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Merlin’sMama

Merlin’sMama

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Hi everybody. Sorry I went on so long in the last thread. So many questions. I need to add a link to the old bewildered member thread, but I don’t know how. Merlin will begin his treatment Monday morning with Caninsulin (because It’s not possible to start with any other in Cork). They said they have to sedate him to apply the libre device, and then they will give insulin and keep him to test all day. Poor little guy. I hope he will be ok. The vet insists that this is the best way, so I’m going with it for now. First chance I get, I will request Lantus and/or change vets, but any other vet at this point would need another 10 days to order everything. I have to get this going for him. I will shop for a meter and lancets today at Boots. Meanwhile I will continue my quest for a wet food that all three cats will eat.
 
Previous post for continuity
https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/new-bewildered-member.262616/#post-2946457

When ever you want to link the previous days post to your new one look all the way up top by that pic of the cat on the left hand side , your previous days post will be above that in that long line, it starts with https: copy and then paste it to your new post

If you need help setting up your signature and spreadsheet after you start the insulin, just ask we have a member who will be happy to do it for you, just ask and I will contact her for you

Meantime you can read about how to set up the spreadsheet and this link will explain how the spreadsheet works
https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/how-to-use-the-spreadsheet.241653/

And you can read about can insulin
https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/forums/caninsulin-vetsulin-and-n-nph.19/

After you get the blood work from the vet you can either take a screenshot and post it here or on the spreadsheet there is a labs tap and you can enter it there

Here is the link for your signature
Just tap on your name , then tap on signature and add the information and tap save
Here is a link helping us to help you link. If you noticed, our members have some basic information about their cat's in their signature. This helps us to not pester you by asking the same questions (your cat's name, insulin type, date of diagnosis, etc.) repeatedly. We also have a link to our spreadsheet in our signature. We are very numbers driven. The spreadsheet is a record of your cat's progress. By linking it in your signature, we can follow along and provide feedback should you need the help.
 
Last edited:
Sorry just noticed a new thread so I copy and paste what I wrote in the old one
Hi ladies!! I actually called my vet to ask and they said it basically depends of the vet supplier which insulin they have and also as long as the pet is under the vet care they can prescribe insulin which u can then buy in the pharmacy.
 
Hi everybody
At last, Merlin’s vet appointment is scheduled for tomorrow morning. We are anxious and worried, but it will be good to get him started on insulin at last. She has requested we bring in his food, so that’s a good sign. She also said that he will need to be sedated to install the Libre. I’m worried that that will raise his numbers, but I don’t really have a choice if I want him treated right away. I asked at our local pharmacy if they had a glucometer, and the pharmacist gave me a “GlucoMen areo” for free. I have no idea if it is one that requires a whole lotta blood? Should I start with this one? What is the most recommended glucometer? I will be filling out my spreadsheet and signature this week! And I have taken up the dry food, although my other two cats hate me and my stupid fifty-seven flavors of yucky wet food now. No more dry food for anybody. I know that’s best for everybody.
 
Merlin’sMama said:
And I have taken up the dry food, although my other two cats hate me and my stupid fifty-seven flavors of yucky wet food now. No more dry food for anybody. I know that’s best for everybody.
Click to expand...

we did the same. Went cold turkey, just cut it off completely

found out later, that is not exactly recommended. A gradual transition is apparently the "best" way to do it? I don't know, cold turkey worked for us.
 
I had a chat with my smart girl cat, Ooona, who is very fond of crunchies. I said it’s for the good of everyone and that I needed her to at least try new wet foods. She is not happy, but when I put the dry food in front of her now, she just turns away from it. It’s a little creepy how much she understands me. But then, she has been throwing up a lot of nothing today and just licks the wet off of the wet food. Poor thing.
 
