Managing A diabetic cat and working full time

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Necronomicat

Necronomicat

Member Since 2018
Hi everyone,

I just increased my cat Mayhem’s insulin dosage from 2 units to 3 as per vets orders. He has already had 3 shots since the increase and seems to be responding well. I have been off work the last few days so have been able to monitor him through out the day, but now I’m back at work and I’m sick with worry that he could possibly become hypoglycaemic when I’m not around.

I would never forgive myself if something happened and I wasn’t there for him. How is everyone else managing while working and living alone? I’d like to think that he would have had a reaction by now if he was going too.

I try to time his dose increases with my days off so I can keep a close watch on him incase he needs vet care but sadly I can’t always be around him. :(

=^••^=
 
Hi Necronomicat! I totally understand that feeling. Are you testing his blood sugar at home yet? For me, even though there was always some fear of Zulu going hypo while I was at work, knowing his BG before I left and having a rough idea of how low the insulin was taking him helped a lot with the anxiety on my end. It took us awhile to get the hang of it, probably longer than most people here, but it was worth it.
 
Thank you for replying. My vet has offered to show me how to test at home. Mayhem’s curve vist was all over the place which was also upsetting since he’s no where near regulated yet. I think your right and testing at home is best the way to about this. It must make you feel better being able to see his levels before leaving for 8hrs. I think that’s best idea for me and Mayhem. It’s really the only way I will feel comfortable leaving him all day.

Thank for you advice. I know I will probably struggle with tearing him at the beginning but I imagine it becomes like second nature after doing it regularly.

Thank you again :)
 
ZulusMom said:
Hi Necronomicat! I totally understand that feeling. Are you testing his blood sugar at home yet? For me, even though there was always some fear of Zulu going hypo while I was at work, knowing his BG before I left and having a rough idea of how low the insulin was taking him helped a lot with the anxiety on my end. It took us awhile to get the hang of it, probably longer than most people here, but it was worth it.
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Also do you recommend a specific brand? Any any better or easier to use on cats?
 
Most people on the forums use a human glucometer - Relion Micro, Relion Confirm, and Freestyle Lite are popular choices because they only need a very small amount of blood. I use a pet meter, the Alpha Trak 2, but only because my boss used to have a dog with diabetes and had a lot of leftover testing supplies that she gifted me with. The testing strips for pet meters are pretty expensive, so most go with human meters. Either type of meter is fine; just make sure you're using the correct spreadsheet if you use one of the templates on FDMB since the numbers on pet meters tend to run higher and there isn't a way to convert from one to the other (ie, you can't add or subtract 100 or any other number from a pet meter to get the equivalent on a human meter).
 
ZulusMom said:
Most people on the forums use a human glucometer - Relion Micro, Relion Confirm, and Freestyle Lite are popular choices because they only need a very small amount of blood. I use a pet meter, the Alpha Trak 2, but only because my boss used to have a dog with diabetes and had a lot of leftover testing supplies that she gifted me with. The testing strips for pet meters are pretty expensive, so most go with human meters. Either type of meter is fine; just make sure you're using the correct spreadsheet if you use one of the templates on FDMB since the numbers on pet meters tend to run higher and there isn't a way to convert from one to the other (ie, you can't add or subtract 100 or any other number from a pet meter to get the equivalent on a human meter).
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Thank you very much! that is super helpful and good information to know between the human and pet testers.
 
Which insulin are you using? Going from 2 units and raising to 3 is a big jump. We usually recommend increasing in 0.25 - 0.5 increments.
 
I worked 8 hour rotating shifts, so I changed the dosing schedule each week. What I found that worked best for Boo and I, was scheduling one dose as soon as I got home and the other daily dose ended up being four hours before work. That schedule maximized the time between dose and leaving for work at 3.25 hours. I fed Boo his daily amount in 6 equal portions.

So for an 8 am - 4 pm shift the AM cycle started at 4:15 am with a test,feed, and shot. At 6:15 am (+2) another test and normal feeding. Then at 7:15 - 7:30 am (+3 or 3.25 I tested and fed normally again. But if it seemed like the numbers were heading down too low I would feed him a Medium or High carb meal and maybe often leaving an extra medium or high carb meal out for him.

If I was really nervous about the situation I would come home for lunch which would be +8 to check him.

The PM cycle played out very much exactly the same except I would be going to sleep rather than to work.
 
