First Curve Done, Need Advice

[Cherish4]

Little B had his first curve done at the vets on Friday. Not ideal obviously but given the trouble I'm having with home testing, it was the only way to get one right now. He handled being there all day remarkably well and ended up sleeping for most of it (apart from when he ate). I was the one at home being anxious and missing him!

Anyway, these were his results based on a 1u shot:

+1 - 23.2 mmol/L

+3 - 19.2 mmol/L

+5 - 21.2 mmol/L

+8 - 23.0 mmol/L

I do realize that his levels could have been slightly elevated due to being at the vets but the numbers do line up with the few readings I have gotten myself and seem to indicate that 1u is not really doing anything.

This means that the vet is now insisting that he goes up to 2u twice a day. She said as 1u is having no real effect on his levels, it should be perfectly safe to jump straight to 2u. She wants him to be on 2u by the time he goes back for his second curve in 2 to 3 weeks. I did try to explain that I would prefer to increase slowly but she said it wasn't necessary.

Well I went ahead and just did a .25u increase anyway yesterday morning and gave him 1.25u. I will attempt to get some tests over the next few days to see if that slight increase is making a difference but I suspect not as it's such a small additional amount.

So my question is, should I just increase to 1.5u instead as that's more likely to produce a change in his numbers or should I go with 1.25u for the next 4 or 5 days and see what happens?

It's all very difficult with the trouble I'm having with home testing but an increase obviously has to be made as 1u isn't doing anything.

Any thoughts would be gratefully appreciated. Please feel free to have a look at his spreadsheet to see the few readings that I have managed combined with the above curve numbers (it's best to look on the 'World' one as for some reason it's not converting properly on the 'US' one).

 

[Noah & me (GA)]

I don't know if this will help. I often look through New Posts and saw not only did you post this just a few hours ago but you've had zero replies and the post has fallen off the bottom of the page already. Just by me replying it has now gone back to the top.
I can't comment on his numbers but having a curve done at the vet is not ideal. No matter how relaxed they appear the numbers never reflect reality. Sorry for stating the obvious. I also never published a spreadsheet on either of our cats so I'm of no help there but at least you're back at the top but only briefly. Good luck.

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

Is he still allowed to go outside? Having a cat go out can make it a lot harder because you can't be sure they aren't getting into stuff they shouldn't be eating.

Without more tests, it's really impossible to know what's going on with Little B but if he were my cat, I'd hold the 1.25 for no longer than a week and then re-access

On your spreadsheet, the reason it's not working on the US side has to do with you entering text instead of numbers. It's only formatted to accept numbers so when you put "no test", it converts it to that #value on the US side.

Also, on the US side, the results from the vet curve on 22/3 aren't even there (the date isn't even there)

You might want to send a PM to @Marje and Gracie and get some help with cleaning it up. (I'm not very good with the "World" sheets)

 

[Marje and Gracie]

I’ll be glad to fix the SS for you if you’ll send me a private message so I can get editing rights. To send me a PM, pls click on “Marje and Gracie” at the left and then “start a conversation”.

One thing I want to stress is you are putting him at great risk from hypoglycemia by not testing before you shoot especially with a harsh insulin like Caninsulin. I know you said you have a hard time testing so here’s some TIPS.

We have a philosophy of sorts here: you shouldn’t raise the dose until you know how low the current dose is taking him so I hope he will start letting you test when you need to.

 

[Cherish4]

I can't comment on his numbers but having a curve done at the vet is not ideal. No matter how relaxed they appear the numbers never reflect reality. Sorry for stating the obvious

I understand that but I didn't really have choice. I can't do one right now and the vet is insisting on them so...

 

[Cherish4]

Is he still allowed to go outside? Having a cat go out can make it a lot harder because you can't be sure they aren't getting into stuff they shouldn't be eating.

Yes he still goes outside as it's what he's used to, plus I have two other cats that go in and out so it wouldn't be right or practical to suddenly make him an indoor cat.

Without more tests, it's really impossible to know what's going on with Little B but if he were my cat, I'd hold the 1.25 for no longer than a week and then re-access

I'll try and get some more tests and then reassess if I can.

