New to board, in dire need of guidance. Cat having some issues.

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You have no idea how happy I am to read this-- I woke to read the earlier news and my heart just sank. So glad that DCIN was able to step in, they are such a wonderful organization!

Please keep us posted on how Izabelle is doing!
 
@Marissa Lynch ....it's not important right now because we understand you have more important things to concentrate on, but when you can, would you please fill out and submit our Compassionate Assistance Form so we can get a file started on you?
Thanks,
Chris from DCIN

Sending prayers for your dear kitty and hope she'll be able to come home soon
 
So glad Marissa can get help from DCIN and get Izabelle treatment she needs :cat:. Sending healing vines
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@Chris & China I will get started on that and have it to you tomorrow.

Sorry I wasnt able to write an update last night. It was a very long, crazy, stessful day of back and forth dealing with money gouging, good for nothing vet. To make a long story short, they discovered that she has pancreatitis and calcium buildups in addition to the dka and wanted an exorbitant amount of money to treat her. Like, just an insane amount. I told them I would have to put her down underived those circumstances because as much as it wild break my heart, financially it's just not feasible. The vet then said he did not want to do that because it's something treatable and suggested I find someplace else to bring her. After a couple of hours, many phone calls, and many panicked messages with the ladies at DCIN, Izabelle is now spending a couple of days at a new 24 hour facility and will hopefully be okay. Only time will tell, but keep your finger's crossed for her.

The DCIN has been incredible and is helping Izabelle and I as much as possible. Not to be redundant, but thank you, to all of you and the DCIN, from the bottom of my heart. I feel like I've been mislead and lied to by vets from the very start about her condition and proper treatment. You are all amazing and I will pay this all forward once I am able.

Here's a picture of Izabelle so
IMG_20170407_191352_428.jpg
you can all see the sweet girl you're helping
 
Meowrissa said:
@Chris & China I will get started on that and have it to you tomorrow.

Sorry I wasnt able to write an update last night. It was a very long, crazy, stessful day of back and forth dealing with money gouging, good for nothing vet. To make a long story short, they discovered that she has pancreatitis and calcium buildups in addition to the dka and wanted an exorbitant amount of money to treat her. Like, just an insane amount. I told them I would have to put her down underived those circumstances because as much as it wild break my heart, financially it's just not feasible. The vet then said he did not want to do that because it's something treatable and suggested I find someplace else to bring her. After a couple of hours, many phone calls, and many panicked messages with the ladies at DCIN, Izabelle is now spending a couple of days at a new 24 hour facility and will hopefully be okay. Only time will tell, but keep your finger's crossed for her.

The DCIN has been incredible and is helping Izabelle and I as much as possible. Not to be redundant, but thank you, to all of you and the DCIN, from the bottom of my heart. I feel like I've been mislead and lied to by vets from the very start about her condition and proper treatment. You are all amazing and I will pay this all forward once I am able.

Here's a picture of Izabelle soView attachment 27452 you can all see the sweet girl you're helping
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I'm so so happy she's going to get care. We are still wading through 4k in bills from trying to save one of my cats last week (not diabetic) so I completely understand. We are all rooting for her. Once she's home we will be there to guide and support you as you get the diabetes under control.
 
Hey everyone! I went and visited Izabelle a little while ago and they told me she is responding well to treatment and can hopefully come home in a couple of days. Ketones are pretty much gone, but they're still having trouble getting her to eat regularly. She's a picky eater on a good day though. She was very happy to see me and her personality is definitely returning. That's all I've got for right now. I will continue to update on her progress :cat:
 
Marissa, I'm so glad to hear that Izabelle is doing well! That's such great news!

Do you have everything you need to start home testing when you bring her home? Is there anything we can do to help you figure out what you need?
 
Not yet, I got ketone tests, but have yet to use it. I did not get a meter yet as I am not sure exactly what I need. I believe they're gong to be switching her insulin. Henna had mentioned possibly getting me some Lantus? I believe that's what it was. Past that I'm not sure what I need or should be doing as far as a daily routine. I will be looking for a new vet, more knowledgeable in this area because I was definitely not given sufficent inforation from the start.
 
I made this list for someone else:
A lot of us use a human meter from Walmart, ReliOn Confirm or Micro (Only difference is meter size).
1. Meter ($15)
2. Test strips ($35.88 / 100)
3. 26 or 28 gauge lancets ($2)
4. Neosporin or triple antibiotic ointment ($3)
5. A treat for yourself :cat:

Here is the Spreadsheet link again, all you need is a Google account: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/fdmb-spreadsheet-instructions.130337/
Signature instructions, make sure to also add her DKA date: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/editing-your-signature-profile-and-preferences.130340/
Most important tests are AMPS and PMPS. She can eat all day up to 2 hours prior to preshot test times so the number is not food influenced :)
 
Most vets, while wonderful in many areas, just don't know much about feline diabetes. My vet actually joined this board after Sam went into remission the first time, so he could learn more about it!

