Having a tough time testing...suggestions?

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Brenda Thompson

Brenda Thompson

Member Since 2017
My kitty Cleo went back on insulin last week. Her BG was in the low 400s prior to going back on insulin (we tried once before with a hypo event). The vet immediately put her back on dry kibble DM formula food, which I wasn't very happy about. We had been on strictly a wet diet for 1 1/2 yrs. She was skinny though 6.6 lbs on a mid-sized frame. She has been drinking a lot of water and urinating much more than she had prior to insulin therapy. I took her back in today for a BG test and her level was 432. I'm very frustrated that even with insulin she's higher than prior to using it. I bought a testing kit (Alpha track 2) but I'm having a heck of time getting a sample. I've pricked her ear several times over the last couple of days but can't seem to get enough blood for the sample and it hurts her. She recoils and runs when I do it and I feel very badly. We're both really stressed out over this. I feel like I want to switch vets because I'm not happy with her diet change...thoughts??
 
Sorry to hear Cleo is back on insulin :bighug:
I would suggested getting her back off dry food, once you are home testing, since you had her on completely wet for 1 1/2 years. Was that low carb wet? Here are two videos made by members here testing their kitty BG:

Also, give her a treat or do something positive if she's not food motivated, play session, cuddles / love, grooming, anything, each time you try. This will help her learn to associate the testing with a positive experience. We'll try to help however we can! :cat:
 
Thank you so much for the videos. Those are helpful. I was sort of doing right, but I think I need to massage the area more for more blood flow, cause I wasn't getting enough blood for the meter to read. I've mentioned to the vet that I wasn't really thrilled about going to dry kibble especially since her wet food was only 1% carbs and this food is like 13% to 18% which seem high for a DM formula, but he said that its "specially formulated" for diabetic kitties. I try to give her wet and dry, but with the kibble, she has absolutely no interest in the wet food now.
 
Brenda Thompson said:
Thank you so much for the videos. Those are helpful. I was sort of doing right, but I think I need to massage the area more for more blood flow, cause I wasn't getting enough blood for the meter to read. I've mentioned to the vet that I wasn't really thrilled about going to dry kibble especially since her wet food was only 1% carbs and this food is like 13% to 18% which seem high for a DM formula, but he said that its "specially formulated" for diabetic kitties. I try to give her wet and dry, but with the kibble, she has absolutely no interest in the wet food now.
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Are you using 28 guage lancets?
 
I've learned that most vets try to push prescription food which tells me they don't know much about feline diabetes.
I've looked at the ingredients on these so called special diets, Smoky was eating RC urinary formula for years. I learned the truth about these high carb diets too late.
My current vet thinks that diet may have contributed to him getting FD.
Do you know about Dr Pierson's website at catinfo.org?
 
This is a good pic of the spot you want to aim for
laur_danny_famoussweetspot.jpg
 
Brenda Thompson said:
My kitty Cleo went back on insulin last week. Her BG was in the low 400s prior to going back on insulin (we tried once before with a hypo event). The vet immediately put her back on dry kibble DM formula food, which I wasn't very happy about. We had been on strictly a wet diet for 1 1/2 yrs...I feel like I want to switch vets because I'm not happy with her diet change...thoughts??
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Sorry Cleo is back on insulin. Is there something that triggered this? Infection, stress, diet change? Please keep trying to test at home because it's so important. Warming the ear really helps me test.
Don't let your vet bully you into prescription food, especially dry. Cleo is your cat, you decide what's best for her. I'm still new here but someone told me to "nod, smile and ignore" advice that seems wrong (my vet didn't see need for home testing) and I would suggest the same to you. ;)
Good luck and keep persevering!
 
Sorry to hear about Celo, i don't consider dry food over wet which has less carbs. Also research on lancet thickness you are using
 
I'm new, but I can already testify that using the heated rice sock makes a huge difference. I didn't use a sock--I made a little bag, slightly smaller than my fist, using the fabric from an old t-shirt. I microwave it for about 15 seconds, check the heat level, then kind of lay it over the top of my kitty's ear, which kind of presses the ear against his body. He actually seems to like the warmth, and it's so much easier to get blood when the ear is warm. I know it's ready when the veins start to appear more prominent--almost like they're a little raised. Of course I talk to him while his ear is getting warm and tell him what a brave cat he is! If he tries to pull his head away, I let him (I don't want the heat to become uncomfortable), then apply the bag again.

About the food, I had a similar situation with my vet--made worse by the fact that we strongly suspect that my cat has an allergy to chicken and all the prescription foods contained chicken. I finally just said very directly (but politely, of course) "I am not going to use the prescription food. What other options can you recommend? What should I be looking for when I buy over-the-counter food?" She then stopped pushing the prescription stuff and said that a lot of her clients seem to have had success with Fancy Feast...
 
Is Cleo still underweight? If so, and if you want to keep dry food on the menu, Evo is one of the lowest in carbs, and most cats seem to really like it. But I think it's very calorie dense; I've actually recommended it to people who were trying to help their cats gain weight.

I think most people here would tell you to get her back on canned food if you can. If she has lost interest in her regular kind, you could try the Fancy Feast "Classic" varieties (there are a ton of different kinds; the Classic line is low-carb). A lot of kitties find Fancy Feast very palatable and are willing to give it a try even if they're snubbing other wet food.

I hope Cleo starts feeling better!
 
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Brenda Thompson said:
View attachment 27858
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I used to carry this at my grooming shop--I also have used it with my shop cats but none were diabetic.
I am not positive but I do not think it is a low carb food. I think the only LC dry foods are young again--- Evo--and Dr Elsey has new LC out as well.
I do know it is very rich and can cause runny poo-
Core does make a wet food that I am pretty sure is acceptable for a diabetic.
 
jayla-n-Drevon said:
This is a good pic of the spot you want to aim for
View attachment 27857
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If this is any more help. I know it seems like voodoo now but it will get easier.
ear_01.JPG

JanetNJ said:
Are you using 28 guage lancets?
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I used to use 31 or even 33 gauge lancets. The hole was so small I got zero blood. I know 28 gauge feels like you're pounding a nail in but better once than 5 trys and nothing. Good luck, we're always here. And yes, feel free to try another vet. Just like other doctors they sometimes go into a snit, mine does not. Another vet in town has saved us a few times when our main vet is booked solid over spring break etc. You never see convenience store owners having a hissy fit.
 
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