Overwhelmed and losing it.

Status
Not open for further replies.
Suzzel & Junior

Suzzel & Junior

Member
My 9 year old cat Junior was diagnosed about 3 weeks ago and of course his numbers were high like around 500. He's on pro zinc and started him out at 2 units 2 times a day then 4x2 times a day then moved to 6x2 times a day then this week he was moved 8x2 times a day with his last test reading 279 I think. He had his first insulin shock this morning and I gave him Karo syrup and he come out of it slowly but in the mean time I was a wreak and losing it. The last few weeks have had my head spinning, now today I'm constantly watching him and worrying. I feel like a bad furparent and I'm failing at keeping him comfortable and happy. Sitting here crying as I type cause I'm at a total loss. I'm worried about feeding him to much, giving him to much or not enough insulin. I don't know what caused his drop early this morning and I'm scared to death to go to bed tonight and not keeping a constant watch on him incase he needs me. . All he wants to do is sleep and I can't help but check on him every few minutes and wonder if he's ok and if something is wrong. Im a major mess tonight and I sorry to dump all of this out there but I don't know where else to turn, none of my friends have had this problem with pets before and all I'm alone dealing with this.
 
Do you home test? That's the best way to keep him safe and calm your nerves. I have been there before. I still get that way sometimes. It's definitely stressful but keep in mind you're doing your best to help him. That's A LOT of insulin for a cat. Some cats are on high doses, mine is one of them. But when insulin in increased so quick you can easily skip over his ideal dose.
The easy way to figure out if it's too much insulin (besides the hypo event) is testing. I would decrease his insulin immediately. We use relion prime from walmart to test with... It's about $9 and strips are 100 for $18. If you do test at home do you plan on setting up a spreadsheet? It's the easiest way to see any patterns and how the insulin is working.
I'm sure there will be others that respond so check back often to see what they have to say.

Take a deep breath... you're not alone.
 
No I haven't started home testing but now I'm wanting to. I only gave him 4 units tonight and that is even worrying me. I'm trying to breathe. Thank you!
 
ReliOn has a Confirm and Micro human meter that takes a smaller blood sample. The strips are a bit more expensive but still much cheaper than the alphatrak 2.
There are a lot of tricks to help get your cat to allow you to poke his ear for a test. You can also poke a paw pad.
@JanetNJ has a video in her signature that shows how she tests her cats BG at home.
 
p.s. I know @StephG uses the relion prime, and if cost is an issue then you should go for it. However, Wal-Mart's Relion Confirm or Relion Micro meters take a smaller blood drop. BUT, the strips are $35.88 for 100 instead of $9. When just starting, needing a smaller drop might be to your advantage. Just so you know.
 
Last edited:
Good advice above. Home testing is the only way you will know if you are over-dosing insulin to Junior.

You're doing the right stuff. I would not be giving increased doses until you can measure effectiveness at the 6 hour mark. The home testers are inexpensive. And you can easily test on the outer edge of the ear. I give Leo a little carb treat after the testing each time...that fools him into thinking it is fun :-)

I should know! I was scared to death 2.5 years ago when I started. Now Leo is in his 3rd year as a diabetic. Heck, if I can do it, so can you!! Chin up and always remember you are helping your sweet kitteh have a healthier life.
 
Thank you everyone. I'm still trying to take all of this in. Scared to death is a good way to put it and I was definitely there this morning when he was having his first hypo. I was so hoping someone out there could relate to me and my sweet baby boy.
 
First of all, welcome to the best place you never wanted to be!!

Your vet has been increasing way too much and way too quickly. I don't mean to scare you, but you are lucky that Junior is still alive with the way he's been increased.

We usually start at 1U twice a day, and then by home testing, we learn how our cats are responding. We only do increases in .25 unit increments, never by whole units, much less 2U at a time!

A cat that's only been diagnosed for 3 weeks should be on somewhere between 1U and no more than 2U.

