Daily routine

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portana

portana

Member Since 2017
Hello,

My Simba has been diagnosed very recently and I'm very glad to have found this forum as I have already learned a lot. Would anyone mind sharing with me their daily routine with their diabetic cat which includes feeding, testing and injecting? I'm trying to jot down a plan for me and mine so I know what to do every day and at what time. I know every cat is an individual but I still think it would help me just as I'm starting. Thank you!

PS.:
1.How do you calculate how much food to give?
2.How do you calculate how much carbs in food? (I have the list, just wanted to know how)
3. Do you use the same needle for insulin? If so, how many times?
4. Do you use the same needle for BG testing? if so, how many times?
 
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I get up at 6am every morning whether I want to or not.
I go straight to the bathroom to pee, and Spork always follows me. I test him in there as it's a small space and he can't move too far.
Bowls get washed and the cats get their breakfasts. I give insulin as he is eating; he doesn't even notice. After that I either get ready for work or go back to bed.
Sometime around midday (cats will let me know what time it is) they get their lunch meal. Sometimes I test before, sometimes I don't.
7pm Spork gets tested again, dinner, and injection while eating.
They used to get a bedtime snack around 10-11 pm, but they are getting a bit chubby so I cut that out.

3 meals a day, at least 2 testings (before injecting). Insulin at 6am and 7pm due to my work schedule.
A meal for them is usually 1/2 can (3oz can) of Fancy Feast Classic + 1/8 cup dry Dr. Elsey's. They will be switching to Young Again tomorrow, though, so this may change.
 
My routine was (Smokey is GA now) I picked the times I would be home at all times 7 am and 7 pm. The testing site was set up before I went to bed. So in the morning i would test him, fix the bowls for 3 cats, 1 cat was dry food only, shoot while was eating (1-1 1/2 oz) and I stood there until my dry kitty finished, then most days go back to bed until 8:30. Did the same thing at 7 pm except I didn't go to bed. Smokey had to be fed every 3 hrs. I used an auto feeder which worked well for us. His main 4 meals at 7/1 and 7/1 were 1-1 1/2 oz each time. At 10 pm set feeder for 4 am and at 11 pm set feeder for 1 am. The meals in between were 1/4 - 1/2 can (3 oz) each time. Sometimes he ate it all sometimes he didn't. Tested in between depending on his numbers. Always tested, set feeder before I walked out the door (he was notorious for diving in 2-3 hrs after shot) and always at 10 or 11 am & pm and set up testing area for next time.

It worked well for us for quite some time. Then he had pancreatitis and meds had to be given in between. Then found out he had heart disease and more meds scheduled around p'titis meds. Luckily at this stage I wasn't working and my time revolved around his schedule. Between me and hubby he was never left alone for more than an hour. If that very very rare occasion it would happen, I took him, his meds, food, equipment with me.
 
I am fortunate that being teachers my partner and I are both home for the summer, so we made it our goal last summer to get her as regulated as possible. This was our routine:
5:30 test, then feed (about 3/4ths of a ff can), 6 am shoot
Leave young again zero out to graze on... I have found it doesn't effect her bg at all.
Test randomly when I'm home.
5:30 pm test, feed 6pm shoot.
Test randomly. rinse. repeat. haha


Some days I did more tests then others.
 
Never use a needle a second time. They get dull and are no longer sterile. I used lantus so can't help you out with your schedule. As for food, look for foods your cat likes that are about 10% or less carbs. I hope you get a quick remission.
 
portana said:
Hello,

My Simba has been diagnosed very recently and I'm very glad to have found this forum as I have already learned a lot. Would anyone mind sharing with me their daily routine with their diabetic cat which includes feeding, testing and injecting? I'm trying to jot down a plan for me and mine so I know what to do every day and at what time. I know every cat is an individual but I still think it would help me just as I'm starting. Thank you!

