New Member: Lola & Enid Introducing Ourselves

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Pookie (GA)

Pookie (GA)

Member Since 2020
Hi All, Enid here. Lola's napping in the sunny window.

First of all, you all are lifesavers! After following what I consider to be dubious advice from the young vet covering for my long-term, well-versed-in-diabetic-cat-care vet (who is now out on 6 weeks of medical leave), Lo went into a downward spiral and eventually stopped eating. It was an exhausting, wild ride and when I told my husband in the wee hours of Saturday morning that it was time to take her to the e-vet and make some expensive, or final, decisions he got online and found FDMB.

I had been trying to hometest using the AT2 I had just purchased but was completely unable to get anything except even more stressed. Seeing the Sweet Spot photo here saved my sanity (and Lola's paws from further abuse), and being able to see where Lo's results are on the SS was like, I don't know, walking out of a dark tunnel into the light. And it was here where I learned that feeding her Friskie's treats by the fistful because it was the only thing she would eat, while concurrently decreasing her PZ dose, was a little risky. (But seriously, I was so happy she would eat anything. I knew she needed to get some calories on board.)

It was here that I learned that dry cat food, no matter how much freakin' money you spend on it, isn't healthy. She'd never been much of a canned food eater (she'd only try to bury the dish in the carpet) but I bought at least a dozen kinds of canned foods from the pet store -- and she refused each and every one of them. What worked? Friskie's Classic Pate - but only the chicken & turkey variety so far.

And, it was here I read about so many extraordinary challenges some of you have faced that helped put ours into a better perspective. Take a deep breath (or two), put one foot in front of the other, do a little syringe feeding in place of the treats -- this too shall pass.

Lola's eating again. She's back on her original dose and doing well. I'm able to sleep at night again. (And I've started transitioning the other four feline family members to canned.)

Thank you all.

E
 
Welcome and thank you for sharing your story with us!

it certainly makes the time we spend here feel worthwhile :bighug::bighug::bighug:

I’m also happy to hear our testing tips are helpful! I have tons so ask if you need more ;) like warming up the ear, singing, testing off a clean nail, etc

thank you for setting up your signature and ss :cat:
 
Thank you all for the welcome. As soon as I hit "post reply" I worried that I had jinxed things by saying that things appeared to be on the right track, but I just tested (her first 2-hour fasting test) and it was 289. And I "struck blood" on the first try! Lola, though, is getting kind of scowly about the ear pricking process. Apart from that, she's back to her customary puddy-tat personality.

Tell me I'm not the only person here who has wept in relief at the sight of her cat eating...

I'm looking forward to the day that I can participate and contribute meaningfully to this community.
 
Pookie said:
Thank you all for the welcome. As soon as I hit "post reply" I worried that I had jinxed things by saying that things appeared to be on the right track, but I just tested (her first 2-hour fasting test) and it was 289. And I "struck blood" on the first try! Lola, though, is getting kind of scowly about the ear pricking process. Apart from that, she's back to her customary puddy-tat personality.

Tell me I'm not the only person here who has wept in relief at the sight of her cat eating...

I'm looking forward to the day that I can participate and contribute meaningfully to this community.
Click to expand...
In addition to the tips I mentioned before - I’m a firm believer singing helps calm them because it calms you and once you’re calmer, they won’t pick up any anxiety from you - what size lancets are you using
 
Pookie said:
Tell me I'm not the only person here who has wept in relief at the sight of her cat eating...
Click to expand...
Far from the only one, Enid. (And many of us have been known to dance on occasion when it comes out the other end! :woot: )

A hearty welcome to yourself and Lola. :)


Mogs
.
 
WELCOME TO FDMB! You are amazing! Ad we are HAPPY your hubby found us! Give him a BIG HUG from all of us!

Theres a WEALTH of information here with good people to help you navigate it all/ Gosh I guess the only thing left to say is
WELCOME TO OUR FAMILY:bighug:

I do have one request to help us help you could you pleas add this to your signature. This way we can see at a glance all Lola's particulars as they relate to diabetes.
  • On the left, under Settings, Click on Signature. This is where you will put information that helps us give you feedback.
    • There is a limit of two lines which may include two links; you may separate pieces with commas, dashes, | etc. This is where you paste the link for your spreadsheet, once it is set up.
    • Add any other text, such as
    • Caregiver & kitty's name (optional)
    • DX: Date
    • Name of Insulin
    • Name of your meter
    • Diet: "LC wet" or "dry food" or "combo"
    • Dosing: TR or SLGS or Custom (if applicable)
    • DKA or other recent health issue (if applicable)
    • Acro, IAA, or Cushings (if applicable)
    • Spreadsheet link. Please put the signature link on the bottom line of your signature information, on its own, so it is easy to find.
    • Please do not put any information about your location in the signature for security reasons. If you wish to add your country location, please add it to your profile.
Be sure to click the 'Save Changes' button at the bottom. If you need help urgently it is important we know these things at a glance. We don’t want to waste valuable time finding out information.

