been using PZI for 2 weeks and have questions

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Dana76

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Hello everyone,

Little over two weeks ago I was told my cat has diabetes. The vet had Marlin at the animal hospital for a day so they could do tests and get insulin in him. His numbers went down a lot so my vet had me start Marlin on once a day 5 unit dose. Once it came to 2 weeks I was told to give 5 units twice a day because when I tested his urine his numbers were back up to where they were before he went to the hospital. Two days ago I joined the message boards and have been told 5 units is a lot. Another thing to know is I have anxiety when giving shots so I haven't been able to give twice a day shots and there was a day I couldn't give any shots. Today I feel like I'm overcoming my anxiety but I'm worried that 5 units twice a day might be too much. He is going back to the vet on Tuesday to have test done to see how Marlin is doing. How many units did everyone start their cat on and if anyone does twice a day of shots how many do you do twice a day?

confused_cat
 
Hi Dana,
Here is Dana's post from the other day: viewtopic.php?f=28&t=30159&p=311004#p311004
I'm glad that you are overcoming your anxiety to giving shots. After a little bit, it becomes second nature. Have you switched Marlin's food?
My vet had me start Klinger on 3 u's 2x's a day. It's a lot of insulin and Klinger hypo'd a few times, which is scary. Have you viewed the how to treat a hypo sticky on the main health board? Are you home testing?
Does Marlin have any other health issues?
Please keep asking questions.
Marlin is a handsome boy!
 
I haven't switched Marlins food because I want to talk to vet first because I want to make sure his insulin level is okay for the switch. I would like to go back to buying food at pet store instead of buying prescription food from vet all the time.

I bought Karo syrup and was told to rub it on his mouth if he has hypo. I am scared of hypo happening so I'm scared to do 5 units twice a day. What if I'm not home and it happens?? Don't want him to pass away.

I urine test right now because I don't have a glucose test machine and the vet hasn't shown me how to do it. I'm going to talk to him about it when I see him.

Marlins health is good other than the diabetes. I can tell the insulin is helping him because he is playing more and running more. He use to walk slowly up the stairs and now he is darting up them. :-D
 
Hi Dana,
Glad to see you are posting and asking questions.
I think I mentioned before that I am needle phobic, please excuse my repeating myself. I use the short needles (5/16in) which I find MUCH less intimidating. Mine are the BD ultra fine 31gauge needles with 1/2 unit markings. The higher the gauge the thinner the needle. (mine are thinner than yours). I am absolutely convinced that my cat does not feel the shots. I find it helps my anxiety to know that it doesn't hurt her.

Almost everyone here gives shots twice a day. Most insulin only lasts 12 hours, so if you shoot once a day your cat is without insulin for 12 hours. 5U is a very high dose. There are 2 problems with that---it could be an overdose, and the blood sugar could go too low, causing hypoglycemia (very serious and at worst fatal) or you could get "rebound" where ,in order to protect itself, the cat's body dumps more glucose into the blood and the numbers shoot up. That is why we start low and go slow. We want to find the right amount of insulin that your cat responds well to. That is why is is recommended that you start on 1U two times a day and go up slowly (so you don't pass by the right amount without knowing it).

I am glad you found us and I hope you keep posting with any questions. Asking questions is good. This is MOST overwhelming in the beginning and we have all been there! (that is one of the reasons we are interested in helping other new people).


Oh-I see you just posted. Unfortunately, most vets are not very well informed about home testing (mine discouraged it and my cat almost hypo-ed). Usually the vet will not teach you how to do it (unless you have a wonderful vet), but we are happy to help you with all aspects. You get a human glucometer and test strips. THere are many good kinds. Lots of people here use the Relion from Walmart because they have the cheapest test strips. You want to get a meter that only requires the tiniest amount of blood---which makes testing much easier. I use the Freedom lite meter which I love.
 
Hi Dana,

Welcome to our PZI group.

5 units of insulin is ALOT of insulin to start with and can have a potentialy sad outcome. Vets base their dose on their readings at the clinic but most cats are very stressed at the vets and their blood sugar is much higher there than at home where they feel safe and comfortable.

Everyone here started with 1 unit twice a day and hometest their blood sugar to make sure they are not too low to give insulin and to see how the insulin is working in their system. That way we know we didn't miss the perfect dose.

Giving injections will get easier and become routine, Marlin will come to realize that what you are doing is making him feel better and will look forward to testing and getting his shots and of course the treats and extra lovin that we give along with it.

