Hello all, I am not thinking super clear yet but this is our story. Bootsie is a neutered male 10 years old, looks and acts healthy but has lost weight in the last couple of months. I took him to the vet today to be sure and his glucose was 451. He had breakfast 2 hours before and treats to get in the carrier. All his other blood work was normal. Doctor is ordering him ProZinc insulin and we will go back in when it arrives for me to learn how to do shots. All super new to me .. .. she did not order special diet or any other diabetes testing, but said would "do a curve " about a month after he starts insulin. Does this sound right to you guys? I guess I don't even know what to ask. Thanks for any help and thanks for listening. I am so scared I won't be able to do this. Bootsie eat a fussy cat food ( canned) which is pretty high protein but he is going to be looking for his temptation treats on his bed tonight.. are there any he could have?
Bootsie diagnosed today
- Thread starter PLUAC
- Start date
CORKY
Member Since 2023
Welcome to FDMB
We have ll felt overwhelmed, but the good thing is that FD is managable. You and Bootsie are in the right place, ProZinc is an excellent insulin for cats is a 12-hour insulin, the did your vet say anything about home testing? I it very important to test before shooting, to avoid hypoglycemia, also a Bootsie so does not get stressed out a curve can be done at home, saves your money, and is just testing every 2 hours for a cycle (12hours), most of the members use the ReliOn Premier monitor and strips, very inexpensive and accurate.
A diabetic cat needs to have a diet of wet can food or raw between 0-10% Carbs, most members use the Fancy Feast Pates, Temptation Treats are a no no they contain close to 20% carbs, there are low carb trats available. if you are feeding kibbles, the transition to wet food needs to be a slow one. We would like to know more about Bootsie, what dose was he given? etc below are a couple of links, we are very numbers oriented, so the spreadsheet is very important to log in the daily glucose numbers. And You Can Do This! in the Main Forum there are many sticky notes you can read with much valuable information
Sticky - New? How You Can Help Us Help You!
https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/forums/spreadsheets-tech-support-testing-area.6/
@Suzanne & Darcy
We have ll felt overwhelmed, but the good thing is that FD is managable. You and Bootsie are in the right place, ProZinc is an excellent insulin for cats is a 12-hour insulin, the did your vet say anything about home testing? I it very important to test before shooting, to avoid hypoglycemia, also a Bootsie so does not get stressed out a curve can be done at home, saves your money, and is just testing every 2 hours for a cycle (12hours), most of the members use the ReliOn Premier monitor and strips, very inexpensive and accurate.
A diabetic cat needs to have a diet of wet can food or raw between 0-10% Carbs, most members use the Fancy Feast Pates, Temptation Treats are a no no they contain close to 20% carbs, there are low carb trats available. if you are feeding kibbles, the transition to wet food needs to be a slow one. We would like to know more about Bootsie, what dose was he given? etc below are a couple of links, we are very numbers oriented, so the spreadsheet is very important to log in the daily glucose numbers. And You Can Do This! in the Main Forum there are many sticky notes you can read with much valuable information
Sticky - New? How You Can Help Us Help You!
https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/forums/spreadsheets-tech-support-testing-area.6/
@Suzanne & Darcy
squeem3
Member Since 2009
Welcome!
@Suzanne & Darcy and maybe @CORKY can give you more info about ProZinc. It's a good insulin to use. Start at no more than 1 unit twice a day. If the vet insists on a higher dose, just firmly push back and say you're not comfortable with it. A low dose that doesn't do much is way better than a high dose that puts the cat at risk for low blood glucose levels.
Ask the vet about testing blood glucose levels at home daily. Human diabetics do this multiple times a day. Cats are no different. Some vets discourage home testing for one reason or another but you really don't need the vet's permission or approval anyways. Here is an updated 2025 guideline on treating diabetes in cats that you can share with the vet: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1098612X251399103
A Human blood glucose meter works fine and what vets and pet owners used before the pet meters were made. Cheaper and supplies are easily bought at most pharmacies. Pet meters and supplies aren't sold in stores and they're expensive.
Once you learn how to test at home, you do not need to bring your cat to the vet for a $$$ curve that isn't accurate.
Food - another thing you don't need the vet's approval. Low carb canned food is best. Food Charts: Links to FOOD CHARTS Any food under 10% carbs is good. No dry food at all.
Treats - freeze dried meat or seafood treats are good. So are plain cooked chicken. Temptations are too high carb.
@Suzanne & Darcy and maybe @CORKY can give you more info about ProZinc. It's a good insulin to use. Start at no more than 1 unit twice a day. If the vet insists on a higher dose, just firmly push back and say you're not comfortable with it. A low dose that doesn't do much is way better than a high dose that puts the cat at risk for low blood glucose levels.
