Diabetes Newbie Here - blood testing help

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AndreaJ

AndreaJ

Member Since 2020
Straight to the question: How do you blood test your kitty when the stupid Alphatrak poker-thing is so painful!?! I tested it on myself at various settings and now my fingers hurt where I punched them. How can they expect this to not be painful for kitty's tender ears?!? How do you blood test your kitties? Do some of you not blood test at all and just observe? Halo seems to be doing well on 2 mm on insulin this week. Thank you so much!

(Oh, and Alphatrak could never get a reading with my kitty's blood - it read mine just fine. :/ )

Back story: My wonderful kitty Halo was diagnosed with diabetes on Monday. The vet advised me to euthanize!!! I got a second opinion, of course, and he is on 2mm of insulin twice a day, every day. I just received his Alphatrak today and it was an exercise in frustration. I tested on myself a few times with the poking thing - and now my fingers hurt!!! How can they expect us to poke a kitty's tender ears several times a day!?! Seriously!! And Halo hates his feet touched.

Anyway, my wonderful doggy walker has a diabetic kitty and he just doses him 2 mm twice a day without blood testing. I may do this, but I really want Halo to be healthy and happy. I also ordered the Libre Freestyle, which hasn't arrived yet.

Thanks again!
Andrea
 
Many of us have found that it is easier to use the lancets freehand instead of the lancet device that comes with the meters.

You want to test before every shot to make sure it is safe to give the insulin. The order is test, feed then shoot. If you reward your cat with a low carb treat each time you test, even when you are not successful, your cat will soon associate testing with something good. Freeze dried chicken is a great low carb treat. Also make sure you are relaxed when testing. If you are stressed or nervous, your cat will pick up on it and will also be the same way. One suggestion is to sing something you enjoy or a silly song while testing It's sounds silly but it works.
 
Thank you, Lisa! Do you know my vet never informed me that *this* is how you are supposed to handle giving insulin! So I REALLY appreciate your comment. And, yeah, I am pretty wound up about testing. Sigh. Thank you again.
 
WELCOME! First I have to say it doesnt hurt NEAR as much as it does us. the nerve endings dont grow to the edge of the ear thats the spot you need to hit. Many here use a flash light or head lamp. Human fingers are full of veins and nerve endings thats why it hurts so much. Look at feral cats their ears are all torn up. Thats because it doesnt bother them as much as a nail sinking into their behinds OR face. You can do this!
Hometesting Links and Tips

WELCOME TO OUR FAMILY:bighug:

We can walk you through just about anything. All you have to do is ask. ;)
jeanne
 
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Can you tell us what insulin he’s on and what type of food he’s eating? Starting at 2 units is a bit high. We always suggest 1 unit as the starting point.

just giving insulin without testing will make getting your cat regulated nearly impossible or at least very difficult. Think of it as if you were diabetic yourself. Would you inject yourself with insulin not knowing what your BG was? What if your BG was too low and you accidentally overdosed yourself? The good news is you’d be able to say to someone, hey I think I need some OJ or something I feel my BG dropping. Our pets can’t tell us how they feel so to avoid a hypo accident, you really need to home test. We’ve seen so many close calls on this forum and cats lives that were saved because their human was home testing. Most people don’t think that way because most vets also don’t. They tell you to go home and give your pet insulin twice a day and come back once a month to check the Bg. Maybe do a curve. Once I started testing a) I felt in control of Minnie’s diabetes b) I felt completely independent of my vet. I don’t consult with her about Minnie’s diabetes because I don’t have to. I know what’s happening every day and I can adjust the dosage myself. I can do curves at home and there’s really no need for anyone else’s opinion, except for the good folks on this forum every once in a while.

I’m glad you found us and welcome!!! :bighug::bighug:
 
AndreaJ said:
and he is on 2mm of insulin twice a day, every day
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Do you mean 2 units? And what insulin did the vet prescribe?

AndreaJ said:
How can they expect us to poke a kitty's tender ears several times a day!?! Seriously!! And Halo hates his feet touched.
Click to expand...
A cat's ears do not have as many nerve endings as a human finger. Think of how bashed a cat's ears get in a cat fight.

