Hi, I am new to this...so 1st - let me thank the person that walked me through how to use the site. I really need some advice...my 11 years old cat was diagnosed with diabetes last week when I took her to vet because she had lump on side of her neck. The Vet removed the tumor & sent it for testing (haven't received any updates on that yet), but now I am required to give her insulin & I'm terrified (don't like needles, afraid I do it wrong ...). My cat was over wight (18 Ibs) - she had lost 2 Ibs from last visit, so she is 16 Ibs now. I think I should give her can food only. The vet thinks I should stick we 2 time feedings...she used to have food in her dish all day, but I think it maybe better for her to lose little wight to help with diabetes. ...please let me know if I am wrong. I read that diabetes cat should eat all day...is all so confusing. The vet also thinks I should give her insulin 2 times a day...I am taking her back for more testing...is it possible to give her on shut with increased insulin? or two times? before I took her she was having what I know now - little seizures ..she seems to be doing little better considering surgery
? Advice
- Thread starter Arezo
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Kris & Teasel
Member Since 2016
Welcome! There are many people here who were needle phobic but have learned to do injections with no problem. Your vet will show you how to do it and you can find many helpful videos on YouTube. You can also post any questions you have here on the main health forum.
Many people here feed many small meals per day because that works best for their kitty. You're right - canned food of a low carb variety is what a diabetic cat needs. Kibble has too many carbs.
Yes, cats need a dose of insulin twice a day. What insulin has been prescribed for your cat? What dose?
Has your vet mentioned testing blood sugar at home? We strongly recommend that you learn to do this and then test before each shot to see if the dose is too high for the blood glucose level. It's important that the kitty hasn't eaten for at least two hours before this pre-shot test so the blood glucose reading isn't higher because of food.
It's all very scary at first but you can learn to do what you need to do and we can help. Please post on the main health forum so more people see your message.
Larry and Kitties
Member Since 2009
Welcome.
No, one can't give one higher dose one a day instead of a lesser dose twice daily. If y do then the ca't BG will get too low. When you feed and give insulin the blood sugar may go up a little after 1-2 hours and then it will go down as the insulin takes effect. The lowest BG is typically 5-7 hours after a shot.
Good insulins are the human Lantus and Levemir and the pet insulins ProZinc and BCP PZI. For those two human insulin it is best to get the 5 pack of 3 ml disposable pens via a 10 ml vial. Although per ml the vial is less expensive most cats will not use up a 10 ml vial before the insulin goes bad/becomes ineffective. The human insulin N/NPH is sometimes prescribed but only lasts 8-10 hours. Same for the pet insulin Vetsulin/Caninisulin.
Most of us here test our cat's blood glucose at home using a human meter. We test before each shot and periodically between shots. We record our reading and other info in a spreadsheet. See:
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/fdmb-spreadsheet-instructions.130337/
A low-carb canned is best. No reason for a prescription food. Here is a list of commercial low-carb canned
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/shortcut-shopping-list-all-8-or-less-updated.117688/
I feedmy cats twice daily but it may be better to feed small meals thought out the day. The key is that yo need the cat to eat consistently day to day
Here is a link to home testing blood sugar http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/hometesting-links-and-tips.287/
No, one can't give one higher dose one a day instead of a lesser dose twice daily. If y do then the ca't BG will get too low. When you feed and give insulin the blood sugar may go up a little after 1-2 hours and then it will go down as the insulin takes effect. The lowest BG is typically 5-7 hours after a shot.
Good insulins are the human Lantus and Levemir and the pet insulins ProZinc and BCP PZI. For those two human insulin it is best to get the 5 pack of 3 ml disposable pens via a 10 ml vial. Although per ml the vial is less expensive most cats will not use up a 10 ml vial before the insulin goes bad/becomes ineffective. The human insulin N/NPH is sometimes prescribed but only lasts 8-10 hours. Same for the pet insulin Vetsulin/Caninisulin.
Most of us here test our cat's blood glucose at home using a human meter. We test before each shot and periodically between shots. We record our reading and other info in a spreadsheet. See:
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/fdmb-spreadsheet-instructions.130337/
A low-carb canned is best. No reason for a prescription food. Here is a list of commercial low-carb canned
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/shortcut-shopping-list-all-8-or-less-updated.117688/
I feedmy cats twice daily but it may be better to feed small meals thought out the day. The key is that yo need the cat to eat consistently day to day
Here is a link to home testing blood sugar http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/hometesting-links-and-tips.287/
The vet gave her Vetsulin - for right now he said to give her 2 ml once a day, but I am taking her back tomorrow for more testing. We talked about home testing, but right now with her surgery & stress of going to vet & getting injection & meds - I don't want to start it....I think that is too much for her. Any advice on helping her lose some weight? Would that even help with diabetic?
Larry and Kitties
Member Since 2009
Hopefully the vet meant 2 units, not two ml. 2 ml would kill the cat because the ca't BG would go too low.
Insulin is dosed in units, not ml.
Vetsulin is a U40 insulin which means each ml contains 40 units.
As I previously said, Vetsulin typically does not even last 12 hours let alone 24 hours.
You do not need your vet's approval to home test BG.
Kris & Teasel
Member Since 2016
What you can do now is prepare her to accept the ear pricking that is part of testing at home. Find a place where testing and shots will always take place. Take her there and give her lots of positive attention - petting, scratching, gentle rubbing of ears, etc. - and then give her a low carb treat (freeze dried meat treats are good for this). Repeat this process several times a day over the days ahead so that when you do the ear prick test for BG she'll know the routine and that it involves treats.
Thank you -that is very good advice. I can do that
SweetAngel
Member Since 2014
Arezo, I didn't think I could do it either, I was so scared and overwhelmed. I'm not great at home testing even now sometimes takes me a few goes before I can get a sample, but it's more of an inconvenience to our cats and apparently doesn't hurt. What a lot of us do is warm the ears with an old (clean) sock filled with rice, I get Angel ready by warming the outer surface of his ear then when it's warm enough I 'sandwich' his ear between the sock and lancing device and make sure it's taut and then fingers crossed I get a blood sample. Maybe your vet can walk you through the home testing, x
Thank you...he said they can show me how to do the testing. ..the problem is time ...I am at work for 8 to 9 hrs & add 2 hrs of driving...is hard to figure out how I am going to do testing 2-3 hrs before giving her insulin...my head is spinning & my heart is hurting ....this is awful
Kris & Teasel
Member Since 2016
Actually you test, then feed, then give insulin. The whole process should only take about 30 minutes and most of that time is waiting 30 minutes after eating to give the insulin. This is important because Vetsulin is a fast acting insulin and your kitty must have eaten a full meal 30 minutes before the insulin is given. So AM would be a half hour for test/feed/shoot, then you're gone for 11 or 12 hours and when you return you repeat test/feed/shoot. Add in one more BG test before you go to bed and you're done for the day. You can do extra testing on days off.
SweetAngel
Member Since 2014
take a deep breath, I always say if I can do it anyone can!! It is best to give the insulin 12 hours apart especially in the beginning when you're trying to determine how your cat is reacting to the insulin, but there is some flexibility. Once you're home testing you may find your cat is too low to shoot safely, in that case you have the option of 1. waiting 30 mins and testing again, 2. feeding, waiting 2 hours and testing again, and 3. missing the shot altogether. When/if that happens I'm sure there will be someone around to walk you through it.
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