Newly diagnosed~help

Status
Not open for further replies.
Elvis & Scar

Elvis & Scar

Member Since 2021
Hi guys...I was looking for some advice. My cat was diagnosed with diabetes in Nov. He started out peeing/eating excessively in the fall and we started him on Vetsulin immediately. My vet was leaving the country and with the holidays I didn't get a second appointment until next week. I only started checking his blood daily about a week ago (new fear of needles/lancets delayed my learning.) His diabetes isn't regulated and I'm administering 1 unit atm. I kinda want to know what my next steps should be. I looked through here and my vet and some work friends didn't encourage me with switching insulin they were more like it is what it is. From what I read Lantus has great success with remission and I'm considering switching at my next appointment. I really don't know what else to do.
I hope I added the chart in my siggy correctly!
 
Hi and welcome to you and Elvis.
Well done setting up the spreadsheet and starting to hometest. That is wonderful for Elvis.

Can you tell us what type of glucose meter you are using please? A human meter or a pet meter. Could you put what type into the signature and also the SS at the top where it says Meter: Thanks. It can make a difference.

Lantus is a much better insulin for cats. Vetsulin is actually an insulin for dogs. In cats, vetsulin hits hard and fast whereas Lantus is a longer acting more gentle insulin. I would definitely ask your vet to swap over……don’t let him persuade you not to.

With vetsulin you need to test the BG, then feed the meal, then wait 30 minutes before giving the insulin so that Elvis has food aboard when it hits. Are you doing this?
Also we recommend giving snacks of low carb food during the first half of all cycles say at +2 and +4 or 5. Here is some information about VETSULIN GUIDE

looking at the SS it looks as if Elvis will need an increase in dose up to 1.25 units but I would like to see another couple of days BGs first.

When you swap over to Lantus we can given you information about that.
 
You did a great job of linking your spreadsheet to your signature.

Lantus likes consistency, when you switch over it should be given every 12 hours as close as you can.

I'm so glad you are testing. That data can save his life.

Please tell your Mom not to ever give a second shot (Remarks from yesterday) if the first seems like it didn't go in, as you never know how much actually did go in.

Do you have syrup and higher carb food if needed in an emergency? Here is the link that I would print out and store with my hypo kit.

Try to get the night time tests too, as kitty's often go lower at night.
 
Thank you so much for the feedback! Just updated the SS and sig and will continue testing until Monday's appointment. I wasn't sure about checking tests overnight so will start it tonight...So glad you caught that remark about yesterday's fur shot. NOTED. Yes!! I have syrup readily avail. I also wanted to mention no ketones were spotted at the initial appointment.
 
Elvis & Scar said:
Thank you so much for the feedback! Just updated the SS and sig and will continue testing until Monday's appointment. I wasn't sure about checking tests overnight so will start it tonight...So glad you caught that remark about yesterday's fur shot. NOTED. Yes!! I have syrup readily avail. I also wanted to mention no ketones were spotted at the initial appointment.
Click to expand...
Thanks for all that feedback and information. Keep posting so we can help you with dosing.:)
 
Hi @Bron and Sheba (GA) is it normal to get 2 different GC readings seconds apart?? I just came home to test and I was shocked the left ear tested 137...alas I checked the right ear and 300s appeared. Now I'm unsure if any of the testings were accurate all this time?
 
Elvis & Scar said:
Hi @Bron and Sheba (GA) is it normal to get 2 different GC readings seconds apart?? I just came home to test and I was shocked the left ear tested 137...alas I checked the right ear and 300s appeared. Now I'm unsure if any of the testings were accurate all this time?
Click to expand...
There can be a 20% variance in the BG numbers on most glucometers. But 137 to 300 is a big jump. I would have checked again to see if you got a BG close to one of the tests you had Already done. Sometimes you get a dud strip. If you ever get a BG result that doesn’t seem correct, always check it.


I notice in the PMPS column you have the time of the shot written there. That column is for the PMpS BG number!
Did you give the insulin dose tonight? As we are not sure of the PMPS BG I would get a +1 and a +2 BG just to see he isn’t too low.
 
Bron and Sheba (GA) said:
There can be a 20% variance in the BG numbers on most glucometers. But 137 to 300 is a big jump. I would have checked again to see if you got a BG close to one of the tests you had Already done. Sometimes you get a dud strip. If you ever get a BG result that doesn’t seem correct, always check it.


I notice in the PMPS column you have the time of the shot written there. That column is for the PMpS BG number!
Did you give the insulin dose tonight? As we are not sure of the PMPS BG I would get a +1 and a +2 BG just to see he isn’t too low.
Click to expand...
I gave the pm shot @ 7:45pm I checked it a third time and got 328...it must have been a dud. Oh no! I screwed up the SS. I only wrote down the PMps BG number in some remarks and did check before administering except before I learned how to...
 
