Kinda stuck in a situation...

C

Chrissistah

Member Since 2026
Hi, I got a 13yo male cat, diagnosed with diabetes on September 2025.
I started measuring him twice a day, every 12 hours, and his blood sugar was 400 or even 500,even with a 2 unit dose of Lantus. Months passed of no getting better until I realized I was feeding him less food than he was supposed to have, I changed his diet to strictly wet food (animonda diabetic) and he now eats every 4 hours, with the help of an automatic feeder and upon doctor's orders I give him a shot if his sugar is above 180 (2 units). The past week he is in a pattern where his sugar is around 300 in the morning test, he gets a 2 unit Lantus shot and at the night measurement his sugar is normal (around 130). I work all day so I can't do any of the 2 protocols, or even measure him in between shots. Is there a way I can do better? I am attaching this last week's measurements.
 

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Chrissistah said:
Hi, I got a 13yo male cat, diagnosed with diabetes on September 2025.
I started measuring him twice a day, every 12 hours, and his blood sugar was 400 or even 500,even with a 2 unit dose of Lantus. Months passed of no getting better until I realized I was feeding him less food than he was supposed to have, I changed his diet to strictly wet food (animonda diabetic) and he now eats every 4 hours, with the help of an automatic feeder and upon doctor's orders I give him a shot if his sugar is above 180 (2 units). The past week he is in a pattern where his sugar is around 300 in the morning test, he gets a 2 unit Lantus shot and at the night measurement his sugar is normal (around 130). I work all day so I can't do any of the 2 protocols, or even measure him in between shots. Is there a way I can do better? I am attaching this last week's measurements.
Click to expand...
Welcome to FDMB
if the food you are feeding even though is wet food and "prescribed" it can be that it is high in carbs, and that's why you kept seeing high numbers or the previous food, there's no such thing as a "diabetic food", cats need to have a diet or wet can or raw foods between 0-10% carbs, "diabetic" prescribed" contain between 18% up to30 % carbs, if you drastically changed his diet that can be a reason for the sudden drop in glucose level, the transition needs to be a slow one also not to upset the stomach, you are at least testing before each shot which is very important, but understanding how your cat reacts to the insulin, is necessary to be able to get some daily readings, for that you may want to look into CGM, The Libre from ABBOTT, below is a link on CGM, the sensors do last only 14 day so is always good to have a couple handy, also in case they stop working before the 14 days, and if at time of shot you are uncomfortable with the numbers, or two digits, you should manually test and compare always use the hand held monitor as value., I will tag a member that can assist you with dosing, perhaps the dose is too high since you changed diet. please keep posting, we are here for you 🤗

Getting Started With Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) for Diabetic Cats

@squeem3
@Sienne and Gabby (GA)
 
Some members in Greece who can provide more local help: @Christie & Maverick @Daphne and Aida @hellen_maggie @Yanna @Carol & Rico @Blanche

Anyone can do Start Low Go Slow even those who work full time jobs and have busy families to take care of. Most people do their spot checks at night and on weekends or days off they do the daytime spot checks. I'm not sure if the Libre or another CGM is available in Greece but it's something to look into if you want to monitor levels all day.
 
squeem3 said:
Some members in Greece who can provide more local help: @Christie & Maverick @Daphne and Aida @hellen_maggie @Yanna @Carol & Rico @Blanche

Anyone can do Start Low Go Slow even those who work full time jobs and have busy families to take care of. Most people do their spot checks at night and on weekends or days off they do the daytime spot checks. I'm not sure if the Libre or another CGM is available in Greece but it's something to look into if you want to monitor levels all day.
Click to expand...
Hello sqeem3, we have Libre, I just install one today! 🙃
 
