I have been managing my 16 year old female tabby, Misty for about a month now with diet alone for her diabetes. She is doing well. My 7-1/2 year old male, Zeke has also been recently diagnosed with diabetes. Tried diet and Glipicide, but now must go on insulin. Our first how-to visit is on Thursday. I am a little apprehensive about managing this. He is a feisty boy who doesn't react well to being held.
A second diabetic cat
- Thread starter franb
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Sue and Oliver (GA)
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Well, you will have your hands full. Do you home test Misty? Do you think you could home test Zeke? You might start messing with his ears now, offering treats and praise for any time he will sit still.
The shot may not be an issue if you shoot while his face is deep into his food.
The shot may not be an issue if you shoot while his face is deep into his food.
I have been taking Misty to my vet for testing and she is due again on April 15. I would like to be able to home test both Misty and Zeke. That's a great idea about doing it while Zeke's eating-he loves food, especially since the diabetes. It was one of the signs that led me to know something was going on with him. Zeke is one of four kitties that I have.
Sue and Oliver (GA)
Very Active Member
Great! We love to help people learn how to test at home. Not only does it make this whole thing safer (you know if the amount of insulin you are planning to give is safe) but it is cheaper than going to the vet and more accurate (stress raises bg levels and kitties are stressed at the vet.) Here's a good beginning site: Newbie hometesting site and a video: Video for hometesting
And a shopping list:
A human glucometer. Any one that sips and takes a tiny sample is fine. The meters are often free at drug stores; it’s the strips that are expensive. You can, however, buy them on ebay at less than half the price of stores. Lots of people here also like the ReliOn from Walmart. It is an inexpensive meter and its strips are the cheapest around. Try the meter out on yourself or someone else before you try it on your cat. You want to be familiar with it before you poke the cat.
Lancets and a lancet device. Usually, until the ears “learn” to bleed, a 25-26 gauge is good. Any brand will work.
Ketone strips. (Ketostix) Just like human diabetics use. You will sometimes need to test urine if the numbers are high.
Rice sack. Make this out of thinnish sock, filled with raw rice or oatmeal and then knotted. You heat this in the microwave until very warm but not hot. Then heat the ears before poking.
Also nice to have. Flashlight: so you can look at the ears and find the little capillaries that come off the vein running down the ear. Vaseline: Put a tiny smear where you want to poke. It will help the blood bead up.
And some lo carb treats to give your kitty, successful test or not Lo carb treats
Questions? Just ask.
And a shopping list:
A human glucometer. Any one that sips and takes a tiny sample is fine. The meters are often free at drug stores; it’s the strips that are expensive. You can, however, buy them on ebay at less than half the price of stores. Lots of people here also like the ReliOn from Walmart. It is an inexpensive meter and its strips are the cheapest around. Try the meter out on yourself or someone else before you try it on your cat. You want to be familiar with it before you poke the cat.
Lancets and a lancet device. Usually, until the ears “learn” to bleed, a 25-26 gauge is good. Any brand will work.
Ketone strips. (Ketostix) Just like human diabetics use. You will sometimes need to test urine if the numbers are high.
Rice sack. Make this out of thinnish sock, filled with raw rice or oatmeal and then knotted. You heat this in the microwave until very warm but not hot. Then heat the ears before poking.
Also nice to have. Flashlight: so you can look at the ears and find the little capillaries that come off the vein running down the ear. Vaseline: Put a tiny smear where you want to poke. It will help the blood bead up.
And some lo carb treats to give your kitty, successful test or not Lo carb treats
Questions? Just ask.
I just gave Zeke his first insulin shot. I tried yesterday and he ran and hid and I was unable to do it. He is my biggest challenge as far as medicating. He is a very nervous cat and does not like to be picked up or held unless he initiates it. I fed him in the bathroom with the door closed and where is does not have far to go to get away. Then I gave him the insulin while he was in there. I am so excited that I was able to do it. I hope I can continue - it is so important for him. I hate traumatizing him but I must keep him well. Thank you for all of your tips and advice. I watched the video on home testing. I hope that I will be able to do that eventually - that's going to be another challenge. He will never lie still like that beautiful kitty in the video. But, one step at a time.
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Sue and Oliver (GA)
Very Active Member
What a beautiful boy!
Some people with skittish cats use the clothespin trick, at least at first when kitties don't understand we are trying to make them feel better. Clothespin trick
Some people with skittish cats use the clothespin trick, at least at first when kitties don't understand we are trying to make them feel better. Clothespin trick
Oh - I never heard of the clothespin trick. That is certainly getting tucked away in my arsenal of tips and tricks. I have to work on calming myself before I inject him. I admit I have been very anxious about it but I am determined to do it. Zeke is one of 4 special needs kitties that I have, but he has been the most challenging.
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