You might want to send a PM to @Marje and Gracie and get some help with cleaning it up. (I'm not very good with the "World" sheets)

Okay thanks.

 

[Cherish4]

I’ll be glad to fix the SS for you if you’ll send me a private message so I can get editing rights. To send me a PM, pls click on “Marje and Gracie” at the left and then “start a conversation”.

Okay thank you.

One thing I want to stress is you are putting him at great risk from hypoglycemia by not texting before you shoot especially with a harsh insulin like Caninsulin. I know you said you have a hard time testing so here’s some TIPS.

I understand you're just trying to help but honestly these kind of comments just upset me and make me feel worse. I already know about the risk of hypoglycemia and I feel like a complete failure because I'm struggling to test. I have tried every tip, every method and nothing works. I can occasionally get a test if he's relaxed on the bed but that's not usually the case for his pre shot tests. On a morning, he's waiting for his food which means to do his AMPS I have to restrain him on the kitchen counter and he gets mega upset, tries to pull away and then legs it to either a hiding spot or outside which makes giving him his insulin difficult. He's getting suspicious and hiding every time I need to give him his shot because he thinks I'm testing. As for day time tests or his PMPS, he's not always in the house. As the weather gets better he is spending more time outside, tucked right under the hedge or out of the garden, which makes testing impossible. I'm trying my best but I'm doing most of this alone and unfortunately I have a cat that is not adapting well to the situation. I'm in tears most days because of it all so this really isn't helpful.

 

[Daddy Jack's Mommy (GA)]

I know that you're trying hard and that you're doing the best you can, so there is no need to feel like a failure. I feel lucky that I have a sugar baby who is being cooperative, because I know all of them are not. If I were in your shoes, I would not increase by more than .25, not only because he won't let you test him but also because it's safer for every cat and will allow you to know exactly what dose will work. Increase slowly, get whatever tests Little B allows you to get, and do what you know is right for your cat. Don't listen to a vet who may harm him, even though he means well. I know how frustrating it is to have a vet who is against what you are doing, because I found out that my beloved vet is not very supportive of home testing and me deciding how to dose my cat. This made me sad, because I've loved that vet up until now. Be gentle with yourself, as you really are trying and I know you love your little guy. Do it slow, do the best you can, and just breathe...
Because of the frustration I'm feeling with my vet right now, I may have to find a vet who is supportive of home testing and going slow. It may be to your benefit to find a vet who is willing to work with you and who knows more about the dangers of a cat going too low.

 

[Diana&Tom]

Okay thank you.



I understand you're just trying to help but honestly these kind of comments just upset me and make me feel worse. I already know about the risk of hypoglycemia and I feel like a complete failure because I'm struggling to test. I have tried every tip, every method and nothing works. I can occasionally get a test if he's relaxed on the bed but that's not usually the case for his pre shot tests. On a morning, he's waiting for his food which means to do his AMPS I have to restrain him on the kitchen counter and he gets mega upset, tries to pull away and then legs it to either a hiding spot or outside which makes giving him his insulin difficult. He's getting suspicious and hiding every time I need to give him his shot because he thinks I'm testing. As for day time tests or his PMPS, he's not always in the house. As the weather gets better he is spending more time outside, tucked right under the hedge or out of the garden, which makes testing impossible. I'm trying my best but I'm doing most of this alone and unfortunately I have a cat that is not adapting well to the situation. I'm in tears most days because of it all so this really isn't helpful.

Lauren, I don't want to upset you but as I've said before on other threads, I do think it would help you if you could work at strengthening your emotional response to all this. We do all understand, 100%, that treating FD isn't a walk in the park. Many of us have faced emotional, practical and financial issues, and many of us have had to work single-handedly with "difficult" cats. You are not a failure any more than anyone else here who has struggled to test - just have a look at the Main and Intro forums and you'll find many threads with the words "overwhelmed" and so on in the title. It might help you to join in on some of those threads and relate to the OP and tell them they aren't the only ones - sometimes by giving someone else a few words of understanding and solace, you also help yourself because you are telling them what you believe, from yout experience, is what they need to hear. Start a new thread yourself perhaps for members who find it difficult to test - share stories of what worked, celebrate your successes, reward each other with a virtual glass of wine... maybe you would find the whole thing less stressful if you had some particular "buddies" here to give each other moral support. I'm not saying that that would magically make the testing process easier overnight, but it might strengthen your resolve and your ability to take more of a "can do / let's get on with it... I will crack this!" sort of stance.