Try mixing both first to get their tummy to get used to the New ones and then decrease the dry day by day
 
Also my ginger girl refused the wet on the beggining to the point I thought she will starve. It took ages to wean her off the dry. But even these days I have to crush one small piece of snack on top of her wet as she’s a diva and just sniffs whatever I offer and walk away :rolleyes:
 
Paulina said:
Also my ginger girl refused the wet on the beggining to the point I thought she will starve. It took ages to wean her off the dry. But even these days I have to crush one small piece of snack on top of her wet as she’s a diva and just sniffs whatever I offer and walk away :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
Ooona has always given a dirty look at any wet food that is placed before her. Even stuff she ends up eating! Like a kid crinkling up her nose.
 
I want to get started with the pokey pokies. Can anyone suggest lancet brands and where to get them in Ireland? I asked my local pharmacist and he gave me a GlucoMen monitor for free that has a pen thingie in it. Also, is GlucoMen an ok one to use for this forum? Will I have to convert everything? Anybody heard of it? What is the most popular system that uses the least amount of blood and is easily recorded on the spreadsheet? Thanks!
 
Diane Tyler's Mom said:
Previous post for continuity
https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/new-bewildered-member.262616/#post-2946457

When ever you want to link the previous days post to your new one look all the way up top by that pic of the cat on the left hand side , your previous days post will be above that in that long line, it starts with https: copy and then paste it to your new post

If you need help setting up your signature and spreadsheet after you start the insulin, just ask we have a member who will be happy to do it for you, just ask and I will contact her for you

Meantime you can read about how to set up the spreadsheet and this link will explain how the spreadsheet works
https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/how-to-use-the-spreadsheet.241653/

And you can read about can insulin
https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/forums/caninsulin-vetsulin-and-n-nph.19/

After you get the blood work from the vet you can either take a screenshot and post it here or on the spreadsheet there is a labs tap and you can enter it there

Here is the link for your signature
Just tap on your name , then tap on signature and add the information and tap save
Here is a link helping us to help you link. If you noticed, our members have some basic information about their cat's in their signature. This helps us to not pester you by asking the same questions (your cat's name, insulin type, date of diagnosis, etc.) repeatedly. We also have a link to our spreadsheet in our signature. We are very numbers driven. The spreadsheet is a record of your cat's progress. By linking it in your signature, we can follow along and provide feedback should you need the help.
Click to expand...
I wanted to add Merlin's diagnosis bloodwork, but I can't find where to open up a spreadsheet to add it to?
 
Merlin’sMama said:
I want to get started with the pokey pokies. Can anyone suggest lancet brands and where to get them in Ireland? I asked my local pharmacist and he gave me a GlucoMen monitor for free that has a pen thingie in it. Also, is GlucoMen an ok one to use for this forum? Will I have to convert everything? Anybody heard of it? What is the most popular system that uses the least amount of blood and is easily recorded on the spreadsheet? Thanks!
Click to expand...
I have never heard of that monitor, what do you mean it has a pen thingie in it?
You will have to enter his BG numbers on the spreadsheet
As for lancets you will want to get either 26 or 28 gauge lancets
I will tag @Paulina for you to see if she knows

I just looked at Paulina's signature and she that she uses the Contour Plus meter

This link will explain how the spreadsheet works
https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/how-to-use-the-spreadsheet.241653/
 
Last edited:
Merlin’sMama said:
I wanted to add Merlin's diagnosis bloodwork, but I can't find where to open up a spreadsheet to add it to?
Click to expand...
I remember you said the vet wants to start with caninsulin , did you get it yet?
First can we need you to set up your signature ,it's information about our cats and at the end of everyones post in gray. Tap on your name , then tap on signature and add the information
I'll give you the link for , then I'll ask Bhooma
@Bandit's Mom to set up our spreadsheet for you, she will send you a message so look for it above where it says inbox
After your spreadsheet is set up you will see up top where it says labs , you can fill in the blood work there or you can just post it here

Here is a link helping us to help you link. If you noticed, our members have some basic information about their cat's in their signature. This helps us to not pester you by asking the same questions (your cat's name, insulin type, date of diagnosis, etc.) repeatedly. We also have a link to our spreadsheet in our signature. We are very numbers driven. The spreadsheet is a record of your cat's progress. By linking it in your signature, we can follow along and provide feedback should you need the help.


