Introducing myself, hello!

[Candy&Company]

Hi there! I'm Candy, and my FC baby is Fena (in my picture). I've got info about her all over the place, from my profile, signature to all my other posts. If you have questions let me know.

After her recent vet curve (Sept17 AlphaT results posted on Main Forum) they upped her from 1 unit to 2 units ProZinc - she just got her second shot tonight and ate SOOOOOO good today, more than ever thus far! I'm not home testing yet - tried on myself once and bungled it, tried again today and it was better. Tried on Fena and accidentally pierced her ear, cried and forgot the test in favor of pressing on the wound to stop the bleeding. Aka, not home testing yet but definitely starting to try!

Also I updated her labs on her SS. YELLOW is what was on her vet sheets, RED is high, ROSE is low - also had to add some lines as what she got tested for didn't seem to be on the SS. Also put in the lab results ranges on the YELLOW highlighted ones.

I'll be needing all the help I can get in the days to come, LOL. So nice to meet you all!!

 

[Jenna Josie]

Hi and welcome to ProZinc Land, the friendliest place you never wanted to be!

Tsesting absolutely does get easier, so hang in there and keep trying. And don’t worry too much about acccidently piercing her ear ... I assure you, we’ve all done it!

 

[Candy&Company]

Hi and welcome to ProZinc Land, the friendliest place you never wanted to be!

Tsesting absolutely does get easier, so hang in there and keep trying. And don’t worry too much about acccidently piercing her ear ... I assure you, we’ve all done it!

Hi Jenna, thank you so much! I don't know WHAT happened - well I know about the pierce-poke but I mean about my crying? I just lost it - dropped everything, held pressure to her ear just sobbing and snuggling the heck out of her and to her credit, she just purred and purred and head-nuzzled me. I felt so unworthy, silly huh? The worst part I think was she refused the little fresh roasted chicken breast piece I offered her - she sniffed, then just went about rubbing her head/cheeks on me. Made me want to cry harder.

 

[Jenna Josie]

Oh, the crying? Yeah, I’m pretty sure we’ve all done that, too!

 

[Candy&Company]

Oh, the crying? Yeah, I’m pretty sure we’ve all done that, too!

Thank the stars I'm not the only watering pot, LOL. Just took me by surprise which made it worse.

 

[Rachel]

Hi Candy and Fena! As for the crying...well the first time I gave a shot, I sobbed (this was after sobbing in the vet's office). So Fena has pancreatitis as well as diabetes?

For testing, let me suggest something. While getting used to testing, take Fena to a place you want to test several times a day (I used a towel on the floor by the fridge). While there, rub her ears some and then give a treat. That will help Fena associate being there and having her ears rubbed with good things. She may be fine with the testing, but it never hurts to give her good associations with a place and her ears being touched...it will make it easier on both of you! As for the testing itself, keep trying. You'll get the hang of it. There are some videos on YouTube you could watch and it really just does take practice.

Please ask as many questions as you have. We're happy to help/commiserate/be a shoulder/whatever!

 

[JanetNJ]

Hi Jenna, thank you so much! I don't know WHAT happened - well I know about the pierce-poke but I mean about my crying? I just lost it - dropped everything, held pressure to her ear just sobbing and snuggling the heck out of her and to her credit, she just purred and purred and head-nuzzled me. I felt so unworthy, silly huh? The worst part I think was she refused the little fresh roasted chicken breast piece I offered her - she sniffed, then just went about rubbing her head/cheeks on me. Made me want to cry harder.

Ok so the problem isn't that you pierced the ear....I do probably a quarter of the time ... The problem with the bleeding was that you hit the vein. You need to poke closer to the edge. It would have bled like that whether you went all the way through or not. In the video in my signature I poked all the way through when I did it and it didn't make a difference. Here's a diagram showing where to poke.

 

[Djamila]

I poke all the way through way too often as well. It's hard not to when their ears are so thin. And yes, that vein can bleed like crazy when it gets hit. Just know that your kitty is fine no matter what, as she showed you with the nuzzling and loving. She understands that you are doing this to help her get better.

 

[alexthecat]

Testing has such a learning curve! I had no trouble learning to inject her but I didn't think I'd ever get the hang of testing. The first few attempts were just disasters. I couldn't get blood or I'd poke the vein and get too much blood. One time I poked clean through her ear and into my thumb. I didn't realize until afterwards that I had tested my own blood and not hers. Through this all, I felt like a complete and utter failure. It was so frustrating! Why couldn't she just sit there like the cats on the videos? Well, she still doesn't just sit there, but I've gotten better at this and so has she. You will too. It's hard in the beginning, even for the cats on the videos.

