Cut out free feeding?

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Marianne M

Marianne M

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8 year old Mango, who started on 2 units of Vetinsulin one week ago, was feed two wet food meals a day and could free feed anytime. He would eat small amounts twice a day before his morning and evening meal and late at night. I've stopped the free feeding last night and his BS reading this am was the highest it's ever been. Just took a six hour reading and the BS came down 158 points. Still not under the 200-250 but close. My husband thinks the high reading is because the cat is stressed because he can't eat when he wants. What he will do is go outside and eat a live lizard (we live in Fla). It is pure protein and since he does this i am worried how that is going to impact the blood sugar reading as he STILL eating between meals. I would prefer to keep what he has been doing his whole life intact as we also have a female Natasha who also has to change her way of life. Since cats prefer to eat many small meals a day why is free feeding not advised? I will do whatever is best for our boy but wondered does anyone do the free feeding and how are you controlling the insulin dosage and the BS reading? Thanks so much in advance.
 
Many of us feed multiple meals per day and leave any leftovers out for free-feeding. (The AAHA Diabetes Management Guidelines indicate that food can be broken up into multiple meals rather than feeding just twice a day.) As long as it is low-carb wet food and the total amount being given within a day is appropriate for the cat's weight and activity level, that is fine.

My understanding is that Vetsulin can begin acting more quickly than some of the other insulins and can cause more 'harsh' drops (also wears off faster). For that reason, and since you are just starting out, it is probably best if you remove food at least two hours before you do your pre-insulin-shot glucose test. This is so that you will get a result that is not food-influenced, and you will know that the glucose level is high enough for it to be safe to give the planned dose. Speaking of dose, are you giving 1 unit twice a day for a total of 2 units daily (which I think would be the normal starting dose) or 2 units twice a day?
 
By the way, it would be helpful if you could add a signature that gives basic info like your cat's name, date of diagnosis, type of insulin being given and whether you use a human or pet meter. Here is info on how to set one up: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/editing-your-signature-profile-and-preferences.130340/

There is also a spreadsheet that we use for recording glucose test results and insulin doses given. You can set one up and add a link to it in your signature. It is a very helpful tool in managing this. It will not only help you, but it will provided valuable info to people here if/when you should ask for help. Here is info on setting one up and understanding it: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/fdmb-spreadsheet-instructions.130337/
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/understanding-the-spreadsheet-grid.156606/
 
Our vet, before he went on vacation for three weeks, told me to start him on 2 unit twice a day and check BS every third day. I was to increase to three unit twice a day if his sugar didn't get within normal range. I was in touch with another vet and he said since his numbers for the BS testing I had done were near to the normal range to give 2.5 units in the morning and continue with the 2 unit in the evening and keep doing the reading. Was told it take a while for all of this to level out. I have not increased both dosages to 2.5 units yet. Not sure if I should go ahead with the 3 units instead. I would prefer to step it in 1/2 units instead of a full unit. I am afraid of overdosing him if it's not needed. Without no free feeding his BS this am was 421 and six hours later 263 with giving 2.5 units. He will get tested again before his dinner meal. Thank you for the info concerning the Vetinsulin. My vet did say it doesn't work for all cats. He will be back on June 10th was we will hang in there in the meantime.
 
just to chime in here -- we're also on Vetsulin -- I agree with you about many small meals (or free feeding) at least for the first half of the cycle (shoot -> +6) --
partly because as a human prone to hypoglycemia, the mini meals make life bearable for me

I can't truly free feed because Catcat is a glutton, always hungry, would eat everything I put down ASAP, I've seen him go through the BIG can of SpecialKitty pate (15 ounces??), leaving only a couple of tablespoons, so I feed him a mini meal every hour for the first half of the cycle, plus treats when I test -- and he still catches mice and shrews, though I haven't noticed him eating more than an ear ... unlike our dearly departed Rug (orange tabby half bobcat) he hasn't brought in any bunnies
 
Free feeding or many small meals is actually better because then you do not have big raises when he eats (food does raise the blood glucose level even if is low carb just not as much as when you give high carb), just withdraw all food two hours before his shooting time so that when you do the preshot test the result is not food influenced and you are shure is safe to give insulin and since you are using Vetsulin and that is as they mentioned a fairly fast and harsh acting insulin try to give him an slightly bigger meal after each of his shots and smaller ones the rest of the day/night
 
I am so glad to hear all this wonderful info on free feeding. I will follow all of your advice and I will withhold food 2 hours before his main meal and his insulin shot. Great advice and I am more than grateful to each of you.
 
Marianne M said:
I would prefer to step it in 1/2 units instead of a full unit. I am afraid of overdosing him if it's not needed.
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I suggest you post in the vetsulin forum so that the people using vetsulin can give you some advice on dosing but regardless we usually suggest that the dose changes are made in 0.25 units
 
Please be sure to test before every insulin shot just to make sure it is even safe to give the shot. If his glucose is suddenly lower than expected and you just give the shot anyway, it could be dangerous.

This is a link to the Vetsulin forum: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/forums/caninsulin-vetsulin-and-n-nph.19/ I saw someone mention that they did not get much response there, so you are also welcome to post here on the main forum whenever you need to.
 
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