First time caring for a cat + newly diagnosed. Frazzled, overwhelmed, & concerned!

[TheCatCPA]

My roommate has a 12-year-old cat. The cat was always free-fed dry food and given (too many) Temptation treats. In August 2021, I’ve started helping with the cat because my roommate took a more demanding job and I work remotely/have flexibility.

In October, I took the cat for its annual checkup. The prior doctor moved, so it was assigned to a new doctor who is fresh out of school. This doctor brought up possibility of diabetes based on its weight but made no mention of alarming BG level. They recommended diet change, more exercise, and didn’t make a move toward insulin. The previous doctor found no indicator of BG problems as recently as September 2020.

Several weeks later, the cat became very ill. Over the course of 10 days, it went to the vet 3 times. After 2 misdiagnosis of vaccine reaction and hairball, an abdominal obstruction was found and removed. During this time, the BG readings were 200-300. They officially diagnosed diabetes and prescribed 2 units of ProZinc 2x daily. I immediately put it on a high protein, low carb wet food only diet. It took several weeks for the cat's appetite to return and it had to be put on a routine feeding schedule. Because the vet was so cautious of hypoglycemia, I explained the delayed treatment and they said doing so was fine.

On Sunday, I started the cat on its insulin treatment, and it’s been a nightmare. The first injection was a breeze. After that, it’s been swatting, biting, hissing, running. The insulin makes the cat very dull, and it spends all day under the bed sleeping. This is concerning because prior to the insulin, it was out all day, chasing a laser, zooming around after pooping, playing in its cardboard box, and generally being alert.

With all of this said, I have a few questions:

1. Is it possible for BG to fall into a normal range based on diet alone?

2. Is it possible the insulin dose is too high? Should I take a BG reading at home and adjust accordingly? The vet didn’t mention this at all.

3. How can I get the cat to relax so I can give it a shot?

Thank you for your help. I'm very overwhelmed and concerned since the new doctor misdiagnosed it twice within a month.

 

[Chris and Checkers]

Yes, a diabetes diagnosis can be overwhelming but there is a lot of helpful information on this site. You can start here for Prozinc information.
https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB...-the-prozinc-basics-please-start-here.164995/

As for your questions
1. Blood sugar can drop a fair bit by changing in diet alone but I believe insulin may still be necessary
2. Yes, it is recommended to start at 1 unit twice daily, especially now that you switched to a low carb diet. Also home testing the cat's Blood glucose is important to prevent hypoglycemia and is highly recommended here.
3. Low carb treats are great distraction, while it is busy with eating you can poke them. What gauge syringes are you using, the higher gauge, the smaller the needle and where are you injectioning?

 

[Chris and Checkers]

Actually, re-reading your cats response to insulin, it sounds the dose is definitely too high. Here is an important link on hypoglycemia
https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/how-to-treat-hypos-they-can-kill-print-this-out.15887/

Have you had the vet test the cats' blood glucose after switching to the low carb diet?

 

[JL and Chip]

1. Yes.
My first diabetic became diet controlled based on a change of food alone. It has happened for others as well. A low-carb diet can significantly lower blood glucose (BG) values. If there’s not a history of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), it’s reasonable to hold off insulin injections until you get some BG values at home.

Did the vet do a fructosamine to diagnose the diabetes? Some cats show elevated BGs due to stress of being at the clinic. You can also see higher BGs when a cat is ill. Between a diet change and resolving the medical issues, I’d certainly want to have a “reality check” of where things stand now by home testing BG before injecting more insulin (especially given your description of how the cat is acting abnormally and hiding/sleeping after shots, which could be a sign of low BG).

2. Yes and Yes.
Definitely 2u is a higher than typical starting dose. And yes, hometesting is very important. It saves lives. Injecting insulin without testing BG is sort of like driving down the street with a paper bag over your head — you’re driving blind. Hometesting allows you to make informed decisions, and knowledge is power. After learning the nuances of insulin and diabetes, most of us ultimately manage the dose ourselves at home.