I know you've tried a lot of the methods and tricks we usually suggest, but in the circumstances, you could think about some form of relaxation techniques (for both you and Little B!) that might enable you to keep him still long enough to test. Maybe you could try a reiki exercise on him, for example... I don't know, I'm just thinking aloud and trying to address the specific issue. There must be ideas that you could try - try Googling "animal relaxation techniques" or similar and see what comes up.

 

[Elizabeth and Bertie]

Lauren, I totally hear you when you say that you're finding it difficult to test.

If it really is the case that you feel you cannot do it then you may need to just accept that; and just accept that Little B is not going to be a hometested cat. Curves will be done at the vets and dosing will be based on those curves. That's what happens to very many diabetic cats. Then you can completely forget about testing and no longer concern yourself with it. You may find that easier.

But if - for any reason - you don't feel quite ready to stop trying to test, then I'd suggest you just start again in really, really small steps. For example:
Brush or stroke him, and give him a treat.
Brush/stroke him, hold his ear for a second, and give him a treat.
Use the lancing device as a training clicker. Click it, and give him a treat.
Brush/stroke him, click the lancing device, give him a treat.
Repeat these kinds of things over and over and over using treats that he really likes. Do these things multiple times a day, every day. Repetition is key.
When he's comfortable with these things, then try taking things a stage further.

Meanwhile, you can also test his pee for glucose. (Did you say you had some test strips on order?) A urine glucose test will still give you some information, albeit that it's not the same as a blood glucose test. It will show you how much glucose has been excreted in the urine since the last time your kitty peed. If there's lots of glucose then you know the blood glucose has been high. If the test is 'negative' for glucose then you know it's been below the 'renal threshold' (anywhere between the normal range and around 13 - 15 mmol.)

There are things that you can do. And doing those may lead you on to be able to do more.

(((Hugs)))

Eliz

 

[Noah & me (GA)]

Lauren, this is just repeating what's already been said for the most part but here goes. I just got lucky with a great vet and two cats that were more than patient with me. We all seem to make it look so easy but sometimes we forget that years ago we were all freaked out about this and were being pulled in 100 different directions as far as advice. I was told more than once it would be for the best to let the cat go.
You're among friends here and we all have something to contribute. My medical knowledge is limited so I write posts like this. The posts you might think are too blunt are from the really smart people here who devote a lot of time to helping others. They are not heartless, they state the facts and move on to the next person who needs help. Some people will hold your hand, some people will just say "do this, then do this". Think back to the last time you were in a human ER and you took a number, waited for hours and were just treated like a piece of meat. This site is all volunteer and everyone communicates differently.

The testing, the outdoor cat thing and the vet who insists on doing curves. I'm on disability so I had all the time in the world to test but being late for work (or whatever) because testing is hard is just a fact of life. My confession is that because of some whacko medical condition I often got a 5 minute warning to crawl into bed and Noah would not get his shot. I'm far from the perfect caregiver. Marco was six when we adopted him and was an outdoor cat. I cannot get that out of him, he squirts out the door before I know what's happening and twice a year he's gone for the night. Changing him to an indoor cat just isn't going to happen, I understand.
I'm quite the smart ass and have infuriated many human doctors because in my case I know more about what's wrong with me (there's probably 5,000 people in North America who have what I have) so I've done two things that are really hard. I despise doctors who insist you call them "Doctor" and they all know what's best for you but give it some time and you'll be doing your own curves, I promise. There are guidelines for curves but I broke the rules all the time as far as doing a curve every month or whatever it is. Have faith in yourself. The second thing I did was to realize (and honest vets will confirm this) that diabetes is often a one day course in veterinary college and I had to trust a bunch of strangers on the internet which we've always been told is the worst thing to do.
Three of the people who replied to you are people I would trust with my cat's life. None of them are my pals or friends but I've been here long enough to understand each speaks in a different way and they all really want to help. When Diana said "If you could work at strengthening your emotional response" she didn't mean for you to grow a backbone, she wants you to realize what you hear here is not always pleasant but it is well intentioned.
This is not some nasty social media site where we're all snickering behind your back, we really do care.
A final note. We have lost nine cats and a dog in this house. We never gave up and if it were not for this place I'd be an emotional wreck. We are here for you at your side. Be honest even about the emotional stuff (you already have) and if something annoys you feel free to vent. Most everyone knows the story of Noah missing shots but nobody stabbed me in the back. That is what friendship is and you now have a whole bunch of new friends, like it or not.

