? New job, need help scheduling

[Peggy & Clawdius]

I am using the Lantus SoloStar pen. I am right now feeding Clawdius and giving him his shot every 12 hours. The problem is, I am about to start a job where I will have 12 hour shifts with a 1 hour drive each way. It won't always be that long a drive but right now I am caring for my dad at his home. I will work 2 day shifts, 2 night shifts, then 4 days off. How do I work Clawdie's feedings and shots? I thought about getting an automatic feeder so he (and his brother) can have a snack while I'm gone to tide them over but what do I do about his insulin? There is no one here that can do it. Is the 12 hours between shots an absolute?

I am really stressing over this and would appreciate any help anyone could offer.

 

[Summer and Susie (GA)]

That is a tough position. Hoping someone can come along and offer a solution for you, Peggy.

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

Here's the dilemma....
In a word, the problem is the depot. Early shots function like a dose increase; late shots act like a dose reduction. What it sounds like is you shoot at your regular time and then you're late for the PM shot. Then the next morning, you shoot at your regular time, so it's less than 12 hours from the previous shot. The change in timing can result in wonky numbers. It could also increase the chances of low numbers if you're shooting early.

You have about 30 minutes of flex with shot time. Once you get to the point that you're an hour off schedule, you need to make time adjustments in a gradual way (i.e., 30 min once a day or 15 min at each shot time).

One option may be to find a petsitter/vet tech that could give your cat a shot on the days you are working. Alternatively, Prozinc is a good insulin that doesn't have a depot and is more forgiving with a challenging schedule.

It would also be very helpful to see a spreadsheet for your cat to better understand where his numbers are.

 

[Hercule's mum]

Any chance there is a cat sitter able to give shots? I have been complaining to my friends about my completely inability to go anywhere, and one of them send me a contact for a cat sitter training to be a vet nurse that works well. You ne ver know, your next door neighbour might be one

 

[Margaret and Pearl (GA)]

I do not have insights on the shot times other than to echo the vote for a petsitter (you can call local vets and ask if anyone does petsitting as a side business - they usually have several vet techs who do). Then call the tech and ask to come administer the insulin instead of petsitting. Make sure you show the tech exactly how you draw it up.

My post really has to do with food - do you know that it's very much ok to give Clawdius food anytime he wants it except the 2 hours before a shot? My Pearl gets fed mini meals every 2 hours or so, which works well for her b/c she is a grazer. You could get a couple automatic feeders so that Clawdius can have meals at a set schedule while you're away.

I'm so sorry for the tough position you are in - I was having to consider the same choices myself earlier this year. Eventually, my job didn't require the long 12+ hour days, but for awhile it was very scary for me to consider what to do if it DID. The petsittter vet tech is the only solution I came up with. But you have to train them well so you know you can trust them to shoot the right amount.

 

[Peggy & Clawdius]

Eventually, my job didn't require the long 12+ hour days

There is no chance of this happening unfortunately. If I was a home I would have someone that probably could do the shots for me but I have to be at my dad's (he is in end stage COPD) to care for him. It has been suggested to change to another kind of insulin and that is probably what is going to have to happen. Unfortunately I had to buy 5 Lantus pens and I have only used part of one. It was a big expense. Your furbabies are beautiful.

 

[Peggy & Clawdius]

Any chance there is a cat sitter able to give shots? I have been complaining to my friends about my completely inability to go anywhere, and one of them send me a contact for a cat sitter training to be a vet nurse that works well. You ne ver know, your next doorI neighbour might be one

I wish! If I was a home I would have someone that probably could do the shots for me but I have to be at my dad's (he is in end stage COPD) to care for him. It has been suggested to change to another kind of insulin and that is probably what is going to have to happen. Unfortunately I had to buy 5 Lantus pens and I have only used part of one. It was a big expense.

 

[Peggy & Clawdius]

It would also be very helpful to see a spreadsheet for your cat to better understand where his numbers are.

I am new at this and haven't managed to get a good reading yet. He is touchy about his ears and I have been getting him used to having them handled. We are practicing the routine using a regular spot, freeze dried chicken treats and lots of cuddles after. He is very much an ear flicker. Someone suggested giving him chicken stock for the treat so I am going to try that as soon as I can make some.
If I switch to the other insulin would he still be able to have snacks during the time I am gone or would he have to have a shot each time he has a meal?

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

Good plan on getting Clawdius used to testing. So more of us don't keep nagging you about a spreadsheet, how about putting something in your signature about how you're working on home testing?

I don't know about chicken stock for a treat. Was the idea that it would take longer for him to slurp up a liquid? Most of us use freeze dried chicken that you can purchase at a pet store or online. As long as it's plain chicken, or any other protein, it's zero carbs and a good treat. Some members use bonito flakes. (They are much less expensive if you have a Japanese/Asian market (or Amazon -- about $7 for 3oz). If he tends to flick his ear, hold on to your kitty's ear tightly and see if you can scrape the drop onto your fingernail.

The basics of feeding your cat (i.e., meals and snacks) is pretty much the same with Prozinc. It has a longer duration than the other insulins such as Vetsulin and Novolin, but it doesn't have their quick onset. It's much more like Lantus but doesn't have a depot. This is the link to the basic info on Prozinc from the Prozinc forum.

 

[Peggy & Clawdius]

I don't know about chicken stock for a treat. Was the idea that it would take longer for him to slurp up a liquid? Most of us use freeze dried chicken that you can purchase at a pet store or online.

The chicken stock was suggested by another member on here. Clawdius LOVES those freeze dried chicken treats, so much so that I had to put them into a glass jar and he still tries to get to them. I call them kitty crack. He moves a lot when he knows he's getting one and as he is gobbling it down (he doesn't have many teeth left) and then immediately looks for the jar to get more. It is impossible to get him to sit still. Someone else suggested homemade chicken stock, to put it down just before I'm going to poke his ear and he'll be too busy to notice. I'm going to try that when I get a chance to make some stock.