What food are you feeding Junior? A low carb canned diet is what's going to help him the most. Fancy Feast Classics, Friskies pates and 9-Lives ground are all good (and inexpensive) choices.

I strongly suggest you reduce back to no more than 2U and get a meter as soon as possible.

Another thing to be aware of....once a cat has had a symptomatic hypo episode, they can be even more sensitive to insulin, so please reduce his dose!
 
I'll explain a little more

8U is a huge dose!! Especially for a newly diagnosed cat.

Insulin is a very powerful hormone, and just a drop or two can be the difference between good numbers and bad (too high or too low).

When cats are tested at vets offices, they are under stress...they've just been crated, driven around and subjected to whatever animals are in the waiting room and then poked and prodded by a person most of them really don't like much...that stress alone can cause their numbers to be up to 200 points higher. The vet see's those high numbers, thinks the cat needs more insulin and increases the dose. Then you go home and the cat relaxes and you have the makings of a disaster.

A dose that's too high can also look like it's too low due to something we call "bouncing". Bounces are caused when 1. they drop too low 2. they drop too quickly and 3. they just drop into numbers their body isn't used to anymore (or any combination of the 3)

When they "bounce" the liver releases stored sugars and hormones to bring them up quickly to try to save their life. Now when they drop too low, this is a good thing because it can save their lives! But if you don't know they dropped too low, you might see those high numbers and think they need more insulin, when in fact, they need less!

Also, cats are so good about hiding the fact that they're sick, that usually, by the time we get them diagnosed, they've been diabetic for quite some time. Their body has become used to living in those higher numbers, so even if they don't drop too low, their liver may act like they did.

There's a lot of information we all have to share with you. Please don't take anything we say personally or like we are criticizing you in any way. We've all gotten horrible advice from vets before which is why most of us are here! We knew something wasn't right and started looking for more information!!
 
Thank you and you are making since. His food is wet science diet hairball. It was one of the few I found sometime back that he would eat. So what do I do tonight since I have him 4 units? Now I am scared!
 
Chris & China said:
I'll explain a little more

8U is a huge dose!! Especially for a newly diagnosed cat.

Insulin is a very powerful hormone, and just a drop or two can be the difference between good numbers and bad (too high or too low).

When cats are tested at vets offices, they are under stress...they've just been crated, driven around and subjected to whatever animals are in the waiting room and then poked and prodded by a person most of them really don't like much...that stress alone can cause their numbers to be up to 200 points higher. The vet see's those high numbers, thinks the cat needs more insulin and increases the dose. Then you go home and the cat relaxes and you have the makings of a disaster.

A dose that's too high can also look like it's too low due to something we call "bouncing". Bounces are caused when 1. they drop too low 2. they drop too quickly and 3. they just drop into numbers their body isn't used to anymore (or any combination of the 3)

When they "bounce" the liver releases stored sugars and hormones to bring them up quickly to try to save their life. Now when they drop too low, this is a good thing because it can save their lives! But if you don't know they dropped too low, you might see those high numbers and think they need more insulin, when in fact, they need less!

Also, cats are so good about hiding the fact that they're sick, that usually, by the time we get them diagnosed, they've been diabetic for quite some time. Their body has become used to living in those higher numbers, so even if they don't drop too low, their liver may act like they did.

There's a lot of information we all have to share with you. Please don't take anything we say personally or like we are criticizing you in any way. We've all gotten horrible advice from vets before which is why most of us are here! We knew something wasn't right and started looking for more information!!
Click to expand...

Thank you and you are making since. His food is wet science diet hairball. It was one of the few I found sometime back that he would eat. So whatdo I do tonight since I have him 4 units? Now I am scared!
 
The food you are feeding is high carb - 21-25%. If you feed every couple of hours until tomorrow morning, that will help keep him out of trouble tonight. You can set an alarm. You don't want him too full in case you do run into trouble. You want to keep him a bit hungry in case you need to bring him up.

You did well this morning. Breathe.