 

[Candy&Company]

Hi Candy and Fena! As for the crying...well the first time I gave a shot, I sobbed (this was after sobbing in the vet's office). So Fena has pancreatitis as well as diabetes?

For testing, let me suggest something. While getting used to testing, take Fena to a place you want to test several times a day (I used a towel on the floor by the fridge). While there, rub her ears some and then give a treat. That will help Fena associate being there and having her ears rubbed with good things. She may be fine with the testing, but it never hurts to give her good associations with a place and her ears being touched...it will make it easier on both of you! As for the testing itself, keep trying. You'll get the hang of it. There are some videos on YouTube you could watch and it really just does take practice.

Please ask as many questions as you have. We're happy to help/commiserate/be a shoulder/whatever!

Ooh bless, and yes, pancreatitis - in fact, hold on let me grab her notebook. She threw up for the first time since her Aug 25th appointment, last night at 3am - leftover wet food, no hair in it. No throw up during the day, just that night - I've been keeping an eye and ear out. If this keeps up, just in case, any idea why night only and not day? Even before her Aug 25th apt, she was a night-vomiter.

Yeah I touch, rub, play with, kiss/nuzzle/lip/nibble her ears all the time - she LOVES it, I just can't quite figure out WHERE her testing spot should be. For me, personally, I'd say my couch in the living room - I've fed her there, gave her pills/liquids there, she snuggles me at night - it seems to be a "neutral" zone as far as her feelings towards it, plus she always gets a treat there. But I've been trying to test her thus far, where ever she is - to give her the feeling of being in control, which she seems to appreciate thus far, plus a treat.

If I do that she doesn't seem to run off and hide, or run period, etc. Is that good, or...? But I WOULD like a spot. Do you think I might be confusing her, or...?

I HAVE managed to learn that if I'm cool as a cucumber, take charge, no nerves, I don't get growled at for giving meds especially (last 3 days) - and a special voice, and I HAVE to meet her eyes. If I don't she's not comfortable, she needs to see me and my eyes. Is that normal, or..?

Thank you for your open invitation on questions and such, it means a lot!!

 

[Candy&Company]

Ok so the problem isn't that you pierced the ear....I do probably a quarter of the time ... The problem with the bleeding was that you hit the vein. You need to poke closer to the edge. It would have bled like that whether you went all the way through or not. In the video in my signature I poked all the way through when I did it and it didn't make a difference. Here's a diagram showing where to poke. View attachment 39047

Thank you SO much Janet! I've seen this before and tried to memorize it, but once I have my kit out and Fena's with it and I'm looking at her ear... I just get "lost" about where it is. I don't know why, sigh. I use my flashlight behind her ear to highlight it all but I can't quite hold it against her ear, and poke - she squirms, shifts, etc. She doesn't necessarily like the light so I have to study for awhile, then shut it off and then "try the poke".

 

[JanetNJ]

Thank you SO much Janet! I've seen this before and tried to memorize it, but once I have my kit out and Fena's with it and I'm looking at her ear... I just get "lost" about where it is. I don't know why, sigh. I use my flashlight behind her ear to highlight it all but I can't quite hold it against her ear, and poke - she squirms, shifts, etc. She doesn't necessarily like the light so I have to study for awhile, then shut it off and then "try the poke".

No need for a light because you aren't looking for the vein. Just go as close to the edge as you can.

 

[Candy&Company]

I poke all the way through way too often as well. It's hard not to when their ears are so thin. And yes, that vein can bleed like crazy when it gets hit. Just know that your kitty is fine no matter what, as she showed you with the nuzzling and loving. She understands that you are doing this to help her get better.

Thanks Djamila, I just felt so awful so suddenly it took me by surprise - poor Fena probably thought I was nuts, LOL. Sigh.

Also I wanted to ask you a question, well you or Rachel, etc. since you're all the most experienced - the other day I bought more Friskies and FF from Walmart but also Special Kitty and 9Lives, which they had years ago - I gave Special Kitty Chicken and Tuna Pate for lunch today, since they hadn't had fish for abit - and...... wow.

Fena ate ALL OF HER FOOD in 1 sitting, first time she did that, EVER. Excitedly and happily! 1/2 can of it, with 2.25 tbs. water blended. Then, she got up and shoved her BROTHER out of the way (poor Mao) to try and eat the rest of HIS half of the same food - I held her back and she GROWLED, at me and him!

Every time I let her go, she's shove him out and try to eat his and every time I held her back, she's GROWL. First. Time. Ever!