  • Add info we need to help you:
    • Caregiver & kitty's name
    • DX: Date
    • Name of Insulin (do not include dose or frequency)
    • Name of your meter
    • Diet: "LC wet" or "dry food" or "combo"
    • Dosing: TR or SLGS or Custom (if applicable)
    • DKA or other recent health issue (if applicable)
    • Acro, IAA, or Cushings (if applicable)
    • Spreadsheet link. Please put the signature link on the bottom line of your signature information, on its own, so it is easy to find.
    • Please do not put any information about your location in the signature for security reasons. If you wish to add your country location, please add it to your profile.
Be sure to click the 'Save Changes' button at the bottom. If you need help urgently it is important we know these things at a glance. We don’t want to waste valuable time finding out information.
 
Merlin’sMama said:
I want to get started with the pokey pokies. Can anyone suggest lancet brands and where to get them in Ireland? I asked my local pharmacist and he gave me a GlucoMen monitor for free that has a pen thingie in it. Also, is GlucoMen an ok one to use for this forum? Will I have to convert everything? Anybody heard of it? What is the most popular system that uses the least amount of blood and is easily recorded on the spreadsheet? Thanks!
Click to expand...

Hi Jill
I've had a quick look around and the Glucomen Areo seems to be fine as it only needs a small 0.5ul blood sample to work but i've never heard of it.
From what i'm aware is that any human meter is fine to use it's just some need a bigger blood sample than others.
I use the pet meter alphatrak which only requires 0.3ul but the strips are way way more expensive than human meter strips.
You can use any lancet brand but most recommend using 28 gauge lancets and doing the ear prick freehand.
You will not need to convert anything, just enter your readings into the spreadsheet when you have it set up.
Here's a little bit about UK blood glucose meters, human and pet. Some of the meters might not exist now as it was March 2020 when @Elizabeth and Bertie posted it, but i know that the Gluco Navii does exist as does the Alphtrak.

UK BLOOD GLUCOSE METERS
You can use a glucose meter made for pets or one made for humans. Both are fine. They do however 'read' the blood glucose slightly differently. It's important to be aware of this.

The most popular human meter for kitties in the UK currently (March 2020) seems to be the SD Codefree. This has a reputation for being the cheapest to use. However, there is now a new meter made by the same manufacturer, the Gluco Navii. The new meter appears to have a couple of advantages over the SD Codefree. It takes a smaller blood sample, and is advertised as having improved accuracy.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/GlucoNavii-Blood-Glucose-Monitor-Starter/dp/B082MP5XN5/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=sd biosensor gluconavii&qid=1583674045&s=drugstore&sr=1-4
Other popular human meters include the Accu Chek meters, and the One Touch Verio meters.
The most popular pet meter is the Alphatrak. This is a nice meter but probably the most expensive to use.

The main cost of testing is the test strips. The SD Codefree is currently the cheapest meter to use. The Alphatrak is probably the most expensive.

Pet meters, such as Alphatrak, usually give slightly higher readings than human meters, and may give readings closer to those that you would see at your vet's clinic. They are typically more expensive to use than human meters. The GlucoRx Vet meter, from Wellnostics, is a cheaper alternative to the Alphatrak.
If you use a PET meter please let people here know this if you are asking for advice. And add that you are using a pet meter to your 'signature'.

Human meters usually give slightly lower readings than pet meters. And they may give a reading slightly lower than your vet might get. They are usually cheaper to run (sometimes much cheaper) than pet meters such as Alphatrak. Most people here currently use human meters.

Note: All of the insulin dosing protocols used here were devised using data from human glucose meters. So an adjustment will need to be made if you are using a pet meter.
 
Diane Tyler's Mom said:
I have never heard of that monitor, what do you mean it has a pen thingie in it?
You will have to enter his BG numbers on the spreadsheet
As for lancets you will want to get either 26 or 28 gauge lancets
I will tag @Paulina for you to see if she knows

I just looked at Paulina's signature and she that she uses the Contour Plus meter

This link will explain how the spreadsheet works
https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/how-to-use-the-spreadsheet.241653/
Click to expand...
Hi Diane,
I think the pen thingie is the lancet device/pen/holder.
 
