Beginning insulin Question

[AliciaG]

Hello,

I'm going to be starting Juliet on prozinc and will have the items Tuesday but I have a question, the idiot vet (dumping as soon as possible) wants too do it for the Wednesday at the clinic mostly for observation. My issue is, I want to get her started but i can't be home to watch her until Saturday for reactions if I want to do r myself. Would it be best then to just let the vet tech get her started? This way someone is keeping an eye out for her and then id just take over from there myself. Any thoughts?

 

[Tucker&Me]

Hi Alicia!!
I use the ReliOn Prime too. Works for me!
How are you doing with the home testing process? I only ask because I can't open your Spreadsheet. Could be me, but I think you need to click some permissions..?
I don't think 3-4 days is going to be a huge deal to wait to administer the ProZinc yourself. ( However, I can't see yer Spreadsheet #'s..) It's going to save you money and Juliet isn't going to have elevated #'s as a result of "vet stress" so your dosing advice here would be more accurate.
What do you think?
You have her on a good wet diet I see, so I can't imagine her #'s being so out of control that you would urgently need to begin insulin with the vet.
You are doing great!
I want you to know that I am having EXCELLENT results in treating 2 of my kitties neuropathy! I have been using Zobaline twice daily for one week, and I already have very noticeable changes!!! Just to let you know.

 

[AliciaG]

Ah, worked so hard on that spreadsheet too. I think I have fixed it if not you should be able to access it here https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1vVQ5UtQdgqRXyiPZLUI_nsIf6C9Sr_VZZ8BramejQkw/edit. Our numbers are good, right now we are in the blue more often as of these last two days and that's without the insulin! Testing is a little random but I still think we're doing well. I also think I see an improvement in the neuropathy this week. Hopefully it's not wishful thinking. She's also more social and even tried to play with me last night which for her is awesome as she is such a reserved hands off kind of cat. She's even more patient with the ear pricking, as long as there is a treat first. I guess I'm super optimistic this morning.

 

[Tucker&Me]

That's fantastic news, Alicia!! I go by the "all around " approach too! Taking all things into consideration, as been said around here.."your kitty is more than a glucose reading.. "
Tucker was the last feral to come into the household, and I regret that at the time, he didn't get a super amount of undivided attention. Consequently he was kinda hands off, aloof etc too. That had changed for me too! It's like a second chance with him. And since he lost so much weight, he truly does look like a kitten!! Or a very young cat!
It was within ONE WEEK that Tucker went from squirmy, uncooperative little fart during test, to jumping up himself to the spot, for his Bonito flakes. Very optimistic day for me too!!!
It sounds like you will be just fine waiting until Saturday.
Be sure and make your posts about dosage ONLY in the ProZinc forum may they be discussed and advice given OK?

 

[Sue and Oliver (GA)]

Hi Alicia and Welcome,

If you are testing (and you are -hurray!) we suggest your dosing at home. Stress raises blood glucose levels and most cats are stressed at the vet, and then the bean is sent home with a dose that is too high.

But I would urge you to be careful. She is in very good numbers and you want to be sure the insulin doesn't drop her too low. We suggest new diabetics not shoot under 200, but stall. Wait 20 minutes, to make sure the number is rising and over 200. She is already lower than 200 so with her numbers the last two days, we would have urged you not to shoot but stall, and then give just a little. Maybe a drop.

I would practice giving a drop of insulin. Pull up the smallest amount you can comfortably measure on your syringe and let out drops of insulin, counting as you do. If you want to give two drops in the future, you draw up that amount and let out drops, save two.

Please don't give any insulin is she is under 200. It could be that the wet low carb diet is causing her levels to return to normal levels. I would be very careful giving any insulin.

 

[AliciaG]

I'm glad to hear confirmation of her numbers. I kinda got chickened at the vet today. We were in for another cat issue (shots) and HE came out and...Well, I'm going to call tomorrow to cancel instead. Ug, I'm glad I go for a consult on Saturday. I'm not going to start insulin until I feel this new one out and if I'm comfortable enough to give insulin if her numbers really seem to need it. If the downward trend continues until then, I may hold off all together. Here's fingers crossed.

 

[BJM]

For some other assessments besides blood glucose, see my signature link Secondary Monitoring Tools.