Cocoa12
Member Since 2018
That is awesome thanks!PetSafe 5-Meal Automatic Dog and Cat Feeder, Dispenses Dog Food or Cat Food, Digital Clock https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000GEWHNS?tag=felinediabetesfdmb-20
This is the one most folks here use.
? Cocoa-Diberic New Here
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Cocoa12
Member Since 2018
OK I need opinions please 
Where is the best location on the ear to prick the cat? It seems to be hit or miss for me and I fill like I am turning his ears into pin cushions. He is really starting to get mad with me with I come to check his levels. Any ideas and direction would be most helpful.
Where is the best location on the ear to prick the cat? It seems to be hit or miss for me and I fill like I am turning his ears into pin cushions. He is really starting to get mad with me with I come to check his levels. Any ideas and direction would be most helpful.
Tricia Cinco(GA) & Harvey
Member Since 2011
This post (<hot link) has drawings that will help,OK I need opinions please
I wasn't around when you asked, but the feeder that was already recommended, the Petsafe 5 meal feeder, is great. I have 2. You can get it online, but some Petsmarts and Petcos carry them in store.
Cocoa12
Member Since 2018
This post (<hot link) has drawings that will help,along with some other good info to help you with testing. Best tips: warm the ear and always give a treat, whether you get a successful test or not. Diabetic friendly treats are freeze-dried meats, like this.
I wasn't around when you asked, but the feeder that was already recommended, the Petsafe 5 meal feeder, is great. I have 2. You can get it online, but some Petsmarts and Petcos carry them in store.
Amazing I love the photo! I tried it there and got it the first time.
Stacy & Asia
Member Since 2017
I wouldn't be worried, it can take a good while for them to get in to and stay in good numbers. Some kitties are faster than others; we're playing chess, not checkers.
You can peek in on other people's SSs and go back to when they first started insulin and see the various paths kitties take to get where they need to go. He might need an increase, but...it's hard to say for sure without the mid cycle data. Will you be able to do a curve this weekend?
Myagi (GA) and Heidi
Member Since 2017
Hi Jeremiah. The week part I wouldn't worry about. Kitties don't develop diabetes overnight and they don't regulate or go into remission overnight. But I would like more senior folks to give feedback on the amount of red and if there is something up or down you might do to move into less dangerous numbers. @Stacy & Asia is around tonight. If you look at Myagi's ss 2017 tab you'll see that the only way through this is literally through this. It can't be rushed and patience will be your best friend (2nd to Cocoa of course).
Cocoa12
Member Since 2018
I wouldn't be worried, it can take a good while for them to get in to and stay in good numbers. Some kitties are faster than others; we're playing chess, not checkers.
He might need an increase, but...it's hard to say for sure without the mid cycle data. Will you be able to do a curve this weekend?
Very true Cocoa is a little slow but in a cute way lol.
Yes I plan on doing a curve this weekend. Although I worry the cat is going to put a hit out on me. He hates having his ear lanced.
Cocoa12
Member Since 2018
Hi Jeremiah. The week part I wouldn't worry about. Kitties don't develop diabetes overnight and they don't regulate or go into remission overnight. But I would like more senior folks to give feedback on the amount of red and if there is something up or down you might do to move into less dangerous numbers. @Stacy & Asia is around tonight. If you look at Myagi's ss 2017 tab you'll see that the only way through this is literally through this. It can't be rushed and patience will be your best friend (2nd to Cocoa of course).
Yeah seeing how he acts now and contrasting it with how he has acted for a while I think he has been diabetic for a few years or so. Very true managing diabetes is just like weight loss it takes a while to get started lol .
I just looked at your SS 2017 looks like it took a little over a month to get the numbers down.
Question for you how much do you feed Myagi?
Stacy & Asia
Member Since 2017
Do you give him a treat when you test? A lot of people have luck with that, so much so that their cats look forward to test times. As you do it more often, his ears will bleed easier, your technique will get better and you can get finer lancets and he should be less bothered. Others sing to them, talk to them, give lots of extra pets, you'll find something that works for you. Look forward to seeing the curve and what's going on in the middle there.