PS.:
1.How do you calculate how much food to give?
2.How do you calculate how much carbs in food? (I have the list, just wanted to know how)
3. Do you use the same needle for insulin? If so, how many times?
4. Do you use the same needle for BG testing? if so, how many times?
Click to expand...
1. Feed if they are hungry just not two hours before preshot.
2. Use the list... It's the easiest way. Dr. P went through the trouble for you in contact tactics get the manufacturer for the as fed values.
3. Never!!! It dolls and hurts them more.
4. You mean lancet? I've poked twice in the same spot for the same test .. But in general same as needles.... Just toss! I buy 100 for $1.19... I am not going to hurt my cat to save a penny. Lol
 
portana said:
1.How do you calculate how much food to give?
Click to expand...
There is a formula that gives a rough guesstimate of how many calories to feed your kitty each day (divide by how many feedings/meals) based on ideal weight.
portana said:
2.How do you calculate how much carbs in food? (I have the list, just wanted to know how)
Click to expand...
List is the first choice as the calculations are very vague because they are based on Guaranteed Analysis values, where Food charts are based off of As-Fed values from contacting manufacturer's.
portana said:
3. Do you use the same needle for insulin? If so, how many times?
Click to expand...
One needle, one shot. Never re-use :)
portana said:
4. Do you use the same needle for BG testing? if so, how many times?
Click to expand...
Generally same as syringes, unless like Janet says, you need to re-poke for a test.

Our routine:
07:00 AM Pre-Shot test (no food eaten 2 hours prior), if number is good he gets his meal.
07:30 Administer insulin shot.
10:30 - 11:00 (+3 - +3.5) Snack
Sometimes a mid-cycle test
17:00 If any food left, take up.
19:00 - PM Pre-Shot test (no food eaten 2 hours prior), if number is good he gets his meal.
19:30 Administer insulin shot.
22:30 - 23:00 Before bed test, Snack
 
Yong said:
There is a formula that gives a rough guesstimate of how many calories to feed your kitty each day (divide by how many feedings/meals) based on ideal weight.

List is the first choice as the calculations are very vague because they are based on Guaranteed Analysis values, where Food charts are based off of As-Fed values from contacting manufacturer's.

One needle, one shot. Never re-use :)

Generally same as syringes, unless like Janet says, you need to re-poke for a test.

Our routine:
07:00 AM Pre-Shot test (no food eaten 2 hours prior), if number is good he gets his meal.
07:30 Administer insulin shot.
10:30 - 11:00 (+3 - +3.5) Snack
Sometimes a mid-cycle test
17:00 If any food left, take up.
19:00 - PM Pre-Shot test (no food eaten 2 hours prior), if number is good he gets his meal.

19:30 Administer insulin shot.
22:30 - 23:00 Before bed test, Snack
Click to expand...


Thank you, Yong. What is a good number. What number would you have to get to not give him his meal?
 
JanetNJ said:
1. Feed if they are hungry just not two hours before preshot.
2. Use the list... It's the easiest way. Dr. P went through the trouble for you in contact tactics get the manufacturer for the as fed values.
3. Never!!! It dolls and hurts them more.
4. You mean lancet? I've poked twice in the same spot for the same test .. But in general same as needles.... Just toss! I buy 100 for $1.19... I am not going to hurt my cat to save a penny. Lol
Click to expand...

Thanks for replying. My cat is always hungry, I need to have some control or he will eat all day. I would find it extremely surprising if I could buy lancet needles at that price in the UK :D

@Monica Lewis where do you buy yours?
 
portana said:
Hello,

My Simba has been diagnosed very recently and I'm very glad to have found this forum as I have already learned a lot. Would anyone mind sharing with me their daily routine with their diabetic cat which includes feeding, testing and injecting? I'm trying to jot down a plan for me and mine so I know what to do every day and at what time. I know every cat is an individual but I still think it would help me just as I'm starting. Thank you!

PS.:
1.How do you calculate how much food to give?
2.How do you calculate how much carbs in food? (I have the list, just wanted to know how)
3. Do you use the same needle for insulin? If so, how many times?
4. Do you use the same needle for BG testing? if so, how many times?
Click to expand...