3. Treats are one trick, as mentioned. Another thing I might add is that some cats react adversely if the insulin shot makes them feel worse — for example, if the dose is too high and it sends their BG too low making them feel crappy. Cats are pretty quick learners and good at associating. So it’s even more important to get those BG tests in.

 

[Noah & me (GA)]

There's a lot here I'm not qualified to answer, especially about ProZinc

the possibility of diabetes based on its weight but made no mention of alarming BG level

You'd be shocked to know how little vets are taught about diabetes but weight alone is not a prime indicator.

home testing is very important

This is the most important thing we tell new members. If this was your child and the doctor said "My best guess is" you'd be outraged. It happens all the time.

How can I get the cat to relax so I can give it a shot?

I had two completely different sugar cats, the ideal patient who loved the car and his brother who hid behind the furnace when the doorbell rang. We have a saying here, N2C. 'No two cats are ever the same'. For both I laid out everything in front of them, no painful surprises. One jumped up on the table where the light was better and I had a big towel spread out for comfort and traction. I had to sing Mocking Bird to the other after clearing the room of all the other cats and the dog. With intelligence comes trust, they know this may hurt but they really do know it's for their own good. It really can be that simple.
If I've made it sound too easy I haven't forgotten what those first days were like. When you have a minute read this, it changed everything for me.
https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/letter-from-your-kitty-to-you-during-this-time.131186/

 

[TheCatCPA]

Have you had the vet test the cats' blood glucose after switching to the low carb diet?

Thanks for your time and info provided. No. She's supposed to go back for a curve at the end of the month. I'm going to call them tomorrow and see how I should proceed but I am not comfortable continuing to dose what they prescribed.

Did the vet do a fructosamine to diagnose the diabetes? Some cats show elevated BGs due to stress of being at the clinic. You can also see higher BGs when a cat is ill. Between a diet change and resolving the medical issues, I’d certainly want to have a “reality check” of where things stand now by home testing BG before injecting more insulin (especially given your description of how the cat is acting abnormally and hiding/sleeping after shots, which could be a sign of low BG).

Thanks for the info you provided. They actually did a fructosamine after removal of an abdominal obstruction that was there 10 days and said the results are indicative of diabetes. From my understanding, the frustosamine is based on trends the prior couple of weeks and filters out "white coat" hyperglycemia. Is it possible that with an abdominal obstruction, going to the vet every 3 days for hours on end, and still being on starchy dry foods could have skewed the results of even the fructosamine? I'm going to call them tomorrow and see how they want me to proceed. I don't feel comfortable giving her any more insulin considering how she's acting. They emphasized the danger of hypos and told me higher is better than lower.

If I've made it sound too easy I haven't forgotten what those first days were like. When you have a minute read this, it changed everything for me.
https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/letter-from-your-kitty-to-you-during-this-time.131186/

Thank you. I'm very overwhelmed with all of this and I appreciate you taking a moment to relate. I will read this before bed.

 

[Noah & me (GA)]

We were all overwhelmed at first, it's not meant to be easy. I got lucky with my two. Get some sleep and remember it's a marathon, not the 100 yard dash.

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

I think I would ask for another fructosamine test to check your kitty really does have diabetes.
It certainly sounds like too much insulin to me by the cats reactions and 2 units is too high a dose to start with anyway.
I would ask for the repeat fructosamine test and if that indicates diabetes I would definitely start home testing. Using treats when testing and giving The dose helps a lot.
You are very good looking after your roommates kitty! And yes it is overwhelming in the beginning. You are doing all the right things trying to get it all sorted out.
Lucky kitty!
Please let us know how you get on at the vet next visit.

 

[Noah & me (GA)]

With time you'll start doing your own curves, it will save you money and you'll have a better feel for what's going on than just looking at numbers on a page. I had the time and a very patient cat so for me it was easy but it doesn't always work out that way. Curves can be one of those 'more art than science' things. Nigel was easy but Noah only had one good ear and would often flinch, I'd just shred the little guys ear and then have to start again two days later.
Just being here means you care enough and are willing to learn, don't let things like this get you down. Is this going to become your cat? The more you care those feelings of obligation will take hold. You could be in this for another ten years so it's something to think about.
When you have the time you might want to fill in your profile. Stuff like your general location, time zone, the cat's medical history, other animals in the home and your general situation (money, job, time restraints etc.) It doesn't have to be too personal, mine is a mess with some vague references. I seem to attract a lot of kooks and have had three certifiable stalkers in my life. You're safe here, just remember not to make eye contact.