Cocoa12
Member Since 2018
I do give him a treat when I test him perhaps I will change it over to something more desirable for him. Maybe cooked chicken or something.
I am curious to see what is going on in the middle as well. I do not have enough data for my liking at all!
Myagi (GA) and Heidi
Member Since 2017
The scientific answer is "as much as He wants".
Myagi was obese prior to fd becoming symptomatic. He dropped almost half his weight. He's gained back a few lbs and looks and feels healthy! I feed him and Millie same. There is a bowl of "soup" out all day fur grazing. They get a meal 15 minutes prior to food pick up 2 hours before shots. They get meal at shot time. They get snacks at test times and any time someone wants food and plate is empty. That's if I'm around. They have the soup if I'm not around to put fresh. Food is always mixed with water fur hydration. It works out to about 2 to 3 5.5 oz cans per day. Plus treats, young again zero or mature.
Cocoa12
Member Since 2018
The scientific answer is "as much as He wants".
Wow sounds like they eat well lol. What do you put in the soup?
Myagi (GA) and Heidi
Member Since 2017
The difference is now his body is using the food for fuel and He eats what he needs and isn't gaining more, getting fat. Unregulated, the kitty is starving all the time even if eating round the clock.
A can of pate and water to kitty preferred consistency. This took trial and error to figure out what they like. Mush and stir. I also add Zobaline to it because it won't hurt her and sometimes He won't eat his food but will eat hers! Lol. A large deep bowl cause it's messy!
Tricia Cinco(GA) & Harvey
Member Since 2011
Jeremiah, it looks, from Cocoa's spreadsheet, as if an increase may be in order. If you are planning a curve this weekend, that will probably tell us for sure. Every test you are getting is valuable. Think of the spreadsheet like a jigsaw puzzle - the more pieces you can fill in, the clearer the picture becomes. I know it is really frustrating at first - you want to see results. But this is a marathon, not a sprint. Hang in there! You are doing great.
What are you giving now for treats? Cooked chicken is an excellent choice - very low carb. Another diabetic friendly choice is freeze-dried meats. My non-diabetic kittens go nuts for freeze-dried chicken.
Tricia Cinco(GA) & Harvey
Member Since 2011
Hi Jeremiah,
Just wanted to add a housekeeping note. We ask each member to start a new thread every day that they post (most, but not all, post every day). You link your last thread in the first post of the day, so others can go back easily to see what has already been discussed. Otherwise, a thread gets very long and unwieldy. If you need help with the linking of the last post, just ask. Please start a new thread in the morning. Thanks.
Just wanted to add a housekeeping note. We ask each member to start a new thread every day that they post (most, but not all, post every day). You link your last thread in the first post of the day, so others can go back easily to see what has already been discussed. Otherwise, a thread gets very long and unwieldy. If you need help with the linking of the last post, just ask. Please start a new thread in the morning. Thanks.
Steph & Quintus & L & O
Member Since 2017
I think the "fear" increase of BG is usually considered to be upto 100 points or something.
And don't worry about the poking. The first time I tried to get blood from Quintus's ear it took me 40 minutes. Not long afterwards, it was 10 seconds all said and done and he would barely lift his head from his nap. It'll get better!
Cocoa12
Member Since 2018
Hi everyone happy Saturday! I need the opinion of the group. My cat Cocoa has been on insulin since 1/18 he is still 300-400+. He went in for a check at the vet today and she is recommending I move the does to 1.5 units twice a day. Or 1 unit in the AM and 2 in the PM. What is the groups this on this? Seems doing it like this could cause a massive drop in the evening and throw him out of wack. I am honestly considering taking Cocoa to a specialist.
Tricia Cinco(GA) & Harvey
Member Since 2011
Because it is a depot insulin, Lantus needs to be dosed consistently - the same dose every twelve hours. Shooting different doses at am and pm will only throw the depot out of whack and give you some crazy numbers. Your vet is obviously not familiar with depot insulins. If you do look for a specialist, be sure to ask if they have experience with Lantus and Levemir.
