New (and terrified) Member

Sjude13

Sjude13

Member Since 2025
Hey there everyone,
My name is Sam, 28 and single with no kids, and my baby Korvo of 6 years was just diagnosed as diabetic yesterday morning and this morning we are starting on new food and insulin (Prozinc) shots twice daily.

I will be fully honest…I am terrified. I already have a very wonky schedule throughout the weeks and not home at the same time each night depending on the days. On top of that, I have another cat (Beans) who is very close with Korvo and they’re used to always eating together at the same time with shared bowls. This new diagnosis is sending my own and both of my babies’ lives into shock as Beans now isn’t eating his normal food.

Any advice or encouragement would be beyond helpful as I have been spiraling and nonstop crying all yesterday evening and into this morning.

On top of all of this, I was laid off before December and I already have an 18 year old dog which an enlarged heart that requires 5 types of medicine and monthly stomach drains. All of this on top of needing insulin and what I keep seeing as constant vet visits, I truly don’t know how I can even make this work while also surviving and taking care of myself.
I’m mortified that I will let not only Korvo the diabetic cat down, but all my other babies as well, on top of completely changing my entire life and routine.

I’m not sure I can do it and I feel like a failure. I have a roommate but she also works differing schedules and not a set 8-5 or anything and also asking her to give him shots and constantly monitoring him isn’t fair or realistic.

I of course want my baby to be safe and comfy and living his best and fullest life but I am so scared I will not be able to provide what he needs and it’s breaking my heart. He’s such a loving and fun and energetic guy and seeing him sick now is ruining me.

Please help…

Sam
 

Attachments

  • IMG_9689.jpeg
    IMG_9689.jpeg
    4.8 MB · Views: 22
Hi Sam and welcome. I feel your pain, I am going through the same thing. This forum is full of amazing people with tons of info to help you get through this. It feels scary and overwhelming at times and with the tears and sleeplessness, you are not alone - you can do this. My kitty, Tiny is on Prozinc and he does well with it. I feed him and my other cat at the same times but in different areas, so they don't try to eat each other's food. They also eat the same food (Fancy feast pate' seems to be their fav and is low carb.)
One of the best things to do here is set up a spreadsheet and signature for sweet Korvo so that everyone can see all of his information. It's incredibly helpful and if you need help, just ask! :)

Here's a link for starters:
NEW TO THE GROUP: THE PROZINC BASICS. PLEASE START HERE.

Poke around in there, ask questions and don't forget to breathe. ❤️🥰

Also, there's a FB group, too. @Staci & Ivy can point you to it.
 
Samantha and Tiny said:
Also, I think this might be the link to help you make a spreadsheet for 2026.
Asking @Marje and Gracie to make sure.

2026 Spreadsheet
Click to expand...
No that’s not the correct link. It is here.

@Sjude13 Im sorry I am in my way out for several hours and can’t respond to questions but others will and I’ll check back later. But if you can’t figure out the Spreadsheet , send me a private message and I’ll do it for you. Just click on my user name to the left and then “start a conversation”.
 
Samantha and Tiny said:
Hi Sam and welcome. I feel your pain, I am going through the same thing. This forum is full of amazing people with tons of info to help you get through this. It feels scary and overwhelming at times and with the tears and sleeplessness, you are not alone - you can do this. My kitty, Tiny is on Prozinc and he does well with it. I feed him and my other cat at the same times but in different areas, so they don't try to eat each other's food. They also eat the same food (Fancy feast pate' seems to be their fav and is low carb.)
One of the best things to do here is set up a spreadsheet and signature for sweet Korvo so that everyone can see all of his information. It's incredibly helpful and if you need help, just ask! :)

Here's a link for starters:
NEW TO THE GROUP: THE PROZINC BASICS. PLEASE START HERE.