Home testing will be absolutely essential to keeping Izabelle safe after all of this, because DKA can reoccur.

You can pick up a glucometer at any pharmacy, along with test strips and lancets. There are many different brands/styles of glucometer and just about any of them will work. The two biggest considerations are the cost of the test strips, because you'll use a lot of them, and the size of the blood sample you'll need - although almost all of them require a very small sample anyway.

I use the meter from my local Target pharmacy (CVS), but many (most?) people use one from WalMart. I'll let someone else chime in with the specifics of that since I don't use that one. I would recommend that you get your testing supplies and watch some videos about it before you bring Izabelle home, so that you're ready to monitor her. We have lots of tips and tricks to help you learn how to do it, so ask as many questions as you have!
 
Yong said:
I made this list for someone else:
A lot of us use a human meter from Walmart, ReliOn Confirm or Micro (Only difference is meter size).
1. Meter ($15)
2. Test strips ($35.88 / 100)
3. 26 or 28 gauge lancets ($2)
4. Neosporin or triple antibiotic ointment ($3)
5. A treat for yourself :cat:

Here is the Spreadsheet link again, all you need is a Google account: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/fdmb-spreadsheet-instructions.130337/
Signature instructions, make sure to also add her DKA date: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/editing-your-signature-profile-and-preferences.130340/
Most important tests are AMPS and PMPS. She can eat all day up to 2 hours prior to preshot test times so the number is not food influenced :)
Click to expand...

I love that list! I'm going to borrow it...I never know how to help with the Walmart stuff!
 
So her first full day home went pretty well. She ate half of her breakfast, a full lunch, and about 3/4 of her dinner. She ate all her breakfast this morning, but it wasnt easym it took a good 45 minutes of coaxing to get her to eat it all. She's not really interested in her lunch though. Overall she seems much better, but very tired, a little weak, and possibly still breathing a little heavy. I also could just be over analyzing everything she does at this point. Hard to tell, haha. Does anyone else have a cat who is this difficult about eating? I have tried all your suggestions and she is unphased by them so far.
 
Glad to hear that she's doing pretty well so far! It's not at all surprising/unusual for her to be acting tired and weak at this point-- a DKA takes an awful lot out of them, and it will likely be a week or two before she gets her energy back.

Definitely a priority to keep her eating well-- that, plus sufficient insulin, is what is going to keep ketones at bay.

Did they send you home with any meds (anti-nausea, especially) or with subcutaneous fluids? Have you started hometesting? What insulin is she on now, and what dose?

Let us know what we can do to help!
 
Meowrissa said:
So her first full day home went pretty well. She ate half of her breakfast, a full lunch, and about 3/4 of her dinner. She ate all her breakfast this morning, but it wasnt easym it took a good 45 minutes of coaxing to get her to eat it all. She's not really interested in her lunch though. Overall she seems much better, but very tired, a little weak, and possibly still breathing a little heavy. I also could just be over analyzing everything she does at this point. Hard to tell, haha. Does anyone else have a cat who is this difficult about eating? I have tried all your suggestions and she is unphased by them so far.
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Teasel took a few weeks to recover from his DKA episode.
 
It would be helpful to add some more information to your signature: insulin type, dosage, meter you are using, and her DKA date :cat:
 
I wish The Best for your pretty girl.
Have you tested for ketones today? If not, I would do that as soon as possible. Please keep us updated.
Is she now on Lantus, and if so, what dose? I am sending Izabelle a bunch of eating vines. She needs the food and insulin and to get rid of that infection. Bless You.
 
Meowrissa said:
@Chris & China I will get started on that and have it to you tomorrow.

Sorry I wasnt able to write an update last night. It was a very long, crazy, stessful day of back and forth dealing with money gouging, good for nothing vet. To make a long story short, they discovered that she has pancreatitis and calcium buildups in addition to the dka and wanted an exorbitant amount of money to treat her. Like, just an insane amount. I told them I would have to put her down underived those circumstances because as much as it wild break my heart, financially it's just not feasible. The vet then said he did not want to do that because it's something treatable and suggested I find someplace else to bring her. After a couple of hours, many phone calls, and many panicked messages with the ladies at DCIN, Izabelle is now spending a couple of days at a new 24 hour facility and will hopefully be okay. Only time will tell, but keep your finger's crossed for her.

The DCIN has been incredible and is helping Izabelle and I as much as possible. Not to be redundant, but thank you, to all of you and the DCIN, from the bottom of my heart. I feel like I've been mislead and lied to by vets from the very start about her condition and proper treatment. You are all amazing and I will pay this all forward once I am able.

