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SidneysMom

SidneysMom

Member Since 2019
Hello everyone. Bear with me, this is long. It was recommended I post here on the Lantus forum.
My cat Sidney went through extensive testing for diabetes these past two weeks. We took him in for a vomiting issue and it came back with high glucose. We did a home urine test that came back at +3 for sugar about a week later, to determine if it's stress from the vet visit. It wasn't. Then we had the fructosamine which came back at about 550 or so.
Sid was also diagnosed with a UTI. He was given a shot that didn't work.
Around this time, I researched Lantus and wanted him put on that. I got the syringes, the insulin, a bg monitor (freestyle lite) and strips, and ketostix.
Now there are two vets at my practice. One familiar with Lantus, one who only uses Caninsulin. When we went in to learn how to use the insulin, we saw the Lantus familiar vet. He said he wanted him to start on 1u two times per day. Sidney is 11.7 pounds. He has always been on canned food, but I started cutting out the high carb ones about four or so days ago. He was diagnosed with a fever at this visit, and the vet did not want him starting the insulin until the fever was down. He's currently on an antibiotic.
When we went today, we saw the Caninsulin familiar vet. Sid's fever was gone. I wanted to test my meter against his and it was reading 10.3 and in the 12's after five or six different times. The vet was NOT happy about this and said he doesn't want me to use the meter. It shouldn't be reading that low, even for a human one.
When I expressed concern about how to know what to do regarding testing, he didn't want to advise me regarding Lantus. He said to give Sidney only one dose tomorrow to be safe, then wait to discuss with the Lantus vet regarding the monitor and if he wants the other unit given.
Needless to say, I am an absolute WRECK. I feel like I have a broken or lacking meter, which I can't get a new one until tomorrow afternoon, and I have to give Sid's first dose "blind" without a monitor which terrifies me. I have never tested before and the whole thing is completely daunting. I tried the other night and he cried, got scared and I panicked and the meter turned off and the blood dried before I could do anything.
I don't feel confident. I feel so scared I am going to hurt my cat by giving or not giving. I just have no idea what to do, and the more information I get, the WORSE and more muddled things become.
Anyway, that's the story of Sidney's journey. To make matters worse we lost our family cat today of almost twenty years, and I can barely see from crying.
I'm just scared if I can't test Sid, he will hypo. Or if I can't get the tests in the same thing will happen. I'm new. I'm just...I'm sorry, so lost. Im not trying to be dramatic, I swear, but I am just scared.
 
First of all WELCOME! You're in the right place. Second, I'm terribly sorry about your family kitty:bighug: Fly free sweet baby.
There's a lot of info on the forum. It can get overwhelming but, there are people here to help guide you. Take it slow and don't get too stressed. Some others will be along shortly to help get you started on the forum and setup with a spreadsheet. The spreadsheet is essential in tracking your sweet ones #s. Good job on setting up your signature. That one threw me for a loop the first day or two when I started. Signature...huh...where do you sign your name at...why do I need to sign my name?!? That was my first impression of a signature LOL!!! Anywho, I'm happy you found the forum and can't wait to see your daily posts! I look forward to seeing Sidney progress and you learn the "sugar dance". GL!!!!!:bighug::cat:
 
SidneysMom said:
Hello everyone. Bear with me, this is long. It was recommended I post here on the Lantus forum.
My cat Sidney went through extensive testing for diabetes these past two weeks. We took him in for a vomiting issue and it came back with high glucose. We did a home urine test that came back at +3 for sugar about a week later, to determine if it's stress from the vet visit. It wasn't. Then we had the fructosamine which came back at about 550 or so.
Sid was also diagnosed with a UTI. He was given a shot that didn't work.
Around this time, I researched Lantus and wanted him put on that. I got the syringes, the insulin, a bg monitor (freestyle lite) and strips, and ketostix.
Now there are two vets at my practice. One familiar with Lantus, one who only uses Caninsulin. When we went in to learn how to use the insulin, we saw the Lantus familiar vet. He said he wanted him to start on 1u two times per day. Sidney is 11.7 pounds. He has always been on canned food, but I started cutting out the high carb ones about four or so days ago. He was diagnosed with a fever at this visit, and the vet did not want him starting the insulin until the fever was down. He's currently on an antibiotic.
When we went today, we saw the Caninsulin familiar vet. Sid's fever was gone. I wanted to test my meter against his and it was reading 10.3 and in the 12's after five or six different times. The vet was NOT happy about this and said he doesn't want me to use the meter. It shouldn't be reading that low, even for a human one.
When I expressed concern about how to know what to do regarding testing, he didn't want to advise me regarding Lantus. He said to give Sidney only one dose tomorrow to be safe, then wait to discuss with the Lantus vet regarding the monitor and if he wants the other unit given.
Needless to say, I am an absolute WRECK. I feel like I have a broken or lacking meter, which I can't get a new one until tomorrow afternoon, and I have to give Sid's first dose "blind" without a monitor which terrifies me. I have never tested before and the whole thing is completely daunting. I tried the other night and he cried, got scared and I panicked and the meter turned off and the blood dried before I could do anything.
I don't feel confident. I feel so scared I am going to hurt my cat by giving or not giving. I just have no idea what to do, and the more information I get, the WORSE and more muddled things become.
Anyway, that's the story of Sidney's journey. To make matters worse we lost our family cat today of almost twenty years, and I can barely see from crying.
I'm just scared if I can't test Sid, he will hypo. Or if I can't get the tests in the same thing will happen. I'm new. I'm just...I'm sorry, so lost. Im not trying to be dramatic, I swear, but I am just scared.
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I am very sorry about your family kitty. That’s so very difficult without dealing with FD.

