Confused newbie

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portana

portana

Member Since 2017
Hi, my cat has been diagnosed 3 weeks ago and I'm a little confused about everything. Where can I find information about when to BG test, how to interpret the results and how to adjust dosage? My vet told me to do a curve once a week and nothing else but I heard that I should be testing before each injection. Where can I read more about this, please? Also, I heard about a spreadsheet but where do I find it? Thank you
 
Hi and welcome. We do recommend you test before each injection. Come to the main health forum and ask all your questions and we will be glad to answer them all. Tell us about your kitty. Things like what kind and how much insulin, what food are you feeding, type of meter and if he has any other health problems. In the meantime, here's the spreadsheet instructions
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/fdmb-spreadsheet-instructions.130337/
Let us know if you need help setting it up,
 
portana said:
Hi, my cat has been diagnosed 3 weeks ago and I'm a little confused about everything. Where can I find information about when to BG test, how to interpret the results and how to adjust dosage? My vet told me to do a curve once a week and nothing else but I heard that I should be testing before each injection. Where can I read more about this, please? Also, I heard about a spreadsheet but where do I find it? Thank you
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Welcome! We are all big fans of home testing around here. Have you started doing any testing or curves on your own yet? I'm so glad you are willing to do that! It really is so much safer for your cat. So what we advocate here is to test at MINIMUM before each preshot to make sure the BG is high enough to shoot, and then when possible catch some readings mid cycle. We know that isn't always possible with work schedules, but when it is possible, the more data the better. Once you have set up a spreadsheet there are many knowledgable people on here that can help you figure out your dosing. Doing a curve once a week is a great plan.

So basically you want to not feed your cat two hours prior to a preshot test to insure the number is not food influenced, then test about a half hour before the shot, then feed, then shoot.

Here at the yellow stickies at the top is where you will find info about the handy dandy spreadsheets as well as a template you can use... you see us linking to in our signatures below each message. Such a helpful tool! WE can have someone help you set it up if you have difficulty. http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/forums/suggestions-tech-support-testing-area.6/
 
Thank you for your replies. I think I managed to attach my copy of the SS to my signature. Going to learn now how to use it.
@JanetNJ, thank you for the detailed instructions, that's exactly what I'm looking for. A step-by-step process I can print out and follow every day as it is possible :)
 
portana said:
Thank you for your replies. I think I managed to attach my copy of the SS to my signature. Going to learn now how to use it.
@JanetNJ, thank you for the detailed instructions, that's exactly what I'm looking for. A step-by-step process I can print out and follow every day as it is possible :)
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Yes! Very well done, Ana! Take it slowly and it will fall into place. This is the very best, one-stop place to come for everything you need to know!
Now that you've introduced yourself here you can post with any questions on the Main Health forum - see button above and click on that. No question too basic or "silly" - we've all been where you are!
 
portana said:
Thank you for your replies. I think I managed to attach my copy of the SS to my signature. Going to learn now how to use it.
@JanetNJ, thank you for the detailed instructions, that's exactly what I'm looking for. A step-by-step process I can print out and follow every day as it is possible :)
Click to expand...
Good job! Next step get some other info in your signature such as your pets name, date diagnosed, insulin type and dose, food you're feeding, any other health concerns, and anything else you want to share.
 
Hi Ana, I'm here now as well.
Welcome and very well done for getting your spreadsheet ready for action! :)

As I mentioned on the FB page try not to do everything at once, pick the most important things first such as home testing as often as you can but at least definitely before each insulin shots for safety reasons. Once you start home testing regularly ditch the dry food if you haven't done so already as it makes it so much harder to control diabetes due to high carb content.

Ask away if you have any questions, hopefully someone will always be available to reply from all around the world!

Have a look at other people's spreadsheets when you have a little time to get an idea what they look like.

Good luck, looking forward to hearing from you and Simba! :cat::)
 
One other little thing, Ana - if you look towards the top right of this page, you will see a button that says 'watch thread'... if you click on this you can opt to receive email alerts when someone answers your posts. Definitely a good idea to do this as otherwise you might forget what you've asked about or not come onto the board much... and so miss useful info. Don't worry, all these things will be second nature very soon :-)
 
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