I’m in similar situation only I have to be gone 12 hrs as I have a two hour commute. I test, feed and shoot at 6am then leave for work at 6:15 and I’m not home until 6:30. So far we have been fine. He gets fed at AMPS, PMPS and at bedtime. Not been able to leave food out as I don’t have a timed feeder and he’d eat it all as soon as put it in the floor otherwise.

Working okay now but not sure when we get into lower numbers.
 
Chris & China said:
Not necessarily, but yes, it sure makes it less stressful if you live close enough to home to be able to run home for lunch!!
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How would it work otherwise as you're supposed to increase based on nadir and if you are not testing during the day and cannot stay up all night - you will never get nadir - therefore TR not possible?? TR says to hold dose for 6 cycles - but unless you are getting nadir in those 6 cycles you cannot safely increase.
 
Juliet said:
How would it work otherwise as you're supposed to increase based on nadir and if you are not testing during the day and cannot stay up all night - you will never get nadir - therefore TR not possible?? TR says to hold dose for 6 cycles - but unless you are getting nadir in those 6 cycles you cannot safely increase.
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I work. I do a preshot test in the am and pm, then catch a +3 or 4 in the evening. On the weekend and days off I test more.
 
JanetNJ said:
I work. I do a preshot test in the am and pm, then catch a +3 or 4 in the evening. On the weekend and days off I test more.
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I do exactly the same. But nadir is usually +6 and on TR we are to increase every three days. My question is how TR is possible when only getting nadir on weekends.
 
Juliet said:
I do exactly the same. But nadir is usually +6 and on TR we are to increase every three days. My question is how TR is possible when only getting nadir on weekends.
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Well if you test 5am/5pm and are able to catch an 11pm..... That would not be good for sleep though. Lol
 
Juliet said:
therefore TR not possible??
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TR only requires Pre-shot tests and at least 1 other test like a "before bed" test, with more frequent testing when possible

Also, nadir can and does move...it's hardly ever exactly at +6....some cats nadir early....some cats nadir later...that's where the saying "Know Thy Cat" comes into play.

But my reason for posting the link wasn't to promote TR over anything else...it was to give the OP some idea's on ways to help keep their cat is safe while they are at work
 
Juliet said:
I think that only works if you are able to slip back at lunchtime and test, and get up earlier to get a +2. Certainly not possible in my case. I don't know about @Necronomicat.
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I really wish I would be able to do this. Sadly my work schedule is all over the place and just doing a 7am and 7pm shot is a miracle. I feel like I would test before leaving for work and again before bed to make sure his levels are good.
 
Chris & China said:
TR only requires Pre-shot tests and at least 1 other test like a "before bed" test, with more frequent testing when possible

Also, nadir can and does move...it's hardly ever exactly at +6....some cats nadir early....some cats nadir later...that's where the saying "Know Thy Cat" comes into play.

But my reason for posting the link wasn't to promote TR over anything else...it was to give the OP some idea's on ways to help keep their cat is safe while they are at work
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Oh well. Silver’s nadir IS at +6 so TR impossible.
 
Necronomicat said:
I really wish I would be able to do this. Sadly my work schedule is all over the place and just doing a 7am and 7pm shot is a miracle. I feel like I would test before leaving for work and again before bed to make sure his levels are good.
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Yes I’m in same boat. Hence me doing SLGS.
 
JanetNJ said:
Which insulin are you using? Going from 2 units and raising to 3 is a big jump. We usually recommend increasing in 0.25 - 0.5 increments.
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He is on Lantus. He just had his first curve done on Friday and his BG was higher on 2 units than it was before we started even giving him any insulin. The insulin has not been left out or damaged and the vet tech checked my syringe technique also. Believe me I was not enthusiastic about increasing it. So far so good though, his energy and appetite are great. Here’s hoping this is helping him now.
 
Tracey&Jones said:
Are you able to leave food out for Mayhem? If the kitty is dropping low, their body triggers them to eat. I have seen it with Jones while home and able to test.
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I would definitely prefer to leave food out for him. I was totally under the impression that I couldn’t. That makes perfect sense. My vet made it seem like each meal had to be strategically measured and monitored. Mayhem is use to nibbling so this would suit his needs much better. Thank you for sharing that with me.
 
Necronomicat said:
He is on Lantus. He just had his first curve done on Friday and his BG was higher on 2 units than it was before we started even giving him any insulin. The insulin has not been left out or damaged and the vet tech checked my syringe technique also. Believe me I was not enthusiastic about increasing it. So far so good though, his energy and appetite are great. Here’s hoping this is helping him now.
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This might be a case where the ideal dose was missed, which is why we usually advise increases of 0.25-0.5 instead of whole units. Sometimes too much insulin can look like not enough. It could also be that his numbers at the vet's office were elevated due to stress, which can raise blood glucose over 100 points. Once you start home testing, the folks in the Lantus forum can advise you on how to adjust your dosing.