 

[TheCatCPA]

The doctor says 2 units is the lowest they start them out on!??! They don’t want me to do a glucose reading at home and want the cat brought in for a curve. After $2,000 in the last month this is going to cost another $300! Should I find a different doctor? This seems bad advice and contrary to everything I’m reading.

 

[Nan & Amber (GA)]

There's really no need to do a vet curve, and a single day's numbers (in a stressful environment no less) aren't going to be as helpful as regular home testing anyway. Are they insisting on a curve? If not, then you can just do the "smile and nod" and test at home anyway. What are they gonna do, drive by your house and look in the windows to make sure you aren't testing? It's your [roommate's] cat, not the vet's.

It sounds like this vet is sort of middle-of-the-road on diabetes knowledge. Good: did a fructosamine test, recommended Prozinc, a good insulin for cats. Bad: not great on dosing strategies, and seems to have a bit of a "my way or the highway" attitude, which is probably the biggest red flag. Overall, if you like the vet in general for non-diabetes care, it can be worthwhile to try to find a way to work with them on this one area (using the smile-and-nod technique as needed), but if not, then yes, you can start looking in your area to see if there are other vets that might be better.

 

[TheCatCPA]

What are they gonna do, drive by your house and look in the windows to make sure you aren't testing?

LOL! I was thinking the same thing. But, yes, they are adamant about doing the curve. I'm pretty sure it's a money maker for them. Like you said, the environment is very stressful and the cat there all day would skew the results. I respect these professionals, but I'm a bit cynical considering they initially wrote off an abdominal obstruction as a "vaccine reaction". I'm gonna get a monitor tomorrow and take care of it myself. Gotta do some reading and get a spreadsheet ready. The vet is good in the past, but I'm not 100% on board with the new doctor.

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

The doctor says 2 units is the lowest they start them out on!??! T

That is simple not true. Most cats start out at 1/2 to 1 unit of insulin.
I would definitely reduce the dose down from 2 units. It is too high a dose to start out on.
Im glad you are going to start home testing

 

[Noah & me (GA)]

There's no rule about a minimum dosage. This is a bad sign you're already educated enough to doubt your vet and I guaranty you he won't like your "attitude". Yes he thinks he's doing what he feels is right but vets often lose sight of both your knowledge and financial situation and some may resent a mere mortal taking control.. A curve isn't rocket science. Do me a favor and see if his clinic is part of the VCA chain.

 

[Noah & me (GA)]

I don't mean to drag this out but our vet wouldn't let us leave the clinic until she was positive we knew how to test and then measure the dosage correctly. We were encouraged to do our own curves and she even had a good laugh when I found some 1/3cc 32 gauge syringes meant for someone's underweight baby. I wasn't a member back then and there were no conversion charts for U40/U100 syringes. She was quite proud of us and is a close family friend. Our alternate clinic was surprised we tested at home, he gets too many clients who have been convinced diabetes management is a kind of Voodoo best left for doctors. This is the strange world you're now a part of, may members can attest to this. Getting good medical advice on the internet! What next, the Earth is round?

 

[Lando demando]

LOL! I was thinking the same thing. But, yes, they are adamant about doing the curve. I'm pretty sure it's a money maker for them. Like you said, the environment is very stressful and the cat there all day would skew the results. I respect these professionals, but I'm a bit cynical considering they initially wrote off an abdominal obstruction as a "vaccine reaction". I'm gonna get a monitor tomorrow and take care of it myself. Gotta do some reading and get a spreadsheet ready. The vet is good in the past, but I'm not 100% on board with the new doctor.