I'll let others chime in on what the morning dose should be.

As to a good glucometer, it depends on what country you live in.
 
Suzzel said:
So whatdo I do tonight since I have him 4 units? Now I am scared!
Click to expand...

Well, if you have a 24 hour WalMart, you can go get a meter (unless they have them locked up behind the counter).....The Relion Confirm or Micro are best for new kitties

Other than that, the Science Diet Hairball is very high carb food....21% to 25%.....we suggest no more than 10% carbs, so that's probably what has kept him from severe hypo's up until now. Just watch him....if he acts like he's starving to death give him some more of the high carb food!

There's a good food chart HERE that shows you the carb percentage in a lot of foods you'll be able to find at your local grocery store, pet food store or online.

BUT....before you reduce the carbs, make sure you are testing!!! Lowering the carbs can drastically lower the blood glucose!!

Just like humans are told to eat a low carb diet, it's the same with our sugarcats.
 
Red & Rover (GA) said:
The food you are feeding is high carb - 21-25%. If you feed every couple of hours until tomorrow morning, that will help keep him out of trouble tonight. You can set an alarm. You don't want him too full in case you do run into trouble. You want to keep him a bit hungry in case you need to bring him up.

You did well this morning. Breathe.

I'll let others chime in on what the morning dose should be.

As to a good glucometer, it depends on what country you live in.
Click to expand...
We are in Ohio, USA
 
Red & Rover (GA) said:
The food you are feeding is high carb - 21-25%. If you feed every couple of hours until tomorrow morning, that will help keep him out of trouble tonight. You can set an alarm. You don't want him too full in case you do run into trouble. You want to keep him a bit hungry in case you need to bring him up.

You did well this morning. Breathe.

I'll let others chime in on what the morning dose should be.

As to a good glucometer, it depends on what country you live in.
Click to expand...

Ok can do feedings thru the night. Thank you I'm trying to breathe.
 
Chris & China said:
Well, if you have a 24 hour WalMart, you can go get a meter (unless they have them locked up behind the counter).....The Relion Confirm or Micro are best for new kitties

Other than that, the Science Diet Hairball is very high carb food....21% to 25%.....we suggest no more than 10% carbs, so that's probably what has kept him from severe hypo's up until now. Just watch him....if he acts like he's starving to death give him some more of the high carb food!

There's a good food chart HERE that shows you the carb percentage in a lot of foods you'll be able to find at your local grocery store, pet food store or online.

BUT....before you reduce the carbs, make sure you are testing!!! Lowering the carbs can drastically lower the blood glucose!!

Just like humans are told to eat a low carb diet, it's the same with our sugarcats.
Click to expand...

I can go to Walmart in the morning.
 
Welcome here and I just wanted to reach out and let you know that we can ALL relate to your distress and anxiety. This is seriously overwhelming stuff. I've only been around here for a month and you will get some amazing support and wisdom here from some very caring people. I know when Ruby was diagnosed and dosed at 2u I felt it may have been too high and in only a month I've been able to edge her back to 1.0u and she's stabilised. So what am I saying? First trust your instincts as Suzzel's mummy, because although you may feel they've gone you'll sense what he/she needs. Perhaps try for 2u tonight and get yourself a BG home testing unit.

I found BG testing extremely stressful to start with because Ruby hated me pricking her ears, so don't stress out if you don't have success first, second, or third time. If Suzzel is the same I can recommend food as a distraction (Ruby is a gutz) and making yourself a rice ball sock (get an old thinnish sock and fill the toe with rice, bit larger than golf ball and tie off with rubberband). You can heat the ball in the microwave (not too hot) and this will help with getting the blood to flow as it can be a bit slow to start with. Good advice with getting a unit that only needs around .6 amount of blood.