Now..take a really deep breathe because we can help you and Sid here. We’ve done it with more cats than you can imagine. Yes, there is a learning curve but everyone gets through it and this group is amazingly supportive and kind.

I am sorry to say that your vets just are not familiar with FD as they should be. For one, if a cat is diabetic and has a fever and needs an antibiotic, they also need insulin. That’s because infection + not enough insulin + not enough calories can cause ketones to develop and a condition called diabetic ketoacidosis. So we need to be sure and get Sid’s insulin in him. Take that deep breath again. Even at 10.3 or in the 12s, his numbers are still on the high side although we want to be sure it’s not vet stress causing that. What numbers did the vet get when they tested them on their meter there?

I truly doubt there is anything wrong with your meter. We use US numbers here but a 10.3 on a Canadian meter is roughly 180 which we actually consider to be on the high side and well out of normal range. Canadian members here following the Tight Regulation Protocol are shooting all numbers above 2.78 on their human meters. Use your meter.....I am certain it’s not an issue. Many members here use the Freestyle Lite meter. You might want to do a few tests tonight to practice and to also see what Sid’s BG is at home. Then, we can help you decide whether you should go ahead with the shot tomorrow morning. Calculating the usual starting dose for Lantus, 1u is a bit less than what we’d start him at but it’s probably a nice, conservative dose. However, again, I’d like to see what his BG is at home.

Here (click on the dark blue to the left) is a post with lots of testing info and videos to help you. We also need to get a spreadsheet set up so we can see the numbers you are getting. If you have any issues doing the spreadsheet, please send me a private message and I can quickly do it for you. Literally it would take me 2 mins. To send me a private message, click on “Marje and Gracie” to the left and then “start a conversation”.

YOu are in the best place to get help for Sid. So take that deep breath, drink a glass of water, look at the testing links, and pull together that SS or PM me to do it, test him a few times so we can see what he’s doing, and let’s dance this dance!
 
Welcome to the the Lantus forum :):bighug:! So glad you came over and posted. This will get easier......one step, one day and one question at a time :). Well, maybe more than one question at a time sometimes :p! One thing is for sure, people will be here to support you and help you and Sidney!
 
Hi, and thank you SO much!

What numbers did the vet get when they tested them on their meter there?
The vet got numbers like 18.7 or something close to that.

I'm not sure Sid will let me get more than one shot in tonight. He's pretty traumatized from the vet visit today. I will try to get a test when my husband gets home. Sid just ate so that might be a better time to do the test. Last time I used the lancet, I hurt him, and I felt terrible. I didn't get the reading though I did get blood.

Thanks for all the help. I will contact you to help me with the spreadsheet because I have no idea how to do that. Thanks so much again.
 
SidneysMom said:
Hi, and thank you SO much!

What numbers did the vet get when they tested them on their meter there?
The vet got numbers like 18.7 or something close to that.

I'm not sure Sid will let me get more than one shot in tonight. He's pretty traumatized from the vet visit today. I will try to get a test when my husband gets home. Sid just ate so that might be a better time to do the test. Last time I used the lancet, I hurt him, and I felt terrible. I didn't get the reading though I did get blood.

Thanks for all the help. I will contact you to help me with the spreadsheet because I have no idea how to do that. Thanks so much again.
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You mean a more than one test, not more than one shot, right? An 18.7 at the vet is higher than vet stress. When you test, you want to do it before he eats, not after or else it might be food influenced depending on the amount of carbs he eats.

Be sure that when you poke, the bevel on the lancet is facing up; otherwise it will hurt because if the bevel is facing down, the duller end goes in first and it’s harder to draw blood.
 