This is a much better idea, and one I endorse. If there is any way for you to get more tests in during the cycle, that would also be a good idea. I know you are still struggling with testing, but practise makes purrfect!
Forgive me if this has already been asked and answered, but are you testing for ketones? Did the vet test for them when you were there? The recipe for ketones is: not enough insulin + not enough calories + infection or inflammation, but any time a cat is in sustained high numbers, we recommend keeping an eye out for ketones.
Jeremiah, would you please be kind enough to start a new thread for today? This one is getting very long. You can link this thread in your first post so others can go back to see what has already been discussed. Thank you.
Kathy and TiTi
Member Since 2016
A specialist is good, hopefully someone with experience in Feline Diabetes. Your present vet doesn't seem to understand how Lantus works, as pointed out by Tricia. This is early days for Cocoa, so don't get discouraged. hugs
Phoebes (GA)
Member Since 2017
Welcome to you and your furbaby. A year into this dance and still figuring it all out. It took months to see numbers changing. We have what we call "patience pants" here. I can let you borrow a pair. You'll need them. They get tight and bunch up sometimes, but you have to learn to just put them on and try the best you can to put up with the uncomfortableness. You can tell you love your fur baby and you are doing the best for him. There is some neosporin gel with pain relief you can use a tiny bit on his ears to help as well. Not cream, gel. Welcome again. head bumps and scritches
head bumps and scritches
Cocoa12
Member Since 2018
Because it is a depot insulin, Lantus needs to be dosed consistently - the same dose every twelve hours. Shooting different doses at am and pm will only throw the depot out of whack and give you some crazy numbers. Your vet is obviously not familiar with depot insulins. If you do look for a specialist, be sure to ask if they have experience with Lantus and Levemir.
This is a much better idea, and one I endorse. If there is any way for you to get more tests in during the cycle, that would also be a good idea. I know you are still struggling with testing, but practise makes purrfect!
Forgive me if this has already been asked and answered, but are you testing for ketones? Did the vet test for them when you were there? The recipe for ketones is: not enough insulin + not enough calories + infection or inflammation, but any time a cat is in sustained high numbers, we recommend keeping an eye out for ketones.
Jeremiah, would you please be kind enough to start a new thread for today? This one is getting very long. You can link this thread in your first post so others can go back to see what has already been discussed. Thank you.
Thank you for getting back to me great info. His numbers seemed to be lowering and stabilizing yesterday as well as today. How do I link this thread to a new one?
Cocoa12
Member Since 2018
A specialist is good, hopefully someone with experience in Feline Diabetes. Your present vet doesn't seem to understand how Lantus works, as pointed out by Tricia. This is early days for Cocoa, so don't get discouraged. hugs
Hugs back at you! Thank you for the good thoughts I think i am going to set up an appointment with the specialist. I love my current vet but I want to make sure Cocoa gets the best care.
Cocoa12
Member Since 2018
Welcome to you and your furbaby. A year into this dance and still figuring it all out. It took months to see numbers changing. We have what we call "patience pants" here. I can let you borrow a pair. You'll need them. They get tight and bunch up sometimes, but you have to learn to just put them on and try the best you can to put up with the uncomfortableness. You can tell you love your fur baby and you are doing the best for him. There is some neosporin gel with pain relief you can use a tiny bit on his ears to help as well. Not cream, gel. Welcome again.
Yeah I am not patient lol I want it now!!! LOL. Great idea I just ordered some neosporin gel + pain. Cocoas numbers started to come down yesterday and seem to be low today so maybe something is going on in the god way!
Steph & Quintus & L & O
Member Since 2017
You actually link the new thread to this one.
- copy the link to this web page
- go here to create New Thread: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/forums/lantus-glargine-levemir-detemir.9/create-thread
- at the top of your new message, post the link that you copied
- for the title, use the format you can see other people using in the forum: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/forums/lantus-glargine-levemir-detemir.9/ -- date, cat's name, relevant numbers for the day and maybe short question/info
Does this help?
Kathy and TiTi
Member Since 2016
Actually, this thread is turning into a novel. lol
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