fluids and electrolytes about 6h on that day. They also gave her insulin. And again the next two days (9h per day; they don't do night sifts in our vet). On thursday night I gave her insulin for a first time, and again on friday night. Weekend wasn't very easy; she didn't eat and I had to syringe feed her. Every two hours I fed her Hill's Prescription diet a/d (some kind of recovery food) with water (5ml+5ml). She wouldn't take bigger portions and I didn't dare to wake her all the time. I also gave her insulin (Protaphane) twice a day. After that her condition and behavior has returned pretty much to normal and she has gained some weight (about 100g per week and weighs now 3,44kg). But the numbers are still really high.

Now I'm just waiting what the stress will do to me; will I have an ulcer or a heart attack...(ignore the mistakes, I'll blame the dictionary)

 

[TempestsMum]

Hello Satu and welcome to Fdmb

You are definitely in the right place to find some help!

She's not been on insulin very long, and I'm not familiar with that particular one. So perhaps if you posted up in the main health forums someone who knows more about it can give you some dosing tips on how to get your bg numbers more stable.

I would look at your food though, I know a lot of the prescription foods are high carb and not really any better than the store bought ones so that may be worth looking at? And it will save you money too!

Edited to add
It would be really helpful if you set up a spreadsheet so people can see your numbers

 

[Alexi]

Hello Satu and welcome, there is another member from Finland @Tiina and Hugo but she does not post very often. Are you testing the blood sugar at home? I think your insulin is one of the long acting, does it have another name? Please come and post in the Health forum with any questions, you will get a lot of help and support here, and it does get easier with time.

Do you have any more information from the vet about why she had to be admitted?

 

[Shiloh & Rhonda (GA)]

• Intermediate & long-acting - These insulins (Humulin NPH, Protaphane, Lantus and Levemir) take effect after about an hour and are designed to last “all day” This is from an website talking about insulins available in New Zealand . So it appears that it may be on par with Lantus.

 

[Callie & Patches]

Try to read as much as possible here. There is so much to learn and the knowledge can save your kitty's life. Welcome to our board. There are so many people here to help you.

 

[Tiina and Hugo]

Moi Satu ja Muru! Täällä tosiaan toinenkin suomalainen, Hugo-kissa. Olet tullut oikeaan paikkaan, Hugo on saanut paljon apua täältä. Enemmän kuin eläinlääkäristä. Laita vain minulle viestiä mikäli haluat jutella suomeksi lisää diabeteksestä. En tiedä vieläkään kaikkea, mutta joka päivä opin jotain uutta. Paljon tsemppiä sinulle ja Murulle!

 

[Alexi]

For the benefit of those who don't speak Finnish - I have tried but all I can manage is 'cheers' in Finnish, (which does come in useful), here is google translate's version.

Moi Satu and Muru ! Here 's another really Finnish , Hugo cat . You've come to the right place , Hugo has received a lot of help here. More than a veterinarian . Simply insert me a message if you want to talk more about Finnish diabetes . I still do not know everything, but every day I learn something new . Much luck to you and Muru !

 

[Tiina and Hugo]

Very good translation But I just meant to talk about diabetes in Finnish. Though I still feel like I'm not much wiser than when I started in February. But I can at least help with where to get syringes cheaper and stuff like that. Welcome Satu! Tervetuloa. I know I have often felt very alone with managing this illness, more so when this all began.

Cheers or kippis does come in handy if you ever visit Finland @Alexi

 

[Alexi]

I have visited Finland quite a few times - but just to Helsinki and have friends there but mostly we speak in Swedish or English as I do find Finnish a difficult language to learn. Kippis has been used many times!

 

[Tiina and Hugo]

I have visited Finland quite a few times - but just to Helsinki and have friends there but mostly we speak in Swedish or English as I do find Finnish a difficult language to learn. Kippis has been used many times!

It's a good starting point How fun and rare that you have been in our little country.