Poke around in there, ask questions and don't forget to breathe. ❤️🥰

Also, there's a FB group, too. @Staci & Ivy can point you to it.
Click to expand...
Thank you so, so much for the encouragement and kind words as I cannot begin to tell you how worried I am! A literal ball of anxiety.
After reading so many posts on the forums and replies like yours have really given me a lot of hope and also courage to handle his situation. I love him too much to let him down. It’s just going to be a massive lifestyle change and that is what worries me the most.
Truly, thank you so much and I will get on the spreadsheet once I am home. He goes in next week for his Glucose Curve (I think that’s what it was called?) and then after then, I will be home testing and can begin filling out the info. 🩷💖
 
Marje and Gracie said:
No that’s not the correct link. It is here.

@Sjude13 Im sorry I am in my way out for several hours and can’t respond to questions but others will and I’ll check back later. But if you can’t figure out the Spreadsheet , send me a private message and I’ll do it for you. Just click on my user name to the left and then “start a conversation”.
Click to expand...
Thank you so much!! This site and members are already some of the nicest, most gracious people so I sincerely appreciate your help! 🩷
Definitely will be taking you up on the spreadsheet help once I begin home testing as it seems a bit overwhelming at first glance!
 
Sjude13 said:
Thank you so, so much for the encouragement and kind words as I cannot begin to tell you how worried I am! A literal ball of anxiety.
After reading so many posts on the forums and replies like yours have really given me a lot of hope and also courage to handle his situation. I love him too much to let him down. It’s just going to be a massive lifestyle change and that is what worries me the most.
Truly, thank you so much and I will get on the spreadsheet once I am home. He goes in next week for his Glucose Curve (I think that’s what it was called?) and then after then, I will be home testing and can begin filling out the info. 🩷💖
Click to expand...
It certainly threw a wrench in my cogs but I'm getting used to the changes and day by day it gets a bit easier.
 
Welcome Sam & Korvo to FDMB
We all have been mortified when we get a diagnose of Feline Diabetes, the insecurities of, can i do this? the good thing that FD is manageable and right now you are on the right track, ProZinc and Lantus are the best insulins for cats they are a 12-hour insulin, the rules are simple, the right insulin, which Korvo was prescribed, , home testing is very important, you want to test Korvo's glucose level before giving insulin to avoid a hypoglycemic episode, most members use the ReliOn human monitor and strips, very inexpensive, you can find it at Walmart, the monitor is $19.99 and the strips are $9.00 for 50 and $17.88 for 100, is always to have extra strips handy, and the right diet. eating several small meals a day, most members feed Fancy Feast Pates between 0-10% most feed up to 5% a diabetic cat needs to have a diet of wet can or raw food between 0-10% carbs, having several cats at home, it would be great to transition them to the same diet and schedule slowly, you do not want to upset their stomach. You might want to consider a wet food feeder, since you are not home during the day. Also, you do not need to spend the money in a vet's office for a curve, A curve is simply testing every 2 hours for a cycle (12 hours) at home Korvo will be without stress, a curve at the vets will give High glucose levels because of stress causing unnecessary increase in dose, if Korvo only has diabetes, and no other medical issues, it can be managed right here, we can assist you with dosing increases/decreases, following the protocol for ProZinc which is TEST, FEED.SHOOT, the right diet you got this! there are incredible knowledgeable members here to assist you in all your concerns. in the main menu there are4 sticky notes with much valuable information, we are here for you to help walk you thru this journey, keep posting asking questions, now we all want to be on the same page, so we would like you to create your signature and spreadsheet, links below, if you need assistance creating the spreadsheet let us know, we will create it for you, we are very numbers oriented, and not to overwhelm you more, this is what was told to me in this Forum when Corky was diagnosed
"Step back, breath in, breath out, cats are very sensitive to stress, you stress, they stress" :cat: ;) Also a link to Drs approve Food List the third column contains the carb content

Sticky - New? How You Can Help Us Help You!
https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/how-to-create-a-spreadsheet.241706/
https://catinfo.org/docs/CatFoodProteinFatCarbPhosphorusChart.pdf
@Suzanne & Darcy
 
Last edited:
Hello and welcome. Overwhelmed is a phrase many of us have used to start. Many a tissue box has been heavily used. :bighug: And that's why many of us who no longer have diabetics hang around to help. It's hard at the beginning, but some experienced folk helped all of us too.