AndreaJ said:
The vet advised me to euthanize!!!
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So glad you took charge and got a second opinion. Feline diabetes is not a death sentence. It can be managed.

AndreaJ said:
Anyway, my wonderful doggy walker has a diabetic kitty and he just doses him 2 mm twice a day without blood testing.
Click to expand...
Would you give a child insulin without testing first? and getting a test or two mid-cycle to make sure the child is not going too low?
Insulin dosing is based on how low the cat goes during cycles. Not on the preshot number.
 
AndreaJ said:
I just received his Alphatrak today and it was an exercise in frustration
Click to expand...
It could be that the lancet is not set deep enough.

Rubbing the ears help. Try associating testing with a treat after.
If the problem is getting the blood from the ear to the test strip, get the drop of blood on your clean fingernail. Then inset the strip.

Here is the link to some hometesting tips and videos.
The strips for the AlphaTrak are crazy expensive. At some point, you may want to switch to a human meter.

Poking will cause the ears do grow more capillaries.
If the ears look sore, get a tube of Neosporin with pain relief ointment (not the cream).

Testing does get easier, I promise.
 
jt and trouble (GA) said:
WELCOME! First I have to say it doesnt hurt NEAR as much as it does us. the nerve endings dont grow to the edge of the ear thats the spot you need to hit. Many here use a flash light or head lamp. Human fingers are full of veins and nerve endings thats why it hurts so much. Look at feral cats their ears are all torn up. Thats because it doesnt bother them as much as a nail sinking into their behinds OR face. You can do this!
Hometesting Links and Tips

WELCOME TO OUR FAMILY:bighug:

We can walk you through just about anything. All you have to do is ask. ;)
jeanne
Click to expand...


Thank you so much!!! I am going to poring over the information tonight. I really appreciate it. I think Halo's sugar must have been crazy high because the vet wanted me to euthanize him within the week at the latest (can you believe it!). I appreciate your help and your welcome!
 
Red & Rover (GA) said:
It could be that the lancet is not set deep enough.

Rubbing the ears help. Try associating testing with a treat after.
If the problem is getting the blood from the ear to the test strip, get the drop of blood on your clean fingernail. Then inset the strip.

Here is the link to some hometesting tips and videos.
The strips for the AlphaTrak are crazy expensive. At some point, you may want to switch to a human meter.

Poking will cause the ears do grow more capillaries.
If the ears look sore, get a tube of Neosporin with pain relief ointment (not the cream).

Testing does get easier, I promise.
Click to expand...


Red & Rover (GA) said:
It could be that the lancet is not set deep enough.

Rubbing the ears help. Try associating testing with a treat after.
If the problem is getting the blood from the ear to the test strip, get the drop of blood on your clean fingernail. Then inset the strip.

Here is the link to some hometesting tips and videos.
The strips for the AlphaTrak are crazy expensive. At some point, you may want to switch to a human meter.

Poking will cause the ears do grow more capillaries.
If the ears look sore, get a tube of Neosporin with pain relief ointment (not the cream).

Testing does get easier, I promise.
Click to expand...
T

Thank you! I appreciate this.
 
Red & Rover (GA) said:
Do you mean 2 units? And what insulin did the vet prescribe?


A cat's ears do not have as many nerve endings as a human finger. Think of how bashed a cat's ears get in a cat fight.


So glad you took charge and got a second opinion. Feline diabetes is not a death sentence. It can be managed.


Would you give a child insulin without testing first? and getting a test or two mid-cycle to make sure the child is not going too low?
Insulin dosing is based on how low the cat goes during cycles. Not on the preshot number.

Thank you. I am completely new to this and honestly didn't know.
Click to expand...
 
We are dedicated to helping any and all that find us. We look forward to getting to know both you and beautiful Halo.
I have to leave for the night but I HOPE to see you in the morning.

This is the place for answers and learning.
Have a good evening sleep well and give Halo some scritches from us.:bighug:
jeanne
 
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A picture of the syringe, with your dose drawn up, or even just putting the insulin plunger at the spot where you are stopping the end of the plunger is helpful.

Pictures are worth a thousand words, as the saying goes.
So here is a picture (diagram) for you of where to poke the ear.

