? Getting ready to start Micio on insulin

[MISSY + Simone&MICIO (GA)]

As I'm awaiting to pick up Semglee insulin early next week, I'm trying to learn about feline diabetes and how to deal with it.... pretty overwhelming and still don't know I'll be able to get it right.
Here's a few questions I have:

- I finally managed to do the first GB test on Micio's ear yesterday but today it was a complete disaster; I
switched to thicker lancets (gauge 26) and it worked but I had to prick his back foot: is it ok to test from
their paws?
- I feed Micio every 6 hours: 6am, Noon, 6pm and 12pm and in between I have to give him either supplements
or other meds for his other health issues. I'm going to give him 1/2 Unit Semglee twice a day and, because
I'll have to test his glucose before the shot, I'd rather to pick Noon and Midnight for GB test and the shot,
would that be ok?
- As I'm realizing how important is to be carefull not to give my Micio extra sugar, I wonder which toothpaste
can I use to brush his teeth with? Always used Dentacetic and Oratene but not good anymore
I have been giving him Duralactin (2 capsules per day) as an anti-inflammatory supplement: MicroLactin
(dried milk protein) is the active ingredient, is that ok for cats with diabetes?
Is there a list somewhere of all of the substances considered bad for diabetes?

Thank you in advance for any help.

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

Hi and welcome to welcome to you and Micio.

finally managed to do the first GB test on Micio's ear yesterday but today it was a complete disaster; I
switched to thicker lancets (gauge 26) and it worked but I had to prick his back foot: is it ok to test from
their paws?

Yes you can test on the paws. Most of us use the ears. You need to give it a bit of time. We were all unsuccessful a few times in the beginning
Hometesting hints link here

feed Micio every 6 hours: 6am, Noon, 6pm and 12pm and in between I have to give him either supplements
or other meds for his other health issues. I'm going to give him 1/2 Unit Semglee twice a day and, because
I'll have to test his glucose before the shot, I'd rather to pick Noon and Midnight for GB test and the shot,
would that be ok?

Always feed before the dose of insulin. So you test/feed / shoot in that order.
it is a good idea to give snacks during the cycle as well as the preshot meal. During the first half of the cycle is best if you think you could do that. You could still give a snack at +6 but would you be able to fit one in around +3 as well?
As far as when you give the insulin….that is entirely up to you and what works best for you. Just be aware you will need to do some testing during the first half of most cycles. Will you be able to do that with that schedule?

As I'm realizing how important is to be carefull not to give my Micio extra sugar, I wonder which toothpaste
can I use to brush his teeth with? Always used Dentacetic and Oratene but not good anymore

I’m unsure what that particular toothpaste has as ingredients. Can you list them?

I have been giving him Duralactin (2 capsules per day) as an anti-inflammatory supplement: MicroLactin
(dried milk protein) is the active ingredient, is that ok for cats with diabetes?

I think @Wendy&Neko used Duralactin with Neko. I’ve tagged her.

Is there a list somewhere of all of the substances considered bad for diabetes?

As far as food goes, make sure the carbs are 10% or less. Most people use foods with carbs around 4 to 7%.
With medications, make sure there is no sugar in the medication. Ask the vet.
If unsure about something, post here and ask for advice.
Personally I would not let the vet give my cat prednisone unless it was life threatening.

If you could set up your spreadsheet and signature that would be a great help. We rely on the data of the SS to help you. The signature has information about your kitty which we look at every time we help you.
HELP US HELP YOU has the links you will need. Also make sure you have your HYPO BOX set up.

One last thing….I would get a bottle of Ketostix from Walmart or a pharmacy and test the urine for ketones. Diabetic cats are prone to ketones and it is a good idea to check them at least a couple of times a week until your kitty is regulated. It’s an easy test ….you just need to collect a urine sample and dip the test strip into the urine and read the result exactly 15 seconds later against the colours on the side of the bottle. Any thing above a trace needs vet attention.
Bron

 

[MISSY + Simone&MICIO (GA)]

Hi and welcome to welcome to you and Micio.


