Advice needed getting Glucose reading!!!!!

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Melanie and Buddy

Melanie and Buddy

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Hi everyone!
Buddy was diagnosed with diabetes a week ago. As per his doctor's instructions I have to do glucose test, then feed him, then give his insulin shot....repeat in 12 hours. next week he needs to have the blood curve test doneso his doctor can determine if his insulin dosage needs to be increased. I find the ear prick test challenging. I manage to get it done in the morning, but then 12 hours later when I go for the next one can't seem to get it. I have the Alpha Trak 3. I find that using the lancing device is a bit hars cause once I see the blood vessel on his ear and then try to use the device I can't see the blood vessel anymore cause the device block my view. I have been doing it freehand. Sometimes I get blood, sometimes I don't. And he flinches. I worry that I am damaging his ears because I get the prick, but not the blood. I do warm his ear first, but I think I am missing the part I need to prick! I tried with his paw pad, but got no blood there either. Any advice? I really want to be able to get his blood curve done at home rather than have him stay at the vet all day so they can do it. He would be stressed sitting in a cage all day.
 
Welcome to FDMB!

This is a link to our information on home testing. I found the lancing device difficult to use and always free hand tested. It's truly a matter of personal preference. One point, you do not want to try to poke the vein. If you do, it will end up looking like a scene from CSI or some other murder scene. In the link, the second item is a link to a picture of Laur and Danny's photo of the "sweet spot." You want to poke between the vein and the outer edge of your cat's ear. Also, it takes a few weeks for the capillary bed to build up so it's easier for the ear to bleed.

What gauge lancet are you using? Until the capillary bed builds up, you'll want to use a wider gauge lancet. The lower the number, the wider the gauge. For now, you would want to use a lancet that's between 26 - 28 gauge. Once your cat's ear gets accustomed to testing, you can use a thinner lancet. I think I was using a 30 gauge.

Another "trick" is to poke twice as close to the same spot as you can.

Keep us posted on how you're doing with testing.
 
Hi Sienna and Gabby, thank you for your reply and advice. The lancets I have is what the Alpha Trck 3 came with. 28 guage. When I was at the vet with Buddy it was because after his blood work came in, they called me and said his glucose was way too high. So I had to bring him back. The tecnician did the ear prick test....levels were high. Then the doctor came in and said he needs insulin. After that the tecnician showed me how to do the glucose test, and insulin shots. But cause he had just had the ear prick done, she just pointed to where blood vessel is and said aim for that. Use my phone flashlight if needed to see the vessels better. But I had no experience on the angle to insert the lancet and know where not to poke. It is so hard for me because if I put him up on my counter I can't see the vessels well. The only way I can see them well is if I am on the floor with him and I hold my phone flashlight on the inside of his ear....then I have to hold the phone and ear to it and try to prick with my othe hand. Any advice on paw pad pricks?
 
As someone who had a cat with black ears, a few suggestions. I found one of those small flashlights with a flat top to it. I'd stack the flashlight, then a gauze (make up remover pad works well) under the ear and it illuminated everything. I'd hold that with one hand. I'd put the tiniest smear of Vaseline on the spot I was going to poke. Then I'd poke between the vein and the edge of the ear and quickly hold the edge of the ear below the poke so a blood drop would pool on the vaseline. Without that vaseline, the blood disappeared in the black fur.

I held my kitty on my lap with her back to me. Though after time I got good at doing it wherever she was lying down too.

Do check out those videos in the link Sienne gave you. Under the last of those videos is some information on paw testing.
 
Thank you for all the advice! I am getting the hang of it. I tried with the pen this morning rather than freehand and Buddy actually did not flinch, I got the blood sample easily. Hopefully going forward it will go as well as it did this morning. I really appreciate all the help!
 
Hi !
I am happy to say that I id get Buddy's glucose tests done. I have actually mastered doing it! I have another question. I know that having to give insulin shots twice a day and glucose test is something that a cat has to get used to. But Buddy has been acting out in sense of suddenly peeing on my couch. I understand that his regular life was changed when I had to start his diabetic treatment. But does anyone have any suggestions for this new thing? After he did that I have been putting boxes on the couch when I go to bed so that he can't get on it. But at the same time I know doing that is not something he is used to....
 
Good for you on getting the BG (blood glucose) tests done. :) What sort of numbers are you seeing?

Is Buddy your only cat? I found I had to add an extra litter box around the house for Neko when she was in higher numbers, something more convenient when she was peeing more. Has anything else changed for Buddy other than now getting BG tests and insulin? Don't forget the treats after the testing, soon he'll look forward to it. As he get regulated he'll also need to pee less and that might help.
 
Getting that blood sample freehand is like poking a hole through only the first ply of cheap two ply toilet paper. My two didn't react well to the lancet clicker so freehand it was. Noah was the worst and only had one good ear. I'd often shred the little guys ear but whether the blood came from top or bottom I'd check the meter first and apologize later. He adored having his ear wiped with a warm/wet paper towel.
One mistake I made was using 31 gauge lancets, the holes just weren't big enough. Good luck.
 