Here is my scheduled when Magellan was on insulin

9 am test then offer bribe of freeze dried treat ( bribes I find are a must with my boy)
9;10 am put out a half a can of frisky's pate and give insulin while he is distracted eating (half a can because he is living with his civi cat artemis)
bout 10 ish am I test to see how his sugars are reacting to the insulin
if no problems I test in 5hrs to get a read on his mid levels and again I bribe him
if he is having problems I test again in a half an hr and continue until he stabilizes (yes lots of tests and bribes, kisses and snuggles)
that would now place it about 4 pm
that is also the time I give a half a can of fancy feast as a snack (he is a very big boy..
at 7pm I pull up all foods if any are left most of the time there is none
at 9pm I test and gain bribe him athe the dance is the same as the am...

If I was lucky I went to bed with Magellan around 2 am assuming he did not have other plans for me.....
 
Hi Ana @portana ,

Regarding your questions...

2.How do you calculate how much carbs in food? (I have the list, just wanted to know how)
~ Ana, if you look at the second link in my signature you'll see lots of info about UK foods, and, if you scroll down that page - a bit more than half way - you'll also see how you can calculate carb values for yourself. (But do just ask if you want more help).

3. Do you use the same needle for insulin? If so, how many times?
~ As others have said this is not recommended. Firstly, the needle point becomes dull. Secondly, you risk contaminating your insulin if you put a used syringe into the vial. You can buy U40 syringes very cheaply here (£12.98 for 100 syringes):
http://www.vetuk.co.uk/insulin-syri...nsulin-syringe-with-needle-box-of-100-p-11335

4. Do you use the same needle for BG testing? if so, how many times?
~ It's best to never use anything that we jab our cats with more than once. The exception is when we're doing a blood test and it may take several goes to get a blood droplet.
We generally use lancets for blood tests.
A blood glucose meter will usually come as a kit that includes a lancing device. This is a little pen-like thingy that you pop a lancet into and then prick the cat's ear with. Some people just use the lancet freehand without the lancing device. (You will find out which method works best for you.) Alphatrak lancets are widely available online at around £18 for a box of 100. But you could also use generic lancets (suitable for use in most lancing devices) which could be around half the price.
This is just one of a number of places where you can get Alphatrak lancets online:
https://www.vetuk.co.uk/index.php?m...esult&search_in_description=1&keyword=lancets

I hope this helps. But please DO shout out if you need more help. :bighug:

Eliz
 
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Elizabeth and Bertie said:
Hi Ana @portana ,

Regarding your questions...

2.How do you calculate how much carbs in food? (I have the list, just wanted to know how)
~ Ana, if you look at the second link in my signature you'll see lots of info about UK foods, and, if you scroll down that page - a bit more than half way - you'll also see how you can calculate carb values for yourself. (But do just ask if you want more help).

3. Do you use the same needle for insulin? If so, how many times?
~ As others have said this is not recommended. Firstly, the needle point becomes dull. Secondly, you risk contaminating your insulin if you put a used syringe into the vial. You can buy U40 syringes very cheaply here (£12.98 for 100 syringes):
http://www.vetuk.co.uk/insulin-syri...nsulin-syringe-with-needle-box-of-100-p-11335

4. Do you use the same needle for BG testing? if so, how many times?
~ It's best to never use anything that we jab our cats with more than once. The exception is when we're doing a blood test and it may take several goes to get a blood droplet.
We generally use lancets for blood tests.
A blood glucose meter will usually come as a kit that includes a lancing device. This is a little pen-like thingy that you pop a lancet into and then prick the cat's ear with. Some people just use the lancet freehand without the lancing device. (You will find out which method works best for you.) Alphatrak lancets are widely available online at around £18 for a box of 100. But you could also use generic lancets (suitable for use in most lancing devices) which could be around half the price.
This is just one of a number of places where you can get Alphatrak lancets online:
https://www.vetuk.co.uk/index.php?m...esult&search_in_description=1&keyword=lancets

I hope this helps. But please DO shout out if you need more help. :bighug:

Eliz
Click to expand...

