Hi everyone, I'm new to FDMB

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Nicky & Merlin

Nicky & Merlin

Member Since 2022
My Merlin is 14yrs old just found Out he is diabetic. The vet prescribed the freestyle libre and Lantus 1 unit. Haven't started the insulin yet. Merlin goes to the vet on Saturday so the vet can place the freestyle. Its been a confusing and stressful week so far.I have some questions.

How much food should I feed merlin? ( Does eat friskies pate and chicken breast)
Do I feed first then give the insulin to him?
Do I need to wait a few minutes to give him the insulin after he eats?
Do I test him after he eats?

Ill probably have more questions later on.

I know the vet probably told me everything I need to know. My head has been going crazy with information. And I will ask again on Saturday. I thought I ask people who is going though all this with their kitty's. And any advice I can get.

Thank you
Nicky & Merlin
 
Welcome Nicky and Merlin sorry no one has gotten back to you yet
It is overwhelming in the beginning but everything will be alright ,we are all here to help you
Just keep asking all the questions you want to :cat:
Did the vet do a fructosamine test to diagnose ( it shows what his BG is over the last 2 weeks) or did they just test him with their meter
Lantus is a good insulin, I'm glad your vet prescribed it
Do you have the U-100 syringes with half unit markings ? I ask this is because we adjust the doses by 0.25 units. If you are going to use a lantus pen you can only adjust them by whole units. We do use the pens and just use syringes to draw the insulin out, just like using a vial
I can answer some of your questions , I'm glad you found us , there are many experienced members here ,if it wasn't for them giving me advice my Tyler wouldn't be in remission today knock on wood

You can read all about lantus here
https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/forums/lantus-levemir-biosimilars.9/

I am not very familiar with the Libre ,but many members here use it or have used it
Sometimes I have read the Libre might stop working before the 14 days or come off ,so it's good to have a back up
Most of us test with a meter ,a human meter (which the Libre is) such as The Relion Premier Classic 9 dollars at Walmart
17.88 for 100 test strips
26 or 28 gauge lancets to prick the ear
Cotton rounds
 
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Nicky & Merlin said:
How much food should I feed merlin? ( Does eat friskies pate and chicken breast)
Click to expand...
The rule thumb is about 20 calories per pound of ideal weight.
So if Merlin's ideal weight is ,let's say 14 lbs
20x14=280 calories

Friskies Pate is ok to feed it's low carb and plain chicken breast is ok
I'll give you our food chart link ,we like to stay around 6% carbs and under
https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/dr-pierson-new-food-chart.174147/
We feed the bigger meal first thing in the AM when you first test the BG and same with the PM
Then we feed our cats smaller meals during each 12 hour cycle
Probably about 2 tablespoons 2 hours after giving insulin and 4 hours
You only have to withhold food 2 hours prior when testing AMPS ( AM Pre Shot first test )
and same goes for the PMPS because you don't want the BG number to be food influenced
 
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Nicky & Merlin said:
Do I feed first then give the insulin to him?
Click to expand...
You would test Merlin first to see what his BG is first thing in the morning to be sure his BG number is safe to give insulin
With lantus you can shoot while he's eating ,is he a good eater?
So it's test,feed,then shoot
Lantus usually doesn't take effect until 2 hours after shooting
Part of that process is getting a feel for basic concepts:
  • Onset - the length of time before insulin reaches the bloodstream & begins lowering blood glucose
  • Peak/Nadir - the lowest point in the cycle
  • Duration - the length of time insulin continues to lower blood glucose
It would be great if you can set up what we call our signature
To set up your signature which you will see is at the end of everyone's post in gray, click on your name up top and then tap on the word signature and add this information
  • 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.