Yes you can test on the paws. Most of us use the ears. You need to give it a bit of time. We were all unsuccessful a few times in the beginning
Hometesting hints link here


Always feed before the dose of insulin. So you test/feed / shoot in that order.
it is a good idea to give snacks during the cycle as well as the preshot meal. During the first half of the cycle is best if you think you could do that. You could still give a snack at +6 but would you be able to fit one in around +3 as well?
As far as when you give the insulin….that is entirely up to you and what works best for you. Just be aware you will need to do some testing during the first half of most cycles. Will you be able to do that with that schedule?



I’m unsure what that particular toothpaste has as ingredients. Can you list them?



I think @Wendy&Neko used Duralactin with Neko. I’ve tagged her.



As far as food goes, make sure the carbs are 10% or less. Most people use foods with carbs around 4 to 7%.
With medications, make sure there is no sugar in the medication. Ask the vet.
If unsure about something, post here and ask for advice.
Personally I would not let the vet give my cat prednisone unless it was life threatening.

If you could set up your spreadsheet and signature that would be a great help. We rely on the data of the SS to help you. The signature has information about your kitty which we look at every time we help you.
HELP US HELP YOU has the links you will need. Also make sure you have your HYPO BOX set up.

One last thing….I would get a bottle of Ketostix from Walmart or a pharmacy and test the urine for ketones. Diabetic cats are prone to ketones and it is a good idea to check them at least a couple of times a week until your kitty is regulated. It’s an easy test ….you just need to collect a urine sample and dip the test strip into the urine and read the result exactly 15 seconds later against the colours on the side of the bottle. Any thing above a trace needs vet attention.
Bron

I just set up the Signature, also SS is out there but I just fill in with number from GB test from yesterday and one today. Still waiting for insulin to come, possibly wil start monday or tuesday.
Micio on raw meat for almost 11 yrs.
I did tested him for ketones the other day and he was negative.

 

[Red & Rover (GA)]

I wonder which toothpaste
can I use to brush his teeth with?

From a different discussion (click on the blue link):

This is a brand of toothpaste that my vet recommended. It does not contain sugar.

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

I just set up the Signature, also SS is out there but I just fill in with number from GB test from yesterday and one today. Still waiting for insulin to come, possibly wil start monday or tuesday.
Micio on raw meat for almost 11 yrs.
I did tested him for ketones the other day and he was negative.

Thanks for setting up the signature?….very informative.
Can you link your spreadsheet to your signature please?. If you have any trouble @Bandit's Mom will help you…she’s great!
I’m very glad you tested for ketones and the result was negative!

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

From a different discussion (click on the blue link):

Thanks Kel @Red & Rover (GA) …I’ll book mark that!

 

[Wendy&Neko]

Duralactin is fine for diabetics. It didn’t impact Neko’s blood sugar and did help her arthritis.

 

[MISSY + Simone&MICIO (GA)]

Hi and welcome to welcome to you and Micio.


Yes you can test on the paws. Most of us use the ears. You need to give it a bit of time. We were all unsuccessful a few times in the beginning
Hometesting hints link here


Always feed before the dose of insulin. So you test/feed / shoot in that order.
it is a good idea to give snacks during the cycle as well as the preshot meal. During the first half of the cycle is best if you think you could do that. You could still give a snack at +6 but would you be able to fit one in around +3 as well?
As far as when you give the insulin….that is entirely up to you and what works best for you. Just be aware you will need to do some testing during the first half of most cycles. Will you be able to do that with that schedule?



I’m unsure what that particular toothpaste has as ingredients. Can you list them?

Bron and Sheba, here’s the ingredients on DENTACETIC GEL TOOTHPASTE: Active ingredients: 1% acetic acid, sodium hexametaphosphate.Also contains: sorbitol, triethanolamine, polysorbate, propylene glycol, methylparaben, clove and cinnamon flavor.
And these are the ingredients for ORATENE toothpaste: Ingredients: Glyceryl Methacrylate, Polyglycitol, Sorbitol, Cellulose Gum, Dextrose, Potassium Thiocyanate, Aloe Vera. Natural Enzymes: Mutanase, Lactoperoxidase, Lysozyme, Lactoferrin, Glucose Oxidase Dextranase.