I am not as well versed as many of the members here, but i like to chime in when i see a new stressed member. I was there and i want to give you lots of compassion and encouragement. IT GETS BETTER with more education and practice.
I especially want to let you know that i had to deviate with my vets recommendation. My vet is great, but i tried to gather as much advice from the folks here and went with my gut. Remember, you know your cat best and your vet likely had many patients a day and can not dive in as deep as you can.
My vet recommended increasing Landos dose 1 unit instead of what the crew here recommend (.25 u) and i made the call to stick with the .25 u. I think that may have saved his life.
Ok this is a way long winded way to say, trust you gut and educate yourself. It will pay off. Take care!

 

[Noah & me (GA)]

Now I'm dragging us further off point but this is all relevant, may boost someone's courage about confronting doctors and vets and will clarify the bee in my bonnet about doctors and some vets. For most of us a diabetic diagnosis was a big shock, after what was then 30+ years of having cats it had never occurred to me a cat could even be diabetic. I got lucky with a great vet and her great staff, they made everything as easy as possible. I sent that same vet a new member who happened to live just minutes away. He was given some insulin, a shopping list and a vague reference to "some stuff" on YouTube. To me that's borderline unethical telling someone "You'll figure it out" knowing the wrong dose could kill the cat. It turned out the cat wasn't even diabetic. That's disgraceful.
This is my story and it's as short as I can make it. Seven days after I turned 50 I had what I later learned was a Thunder Clap headache. It was a brain aneurysm that had partially leaked, incredibly painful and in the worst possible place, what's called the Circle of Willis. I was first diagnosed with a sinus headache, then I must have pulled a muscle in my face. I knew that wasn't right and when I finally a had a CT scan the drama was done. There's no drilling or a head wrapped in bandages, mine was fixed with a coil and stent using a scope sent up through an artery in my leg. I was walking around that night and home the next morning. For that I'm eternally grateful, what happened next was a disgrace. Through some clerical errors I never did get to put the square peg in the square hole and I missed my next two follow up MRI's. Then I started showing signs of CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy) which really freaked me out because I have a history of concussions. No one wanted to hear about it.
It gets worse, I'm probably one of 100 people on the planet that have Chiari malformation, a long history of brutal concussions, I test at the low end for being bipolar, I get Cluster headaches, have low end PTSD and best of all I have something called Trigeminal neuralgia. It's also called the suicide disease and I personally know someone who just couldn't take it anymore and ended her life. It's a neuropathic pain, no known cure, hard to diagnose and there's no way to describe the pain. First came the usual parade of psychiatrists who wanted to know about my mother and how I liked my eggs. The last one was an idiot I nearly threw out the window one day. He finally admitted to me one day that he had never so much as sprained an ankle so he had no real concept of pain. He didn't understand the point I was trying to make, it really REALLY hurts and no one is helping. Healthcare is free in Canada so then came eight neurologists each with a different sub specialty. When the answer wasn't obvious they just gave up even though by then I was keeping a detailed log of medications, my diet and even my Iatrophobia / Dumasaphobia. The fear of doctors and the fear of stupid people.
Finally I ended up where I started, the neurologist who first detected my aneurysm. She looked at my MRI's, asked a careful series of 'rule this out' questions and in 20 minutes I had the answer. It's no coincidence this was the only woman in the bunch. My family doctor, my vet, my chiropractor, my neurologist, my neurosurgeon and the best friends I've ever had are all women. In this case it was simple, MEN JUST DON'T LISTEN. I have a real problem with people who are self important and it's a red flag when I hear "It's doctor actually". Can you think of any other occupation where someone is so self involved this actually matters to them?
This is what bothers me about vets who make a quick diagnosis and out the door you go. How dare you question them, just pay your bill and leave!
The point to all this is that your cat or dog is not a test subject, it's a living thing that you care about and love. You have every right in the world to ask "stupid questions" and to bring up alternatives. If not for the people here I'm pretty sure there would be a lot more dead or suffering cats out there, that's something that should really scare all of us. I'm not being irrational, I'm just sick and tired of hearing stories about people being told to just bend over and take it. Aren't we all?