Again welcome to the bast darn site on this planet to learn everything you need to know about diabetes
jeanne
 
Aleluia Grugru & Minnie said:
In addition to the tips I mentioned before - I’m a firm believer singing helps calm them because it calms you and once you’re calmer, they won’t pick up any anxiety from you - what size lancets are you using
Click to expand...

I agree with singing! I've been singing to my companions as long as I can remember, usually a riff on their name. "Lola, Lola, LOOOOLA" (think Riceroni jingle). It will be a welcome change from what up to now have been anguished cries of frustration

I'm using the lancets that came with the AT2, which I think are 28 gauge. In my frustration with the AT2 lancing device I bought a Walgreens device and 31 gauge lancets. I'll probably use the 28 gauge ones for another day or two and then try transitioning to the finer ones. Lo will appreciate that.
 
Pookie said:
I agree with singing! I've been singing to my companions as long as I can remember, usually a riff on their name. "Lola, Lola, LOOOOLA" (think Riceroni jingle). It will be a welcome change from what up to now have been anguished cries of frustration

I'm using the lancets that came with the AT2, which I think are 28 gauge. In my frustration with the AT2 lancing device I bought a Walgreens device and 31 gauge lancets. I'll probably use the 28 gauge ones for another day or two and then try transitioning to the finer ones. Lo will appreciate that.
Click to expand...
Many of us do free hand. I know I had to. Gave me greater control cause I could see exactly where I was poking.
 
Hi Enid,

Here is my testing method. Perhaps it might give you some ideas to add to your own testing technique.
  1. Fold a sheet of kitchen paper in four lengthwise and cut it up into 1" strips. You will use these to cushion and support the ear during the test.

  2. Put a thin film of Vaseline or Neosporin ointment (not the cream!) onto the edge of the ear to help the blood sample bead up instead of wicking into the fur. (Wipe off any excess.)

  3. To get a blood sample you need to increase the blood flow to the ear, so make sure the ear is really, really, really warm (but not hot) - especially in the early days of testing. (Note: With repeated 'poking', more capillaries form in the test area, so it becomes easier to get samples reliably.)

  4. Once you have the testing area of the ear well warmed, wrap a strip of folded kitchen paper round your index finger then place finger under the sweet spot area of the ear you're testing to support it during the poke.

  5. Use your thumb and middle finger to lightly but firmly grip the ear and paper strip in place so that the edge of the ear is taut but not overstretched; the little bit of tension will make it easier for the lancet to break the skin surface (and it helps to keep kitty's head from moving around too much).

  6. When using a lancet 'freehand, make sure the bevelled side of the lancet is facing upwards. Hold the lancet at a slight angle to the ear similar to the way you hold a pen when writing, not perpendicular (easier to see where you're aiming and also makes skin prick easier).

  7. When it comes to the actual poke, prick the sweet spot on the edge of the ear in a similar way to how you might quickly prick a balloon with the tip of a needle to make it pop.

  8. When using the glucometer, bring the test strip to where it j-u-s-t comes into contact with the blood droplet and hold it there. The strip should then 'sip up' the amount it needs to run a valid test. Most meters beep or give a visual cue to let you know that enough blood has been collected on the strip.

    If your cat is a wriggler, try collecting the blood sample on the back of your (clean) fingernail and test it from there.

  9. After the test, fold the paper strip over the edge of the ear and apply gentle pressure to the test area for about 15-20 seconds to minimise bruising.

  10. Keep praising your cat throughout the process and reward with a favourite diabetic-friendly treat.
With a bit of time and practice you'll be able to work out a technique and a routine that works best for you and Lola.


Mogs
.
 
Pookie said:
I agree with singing! I've been singing to my companions as long as I can remember, usually a riff on their name. "Lola, Lola, LOOOOLA" (think Riceroni jingle). It will be a welcome change from what up to now have been anguished cries of frustration

I'm using the lancets that came with the AT2, which I think are 28 gauge. In my frustration with the AT2 lancing device I bought a Walgreens device and 31 gauge lancets. I'll probably use the 28 gauge ones for another day or two and then try transitioning to the finer ones. Lo will appreciate that.
Click to expand...
No don’t switch. The 31 are actually smaller lancets. I know it’s counter intuitive, but the higher the number the smaller the needle. You want to stick with 28 or even 26 which are larger lancets and will make slightly bigger pricks so blood comes out easier. Even after you’re used to it, I wouldn't go any smaller than a 30 lancet for sure!
 
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