Here's a picture of Izabelle soView attachment 27452 you can all see the sweet girl you're helping
Click to expand...
She is adorable!!
 
She is on Lantus now, 1 unit each dose. They did not send me home with any other medicine. I had to hand feed her last night then, but today she ate all 3 meals on her own :D. Definitely an improvement. The DCIN is sending me a meter so hopefully that will be herebin the next day or two and we can get that started. I have not been able to figure out a way to test her for ketones. She won't go near the box with plastic wrap in it. Is there a way I can test it from the litter?
 
I originally tested from litter, dipping test strip in before Maury covered it but wasn't always heavily successful. I've had better luck with a long handled spoon and sneak it under him when he's in there. Don't need much to dip the strip in. Oh and his spoon is clearly labeled :smuggrin:
 
The gravel isn't a bad idea, she might go for that. No way I'm getting near her with a spoon of any length, lol. She's very private about her box activities. I usually can't even walk by it when she's in there without her getting freaked out. And she'll only go in one that's fully covered. I'll definitely have to try the gravel and see how it goes.
 
I've never used it, but they say you can wash the gravel and reuse it when needed too. Good luck!
 
Question for you guys... what do you do if you know you're not going to be home until about 2 hours after they need their shot? Unfortunately my work schedule next week changed and I'll be home later than usual. My fiance will also be working, as well as my brother (who I also taught, for instances just like this lol) so I'm really in a pickle. Is it okay to give it to her then or will that throw her whole thing into a tail spin?
 
Meowrissa said:
Question for you guys... what do you do if you know you're not going to be home until about 2 hours after they need their shot? Unfortunately my work schedule next week changed and I'll be home later than usual. My fiance will also be working, as well as my brother (who I also taught, for instances just like this lol) so I'm really in a pickle. Is it okay to give it to her then or will that throw her whole thing into a tail spin?
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Are you able to give the morning shot a bit later than usual? Normally with Lantus it is better to keep the dose the same and give it at 12 hour intervals, but with DKA it may be necessary to stretch the rules and timing a bit to accommodate giving both shots.Because of the previous DKA you do not want to miss a shot. If you can't shoot the AM later then you might opt to shoot the PM shot but give a reduced amount during this time period. If you give a reduced shot but you are shooting 2 hours late, then you will have to be extra careful about the morning dose since there may still be some depot in play from the evening shot. How long will your work schedule be changed for?
 
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Depends-- is it one day, all week, or more long term?

Generally speaking: giving a dose late can sometimes act like a dose decrease, and giving a dose early can sometimes act like a dose increase. If we have to shift schedule, we try to do it gradually, by 30 minutes a day, so if you can accommodate the schedule change by moving to a new 12hr-12hr shot schedule, that'd be the best.

If the new schedule isn't compatible with a 12hr-12hr shot schedule, that's where it gets trickier. You have to consider the all the increase/decrease effects of a non-12hr interval between shots-- as Mary Ann said, it's not just the late shot in the evening you have to worry about, it's also the resulting "early" shot the next morning if you stick to your usual shot time. I agree that with a DKA, the one thing you don't want to do is to miss a shot. I'd also be extra-cautious about reducing shots anticipating the possible "early" effect, unless you know you won't be able to monitor.
 
The time change is only for that night. She usually gets her shot at 8am/pm. The day in questions is next Friday, I have to leave at my regular time so she would receive it at 8am and then I won't be able to give it to her until 1030pm. I am off the next day, so would it be okay to give her the am shot at 10am, then the pm at 930pm, so on and so forth until I get her back to 8am/8pm? I just received my test kit in the mail this morning. I'm going to attempt testing today and see what happens.
 
Meowrissa said:
The time change is only for that night. She usually gets her shot at 8am/pm. The day in questions is next Friday, I have to leave at my regular time so she would receive it at 8am and then I won't be able to give it to her until 1030pm. I am off the next day, so would it be okay to give her the am shot at 10am, then the pm at 930pm, so on and so forth until I get her back to 8am/8pm? I just received my test kit in the mail this morning. I'm going to attempt testing today and see what happens.
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If it is just for that one night then by all means shoot the dose late. You will have to work back the times...usually suggested 15 minutes each shot or 1/2 hour once a day, but you may be able to adjust a bit more if the numbers are high. Since you will be home testing and you are off the next day this can all be worked around. Luckily it is only one time so not a big worry.

ETA When you will be doing your AMPS on Saturday please post with the reading and the amount of time since the PM shot to get some more input. :)
 
Tuxedo Mom said:
If it is just for that one night then by all means shoot the dose late. You will have to work back the times...usually suggested 15 minutes each shot or 1/2 hour once a day, but you may be able to adjust a bit more if the numbers are high. Since you will be home testing and you are off the next day this can all be worked around. Luckily it is only one time so not a big worry.