 

[Lando demando]

Now I'm dragging us further off point but this is all relevant, may boost someone's courage about confronting doctors and vets and will clarify the bee in my bonnet about doctors and some vets. For most of us a diabetic diagnosis was a big shock, after what was then 30+ years of having cats it had never occurred to me a cat could even be diabetic. I got lucky with a great vet and her great staff, they made everything as easy as possible. I sent that same vet a new member who happened to live just minutes away. He was given some insulin, a shopping list and a vague reference to "some stuff" on YouTube. To me that's borderline unethical telling someone "You'll figure it out" knowing the wrong dose could kill the cat. It turned out the cat wasn't even diabetic. That's disgraceful.
This is my story and it's as short as I can make it. Seven days after I turned 50 I had what I later learned was a Thunder Clap headache. It was a brain aneurysm that had partially leaked, incredibly painful and in the worst possible place, what's called the Circle of Willis. I was first diagnosed with a sinus headache, then I must have pulled a muscle in my face. I knew that wasn't right and when I finally a had a CT scan the drama was done. There's no drilling or a head wrapped in bandages, mine was fixed with a coil and stent using a scope sent up through an artery in my leg. I was walking around that night and home the next morning. For that I'm eternally grateful, what happened next was a disgrace. Through some clerical errors I never did get to put the square peg in the square hole and I missed my next two follow up MRI's. Then I started showing signs of CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy) which really freaked me out because I have a history of concussions. No one wanted to hear about it.
It gets worse, I'm probably one of 100 people on the planet that have Chiari malformation, a long history of brutal concussions, I test at the low end for being bipolar, I get Cluster headaches, have low end PTSD and best of all I have something called Trigeminal neuralgia. It's also called the suicide disease and I personally know someone who just couldn't take it anymore and ended her life. It's a neuropathic pain, no known cure, hard to diagnose and there's no way to describe the pain. First came the usual parade of psychiatrists who wanted to know about my mother and how I liked my eggs. The last one was an idiot I nearly threw out the window one day. He finally admitted to me one day that he had never so much as sprained an ankle so he had no real concept of pain. He didn't understand the point I was trying to make, it really REALLY hurts and no one is helping. Healthcare is free in Canada so then came eight neurologists each with a different sub specialty. When the answer wasn't obvious they just gave up even though by then I was keeping a detailed log of medications, my diet and even my Iatrophobia / Dumasaphobia. The fear of doctors and the fear of stupid people.
Finally I ended up where I started, the neurologist who first detected my aneurysm. She looked at my MRI's, asked a careful series of 'rule this out' questions and in 20 minutes I had the answer. It's no coincidence this was the only woman in the bunch. My family doctor, my vet, my chiropractor, my neurologist, my neurosurgeon and the best friends I've ever had are all women. In this case it was simple, MEN JUST DON'T LISTEN. I have a real problem with people who are self important and it's a red flag when I hear "It's doctor actually". Can you think of any other occupation where someone is so self involved this actually matters to them?
This is what bothers me about vets who make a quick diagnosis and out the door you go. How dare you question them, just pay your bill and leave!
The point to all this is that your cat or dog is not a test subject, it's a living thing that you care about and love. You have every right in the world to ask "stupid questions" and to bring up alternatives. If not for the people here I'm pretty sure there would be a lot more dead or suffering cats out there, that's something that should really scare all of us. I'm not being irrational, I'm just sick and tired of hearing stories about people being told to just bend over and take it. Aren't we all?

Big hugs to you and great point made. We all have to be our own and our cats advocates. Doctors/vets are only human too and can only solve so many puzzles based on their training.