Ask the vet about testing blood glucose levels at home daily. Human diabetics do this multiple times a day. Cats are no different. Some vets discourage home testing for one reason or another but you really don't need the vet's permission or approval anyways. Here is an updated 2025 guideline on treating diabetes in cats that you can share with the vet: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1098612X251399103
A Human blood glucose meter works fine and what vets and pet owners used before the pet meters were made. Cheaper and supplies are easily bought at most pharmacies. Pet meters and supplies aren't sold in stores and they're expensive.
Once you learn how to test at home, you do not need to bring your cat to the vet for a $$$ curve that isn't accurate.
Food - another thing you don't need the vet's approval. Low carb canned food is best. Food Charts: Links to FOOD CHARTS Any food under 10% carbs is good. No dry food at all.
Treats - freeze dried meat or seafood treats are good. So are plain cooked chicken. Temptations are too high carb.
Thank you for being so welcoming -- man do I need that today. The vet did not mention testing at home but I did see a video on here-- and I will get a monitor. I don't feed any dry kibble but will be breaking a temptation treat addiction-- he is meowing at the closet now!
Thank you! I will cook him a bit of chicken to get him through the night and look at the food charts. Thank you so much
CORKY
Member Since 2023
I give as a treat or snack Fricks Ham is in thick slices that I cut into small cubes is only 1% carbs or any that’s 1% carbs no sugar added, We can be right here with you on this journey, at the beginning, I cried till there were no more tears, Many sleepless nights, and felt very inadequate, but I’m still here kicking it with help of this forum, and the amazing dedicated and knowledgable members., you can get from Walmart the ReliOn Premier monitor and strips, very inexpensive, $19.99 for the monitor and 9.00 for 50 strips or $17.88 for 100 is always good to have extra strips, you will also need syringes 29gague with 1/2 markings and 30gague lancets. And as Squeem3 explained several small meals during the day. Especially 2 hours after shots, I feed every 4-5 hours during the day and use the Fancy Feast pates between 0-10% carbs Friskies also has low carbs, I feed 1/2 Cans each meal 2 cats 4 cans a day
squeem3
Member Since 2009
You'll need U40 syringes with ProZinc. I don't think pharmacies sell U40 syringes but you can buy them online.
There is a way to use U100 syringes with ProZinc but there's dose conversion that has to be done and it's not advisable for overwhelmed newbies to try to figure it out.
Poached chicken in plain water is great. Freeze whatever won't be eaten within a day to have for future treats.
Ham is a good idea. I have cried all day--I thought I was the only one. I will get a monitor tomorrow-
With all the sticks--do the cats not hide? Bootsie is still mad I put him in the carrier. He came into the kitchen and ate-saw he wasn't getting treats and has gone to pout--I haven't even given one shot yet...
thank you--good info and is already looking pricey.
squeem3
Member Since 2009
Most cats eventually get used to having their ear poked and having insulin given. Patience and treats are key.
For cats who won't tolerate their ears being poked, there is a CGM meter that the vet can put on your cat. It lasts for about 2 weeks before it needs to be replaced. Info here: Getting Started With Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) for Diabetic Cats You do need to know how to test from the ear or paw pad in case the CGM falls off or malfunctions or reads LO.
For cats who won't tolerate their ears being poked, there is a CGM meter that the vet can put on your cat. It lasts for about 2 weeks before it needs to be replaced. Info here: Getting Started With Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) for Diabetic Cats You do need to know how to test from the ear or paw pad in case the CGM falls off or malfunctions or reads LO.
Suzanne & Darcy
Member Since 2020
Hi there. What is Bootsie eating? He needs preferably a low carb wet food diet? I can help you with him. We need to get you set up with a spreadsheet and get your signature set up. Have you started home testing yet? Have you read through the sticky notes on the ProZinc forum? I really would like to help you two. It’s a journey.
Suzanne & Darcy
Member Since 2020
You need to wean him off the Temptation treats and start giving him something like freeze dried meat or boiled chicken bites. I would do it slowly.
Bootsie eats fussy cat canned food and some weruva varieties. I will get a monitor tomorrow and hope vet receives insulin soon so I can start getting bootsie's sugar under control....though I really dread doing the shots. ive cooked some chicken to see if he will take it as his night treat.
I don't think ive come to the proZinc forum yet--im sorta poking around the site but not too good at navigating yet. Thank you for any and all help
CORKY
Member Since 2023
Just so you know if your vet emails CHEWY.COM the prescription it will be much cheaper you get it in 48 hours in a specialbiced box, and also helps our Forum With special donation
Suzanne & Darcy
Member Since 2020
The shots are a piece of cake. The needles are quite small and short. Many cats will eat right through the shot. I shot my cat while he had his face in the bowl. It never bothered him a bit.
A suggestion regarding treats... I'd avoid ham given the sodium content or use it sparingly. You have lots of alternatives. Suzanne mentioned freeze dried proteins. They come in lots of flavors. My guys love chicken. There are also jerky style treats. Chicken in any form (bakes, poached, etc.) is a favorite for many cats. We've had members who would buy frozen shrimp and defrost it as treats. The bottom line is that anything that is pure protein will be zero carbs.