Have you tried using the lancet freehand? A lot of people find that to be easier (every owner and cat is different so some find using the device is easier). I just use the lancet without the device. I can see where I am poking with the needle easier and there isn’t the noise from the device which bothered my guy. Again, this is trial and error and just takes time to get used to doing—for you and Sidney . My cat was completely freaked out and seemed traumatized but now sits and waits for his BG to be checked. There are still moments—very few—when, like a human, he isn’t in the mood, but he still cooperates ! Definitely just takes some time.
 
Marje and Gracie said:
You mean a more than one test, not more than one shot, right? An 18.7 at the vet is higher than vet stress. When you test, you want to do it before he eats, not after or else it might be food influenced depending on the amount of carbs he eats.

Be sure that when you poke, the bevel on the lancet is facing up; otherwise it will hurt because if the bevel is facing down, the duller end goes in first and it’s harder to draw blood.
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Sorry, yes I mean more than one test. Oh okay I did lance by hand the first time, but holy cow I can barely see the top. I'm going to need a magnifying glass.
 
Welcome to the LB&L Forum! The best place you never wanted to be!

You've gotten some great advice already above - so I'm just going to say - we all started from where you're at. Didn't have any confidence in ourselves that we could help our kitties - and amazingly here we are - some of us years later...and many who've gone into remission!

So very sorry to hear about the loss of your family kitty :( There are few words to express how sad we are for you - even though we haven't really met yet - you have to know that we've all been there...and have felt the heartbreak of that loss. Sending you warm hugs.... and welcome to a great support group to help you with your upcoming journey. Sidney is adorable btw :)
 
SidneysMom said:
Sorry, yes I mean more than one test. Oh okay I did lance by hand the first time, but holy cow I can barely see the top. I'm going to need a magnifying glass.
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I have a lighted craft lamp from Amazon that is helpful for marking the plastic part of the lancet so you know which way to use it and it is also helpful for being able to draw the insulin. Clear insulin with clear syringe is hard to see—especially with .25 changes or some even adjust with less amounts, so being able to see is helpful :)

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I have one of the head lamps (elastic with the light) for seeing the ear at awful hours of evening or early morning so I don’t have to turn all the lights on to see that tiny drop of blood. It’s quite the look I have going on....LOL :p!
 
TSP said:
I have a lighted craft lamp from Amazon that is helpful for marking the plastic part of the lancet so you know which way to use it and it is also helpful for being able to draw the insulin. Clear insulin with clear syringe is hard to see—especially with .25 changes or some even adjust with less amounts, so being able to see is helpful :)

View attachment 49823
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Thanks! So, the part of the lancet where you can see the metal opening through the plastic should be facing toward the ceiling when I poke, correct?
 
Welcome from a Canadian to another !! :) Very glad you found this Forum!

I personally use the FreeStyle Lite human meter; it's the one that takes the smallest blood sample and it is very reliable. For the testing, here is a general link that might help you: Home testing ; the best place to test are the famous Sweet Spots (see attachment)! Always make sure the ear is warm and it will be OK! After testing you can put a little Polysporin 3AB pain relief on his ear! Testing is the worst part but you will be able just thinking that you're doing it for your little Sid's health! At one point, you will be able to do it while he sleeps... hard to believe but it's true!

Don't worry at the beginning everything seems so enormous and overwhelming but in a few months, you will start to feel more in control !!
Read the Stickies at the top of this Forum and you will find valuable information regarding the type of insulin you're using!

If there are any things that you can't do or are not familiar with, post for help! Don't be shy, ask as many questions as you need, we're there to help you!
We'll keep an eye on you and your cute tux! :bighug: I have one, my little Pepe, who really looks like Sid!!:)
 

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SidneysMom said:
Thank you so much guys. I could honestly cry right now because I am so grateful for all of the kindness. I'm just so worried about my boy and overwhelmed. Actually, I've been mostly sobbing all day and can barely see. It's just been an overwhelming few weeks.
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It sounds like it’s been rough. Again, so sorry for your loss & the diagnosis all at once. Try to get some rest and take care of yourself as well as Sidney :bighug:. Sometimes it’s hard for the caregiver to remember to do that!
 
SidneysMom said:
Thank you so much guys. I could honestly cry right now because I am so grateful for all of the kindness. I'm just so worried about my boy and overwhelmed. Actually, I've been mostly sobbing all day and can barely see. It's just been an overwhelming few weeks.
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You had so much lately to deal with..... take your time and don't be discouraged for Sid, you're not alone!
So very sorry for the loss of your family cat :bighug:!
 
I'm so sorry for the loss of your other kitty. I'm glad you found this place. As you can see you'll get lots of good advice from kind and caring people. It's hard at first to get used to everything for you and Sidney. However, eventually it will become a routine for you both. Cats are amazing in how they adapt to things. :bighug::bighug:
 
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