 

[Noah & me (GA)]

Sorry, that was a bit negative. I've had incredible luck with all my vets over the years, it's usually inept techs that grind my gears. My favorite tech and my vet, I've been going there for over 20 years, get cookies today. I detest the local emergency clinic, an MRI in the basement and lots of shiny toys but just inept. Told us our dog had cancer and weeks to live, it was a benign cyst, had one cat die on the waiting room floor while I looked for someone/anyone and plain old murdered another cat. Their reading material isn't old People magazines, it's about their deferred payment plans.
The best doctors have no idea how great they are. I had simple day surgery once and when I got home I called the office to say everything went great and thank you. There was a long pause, then "are you being a smart ass?" Turns out she couldn't remember the last time a patient said Thank you. That got me thinking about the genius orthopedic surgeon who turned my bent like a pretzel wrist into something useable again. I e-mailed him 10 years later and he was deeply moved.
Best book for talking to your vet, Speaking for Spot by Dr. Nancy Kay.
Best ever book and required reading in some medical schools, Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End by Atul Gawande.
Worst techs, the one that misplaced Noah's ashes and the two nitwits that had Nigel pinned to the table and mouth breathing because they were determined to clip his nails. Is it obvious I'm having a bad month? The other members are used to it by now. It's all about me right?

 

[Lando demando]

Sorry, that was a bit negative. I've had incredible luck with all my vets over the years, it's usually inept techs that grind my gears. My favorite tech and my vet, I've been going there for over 20 years, get cookies today. I detest the local emergency clinic, an MRI in the basement and lots of shiny toys but just inept. Told us our dog had cancer and weeks to live, it was a benign cyst, had one cat die on the waiting room floor while I looked for someone/anyone and plain old murdered another cat. Their reading material isn't old People magazines, it's about their deferred payment plans.
The best doctors have no idea how great they are. I had simple day surgery once and when I got home I called the office to say everything went great and thank you. There was a long pause, then "are you being a smart ass?" Turns out she couldn't remember the last time a patient said Thank you. That got me thinking about the genius orthopedic surgeon who turned my bent like a pretzel wrist into something useable again. I e-mailed him 10 years later and he was deeply moved.
Best book for talking to your vet, Speaking for Spot by Dr. Nancy Kay.
Best ever book and required reading in some medical schools, Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End by Atul Gawande.
Worst techs, the one that misplaced Noah's ashes and the two nitwits that had Nigel pinned to the table and mouth breathing because they were determined to clip his nails. Is it obvious I'm having a bad month? The other members are used to it by now. It's all about me right?

Its a tough time! Youre allowed to feel this way.

 

[Nan & Amber (GA)]

@TheCatCPA , how's it going?

 

[TheCatCPA]

@TheCatCPA , how's it going?

Hello, thanks for checking in. The last few days have been busy. I've decided to opt out of the curve because it's an unnecessary expense and won't necessarily be accurate due to stressors. I'm going to start testing BG at home today. She hasn't had insulin in a few days which is probably bad but she seems fine; running and playing often, normal peeing/drinking, normal appetite, being social. When she had 2u's 2x, she stayed under the bed all day. That's alarming and I'm confident the dose is too high. I still have a lot more reading to do regarding logging BG over time, best time to take samples, what dosage for what BG range, etc.

 

[Nan & Amber (GA)]

Sounds like a plan! It does seem as if 2U was probably too much, I'm so glad you are going to start testing to see what's really up with her. Are you all set with a meter and testing supplies?

Some tips to get started:

-- set up a regular "testing spot" in your house to help get into a routine
-- start slow, you don't have to do the actual poking and the testing on the first try, just get her used to the basic actions (and that there is a treat associated with them!) at first
-- warm ears are easier. A little massage works (and gets her used to you fussing with her ears), you can also microwave a little sock filled with rice to help warm the ear
-- use the larger size (smaller gauge, 26 or 28) lancets to poke at first. Eventually, as the ears grow more capillaries, you can use the smaller lancets (31 or 33)
-- don't aim for the vein, you want the 'sweet spot' on the margin of the ear

-- Final tip: treats treats treats! You want her associating the whole process with a reward, so even unsuccessful tests get a hug and a treat, letting her go until you try again. Most cats eventually come running as soon as they see the 'testing area' getting set up!

Let us know if you have questions, and good luck!