What food was Korvo eating before his diabetes diagnosis? What is his new food? Many of us, including me, found it much easier to feed the same food to both (or all) of our cats. You don't need an expensive vet food, there are many commercially available wet food options you can feed. Some quite affortable.

You can save money on vet visits for curves, by home testing blood sugars yourself. I did one curve at the vet, for $$$, and no good results but a pissed off cat, and decided it was time to learn how to do it myself. We have many tips and videos if you want to learn how to do that yourself.
 
Wendy&Neko said:
Hello and welcome. Overwhelmed is a phrase many of us have used to start. Many a tissue box has been heavily used. :bighug: And that's why many of us who no longer have diabetics hang around to help. It's hard at the beginning, but some experienced folk helped all of us too.

What food was Korvo eating before his diabetes diagnosis? What is his new food? Many of us, including me, found it much easier to feed the same food to both (or all) of our cats. You don't need an expensive vet food, there are many commercially available wet food options you can feed. Some quite affortable.

You can save money on vet visits for curves, by home testing blood sugars yourself. I did one curve at the vet, for $$$, and no good results but a pissed off cat, and decided it was time to learn how to do it myself. We have many tips and videos if you want to learn how to do that yourself.
Click to expand...
His old food was just generic Purina Cat food (fish flavored) that he and his brother usually scarf down. New food is the dry Royal Canin Glycobalance and both he and his brother (non-diabetic) are eating that now but Korvo isn’t eating his full amount so I am going to switch to wet food this evening and see if it helps him.
For now, I want to stick with it and see how he does before his first curve and then once that’s over with, maybe move to cheaper options once I feel I have more a grasp on all of this.
Also, same with the at home testing. Once the first curve is done I will start testing myself as my vet didn’t want me to the first week but will start after.
I’m not sure if that is normal as this is all so new to me, but I’m a bit worried deviating from the vet’s recommendations yet until the first curve. I’m just so worried I am doing something wrong that will hurt my baby…
 
Actually, your vet should encourage home testing,!!! how would you know if you should give insulin, if you do not know his glucose level? and the Royal Canin you are feeding is 53% dry matter carbs, there is nothing in that food that will help Korvo to stabilize the diabetes, not only is expensive, but it only has 7% moisture, diabetic cagts need water to avoid kidney issues, and as Diane mentioned the curve by home testing, you save your money and Korvo's stress, you will only get high glucose levels at the vets office, with the probability of an increase in his dose, vets can have the best intentions but not the right one, you need to ask questions, like is he knowledgeable in Feline Diabetes, is the most important one, many vets are not, and they treat FD as if it were a dog, it was a good he prescribed the right insulin, but you need to feel comfortable with him, and you need to do what is comfortable for you and Korvo, and your pocket , also there are quite a few Foundation that help with Drs bills insulin, strips etc, the link is below, I use DCIN it's amazing how they help us mommies that are in financial situations., also a link of our supply closet, many member that have lost their cats or no longer need supplies, they give it away or sell them at a very low cost, I have also use it, would you like help creating the spreadsheet?

Financial Help Links

https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/forums/supply-closet-for-sale-or-free.15/
 
The Royal Canin Glycobalance is not a good food for diabetic cats. Even the wet food is not considered low carb, which is anything 10% or less in carb%. This food chart lists many of the commercially available foods in North America. It should be easy to find something for both cats to eat and is appropriate for Korvo.

However, and I can't stress this enough, you shouldn't change to a lower carb food until you are home testing blood sugars. I've seen cats no longer need insulin when they switch to an appropriate low carb food.

What is the insulin dose (number of units) that you are giving?

As far as home testing goes, it's unfortunate that some vets tell people not to hometest at first. Equally unfortunate is when those same caregivers end up here with their cat showing hypo symptoms. Many vets start with suggesting a dose we consider too high. Better high than too low for even a minute. Just so you know what to look for, though I hope you don't see these signs:
 
Good Morning and Happy New year Sam, we would like t know if you can create your signature and spreadsheet, so when you start to give Korvo the ProZinc and home testing, we can monitor with you his progress
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top