Batman is new to the forum

[Deb Dover]

Hi All! I'm Deb and I just found out this week that my 9-year-old kitty, Batman, is diabetic. I adopted him from the shelter at the age of 2. He was rescued from being outside so was semi-feral. (Long story short, a local shelter had a fire. They rescued all the animals and put a plea out on Facebook for immediate fosters. I took in 4 kitties and eventually ended up adopting them all - Batman & his true sibling, Robin, and 2 sisters unrelated to them). In the beginning, I was unable to touch any of them but they have warmed up some. I can now touch Batman with one hand but cannot pick him up. If he sees 2 hands, he runs like a greased pig. Just getting him into a carrier for a vet visit requires hours of planning and psychological tactics. Before I put out food, I casually move the top-loading carrier into the kitchen. As I dole out the canned food, Batman is distracted with his face in the food. I scoop him up from the sides and, while he struggles with his arms and claws flailing, I lower him into the carrier.

I took him for a wellness check up a few weeks ago and they drew bloods. Unfortunately, the part of the test that is sent to a lab was accidentally cancelled so I needed to take him back for another draw. Two days ago, the vet told me they actually did get a glucose reading of 570 with his first draw (but, for some reason, didn't tell me). The second draw was about 460. He prescribed Glargine which I have ordered from a Canadian pharmacy (I have another cat with asthma and am well versed at ordering from an international pharmacy). It should arrive soon.

I have 10 kitties and they eat canned Friskies in various types and flavors. I put out 4 large cans twice a day on 4 large plates. A few times during the day and before bed, I put out Purina Fancy Feast dry food with ocean fish & salmon as a treat. They all do like the canned pate' and I'm glad to see that's recommended because everyone will need to be on board with Batman's food. There is no way for me to isolate him to feed separately.

Batman eats eagerly and I've practiced touching him while he is eating. I've tugged on his skin in places I know are good for injections and he doesn't seem object. I'm hoping that he won't notice the needle.

Here are my concerns:
1. Actually injecting the insulin. I hope that he doesn't get wise to what I am doing and, after the first shot, will totally avoid me. What are the best locations?
2. Testing - there is no way this is going to happen. He is too squirrelly and I can't hold him still.

About 10 years ago, I had another kitty who was diabetic. He was a sweet mush who would sit calmly and allow me to do anything. Back then, though, there was no thought of testing. He got his shot twice a day between his shoulder blades, 12 hours apart. Eventually, he went into remission.

This is where I stand.....I'm thinking of switching to feeding canned pate' to all kitties every 6 hours and eliminate the dry altogether. Also, in lieu of daily testing, take him to the vet every few weeks for testing there. I know that's not accurate and his freaking out going there will skew his numbers.

I'm totally open to your thoughts and advice. Thank you!

 

[Ale & Bobo & Minnie (GA)]

Oh my goodness you’ve got your hands full and thank you so much for caring for so many kitties. It warms my heart

I think what you’re doing getting him used to you pulling at his scruff while he’s eating is great and a lot of folks here manage to inject their cats while they are distracted eating. I also personally prefer the syringes with shorter needles because I think they feel it less when it goes in. If you haven’t already got them, I’d look for the ones that are 6mm and 1/2 unit marked. It sounds like you’re in the US I always used Walmart’s ReliOn syringes. You can only buy it at a Walmart store though. I’ll attach a pic below.

I would try to do the same thing you’re doing with his scruff with the ear. Use this time to get him used to you holding and massaging his ears for a few seconds a few times a day. See how that goes and if it goes well, I’d then try to hold something small like a pen to his ear also for a few seconds to see if he tolerates it. Always give him a treat every time so it builds positive association for him.

Glargine is a great insulin, but I’d be a bit worried about switching him to all low carb wet food without home testing because it can drop his bg by as much as 100 points. Some cats go into remission just with the food change alone. The best case scenario would really be if he lets you test him. I never had to hold any of my cats to do it so maybe if you’re not holding him, he’ll be ok? They both just sat there waiting to get the treat after the test was done so the test to them was just something that happened before they got a treat

Here are the places you can use for injections

and the syringes

 

[AbbottTheCat]

Hey Deb and welcome!

I would try to isolate him for testing if at all possible, that would most likely mean feeding him separate from other cats— most likely before.

The sticky on Hometesting has some great tips. I have great success with the pill bottle technique.