Teetee (UK) said:
Hi Diane,
I think the pen thingie is the lancet device/pen/holder.
Click to expand...
Yes, I believe that's what it is. It has a control on the tip to "adjust the depth." It came with some green plastic things that I think have needles inside them. Is this pen what people use for cat's ears? Or somehow use the green plastic things? Oh boy, I am truly a beginner. I need to go the youtube route, I think. And how deep do you poke? And here's a thing I can't tell from the diagram: Do you poke the front of the ear, face side, or the back?
 
I cancelled Merlin's appointment today as it involved: fasting him before 930 appointment, sedating him to place the Freestyle Libre (!), feeding him prescription Royal Canin after he recovered from sedation, giving him Caninsulin at god knows what time, and keeping him in a cage for twelve hours after that to do a curve from the monitor. It seemed really extreme and like a terribly unnecessary long day for Merlin, not to mention stressful. She's the vet that told me off for "googling" when I requested Lantus, so I think she is all or nothing. I have emailed another vet in town who has really good reviews, so we will take him there for a second opinion. This time I will ask what his experience is with diabetic cats. Obviously, the first vet had very little. We have a cat-only vet in town, but they are not accepting any new patients and there is no waitlist. I hope this new vet will treat me like a partner in Merlin's treatment.
 
Merlin’sMama said:
Yes, I believe that's what it is. It has a control on the tip to "adjust the depth." It came with some green plastic things that I think have needles inside them. Is this pen what people use for cat's ears? Or somehow use the green plastic things? Oh boy, I am truly a beginner. I need to go the youtube route, I think. And how deep do you poke? And here's a thing I can't tell from the diagram: Do you poke the front of the ear, face side, or the back?
Click to expand...
I have never used the lancing device to poke, most of us just hold the lancet and poke with that, I feel you can see much better where you are poking
Always aim for the sweet spot warm the ears up first, you can put rice in a sock and put it in the microwave, test it on the inside of your wrist to be sure it's not to hot, like you would test a babies bottle. You can fill a pill bottle with warm water and roll it on the ears also.Just keep rubbing the ears with your fingers to warm them up
c2b8079a-b471-4fa6-ac36-9ac1c8d6dcca-jpeg.57072
fec17d29-5ab4-44a8-912b-3a91944c3954-jpeg.57073

6. As the ears get used to bleeding and grow more capilares, it gets easier to get the amount of blood you need on the first try. If he won’t stand still, you can get the blood onto a clean finger nail and test from there.
When you do get some blood you can try milking the ear.
Get you finger and gently push up toward the blood , more will appear
You will put the cotton round behind his ear in case you poke your finger, after you are done testing you will fold the cotton round over his ear to stop the bleeding , press gently for about 20 seconds until it stops
Get 26 or 28 gauge lancets
A lot of us use the lancets to test freehand
I find it better to see where I'm aiming
You can also put a thin layer of vaseline on the ear ,to help the blood bead up
A video one of our members posted
VIDEO: How to test your cat's blood sugar
 
Teetee (UK) said:
Hi Jill
I've had a quick look around and the Glucomen Areo seems to be fine as it only needs a small 0.5ul blood sample to work but i've never heard of it.
From what i'm aware is that any human meter is fine to use it's just some need a bigger blood sample than others.
I use the pet meter alphatrak which only requires 0.3ul but the strips are way way more expensive than human meter strips.
You can use any lancet brand but most recommend using 28 gauge lancets and doing the ear prick freehand.
You will not need to convert anything, just enter your readings into the spreadsheet when you have it set up.
Here's a little bit about UK blood glucose meters, human and pet. Some of the meters might not exist now as it was March 2020 when @Elizabeth and Bertie posted it, but i know that the Gluco Navii does exist as does the Alphtrak.

UK BLOOD GLUCOSE METERS
You can use a glucose meter made for pets or one made for humans. Both are fine. They do however 'read' the blood glucose slightly differently. It's important to be aware of this.

