Beginner questions

[Johanna & Biggs]

Hi everyone,

I just started insulin last night at the vet and this morning at home. I have two questions about the process.

1. I've been watching videos with these really well behaved cats that just sit there when doing BG checks and shots. I have a very wiggly cat. He doesn't seem to mind the needle, just being told he can't move. I'm sure it'll get better, but any tips for keeping him stationary?

2. I will be out of town for 3 days (I planned this before diagnosis). How do people handle being away if kennels aren't an option? I could pay someone to come in, but I doubt they'll test BG. Can I just have them do 1x a day to be safe? Is that better than nothing?

 

[Veronica & Babu-chiri]

First of all Wellcome!!

I'll be good to know more about you and your kitty, like what insulin are you giving, how much, does he have any other health issues, what kind of food is he having?

There's a spreadsheet that we use to keep track of the test results and lots of other notes too that it would be great if you could use it since it will help everyone know whats going on this is the link with the instructions

http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/fdmb-spreadsheet-instructions.130337/

Regarding the videos eventually almost all the kitties get used to the testing and it becomes more easy, even the feisty ones, in my case with Babu I started wrapping him taco (burrito style) with a towel so only his head was out that way he had to stay still, eventually the towel is more like saying him stay still because I don't even have to really wrap him in it. Is important that you establish a place where you always test, and a routine so that he gets used to being handled maybe at first you grab him and only play with his ears so that he can get used to you holding his ears and even more important that he gets some reward after the test something he likes and a lot of petting.

When I'm not able to test I did payed a vet tech or the vet to go to my home and test and shoot.

 

[Johanna & Biggs]

Thanks! I finally figured out my signature, so that should help with the info, and I set up a very preliminary spreadsheet... Not much there yet. I think I was just frustrated this morning since it turned into a two person job. Such a steep learning curve in the beginning!

 

[Veronica & Babu-chiri]

Every bit counts so well done!!

It does get easier so be patient, if you don't I suggest you get syringes with half unit marks that makes the dosing a lot easier especially when you have to measure the 0.25units increments and decrements.

Did you shoot 2 units last night and 1.5 units this morning?

 

[Kris & Teasel]

Thanks! I finally figured out my signature, so that should help with the info, and I set up a very preliminary spreadsheet... Not much there yet. I think I was just frustrated this morning since it turned into a two person job. Such a steep learning curve in the beginning!

Yes, it's steep. You WILL get there and it'll all become quite routine.

 

[Johanna & Biggs]

I really wanted to start with 1 or 1.5 but the vet had assured me 2 would be fine. But I went to 1.5 this morning and was planning to stay there for a few cycles? Just tested him and his bg is 190. He’s really not happy with me... he’ll only eat when I’m not around. Do I skip tonight or keep going?

 

[Johanna & Biggs]

So I tried to give him his shot and I’m pretty sure I just gave a fur shot cause he stinks like lantus feeling a bit discouraged

 

[Kris & Teasel]

So I tried to give him his shot and I’m pretty sure I just gave a fur shot cause he stinks like lantus feeling a bit discouraged

We've all done this - more than once! It's actually a good thing the insulin is so smelly. The rule is to never give a second dose if you get a fur shot. There's no guarantee that no insulin went in and adding more could result in too high a dose. Tomorrow is a new day ...

 

[Veronica & Babu-chiri]

I really wanted to start with 1 or 1.5 but the vet had assured me 2 would be fine. But I went to 1.5 this morning and was planning to stay there for a few cycles?

Since you are on lantus I recommend you read this and then decide if you are going to follow the Tight regulation protocol (TR) or the start low go slow protocol ( SLGS)

http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/...the-basics-new-to-the-group-start-here.18139/


I think 1.5 units is a little bit high for a starting dose and particularly since you are having some trouble testing ( totally normal I think we all had trouble at the beginning ) the more conservative protocol (SLGS) recomends 1u if you are giving dry or high carb food and 0.5 units if you are in a low carb diet.

When you start giving insulin the protocol recommends you keep the dose at least for a week and then get a curve to decide if you should change the dose unless he goes under 90 then you lower the dose in the next shoot

Just tested him and his bg is 190. He’s really not happy with me... he’ll only eat when I’m not around. Do I skip tonight or keep going?

In the beginning when you have a value lower to 200 in the preshot test we recomend that you do not feed and ask for some guidance,the Lantus forum is http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/forums/lantus-glargine-levemir-detemir.9/

So I tried to give him his shot and I’m pretty sure I just gave a fur shot cause he stinks like lantus feeling a bit discouraged

It has happened to all of us, but still since some insulin may have gotten into him and he was a little bit low on the preshot and we do not know how he reacts I strongly recommend that you do a +2 test ( a test two hours after you shooted him) to make sure he's ok.