You can also try to test Batman at different places in the house and see if that helps. Also, turning off the beeping sound on the meter is advisable.
After some trial and error, I settled on testing him where I feed him, and it's no surprise this has worked the best. It's where he gets food and treats so he equates this spot as where the good stuff happens! He actually purrs through the entire testing process cause he knows if he's a good boy he's getting a treat.

I put his freeze dried treats into a vitamin bottle with a pop top.
I put the bottle in front of the auto feeder. he lays down and purrs cause he knows he's getting a treat.
But probably the biggest game changer for me was using the auto feeder with 4 timed meals. This way, he is already in front of the feeder waiting when testing time rolls around. I never have to go find him or pick him up or chase him down, he's always right there waiting. My testing time alarm goes off 5 minutes before timed feeder is scheduled. That gives me time to prep the meter, lancet, cotton round and pill bottle. I bring everything over to the feeder, test him, give a treat, and then feeder goes off and he eats. Granted, it wasn't always this easy, but gives you an idea of how easy it can be, especially once your cat settles into a routine and equates testing with positive things.

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

Hi and welcome Deb and Batman.
I would suggest trying to desensitize him by touching his ears many times a day and rewarding him every time with something yummy.
I would keep doing that until he is OK with that then try testing him. It may take a long time or it may not. I am sure you will have failures before you have successes but I think it is worth the try. I think the key is to find something, preferably low carb, that he loves and will associate with his ears being touched. When you try and actually test him, I would put some of the yummy treat in front of him and let him eat it while you try and test. Always reward, even if it is a fail for you. Remember we all failed in the beginning and you have a bigger mountain to climb than most.

Can you afford to buy freeze dried food for the cats? That is an option when you get rid of the dry food. It is low carb and could be left out for them like you leave out the dry.
It might be worth trying just the low carb canned for a week before starting insulin, and getting his blood sugar retested at the vet to see how much it has come down. However you will need to ask the vet if there were any ketones in the blood test before you do this. If there were none, it is ok to try the low carb food first. If there were ketones in the blood you will need to start the insulin

With the dose, I would start at 0.5 Unit twice a day as you wont be able to test initially, but hopefully you will be able to moving forward. If he is motivated by food, you will have a better chance at being able to test.
Good luck. You are wonderful to have all those kitties!

 

[Deb Dover]

Hey Deb and welcome!

I would try to isolate him for testing if at all possible, that would most likely mean feeding him separate from other cats— most likely before.

The sticky on Hometesting has some great tips. I have great success with the pill bottle technique.

You can also try to test Batman at different places in the house and see if that helps. Also, turning off the beeping sound on the meter is advisable.
After some trial and error, I settled on testing him where I feed him, and it's no surprise this has worked the best. It's where he gets food and treats so he equates this spot as where the good stuff happens! He actually purrs through the entire testing process cause he knows if he's a good boy he's getting a treat.

I put his freeze dried treats into a vitamin bottle with a pop top.
I put the bottle in front of the auto feeder. he lays down and purrs cause he knows he's getting a treat.
But probably the biggest game changer for me was using the auto feeder with 4 timed meals. This way, he is already in front of the feeder waiting when testing time rolls around. I never have to go find him or pick him up or chase him down, he's always right there waiting. My testing time alarm goes off 5 minutes before timed feeder is scheduled. That gives me time to prep the meter, lancet, cotton round and pill bottle. I bring everything over to the feeder, test him, give a treat, and then feeder goes off and he eats. Granted, it wasn't always this easy, but gives you an idea of how easy it can be, especially once your cat settles into a routine and equates testing with positive things.

 

[Deb Dover]

This is very helpful...thank you. I chatted with his vet this afternoon but you have brought up some details that I'll need to check on. I appreciate your help!

Hi and welcome Deb and Batman.
I would suggest trying to desensitize him by touching his ears many times a day and rewarding him every time with something yummy.
I would keep doing that until he is OK with that then try testing him. It may take a long time or it may not. I am sure you will have failures before you have successes but I think it is worth the try. I think the key is to find something, preferably low carb, that he loves and will associate with his ears being touched. When you try and actually test him, I would put some of the yummy treat in front of him and let him eat it while you try and test. Always reward, even if it is a fail for you. Remember we all failed in the beginning and you have a bigger mountain to climb than most.

