Suzanne & Darcy
Member Since 2020
You definitely will need some U-40 syringes with half unit markings. Look at the photo that was attached up higher in this thread — with the photo of the syringes.
Confidence to start insulin
- OP Monstybender
- Start date
Monstybender
Member Since 2026
Thank you !Some brands of U40 half unit marked syringes:
You can buy U40 syringes online. A prescription may or may not be needed depending on what your state law is. Amazon doesn't require a prescription at all.
Monstybender
Member Since 2026
I have never been able to test them before she eats. I tried this morning and she was really uncooperative. Hissing, growling and running away. This is why Bexacat was perfect for us. Monster is a spicy one and now that I am testing twice a day she is real mad and ears are hurting her. Forget paws she will rip my hand off. I was able to get keytones as I was chasing after her with the meter. Still .02. Likely due to the new food, not sure why they are staying at .02. I did take Thursday off of work to start insulin. I hope it goes better than today. Will need to order 1/2 unit syringes.
squeem3
Member Since 2009
Many people who can't manually test their spicy cat's ear or paw pad use a CGM for blood glucose monitoring. There's info here: Getting Started With Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) for Diabetic Cats
The CGM sticks to the cat's shaved skin and is supposed to stay in place and work for 2 weeks but members have found that the CGM can fall off a cat or the cat pulls it off or the CGM malfunctions.
The CGM sticks to the cat's shaved skin and is supposed to stay in place and work for 2 weeks but members have found that the CGM can fall off a cat or the cat pulls it off or the CGM malfunctions.
Monstybender
Member Since 2026
We had one placed last week and shipped it off the next day. My fault, I should have put the shirt on her before I left. They didn’t use glue per my request because she had a reaction to the glue last time. It was a new vet and I forgot skin tac when we left. I had planned on putting the other libre on today but if I’m not starting insulin till Thursday I’d rather wait in case she rips it off. Putting the shirt on her will be a real task too. She really needs to have bloodwork done. I do think she has pancreatitis. I switched back to the half old food and half new food today and seems to be better. Her poop this morning was very light colored which usually is very dark. So I will have to talk with the vet about that also tomorrow. The breathing is still a bit rapid today. I have not giving cerenia yet.
Monstybender
Member Since 2026
Can I ask what you fed her?
Suzanne & Darcy
Member Since 2020
Maybe a silly question, but are you giving her a low carb treat like a Pure Bites freeze dried chicken treat with every BG ear test? Maybe even more than one. Maybe before and after? Whatever it takes. Most cats get used to the testing once they associate it with some kind of high value treat.
Suzanne & Darcy
Member Since 2020
If she will allow it, you can also take the BG test while she’s eating. This usually works after you get pretty proficient at testing. I used to shoot insulin while my boy was eating too, but that is easier than getting a BG test.
Hang in there and keep trying. Things will get easier.
Hang in there and keep trying. Things will get easier.
Christina&Pants
Member Since 2025
I feel your pain with the Libre struggles. Hope you had more success with the new libre 
The Libre 3 plus applicators have been terrible lately about not releasing the sensor, too! My vet advised me to have a pen or chopstick or something ready to pry sensors out, so in case no one has advised you the same, that advice might save you some grief. I had one rip a sensor right back off last week because I couldn't pry it out before Pants ran away from me.
Sorry your family is giving you crap about considering insulin for your kitty, it's absolutely not justified. Hoping for good news/direction from the vet today.
The Libre 3 plus applicators have been terrible lately about not releasing the sensor, too! My vet advised me to have a pen or chopstick or something ready to pry sensors out, so in case no one has advised you the same, that advice might save you some grief. I had one rip a sensor right back off last week because I couldn't pry it out before Pants ran away from me.Sorry your family is giving you crap about considering insulin for your kitty, it's absolutely not justified. Hoping for good news/direction from the vet today.
Suzanne & Darcy
Member Since 2020
@Staci & Ivy has a wealth of experience with the Libres.
Staci & Ivy
Member Since 2022
Hi and welcome. It seems you are already familiar with the Libre use to a degree. Your instinct not to allow any glue is the RIGHT decision (it's all explained in the document Wendy linked for you to read about using a Libre.
The glue can harm their fragile skin and or cause the Libre to stop working and then you are out of luck.
It's best to use the Skin Tac (it's a moisture barrier, not glue actually) to protect their skin. And always rotate the area to the other side of the body when you change to a new one. They are very easy to apply. And yes, I keep a toothpick handy and lift the cap easily while holding down the little disc in place so the Libre doesn't lift up when you pull off the cap. Probably my #1 tip!
I cover the Libre with a Tegaderm and then my girl wears a tube top so she can't mess with the Libre. It works for us. Many cats wear a wrap (some kind of bandage wrap) or a tee shirt.
They do get used to wearing a covering.