 

[Diana&Tom]

@Noah & me (GA) Dickson, very well put! Your posts always make me smile, whether you mean them to be funny or not I don't know! You are absolutely right about people communicating in different ways. That's the written word for you. I was interested to read your thread a few days ago on this subject and was halfway through my response when Jill locked the thread... do start one on TT as she suggested, I think it definitely has a place.

 

[Noah & me (GA)]

I was a bit surprised that thread went no where and this thread is a perfect example of how quickly people can disappear.
So you think I'm trying to be funny do you? A dog walks into an old west saloon, leg all bandaged up. The Sheriff asks the dog (the talking dog) if he's looking for trouble. "I'm looking for the man that shot my paw". I have more.

 

[Marje and Gracie]

Okay thank you.

I understand you're just trying to help but honestly these kind of comments just upset me and make me feel worse. I already know about the risk of hypoglycemia and I feel like a complete failure because I'm struggling to test. I have tried every tip, every method and nothing works. I can occasionally get a test if he's relaxed on the bed but that's not usually the case for his pre shot tests. On a morning, he's waiting for his food which means to do his AMPS I have to restrain him on the kitchen counter and he gets mega upset, tries to pull away and then legs it to either a hiding spot or outside which makes giving him his insulin difficult. He's getting suspicious and hiding every time I need to give him his shot because he thinks I'm testing. As for day time tests or his PMPS, he's not always in the house. As the weather gets better he is spending more time outside, tucked right under the hedge or out of the garden, which makes testing impossible. I'm trying my best but I'm doing most of this alone and unfortunately I have a cat that is not adapting well to the situation. I'm in tears most days because of it all so this really isn't helpful.

I apologize as it was not my intention to upset you or make you feel worse. I was being honest as one who has sat up all night long more times than I care to remember with a member whose cat was hypoglycemic and the caregiver couldn’t afford to go to the ER. I’ve cried for too many CGs and cats when the CG didn’t test at PS, subsequently saw the cat was not doing well, then tested and found them at 20 but it was too late to save the kitty even with a dextrose drip at the vet.

I wasn’t trying to scare you or make you feel like a failure. I was trying to be honest. I do have a friend that has had a diabetic cat for five years and not tested her once and shoots the same dose all the time. How the cat is still alive, I have no idea but she is. All I can do for you or her is give my best advice. If you are not able to follow it because your kitty is difficult, I’m not here to judge you. I do hope that you can use some of Eliz’s tips to help you.

 

[Diana&Tom]

I apologize as it was not my intention to upset you or make you feel worse. I was being honest as one who has sat up all night long more times than I care to remember with a member whose cat was hypoglycemic and the caregiver couldn’t afford to go to the ER. I’ve cried for too many CGs and cats when the CG didn’t test at PS, subsequently saw the cat was not doing well, then tested and found them at 20 but it was too late to save the kitty even with a dextrose drip at the vet.

I wasn’t trying to scare you or make you feel like a failure. I was trying to be honest. I do have a friend that has had a diabetic cat for five years and not tested her once and shoots the same dose all the time. How the cat is still alive, I have no idea but she is. All I can do for you or her is give my best advice. If you are not able to follow it because your kitty is difficult, I’m not here to judge you. I do hope that you can use some of Eliz’s tips to help you.