Can you afford to buy freeze dried food for the cats? That is an option when you get rid of the dry food. It is low carb and could be left out for them like you leave out the dry.
It might be worth trying just the low carb canned for a week before starting insulin, and getting his blood sugar retested at the vet to see how much it has come down. However you will need to ask the vet if there were any ketones in the blood test before you do this. If there were none, it is ok to try the low carb food first. If there were ketones in the blood you will need to start the insulin

With the dose, I would start at 0.5 Unit twice a day as you wont be able to test initially, but hopefully you will be able to moving forward. If he is motivated by food, you will have a better chance at being able to test.
Good luck. You are wonderful to have all those kitties!

 

[Deb Dover]

Such great suggestions! This is all fresh and new and I won't know until I actually try things. You have given me hope. Thank you!

Hey Deb and welcome!

I would try to isolate him for testing if at all possible, that would most likely mean feeding him separate from other cats— most likely before.

The sticky on Hometesting has some great tips. I have great success with the pill bottle technique.

You can also try to test Batman at different places in the house and see if that helps. Also, turning off the beeping sound on the meter is advisable.
After some trial and error, I settled on testing him where I feed him, and it's no surprise this has worked the best. It's where he gets food and treats so he equates this spot as where the good stuff happens! He actually purrs through the entire testing process cause he knows if he's a good boy he's getting a treat.

I put his freeze dried treats into a vitamin bottle with a pop top.
I put the bottle in front of the auto feeder. he lays down and purrs cause he knows he's getting a treat.
But probably the biggest game changer for me was using the auto feeder with 4 timed meals. This way, he is already in front of the feeder waiting when testing time rolls around. I never have to go find him or pick him up or chase him down, he's always right there waiting. My testing time alarm goes off 5 minutes before timed feeder is scheduled. That gives me time to prep the meter, lancet, cotton round and pill bottle. I bring everything over to the feeder, test him, give a treat, and then feeder goes off and he eats. Granted, it wasn't always this easy, but gives you an idea of how easy it can be, especially once your cat settles into a routine and equates testing with positive things.

 

[Deb Dover]

Thank you so much for this information! It's really helpful. I never thought of touch testing his ears but will give that a try.

Oh my goodness you’ve got your hands full and thank you so much for caring for so many kitties. It warms my heart

I think what you’re doing getting him used to you pulling at his scruff while he’s eating is great and a lot of folks here manage to inject their cats while they are distracted eating. I also personally prefer the syringes with shorter needles because I think they feel it less when it goes in. If you haven’t already got them, I’d look for the ones that are 6mm and 1/2 unit marked. It sounds like you’re in the US I always used Walmart’s ReliOn syringes. You can only buy it at a Walmart store though. I’ll attach a pic below.

I would try to do the same thing you’re doing with his scruff with the ear. Use this time to get him used to you holding and massaging his ears for a few seconds a few times a day. See how that goes and if it goes well, I’d then try to hold something small like a pen to his ear also for a few seconds to see if he tolerates it. Always give him a treat every time so it builds positive association for him.

Glargine is a great insulin, but I’d be a bit worried about switching him to all low carb wet food without home testing because it can drop his bg by as much as 100 points. Some cats go into remission just with the food change alone. The best case scenario would really be if he lets you test him. I never had to hold any of my cats to do it so maybe if you’re not holding him, he’ll be ok? They both just sat there waiting to get the treat after the test was done so the test to them was just something that happened before they got a treat

Here are the places you can use for injections
View attachment 67040
and the syringes
View attachment 67041

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

One thought regarding testing is to use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) like the Freestyle Libre. Several members use this. There's a sensor that's glued to the cat's skin and you can scan the sensor with your phone to get a glucose reading. As long as Batman will tolerate wearing the sensor, you won't have to worry about ear pokes -- or you'll have more time to get him acclimated to being poked.

 

[Larry and Kitties]

There's a sensor that's glued to the cat's skin and you can scan the sensor with your phone to get a glucose reading.

I you use the Libre 3 (vice the Libre 14 day or LIbre 2, you only have to scan the sensor to activate it . After that the sensor automatically transmits BG to the phone every 5 minutes when with 33 fett (bluetooth range). The sensor lasts 14 days if no problems. You have shave the area before applying the sensor. For more info join this FB group. https://www.facebook.com/groups/libreforpets
You need a script from your vet to get a sensor from local pharmacy. Cost is about $38 for each sensor.