I realise you're probably in info overload (and with a scared and stressed out head) that limits our ability to take everything in so I won't keep suggesting stuff. Just know we've all been where you are, and we all brought our kitties through it, you're doing good and just focus on tonight (and take good care of yourself as well). You got this!:bighug:
 
Chris & China said:
The starting dose of ProZinc is usually 1U every 12 hours

Until you're testing and learn more about how Junior responds, I think I'd start over there..unless he's a monster sized cat
Click to expand...

So in the morning do I go get the meter before and only give him 1 unit? What food do you recommend?
 
Fiona & Ruby said:
Welcome here and I just wanted to reach out and let you know that we can ALL relate to your distress and anxiety. This is seriously overwhelming stuff. I've only been around here for a month and you will get some amazing support and wisdom here from some very caring people. I know when Ruby was diagnosed and dosed at 2u I felt it may have been too high and in only a month I've been able to edge her back to 1.0u and she's stabilised. So what am I saying? First trust your instincts as Suzzel's mummy, because although you may feel they've gone you'll sense what he/she needs. Perhaps try for 2u tonight and get yourself a BG home testing unit.

I found BG testing extremely stressful to start with because Ruby hated me pricking her ears, so don't stress out if you don't have success first, second, or third time. If Suzzel is the same I can recommend food as a distraction (Ruby is a gutz) and making yourself a rice ball sock (get an old thinnish sock and fill the toe with rice, bit larger than golf ball and tie off with rubberband). You can heat the ball in the microwave (not too hot) and this will help with getting the blood to flow as it can be a bit slow to start with. Good advice with getting a unit that only needs around .6 amount of blood.

I realise you're probably in info overload (and with a scared and stressed out head) that limits our ability to take everything in so I won't keep suggesting stuff. Just know we've all been where you are, and we all brought our kitties through it, you're doing good and just focus on tonight (and take good care of yourself as well). You got this!:bighug:
Click to expand...

First off, thank you and yes it's info overload and I'm scared and beyond stressed. I been a mess all day and shaking myself.
 
Some great advice to you, especially from Chris. Yeah, take it to 1U for now, then start testing.

Fancy Feast Classic - that's all my cats get. There are 8 or 10 varieties. Perfect food, good for diabetic cats.
 
Suzzel said:
So in the morning do I go get the meter before and only give him 1 unit? What food do you recommend?
Click to expand...

I'd feed him, give the 1U and go get your meter unless you are an early riser or a late shooter!

Most of us feed the Fancy Feast Classics, Friskies pate's or 9-Lives ground, just because they're easy to find and affordable, but the list I linked above has a LOT of choices....just find some that are less than 10% carbs that you think Junior will like
 
JeffJ said:
Some great advice to you, especially from Chris. Yeah, take it to 1U for now, then start testing.

Fancy Feast Classic - that's all my cats get. There are 8 or 10 varieties. Perfect food, good for diabetic cats.
Click to expand...

Ok I'll look for that when I go to Walmart in the morning. Thank you.
 
Chris & China said:
I'd feed him, give the 1U and go get your meter unless you are an early riser or a late shooter!

Most of us feed the Fancy Feast Classics, Friskies pate's or 9-Lives ground, just because they're easy to find and affordable, but the list I linked above has a LOT of choices....just find some that are less than 10% carbs that you think Junior will like
Click to expand...

His next does is due around 10:00.
 
Starting dose is usually .25 to .5U x weight in kilo's

So for a 7.5lb cat, that would be .85 to 1.7U twice a day.....so 1U looks like a pretty good starting place.

Another thing for you to consider (like you don't have enough to worry about) is that ProZinc is a U40 insulin, so you're probably using U40 syringes (with a red cap)

It's really helpful if you have syringes with markings every 1/2 unit.....most syringes you get from the vet will only have 1U lines (or even 2U!!)

You can get U40 syringes from ADW that have half unit markings on them. I strongly suggest you order some like THESE

Another choice is to use U100 syringes WITH A CONVERSION CHART

U100 syringes are available at WalMart ($12.58/100)
 
Chris & China said:
Starting dose is usually .25 to .5U x weight in kilo's

So for a 7.5lb cat, that would be .85 to 1.7U twice a day.....so 1U looks like a pretty good starting place.

