? Newly diagnosed, very hesitant on giving shots

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Ivana R

Ivana R

Member Since 2019
Hi all,

My 7 year old boy Geppetto (Geppy for short) has been newly diagnosed. After reading a ton online on feline diabetes, I changed his diet completely to only canned food. His water consumption has decreased dramatically since I've done this, he's even peeing a fraction of what he was before. I took his bg a little while ago and unfortunately it is still high -361. I am very wary on beginning insulin shots. He shows no symptoms of diabetes. He eats regularly, not too much or too little and as I said he's not really drinking as much water since we've changed his diet and am so worried about him going into hypoglycemia.

Has anyone else's kitty gone into remission? What are signs to keep watch for to avoid hypoglycemia? I want to start him on the lowest dosage of insulin if necessary and I will take his bg before administering any shots.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

Sincerely,
Emotionally wiped out & Stressed
 
Sorry about the diagnosis. What insulin does your vet want you to use? The best way to keep your cat safe is by home testing. I'm glad you already switched the diet. The recommended starting dose is 1 unit twice a day. 361 is fairly high so it's clear hes going to need insulin.

Here's our info about hypoglycemia. http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/how-to-treat-hypos-they-can-kill-print-this-out.15887/

My cat went into remission for a year but feel out of remission almost two years ago.
 
If you test before every shot to see it is safe to give the insulin and test during the cycle you will be able to keep Gippy safe because you are in control. I agree with Janet that he does need some insulin. It gets much easier once the newness goes and you know the routine. If you don’t give insulin, his body will not be able to utilise all the nutrients in the food and he will eventually get thin and very unwell.
We all felt as you do now when we first got the diagnosis and understand how you are feeling.
:bighug:
 
Idjit has been in remission for almost a year now. His OTJ (off the juice) date is May 4, 2018, and he's feeling fine! We eliminated the dry food, fed him low carb wet food, learned to home test and he was only on insulin therapy for less than two weeks. Granted, this doesn't happen often, but it happens. The insulin he got enabled his pancreas to heal and work properly again. There isn't any time projection we can provide on when a cat might reach that goal of remission, but I sure would like to celebrate Gippy's OTJ party in the future.

Please don't be hesitant about using insulin and helping Gippy heal. Testing before each injection to be sure it's safe to do so, then during the time between the shots is going to help prevent a hypo. We use the lowest blood sugar readings to determine whether a dose needs to be increased or decreased, and we use very small increments of change so that the best dose isn't passed over. Testing is going to tell you if he's going too low, and then you can take steps to bring up the blood sugar, preventing a critical situation.

We have information on what to have on hand and instructions if that happens, so you can remain calm and know exactly what to do. There is usually someone online here on the board so that if you need help or just moral support, it's there.

I remember being an emotional mess at diagnosis, but I found FDMB, read and reread the information. I read other members' post and learned everything I could. I received excellent advice and support when Idjit was on insulin, and it made all the difference in the world.
Best wishes going forward.
 
Thank you, I'm hoping he goes into remission as well, especially since he doesn't show any physical signs of having it, no weight loss, still active, no excessive drinking or urinating.


It's ok to give him insulin while he's eating so he's distracted?
 
Ivana R said:
Thank you, I'm hoping he goes into remission as well, especially since he doesn't show any physical signs of having it, no weight loss, still active, no excessive drinking or urinating.


It's ok to give him insulin while he's eating so he's distracted?
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Hi Ivana. Yes, it's OK to give the shot while he's eating. Just be sure that he's eaten enough or have the confidence that he will continue eating. You don't want him to receive insulin without food. My cat (Jack) doesn't like to get his shot while he's eating, and he will often just walk away with the syringe hanging out of him!! So, I wait until he's finished. However, many members give the shot while eating, so it's fine if that works for you and Geppy.
 
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I just want to add that if the insulin is a faster acting one like catsulin, Vetsulin or Novolin you need to make sure your cat has eaten most or all of his food first before you give the insulin as they need food aboard when the insulin starts to act. With a longer acting insulin like Lantus or Prozinc it is ok for the cat to eat some food before the insulin shot and then the rest later on as the insulin is slower acting. Does that make sense to you?
So it is fine to inject while they are eating, a lot of us do that, just make sure you choose whichever of the above applies to you and follow that as well.
 
Bron and Sheba said:
I just want to add that if the insulin is a faster acting one like catsulin, Vetsulin or Novolin you need to make sure your cat has eaten most or all of his food first before you give the insulin as they need food aboard when the insulin starts to act. With a longer acting insulin like Lantus or Prozinc it is ok for the cat to eat some food before the insulin shot and then the rest later on as the insulin is slower acting. Does that make sense to you?
So it is fine to inject while they are eating, a lot of us do that, just make sure you choose whichever of the above applies to you and follow that as well.
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The vet put us on Prozinc, so I can do it while eating?
 
Yes you can,but make sure Geppy eats some first before you shoot...... You need to make sure he is hungry and wants to eat before giving the insulin.
How often are you feeding during the cycle? We recommend several smaller meals a day instead of just feeding when insulin. It is better for the pancreas. Eg feed at preshot, +2 ( 2 hours after the shot) and +4 or 5. Do this both am and pm cycles if you can. That way the cat gets food when it needs it most when the insulin is the strongest. So just divideup the mornings and evenings meal into 3 smaller meals and give at the times you think will work for you.
 
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