Lauren - this ^

We are trying to be practical. It's true that we all give and receive help/advice in different ways. I remember a few years ago, when I was going through a hard time, having some conversations with a very wise lady, older than me, whose words made me stop and think then, and still do now. She was quite matter of fact with me, didn't seem to understand what I was saying, and when I ventured to say that she wasn't very sympathetic, she said (roughly, I'll paraphrase) "It's not that I don't sympathise, Diana. But if I jumped into the pit with you and cried with you and said 'oh how awful for you, this is going to end in tears', I wouldn't be doing you any favours. If I encourage you and build you up and try to increase your self-belief, I'm doing a more positive job as a friend who wants to help".

There are people on this board who offer emotional support and hugs, and that's great. Real-life friends can do that too, of course - but most can't advise on the nitty-gritty of treating FD. Here, we try our best to give you what we feel you need at any one time - a little humour goes a long way, I think (thanks again @Noah & me (GA) ); Elizabeth is practical and mega-patient; others try to suggest slightly outside the box ideas (me)... and so on. Try to absorb all the comments we make into one big melting-pot... give it a good stir and you'll see that you've got what amounts to a recipe for improving your overall ability to caring for Little B... and yourself.

 

[Elizabeth and Bertie]

On a morning, he's waiting for his food which means to do his AMPS I have to restrain him on the kitchen counter and he gets mega upset...

Many cats don't like to be restrained. It's often not the test that upsets them, but the feeling of being restrained, of being trapped. You managed to test your cat while he was relaxed on the bed. So, it's not the test itself...

He's getting suspicious and hiding every time I need to give him his shot because he thinks I'm testing.

What this demonstrates beautifully is just how quickly cats can learn. And cats can learn positive associations just as easily as they can learn negative ones. It's that ability to learn associations that we are trying to use to our advantage when finding ways to get them to accept (or even to like) being tested.

I'm trying my best but I'm doing most of this alone

Many people are doing this alone. That is actually most often the case. But it's not necessarily a disadvantage. In fact it can help to develop the relationship between cat and human. People often find they develop a particularly deep and strong bond with their 'sugarcats'.

We really DO all understand that it can be difficult at first.
Incidentally, when my old diabetic boy, Bertie, was diagnosed just over 12 years ago, I was pretty sure initially that I wouldn't be able to test him, that he simply wouldn't tolerate it. I can remember lamenting my inability to test here on this forum, and well recall the kinds of responses I got from one very 'matter of fact' lady in particular. The kinds of exchanges we had were like this:
Me: I have 5 cats. There's absolutely no way I can test Bertie in the morning while they're all in the kitchen clamoring for their breakfast.
Her: Put him in a separate room and test him there. The others can wait.
Me: He won't like being in a separate room.
Her: Maybe not. But don't underestimate him. He'll get used to it. Especially if you give him treats.
Me: But, but, but....(various excuses....)
Her: Just try. He needs you to try to do this for him.
Me: But...(more excuses...)
Her: Just try....

The lady trying to help me, albeit that she meant well, really got up my nose, actually. I felt 'cornered', and quite irritated by her. But her persistence did encourage me to keep trying. And the fact that I learned to test at all is probably down to her persistence. (I am so grateful!)
Things really started to change for me when my inner dialogue changed. I'd spent a lot of time defending my position and all the reasons why testing wasn't possible. But one day something shifted, and I found myself thinking, 'OK I do need to do this, so it's just a matter of working out how...' And from that point, when I actively started looking for solutions to the various difficulties I was having, solutions began to present themselves.

Eliz

 

[Diana&Tom]

Things really started to change for me when my inner dialogue changed. I'd spent a lot of time defending my position and all the reasons why testing wasn't possible. But one day something shifted, and I found myself thinking, 'OK I do need to do this, so it's just a matter of working out how...' And from that point, when I actively started looking for solutions to the various difficulties I was having, solutions began to present themselves.

Eliz

YES ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
Positive mental attitude...

 

[Cherish4]

I have seen all your comments and I'm sorry for the delay in responding to them but I've been dealing with the sudden death of a family friend. She was a lady that my mum had been friends with since my brothers and I were kids. She was very kind to me both during my mum's illness and after her death two years ago. It's been a big shock to everyone so I've only just managed to get back on here today.