Wendy&Neko said:
Good for you on getting the BG (blood glucose) tests done. :) What sort of numbers are you seeing?

Is Buddy your only cat? I found I had to add an extra litter box around the house for Neko when she was in higher numbers, something more convenient when she was peeing more. Has anything else changed for Buddy other than now getting BG tests and insulin? Don't forget the treats after the testing, soon he'll look forward to it. As he get regulated he'll also need to pee less and that might help.
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Hi Wendy&Neko! Thank you for your reply. Buddy is the only cat here in my home. He does come with me to my boyfriend's house. Used to be a monthly things and we stay for a week. My boyfriend has a cat also. Buddy and his cat Guac (short for guacamole, lol) Are best friends. Buddy and I have not gone there since he was diagnosed. His peeing issue started at my boyfriends place the last time we we there. Buddy would pee on anything that was on the floor. For sure that was a nuisance but I did not know why he was doing that. At home he never did that ever....also last visit was the first time he ever did that there. I am waiting to go back to boyfriends till I get Buddy under control. He is getting used to so many different things and Guac would not understand, LOL....

After that once back home is when I started seeing some changes. He was drinking alot more, peeing (thankfully in litter box) alot more. I did not wait long before contacting his vet. I had Googled frequent peeing and exessive thirst, and saw diabetic signs. His doctor and her team have been fantastic. They know that getting this under control takes time. Any time I think of question I email them, and I always get a reply. His doctor called me this morning because I had emailed about him peeing on my couch. She explained that for me it might seem like it has been a long time since he started his inulin, and glucose tests (it has been a month) but to Buddy he still does not fully understand why he is being poked every day. So even if he seems calm his stress of wondering when he will be pricked again plays a factor, therefore his stress made him retaliate on my couch. Doctor said to give him a break from the glucose testing to let him fully calm down. She had increased his dosage to 1.5 units after I did his blood curve. I have to do next blood curve weekend coming. I am sure his doseage will increase again cause his glucose on average is still high, like 27.
 
Melanie and Buddy said:
Doctor said to give him a break from the glucose testing to let him fully calm down. She had increased his dosage to 1.5 units after I did his blood curve.
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I hate to disagree with your vet, but I'm going to. Cutting back the glucose testing after doing an increase can be dangerous. Testing is what keep's Buddy safe. Any parent with a diabetic child would do the same. Once kitty gets used to home testing, and the fact that a treat comes next, they will like the testing. Neko used to come running when I got the test kit out. So did my second kitty (her shadow), who also got a treat after. Neko even purred throughout the test routine.

What food are you feeding Buddy? Good low carb food, home testing and a good insulin are three things you need to help getting diabetic control.

In order for us to help you more, there are some things we need to know, such as the food you are giving. We ask that people put certain information in their signature - so we don't have to keep asking certain questions. Details on what we'd like to see are in this post: New? How You Can Help Us Help You!
 
The vet did not say not to test him, she just meant that because he is very stressed give him a bit of a break. Stress can also elevate glucose. As for his food, he is eating Purina® Pro Plan Veterinary Diets® DM Dietetic Management, Dry Cat Food Formula. I know that wet food is better, but Buddy has tried many and the only one he likes is the crappiest kind....Whiskas Perfect portions.... I can't give him that obviously. I tried the diabetic ones and he will not eat it. He smells it and then looks t me as if I was giving him poison.
 
Melanie and Buddy said:
Purina® Pro Plan Veterinary Diets® DM Dietetic Management, Dry Cat Food Formula. This is why his food is very expensive.
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And also why his numbers are so high. DM dry is not appropriate for a diabetic cat. We consider it to be high carb food. You want something that is below 10% carbs. If you can feed him a proper low carb diet, it will help his diabetes. There are many commercially available (and much cheaper) cat foods that are suitable for a diabetic. What food did he eat before diabetes? Do you think he'd eat wet/canned food?

If you do change to a diabetic appropriate food, you will have to test even more, because his blood sugar numbers and insulin needs can come down a lot. And your pocket book will thank you. :)
 
Before this food he was eating Hill's Weight control. 2 Vets told me this Purina DM was good. If you do not think so, then please let me know what dry food you would suggest. For wet food, as I had mentioned, he will only eat Whiskas Perfect portions. I have tried giving him others, and he will not eat it. I of course do not give him the whikas anymore. I had only started with that before I found out he was diabetic and he was not eating his dry food.....but now he is eating it.
 
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In answer to why his glucose is so high, I have no idea of knowing why. I am doing the best I can and giving him his insulin shots twice a day. His doctor started him on the smallest dose to start 1 unit. Then after his blood curve she increased it by .5....it is still high. I am doing another blood curve in couple days, 10 days after the new dosage. His doctor has been great. She calls me once a week to check in. Buddy was on the other food before because he for sure is a bit overweight. He is 21lbs. But he is also mixed with Maine Coon so he is a cat who is large....he has never been a an active cat since the day I rescued him from the abusive home he was in. He likes toys he can chase while sitting. LOL His doctor of course said he needs to lose weight cause that is a factor with diabetes in a cat. But right now mattter of getting him to having his diabetes under control.
 
