Brand new Diabetes Dx

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SarahTitus

Member Since 2019
Hello,

Brand new to diabetes management and feeling very overwhelmed. I want to switch completely to wet but not sure how much to feed. He’s currently 19.6lbs, and Vet wants to get him down to 17. He’s a Maine coon. Was told by Vet to give 1/8 DM dry food and 1/2 can DM wet food BID. He seems hungry between currently. If I switch to FF completely, how much and how often should I be feeding him daily? I read through other message boards on here and according to the chart of 13.6 x 17 + 70 it would be 302.1 calories/day. But how much should I be giving during each meal and what times throughout the day/how long between feedings? Also, whats the best timing for giving his shot...while he’s eating, immediately after, within 30 min? I’m willing to invest in auto feeder or whatever it takes to get him regulated and healthy and not chained to my house. I love traveling and am grieving the loss of that currently.

I purchased the ReliOn Prime and strips, which come later this week, so I can start monitoring then. He’s currently on 2iu 2x day of Lantus.

Thanks for any assistance!
 
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Hi and welcome Sarah and Titus. I'm sorry about the diagnosis and it's perfectly normal to feel overwhelmed right now. But, and I am serious about this - having traveled this path along with most of the other members here, that lessens over time as you learn the "sugar dance". :)

You have created the signature, thank you very much. When you get that glucometer, please add that to the signature so we know that you are using a human meter. The space allowed for the signature is limited and we do abbreviate to get it all in if we need to and have room for the link to the spreadsheet.

Next, please set up the spreadsheet so you can begin recording the insulin dose and it will be ready for testing data when you begin that:

FDMB Spreadsheet Instructions
Understanding the Spreadsheet/Grid

If you need help with the spreadsheet set up, let us know. There are members who assist or can set it up for you.

We recommend feeding frequent, small meals to our sugar cats. It helps even out the blood sugar, reduces gastric issues from not eating for long periods of time (twice a day feeding) and supports kitty as unregulated cats can't utilize food properly and they are usually extremely hungry. Many members feed 3-4 meals a day, plus snacks. A timed feeder is a very good way to accomplish this. PetSafe and CatMate are two brands that I know of that have both 2 and 5 dish feeders that you set to open at certain times.

Idjit was about 18 # when diagnosed I was instructed to feed about 300 calories a day, plus he got snacks. When I bought the canned Fancy Feast and Friskies foods, I used a marking pen and consulted the FOOD CHART and marked the total calories and carb % on the side of the can on the label. That way I knew what was going in on a daily basis. I don't think you have to be extremely precise, just ball park this and see how he feels. I do suggest that you gradually transition any diet change, especially from the dry food to wet as introducing a low carb diet can significantly lower blood sugar but you need to be testing before you make changes to prevent any critical low blood sugar events: Transitioning your cat from dry to wet food . So, please don't make diet changes until you are testing.
Divide the 300+ calories into 3 or 4 meals a day, and leave him a snack or two for night time.

You can visit www.catinfo.org by Dr. Lisa Pierson DVM who compiled the food chart.
Dr Pierson recommends " start with protein minimum of 40, fat maximum of 50, carb max of 10, and for cats with kidney issues....phos less than 300."

Right now I would not worry about Titus losing weight, the main concerns are regulating the blood sugar and making sure his BG (blood glucose) does not drop too low. Testing is the best way to keep him safe and see how the insulin is working.

Here are some wise words by Chris & China (GA) about getting ready to test:
Here's something I wrote up for others for testing...maybe it'll help you too!

It can be really helpful to establish a routine with testing. Pick one spot that you want your "testing spot" to be (I like the kitchen counter because it's got good light and it's at a good height....it also already blocked 2 escape routes due to the wall and the backsplash) It can be anywhere though...a rug on the floor, a table, a particular spot on the couch...wherever is good for you.

Take him there as many times a day as you can and just give his ears a quick rub and then he gets a yummy (low carb) treat. Most cats aren't objecting so much with the poking..it's the fooling with their ears they don't like, but once they're desensitized to it and learn to associate a certain place with the treats, they usually start to come when they're called! Or even when they hear us opening the test kit!

You also have to remember...you're not poking him to hurt him...you're testing him to keep him safe and understand what's going on inside his body. There's just nothing better than truly understanding what's going on inside your kitty's body and with this disease, the more knowledge you have, the more power you have against it. The edges of the ears have very few pain receptors, so it really doesn't hurt them. Also, if you're nervous and tense, it's going to make your kitty nervous and tense too. As silly as it might seem, try singing! It forces you to use a different part of your brain!

