411-352-348

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Magic Johnson

Magic Johnson

Member Since 2018
Hi - my baby magic was recently diagnosed. She was 411 and put on Prozinc 1 unit per day now 2 units 1 morning, 1 night after feedings - she’s on wet food her fave is FF. But her bgl are not really dropping fast she went to 352 in a week and then 348 in 3 more days after switching to twice a day. Vet says only feed twice per day no snacks, but then I’m reading some cats do better 4 Meals instead of 2 this makes sense to me as I feel glucose is like a yo-yo and less highs and lows. Dunno, thoughts on 4 meals vs 2? I just got my blood glucose tester but scared to use it... Maji gets super stressed going to the vet.

At her vet appts Maji has gained a few ounces of weight back... vet was kinda hoping Maji doesn’t put too much weight back on... so the insulin is working she’s not losing weight and slowly gaining weight but i’d rather have the bgl going down instead of weight coming on...Is this normal?
 
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Dont be afraid to use your glucose meter, it’s really easy to do. What meter did you get? Here’s some info to get you started
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/hometesting-links-and-tips.287/
For feeding many of us feed 4 (or more) times a day. Be sure the food is under 10 carbs as seen on THIS list. The Fancy Feast Classics fit that bill.
When were the tests taken that show the 352 and 348? Random tests or even curves done at the vet aren’t the most reliable way to interpret how well the insulin is working. For that you will need to home test. Read the info in the link I provided and come back with any questions you have.
 
Sharon14 said:
Dont be afraid to use your glucose meter, it’s really easy to do. What meter did you get? Here’s some info to get you started
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/hometesting-links-and-tips.287/
For feeding many of us feed 4 (or more) times a day. Be sure the food is under 10 carbs as seen on THIS list. The Fancy Feast Classics fit that bill.
When were the tests taken that show the 352 and 348? Random tests or even curves done at the vet aren’t the most reliable way to interpret how well the insulin is working. For that you will need to home test. Read the info in the link I provided and come back with any questions you have.
Click to expand...
Sharon14 said:
Dont be afraid to use your glucose meter, it’s really easy to do. What meter did you get? Here’s some info to get you started
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/hometesting-links-and-tips.287/
For feeding many of us feed 4 (or more) times a day. Be sure the food is under 10 carbs as seen on THIS list. The Fancy Feast Classics fit that bill.
When were the tests taken that show the 352 and 348? Random tests or even curves done at the vet aren’t the most reliable way to interpret how well the insulin is working. For that you will need to home test. Read the info in the link I provided and come back with any questions you have.
Click to expand...

Thank you so much.

I got the AlphaTrak 2 that the vet recommended as she said that’s what they use and she wanted me to have the same thing. Funny thing is I’ve paid for three testings at the vet and that more than paid for theirs already LOL.

The 352 came a week after starting insulin, in the morning about 14 hours after her last meal and dosing. Then vet said go to dosing once in the morning and once at night instead of the once a day. That was on a Tuesday and then Friday at noon (basically 3 days later) roughly 6 hours after her meal and dosing we tested again. That was the 348. I was surprised the insulin seemed to have somewhat minimal effect yet Maji seems so much better, loves her FF and has considerably reduced significantly drinking water. I still see a couple big pees in the box.

I will start on the links. I have a question perhaps the answer is in the links but if you feed 4 times a day do you give insulin only twice or divide that up to 4 times a day too?

...going to links now...Maji may be trying to wake me up to feed her soon... look how well I’m trained...
 
Good morning, I just woke up and tested, Fed and gave insulin to my kitty, so not all awake yet! Insulin is twice a day, 12 hours apart, no matter how many times you feed.
 
Sharon14 said:
Dont be afraid to use your glucose meter, it’s really easy to do. What meter did you get? Here’s some info to get you started
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/hometesting-links-and-tips.287/
For feeding many of us feed 4 (or more) times a day. Be sure the food is under 10 carbs as seen on THIS list. The Fancy Feast Classics fit that bill.
When were the tests taken that show the 352 and 348? Random tests or even curves done at the vet aren’t the most reliable way to interpret how well the insulin is working. For that you will need to home test. Read the info in the link I provided and come back with any questions you have.
Click to expand...

Started reading OMG great detail in the lancets and ear this is gonna help! I need this level of detail...
 
Sharon14 said:
Good morning, I just woke up and tested, Fed and gave insulin to my kitty, so not all awake yet! Insulin is twice a day, 12 hours apart, no matter how many times you feed.
Click to expand...

