Dreading 'holiday'

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Hi everyone,

I leave on Wed on a long planned trip to Spain for 10 days.

Original plan was 5 days with husband traveling around and then 5 days on my own visiting my friend.

Husband told he had to stay home to take care of Pinky. (no hardship really , he is happy not to go as he flys cargo for a living. Gone 20 plus days a month and he prefers to be home on few days off).

He has given her a few shots but really hasn't been home for the bulk of her illness. The shots will be no problem at all. BUT I don't think he can test as even I find it hard as she is twitches and moves her head about constantly but I get the pokes done one way or another.

She is a total Mama's girl anyway. But he said he would try but he wouldn't know what do with the numbers anyway.. I wouldn't want him to increase or anything like that. I am not counting on him being able to do it.

I have been thinking constantly what to do and the best I can come up is try and convince him to take her to the vets at least 3 times while I am gone so that vet can test her just to make sure something is not horribly wrong. Don't think my husband will go for more than that just because of the time it will take. It is only $20 per test and I will beat into my DH brain how essential it is.

But what do I do about the dose for safety sake? It is 4 u twice a day now. If it suddently kicks in and starts working better while I am gone DH wouldn't even know it. Though so far it hasn't produced any really low #s or greens.

Should we go down to 3u and keep it there until I get back? I was thinking of starting that tonight. DH won't be home until tomorrow. Hate to go too low as I don't want the opposite problem of DK. Or is the vet testing a measly 3 times enough to keep it at 4 u. (scary thought) or 3.5u?
EDIT EDIT I found some other vacation threads and reducing 1/3 to 1/2 was mentioned --that would make it 2u or or 1.3u. Maybe with the vet testing 2.5 would be OK but not sure. confused_cat EDIT EDIT
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Please give me some advice. I seldom travel and will be worried constantly but I can't get out of the trip now. DH is a huge, huge kitty cat lover so he will do the best he can.

Thanks so much , Elaine
 
There is definitely a practice effect to testing - you get better the more you do it. It may be helpful for him to start practicing the testing now.

Here are 2 ideas for restraint while testing:
a) Gently wrap a towel around her while she is in your lap, and use one arm to hold her against your chest plus hold the tissue or cotton ball under the ear while the other arm and hand uses the lancet.

b) Kneel on the floor with the cat between your legs, with or without a towel wrap. Gently press your legs against the cat as well as using one hand to restrain the head and hold tissue or cotton ball under the ear while the other arm and hand uses the lancet.

Immediately afterwards, treat with a low carb treat, favorite toy, or other activity the cat enjoys.
 
If your DH is not comfortable testing, you definitely may want to decrease the dose. I think it was Sienne who told me that she decreases her dose by 1/2 when she goes away since her cat sitter doesn't test (Sienne, I apologize if it wasn't you who told me that!). When I am away a couple of days, I skip the shots because I can't find anyone to test Simon. My DH and I haven't been away longer than that since Simon was diagnosed but if we were, I would cut Simon's dose in 1/2 because I really wouldn't want to worry and not enjoy the trip. When I am away for longer than a couple of days and DH is home, he is able to test and shoot. He didn't like testing in the beginning, but now is really comfortable with it. It just takes a little practice. Make sure you are giving plenty of treats after testing so it is a good experience for your cat.

I'm not sure how much it will help to have your cat tested at the vet a few times while you are away. Most cats at the vet tests higher due to stress, although I guess, if your kitty tests somewhat normal levels at the vet, it may mean that she would test even lower at home. Then you will know that the dose might be a little high while you are away and not testing regularly. I am not an expert, so hopefully, someone will be along soon to give you better advice.
 
Thanks for comments.

Yes, it was Sienne that mentioned the 1/3 to 1/2 reduction in another thread. Thanks Sienne for the helpful information.

Pinky howls in the car to the vets and is beyond terrified there but the one time she went back since being diagnosed I decided to compare meters (mine vs vets). It was only a 1 point difference. Of course that might not be the case all the time but the stress didn't drive it up at all that one time.

I will reduce down to 3 tonight and when DH comes home tomorrow see what he can do. But no matter what I will tell him not to shoot over 3u (reduced from 4) and take her to vet 3 times. (or maybe 2.5u???)

The problem is , tomorrow I will have to go in and 'explain' what I have been doing ( because DH doesn't know all that much either) to pave the way for DH to come in for tests. Vet is totally out of the loop--the last time I saw him I got a prescrip. for BZI and never filled it. I used the Lantus one I asked him for previously instead . He is strictly a Humulin N guy but humors me I guess.
 
Hi Elaine and Pinky,
Have you thought of getting a pet sitter to come in occasionally instead of taking Pinky to the vet? You might be able to find a vet tech who would do this. But your DH sounds like the best bet. I think he should learn this vital skill. It will be so much better for Pinky (and for you)!

Good luck,

Ella & Rusty
 
Hi Elaine,
I agree with Ella. Check with your vet or their nurses. I have an agreement with one of the nurses to come feed, test and inject Missy twice a day if I need to be away. She isn't as cheap as your vet visits, but it might be less stressful for Pinky if you can do that. That said, I have not left Missy, so don't know how successful it would be :-x
Spain sounds so awesome!
Mares and Miss
 
DH is certainly willing to try to learn. But Pinky might have other ideas.

