First day frustration

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MamaMug

MamaMug

Member Since 2019
We had our injection training and came home with prozinc today. We're waiting for the weekend to start so that we can be home and monitor, test every 2 hrs, and establish a curve.

We struggled to test today. That sweet spot in the ear is elusive! I'm going to have to read up more and watch videos. After a few failed attempts Gato was just not having it and spitting angry, despite trying to warm him up with snuggles and entice with treats.

It's dinner time and it's chaos. The whole family is making the gradual switch to wet food and finding something they like that's low carb is an exercise in madness. He's turning his nose up at his bowl (a rare sight) and trying to hawk from his brothers. I was so keyed up that my partner had to shoo me from the kitchen.

This week has just been exhausting and I'm overwhelmed. I know my stress isn't helping him and I'm trying to stay sane but struggling. How long did it take for you to get the testing down? How long did it take for you to start feeling at ease with the crazymaking of this whole thing?
 
Hi there,

Don’t feel you have to do everything at once, easing into this will be less stressful for you and the cat. Just my opinion, but I would not recommend a curve until cat is used to testing, normally those are not done immediately. If this is something your vet suggested, not sure why, insulin takes a little time to get into the cat, a curve on day one doesn’t make sense to me. If the cats first exposure to testing is an all day ordeal, you may only serve to make it harder for cat to accept testing. You don’t want this to be a bad experience for the cat. The idea is to get to a point where it is comfortable for you and the cat. It takes time and patience and there is good advice here for methods that work. I never thought I would get my cat to sit for a blood test, now she comes over for them, I never believed people when they said that. Other members will respond with some starting points for you. Relax and your kitty will relax too:)
 
No way! You got injection training?!:p Seriously though, we have all been there! Tough to process everything, it can feel very overwhelming, there really is so much in the beginning. And, I still have some harder blood tests now and again, even after almost 2 years. You've got a sweet tabby....blackish tipped ears right? Me too. I bought a headlamp so I could keep my hands free and see the blood drop...I used to think there wasn't any, and would repoke. But eventually realized I just couldn't see it.

I would also suggest to try just handling him, without the pokes, rub his ear, give him a bum pat, chin scratch or whatever affection he likes, give him a treat, and walk away. It really does get easier, I promise! Can't say how long, my guy seemed a bit more accommodating with the pokies but some kitties are a bit more challenging than others.:):cat:

If you are just switching over from dry food to wet lower carb, just also be careful ...sometimes the switch to lower carb food alone can get kitties into lower blood sugar levels. What starting dose did your vet recommend? I'm only familiar with Lantus, so I would recommend you check in with our Prozinc folks on this. Here is the sub-forum link http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/forums/prozinc-pzi.24/
 
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Christie & Maverick said:
No way! You got injection training?!:p Seriously though, we have all been there! Tough to process everything, it can feel very overwhelming, there really is so much in the beginning. And, I still have some harder blood tests now and again, even after almost 2 years. You've got a sweet tabby....blackish tipped ears right? Me too. I bought a headlamp so I could keep my hands free and see the blood drop...I used to think there wasn't any, and would repoke. But eventually realized I just couldn't see it.

I would also suggest to try just handling him, without the pokes, rub his ear, give him a bum pat, chin scratch or whatever affection he likes, give him a treat, and walk away. It really does get easier, I promise! Can't say how long, my guy seemed a bit more accommodating with the pokies but some kitties are a bit more challenging than others.:):cat:

If you are just switching over from dry food to wet lower carb, just also be careful ...sometimes the switch to lower carb food alone can get kitties into lower blood sugar levels. What starting dose did your vet recommend? I'm only familiar with Lantus, so I would recommend you check in with our Prozinc folks on this. Here is the sub-forum link http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/forums/prozinc-pzi.24/
Click to expand...


Starting dose is 2 units twice a day. I poked around on the prozinc sub the other day but can't remember enough to have a barometer for what kind of dose that is. Still processing so much right now! I'll have to dig in deeper over there tonight.

The headlamp is a good idea. The black ears make it so hard to see! My partner and I both tried while the other was holding a handheld flashlight under the ear. With us both crowding him I can see how it's overwhelming.