Good decision to wait to switch his food. We can help you with that later.

You don't need to wait to home test, you can get a human blood glucose meter at any pharmacy. I use the Walmart Relion Micro meter, the test strips are about the cheapest there at 50 strips for $20.00. You will also need Lancets, start with a 26 or 28 guage. You need Ketostix to test his urine for Ketones. There are videos you can watch to see how to do the testing and we can talk you through it. If you tell us what city, state you live in we may have a member nearby who can teach you.

Glad you found us so quickly. Marlin can be feeling better soon. Keep asking questions.

Robin
 
Hello Dana,
I am new here too and this is my first post. My cat, Henry was diagnosed on Oct.26. He had went in for a routine glaucoma pressure check and had lost 5 of his 20 lbs. since June. He had a blood panel in Jan. 2010 and his BG was normal so he developed it after that, he was at the vet in June or July and had not lost weight. Henry had a UTI and ketones. We started on 1.5U once a day and it was not controlling it. We have jumped around with dosing tried 2 U once a day, then vet had me giving 2u BID, 2.5 U BID, then 3U BID and finally she wanted me to give him 4U BID which terrified me. The funny thing was giving him the BID even with higher doses he was staying higher throughout the day than with 3U once a day. So now we are back on 3U once a day. He is still unregulated. He was at vet on Thursday and his UTI has cleared. He still has ketones but only a small trace compared to before treatment started. His clinical signs have improved greatly, not drinking water frequently and now he only urinates a couple of times a day and not huge amounts and his appetite is far less than before he started insulin. He has always eaten mostly canned food, and I read the list of low carb Fancy Feast varieties and he now eats only those but sometimes gets into the other cats dry kibble but only a few bites. Giving him the insulin makes me a nervous wreck too. He is very good to have his BG checked, my hubby holds him and I prick his ear and then give him his shot. My vet encouraged me to do the blood testing at home so I could keep a record and see how his readings were over a period of time. I use One Touch ultra. I found a discount prescription online site, Xubex, where I can order 50 strips for 34.99 compared to 50 for 60.00 at the drugstore. You can also find them on Ebay a lot cheaper.
I still get nervous about giving him the shot, but it does get easier and better over time. What really had me a nervous wreck was when I was giving him 4U at night, I was afraid to go to sleep and watched everything he did. I call my vet everyday and report his BG for day. We probably will go back to BID dosing soon starting at a low dose. My vet wants to make sure to give time to see what his numbers are like after his UTI has now cleared.
We use PZ and U40 syringes. I have anxiety disorder and I have been able to do this. Just keep trying, get yourself a meter. Knowing that you can check his BG at home and be alert to any danger of hypo eases a lot of the anxiety.
Good luck to you and your kitty.
 
you both are doing great overcoming your fears and caring for you kitties. you really will eventually be so accustomed to it you won't remember ever fearing it.
 
Thanks, it is getting better, I feel more in control and confident with the testing and shooting.
I just want my boy to get better.
 
I haven't been on in a while due to my TMJ being severe. Still have it but trying to get back into things. Funny thing is (and have to add very happy about) it was easier to give my cat his shots even though I've been in pain. He has actually been acting like a kitten more and more so insulin is helping a great deal. Next check up is this week. Hope everyone and their cats had a great Thanksgiving and thank you for all your help.
 
Thank you for the update. I'm happy to hear that things seem to be progressing for you. Yes, don't be shy please visit as much as you can and ask questions whenever you have a quandary.
 
I started twice a day insulin shots last a week ago. This afternoon when I gave him his wet food he had two bites and thats all. He usually cleans the bowl. Does insulin cause appetite to decrease? Not sure if its 'cause his numbers aren't high like before so maybe his appetite is normal or what.
 
From what i understand, cats that are untreated and un-(or under-)regulated have ravenous appetites. The appetite should return to what was normal before the onset of the fd once they approach regulation. However, a dramatic decrease in appetite that does not strike you as "normal" should be investigated further. Hopefully others will have some suggestions, too.
 
After I posted my question about his appetite I went upstairs and there he was eating. haha I've been keeping my eye on him a lot since the two doses started so if something seems different I get worried. Tested him after and everything is good. Ever since I learned he is diabetic its on my mind so much so I think I need to learn to relax and not let this take over my mind.
 
Excellent input from Claudia. :thumbup Not sure I could have put it better. Glad to hear your kitty is back at the bowl. :smile:
 
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