Take a look at mine
 
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Nicky & Merlin said:
Do I test him after he eats?
Click to expand...
I would get a test @+2 ( 2 hours after giving insulin ) then @+4 (4 hours after insulin) and @+6 that's when lantus is usually the lowest point in the cycle ,but not always
We have a spreadsheet that we use to track our cats BG to see how it's working and how low it's dropping, which will tell us when to increase or decrease the dose
If you ever need help with dosing we would need to look at the spreadsheet to give you some advice
I can give you the link to set one up, if you have trouble setting it up just ask, we have a member here that would be happy to do it for you
The link will also explain how the SS works
https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/how-to-create-a-spreadsheet.241706/

Take a look at my spreadsheet to get an idea how it works, I don't test that often now since Tyler is in remission, but you can tap on my 2020 tab to see when I was testing a lot
At the bottom of my signature tap on Tyler's spreadsheet
The years are on the top of the spreadsheet
 
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Thank you so much for the information.
The Vet did a senior blood panel and a urine sample. glucose was 450. And the urine showed no ketones but high in glucose.
The vet wants me give him 1 unit.

I hope I have the right syringes its
U-100
1.0 mil volume
29 gauge
12.7mm (1/2inch) needle length

Merlin only eats about half of a can of friskies in the morning. Do I still give him the 1 unit?
 
welcome. sorry you have to be here but i think you'll find it a very supportive group. I have a video in my signature showing how I tested my cat CC at home.
 
Nicky & Merlin said:
Thank you so much for the information.
The Vet did a senior blood panel and a urine sample. glucose was 450. And the urine showed no ketones but high in glucose.
The vet wants me give him 1 unit.

I hope I have the right syringes its
U-100
1.0 mil volume
29 gauge
12.7mm (1/2inch) needle length

Merlin only eats about half of a can of friskies in the morning. Do I still give him the 1 unit?
Click to expand...
They are not the correct ones
You would want these, call them and they will contact your vet to fax over a script ask for refills ,give your vet a heads up
https://www.adwdiabetes.com/product/1316/surecomfort-u100-syringes-half-unit-31g-3-10cc-5-16in-100ct

adw-coupon-dia10.jpg

10% off your next order











surecomfort-u100-half-unit-syringes-3-10cc-5mm-31g.jpg




49823063143_3437e9e997_o.jpg
 
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Nicky & Merlin said:
Thank you so much for the information.
The Vet did a senior blood panel and a urine sample. glucose was 450. And the urine showed no ketones but high in glucose.
The vet wants me give him 1 unit.

I hope I have the right syringes its
U-100
1.0 mil volume
29 gauge
12.7mm (1/2inch) needle length

Merlin only eats about half of a can of friskies in the morning. Do I still give him the 1 unit?
Click to expand...

******The syringes you need are the U 100 3/10 30 or 31 gauge 6 or 8 mm 1/2 unit insulin syringes

*****The syringes you have are the 1 ml 100U syringes and are too big to measure small amounts for cats. Each of the little lines on the 1 ml syringe is 2 units.
You can get the 3/10 syringes from Walmart or pharmacies and online. Make sure to ask for the ones with 1/2 unit markings.

How big is the can of Friskies? As long as he will eat for you a bit later, 1/2 a can should be enough. Onset of the insulin is about 2 hours so feed him some more a bit later. And I would give him at least 2 snack s of low carb food during every cycle.

Test before every dose of insulin to see it is safe to give the dose.
In the beginning if the preshot BG is lower than 200 I would stall, don't feed and test again in 20 minutes to see if the BG is rising. And post and ask for help.
 
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Bron and Sheba (GA) said:
I know they can get them in 1/2 unit ones but we need to find a photo of a box which is showing the 1/2 unit markings so there is no confusion.
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Couldn't find a photo I just copied what Bandits Mom Said
Syringes with half unit marks are also available at WalMart, if you have one near you. Their Relion brand 3/10ml (3/10cc), 30 or 31 gauge, 6mm or 8mm insulin syringes all come with half unit markings and are only $12.58 for a box of 100 (although a lot of them don't realize they DO come with half unit markings!)

I think I will delete it so there is no confusion you are right .In my post #9 the ones I told her to get do have it on the box from ADW Diabetes
@Bron and Sheba (GA)
 
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Oh no I don't know what to do. I paid $17.99 for that box of syringes. Do you think Walgreens let me return it and get my money back?
 