Testing
We all know the basics:
  • Warm the ear with a rice sock or a warm washcloth wrapped in a plastic bag.
  • Either freehand or use a lancing device; new members usually start with a larger gauge lancet such as 28g or 29g until the ear learns to bleed; then progress to a 31g or 33g which are finer.
  • Be sure to poke in the "sweet spot" and not the major vein that runs along the length of the ear. Poking the vein will not only hurt, but will result in a lot of blood. The sweet spot is on the edge of the ear.
4395c545-36bf-4aba-bec7-4392fcdb191c-jpeg.48119

But did you also know there is a particular way for the lancet to be used? It has one side that is bevelled so the sharpest part goes in first, if used correctly.

Lots more info on feline diabetes can be found in the sticky or pinned posts here. Like this one from the Health Links/FAQS forum index.
Sticky INDEX: Health Links/FAQs

2u is kind of a high starting dose. Insulin doses are not based on the cats weight anymore.
 
Welcome

If you could set up you signature that would be great
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    • Add any other text, such as
    • Caregiver & kitty's name (optional)
    • DX: Date
    • Name of Insulin
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tap on your avatar where it says your name ,then hit profile page ,tap on that ,then go up to the very top, upper right hand side and tap on your name ,it will bring down a drop box, tap on signature, the signature will be under settings, tap on the signature then and you can start to add what I posted above, make sure you hit save ,
Welcome to the best place you could ever be and an awesome group of people
 
I just use the lancets only freehand. You would want to get either 26 or 28 gauge lancets to start, they will make a little bit of a bigger hole.
The more you test more capillaries will grow and bleed better.
Believe me it doesn't hurt them, I can even test Tyler while he's fast asleep and he doesn't move.

Like everyone has said it's very important to test before each insulin injection to make sure it's safe to shoot.
We also get a few shots in during each 12 hour cycle to make sure their BG isn't dropping to low , meaning so low where you would have to feed a little something to bring it back to safe numbers,you don't want to risk a hypo, that's why it's so important to test before you shoot the insulin.
You want to see how the insulin is working for Halo, if you don't test in the AM and a few times at different hours you will never know if Halo would need the insulin decreased or increased

Don't feed any food 2 hours prior to testing your cats AMPS or PMPS
AM Pre- Shot. PM Pre- Shot

We also feed small meals in between , larger meal in the AM and PM and smaller ones in between

Believe me it will get easier, I also think 2 units is kind of a high starting dose

I am so lucky to have found this great family, if not for them Tyler wouldn't be doing as good as he is now.
Just ask as many questions as you want :cat:
 
Thank you! I am using the little booklet right now that Alphatrak provided but I will get a spread sheet set up on my computer. Honestly, I don't know how to adjust dosage based on his blood glucose. I just tried searching online whether 388 was a bad reading and could find nothing. What number should he be at for 1 unit, for instance?
 
AndreaJ said:
Thank you! I am using the little booklet right now that Alphatrak provided but I will get a spread sheet set up on my computer. Honestly, I don't know how to adjust dosage based on his blood glucose. I just tried searching online whether 388 was a bad reading and could find nothing. What number should he be at for 1 unit, for instance?
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Hey Andrea, it doesn't work that way, so you shot 2 units correct, what we do is get another test in maybe 2 or 3 hours later to see what his BG is then another one maybe 5 or 6 hours later to see what it is
@+2. means 2 hours after shooting
@+4 means 4 hours after shooting
And so on same with the PM shot

By doing these test will show us and you how the insulin is working and will show where and what his nadir is ( lowest BG ) that's what you go by to determine whether you increase or decrease is needed

So by you testing and filling in the spreadsheet will show when he either needs a decrease or increase .
388 is high but isn't that awful
Have you read the Prozinc Sticky yet
Also if you can just do the signature for now so we don't keep asking you the same questions over and over again. Thanks
 
Diane Tyler's Mom said:
Hey Andrea, it doesn't work that way, so you shot 2 units correct, what we do is get another test in maybe 2 or 3 hours later to see what his BG is then another one maybe 5 or 6 hours later to see what it is
@+2. means 2 hours after shooting
@+4 means 4 hours after shooting
And so on same with the PM shot

By doing these test will show us and you how the insulin is working and will show where and what his nadir is ( lowest BG ) that's what you go by to determine whether you increase or decrease is needed

So by you testing and filling in the spreadsheet will show when he either needs a decrease or increase .
388 is high but isn't that awful
Have you read the Prozinc Sticky yet
Also if you can just do the signature for now so we don't keep asking you the same questions over and over again. Thanks
Click to expand...


