Three weeks ago my 17 yr old cat was diagnosed with diabetes (his level was 440). The vet started him on Novalin N, 3 1/2 units 2x daily. I asked him about home testing & he said that it wasn't necessary & to just bring him in & they'd test his blood sugar. Also he gave me Hill's WD food. I returned 3x that week & his levels varied from 108 to 240. I didn't like the way he was acting this week, so researched vets in my area & took him to new vet. His level was 20, so was there for several hrs regulating his glucose. Yesterday the vet kept him all day to do an insulin curve. She put him on Lantus, 1 1/2 units 2x daily. Now I am just scared to death. I'm scared to leave him. I know his food is very important, so I've got to do my research on that. The vet has ordered me a home glucose kit (that hasn't come in yet)which I'm scared to death to try but, of course, I'll learn. I need suggestion on what else I can do from some experienced diabetic cat owners. I am so scared.
Diabetic Cat
- Thread starter Windhas
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Larry and Kitties
Member Since 2009
Welcome.
Good insulins are the human Lantus and Levemir and the pet insulins ProZinc and BCP PZI. For those two human insulin it is best to get the 5 pack of 3 ml disposable pens via a 10 ml vial. Although per ml the vial is less expensive most cats will not use up a 10 ml vial before the insulin goes bad/becomes ineffective. The human insulin N/NPH is sometimes prescribed but only lasts 8-10 hours. Same for the pet insulin Vetsulin/Caninisulin.
3 1/3 units is a high starting dose, especial for N. Vet stress can rail BG by 100 or more points (USA) and thus a dose based on a vet curve may be too high of a dose.
Until you meter arrives and you start testing I would dose no higher than 1 unit
It is good that you are planning to home test. I suspect you vet order an AlphaTrak. Those are good meters. However, the test strips are expensive to one for human meters.
Most of us here test our cat's blood glucose at home using a human meter. We test before each shot and periodically between shots. We record our reading and other info in a spreadsheet. See:
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/fdmb-spreadsheet-instructions.130337/
What are you feeding? A low-carb canned is best. No reason for a prescription food. Here is a list of commercial low-carb canned
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/dr-pierson-new-food-chart.174147/
Here is a link to home testing blood sugar
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/hometesting-links-and-tips.287/
Good insulins are the human Lantus and Levemir and the pet insulins ProZinc and BCP PZI. For those two human insulin it is best to get the 5 pack of 3 ml disposable pens via a 10 ml vial. Although per ml the vial is less expensive most cats will not use up a 10 ml vial before the insulin goes bad/becomes ineffective. The human insulin N/NPH is sometimes prescribed but only lasts 8-10 hours. Same for the pet insulin Vetsulin/Caninisulin.
3 1/3 units is a high starting dose, especial for N. Vet stress can rail BG by 100 or more points (USA) and thus a dose based on a vet curve may be too high of a dose.
Until you meter arrives and you start testing I would dose no higher than 1 unit
It is good that you are planning to home test. I suspect you vet order an AlphaTrak. Those are good meters. However, the test strips are expensive to one for human meters.
Most of us here test our cat's blood glucose at home using a human meter. We test before each shot and periodically between shots. We record our reading and other info in a spreadsheet. See:
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/fdmb-spreadsheet-instructions.130337/
What are you feeding? A low-carb canned is best. No reason for a prescription food. Here is a list of commercial low-carb canned
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/dr-pierson-new-food-chart.174147/
Here is a link to home testing blood sugar
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/hometesting-links-and-tips.287/
Yong & Maury GA
Member Since 2017
Welcome!
Home testing is one of the best tools for help monitor your kitty. If it helps your fear, cats do not have many nerve endings on the ear where we test so if it bothers them, it is more of us holding their ear
. Most important thing for you to do when you start testing, before you get more comfortable, is Breathe 
. I've only been testing for about a month so I can try to help with newbie experiences 
.Larry has provided you with some good links to start with
Kris & Teasel
Member Since 2016
Welcome! We can help you get to a better comfort level once the post-hypo panic has lessened.
JeffJ
Member Since 2016
You are getting good advice here. Welcome to the forum. There is a lot of good info in the FAQ at the start of the Prozinc and Levemir sub-forums.
You (and all) kitteh owners should be very aware of hypos. The only way to avoid them is test before shot. As an example, I never dose Leo if his BG (blood glucose) is 200 or less.
You (and all) kitteh owners should be very aware of hypos. The only way to avoid them is test before shot. As an example, I never dose Leo if his BG (blood glucose) is 200 or less.
Tuxedo Mom
Member Since 2014
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