Nicky & Merlin said:
Oh no I don't know what to do. I paid $17.99 for that box of syringes. Do you think Walgreens let me return it and get my money back?
Click to expand...
@Nicky & Merlin
Do they look like the syringes ,the ones on the left, can you take a pic of them
You didn't get them at Walmart? The Relion Brand that was the pic I posted of both boxes but deleted it. Even though it didn't say half unit on the Relion box we just want to be sure they are half unit syringes
Post a pic of them and the box . At Walmart they should be 12.58 for 100 syringes
Not familiar with Walgreen's having them
49823063143_3437e9e997_o.jpg
 
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Nicky & Merlin said:
I don't know how to upload a picture from my phone. But the syringes has 100 units to 10 units
Click to expand...
@Nicky & Merlin
They don't sound right at all . I WOULDN'T USE THEM ,they should say 30 units like the pic I posted above ,the ones on the left
Where did you get them I don't know how to upload from a phone
You didn't go to Walmart?
If I can't see a pic of them DON'T USE THEM, THEY DON'T SOUND LIKE THE CORRECT ONES
Don't open the package , Walgreen's should give you your money back
You did say you got them at Walgreen's above in your post #17 post numbers are on the right of each post

I told you to go to Walmart

Or just order the ones I posted above ,if your vet is open today call her/him and tell them you are going to order them from ADW Diabetes , call them asap so your vet can fax over a script
You should get them pretty fast

Give me your e mail I took pics of the ones you should be using , but can't post them on here for some reason, I can e mail them to you to look at

You would want these, call them and they will contact your vet to fax over a script ask for refills ,give your vet a heads up
https://www.adwdiabetes.com/product/1316/surecomfort-u100-syringes-half-unit-31g-3-10cc-5-16in-100ct

surecomfort-u100-half-unit-syringes-3-10cc-5mm-31g.jpg
 
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FINALLY found the right syringes. Walmart didn't have any. But CVS did.
Merlin went to the vet today. He has the freestyle on him now. So he's not very happy with me. Did the the first reading it was 325. It was 450 on 6/10. I'm glad to see it's going down.
Thank you everyone for helping me. I been stress and crying all day. Yall help alot. I know I'm going to need more help probably soon. So thank you again.
 
Nicky & Merlin said:
FINALLY found the right syringes. Walmart didn't have any. But CVS did.
Merlin went to the vet today. He has the freestyle on him now. So he's not very happy with me. Did the the first reading it was 325. It was 450 on 6/10. I'm glad to see it's going down.
Thank you everyone for helping me. I been stress and crying all day. Yall help alot. I know I'm going to need more help probably soon. So thank you again.
Click to expand...
@Nicky & Merlin
Are you sure they are the correct syringes, I was waiting to hear from you, I just want to be sure after seeing you bought the wrong ones
Do they look like the ones on the left
49823063143_3437e9e997_o.jpg




I found soime pics of the syringes , never mind the box look at the syringe ,is this what you bought for lantus U-100 with half unit markings
ulticare-u-100-insulin-syringes-0-3cc-31g-x-5-16-w-half-unit-scale-60-count-4.jpg






71S-ZzvPzwL._AC_SY450_.jpg
 
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Welcome to FDMB.

You've done a great job so far, especially given that your vet didn't help with the syringes! We tend to make dose adjustments in increments of 0.25u. Vets often will suggest larger amounts. Since most of us can't be testing our cats every minute of the day, making small dose adjustment is safer and it ensures that you don't fly past what would be a good dose for your cat.

The Friskies pate is a good low carb food for Merlin. Chicken breast is a wonderful option as a treat. You don't want to use table food as a regular meal for any cat since a cat needs certain nutrients in their diet in order for it to be a nutritionally complete meal. (Taurine is one example of a supplement that is essential to a cat's diet.) Raw foods are also a good option -- either commercially prepared or home made and you can buy pre-mixes that contain all of the necessary supplements.

It may take a while for your cat's appetite to slack off. Until the diabetes is better controlled, there's a good chance he'll be hungry. It's the nature of diabetes.
 
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