No ketones and she doesn't really eat all that much now but enough I guess. I always make sure she eats when she gets a shot. She eats the canned food because she is starving but not a whole lot of it. She will always eat a bit of people tuna though I know that is not the best choice but sometimes I give it as a treat.
 
do you give a treat after every test? that's the best way to condition them to accept the testing. tuna is a fine treat for that. i boil chicken breasts, dice them and freeze most - bring out a couple of days at a time. the treats are everything - it kinda sounds like you're not giving treats and i wouldn't underestimate the power of the treat!

i don't understand why you would reduce the dose now before you leave. i'd keep it the usual amount and have DH do all the testing between now and when you leave. don't reduce the dose until you have to - there are dangers in the BG being too high. if you can do the testing, DH can too - but you need to convey confidence in him so he'll believe it.

if he absolutely won't do it, that's a different story - but it sounds like he's willing.

instead of taking him to the vet, i'd call the vet's office and ask if one of their techs would be willing to come and test. i have one who comes to test, feed cats and give insulin shot - she's usually $15-20.

do you have a netbook or ? that you could take with you so husband could check in with you on numbers and get direction for any dose changes? or can you show DH how to log on here and he could ask us for help?
 
Julia and everyone, thanks for suggestions.

I learned here how important the treats are so I got the Liv a Little Dried Chicken a while back. Now I shake the canister and Pinky does come and jumps on the bed to get the treat (and be tested). Never thought that would happen. But No matter how quick I try to be she flicks her ear as I try to hold one and poke. So takes several attempts.

I will see how my DH does tomorrow with the testing but I just wouldn't want him to increase the dose or give as much as the 4u's. Never thought I would wish for more yellows but I would be happy with 2 more weeks. But the dose is getting high and I think lower numbers are coming soon. And that will mean even more testing.

I had already shot only 3u tonight . I thought it would be better to know what would happen with a reduction prior to leaving.

Elaine and Pinky
 
hi elaine,

the thing about reducing a dose is you have a shed that's based upon the 4units. so while you likely will see her numbers rise some, you won't see exactly what 3units does until the shed decreases to the 3unit dose. i'm not sure whether it would be better to go back up to 4 (i think i would, but am not certain) and have your DH reduce when you leave, or to just hold it at 3units now. i think i'd lean towards going back to 4units so your kitter isn't in higher numbers any longer than necessary, but with one dose of 3 you might have some wonky numbers now for a couple of days no matter what. let's see what others suggest.

a thought for the testing - punkin is an "ear-flicker" and "head shaker" too - especially once the blood has welled up on his ear. he can feel it and wants to shake it off.

i sit on the sofa with punkin on my right side, facing out along my leg. so he's a little boxed in between the arm of the sofa and my leg. I have everything ready to go and sitting on the sofa arm - the lancet device ready, the glucometer with a test strip partially in it, but not engaged, and a tissue. his right ear bleeds best, so my left hand holds onto it with a vulcan death grip while my right hand holds the lancet device. when i've poked, i set the lancet down on the arm of the sofa, pick up the glucometer. i push the test strip all the way in with my right hand - my left hand is still gripping punkin's ear - and then test. set down the meter and pick up the tissue to staunch the blood so it doesn't bruise. my left hand never lets go of the ear until the whole thing is done.

perhaps a little tweaking of your technique might help the DH be more successful.

julie
 
Julia,

Thanks for describing your technique--we will try that out.

I went back up to 4u because all the pink numbers made me so nervous though it can't be last night reduction (?) because I thought that takes time to show up .

I will just look at that 3u dose as something like a partial fur shot otherwise I kick myself for doing it.

I just showed DH how to test and he said he could do it, no problem. Pinky didn't even move her ears which was a first so it looked easier than it usually is. He can practice though while I am still here. He hasn't done it yet.

I am still thinking of reducing down to 3.5 unless he turns out to be a whiz at testing. I told him he would need to test a mininum of 3 times (I know more would be better) if he wants to keep it at 4u 2x's a day. I will tell him not to raise it though.

Thanks again, Elaine
 
Elaine,
Missy wanted me to stop by and say thanks for yours and Pinky's concern! We both appreciate it. You must be in a bit of a frenzy, getting ready to go and worrying about Pinky. I have yet to leave Missy since this happened, but I can only imagine what you are going though. Still (though it is easy to say, not so easy to do) you have to have a life outside of FD. I haven't figured it out yet..but I hope you have an awesome time and come home rested and relaxed to a kitty who missed you, but is doing fine. If DH knows what is good for him, that is exactly what you will find. :lol:
I hope you have a great time...and we both appreciate your thoughts and concern over my fat little cat, especially with all you have going on! :-D
Mates and Miss
 
Mares, thanks for the note. I am dreading leaving and not easy in my mind at all. I have NOTES AND INSTRUCTIONS taped up EVERYWHERE plus emergency box of gravy food and honey.

By the way, DH learned to test and has done it twice now so I am sure your hubby can learn too when you feel like teaching him. I organized everything for Derek and so far so good.

I will let him continue with the 4u's but not increase. Then I was thinking 150 to 200 give 2u's and then under 150 no shot at all. I can only hope for the best and hope he doesn't see any extremes in either directions.

Best wishes to you too.
 
Elaine, i'm sorry you're so worried about leaving pinky! would your husband come on here if he needed help? we've had lots of family members or petsitters even come post and ask for help. i know any of us would be glad to watch for posts and help him.
 
Thanks Julie, I will tell him.

But I am also bringing a cell phone that can call back to the U.S. so I can keep in touch with him constantly. I won't want to see the charges once I get back but it will be worth it.
 
Gosh Julie, I forgot all about Skype and that is how my DH calls me all the time when he is working abroad. I will take his little netbook. Thanks for reminding me.
 
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