 

[Marje and Gracie]

I’m so very, very sorry for your loss. Many condolences for you, your family, and her family.

We will all be here when you are ready.

 

[Noah & me (GA)]

Welcome back doesn't sound at all right but we're glad to have you here. I can only say what's already been said, that is very sad news but for now just know that we'll be here.

 

[Cherish4]

I know that you're trying hard and that you're doing the best you can, so there is no need to feel like a failure. I feel lucky that I have a sugar baby who is being cooperative, because I know all of them are not. If I were in your shoes, I would not increase by more than .25, not only because he won't let you test him but also because it's safer for every cat and will allow you to know exactly what dose will work. Increase slowly, get whatever tests Little B allows you to get, and do what you know is right for your cat. Don't listen to a vet who may harm him, even though he means well. I know how frustrating it is to have a vet who is against what you are doing, because I found out that my beloved vet is not very supportive of home testing and me deciding how to dose my cat. This made me sad, because I've loved that vet up until now. Be gentle with yourself, as you really are trying and I know you love your little guy. Do it slow, do the best you can, and just breathe...
Because of the frustration I'm feeling with my vet right now, I may have to find a vet who is supportive of home testing and going slow. It may be to your benefit to find a vet who is willing to work with you and who knows more about the dangers of a cat going too low.

Thank you for your comment and your support, it means a lot. I would love to look into changing to another vet who is more knowledgable but as his current treatment is being paid for by a local charity it's not going to be possible at the moment.

 

[Cherish4]

Welcome back doesn't sound at all right but we're glad to have you here. I can only say what's already been said, that is very sad news but for now just know that we'll be here.

Thanks. I wasn't super close with her or anything but I have known the family a long time and she was a good friend of my mum's so I feel sad for those reasons.

 

[Cherish4]

I know you've tried a lot of the methods and tricks we usually suggest, but in the circumstances, you could think about some form of relaxation techniques (for both you and Little B!) that might enable you to keep him still long enough to test. Maybe you could try a reiki exercise on him, for example... I don't know, I'm just thinking aloud and trying to address the specific issue. There must be ideas that you could try - try Googling "animal relaxation techniques" or similar and see what comes up.

I'll have a look, see what there is.

 

[Cherish4]

Lauren, I totally hear you when you say that you're finding it difficult to test.

If it really is the case that you feel you cannot do it then you may need to just accept that; and just accept that Little B is not going to be a hometested cat. Curves will be done at the vets and dosing will be based on those curves. That's what happens to very many diabetic cats. Then you can completely forget about testing and no longer concern yourself with it. You may find that easier.

You're right, I may find that easier. The problem is he's only scheduled for two more curves at the vets, covered by the RSPCA and then that will be it. I can't afford to pay for any curves and without testing as well, I won't know how he's doing.

But if - for any reason - you don't feel quite ready to stop trying to test, then I'd suggest you just start again in really, really small steps. For example:
Brush or stroke him, and give him a treat.
Brush/stroke him, hold his ear for a second, and give him a treat.
Use the lancing device as a training clicker. Click it, and give him a treat.
Brush/stroke him, click the lancing device, give him a treat.
Repeat these kinds of things over and over and over using treats that he really likes. Do these things multiple times a day, every day. Repetition is key.
When he's comfortable with these things, then try taking things a stage further.

I have tried this once already but I am trying it again. However, as previously mentioned he is spending a lot of time outside which makes doing anything difficult. I did take all the stuff outside yesterday and did this method a couple of times but if he's moves under the hedge then I have no chance.

Meanwhile, you can also test his pee for glucose. (Did you say you had some test strips on order?) A urine glucose test will still give you some information, albeit that it's not the same as a blood glucose test. It will show you how much glucose has been excreted in the urine since the last time your kitty peed. If there's lots of glucose then you know the blood glucose has been high. If the test is 'negative' for glucose then you know it's been below the 'renal threshold' (anywhere between the normal range and around 13 - 15 mmol.)