Thank you, @Elizabeth and Bertie :)

Do you mind if I also ask how much do you pay for a prescription and do you buy the insulin from the vet or do you order online?
If online, where from?
Do you also need a prescription for the syringes?
Do you need a new prescription every time you need to buy insulin?
What do you do with the used syringes?


Thank you
 
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portana said:
Do you mind if I also ask how much do you pay for a prescription and do you buy the insulin from the vet or do you order online?
If online, where from?
Do you also need a prescription for the syringes?
Do you need a new prescription every time you need to buy insulin?
What do you do with the used syringes?
Click to expand...

Hi Ana,

I buy my insulin from the vet. (I don't use Caninsulin, I use one called Hypurin PZI). But it is possible to buy Caninsulin online with a prescription from your vet. Caninsulin online may be much cheaper. But your vet can charge for a prescription (I've known people be charged around £15...). Your vet may write a prescription for more than one vial of insulin.
Here's one of a number of places you can buy Caninsulin online:
https://www.petdrugsonline.co.uk/se..._3s7umfUPd6ybdUUS1aAPLVUyGm7ImJwKoaAt_I8P8HAQ

You don't need a prescription for syringes.

Disposal of syringes varies depending on where you live.
Sometimes you can return them to the vet's practice and they will dispose of them for a fee. Here, our syringes are collected by someone from the local council. I contacted them and explained that we had a diabetic in the family (;)) and asked how I should dispose of syringes.
Now, I let them know when I have a couple of sharps containers to dispose of and someone comes to collect them....

I snap the needle end off my syringes with a pair of pliers, and just put that part in the sharps box. So it takes ages to fill a sharps box. I dispose of the syringe barrel in normal household waste.

How long are you using your insulin for? Has your vet said that you need to dispose of it after a month?
.
 
Elizabeth and Bertie said:
Hi Ana,

I buy my insulin from the vet. (I don't use Caninsulin, I use one called Hypurin PZI). But it is possible to buy Caninsulin online with a prescription from your vet. Caninsulin online may be much cheaper. But your vet can charge for a prescription (I've known people be charged around £15...). Your vet may write a prescription for more than one vial of insulin.
Here's one of a number of places you can buy Caninsulin online:
https://www.petdrugsonline.co.uk/se..._3s7umfUPd6ybdUUS1aAPLVUyGm7ImJwKoaAt_I8P8HAQ

You don't need a prescription for syringes.

Disposal of syringes varies depending on where you live.
Sometimes you can return them to the vet's practice and they will dispose of them for a fee. Here, our syringes are collected by someone from the local council. I contacted them and explained that we had a diabetic in the family (;)) and asked how I should dispose of syringes.
Now, I let them know when I have a couple of sharps containers to dispose of and someone comes to collect them....

I snap the needle end off my syringes with a pair of pliers, and just put that part in the sharps box. So it takes ages to fill a sharps box. I dispose of the syringe barrel in normal household waste.

How long are you using your insulin for? Has your vet said that you need to dispose of it after a month?
.
Click to expand...

I've had the same vial since the 10th of June which is when I brought Simba home. He just said I had enough for 25 days but since we have been increasing the dose I don't think it will last much longer. I have to call them and ask for a prescription. he never said anything about disposing of it after a month.

Thank so much for helping, I'm starting to feel I can do this :)
 
I just looked at the test strips, they are super expensive! I didn't expect that :( They can only be used once, right?
 
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portana said:
I just looked at the test strips, they are super expensive! I didn't expect that :( They can only be used once, right?
Click to expand...
Yes definitely only once! Depending on what meter you use, you can sometimes find them cheaper on ebay (check out seller's ratings). And if you have pet insurance strips are claimable through that.
 
Hi Ana,
yes BG meter strips are pretty expensive for us as well, £5-6 per 10 strip bottle. It's crazy! Luckily our pet insurance with Tesco covers the expenses for most things so we buy them in Boots for convenience.
I buy the free hand lancets also at Boots at the pharmacy dispensary desk, 28gauge lancets x 200 pcs in the box for £12.

We get our Caninsulin straight from the vet for £52 per bottle. Hoping the insurance company will pay for this as well, will be sending off claim soon.. Do you have a pet insurance?

