Newbie with probable diabetic kitty

[Peanut's Dad]

Hello folks. I am new to this whole thing and just need to confirm what I have read.
Firstly, I believe my kitty (Peanut) is diabetic. He is showing signs, most importantly, however, is neuropathy. He was overweight for the latter part of his life. He's now 9. Partly my fault partly his. He asked for treats, and I gave them to him. lol
I noticed a weird loss of size, most noticeable in his hindquarters. He went from a very happy to see daddy and come running when called to a mostly immobile, labored gait, kitty that was spending a lot of his time around his water bowl.
The point! I am going to test tonight. If over 200, I am to assume there is a need for insulin, and below 70 might be a problem if persistent. So what I want to do is this:
Initially,
1 Test
2 Feed
3 Test again about an hour later.
then:
1 Test
2 Feed
3 Give insulin
4 Retest

Is this proper protocol, or do I just wait to test again before his next meal?

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

What type of insulin?

Would this be his first shot?

 

[Daddy Jack's Mommy (GA)]

Has Peanut been diagnosed with a fructosimine test which determines an average blood glucose over a 2-3 week period? A BG of over 200 may not indicate diabetes. And if he does need insulin, the protocol is to test, feed, give insulin. You DON'T want to test, feed, wait an hour then test again. If Peanut had eaten within 2 hours before a BG test, it will raise his BG which could cause you to give insulin on a BG that isn't high enough to really dose.
What insulin will you be using? What starting dose do you plan to give him?

 

[JL and Chip]

Ditto the questions about insulin type and dose.

Also, what type of insulin syringes do you have? (3/10 cc insulin syringes for u-100 insulin, for example)

And has the cat been to a vet recently? Any bloodwork done? How is his appetite?

There are other diseases that have symptoms similar to diabetes (or even occur concurrently with diabetes) so it’s important to have all of the facts when making treatment decisions.

 

[Peanut's Dad]

What type of insulin?

Would this be his first shot?

Hello, and yes it would be his first shot.
Financially all I could afford right now is Novolin-N 100

 

[Peanut's Dad]

Has Peanut been diagnosed with a fructosimine test which determines an average blood glucose over a 2-3 week period? A BG of over 200 may not indicate diabetes. And if he does need insulin, the protocol is to test, feed, give insulin. You DON'T want to test, feed, wait an hour then test again. If Peanut had eaten within 2 hours before a BG test, it will raise his BG which could cause you to give insulin on a BG that isn't high enough to really dose.
What insulin will you be using? What starting dose do you plan to give him?

Hello to you. No, has not been tested. He has shown enough signs of the disease to warrant testing for it. The worst of which is rear end atrophy and awkward weakness while walking. I have seen this with patients of mine while I practiced as a D.C. However the majority of human signals were upper extremity related. The initial test, feed, test again is to see what kind of spikes I can expect. Basically what you stated by not waiting 2hrs before testing after his meal. This is for my own edification.

 

[Peanut's Dad]

Ditto the questions about insulin type and dose.

Also, what type of insulin syringes do you have? (3/10 cc insulin syringes for u-100 insulin, for example)

And has the cat been to a vet recently? Any bloodwork done? How is his appetite?

There are other diseases that have symptoms similar to diabetes (or even occur concurrently with diabetes) so it’s important to have all of the facts when making treatment decisions.

Hello to you as well. I have U-100 syringes.
Ironically, I went to the pet store to pick up a meter but was told they don't sell them despite my seeing the ads? However, I was so eloquently steered in the direction of a vet on premises. I was told that they wouldn't even sell me a testing kit unless Peanut saw the vet. Upon seeing the bait and switch I asked how much was that? I was told 300!!! And that did NOT include any supplies including insulin.
He is doing everything he normally has as well as eating. It's just a little more difficult for him to get around. I CAN NOT watch my cat's health decline without doing whatever I could, hence the Novolin-N.

 

[Peanut's Dad]

Ditto the questions about insulin type and dose.

Also, what type of insulin syringes do you have? (3/10 cc insulin syringes for u-100 insulin, for example)

And has the cat been to a vet recently? Any bloodwork done? How is his appetite?

There are other diseases that have symptoms similar to diabetes (or even occur concurrently with diabetes) so it’s important to have all of the facts when making treatment decisions.

I should add the fact that he is around his water bowl for hours on end. He actually lies there and drinks. And then pees forever. He has had some defecating outside of his box as well, which I was looking for a reason before all of the other stuff started to be noticed. I was thought UTI at first, but I gave him a course of an OTC product that did nothing. I was thinking his rear-end atrophy could be essentially three things, a tumor, diabetes, or some sort of lesion that was diminishing neurological function. What do you think?