I think @Wendy&Neko used Duralactin with Neko. I’ve tagged her.



As far as food goes, make sure the carbs are 10% or less. Most people use foods with carbs around 4 to 7%.
With medications, make sure there is no sugar in the medication. Ask the vet.
If unsure about something, post here and ask for advice.
Personally I would not let the vet give my cat prednisone unless it was life threatening.

If you could set up your spreadsheet and signature that would be a great help. We rely on the data of the SS to help you. The signature has information about your kitty which we look at every time we help you.
HELP US HELP YOU has the links you will need. Also make sure you have your HYPO BOX set up.

One last thing….I would get a bottle of Ketostix from Walmart or a pharmacy and test the urine for ketones. Diabetic cats are prone to ketones and it is a good idea to check them at least a couple of times a week until your kitty is regulated. It’s an easy test ….you just need to collect a urine sample and dip the test strip into the urine and read the result exactly 15 seconds later against the colours on the side of the bottle. Any thing above a trace needs vet attention.
Bron

Thanks for setting up the signature?….very informative.
Can you link your spreadsheet to your signature please?. If you have any trouble @Bandit's Mom will help you…she’s great!
I’m very glad you tested for ketones and the result was negative!

Thanks for setting up the signature?….very informative.
Can you link your spreadsheet to your signature please?. If you have any trouble @Bandit's Mom will help you…she’s great!
I’m very glad you tested for ketones and the result was negative!

Hi and welcome to welcome to you and Micio.

I THINK I LINKED THE SS TO MY SIGNATURE BUT NOT SURE, COULD YOU PLEASE VERIFY AND LET ME KNW? TNX


Yes you can test on the paws. Most of us use the ears. You need to give it a bit of time. We were all unsuccessful a few times in the beginning
Hometesting hints link here


Always feed before the dose of insulin. So you test/feed / shoot in that order.
it is a good idea to give snacks during the cycle as well as the preshot meal. During the first half of the cycle is best if you think you could do that. You could still give a snack at +6 but would you be able to fit one in around +3 as well?
As far as when you give the insulin….that is entirely up to you and what works best for you. Just be aware you will need to do some testing during the first half of most cycles. Will you be able to do that with that schedule?

I’m home pretty much 24/7 but the reason why I’m hesitant to test and give shot early in the morning is because I may not fully awaken; only get to sleep a bit over 4 hours per night (if I’m lucky): I feed my cats 4 times per day (6am, noon, 6pm and 12pm) and Micio needs pancreatic enzymes at every meal for his EPI meaning I have to mix the powder with some raw meat food and let it stand for at least 20 minutes before feeding.
I get up at 5:15-5:30 every morning so I can try test his GB while waiting for enzymes, then feed him and shot. How long after meals do I shot him?
How long is a cycle?
As for the snacks, not quite sure what you mean up there but he gets little snacks between meals for supplements/meds but cannot give too much because I cannot put enzymes on those (whatever he eats without enzymes can mess up his stomach and stools)


I’m unsure what that particular toothpaste has as ingredients. Can you list them?



I think @Wendy&Neko used Duralactin with Neko. I’ve tagged her.



As far as food goes, make sure the carbs are 10% or less. Most people use foods with carbs around 4 to 7%.
With medications, make sure there is no sugar in the medication. Ask the vet.
If unsure about something, post here and ask for advice.
Personally I would not let the vet give my cat prednisone unless it was life threatening.

If you could set up your spreadsheet and signature that would be a great help. We rely on the data of the SS to help you. The signature has information about your kitty which we look at every time we help you.
HELP US HELP YOU has the links you will need. Also make sure you have your HYPO BOX set up.

One last thing….I would get a bottle of Ketostix from Walmart or a pharmacy and test the urine for ketones. Diabetic cats are prone to ketones and it is a good idea to check them at least a couple of times a week until your kitty is regulated. It’s an easy test ….you just need to collect a urine sample and dip the test strip into the urine and read the result exactly 15 seconds later against the colours on the side of the bottle. Any thing above a trace needs vet attention.
Bron

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

I think both dextrose and sorbitol can raise the blood sugar. Have a look at the toothpaste red and rover posted.