Thank you! I have inserted Halo's info on the spreadsheet. I did the signature, I think. I am going to review the Prozinc dosing methods site now. Trying my best here and am grateful for your help.
 
AndreaJ said:
Thank you! I have inserted Halo's info on the spreadsheet. I did the signature, I think. I am going to review the Prozinc dosing methods site now. Trying my best here and am grateful for your help.
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Just take it easy, we know you can't learn or understand everything in one day
You said you inserted Halo's info on the spreadsheet, don't know what you mean?
Take a look at my signature and my spreadsheet
If you have trouble setting it up we have 2 awesome members that will set it up for you, just post that you need help
 
AndreaJ said:
Oh, I am just proud of the fact that I wrote down his 388 BG reading. :/
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Oh OK, just keep writing them down until your spreadsheet is set up, then you can enter them in.
With a new member we say if the pre shot test is under 200 don't shoot, ask for help until you gather more data ,meaning testing Halo during each cycle a couple of times to see how the insulin is working for him, or is it a she?
Did your vet tell you about this?
 
Diane Tyler's Mom said:
Oh OK, just keep writing them down until your spreadsheet is set up, then you can enter them in.
With a new member we say if the pre shot test is under 200 don't shoot, ask for help until you gather more data ,meaning testing Halo during each cycle a couple of times to see how the insulin is working for him, or is it a she?
Did your vet tell you about this?
Click to expand...

Halo is a boy :) I emailed my vet about the dosage. This is how she responded:

As for the insulin dose, the 2 units actually puts him low in the typical starting range. He is a big cat! I have him estimated at 18 pounds— although it looks like they listed him at 20 when he was in at Vet Partners. The typical starting dose is 0.2 to 0.7 units per kg. If you work out the math on that: assuming 18 lb, that makes him just over 8kg so that range is 1.6 to 5.7 units— and I always start on the low end of the range. (It is safer for him to have blood sugar which is too high than it is to have it too low, so we want to inch his dose up slowly rather than overshoot and have to back up if at all possible).


Thanks,
Andrea
 
Diane Tyler's Mom said:
@Panic Hi Elizabeth
AndreaJ s a new member using Prozinc, I was trying to help her out, is there anything I missed or gave any wrong info on.?
Thanks Elizabeth:bighug::cat:
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Hi Diane, you're doing great! Second everything you've said!

No insulin below 200 to start ... take a look at the Prozinc Sticky for dosing protocols. I would start with the Start Low, Go Slow to get you started.
I disagree with your vet, 2u is higher end, we don't base off weight anymore. Send her the 2018 AAHA Diabetes Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats ... Prozinc recommends starting at 1-2 units per cat. We prefer starting at 1u, sometimes 0.5u if it is a low-carb diet already.
 
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Panic said:
Hi Diane, you're doing great! Second everything you've said!

No insulin below 200 to start ... take a look at the Prozinc Sticky for dosing protocols. I would start with the Start Low, Go Slow to get you started.
I disagree with your vet, 2u is higher end, we don't base off weight anymore. Send her the 2018 AAHA Diabetes Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats ... Prozinc recommends starting at 1-2 units per cat. We prefer starting at 1u, sometimes 0.5u if it is a low-carb diet already.
Click to expand...
Thank you so much Elizabeth , have a good test of the night :bighug::cat:
 
AndreaJ said:
Halo is a boy :) I emailed my vet about the dosage. This is how she responded:

As for the insulin dose, the 2 units actually puts him low in the typical starting range. He is a big cat! I have him estimated at 18 pounds— although it looks like they listed him at 20 when he was in at Vet Partners. The typical starting dose is 0.2 to 0.7 units per kg. If you work out the math on that: assuming 18 lb, that makes him just over 8kg so that range is 1.6 to 5.7 units— and I always start on the low end of the range. (It is safer for him to have blood sugar which is too high than it is to have it too low, so we want to inch his dose up slowly rather than overshoot and have to back up if at all possible).