It's very important to be able to double check the low numbers with a blood test, an ear prick. When the Libre reads LO and drops down under 50, you need to know if they are really that low or higher and safe.
It all takes practice, we have all been there too. You can do this and stand up for your kitty. Don't listen to others who are being negative.
We are here to help. If you have more questions about a Libre, just let me know.
The glue can harm their fragile skin and or cause the Libre to stop working and then you are out of luck.
It's best to use the Skin Tac (it's a moisture barrier, not glue actually) to protect their skin. And always rotate the area to the other side of the body when you change to a new one. They are very easy to apply. And yes, I keep a toothpick handy and lift the cap easily while holding down the little disc in place so the Libre doesn't lift up when you pull off the cap. Probably my #1 tip!
I cover the Libre with a Tegaderm and then my girl wears a tube top so she can't mess with the Libre. It works for us. Many cats wear a wrap (some kind of bandage wrap) or a tee shirt.
They do get used to wearing a covering.
It's very important to be able to double check the low numbers with a blood test, an ear prick. When the Libre reads LO and drops down under 50, you need to know if they are really that low or higher and safe.
It all takes practice, we have all been there too. You can do this and stand up for your kitty. Don't listen to others who are being negative.
We are here to help. If you have more questions about a Libre, just let me know.
Monstybender
Member Since 2026
Thank you so much!Hi and welcome. It seems you are already familiar with the Libre use to a degree. Your instinct not to allow any glue is the RIGHT decision (it's all explained in the document Wendy linked for you to read about using a Libre.
The glue can harm their fragile skin and or cause the Libre to stop working and then you are out of luck.
It's best to use the Skin Tac (it's a moisture barrier, not glue actually) to protect their skin. And always rotate the area to the other side of the body when you change to a new one. They are very easy to apply. And yes, I keep a toothpick handy and lift the cap easily while holding down the little disc in place so the Libre doesn't lift up when you pull off the cap. Probably my #1 tip!
I cover the Libre with a Tegaderm and then my girl wears a tube top so she can't mess with the Libre. It works for us. Many cats wear a wrap (some kind of bandage wrap) or a tee shirt.
They do get used to wearing a covering.
It's very important to be able to double check the low numbers with a blood test, an ear prick. When the Libre reads LO and drops down under 50, you need to know if they are really that low or higher and safe.
It all takes practice, we have all been there too. You can do this and stand up for your kitty. Don't listen to others who are being negative.
We are here to help. If you have more questions about a Libre, just let me know.
Monstybender
Member Since 2026
Monstybender
Member Since 2026
These are my syringes that I have . I asked the vet for half unit today and they gave me same thing.
Suzanne & Darcy
Member Since 2020
Staci. Where do you find this little tube top?Hi and welcome. It seems you are already familiar with the Libre use to a degree. Your instinct not to allow any glue is the RIGHT decision (it's all explained in the document Wendy linked for you to read about using a Libre.
The glue can harm their fragile skin and or cause the Libre to stop working and then you are out of luck.
It's best to use the Skin Tac (it's a moisture barrier, not glue actually) to protect their skin. And always rotate the area to the other side of the body when you change to a new one. They are very easy to apply. And yes, I keep a toothpick handy and lift the cap easily while holding down the little disc in place so the Libre doesn't lift up when you pull off the cap. Probably my #1 tip!
I cover the Libre with a Tegaderm and then my girl wears a tube top so she can't mess with the Libre. It works for us. Many cats wear a wrap (some kind of bandage wrap) or a tee shirt.
They do get used to wearing a covering.
It's very important to be able to double check the low numbers with a blood test, an ear prick. When the Libre reads LO and drops down under 50, you need to know if they are really that low or higher and safe.
It all takes practice, we have all been there too. You can do this and stand up for your kitty. Don't listen to others who are being negative.
We are here to help. If you have more questions about a Libre, just let me know.
Suzanne & Darcy
Member Since 2020
Could you please take a photograph of the actual syringe kind of close-up so I can see the markings. It looks like from the packaging that there are half unit marks on there. For doses where we are adjusting by .25 units you just have to eyeball the distance between the half unit mark and the whole unit mark.
Monstybender
Member Since 2026
Attachments
Monstybender
Member Since 2026
Yes I should be able to eyeball between zero and .50.
Suzanne & Darcy
Member Since 2020
Okay. Good. I can definitely see the half unit marks!
How is your baby today?
How is your baby today?
Staci & Ivy
Member Since 2022
Monstybender
Member Since 2026
She is doing better. I went to get antibiotics from one vet and took her to the new vet yesterday. We practiced how to give insulin with fluids and I was much more confident. Her bg was 203 on a human meter this morning. I’m feel a lil flustered as to all the things I need to prepare for .
Suzanne & Darcy
Member Since 2020
What does this mean— to give insulin with fluids?