It's also important to make sure his ear is warm. A small sock filled with a little rice and microwaved or a small pill bottle filled with warm water (check temp against your wrist like you would a baby bottle) works well

For new kitties, using a heavier gauge lancet is also really helpful. A 25-28 gauge lancet pokes a bigger "hole" than a 31-33 gauge lancet does, so look for "Alternate Site testing" lancets that are usually a lower number

Finding the right "treat" will be a great help too! Freeze dried chicken, bonito flakes, little pieces of baked chicken...whatever low carb treat you can find that he really enjoys will help him to associate the testing with the treat! China's Achilles heel was baked chicken, so I'd bake a piece, chop it into bite sized pieces, put some in the refrigerator and freeze the rest to use as needed. It didn't take long for her to come any time I picked up the meter!
***********************
Regarding when to test, feed and shoot please visit the Lantus Insulin Support Group forum HERE and start reading. Lantus works best with injections 12 hours apart, always test before a shot to be sure the BG is high enough, and then shoot & feed, usually within about 15 to 20 minutes. I used to give Idjit his shot while he was eating his breakfast and dinner at 6 AM and 6 PM. Find shot times that work for you and Titus. It is recommended when you first start out on this journey to have the pre-shot tests be fasting..no food 2 hours before.

Test in between shots to see how low the insulin is taking the BG..Lantus is based on the nadirs, the lowest numbers in the cycles, not the pre-shot numbers. And testing at different times during the cycle on different days is going to show you where that nadir usually is. Be aware, this is a living body with all kinds of things affecting him, so there will be variations, nothing is ever going to plot out exactly the same.

Read that information in the Lantus forum, this information is going to help you help Titus. Ask questions about dosing, timing, or anything you don't understand about using Lantus in that forum. We also have testing videos and tips that you can look at here on the board.

I know this is long, and I apologize. But I hope this helps you get a little more grounded and feel less overwhelmed.
One last thing that would be good for you to read:
How you can help us help you :cat:
 
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YOU ARE AN ANGEL!! Thank you so much for taking the time to write all that! I started to set up the spreadsheet and got overwhelmed again, but I’ll add that information to my signature when I start home testing. I bought the ReliOn prime and 28 gauge lancets. I appreciate all your suggestions and advice!
 
LOL, I'm going to tell my husband that I'm an angel..and see the reaction. Oh, my sides hurt already.

I'm not, but thank you. I was afraid I had frightened you off and I'm so glad you can use the info. There's more Sarah, and you will get to it, and we will help you every step of the way.

If you want to post tomorrow, after your brains have rested a bit, I can (or someone can) give you the links to videos and tips on home testing. Tonight, I hope you can do a little reading, and talk to Titus about home testing while you are loving on him and maybe handling his ears a little bit.

Please let us know where in the world you are..a state if you are in the U.S. etc. so that if a member is advising because of some low numbers or something, and has to log off cause it's late where they are, they can find someone in another time zone to take over.
 
Thank you! I am already so grateful for this group! I have watched a home testing video and am sure I will watch more. I’ve been reading so much and just want to make this as easy and painless for us both!
 
Thank you! I am already so grateful for this group! I have watched a home testing video and am sure I will watch more. I’ve been reading so much and just want to make this as easy and painless for us both!
Ok, don't forget to sleep, and take good care of yourself while you are "in school". Titus can't open cans, or wash his dishes, or god forbid clean out the litter box, much less get the syringe ready and give himself a shot. You have to be able to focus your eyesight and above all else keep that food coming! ;)
 
YOU ARE AN ANGEL!! Thank you so much for taking the time to write all that! I started to set up the spreadsheet and got overwhelmed again, but I’ll add that information to my signature when I start home testing. I bought the ReliOn prime and 28 gauge lancets. I appreciate all your suggestions and advice!
If you need help setting it up let us know and someone can set it up for you.

I would suggest forgetting the prescription food. There’s nothing in it that’s better for cats. Skip the dry all together. Most of is feed fancy feast classic or Friskies pate foods. I feed tikicat after dark to my diabetic and fancy feast to the others. A 17 lb cat would eat about 3-4 cans of ff per day (they are about 95 calories each give our take depending on flavor.) Uncontrolled diabetics often need more food because their bodies can not properly utilize the nutrients.
 
Finally was able to get a reading after trying several times today! Wooohooo! Thanks again for your help! Going to go strictly wet food now that I know he’s still high (272).
 