Our routine is
7.30 - 8am testing, feeding one quarter tin of Butcher's Classic Really Meaty or 1 pouch of Sheba Fine Flakes / shoot - we give Josie her shot in the middle of her eating as we went through a really tough time her putting up such a fight over the insulin shots but she lets us do it whilst busy scoffing. Still bugs her but at least she's not fighting it anymore)

If she's not asking for second breakfast then-
10:30-11:00 Test if can and Small portion from same breakfast tin of Butchers Classic Really Meaty/half a pouch of Sheba Flakes

2:00-3:00pm Small portion of same food as above or few cubes of plain oven baked chicken breasts

7:30-8pm testing, feeding another quarter of Butcher's Classic or 1 pouch of Sheba Flakes /shoot

11.00pm Test if can before heading to bed
Bedtime snack of either leftover Butcher's Classic tin / half a pouch Sheba Flakes / some chicken breast cubes left for overnight

Josie is around 4kg and the vet recommended 4 pouches of wet food spread throughout the day or one can of Butcher's Classic split into smaller meals

She likes to eat little and often so whenever she asks I give her some food unless it's 2 hours prior testing for insulin shot.

Hope this helps, let us know how's things going :)
 
Lancets from Boots
 

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@Monica Lewis oh yes, pet insurance def covers insulin! That's the treatment for FD after all... how could they not pay out for that?! I imagine some companies might baulk at claims for meter, strips, etc but these things are pretty essential to keep a diabetic cat safe so really insurance should cover the whole lot.
 
Monica Lewis said:
Hi Ana,
yes BG meter strips are pretty expensive for us as well, £5-6 per 10 strip bottle. It's crazy! Luckily our pet insurance with Tesco covers the expenses for most things so we buy them in Boots for convenience.
I buy the free hand lancets also at Boots at the pharmacy dispensary desk, 28gauge lancets x 200 pcs in the box for £12.

We get our Caninsulin straight from the vet for £52 per bottle. Hoping the insurance company will pay for this as well, will be sending off claim soon.. Do you have a pet insurance?

Our routine is
7.30 - 8am testing, feeding one quarter tin of Butcher's Classic Really Meaty or 1 pouch of Sheba Fine Flakes / shoot - we give Josie her shot in the middle of her eating as we went through a really tough time her putting up such a fight over the insulin shots but she lets us do it whilst busy scoffing. Still bugs her but at least she's not fighting it anymore)

If she's not asking for second breakfast then-
10:30-11:00 Test if can and Small portion from same breakfast tin of Butchers Classic Really Meaty/half a pouch of Sheba Flakes

2:00-3:00pm Small portion of same food as above or few cubes of plain oven baked chicken breasts

7:30-8pm testing, feeding another quarter of Butcher's Classic or 1 pouch of Sheba Flakes /shoot

11.00pm Test if can before heading to bed
Bedtime snack of either leftover Butcher's Classic tin / half a pouch Sheba Flakes / some chicken breast cubes left for overnight

Josie is around 4kg and the vet recommended 4 pouches of wet food spread throughout the day or one can of Butcher's Classic split into smaller meals

She likes to eat little and often so whenever she asks I give her some food unless it's 2 hours prior testing for insulin shot.

Hope this helps, let us know how's things going :)
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, I never took insurance. I saved up instead as I'm always worried that insurance companies find loopholes everywhere to avoid paying up and I heard some pretty bad stories from dodgy companies in the UK and since I have 3 pets I chose not to go down that path but I put money aside instead. It means I have the money but I still want to find the cheapest option as £1500 already went to the vet alone!