The urine glucose test strips arrived on Tuesday. I've done two tests so far, one on Tuesday evening and on Wednesday evening, about 3 hours after his insulin shot and both showed that he had a high level of glucose in his urine (thankfully still negative for ketones though). I'm assuming that this would probably indicate that he's not getting enough insulin if he's body is still dumping high amounts of it?

 

[Cherish4]

A final note. We have lost nine cats and a dog in this house. We never gave up and if it were not for this place I'd be an emotional wreck. We are here for you at your side. Be honest even about the emotional stuff (you already have) and if something annoys you feel free to vent. Most everyone knows the story of Noah missing shots but nobody stabbed me in the back. That is what friendship is and you now have a whole bunch of new friends, like it or not.

Thank you for your comments. We have lost plenty of cats and dogs too over the years, one or two under awful circumstances and I think those, combined with losing my mum and my nan in quick succession have made it harder for me to cope with this situation with Little B. I worry about all 3 of my cats constantly.

i just wish I could suddenly come up with a solution to this home testing issue but I can't.

 

[Cherish4]

I apologize as it was not my intention to upset you or make you feel worse. I was being honest as one who has sat up all night long more times than I care to remember with a member whose cat was hypoglycemic and the caregiver couldn’t afford to go to the ER. I’ve cried for too many CGs and cats when the CG didn’t test at PS, subsequently saw the cat was not doing well, then tested and found them at 20 but it was too late to save the kitty even with a dextrose drip at the vet.

I wasn’t trying to scare you or make you feel like a failure. I was trying to be honest. I do have a friend that has had a diabetic cat for five years and not tested her once and shoots the same dose all the time. How the cat is still alive, I have no idea but she is. All I can do for you or her is give my best advice. If you are not able to follow it because your kitty is difficult, I’m not here to judge you. I do hope that you can use some of Eliz’s tips to help you.

I accept your apology and I do get where you were coming from, it's just that personally I don't find that type of honesty helpful. I am trying Eliz's tips for a second time but no luck so far.

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

I used to give Sheba chicken stock which had no carbs or calories really when I tested her to distract her, particularly in the beginning and in the morning when she was hungry and impatient. I found that was enough to keep her occupied while I tested her. And it was extra fluids.
I also tested her by kneeling then sitting on my heels on the ground and putting her between my legs. That way she was restrained but didn’t feel she was. She had her head in the plate with the chicken stock and I could test her. 10 mls (1/2 ounce) is plenty.
To make the chicken stock get 6 chicken legs and put in water. Cook for 6 hours. Strain and cool then put in frig. Next day skim off fat then put in IceCube trays in freezer. When frozen put in baggies. Take out as needed. Don’t add anything else to the water. You can use the chicken for treats too. Freeze and take out as needed.

 

[Cherish4]

Many cats don't like to be restrained. It's often not the test that upsets them, but the feeling of being restrained, of being trapped. You managed to test your cat while he was relaxed on the bed. So, it's not the test itself...

He hates being restrained but it is literally going to be the only way that I can even attempt to get an AMPS test so I don't really know what to do.

Many people are doing this alone. That is actually most often the case. But it's not necessarily a disadvantage. In fact it can help to develop the relationship between cat and human. People often find they develop a particularly deep and strong bond with their 'sugarcats'.

You see I'm finding it's the opposite. The more I try to test, the more it seems to drive a wedge between our bond.

Things really started to change for me when my inner dialogue changed. I'd spent a lot of time defending my position and all the reasons why testing wasn't possible. But one day something shifted, and I found myself thinking, 'OK I do need to do this, so it's just a matter of working out how...' And from that point, when I actively started looking for solutions to the various difficulties I was having, solutions began to present themselves.

Eliz

I've tried this though. Things don't tend to just magically switch like that for me. I've sat down on more than one occassion recently and gone 'Right, I have to test him for his sake and mine so how can I do this in a way that's going to cause minimal upset?' and yet nothing materialises. No 'solution' comes to me. When I got the mid cycle test when he was relaxed on the bed I thought that was the solution, at least for some tests but then he promptly started spending more time outside. So then I thought I'll try it where ever he happens to be relaxing, even if it's outside but then he takes himself off out the garden or goes under the hedge and I can't do anything. As we head towards more warmer weather he will be in the garden almost constantly until nighttime so I have a limited window to figure this out. I'm not trying to be deliberately difficult, nothing would make me happier than to suddenly click with it and him and be able to test at least two or three times a day but I can't produce the answer out of thin air.

