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LittleRa

LittleRa

Member Since 2018
Hello!

My cat, Little Ra was recently diagnosed with diabetes on 9-12 and I am trying to get into the swing of things. Little Ra is on 1.5 units of Vetsulin twice a day. I plan on changing him over to wet, low carb food and getting a glucose meter as soon as finances permit! (The vet bills so far have wiped me out!)

There is a wealth of info here and I am grateful for finding this forum! I am headed to the vet tomorrow to see how little kitteh is responding to his insulin so I will have more details in my signature and spreadsheet then. I am a bit nervous as to how my vet will respond to the modified diet and insulin dose as well as getting a blessing for at home testing. Fingers crossed!

Thanks for reading!
 
Welcome to FDMB. I'd suggest getting a glucose meter before changing your kitty's diet. Many companies offer free meters when you buy the strips and a human meter works just fine and is fare more affordable. There are a lot of vets out there who seem to think home testing is not necessary. If you get any push back, ask her/him if they would inject a baby with insulin without checking first to see if it's safe to do so. That usually puts the breaks on any more flack!
 
MrWorfMen's Mom said:
Welcome to FDMB. I'd suggest getting a glucose meter before changing your kitty's diet. Many companies offer free meters when you buy the strips and a human meter works just fine and is fare more affordable. There are a lot of vets out there who seem to think home testing is not necessary. If you get any push back, ask her/him if they would inject a baby with insulin without checking first to see if it's safe to do so. That usually puts the breaks on any more flack!
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This makes complete sense. Thank you as I hadn't considered getting the glucose meter prior to modifying his diet! I must admit I am a bit overloaded hence not modifying anything at all until I have consulted with my vet. Total overload.

Home testing is going to be rather mandatory since I live up in the forest with my closest vet being two hours away. I just want my baby to be okay at this point.
 
You are making the best decision. Remember, what you do at home is your business and testing LittleRa is for his safety so there is nothing stopping you from testing even if your vet isn't on board. We can help you with testing food choices etc. We were all overwhelmed at the beginning too. Take it one day at a time and come join us over on the Health Board with any and all questions. Your off to a great start! :)
 
MrWorfMen's Mom said:
Welcome to FDMB. I'd suggest getting a glucose meter before changing your kitty's diet. Many companies offer free meters when you buy the strips and a human meter works just fine and is fare more affordable. There are a lot of vets out there who seem to think home testing is not necessary. If you get any push back, ask her/him if they would inject a baby with insulin without checking first to see if it's safe to do so. That usually puts the breaks on any more flack!
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Hi! Yes my Vet told me it wasn’t necessary to get a meter and check blood sugar daily/before I gave insulin. I thought that was silly. Any suggestions on which meter to get ?
 
@Charlie8610 Any human meter will do but it's easier/less expensive if you get one that requires a tiny sample of blood and reasonably priced testing strips. Specific suggestions really depend on where you are located. I suggest you post over on the Health Forum to get more eyes on your post and the best recommendations. Include your general location in the title of your post.
 
LittleRa said:
This makes complete sense. Thank you as I hadn't considered getting the glucose meter prior to modifying his diet! I must admit I am a bit overloaded hence not modifying anything at all until I have consulted with my vet. Total overload.

Home testing is going to be rather mandatory since I live up in the forest with my closest vet being two hours away. I just want my baby to be okay at this point.
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I have a video in my signature showing how I test my cat CC at home. The first few weeks if it can be tricky, but it is easier with practice.
 
JanetNJ said:
I have a video in my signature showing how I test my cat CC at home. The first few weeks if it can be tricky, but it is easier with practice.
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I just watched your video and you convinced me to buy the meter for my kitty and start testing his BS regardless of what my vet says. I got the same meter as you on Amazon and it should be here Sunday :) you may have already said this but what time of the day and how many times do you test? Before giving insulin? That’s what I do for my patients but animals are a whole new ball game for this nurse!! Thank you so much for that video!
 
Charlie8610 said:
I just watched your video and you convinced me to buy the meter for my kitty and start testing his BS regardless of what my vet says. I got the same meter as you on Amazon and it should be here Sunday :) you may have already said this but what time of the day and how many times do you test? Before giving insulin? That’s what I do for my patients but animals are a whole new ball game for this nurse!! Thank you so much for that video!
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You will want to test before each shot (test then feed then shoot ). Then whenever possible get a mid cycle test (4-6 hours after the shot).

Alpha meters are great but the strips are expensive. I have discovered that the strips by the same manufacturer called freestyle insulinx are very accurate in the meter and are only $30 for 100 strips on amazon. The alpha strips are about $45-50 for 50 strips.
 
JanetNJ said:
You will want to test before each shot (test then feed then shoot ). Then whenever possible get a mid cycle test (4-6 hours after the shot).

Alpha meters are great but the strips are expensive. I have discovered that the strips by the same manufacturer called freestyle insulinx are very accurate in the meter and are only $30 for 100 strips on amazon. The alpha strips are about $45-50 for 50 strips.
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Thanks!
 
Thank you all for the warm welcome!

So today was a big day for Little Ra. The vet tested his glucose five hours after eating +insulin and his numbers are about the same as when he was diagnosed. With my nieve, optimism dashed (my little buddy seemed to be feeling better!) I picked up a Relion Confirm meter, watched the video posted above, and did my first home test. Little Ra is definitely a trooper! His patience is endless. It was awkward. All thumbs. Two left feet. But I did it.
 
LittleRa said:
Thank you all for the warm welcome!

So today was a big day for Little Ra. The vet tested his glucose five hours after eating +insulin and his numbers are about the same as when he was diagnosed. With my nieve, optimism dashed (my little buddy seemed to be feeling better!) I picked up a Relion Confirm meter, watched the video posted above, and did my first home test. Little Ra is definitely a trooper! His patience is endless. It was awkward. All thumbs. Two left feet. But I did it.
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Good job! Glad the video helped.
 
Good job! You'll be a pro before you know it! LittleRa being patient makes me think you were far less awkward than you think you were. :)
 
Hello LittleRa and his wonderful parent slave! :woot:
Congrats on your first test!!!
What was his number?
:bighug:
 
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