Sarah, transition gradually..to reduce possibility of gastric issues and to guard against sudden BG drops. Hang on, getting the link about that for you.
 

He has always loved wet food and has been getting it 2-3x a week most of his life. I was using the dry prescription food but everyone says that’s terrible. I was instructed to give him 1/8 cup 2x a day of that plus the DM wet food. So I was thinking I would transition to 1/8 one time a day while adding another can of FF and then go straight to wet from there. Currently feeding at 5am(with auto feeder) 9am (shot time), 5pm, and 9pm (shot time).
 
He has always loved wet food and has been getting it 2-3x a week most of his life. I was using the dry prescription food but everyone says that’s terrible. I was instructed to give him 1/8 cup 2x a day of that plus the DM wet food. So I was thinking I would transition to 1/8 one time a day while adding another can of FF and then go straight to wet from there. Currently feeding at 5am(with auto feeder) 9am (shot time), 5pm, and 9pm (shot time).

Replacing the dry a little at a time, over about a week I think would be good. But be sure he is getting enough, unregulated kitties are pretty hungry.
 
Sarah:

Can you check the permissions on your spreadsheet? It won't open for me and the error message is that I need permission. You need to set the "Share" to anyone with the link. Thanks.
 
I posted on the Feline Diabetes Facebook group as well, but sometimes people are faster here...
Had post-week Diagnosis check up yesterday. Vet told me to increase his evening shot to 2.5iu Lantus and morning to 3. Told me I only need to be testing 1-2x week. I decided to continue testing as you all have suggested and he was 95 preshot this am! I have not given him his shot yet (waiting to hear back from vet). Any advice on what you would do? Increasing dose seemed unnecessary as it’s only been 11 days and I assume his body is still adjusting to the insulin?
 
Have you fed him? If not, do not feed him. Stall, and take another test 360 minutes after the first test in order to see which way he is headed – up or down.

It is advised that new members not shoot under 150. More on that in a minute. Just wanted to get the do not feed and second test info out there.
 
You do not yet have enough data or experience to shoot a green number (95). Also, you will not be home.
The safest thing to do is to skip the shot this morning.
You should hold the 2 unit dose for 5-7 days in order to see how the 2 units works.
The increase is far too soon.
Tagging @Marje and Gracie and @CassAndGordy about dosing.
 
You do not yet have enough data or experience to shoot a green number (95). Also, you will not be home.
The safest thing to do is to skip the shot this morning.
You should hold the 2 unit dose for 5-7 days in order to see how the 2 units works.
The increase is far too soon.
Tagging @Marje and Gracie and @CassAndGordy about dosing.

I completely agree!! I do not want to kill my baby! I really wanted to get a reading after the increase last night. He was not happy with me this morning as I was having trouble getting blood but I knew I really needed to be sure! I didn’t understand why she was increasing it. I know that 508 is high but I think he was annoyed about the ear testing starting, which stressed him out and/or it could’ve been a bounce. Otherwise I felt his numbers have been pretty good considering 482 was the number that gave him the Dx. I’m going to try to get a before bed reading tonight!
 
I agree with @Red & Rover (GA) on the 2u dose. He was seeing blue BGs and when we see blue with Lantus, we hold the dose for at least ten cycles.

Also, your vet is incorrect; we don’t shoot different doses a.m. and p.m. with lantus on a regular basis. There might be an occasional time as you are building data when we might suggest a bit of a reduced dose on a one-time basis, and of course, if we are increasing or decreasing the dose, we would shoot a different dose.

You might want to start posting on the Lantus/Basalgar/Levemir forum where there are more people with experience with Lantus to help you. Also, the link to your SS is not a correct one. The correct one should end in pubhtml. By having the correct one, the SS autoupdates whenever you enter something; it also prevents scammers that come on the board from being able to mess with the SSs. Please send me a PM and I can help you with the correct link.
 
@Marje and Gracie Thank you! I completely agree. I do not understand why she said to increase. I was very nervous about it. By 10 cycles you mean 10 rounds of shots, right? Not 10 days. Just want to be sure I completely understand. You all have been literal life savers!!
 
@Marje and Gracie Thank you! I completely agree. I do not understand why she said to increase. I was very nervous about it. By 10 cycles you mean 10 rounds of shots, right? Not 10 days. Just want to be sure I completely understand. You all have been literal life savers!!
Correct; one cycle = one 12 hour period; there are two cycles in a day so holding for ten cycles is five days.

Of course, if he drops below 50 at any time, the dose gets reduced no matter if you only increased the dose two cycles before.
 
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