Well it’s 3:45 am here and Maji sees the iphone and is poised ready to begin the ritual of getting momma up to feed I’m going to try and sleep a few minutes before she gets insistent just wanted to say thank you so much for responding so quickly- I don’t know anyone else who has a diabetic cat...
 
Welcome 1 unit twice a day is the typical starting dose. Insulin doesn't last all day so u don't know why your vet originally said once a day... That's not going to cut it.

Bg levels vary throughout the day so you can't base the dose one 1 test.

Most of us feed several times a day. I basically free feed... Just no food 2 hours prior to the preshot test.

Once you are home testing you can set up a spreadsheet like the one you see in our signatures.

I have a video in my signature showing how I test my cat CC at home.
 
JanetNJ said:
Welcome 1 unit twice a day is the typical starting dose. Insulin doesn't last all day so u don't know why your vet originally said once a day... That's not going to cut it.

Bg levels vary throughout the day so you can't base the dose one 1 test.

Most of us feed several times a day. I basically free feed... Just no food 2 hours prior to the preshot test.

Once you are home testing you can set up a spreadsheet like the one you see in our signatures.

I have a video in my signature showing how I test my cat CC at home.
Click to expand...

Janet and CC thank you! I have so much learning to do! So much I need to read I need to do a spreadsheet too... I need to catch up here.. :)
 
JanetNJ said:
Welcome 1 unit twice a day is the typical starting dose. Insulin doesn't last all day so u don't know why your vet originally said once a day... That's not going to cut it.

Bg levels vary throughout the day so you can't base the dose one 1 test.

Most of us feed several times a day. I basically free feed... Just no food 2 hours prior to the preshot test.

Once you are home testing you can set up a spreadsheet like the one you see in our signatures.

I have a video in my signature showing how I test my cat CC at home.
Click to expand...

Also, I would LOVE to free feed but Maji would become HUGE she really will overeat if given the tiniest chance - she manipulated me a lot in the past for more and more food and she was overweight even in her pic there she had lost about a pound but still a little overweight there- so I think that was the beginning of the high BGL
 
You don't have to overfeed her, just figure out what she needs to get her weight into a good range and divide that food into several small meals a day. Many diabetic cats are underweight and need to eat as much as they want. If that's not the case for your kitty she can still have the advantage of multiple little meals a day.
 
If I understood correctly, your vet started out with 1 dose of ProZinc a day. That is very, very odd. ProZinc dosing is supposed to be twice a day. Good thing you are doing twice a day dosing now.
Regarding feeding, the AAHA Guidelines (link in my signature) say that feeding four times a day is ideal. They also indicate that home glucose testing is the best way to monitor. Results in vet's offices can be impacted by stress, so home test results are more accurate... not to mention that there is no reason to have to pay a vet to test for you. Going to a vet to get a random test once a week will not accurately show the impact the insulin is having.
 
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Just wanted to say welcome! I’m pretty much a newbie too but all of this will make sense soon! It’s overwhelming but it sounds like you have caught on super quick! This forum & all of this info these fine peeps have given you is the best of the best! Good luck- :bighug: for Magi!
 
Kris & Teasel said:
You don't have to overfeed her, just figure out what she needs to get her weight into a good range and divide that food into several small meals a day. Many diabetic cats are underweight and need to eat as much as they want. If that's not the case for your kitty she can still have the advantage of multiple little meals a day.
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Thank you!! well the diabetes helped her lose some weight which was almost impossible before it seemed ... perhaps I was not stern enuff with her :( it is VERY hard for me to say no to her... but now we have a life threatening condition so I wanna do the right things...
 
Becky & Baby Girl Kitty said:
Just wanted to say welcome! I’m pretty much a newbie too but all of this will make sense soon! It’s overwhelming but it sounds like you have caught on super quick! This forum & all of this info these fine peeps have given you is the best of the best! Good luck- :bighug: for Magi!
Click to expand...

Thank you Becky and your baby girl kitty! Let’s hang in there together on this!!! We gotta get thru this...
 
FurBabiesMama said:
If I understood correctly, your vet started out with 1 dose of ProZinc a day. That is very, very odd. ProZinc dosing is supposed to be twice a day. Good think you are doing twice a day dosing now.
Regarding feeding, the AAHA Guidelines (link in my signature) say that feeding four times a day is ideal. They also indicate that home glucose testing is the best way to monitor. Results in vet's offices can be impacted by stress, so home test results are more accurate... not to mention that there is no reason to have to pay a vet to test for you. Going to a vet to get a random test once a week will not accurately show the impact the insulin is having.
Click to expand...


