what do I need to watch for?

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majandra

majandra

Member Since 2018
My vet didnt really give me any info, other than to watch for high sugar symptoms and do home testing if I could.
With my reading, I learned about ketones being an issue- my vet didn't mention it. So how much do I need to worry about it with my cat who still has high sugars (18ish) and no insulin?
 
Ketones cause nausea, sometimes vomiting, lethargy, etc. Kitty will look sick if levels are high. Is there a reason why your kitty isn’t getting insulin?
 
With high sugars like this you do need to worry about ketones you can test for ketones in his urine, you can buy some strips in the pharmacy, they are for humans but they work fine, at least for ketones

If you are willing to star testing at home we can help you

You will need:

  • Blood glucose meter ( human is ok)
  • Test strips for the glucose meter
  • Lancets ( 28 are better when you are starting)
  • Neosporin with pain relieve ( if you can't get this use vaseline to avoid the blood drop from being absorbed in the hair)
  • Treats to give him after you test
 
For measuring ketones you can use strips you put into fresh urine. Another way is by using a blood monitor just like you will for measuring the glucose levels. This is how I do it so I don't have to wait for her to pee. You can get ketone monitors on amazon.

I have a video in my signature showing how I test my cat CC at home.
 
I've done a couple tests so far for glucose. I will be getting new strips or meter tomorrow so I can start testing more.

Vet wanted to wait and see if diet change and getting away from stress made a difference before doing insulin. And wanted me to get some tests done so the numbers are more accurate. We had just moved when she was diagnosed so stress was a factor. He said that cats are often able to be controlled with diet alone. He is conservative about using any medicine unless needed.

I am a bit worried about using insulin due to our job being quite variable - we may work 9 to 4 one day and 7 to 7 the next. There is no consistency. I'm still reeling from information overload too so haven't looked into insulin at all yet. I had really believed diet would be the fix, and maybe it is, but I also thought the vet food was good too.

Once I get the home testing reliably done then things will go from there. I'm absolutely wiped right now, so hopefully this made sense. Will check back after some sleep.
 
majandra said:
I've done a couple tests so far for glucose. I will be getting new strips or meter tomorrow so I can start testing more.

Vet wanted to wait and see if diet change and getting away from stress made a difference before doing insulin. And wanted me to get some tests done so the numbers are more accurate. We had just moved when she was diagnosed so stress was a factor. He said that cats are often able to be controlled with diet alone. He is conservative about using any medicine unless needed.

I am a bit worried about using insulin due to our job being quite variable - we may work 9 to 4 one day and 7 to 7 the next. There is no consistency. I'm still reeling from information overload too so haven't looked into insulin at all yet. I had really believed diet would be the fix, and maybe it is, but I also thought the vet food was good too.

Once I get the home testing reliably done then things will go from there. I'm absolutely wiped right now, so hopefully this made sense. Will check back after some sleep.
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It's possible to be diet controlled right from the start but not likely. Please don't wait more than a week before starting the insulin. The longer you wait the harder it is to get the numbers under control and the greater risk for dka. And remember that insulin isn't a medication, it's a hormone replacement therapy. The body is supposed to make it when the pancreas is working properly.
 
My husband and I will be bringing Rhubarb in as soon as we can to discuss insulin.
Scared as heck to be working with insulin and worried how to keep a schedule with work so unreliable :/ We can't quit our jobs to care for her. Maybe I'm just worrying too much.
 
majandra said:
My husband and I will be bringing Rhubarb in as soon as we can to discuss insulin.
Scared as heck to be working with insulin and worried how to keep a schedule with work so unreliable :/ We can't quit our jobs to care for her. Maybe I'm just worrying too much.
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Take a big breath, is a lot to take at the beginning, but is doable even with a full time job, I work full time also and down here full time means crazy hours, weekends, insane traffic so no chance of going back at lunch time, etc but luckily for you there's two of you so you can coordinate, get a time feeder you can program so that even in any of you is home you make sure he has something to eat midday and midnight , check around to see if there's a pet sitter (friend, family member ) or a vet tech that will be willing to go to your house to test and shoot if something comes out in the last minute and you won't be able to make it on time, and yes eventually maybe you'll have no other choice but to miss a shoot either to keep him safe or because you simply couldn't make it on time which may set him a little bit off but he will get back on track after his next shoot, is not so bad and way better than not getting insulin

You will be testing before every shoot and at any other time you can, like before leaving to work, maybe before going to bed or as soon as you get up, on weekends, you will figure out some routine that works for all of you

Here's a post that may help too http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/...ion-possible-with-a-full-time-job-yes.129378/
 
Thank you!
I'll be getting someone set up to be there in case we can't be. Will be absolutely essential since hubby and I work together!
I'm glad to know that a shot can be missed if needed- don't like the idea of shooting and leaving for 12 hrs much.
 
majandra said:
Thank you!
I'll be getting someone set up to be there in case we can't be. Will be absolutely essential since hubby and I work together!
I'm glad to know that a shot can be missed if needed- don't like the idea of shooting and leaving for 12 hrs much.
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Yes is though that's why the pre shoot is going to be crucial for you guys, knowing what his glucose level is before shooting especially when you are not going to be around during the day to monitor him will be very important, skipping a shoot could be necessary sometimes ( I know it happens ) , skipping shoots is far from ideal but sometimes is better to be safe than sorry and as long as almost always you keep his schedule and shoot him he will be ok,

Start monitoring him for ketones also so that you know that is also under control and ok
 
I have yet to catch a urine sample, but Rhubarb is still looking her usual self, so it's not an emergency. Cats ... the only thing that changed lately is she is peeing before I wake up, not after she eats lol.

I picked up the Freestyle Lite meter yesterday, and tested myself and it was my usual values. I tested my one nosy non diabetic cat this morning and she read 2.7 and I think she hadn't ate during night (and she still tries to play with the supplies after lol). Rhubarb tested at 14.4, likely fasting, which is the best reading I have seen on her yet! I also love how small a sample is needed for this meter.

Monday I have an appointment for Rhubarb to see the vet to be started on insulin.
 
majandra said:
I have yet to catch a urine sample, but Rhubarb is still looking her usual self, so it's not an emergency. Cats ... the only thing that changed lately is she is peeing before I wake up, not after she eats lol.

I picked up the Freestyle Lite meter yesterday, and tested myself and it was my usual values. I tested my one nosy non diabetic cat this morning and she read 2.7 and I think she hadn't ate during night (and she still tries to play with the supplies after lol). Rhubarb tested at 14.4, likely fasting, which is the best reading I have seen on her yet! I also love how small a sample is needed for this meter.

Monday I have an appointment for Rhubarb to see the vet to be started on insulin.
Click to expand...
I use this meter too and it works really well.
 
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