I found a thread here that mentions test strips for half the price from amazon.co.uk: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Freestyle-70815-70-Lite-Testing-Strips/dp/B00753VVD0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1432883654&sr=8-1&keywords=freestyle lite test strips. They say they work with AT2 and that many people have compared their results with the AT2 strips and that they were very close so I might do that. I like that price from Boots though, thank you :) Also, Caninsulin online is half that price. This is the thread I mentioned: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/alphatrak-test-strips.138620/

His BG is still quite high, despite increasing his insulin every week :(
 
portana said:
Thank you, Yong. What is a good number. What number would you have to get to not give him his meal?
Click to expand...
Hi Portana!
Usually for newer members we recommend not giving insulin if BG is less than 11.1mmol/L (200 mg/dL US number). If you get a BG lower than this, you can try the Stalling technique.
So PS test time, you get reading below 11.1.
Do not feed and retest in 20 minutes. A personal reason why I do PS 30 minutes before hand even though it is not necessary with our insulin.
If next test shows BG goes up and / or above 11.1 you can feed, wait 20 minutes then give a reduced dose if you will be around to monitor him and get another test at +2 or +3.
If number decreases, you can feed but will probably skip insulin shot for that cycle. Should you test later and number shows increasing, Do Not Give insulin off schedule. Just wait until next cycle to resume schedule. We like to say, better a little high for a day than too low for a second :)

With Caninsulin you want to wait to give the shot at least 20 minutes after meal so, as we say, food is on board when the insulin starts acting :)
 
Yong said:
How much has each increase been? I see current dose is 3.0U and looks like it's only been 21 days.
Click to expand...

It went from 2 to 2.5 to 3. So, 0.5 increase per week. But I tested him today and it was so high first thing in the morning :(
 
Do you have any back data to add to your Spreadsheet? I think you may have just started home testing and that's fine! We will get the data filled in going forward :bighug:
It is possible he "bounced" from a lower BG his body isn't used to anymore.

Are you testing for ketones? Most pharmacies have them :) If no history of DKA (diabetic ketoacidosis) you'll want to test weekly and have a result of Negative, or Zero, assuming ketone test strips give same results as U.S. :D. Diana, Eliz, and Monica can confirm that ;)
 
Yong said:
Hi Portana!
Usually for newer members we recommend not giving insulin if BG is less than 11.1mmol/L (200 mg/dL US number). If you get a BG lower than this, you can try the Stalling technique.
So PS test time, you get reading below 11.1.
Do not feed and retest in 20 minutes. A personal reason why I do PS 30 minutes before hand even though it is not necessary with our insulin.
If next test shows BG goes up and / or above 11.1 you can feed, wait 20 minutes then give a reduced dose if you will be around to monitor him and get another test at +2 or +3.
If number decreases, you can feed but will probably skip insulin shot for that cycle. Should you test later and number shows increasing, Do Not Give insulin off schedule. Just wait until next cycle to resume schedule. We like to say, better a little high for a day than too low for a second :)

With Caninsulin you want to wait to give the shot at least 20 minutes after meal so, as we say, food is on board when the insulin starts acting :)
Click to expand...

One of the vets actually told me to give him a small spoon of food before the shot just to make sure he was eating and then wait 30m after the shot to feed him the rest. I didn't ask why because I knew nothing about diabetes (still don't know much) but now it just sounds wrong? Is there any logic in it?
 
Yong said:
Do you have any back data to add to your Spreadsheet? I think you may have just started home testing and that's fine! We will get the data filled in going forward :bighug:
It is possible he "bounced" from a lower BG his body isn't used to anymore.

Are you testing for ketones? Most pharmacies have them :) If no history of DKA (diabetic ketoacidosis) you'll want to test weekly and have a result of Negative, or Zero, assuming ketone test strips give same results as U.S. :D. Diana, Eliz, and Monica can confirm that ;)
Click to expand...

No but I have strips at home as I am on a ketogenic diet myself. He went into pet hospital on the 7th with ketoacidosis, pancreatitis, dehydration, low potassium, high white cells count. The vet didn't mention but also neuropathy from what I learned so far. He was a very sick cat, they literally saved his life that day. I can't believe how quickly he deteriorated. I had been to the vet a couple of days before just because I noticed he had lost weight despite eating plenty and he was due in for a blood test when it happened.

The only data I can add is 2 curves I did in the last 2 weeks. Shall I do that?

PS.: I have put several strips in the litter box hoping that he would pee on them 'by accident' but I don't think I was very successful or at least they were all negative.
 