I know this is A LOT of information and it can be very overwhelming at first. We've all been there. I promise, it gets a lot more manageable with time and the people here are all incredibly supportive.:cat:
 
ZulusMom said:
This might be a case where the ideal dose was missed, which is why we usually advise increases of 0.25-0.5 instead of whole units. Sometimes too much insulin can look like not enough. It could also be that his numbers at the vet's office were elevated due to stress, which can raise blood glucose over 100 points. Once you start home testing, the folks in the Lantus forum can advise you on how to adjust your dosing.

I know this is A LOT of information and it can be very overwhelming at first. We've all been there. I promise, it gets a lot more manageable with time and the people here are all incredibly supportive.:cat:
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I was worried about that. I know the smallest amount can make a huge difference one way or another. Home testing and being able to see his numbers will just make it super clear. It really is a lot to take in, but I love my orange boy and I don’t mind doing what I need to if it helps him feel better. I am nervous to try the home testing but i am sure after a few attempts I will become comfortable.

I have kind of been getting the feeling that my vet does not know as much about feline diabetes as I would expect him too. The stuff I have been reading on here makes way more sense. It seems the information he gave me is very general like just text book and I’m left to just figure out the rest on my own. :(
 
Necronomicat said:
I have kind of been getting the feeling that my vet does not know as much about feline diabetes as I would expect him too. [...] It seems the information he gave me is very general like just text book
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I've even had that feeling when dealing with some feline diabetes specialists.


Mogs
.
 
Necronomicat said:
I was worried about that. I know the smallest amount can make a huge difference one way or another. Home testing and being able to see his numbers will just make it super clear. It really is a lot to take in, but I love my orange boy and I don’t mind doing what I need to if it helps him feel better. I am nervous to try the home testing but i am sure after a few attempts I will become comfortable.

I have kind of been getting the feeling that my vet does not know as much about feline diabetes as I would expect him too. The stuff I have been reading on here makes way more sense. It seems the information he gave me is very general like just text book and I’m left to just figure out the rest on my own. :(
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Very common problem, unfortunately. We can help. :)
 
My own main (general practice) vet had a sugar cat himself, and he has been great to work with because he has the day-to-day experience of managing a feline diabetic. He's highly collaborative in style, too. :)


Mogs
.
 
Necronomicat said:
I would definitely prefer to leave food out for him. I was totally under the impression that I couldn’t. That makes perfect sense. My vet made it seem like each meal had to be strategically measured and monitored. Mayhem is use to nibbling so this would suit his needs much better. Thank you for sharing that with me.
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Some people use the timed feeders to give a +3 and +6 snack. Jones free feeds as that is what works best for him.
 
Necronomicat said:
I wonder though if my other 2 cats would steal his snacks if I tried this. They are little piggys lol
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That can definitely be a concern. I threw money at the problem and got the surflap feeders. Others will put the extra sweet kitty in a room for the day with the LB, water and food. And some just leave some of the YA dry out for everyone. Of course you will need to adjust any "wet food" meals for the calories for anyone that is carrying a few extra ounces.
 
Hi I totally understand you, I work full time also, because of traffic it takes about 1 and a half hours to go from my home to my house so I pretty much tested, shooted and ran out the door and arrived back home with just enough time to test and shoot again, I did started leaving a time feeder in case Babu wanted to eat, there are some feeders that would work either with the chip or with a tag in a colar that way only he can have access to the food if you can afford them it may be worth taking a look at them.

Knowing his numbers before I shooted and left home made all the difference , know if it was ok high enough not to worry even if he didn't eat during the day or if ti would be better not to shoot or in my case to ask for help from my sister that could go to my house and look after him ( she couldn't do it every day but for an exception she could) she would not test but would make sure he eat and could report to me if she noticed something.

Also I tried to get some tests during the night , not easy I have to tell you since I would have to wake up next day and go to work again but it would give me very important information that made me easier not to be so nervous during the day ( they usually go lower at night so I could asume that he would be at least the same during the day or maybe a little bit higher )

I did had to take one or two days off if thing got a little bit out of hand and I did arrived late to work on some occasions ( my boss was very understanding don't know if I could do it now)
 
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