I lured her into the kitchen, opened another can of it, and gave her another half - not blended in the food processor, just spoon-smooshed in her bowl with more water added and gave it to her. She ate HALF of that 1/2 can serving, mumble-happy munching noises - something ELSE she never did before. She finished the rest just 1-2 hours later.

Is this normal? LOL. I'm sure eventually she'll get bored with Special Kitty but this is a HUGE first..

 

[Candy&Company]

No need for a light because you aren't looking for the vein. Just go as close to the edge as you can. View attachment 39118

Yeah I try to see where all the capillaries are via the flashlight, since some spots look almost "free" of them? So sorry, still trying to learn.

 

[JanetNJ]

Yeah I try to see where all the capillaries are via the flashlight, since some spots look almost "free" of them? So sorry, still trying to learn.

The more you test, the more capillaries form. Just go to the edge to avoid the vein.

 

[Candy&Company]

Testing has such a learning curve! I had no trouble learning to inject her but I didn't think I'd ever get the hang of testing. The first few attempts were just disasters. I couldn't get blood or I'd poke the vein and get too much blood. One time I poked clean through her ear and into my thumb. I didn't realize until afterwards that I had tested my own blood and not hers. Through this all, I felt like a complete and utter failure. It was so frustrating! Why couldn't she just sit there like the cats on the videos? Well, she still doesn't just sit there, but I've gotten better at this and so has she. You will too. It's hard in the beginning, even for the cats on the videos.

Thank you Alex's parent, needed to hear this even though I KNEW it - brains are so stupid sometimes I swear, LOL. Yeah another one of Fena's failed tests was just as I was about to poke her, her brother decided it would be a great time for the "zoomies" so he sprinted through the room - her head snapped around, her ear slipped out of my grip and I poked my own finger plus startling and feeling my heart race a mile a minute since I was so focused.

 

[Candy&Company]

The more you test, the more capillaries form. Just go to the edge to avoid the vein.

Okay I think I can do that, it'll be my goal starting tomorrow morning!!

 

[Djamila]

Some cats get addicted to tuna and won't eat anything else. Sounds like that might be something you'll want to be careful about with Fena. Maybe just give it to her on occasion, but not too often. Too much fish is bad for cats. Hopefully someone will correct me if I'm wrong about the reason, but I believe it's because it has too little thiamine, too much mercury, and is the most common cause of allergies in cats.

If she isn't eating well, you can try adding a sprinkling of bonito flakes to the top of her food, or some fortiflora, or my personal favorite, some nutritional yeast (the healthiest of those options). I'm sorry I don't have a link for the nutritional yeast - I just buy that from the grocery store. It is different than the yeast you use to make bread, so be careful to buy the right kind. Often sold in the bulk section of grocery stores, or you might have to ask for help finding it. Some people also use a bit of parmesan, but my kitties won't go for that one.

Also, I just checked the food list and I can't find Special Kitty. Are you sure it's low enough carbs? Sometimes a kitty will go nuts for a food because it's full of carbs and as well know, carbs are yummy!!!

 

[Candy&Company]

Oh no I keep their fish food restricted, they haven't had fish in 4 days - but I thought I read on her Special Kitty pate was ok? Oh god.... I need to search and do math now. She eats good except when things have to unfortunately repeat like chicken and turkey. Dang now I'm nervous thinking I did bad, will research this ASAP once I post here. I'll beat my head on a wall if I bought something bad, but I could've worn some people here fed Special Kitty pate from Walmart, and it was ok?

Both of those helps are on my "to buy list" definitely! Never tried yeast but I do have parmesan here at home - plus tuna water, baby chicken/broth food and Halo freeze dried chicken.

EDIT -- Search link - this means? http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/special-kitty-wet-food-info.177825/

 

[Djamila]

That's quite possibly true that it's fine and people feed it. Please don't feel badly! I'm just not familiar with it and didn't see it on the list. I don't usually read out in the main forum unless someone tags me, so you are most likely right if you've read about it on here.

 

[Rachel]

Some cats get addicted to tuna and won't eat anything else. Sounds like that might be something you'll want to be careful about with Fena. Maybe just give it to her on occasion, but not too often. Too much fish is bad for cats. Hopefully someone will correct me if I'm wrong about the reason, but I believe it's because it has too little thiamine, too much mercury, and is the most common cause of allergies in cats.

I'm pretty sure you're right about that Djamila!

Don't be overly worried if Special Kitty isn't okay, Candy. It's not the end of the world if she got some slightly higher carb food! I don't remember if I've seen it here, but we can do a search and see. No need to beat your head on the wall either way though! If it is high carb, just keep it for emergencies, and if not, then you're good.