I was really hoping to get a read tonight because his in office blood draw felt (to a beginner, at least) very high at 501. I was interested to see what a read would be without the stress of being at the vet playing a factor. Will just have to try again in the morning.
 
Pulled up the intro sticky from the Prozinc forum...seems like the recommended start dose is 1u....

http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/...prozinc-pzi-insulin-for-diabetic-cats.164995/

What meter will you be using? yes, 501 isn't great, and while many cats do go higher with stress of the vet visit, that seems a bit outside the range of stress-induced but can't say for sure. Did he have some symptoms of diabetes like excessive drinking and peeing?

Some kitties do better the less they are crowded or "cornered". They do get used to the routine, my Maverick will sit when I touch his chest, I pet him a little across his head down the back, then pokie & test. He actually fusses more when I try and hold the cotton pad on his ear afterward :rolleyes:
 
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Be patient with yourself and with Gato, this is all new to both of you. Plus the trip to the vet most likely wasn't viewed as a pleasure jaunt by Gato. ;) He probably has had just about enough human foolishness for the day.
Learning to test (and be tested) is a process of practice and patience. `I do remember at first, the more frustrated I got, the less cooperative Idjit got. So, try to relax, sing to him while you are testing or practicing to test like Christie recommended.
Please do post in the Prozinc forum, and read those "stickies" at the top of the page so you learn the insulin you are dealing with. I have not used that insulin, but it may be that the 2 units 2X a day is a larger starting dose than Gato may actually need. Since you aren't able to test regularly yet, they may recommend you start a little lower, and then work up if you need to.
It sounds like you have had a full day also, and have had about enough of human foolishness for the day! Try to find something that is soothing..a hot bath, a foot soak, a glass of wine or a cup of yummy tea.
It will get better, easier and more routine. :bighug:
 
Christie & Maverick said:
Pulled up the intro sticky from the Prozinc forum...seems like the recommended start dose is 1u....

http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/...prozinc-pzi-insulin-for-diabetic-cats.164995/

What meter will you be using? yes, 501 isn't great, and while many cats do go higher with stress of the vet visit, that seems a bit outside the range of stress-induced but can't say for sure. Did he have some symptoms of diabetes like excessive drinking and peeing?

Some kitties do better the less they are crowded or "cornered". They do get used to the routine, my Maverick will sit when I touch his chest, I pet him a little across his head down the back, then pokie & test. He actually fusses more when I try and hold the cotton pad on his ear afterward :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

He did have additional symptoms. Excessive drinking and peeing, pretty drastic weight loss within the last year despite being a chow hound.

The meter I picked up is the ReliOn. I picked uo lancets without getting a lancet pen, was worried that the pen would be too much pressure on the ear but perhaps I'm overthinking. Maybe we couldn't get enough pressure with lancet by hand. Do most people use a pen as well?
 
I use a similar pen device, I found it useful, the lancet on its own seemed to be more daunting, In the beginning, I would set it to lowest depth, that actually worked pretty well, I was absolutely petrified of hurting him, and so unsure of myself. The more I used the auto poke action, the more I got a feel for it, and gradually worked my way to just free-handing the poke with the device. I don't think the device causes any pressure, but some cats don't like the popping sound it makes.
 
MamaMug, would you create a signature so that we can see your kitty's pertinent information with your posts please?
Setting up your signature (light grey text under a post). Here's how:
click on your name in the upper right corner of this page
click on "signature" in the menu that drops down
type the following in the box that opens: kitty's name/age/date of diabetes diagnosis/insulin you're using and dosage amount /glucose meter you're using/what (s)he eats/any other meds or health issues (s)he has. You can add your name, and a geographic location (sometimes the time zone matters) Be sure to SAVE when you are finished.
Another thing that will help us help you now that you've started BG testing at home is to set up a spreadsheet like the one we use here. You will see how the trends and patterns emerge, and members can review his/her progress before offering suggestions or advice:
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/fdmb-spreadsheet-instructions.130337/
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/understanding-the-spreadsheet-grid.156606/
 
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