Elvis & Scar said:
I gave the pm shot @ 7:45pm I checked it a third time and got 328...it must have been a dud. Oh no! I screwed up the SS. I only wrote down the PMps BG number in some remarks and did check before administering except before I learned how to...
Click to expand...
That’s Ok. We were all learners in the beginning. If you could put thePMPS BG in the column, that would be great.
Im glad you rechecked the BG,
 
I just returned from the vet and was given the script to Lantus and syringes. Elvis tested 434 in the office at 1:45pm, no ketones. No insulin was administered today (I forgot to turn on my alarm) I'm back from Rite-aid and come to find out I was given Basaglar??? Is this the same thing? It does say Common brand name Lantus, Semglee. I'm going to begin tonight. @Bron and Sheba (GA)
 
That’s good no ketones.
What dose did the vet tell you to start with? Looking at the SS it looks like you have given 1 unit.
What syringes did the vet give you. Can you take a photo of one of the syringes and copy and paste it here?
I would get a test around +5 or 6 tonight if you can. And leave some food out for him.

Please put the syringes you used to give the vetsulin with away somewhere, so that you don’t inadvertently use one of them with the Lantus as they will give an increased dose.
 
Bron and Sheba (GA) said:
That’s good no ketones.
What dose did the vet tell you to start with? Looking at the SS it looks like you have given 1 unit.
What syringes did the vet give you. Can you take a photo of one of the syringes and copy and paste it here?
I would get a test around +5 or 6 tonight if you can. And leave some food out for him.

Please put the syringes you used to give the vetsulin with away somewhere, so that you don’t inadvertently use one of them with the Lantus as they will give an increased dose.
Click to expand...
Starting at 1unit 2x a day. I picked these up as well. u-100. Thanks! I'll get the +6 in before bed. I've actually handed in the rest of the unopened syringes (for vetsulin) to the vet earlier.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_8134.JPG
    IMG_8134.JPG
    65.8 KB · Views: 132
Elvis & Scar said:
Starting at 1unit 2x a day. I picked these up as well. u-100. Thanks! I'll get the +6 in before bed. I've actually handed in the rest of the unopened syringes (for vetsulin) to the vet earlier.
Click to expand...
I’m glad you got rid of the other syringes.
These are the correct syringes. Next time you buy them ask for 1/2 unit ones as they are easier to use when giving smaller doses.
 
Elvis & Scar said:
Hi guys...I was looking for some advice. My cat was diagnosed with diabetes in Nov. He started out peeing/eating excessively in the fall and we started him on Vetsulin immediately. My vet was leaving the country and with the holidays I didn't get a second appointment until next week. I only started checking his blood daily about a week ago (new fear of needles/lancets delayed my learning.) His diabetes isn't regulated and I'm administering 1 unit atm. I kinda want to know what my next steps should be. I looked through here and my vet and some work friends didn't encourage me with switching insulin they were more like it is what it is. From what I read Lantus has great success with remission and I'm considering switching at my next appointment. I really don't know what else to do.
I hope I added the chart in my siggy correctly!
Click to expand...
Elvis & Scar said:
Hi guys...I was looking for some advice. My cat was diagnosed with diabetes in Nov. He started out peeing/eating excessively in the fall and we started him on Vetsulin immediately. My vet was leaving the country and with the holidays I didn't get a second appointment until next week. I only started checking his blood daily about a week ago (new fear of needles/lancets delayed my learning.) His diabetes isn't regulated and I'm administering 1 unit atm. I kinda want to know what my next steps should be. I looked through here and my vet and some work friends didn't encourage me with switching insulin they were more like it is what it is. From what I read Lantus has great success with remission and I'm considering switching at my next appointment. I really don't know what else to do.
I hope I added the chart in my siggy correctly!
Click to expand...
My cat was diagnosed around the first of December as well. I am losing my mind. He is constantly hungry, uses the cat box 15 times a day and drinks a ton of water. He is on Glycobalance wet food twice a day when he gets 2 units of Vetsulin. He doesn't seem to be improving at all. The Glycobalance is getting hard to find and it's expensive. He is eating both wet and dry because he is ravenous. Does anybody have any suggestions to help?
 
Amy H Cabe said:
My cat was diagnosed around the first of December as well. I am losing my mind. He is constantly hungry, uses the cat box 15 times a day and drinks a ton of water. He is on Glycobalance wet food twice a day when he gets 2 units of Vetsulin. He doesn't seem to be improving at all. The Glycobalance is getting hard to find and it's expensive. He is eating both wet and dry because he is ravenous. Does anybody have any suggestions to help?
Click to expand...
Hi and welcome...I'd begin by getting familiar with creating a Spreadsheet and signature linked to it so the same questions wouldn't be asked every time. My kitty's numbers are still pretty high even after a month. I'm not sure if you've considered switching to Lantus like I did. I quote @Bron and Sheba (GA) "Lantus is a much better insulin for cats. Vetsulin is actually an insulin for dogs." This and I wasn't seeing my cat's number lasting...made me make the switch. I guess from there then suggestions can be made about increasing units slowly? I'm still in the learning phase. We're all here to help.
 
Hi @Amy H Cabe and welcome.
Would you like to start your own thread so we can help you?
All you need to do is go to the top right of the main health page (this thread is on that page and click on ‘POST NEW THREAD’ and start to tell us your story. Tell us what you are feeding, what insulin and dose you are giving, what meter you are using. When your kitty was diagnosed and anything else you can think of.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top