Another thing for you to consider (like you don't have enough to worry about) is that ProZinc is a U40 insulin, so you're probably using U40 syringes (with a red cap)

It's really helpful if you have syringes with markings every 1/2 unit.....most syringes you get from the vet will only have 1U lines (or even 2U!!)

You can get U40 syringes from ADW that have half unit markings on them. I strongly suggest you order some like THESE

Another choice is to use U100 syringes WITH A CONVERSION CHART

U100 syringes are available at WalMart ($12.58/100)
Click to expand...

Yes I have the u40 ones with the red cap.
 
Good luck today. learning how to test takes patience. so when you go to the walmart today pick up:
1. Relion micro or confirm (not prime, it takes too big of a sample)
2. box of 28 gauge lancets (the one that come with the meter are much thinner and harder to use on a cat esp. at first.)
3. an extra box of 100 test strips
4. cotton cosmetic rounds for putting behind the cats hear to protect your finger and to squeeze the ear for a few seconds after your reading
5. neosporin ointment with pain relief in case his ears need it after testing throughout the day a few times.

Youve got this. I was so afraid of home testing... and the first week is hard before the capillaries grow and they bleed easier, but it really is the best way to keep your cat safe. i have a video in my signature showing how I test my cat.
 
JanetNJ said:
Good luck today. learning how to test takes patience. so when you go to the walmart today pick up:
1. Relion micro or confirm (not prime, it takes too big of a sample)
2. box of 28 gauge lancets (the one that come with the meter are much thinner and harder to use on a cat esp. at first.)
3. an extra box of 100 test strips
4. cotton cosmetic rounds for putting behind the cats hear to protect your finger and to squeeze the ear for a few seconds after your reading
5. neosporin ointment with pain relief in case his ears need it after testing throughout the day a few times.

Youve got this. I was so afraid of home testing... and the first week is hard before the capillaries grow and they bleed easier, but it really is the best way to keep your cat safe. i have a video in my signature showing how I test my cat.
Click to expand...

Ok thank you so much for your list, it really does help when you're still overwhelmed.
 
Ok got the relion conform meter and some 26 g lancets. It was somewhere around noon when I finally was able to get him to eat and give him his 1 unit of prozinc. He had maybe a fourth to half a can of fancy fest chicken and liver classic, and he's not a big fan of it. So after reading all the leaflets and watching some of the YouTube videos I attempted to try doing his blood sugar. Let's just says he is not a happy camper at me now and is pouting. I took it three times to see if the numbers were anywhere close and I noticed his left ear doesn't bleed very well but his right one does pretty good. So after finally eating at noonish the the readings are 70mg@2:37pm, 79mg@2:38pm ( both of those were in the right ear) and 67mg@2:48pm. Ok so how do I interpret these readings and did I do something wrong? Please any help is welcomed.
 
JanetNJ said:
Good luck today. learning how to test takes patience. so when you go to the walmart today pick up:
1. Relion micro or confirm (not prime, it takes too big of a sample)
2. box of 28 gauge lancets (the one that come with the meter are much thinner and harder to use on a cat esp. at first.)
3. an extra box of 100 test strips
4. cotton cosmetic rounds for putting behind the cats hear to protect your finger and to squeeze the ear for a few seconds after your reading
5. neosporin ointment with pain relief in case his ears need it after testing throughout the day a few times.

Youve got this. I was so afraid of home testing... and the first week is hard before the capillaries grow and they bleed easier, but it really is the best way to keep your cat safe. i have a video in my signature showing how I test my cat.
Click to expand...