Thanks,
Andrea
Click to expand...
I think we would all disagree with your vet, did you read what @Panic posted. In my opinion the more experienced members here know more than most vets do
 
AndreaJ said:
Halo is a boy :) I emailed my vet about the dosage. This is how she responded:

As for the insulin dose, the 2 units actually puts him low in the typical starting range. He is a big cat! I have him estimated at 18 pounds— although it looks like they listed him at 20 when he was in at Vet Partners. The typical starting dose is 0.2 to 0.7 units per kg. If you work out the math on that: assuming 18 lb, that makes him just over 8kg so that range is 1.6 to 5.7 units— and I always start on the low end of the range. (It is safer for him to have blood sugar which is too high than it is to have it too low, so we want to inch his dose up slowly rather than overshoot and have to back up if at all possible).


Thanks,
Andrea
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Good job on the signature Andrea, but what wet food are you feeding him?
Most of us feed Fancy Feast Classic Pates , these are 2 or 3 percent carbs
We like to stay under 10 % carbs
What kind of treats are you feeding ?
You don't want them to be high carbs
I will post Dr Pierson's food chart for you.
 
Diane Tyler's Mom said:
Good job on the signature Andrea, but what wet food are you feeding him?
Most of us feed Fancy Feast Classic Pates , these are 2 or 3 percent carbs
We like to stay under 10 % carbs
What kind of treats are you feeding ?
You don't want them to be high carbs
I will post Dr Pierson's food chart for you.[/QUOT

I pored through Lisa's food charts when Halo was diagnosed and I picked up a variety of pate FF and then I ordered Tiki cat through Chewy.com. I give him Temptations, but will be starting on the Hills metabolic treats as those arrived in the mail today.
Click to expand...
 
You should always have a few can of these on hand in case you need to bring Halo's BG up and get some honey also


Fancy Feast Gravy Lovers Gourmet Beef Feast in Gravy 20% High Carbs


Fancy Feast Gravy Lovers Gourmet Chicken Feast in Gravy. 15% Med Carbs


Fancy Feast Gravy Lovers Turkey Feast in Gravy. 15% Med Carbs


Fancy Feast Gravy Lovers Chicken and Beef Feast in Gravy 15% Med Carbs

A must to have these on hand, it's really only the Gravy that is full of the carbs if you ever need to bring up his BG since you said he will only lick the gravy
 
I think these treats are high in carbs that you will be using
measuring cup of Hill's® Prescription Diet® Metabolic Feline Treats contains 3.1 oz. by weight.
...
3381 kcal/kg (1.0 kcal/treat)
Nutrient Dry Matter1 %
Protein 38.7
Fat 13.3
Carbohydrate / NFE 31.7
Crude Fiber
 
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Andrea you replyed back to me
I pored through Lisa's food charts when Halo was diagnosed and I picked up a variety of pate FF and then I ordered Tiki cat through Chewy.com. I give him Temptations, but will be starting on the Hills metabolic treats as those arrived in the mail today
 
@Panic
Me again Elizabeth, do you think these treats that Andrea will be giving her cat
to high in carbs, I posted what I found about them but I don't know what the carb/NFE means

I think these treats are high in carbs that you will be using
measuring cup of Hill's® Prescription Diet® Metabolic Feline Treats contains 3.1 oz. by weight.
...
3381 kcal/kg (1.0 kcal/treat)
Nutrient Dry Matter1 %
Protein 38.7
Fat 13.3
Carbohydrate / NFE 31.7
Crude Fiber
 
@AndreaJ

As for treats I see some members buy these and they will buy the same one for dogs they are exactly the same just bigger, so break them up, you will get more for your money, check it out on the Chewy site
PureBites Chicken Breast Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Treats


VitalEssentials is also another good freeze dried brand. .One of our members says her cat loves the minnow flavor
 
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