 

[Cherish4]

I used to give Sheba chicken stock which had no carbs or calories really when I tested her to distract her, particularly in the beginning and in the morning when she was hungry and impatient. I found that was enough to keep her occupied while I tested her. And it was extra fluids.
I also tested her by kneeling then sitting on my heels on the ground and putting her between my legs. That way she was restrained but didn’t feel she was. She had her head in the plate with the chicken stock and I could test her. 10 mls (1/2 ounce) is plenty.
To make the chicken stock get 6 chicken legs and put in water. Cook for 6 hours. Strain and cool then put in frig. Next day skim off fat then put in IceCube trays in freezer. When frozen put in baggies. Take out as needed. Don’t add anything else to the water. You can use the chicken for treats too. Freeze and take out as needed.

It's a good suggestion but I'm afraid that touching, messing with or testing Little B whilst he's eating anything is a big no no. I tried and it backfired spectacularly. I appreciate you telling me though so thank you.

 

[Elizabeth and Bertie]

i just wish I could suddenly come up with a solution to this home testing issue but I can't.

I don't think many people just 'suddenly come up with a solution' (although it certainly can happen). People may think of different things to try; or may, just as importantly, realise why something they're doing doesn't work. But that feeds into a learning process. There can be a lot of trial and error in finding out what will work. And with kitties that are harder to test it can take a considerable amount of patience and perseverance.

With my new diabetic kitty I probably had around 7 - 8 sessions every day of just getting her used to having her ear touched, or getting her used to the sound of the lancing device (in the ways that I've described previously). Some of these sessions lasted literally a minute or two, others maybe 10 minutes or so if they involved a grooming/brushing session. I did this first thing in the morning, last thing at night, and at any opportunities during the day where I had a few minutes to spare.
It's taken a lot of work to get to the place where we are now, where I can be 'reasonably' confident that I can test her if I need to. And that's just as well, because yesterday her blood glucose dropped like a stone and I absolutely had to be able to test her in order to keep her safe from hypoglycemia.

Really hoping you can find something that works for you, Lauren.

Eliz

 

[Daddy Jack's Mommy (GA)]

Thank you for your comment and your support, it means a lot. I would love to look into changing to another vet who is more knowledgable but as his current treatment is being paid for by a local charity it's not going to be possible at the moment.

I understand...

 

[Daddy Jack's Mommy (GA)]

I have seen all your comments and I'm sorry for the delay in responding to them but I've been dealing with the sudden death of a family friend. She was a lady that my mum had been friends with since my brothers and I were kids. She was very kind to me both during my mum's illness and after her death two years ago. It's been a big shock to everyone so I've only just managed to get back on here today.

I'm very sorry for your loss.

 

[Marje and Gracie]

I accept your apology and I do get where you were coming from, it's just that personally I don't find that type of honesty helpful. I am trying Eliz's tips for a second time but no luck so far.

Elizabeth is a great role model and a true asset to FDMB. Best of luck to you and Little B.

 

[Cherish4]

Elizabeth is a great role model and a true asset to FDMB. Best of luck to you and Little B.

Thanks.

 

[Cherish4]

Really hoping you can find something that works for you, Lauren.

Eliz

So do I. I tried testing him outside yesterday as he was so relaxed in the sun and I actually got blood without too much fuss. Unfortunately I didn't get enough blood on the strip so it didn't produce a reading. Tried the same thing today as he responded so well outside but it's the same as every other technique, works once and then he's suspicious of me and hides out of reach.

I've now got a difficult decision to make as originally the plan was to increase by another 0.25u this weekend, to take him up to 1.5u. However, having failed to get a single test this week it's a risk. The only thing in favour of it is that his urine tests are still showing high levels of glucose in his urine but obviously that's not as good as actual blood tests. I'm going to have to think long and hard about it tonight and hope I make the right choice.