Yes, the bonito flakes are great! I can't use them as they cause one of my cats to get sick, but they all LOVE them anyway!

As for tests, I think whatever works for you is fine. I had a "testing spot" but once Gypsy got used to it, I would test anywhere. I just wanted her to get used to it and be okay. And it did come in handy when I wanted to test her...I'd shake the lancet box and she'd come running! But if Fena accepts testing anywhere, that's fine too. If you DO want a spot just for it, then anywhere you want will work. I did the kitchen because it was right by where she got fed and insulin. Honestly whatever works for you and Fena is fine.

 

[Candy&Company]

That's quite possibly true that it's fine and people feed it. Please don't feel badly! I'm just not familiar with it and didn't see it on the list. I don't usually read out in the main forum unless someone tags me, so you are most likely right if you've read about it on here.

Sorry for the delay, had to feed, shoot and medicate then clean up an such plus love and snuzzle, etc.

Oh yeah it's okay, I'm just.. on a hair trigger I guess? I wanna do right by my babies, and even if I mess up, my worry makes me feel like "something bad will happen" or "you idiot you wasted money", etc. My brain has a myriad of ways to get back at me.

Fena ate about 2/3rds of her food tonight (of 1/2 can Special Kitty Chicken and Tuna - the last 1/2 from earlier today when she ate 1/2 of a 1st can then tried to bully Mao, growled, etc, and I gave her 1/2 of a 2nd can - anyway it's part of left overs now, plus Friskies Country Style Dinner I think is the name with added water) - shot went fine, no probs there. but I have noticed that trying to tent her skin isn't as easy as it once was.. is this normal?

It's a bit harder now to find a good spot to tent, etc. I tend to do her shoulders, alternating.

The Lactulose... yeah she growled, but she got it all like a champ, and let me use a wet paper towel to wipe her mouth, throat, chest, etc. for the odd saliva-drops. Tomorrow morning I'm gonna switch to 1/8 teaspoon Miralax in morning and night, and see how she does for a few days.

 

[Candy&Company]

I'm pretty sure you're right about that Djamila!

Don't be overly worried if Special Kitty isn't okay, Candy. It's not the end of the world if she got some slightly higher carb food! I don't remember if I've seen it here, but we can do a search and see. No need to beat your head on the wall either way though! If it is high carb, just keep it for emergencies, and if not, then you're good.

Yes, the bonito flakes are great! I can't use them as they cause one of my cats to get sick, but they all LOVE them anyway!

As for tests, I think whatever works for you is fine. I had a "testing spot" but once Gypsy got used to it, I would test anywhere. I just wanted her to get used to it and be okay. And it did come in handy when I wanted to test her...I'd shake the lancet box and she'd come running! But if Fena accepts testing anywhere, that's fine too. If you DO want a spot just for it, then anywhere you want will work. I did the kitchen because it was right by where she got fed and insulin. Honestly whatever works for you and Fena is fine.

I just... worry. It seems to be my special talent, LOL. I hate it, but I can't stop it.

I bought a 12 can pack of Special Kitty, plus a 4 can pack of it in Chicken and Tuna, and 2 13oz. cans of their "Super Supper". Quite abit of food.

I also got a 12 pack of 9Lives pate.. hoping that's ok too. Plus their regular Friskies and FF.

Ooh okay, yeah I don't know if I can actually develop a "spot" - I WANT to, but I don't know if it'll work with her? I'm hoping if I can "jiggle" her test kit, she'll know and either follow me, or I can come to her and she'll be ok. So far that's what's been happening.

She's been such a good girl, I know she's a "boy" but I can't help it, *laughs*. She looks at me like I hang the sun, moon and stars - like I can do no wrong, and even when she growls within 5 minutes she's purring and loving on me again. I just thank my lucky stars that I have these beautiful babies, and that contributes to my crying too I guess. Just love them so much - want to do the best I can for them and when I fail, it hits me hard which I know is silly, because I'll just keep trying, but it hits.

 

[Rachel]

Ha! You've joined the right group if you're a worrier...you'll fit in perfectly! We all worry about our babies and since they have an illness, we worry even more.

Do whatever works. I mention the testing spot, because Gypsy needed to get used to tests and to know that even if she was annoyed by what happened there, good things would follow (AKA treat). By the time she crossed the bridge, I would test her anywhere, but she always came running right to that spot when it was time...such a good girl!

 

[Candy&Company]

Ha! You've joined the right group if you're a worrier...you'll fit in perfectly! We all worry about our babies and since they have an illness, we worry even more.