You guys are so smart! I am so impressed with this site and all the peeps here - just a godsend...
 
Magic Johnson said:
Also, I would LOVE to free feed but Maji would become HUGE she really will overeat if given the tiniest chance - she manipulated me a lot in the past for more and more food and she was overweight even in her pic there she had lost about a pound but still a little overweight there- so I think that was the beginning of the high BGL
Click to expand...
You can use a timed feeder to only feed her what you want, and then have it take away the food 2 hours prior to the preshot test.
 
...it will take away food? Wow that is some timer I think I may have to look into this. Hubby is retired...I am not so I have him on a schedule to put her food out at certain time... our world revolves around her - especially now.

But it might be nice to have the feeder timer I fascinated by the idea of the freezing portions and then it delivers them...
 
Magic Johnson said:
...it will take away food? Wow that is some timer I think I may have to look into this. Hubby is retired...I am not so I have him on a schedule to put her food out at certain time... our world revolves around her - especially now.

But it might be nice to have the feeder timer I fascinated by the idea of the freezing portions and then it delivers them...
Click to expand...
My hubby works but get off work way earlier than I do, I have let him do when I was home so he could learn while I was away working, good to have someone else around who know what to do and how to do it
 
Magic Johnson said:
...it will take away food? Wow that is some timer I think I may have to look into this. Hubby is retired...I am not so I have him on a schedule to put her food out at certain time... our world revolves around her - especially now.

But it might be nice to have the feeder timer I fascinated by the idea of the freezing portions and then it delivers them...
Click to expand...
If the timer has multiple compartments you can put food in one, none in the next so when it turns at the set time they can no longer access the food.

PetSafe Eatwell 5-Meal Automatic Pet Feeder https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000GEWHNS/?tag=felinediabetesfdmb-20
 
JanetNJ said:
If the timer has multiple compartments you can put food in one, none in the next so when it turns at the set time they can no longer access the food.

PetSafe Eatwell 5-Meal Automatic Pet Feeder https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000GEWHNS/?tag=felinediabetesfdmb-20
Click to expand...

I like!!! Thank you checking this out now! BTW ok I read the book and pamphlet to the alpha trak bg meter. I don’t understand why I was so scared I think the setup had me procrastinating- setting this up was a breeze - god help me with the lancet so I do as tiny drop as I can tonight prior to dosing and food...
 
Magic Johnson said:
I like!!! Thank you checking this out now! BTW ok I read the book and pamphlet to the alpha trak bg meter. I don’t understand why I was so scared I think the setup had me procrastinating- setting this up was a breeze - god help me with the lancet so I do as tiny drop as I can tonight prior to dosing and food...
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Yes. Test then feed then shoot. You've got this. :)
 
JanetNJ said:
Yes. Test then feed then shoot. You've got this. :)
Click to expand...

OK. I watched your video! Totally awesome all the little hints ... and you have the same meter so this really helped I’m kinda excited to try... I’m going to sit her on my lap like a baby... that’s how we do ‘Clip Nails’. She will sit like that watches me clip her toe nails - after a while she gets tired of it but I think that position will work best as it will seem like ‘ Clipped Nails’ and I talk to her about all what I’m doing which she seems to appreciate and listen
 
Magic Johnson said:
OK. I watched your video! Totally awesome all the little hints ... and you have the same meter so this really helped I’m kinda excited to try... I’m going to sit her on my lap like a baby... that’s how we do ‘Clip Nails’. She will sit like that watches me clip her toe nails - after a while she gets tired of it but I think that position will work best as it will seem like ‘ Clipped Nails’ and I talk to her about all what I’m doing which she seems to appreciate and listen
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Make sure to just touch the little protruding part (pick a side) sticking off of one of the black dots. It's like a straw that will draw in the blood. Good luck.
9A75D8CC-CF82-486E-900E-692F3B27D707.jpeg
 
The control solution test isn't an every use thing. You only have to do it periodically if you have a sense that your BG readings are wonky and you think it might be the meter. Check the control solution instructions. It's only good for a few months after its opened.
 
Kris & Teasel said:
The control solution test isn't an every use thing. You only have to do it periodically if you have a sense that your BG readings are wonky and you think it might be the meter. Check the control solution instructions. It's only good for a few months after its opened.
Click to expand...

Thank you!!! You guys are the best!!!
 
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