ETA When you will be doing your AMPS on Saturday please post with the reading and the amount of time since the PM shot to get some more input. :)
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Totally agree.
 
So now as for testing her, when and how often should I be doing it? I looked at some of your spreadsheets and it just looked like a foreign language to me and I was immediately overwhelmed. If there more information about those anywhere that I can refer to?
 
Please don't be overwhelmed. Many of us who post regularly are data junkies who have flexibility with our work schedules. That being said, testing is super important. You must test before each shot. The usual order is (1) test, (2) feed, (3) give insulin.

As much as possible, you should test around the nadir (the lowest point in the cycle). You'll need to do a curve to know when that is, but we can get to that part later. For now, just try to get your first test done - whatever time it is in the cycle, so you can learn how to do it. As you practice, the entire sequence test/feed/shoot gets pretty quick (as long as Izabelle is eating well), but at first it can take a little time, so practice is good.

Here is a video to help:

@Sieden's video


And ask any/all questions. We have lots of tips and tricks to help you out!
 
Meowrissa said:
So now as for testing her, when and how often should I be doing it? I looked at some of your spreadsheets and it just looked like a foreign language to me and I was immediately overwhelmed. If there more information about those anywhere that I can refer to?
Click to expand...
Most important tests are AMPS and PMPS (15-30 minutes before shot time), do your best to make sure Izabelle has not eaten for 2 hours prior. Any additional tests in between are helpful :). With a full time job, you should be able to get AMPS, PMPS, and a before bed test. Assuming this is a Monday - Friday job, you can grab extra tests on the weekends, like nadir (lowest number in the cycle, try to get a test between +5 and +7) time that Djamila mentioned.
 
Great tips, Yong and Djamila!

The only thing I would add is that, again considering the DKA, I think it can be OK to be a bit relaxed about the "no food 2hrs prior" if you have to. The reason we say to pull the food up is because we want to be sure when we shoot that she's truly at a high enough BG to shoot, so we don't want a recent meal to artificially inflate the numbers. That said, I know from experience that it can be tough scheduling a "food pick up time" 2hrs around two shots if you are also working full-time and trying to get a full night's sleep-- just not enough hours to work with! A lot of us use autofeeders to dispense timed meals, but even that can be tough if you have a grazer.

So, what I say (and others may disagree), is, if it's a choice between not leaving food out at all during the day while you're gone vs. leaving food out and running the risk that she'll eat in that two-hour window-- go ahead and leave the food out. It will help prevent DKA and, if she is lower than you think at pre-shot, it will help prevent her from going too low while you're gone.
 
Okay so I'm usually only off on Sundays. I leave in the mornings at 8:15 and I get home at all different times, but usually by 7:30 the latest, so I usually won't be able to get any mid day. I did my first test on her 2 hour's ago and it was at 125 on the meter they sent me. Do I need to do any sort of conversions on these numbers? She is eating right now and should get her shot as soon as she's done. Should I test again first? What are my ideal ranges for her BG? My concern with having the change the time is that I need to get it back to the 8am very quickly. Obviously I'm concerned because of the DKA and I don't want to mess with everything so much. How would I go about gauging what dose to give her? I just don't have adequate time to adjust back in 15 min increments
 
Ok so Sundays will be your chance to get some mid cycle readings. During the week, AMPS, PMPS, and if you can squeeze a before bed test (usually +2 or +3) is still good :). Which meter are you using? If you could add that to your signature information when you get a chance :cat:. There are no conversions between pet meter and human meters. Since she's eating, you can't do the stalling tonight. We don't really know what her numbers have been so I won't make any dosing suggestions. I will tag @Kris & Teasel since she has DKA and Lantus experience. I know skipping is not ideal.

As far as your ideal ranges for her BG, here's a reference: http://binkyspage.tripod.com/faq.html#regulation
 
Congrats on getting your first test! How did it go? What time zone are you in/what time is it now? You said you need to get her onto...I'm guessing an 8am/8pm or 7:30/730 cycle. How far off is that from what you're doing now?
 
Oh, and yes, test her again first, and then post the test result to hopefully someone will be here to help with dosing advice.
 
So I just did our first morning pre feed test and she came in at 163. Should I be giving her a full dose with that number? She is eating right now.
 
Meowrissa said:
So I just did our first morning pre feed test and she came in at 163. Should I be giving her a full dose with that number? She is eating right now.
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I'm not a lantus user so I won't comment on the dose, but wanted to say congratulations on testing!
 
She gets 1 unit 2x a day. She has only been on Lantus for a couple of weeks, since her DKA. She's only been home since Monday. Not sure I should be messing with doses, but also don't want her to get too much and end up hypo again.
 
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