Chrissistah said:
Hi, I got a 13yo male cat, diagnosed with diabetes on September 2025.
I started measuring him twice a day, every 12 hours, and his blood sugar was 400 or even 500,even with a 2 unit dose of Lantus. Months passed of no getting better until I realized I was feeding him less food than he was supposed to have, I changed his diet to strictly wet food (animonda diabetic) and he now eats every 4 hours, with the help of an automatic feeder and upon doctor's orders I give him a shot if his sugar is above 180 (2 units). The past week he is in a pattern where his sugar is around 300 in the morning test, he gets a 2 unit Lantus shot and at the night measurement his sugar is normal (around 130). I work all day so I can't do any of the 2 protocols, or even measure him in between shots. Is there a way I can do better? I am attaching this last week's measurements.
Click to expand...
Hello Christina and welcome on Board!
You certainly are in the right place for Chondroulis!
@Squee3 is right you can certainly follow SLGS even with two testσ each working day and spot tests at weekends or at nights.
It will be most helpful to put in place a spreadsheet for Chondroulis and add it to your signature, the truth is in the numbers.
It is how the pattern of insulin effect in his system will be revealed and also the tool the most experienced members of FDMB will use in order to help you. Diabetes, and all us find it the hard way, is a multifactor condition. Insulin is the most important factor but diet is primordial too. Most of the time is also a tool to keep his blood sugar where it belongs. Stress can also be a trigger factor, others medical conditions too. And of course other medication.
From the contour sheet I see that the PM cycle is always more smooth, than the AM one. Sure there is a reason behind it.
An other important think to have in mind is that Lantus is a depot insulin. She didn't not simply disappear after the 12h. I don't know if skipping a dose is wise when you dont follow TR protocol. Ok. Maybe I'll stop here! :)

Welcome again and if you need anything, just ask!

Athanasia
 
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Thank you all for responding,i really appreciate it. As far as the wet food he is eating, animonda diabetic is a wet food recommended by a Greek group of girls with diabetic cats, who were kind enough to open my eyes so it is certainly checked for carbs and I do see the results on his testing.
As for the Libre, I also know it, I have it, but I don't want to install it because my cat gets stressed over nothing and rises his blood sugar. If I apply this on him, he will be stressed and have higher numbers. I prefer to do as you suggested, on my day off or a Sunday, because I work on Saturdays.
I don't know how to post a spreadsheet, please let me know how and how to work it.
 
Hi Christina and welcome. You’re definitely in the right place 😊
First of all, I’d like to mention that in order for people here to really help you, you’ll need to set up your spreadsheet and add it to your signature. Everyone here relies heavily on data, so having your spreadsheet set makes a huge difference. You can find instructions on how to set it up here. New? How You Can Help Us Help You!

Also, I want to reassure you that it is possible to follow one of the two protocols, even with a busy schedule. There are quite a few members here who live alone and work full-time, and they still manage to follow the protocols successfully, and with great results. You might also find this post helpful. Even though it refers to TR, there’s a lot of useful information that can also be applied to SLGS.
Info - IS TIGHT REGULATION POSSIBLE WITH A FULL TIME JOB? YES! .

With SLGS, what’s generally recommended is to get at least 4 tests per day: one before each shot, and at least one during each cycle. This is really important so you can understand how your cat is responding to insulin, and also for safety reasons. In addition, once a week it’s important to run a curve: either every 2 hours over one cycle (12 hours), or every 3 hours over a full 24-hour period. This is the only way to get a clearer picture of your cat’s insulin needs, and these data will really help guide any dose adjustments.

Just to add, for lower preshots, the following might be useful: Sticky - Don't Panic! or How to Handle Low Numbers

Ηope this helps a bit, please keep asking questions 😊
 
Chrissistah said:
Thank you all for responding,i really appreciate it. As far as the wet food he is eating, animonda diabetic is a wet food recommended by a Greek group of girls with diabetic cats, who were kind enough to open my eyes so it is certainly checked for carbs and I do see the results on his testing.
As for the Libre, I also know it, I have it, but I don't want to install it because my cat gets stressed over nothing and rises his blood sugar. If I apply this on him, he will be stressed and have higher numbers. I prefer to do as you suggested, on my day off or a Sunday, because I work on Saturdays.
I don't know how to post a spreadsheet, please let me know how and how to work it.
Click to expand...
Not to worry I will have a member create it for you , you do need to create your signature though, with the link above “On how we can help you” I will tag a member to help you with the spreadsheet.
@Bandit's Mom
Could you please create the spreadsheet for Chrissistah , it will be a great help to her she will create her signature, thanks
 
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CORKY said:
Not to worry I will have a member create it for you , you do need to create your signature though, with the link above “On how we can help you” I will tag a member to help you with the spreadsheet.
@Bandit's Mom
Could you please create the spreadsheet for Hellen_maggie, it will be a great help to her she will create her signature, thanks
Click to expand...
Hi Corky,
Chrissistah is the one who needs help with the spreadsheet, not me. Just mentioning it to avoid any misunderstanding 😊
 
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