The most popular human meter for kitties in the UK currently (March 2020) seems to be the SD Codefree. This has a reputation for being the cheapest to use. However, there is now a new meter made by the same manufacturer, the Gluco Navii. The new meter appears to have a couple of advantages over the SD Codefree. It takes a smaller blood sample, and is advertised as having improved accuracy.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/GlucoNavii-Blood-Glucose-Monitor-Starter/dp/B082MP5XN5/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=sd biosensor gluconavii&qid=1583674045&s=drugstore&sr=1-4
Other popular human meters include the Accu Chek meters, and the One Touch Verio meters.
The most popular pet meter is the Alphatrak. This is a nice meter but probably the most expensive to use.

The main cost of testing is the test strips. The SD Codefree is currently the cheapest meter to use. The Alphatrak is probably the most expensive.

Pet meters, such as Alphatrak, usually give slightly higher readings than human meters, and may give readings closer to those that you would see at your vet's clinic. They are typically more expensive to use than human meters. The GlucoRx Vet meter, from Wellnostics, is a cheaper alternative to the Alphatrak.
If you use a PET meter please let people here know this if you are asking for advice. And add that you are using a pet meter to your 'signature'.

Human meters usually give slightly lower readings than pet meters. And they may give a reading slightly lower than your vet might get. They are usually cheaper to run (sometimes much cheaper) than pet meters such as Alphatrak. Most people here currently use human meters.

Note: All of the insulin dosing protocols used here were devised using data from human glucose meters. So an adjustment will need to be made if you are using a pet meter.
Click to expand...
Thank you! I will try to get my hands on a Glucoses Navii, but they are all sold out on Amazon. Is there a certain type/brand of lancets I should look for on Amazon?
 
Diane Tyler's Mom said:
I have never used the lancing device to poke, most of us just hold the lancet and poke with that, I feel you can see much better where you are poking
Always aim for the sweet spot warm the ears up first, you can put rice in a sock and put it in the microwave, test it on the inside of your wrist to be sure it's not to hot, like you would test a babies bottle. You can fill a pill bottle with warm water and roll it on the ears also.Just keep rubbing the ears with your fingers to warm them up
c2b8079a-b471-4fa6-ac36-9ac1c8d6dcca-jpeg.57072
fec17d29-5ab4-44a8-912b-3a91944c3954-jpeg.57073

6. As the ears get used to bleeding and grow more capilares, it gets easier to get the amount of blood you need on the first try. If he won’t stand still, you can get the blood onto a clean finger nail and test from there.
When you do get some blood you can try milking the ear.
Get you finger and gently push up toward the blood , more will appear
You will put the cotton round behind his ear in case you poke your finger, after you are done testing you will fold the cotton round over his ear to stop the bleeding , press gently for about 20 seconds until it stops
Get 26 or 28 gauge lancets
A lot of us use the lancets to test freehand
I find it better to see where I'm aiming
You can also put a thin layer of vaseline on the ear ,to help the blood bead up
VIDEO: How to test your cat's blood sugar
Click to expand...
Thank you. Thats the diagram where I can't see if you poke the front face side of the ear or the back...
 
Merlin’sMama said:
Thank you! I will try to get my hands on a Glucoses Navii, but they are all sold out on Amazon. Is there a certain type/brand of lancets I should look for on Amazon?
Click to expand...
Also, the Glucomen came with some test strips, but I see that they expired March 3 2022. The bottle is unopened. Could I still use them?
 
Also any brand lancet is fine 26 or 28 gauge
When you look at the lancet closely you will see one side is pointed upward that s the side you want to poke with
 
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Diane Tyler's Mom said:
Also any brand lancet is fine 26 or 28 gaugegauge
When you look at the lancet closely you will see one side is pointed upward that s the side you want to poke with
Click to expand...
I inspected the lancets that the Glucomen came with. They are 33 gauge. Is that bigger or smaller than the ones you recommended? Do you think that means the meter won't work with a different gauge lancet?
 
