CaliAlli
Member Since 2017
My 13 year old Tortoiseshell, Darla, was recently diagnosed with Diabetes. She has gained weight (great!) and is definitely drinking and urinating less (great!). I have had her into the vet for 2 BG curve tests and, well, let's just say, she's not cooperating and the vet does not feel she can get an accurate reading. Darla is miserable about it, wants no part of the testing, hisses at the vet, and has to be isolated from other animals. The vet has recommended that Darla come back in in 3 weeks for a Fructosamine test and, in the meantime, wants me to do BG testing at home where Darla's stress level will be lower. I am scared to death. We have had a difficult enough time giving her insulin. She is generally quite happy and content at home, and I don't want to her to be miserable at home like she is at the vet.
The vet started her at 2 units, then increased it to 3 units after her first BG curve test, then decreased it to 2 and a half units after her second BG curve test. During this time, we've been SLOWLY transitioning her to a wet food lower carb diet. The vet also wants me to try to make this transition to an even lower carb wet food (almost no carb) than I have been feeding her. I am afraid to do this too aggressively given that we still don't seem to have good numbers from her BG curve tests and are still changing around her insulin units. This is compounded by my fear of home testing, even though I know it is important.
Recommendations on glucometers and any tips that may make testing more tolerable for her would be appreciated. I would prefer whatever is the quickest and least painful for her (ie. there's a big difference between 5 seconds and 7 seconds). Affordable would be nice, but quick and painless is the priority. Has anyone had positive experiences with urine testing instead? I know it's not ideal, but right now I feel like it might be my best option.
If you have ever had a Tortoiseshell, you probably can empathize. I would really appreciate any advice!
The vet started her at 2 units, then increased it to 3 units after her first BG curve test, then decreased it to 2 and a half units after her second BG curve test. During this time, we've been SLOWLY transitioning her to a wet food lower carb diet. The vet also wants me to try to make this transition to an even lower carb wet food (almost no carb) than I have been feeding her. I am afraid to do this too aggressively given that we still don't seem to have good numbers from her BG curve tests and are still changing around her insulin units. This is compounded by my fear of home testing, even though I know it is important.
Recommendations on glucometers and any tips that may make testing more tolerable for her would be appreciated. I would prefer whatever is the quickest and least painful for her (ie. there's a big difference between 5 seconds and 7 seconds). Affordable would be nice, but quick and painless is the priority. Has anyone had positive experiences with urine testing instead? I know it's not ideal, but right now I feel like it might be my best option.
If you have ever had a Tortoiseshell, you probably can empathize. I would really appreciate any advice!