Yes, go ahead and add the 2 curves :). Also might want to add his DKA event date in your Signature. It does seem like the slowly progress to the top of the peak and then start rolling downhill fast but we can help put on the breaks and get him to flatter ground :bighug:. As I said before with Caninsulin you want him to eat first, after PS test, then give shot 20-30 minutes afterwards. So I'm not sure why you're Vet kind of suggested the opposite :confused:. As his numbers get under better control the neuropathy can start to reverse. My boy and I are almost starting month 7 and the majority of his neuropathy has reversed :cat:
 
portana said:
He went into pet hospital on the 7th with ketoacidosis,
Click to expand...
This is the reason why you'll want to test Simba regularly for ketones - quite often right now, as in daily if you can manage it. As he gets farther from the episode you can reduce the frequency. It's easier than you think and here are some methods we use:
  • put strip right into the urine stream when he's in the box
  • put a double layer of plastic food wrap over his preferred spot and push a few indentations into it to catch pee
  • slip a shallow, long-handled spoon under his backside to catch a little pee (this works really well for me).
 
portana said:
PS.: I have put several strips in the litter box hoping that he would pee on them 'by accident' but I don't think I was very successful or at least they were all negative.
Click to expand...
If he does pee on one, make sure to read it within allotted time frame, usually 15 seconds ;)
 
Kris & Teasel said:
This is the reason why you'll want to test Simba regularly for ketones - quite often right now, as in daily if you can manage it. As he gets farther from the episode you can reduce the frequency. It's easier than you think and here are some methods we use:
  • put strip right into the urine stream when he's in the box
  • put a double layer of plastic food wrap over his preferred spot and push a few indentations into it to catch pee
  • slip a shallow, long-handled spoon under his backside to catch a little pee (this works really well for me).
Click to expand...

My litter box has a lid but I'm guessing that won't be my biggest challenge! :)
 
portana said:
My litter box has a lid but I'm guessing that won't be my biggest challenge! :)
Click to expand...
So do mine, otherwise I think my boy would shovel all the litter onto the floor :rolleyes:. I use Kris's method with the spoon. I let him get started, then open the door (one box is easier than the other), then slip the spoon under his tail. First time he stared me in the eyes with a look "What ARE you doing?" :smuggrin:
 
I did it! I changed the litter (he likes to pee straight away in new litter), grabbed a shallow plastic container and waited. He came about 1m later and started his business. I was convinced that he would stop and move over as soon as I placed the container under him but no!He stayed and I got my sample! 0 ketones! Result! Thanks for the advice :)
 
portana said:
I did it! I changed the litter (he likes to pee straight away in new litter), grabbed a shallow plastic container and waited. He came about 1m later and started his business. I was convinced that he would stop and move over as soon as I placed the container under him but no!He stayed and I got my sample! 0 ketones! Result! Thanks for the advice :)
Click to expand...
Hurray!! Where there's a will there's a way! :D:D:D
 
portana said:
I did it! I changed the litter (he likes to pee straight away in new litter), grabbed a shallow plastic container and waited. He came about 1m later and started his business. I was convinced that he would stop and move over as soon as I placed the container under him but no!He stayed and I got my sample! 0 ketones! Result! Thanks for the advice :)
Click to expand...
Yay! Great news Ana, you should celebrate these victories!!
 
So, does this sound ok?

8am - BG test
- Main Feed & Insulin

11am - Small Feed

13pm - BG test
- Main Feed

3.30pm - Small Feed

5:45pm - Small Feed

8pm - BG test
- Main Feed & Insulin
 
portana said:
So, does this sound ok?

8am - BG test
- Main Feed & Insulin

11am - Small Feed

13pm - BG test
- Main Feed

3.30pm - Small Feed

5:45pm - Small Feed

8pm - BG test
- Main Feed & Insulin
Click to expand...
Looks fine. Try it out for a few days to see if it "fits". You can tweak it if needed. I know others have mentioned the need for 20-30 minutes between food being given (assuming he eats) and insulin being injected. :)
 
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