Do whatever works. I mention the testing spot, because Gypsy needed to get used to tests and to know that even if she was annoyed by what happened there, good things would follow (AKA treat). By the time she crossed the bridge, I would test her anywhere, but she always came running right to that spot when it was time...such a good girl!

Definitely a worrier - and a crier too, apparently. Most days I feel like I'm in a really bad Hallmark movie.

Is there a way to keep Fena's head OUT of the kit bag? She knows her treats are in there so she'll literally head dive in there - every time I tug her out, back in she goes. I've tried zipping it up but she fusses and won't sit still wanting to try and figure out how to open it and if I move the bag, she gets up to try and go to it.

I tried two times to test this morning, and that's what happened. *sigh* I ended up getting frustrated, so I gave up but will try again this afternoon. Also instead of making the click sound, I started clicking the lancing device near her ears and so far so good in terms of her not reacting. She's curious for the first 1-2 clicks then could care less.

Also been having troubles keeping her ear "firm" enough against my fingers/holding hand so I can try poking. I can't seem to get it good, since where I generally want to poke ends up being backed by the small dip between my middle and ring fingers when they're pressed together.. does that make sense? Like instead of having the "flat" of my finger(s) behind the spot (plus cotton square), while I hold her ear, it seems the spot tends to fall in the "dip" so instead of being firm for a poke, it "moves".

I think that might've contributed to her "pierced ear" the other day.

 

[Djamila]

I put my finger (covered with a folded over cotton square) right behind the spot I'm poking and just use that as my firm surface. The cotton square is thick enough to avoid poking myself when I go all the way through.

I keep the treats in a small plastic container with a lid. I often set it right in front of Sam and he'll put his front paws on it and kind of hold it while I test. Then he isn't trying to get at it because I've already given it to him (closed, of course). Then as soon as the beep goes off on the meter he knows he's done and I'll open the container. Every cat is different, so you just have to kind of read what Fena needs, and find a way to accommodate her so that you can still get the test done.

You might also try getting out the testing supplies, and then putting the kit away in a cupboard, or behind you, or under a towel...whatever will calm Fena and remove the distraction.

One of the most important elements of successful testing is you deciding that this is important enough that you will make it work, and then finding ways to calm yourself down so that you are communicating to Fena that this is all perfectly normal and necessary. When Fena is fussing, you can step back, think about what she is communicating to you, and then address that without getting flustered. If you do get upset yourself, take a minute to calm down, but then come back and try it again.

I'm worried that the longer you go on without getting a test, the higher your anxiety is going to get around it. Once you get your first one done, it will start to get easier. So think about what might help you stay calm, or regain calm, and then keep at it today. You CAN do this. I promise. And once you do, this will all get so much easier!

One thing I read when I was first starting was that someone sings to herself. I think she said she sings "you are my sunshine" to keep herself calm. Someone else keeps the TV on so she has a mental distraction. I used to recite poetry. So consider what types of mental distractions might help you get through this. Then settle yourself first and make sure you are ready. And then do it. And if it goes awry, know that it's going to be okay, step away and calm yourself, and then give it another go. As long as Fena gets a treat between each attempted poke, she'll be fine with this taking as many tries as you need to break through this barrier.

We are all here cheering you on today.

 

[JanetNJ]

Definitely a worrier - and a crier too, apparently. Most days I feel like I'm in a really bad Hallmark movie.

Is there a way to keep Fena's head OUT of the kit bag? She knows her treats are in there so she'll literally head dive in there - every time I tug her out, back in she goes. I've tried zipping it up but she fusses and won't sit still wanting to try and figure out how to open it and if I move the bag, she gets up to try and go to it.

I tried two times to test this morning, and that's what happened. *sigh* I ended up getting frustrated, so I gave up but will try again this afternoon. Also instead of making the click sound, I started clicking the lancing device near her ears and so far so good in terms of her not reacting. She's curious for the first 1-2 clicks then could care less.

Also been having troubles keeping her ear "firm" enough against my fingers/holding hand so I can try poking. I can't seem to get it good, since where I generally want to poke ends up being backed by the small dip between my middle and ring fingers when they're pressed together.. does that make sense? Like instead of having the "flat" of my finger(s) behind the spot (plus cotton square), while I hold her ear, it seems the spot tends to fall in the "dip" so instead of being firm for a poke, it "moves".

I think that might've contributed to her "pierced ear" the other day.

Use a cotton cosmetic round behind the ear.

 

[Candy&Company]

I have SOME results from Fena, not many - not yet, we're still feeling our way through it but everyone has helped so much, thank you! I'll be posting on her SS shortly.