? Having a hard time w/ testing - dosing advice?

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I finally managed to get a sample today - too late in the day to start her dose but it was 205. She was lying down so it was a little less stressful for her, but of course she is now running away from me every time she sees me!! Will try again this evening. If I can't get a sample should I just start with .25 or hold off? I really want to start her on the insulin and am worried about delaying it.. I think maybe I just need to try out a Freestyle Libre at this point but I'm worried she'd just scratch it off :arghh: I also have hydrophobic litter in the litterbox so I can check her urine glucose although I know it's not super accurate. Just trying all the things!

Foxdancer said:
Also- if you are very frustrated and anxious, the kitties can feel it and they will be even less cooperative. When I first started, I playacted that I was the vet. I pretended to put my white coat on, walked confidently into the room, picked up the cat and put him on the counter, and explained what I was doing to an imaginary cat parent while I tested him like a confident professional would. Kinda silly, but it worked.
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This is a great idea! I feel so guilty and anxious when I try to take a sample, it can't hurt to put yourself in a more clinical mindset :cat:
Lando demando said:
Sometimes taking a breath and waiting for both your stress levels to come down is needed. Youll get there. Sending well wishes
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Thank you :bighug: Trying to de-stress and just do it without overthinking.
 
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Ok so I just did a urine test with glucose strips and it showed as negative for glucose?? I did another one just in case and got the same result. I had done one a few days ago that showed around the 100-250 range so I don't think they're defective. So confusing!! Is this something common with this kind of testing, that sometimes they don't show as having any glucose in the urine even though their BG is elevated? :confused:

Edit as I just did a ketone test and it turned purple so now I'm freaking out a little.. She doesn't have any symptoms of ketoacidosis, I'm totally confused... Should I call my vet?
 
Edit to add she has been eating normally, is active and hasn't had vomiting or diarrhea... Is it possible the test is wrong? I tried calling my vet and they said they are currently slammed with patients and will have to call me back :(

I feel super guilty for not starting her insulin earlier. I really hope she is okay.
 
Spoke to my vet and she wasn't too concerned about it because her symptoms are otherwise good, but I could tell she wasn't pleased I haven't started the insulin yet. Will try again tomorrow morning and see if maybe she will be less nervous about the testing/insulin if I give her a gabapentin beforehand. Scared because I have to work during the day and am worried I won't be able to monitor her, but will at least try to stop by on my lunch break to see how she's doing.

My vet seemed to be against the idea of home testing and said not to get too caught up in the numbers and just do the insulin ASAP, but this really goes against what everyone here has said. I did check with another veterinary professional via email and she said she wouldn't recommend starting insulin if urine glucose was negative and to just give another week with the wet food but that I should confirm with my vet. It's hard hearing all these conflicting things, I guess I just have to try it out on my own and see what works. So stressful! Glad I am able to post here and get advice from others who are going through the same!
 
Just wanted to add that the last two times I’ve checked her bg have so much better. I’ve found if I just let her relax on the couch instead of holding her she is not as stressed. I pet her, got the reading, and then gave her some treats and she was purring almost the whole time, I couldn’t believe it! Doubt it will continue to be that easy but just thought I’d share.
 
fenderrae said:
Just wanted to add that the last two times I’ve checked her bg have so much better. I’ve found if I just let her relax on the couch instead of holding her she is not as stressed. I pet her, got the reading, and then gave her some treats and she was purring almost the whole time, I couldn’t believe it! Doubt it will continue to be that easy but just thought I’d share.
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Youre amazing! Way to go. Happy happy news… and it MAY continue you never know ;)
 
So every day seems to be a little different and since i haven’t yet been able to reliably test her in a consistent way. She acts like the prick really hurts her and I don’t know why… she growls and hisses and tries to get away even if I don’t hold her. so I emailed my vet about trying the freestyle libre. I don’t know if it will bother her or not or if it will even be accurate, but since her numbers have started to lower im worried about giving a dose without getting a reading. My vet wanted me to just give 1 unit 2x daily and was discouraging home testing but I think that would have been too much for her based on the numbers so far. Should I just be giving a tiny .1 dose on the days i can’t get a reading or not shoot at all? Any advice would be appreciated. I don’t like that administration has been so inconsistent.
 
fenderrae said:
So every day seems to be a little different and since i haven’t yet been able to reliably test her in a consistent way. She acts like the prick really hurts her and I don’t know why… she growls and hisses and tries to get away even if I don’t hold her. so I emailed my vet about trying the freestyle libre. I don’t know if it will bother her or not or if it will even be accurate, but since her numbers have started to lower im worried about giving a dose without getting a reading. My vet wanted me to just give 1 unit 2x daily and was discouraging home testing but I think that would have been too much for her based on the numbers so far. Should I just be giving a tiny .1 dose on the days i can’t get a reading or not shoot at all? Any advice would be appreciated. I don’t like that administration has been so inconsistent.
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fenderrae said:
So every day seems to be a little different and since i haven’t yet been able to reliably test her in a consistent way. She acts like the prick really hurts her and I don’t know why… she growls and hisses and tries to get away even if I don’t hold her. so I emailed my vet about trying the freestyle libre. I don’t know if it will bother her or not or if it will even be accurate, but since her numbers have started to lower im worried about giving a dose without getting a reading. My vet wanted me to just give 1 unit 2x daily and was discouraging home testing but I think that would have been too much for her based on the numbers so far. Should I just be giving a tiny .1 dose on the days i can’t get a reading or not shoot at all? Any advice would be appreciated. I don’t like that administration has been so inconsistent.
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As you wait for an experienced member to weigh in, i want to show you Landos SS in my signature. It show the early days where 2 units brought him from the 400s to below 90. Just want to show you why I found it so helpful to know the numbers before shooting. Keep it up, you are getting there!
 
I like the .25 dose for anything over 150.. under that you are probably wise to not shoot as you are still struggling with testing. I totally understand... I have some cats that would be IMPOSSIBLE to test. I was just lucky that my diabetic was my only really easy going cat.
 
Though this morning was a disaster, this evening I tried out the lancet gadget thingy and it worked on the first try, what a relief! It was 156 so she'll get a small dose tonight. Consistency has been a mess but I'll keep trying. :cat:
 
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