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

To be frank, I'm not entirely comfortable suggesting anything unless your cat has seen a vet for a diagnosis. I know it's pricey. The last thing we want to do is be presumptive and suggest insulin if diabetes isn't the issue or if blood glucose are elevated due to another condition. Alternatively, an initial blood panel should include information on ketones and electrolytes. If a new diabetic's levels are off, it could indicate diabetic ketoacidosis and that is not something that can be managed at home.

 

[Peanut's Dad]

I'm wiped out from Covid. I started on these forums when I read there was help for those who can't afford all that's necessary. His BG was 367, so I see a need to reduce that given all of his other symptoms. Thank you for your suggestions.

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

You may want to contact Diabetic Cats In Need (DCIN). They may be able to help out with expenses.

@Chris & China (GA)

 

[Peanut's Dad]

I have contacted DCIN to no avail. It's been a week or so since I gave all of my information via application and email to Shellie. I know site consist of most, if not all, are volunteer. So, I was just trying to be patient. We were going through everything from A-Z, but then she stopped emailing.
Besides that, this is DCIN, is it not?
After checking I guess it's not.

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

I have contacted DCIN to no avail.

It can take a couple weeks to get everything set up but if you'll send me a private message with your real name, I'll be happy to check and see what's going on for you

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

We were going through everything from A-Z, but then she stopped emailing.

Shellie has been sick but she called and left a message.

 

[THH & Snowcrash (GA)]

I'm wiped out from Covid. I started on these forums when I read there was help for those who can't afford all that's necessary. His BG was 367, so I see a need to reduce that given all of his other symptoms. Thank you for your suggestions.

What's his current diet?

 

[Peanut's Dad]

It can take a couple weeks to get everything set up but if you'll send me a private message with your real name, I'll be happy to check and see what's going on for you

I have been racking my brain over that one. However, it seems like regular old Fancy feast does just fine. So since he likes wet over dry food already the conversion won't be too difficult. Anyhow, now it will be one feeding (wet 5-6 oz.) in the am (literally 4am) and then another around 4 or 5 pm. same as morning. So I guess that would be about a 12 hour cycle. He will have the opportunity to snack on some dry food when I am home to watch, and low carbs treats thorough the day. I'm at home a lot.

 

[Peanut's Dad]

Shellie has been sick but she called and left a message.

Got ya. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

He will have the opportunity to snack on some dry food when I am home to watch

I'd get the kibble out of his diet ASAP. You can leave canned food out (adding extra water to it will help keep it from getting crusty) or some people use an auto-feeder or even make "food-cicles" by adding water to canned food and freezing it in ice cube trays. Most cats won't eat it frozen but after it thaws, it offers a "fresh" meal.

 

[THH & Snowcrash (GA)]

If you can drop the dry completely, his numbers should go down a little at least.

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

FYI - we are not DCIN. They are an entirely separate volunteer organization. There are a few people, like Chris, who are actively involved in both FDMB and DCIN but they are not us and we are not them!

 

[Peanut's Dad]

FYI - we are not DCIN. They are an entirely separate volunteer organization. There are a few people, like Chris, who are actively involved in both FDMB and DCIN but they are not us and we are not them!

Thanks for the heads up.
Well, I'm here now! I will use any kind reference or suggestions to help my kitties. I'm used to studying for looong hours, so the more info. the better.

 

[Peanut's Dad]

If you can drop the dry completely, his numbers should go down a little at least.

I can do that. The main reason for the dry is for my other two kitties. I will put it at a level he can't currently get to with his disability. I'd love to see his numbers drop. I can't stand watching his health deteriorate right in front of my eyes.

 

[Peanut's Dad]

I'd get the kibble out of his diet ASAP. You can leave canned food out (adding extra water to it will help keep it from getting crusty) or some people use an auto-feeder or even make "food-cicles" by adding water to canned food and freezing it in ice cube trays. Most cats won't eat it frozen but after it thaws, it offers a "fresh" meal.

After hearing the essentially the same advice, I can do that. With 3 little mouths to feed, it's a juggling act, with one kitty I encourage to eat (she's getting old, 21+), and the other being able to smell any food or treats even in the next room. lol The main reason for the dry is for my other two kitties. I will now put it at a level he can't currently get to with his disability. I'd love to see his numbers drop. I can't stand watching his health deteriorate right in front of my eyes.