  1. Suzzel
    New
    Ok got the relion conform meter and some 26 g lancets. It was somewhere around noon when I finally was able to get him to eat and give him his 1 unit of prozinc. He had maybe a fourth to half a can of fancy fest chicken and liver classic, and he's not a big fan of it. So after reading all the leaflets and watching some of the YouTube videos I attempted to try doing his blood sugar. Let's just says he is not a happy camper at me now and is pouting. I took it three times to see if the numbers were anywhere close and I noticed his left ear doesn't bleed very well but his right one does pretty good. So after finally eating at noonish the the readings are 70mg@2:37pm, 79mg@2:38pm ( both of those were in the right ear) and 67mg@2:48pm. Ok so how do I interpret these readings and did I do something wrong? Please any help is welcomed.

    A moment agoEditDeleteReport
    Reply
 
Chris & China said:
Well, if you have a 24 hour WalMart, you can go get a meter (unless they have them locked up behind the counter).....The Relion Confirm or Micro are best for new kitties

Other than that, the Science Diet Hairball is very high carb food....21% to 25%.....we suggest no more than 10% carbs, so that's probably what has kept him from severe hypo's up until now. Just watch him....if he acts like he's starving to death give him some more of the high carb food!

There's a good food chart HERE that shows you the carb percentage in a lot of foods you'll be able to find at your local grocery store, pet food store or online.

BUT....before you reduce the carbs, make sure you are testing!!! Lowering the carbs can drastically lower the blood glucose!!

Just like humans are told to eat a low carb diet, it's the same with our sugarcats.
Click to expand...


  1. Suzzel
    New
    Ok got the relion conform meter and some 26 g lancets. It was somewhere around noon when I finally was able to get him to eat and give him his 1 unit of prozinc. He had maybe a fourth to half a can of fancy fest chicken and liver classic, and he's not a big fan of it. So after reading all the leaflets and watching some of the YouTube videos I attempted to try doing his blood sugar. Let's just says he is not a happy camper at me now and is pouting. I took it three times to see if the numbers were anywhere close and I noticed his left ear doesn't bleed very well but his right one does pretty good. So after finally eating at noonish the the readings are 70mg@2:37pm, 79mg@2:38pm ( both of those were in the right ear) and 67mg@2:48pm. Ok so how do I interpret these readings and did I do something wrong? Please any help is welcomed.

    A moment agoEditDeleteReport
    Reply
 
Ok question, how much should he be eating and how often? Also how many times a day do I test and when is best? Sorry to sound stupid but I'm just starting out and still trying to wrap my head around all of this.
 
Good job getting the tests in!
So you gave 1u at 12 noon, and 2 1/2 hours later he is @67? Can you get him to eat a bit more? And get another test in 20 min? We need to see if he’s dropping any more. The 67 is a good number, but it’s early in the cycle, so we need to watch
 
Sharon14 said:
Good job getting the tests in!
So you gave 1u at 12 noon, and 2 1/2 hours later he is @67? Can you get him to eat a bit more? And get another test in 20 min? We need to see if he’s dropping any more. The 67 is a good number, but it’s early in the cycle, so we need to watch
Click to expand...

Ok feeding him some more now. Then when he gets finished wait 20 minutes then test again?
 
Suzzel said:
Ok now I'm worried, they are even lower after about another third of a can of fancy fest. 34mg-4:22/29mg-4:23/32mg-4:30. Have I done something wrong? What am I doing wrong?
Click to expand...
Those are really low. Do you have some high carb gravy food gravy food? If not put some honey or Karo in his food and get him to eat. Of he won't eat rub the honey directly on his gums. You don't want to see numbers below 50 so we have to get them up.
 
Okay, those numbers are worrisome. Numbers under 50 usually indicate hypoglycemia. Do you have any honey, corn syrup, or even maple syrup? If he won't eat any more, rub some on his gums. We need to get his BGs up. How long ago now did you give insulin?
 
JanetNJ said:
Those are really low. Do you have some high carb gravy food gravy food? If not put some honey or Karo in his food and get him to eat. Of he won't eat rub the honey directly on his gums. You don't want to see numbers below 50 so we have to get them up.
Click to expand...

I have his old food which is science diet hairball but I also have Karo too.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top