Merlin’sMama said:
I inspected the lancets that the Glucomen came with. They are 33 gauge. Is that bigger or smaller than the ones you recommended? Do you think that means the meter won't work with a different gauge lancet?
Click to expand...
33 gauge is a smaller needle than the 28 gauge, the higher the gauge number the smaller the needle.
The lancets are nothing to do with the meter, as long as you get enough blood from Merlins ear your meter will work but with it being a smaller needle it might be harder, i'm not sure.
I have used abbott freestyle lancets 28 gauge, microlet lancets 28g and Kinetik Wellbeing lancets 30g. All have been fine.
Regarding the strips being out of date, you can still use them to practice with until you get some that are in date, at least that way you will still get a reading plus getting practice in without ruining new strips.
Here's a video on how to take blood
How to test your cat's blood sugar
 
Diane Tyler's Mom said:
@Paulina any suggestions for a meter
Click to expand...
I use contour plus - only beacuse my partners mother got it for me in Poland where i could get the strips cheaper than here. My friend works in the Hospital here in Galway and has discount for the pharmacy there so if im stuck with my contour PLUS i get the strips for contour NEXT and then they are around 13e per 50 in box and usually they probably like 20e or over. The glucometers are usually free. The strips are very expensive here unfortunately :cool:
 
Diane Tyler's Mom said:
I have never used the lancing device to poke, most of us just hold the lancet and poke with that, I feel you can see much better where you are poking
Always aim for the sweet spot warm the ears up first, you can put rice in a sock and put it in the microwave, test it on the inside of your wrist to be sure it's not to hot, like you would test a babies bottle. You can fill a pill bottle with warm water and roll it on the ears also.Just keep rubbing the ears with your fingers to warm them up
c2b8079a-b471-4fa6-ac36-9ac1c8d6dcca-jpeg.57072
fec17d29-5ab4-44a8-912b-3a91944c3954-jpeg.57073

6. As the ears get used to bleeding and grow more capilares, it gets easier to get the amount of blood you need on the first try. If he won’t stand still, you can get the blood onto a clean finger nail and test from there.
When you do get some blood you can try milking the ear.
Get you finger and gently push up toward the blood , more will appear
You will put the cotton round behind his ear in case you poke your finger, after you are done testing you will fold the cotton round over his ear to stop the bleeding , press gently for about 20 seconds until it stops
Get 26 or 28 gauge lancets
A lot of us use the lancets to test freehand
I find it better to see where I'm aiming
You can also put a thin layer of vaseline on the ear ,to help the blood bead up
A video one of our members posted
VIDEO: How to test your cat's blood sugar
Click to expand...

Here’s Merlin’s ear! I aim between the big vein on the far right and the edge, right? More toward the tip than the base? Just preparing for when my lancets arrive in the post.
upload_2022-5-10_10-53-9.jpeg
 

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Yes that's right Jill, try to avoid the big vein but not to worry if you hit it as it will just bleed more, also try to prick at a 45 degree angle so's that you don't poke straight through the ear, again no big issue but best try not to do that, i've gone through a few times.
Don't get too disheartened if it does not work straight away, some cats bleed easier than others.
This is where you want to aim, just to the left of the main vain.
upload_2022-5-10_10-53-9.jpg
 

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I actually find the left side bleeds better but with more ear hair there it can be challenging to get the droplet onto the strip, at least for me. Even with vaseline applied sometimes it's no good

when we were first learning, we never poked the hairy side. Once we felt like we had a decent handle on the pokey process we started trying the other side and now we rotate around, using both sides of the ear and moving up and down the edge to allow for the most healing possible of previous poke spot
 
Hendrick Cuddleclaw said:
I actually find the left side bleeds better but with more ear hair there it can be challenging to get the droplet onto the strip, at least for me. Even with vaseline applied sometimes it's no good

when we were first learning, we never poked the hairy side. Once we felt like we had a decent handle on the pokey process we started trying the other side and now we rotate around, using both sides of the ear and moving up and down the edge to allow for the most healing possible of previous poke spot
Click to expand...
Ok. I’m just waiting for my lancet delivery. Then I will give it a try! I’m really wanting to do a curve before starting insulin, as, since his diet change, he has perked up so much. I’m going to arrange a meeting with the first vet tomorrow to discuss this. The second vet fell through.
 