Insulin is given directly under the skin, usually in the scruff on the back of the neck. It’s super easy and fast and the insulin needles are small.
Suzanne & Darcy
Member Since 2020
What are the antibiotics for?
Suzanne & Darcy
Member Since 2020
If you are starting insulin today (Thursday, right? Since you are off work?) you need to get that spreadsheet set up and a signature set up so we can help you.
Suzanne & Darcy
Member Since 2020
I know this was posted previously in this thread, but here it is again. Let us know if you need help.
Sticky - New? How You Can Help Us Help You!
Sticky - New? How You Can Help Us Help You!
Monstybender
Member Since 2026
She is doing better. I went to get antibiotics from one vet and took her to the new vet yesterday. We practiced how to give insulin with fluids and I was much more confident. Her bg was 203 on a human meter this morning. I’m feel a lil flustered as to how yo
horrible bladder infection.
Monstybender
Member Since 2026
I didn’t get the day off because I was gone all day Tuesday at the vet.
Monstybender
Member Since 2026
Can you help me figure out how I should be feeding her during the night. What I should be giving and how much to keep her out of a hypo situation. She currently gets no food past 11:30 pm. I will not start insulin till I have this figured out . I set up the spreadsheet in another group. Can I just use that one?
Monstybender
Member Since 2026
She used a fluid bag to practice in the syringe, instead of saline.
just leave wet food out for her to free feed. she'll eat as needed.
Suzanne & Darcy
Member Since 2020
@Marje and Gracie can you assist with the spreadsheet?
Suzanne & Darcy
Member Since 2020
Regarding feeding at night, you said 11:30, but what I need to know is how many hours after her evening shot would that be?
As for feeding, during the daytime with kitties on ProZinc, it is best for them to have small amounts of food given at certain points during the early portion of the cycle. It’s better for them not to eat very much food, if any, after their nadir (lowest point in the cycle.) I usually recommend starting with a spoonful of low-carb wet food at +2, which is two hours after the shot and another one at +4, which is four hours after the shot. Somewhere around those times. You can also take the total amount of food that you want your kitty to eat during the day/evening and divide it up into these small meals, including breakfast dinner and the two snacks in the morning cycle and the two snacks in the evening. The reason the +2 snack is helpful is because +2 is generally about the time that the ProZinc will onset (which means start lowering blood glucose.) The same is generally good for the evening time to give snacks at about two and four hours after the shot. Many people will use automated feeders to dispense the snacks at certain points in the evening and also during the day while they are at work. The problem with leaving food out all night (other than the obvious ones like bugs getting into them) is that she may not eat the food at the appropriate time, or if you don’t pick up the food two hours before the morning blood glucose test then we won’t know if that number is influenced by food or not — so we won’t have an accurate fasting BG. Some people tell me that their cat will just gobble up all the food and so it won’t be there for them during the night when they may need it. You can experiment with different things and see how it goes. We aren’t going to let her numbers drop so low that she’s going to hypo though — And you are starting with an extremely tiny dose of insulin if you plan to start with .25 units. I doubt that .25 units is going to do much for her, but it will be okay to find out.
As for feeding, during the daytime with kitties on ProZinc, it is best for them to have small amounts of food given at certain points during the early portion of the cycle. It’s better for them not to eat very much food, if any, after their nadir (lowest point in the cycle.) I usually recommend starting with a spoonful of low-carb wet food at +2, which is two hours after the shot and another one at +4, which is four hours after the shot. Somewhere around those times. You can also take the total amount of food that you want your kitty to eat during the day/evening and divide it up into these small meals, including breakfast dinner and the two snacks in the morning cycle and the two snacks in the evening. The reason the +2 snack is helpful is because +2 is generally about the time that the ProZinc will onset (which means start lowering blood glucose.) The same is generally good for the evening time to give snacks at about two and four hours after the shot. Many people will use automated feeders to dispense the snacks at certain points in the evening and also during the day while they are at work. The problem with leaving food out all night (other than the obvious ones like bugs getting into them) is that she may not eat the food at the appropriate time, or if you don’t pick up the food two hours before the morning blood glucose test then we won’t know if that number is influenced by food or not — so we won’t have an accurate fasting BG. Some people tell me that their cat will just gobble up all the food and so it won’t be there for them during the night when they may need it. You can experiment with different things and see how it goes. We aren’t going to let her numbers drop so low that she’s going to hypo though — And you are starting with an extremely tiny dose of insulin if you plan to start with .25 units. I doubt that .25 units is going to do much for her, but it will be okay to find out.
Monstybender
Member Since 2026
I have the spreadsheet should have been shared with the editor of the group. I can’t figure out how to share it.
Monstybender
Member Since 2026
Monstybender
Member Since 2026
I work 10:00 am to 6 pm. I go home for lunch between 1:30-2:00 . Vet sent me this today after I sent her numbers yesterday. This is the new vet.