 

[TheCatCPA]

Just wanted to provide a follow up. After a FedEx delay, my Alphatrak arrived yesterday. I have tried several times but I am not drawing a big enough blood sample to get a reading. Maybe I need to increase the depth setting on the pricked? I tested it in my finger but I guess human skin is different. I haven’t given her insulin because the prescribed dose is obviously too high I’m not comfortable shooting blind. I’m concerned I’m doing damage by prolonging insulin but she literally has 0 diabetic symptoms. Hopefully I can get a reading this afternoon and figure this out. Never imagined this whole process would be so tough. Wish me luck.

 

[Noah & me (GA)]

So this means it's now your cat and the roommate is out of the picture? It looks like you've made the big commitment without the usual hysteria, all good things. Does this cat have a name? You haven't asked any of us about something I vaguely recall being described as a vacation.

 

[Nan & Amber (GA)]

Just wanted to provide a follow up. After a FedEx delay, my Alphatrak arrived yesterday. I have tried several times but I am not drawing a big enough blood sample to get a reading. Maybe I need to increase the depth setting on the pricked? I tested it in my finger but I guess human skin is different. I haven’t given her insulin because the prescribed dose is obviously too high I’m not comfortable shooting blind. I’m concerned I’m doing damage by prolonging insulin but she literally has 0 diabetic symptoms. Hopefully I can get a reading this afternoon and figure this out. Never imagined this whole process would be so tough. Wish me luck.

My guess is that the lancet is too thin? If you can get to a human pharmacy, there should be thicker lancets (26 or 28 gauge) with the other diabetic supplies (often marked for use on "alternate sites"). If you're using a lancet poking device that came with the meter, you may not be able to get lancets that fit with that device, but it's also possible to just freehand with the lancet itself.

Another thing you can do to try to increase the blood drop size is to really work on warming up the ear before poking.

The fact that she's been without insulin for several days now and showing 0 diabetic signs is great!

 

[Lando demando]

Just wanted to provide a follow up. After a FedEx delay, my Alphatrak arrived yesterday. I have tried several times but I am not drawing a big enough blood sample to get a reading. Maybe I need to increase the depth setting on the pricked? I tested it in my finger but I guess human skin is different. I haven’t given her insulin because the prescribed dose is obviously too high I’m not comfortable shooting blind. I’m concerned I’m doing damage by prolonging insulin but she literally has 0 diabetic symptoms. Hopefully I can get a reading this afternoon and figure this out. Never imagined this whole process would be so tough. Wish me luck.

Thanks for the update! Wishing you the best of luck. Also two things i didnt realize i was doing wrong when my blood testing was unsuccessful… dip the very end of the strip in the blood, dont scoop, and yes the 28 gauge made a huge difference as nan $ amber said

 

[TheCatCPA]

So this means it's now your cat and the roommate is out of the picture? It looks like you've made the big commitment without the usual hysteria, all good things. Does this cat have a name? You haven't asked any of us about something I vaguely recall being described as a vacation.

Roommate is not out of the picture. They work a lot, can’t work remotely, but they help me with calming the cat during testing. My job is flexible and remote so that’s why I help so much. The cat does have a name but it’s unique. In the social media age I hesitate to share too much. Not sure what you mean by the last sentence lol What should I be asking about?

 

[TheCatCPA]

My guess is that the lancet is too thin? If you can get to a human pharmacy, there should be thicker lancets (26 or 28 gauge) with the other diabetic supplies (often marked for use on "alternate sites"). If you're using a lancet poking device that came with the meter, you may not be able to get lancets that fit with that device, but it's also possible to just freehand with the lancet itself.

Another thing you can do to try to increase the blood drop size is to really work on warming up the ear before poking.

The fact that she's been without insulin for several days now and showing 0 diabetic signs is great!

Great info. I appreciate it.

 

[Noah & me (GA)]

In the social media age I hesitate to share too much

Sorry if it sounds like I'm snooping, also explaining previous comment about filling in your profile. You can remain completely anonymous but still fill in blanks about the cat's previous medical history, other animals in the home and even your time zone. It can help with medical mysteries and emergencies.

Not sure what you mean by the last sentence

I guess you mean the vacation remark. You're making a big commitment, we all have. Let's just say I haven't needed a passport for the last 20 years.