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The vets are wrong - they get money for selling you DM. It is 17% carbs. The DM product used to be called diabetic management but they were sued and told they had to change the name because it wasn't a good food for diabetics. In Canada, Hills does a lot of the "nutrition" training in vet schools, and it's less than a day's worth. The Whiskas food is likely lower carbs by looking at the ingredients.

I'm not sure what's available in Montreal (I am in BC) but if you can Dr. Elsey's Clean Protein, or Young Again Zero Dry food, they are low carb options. I've heard YA will send you samples. It's expensive but they eat less volume.

The best thing to help get a cat to lose weight is to get them on a low carb wet food diet. Dry food doesn't help them lose. Lot of info on this website by a vet specializing in feline nutrition. https://catinfo.org/ My fatty cat I adopted from the local shelter, Neko's buddy, did great with a gradual weight loss on low carb wet then raw food. At the shelter they had put him in a room with other fat cats and the "prescription" weight loss food. They all gained.
 
Buddy had his regular vet and she was where I brought him when I noticed issues. She was the one who did his blood tests. She was not able to get a urine sample because he has already peed in his crate. I put puppy pads in there because Buddy always gets stressed on car rides. But she called me with his test results and his glucose was at 26. She suggested before doing insulin, change his diet, and suggested that Purina one I had mentioned. Her clinic does not actually have that one, so I went to another vet clinic to buy it. For that reason, I do not think she was trying to make money.
 
Hi all! Been awhile, but I wanted to thank everyone who gave me advice. I can say that it has been a long journey with Buddy. I am an expert now on doing his glucose ear prick tests, and giving him his insulin. His doctor, the technicians, the reception people at his clinic have been amazing. He was first put on 1 unit of Lantus to start. Now he is on 5 units. Gradual process. And of course each time he was increased blood curve after 2 weeks. With the 5 units as always when he gets a new dosage I do glucose test here and there to make sure he does not become hypoglycemic. So far he is averaging 20mmol. I know still high! But a month ago he was averaging 25. He is slowly getting better. And lately he just seems more happy. His other diabetic symptoms like peeing ALOT, always wanting more food.....has calmed down. Also he was overweight and since he has been on his new diet he has lost 1 and half pounds. I also really want to say to anyone new here that every cat is different, and sometimes it does take time, months to get cat diabetes under control. I had been extremely stressed, scared, frustrated. Everyone in this group has been there. You are not alone!
 
Bron and Sheba (GA) said:
Would you like to set up a spread so we can see the NG data?
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Hi Bron and Sheba. Thank you for you reply. Being honest I do not understand what you mean. "Set up spread so we can see NG data". But I have a feeling you might mean send all his blood curve results? The NG is the part I don't get. But I have all of his results from every blood curve that were sent to his doctor.
 
NG probably should have been BG for blood glucose. The letters are beside each other on the keyboard. ;)

If you see that link I gave you on post 10 (the blue lettering), that post tells you how to set up a spreadsheet in the format we use. If you need help, let us know, we have people who can help get you started.
 
Melanie and Buddy said:
Hi Bron and Sheba. Thank you for you reply. Being honest I do not understand what you mean. "Set up spread so we can see NG data". But I have a feeling you might mean send all his blood curve results? The NG is the part I don't get. But I have all of his results from every blood curve that were sent to his doctor.
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Sorry. A typo as Wendy said. It should have read set up a spreadsheet so we can see the BG data. If you could update your spreadsheet, when you get it set up, with any data you have from the last few weeks we can help you.
 
Melanie and Buddy said:
Hi all! Been awhile, but I wanted to thank everyone who gave me advice. I can say that it has been a long journey with Buddy. I am an expert now on doing his glucose ear prick tests, and giving him his insulin. His doctor, the technicians, the reception people at his clinic have been amazing. He was first put on 1 unit of Lantus to start. Now he is on 5 units. Gradual process. And of course each time he was increased blood curve after 2 weeks. With the 5 units as always when he gets a new dosage I do glucose test here and there to make sure he does not become hypoglycemic. So far he is averaging 20mmol. I know still high! But a month ago he was averaging 25. He is slowly getting better. And lately he just seems more happy. His other diabetic symptoms like peeing ALOT, always wanting more food.....has calmed down. Also he was overweight and since he has been on his new diet he has lost 1 and half pounds. I also really want to say to anyone new here that every cat is different, and sometimes it does take time, months to get cat diabetes under control. I had been extremely stressed, scared, frustrated. Everyone in this group has been there. You are not alone!
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I’m so glad you’re more confident and comfortable, and that Buddy is doing better and losing weight. It’s inspirational to hear how far the two of you have gotten in such a short period of time and I especially like that you took the time to come back and encourage others. There’s hope for me and Methos yet!
 
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