Teetee (UK) said:
Yes that's right Jill, try to avoid the big vein but not to worry if you hit it as it will just bleed more, also try to prick at a 45 degree angle so's that you don't poke straight through the ear, again no big issue but best try not to do that, i've gone through a few times.
Don't get too disheartened if it does not work straight away, some cats bleed easier than others.
This is where you want to aim, just to the left of the main vain.
View attachment 64229
Click to expand...
I’m a little confused… you said to the left of the main vein, but the part circled is to the right. Do you mean if you’re poking it on the back side of the ear?
 
Yes. From that photo, which is taken from the front of the cat’s face, it would be to the right of the vein. If I were coming from behind my cat’s head, as I nearly always did, if I were using his left ear, I would be aiming to the left of the vein. If I were using his right ear, I would be aiming to the right of the vein.
 
You can poke from the front or back of the ears - whatever is better for your cat. In the beginning, I kept my boy busy with some treats or food while I mucked about with his ear (I wasn’t very good.). I probably didn’t need to do this because he was such a wonderful cat who never complained - although he did seem to wonder what I was doing messing around with his ears in the beginning.
 
Suzanne & Darcy said:
Yes. From that photo, which is taken from the front of the cat’s face, it would be to the right of the vein. If I were coming from behind my cat’s head, as I nearly always did, if I were using his left ear, I would be aiming to the left of the vein. If I were using his right ear, I would be aiming to the right of the vein.
Click to expand...
Got it. Thanks!
 
I’m going back to the first vet, as the other one is not accepting new patients. I am meeting with her today, without Merlin, to ask her to: 1. Apply the Libre sensor without sedation 2. Let it do its job at home to do a curve pre-insulin for a few days, as her diagnosis was based on one blood test after dry food two weeks ago. (He is now off dry food, eating all LC wet food, peeing less often, drinking less water, seeming happy). 3. After first insulin dose, I will bring him home to do the curve. I already asked her for Lantus and she outright refused, so Caninsulin it will have to be…at least until we use Merlin as a cat guinea pig to prove that it doesn’t work that well on cats. I will also ask her to do a BG reading and a fructosamine test the day of the Libre connection. Does this all sound reasonable to y’all?
 
Sounds like a good plan Jill.
I would also ask about Prozinc insulin and try to explain to her the Caninsulin was developed for dogs whereas Prozinc was developed for cats. As @Paulina says it is available in Ireland.
Have a look at this link you could get some questions to ask your vet.
https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/preparing-insulin-ahead-of-time.229592/
If you click on the blue link in post 13, it will open up a page about Feline Diabetes from the Royal Veterinary College stating that Prozinc is better than Caninsulin. Maybe give the link to your vet for her to read.
This section states it on page 4, 2) Use a long-acting insulin to reduce the pathological hyperglycaemia
As for the Fructosamine test, probably not needed as you have changed his food to LC plus the libre will give you all the info you need.
Are you home testing yet?
This link is quite interesting as well, especially the link in post 10.
https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/why-are-you-choosing-prozinc.210515/#post-2334890
 
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Just realized I didn’t write the results of my meeting with the vet yesterday. Our face to face meeting went really well, way better than emailing. We will be fitting the Libre this morning, without sedation, monitoring his levels without insulin for a few days, and, if he needs it still, which I’m pretty sure he does, she is looking in to ordering Lantus (or Prozinc?) instead of Caninsulin. I told her I have friends dealing with FD and also I have spoken with my previous vet in the US. It was a total turn-around from last week when she emailed me that “googling around different insulins” isn’t enough. I think I found out from Pauline last week that Prozinc is not available in Ireland, but Lantus is…Would Lantus be a better starter than Caninsulin, if Prozinc isn’t an option?
 
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