Feeding times

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jupiter_waltz

Member Since 2012
Hi,

Just took Sabrina in for her second sugar curve a week later and got a call from the vet to pick her up in the morning because they couldn't feed her and her sugar levels were low at 6 which is pretty low considering that was 12 hours after her last insulin injection. Obviously she is responding to the insulin, because the last time I took her in they couldn't measure her levels because they were off the charts. She was on Caninsulin now on 2 units of Glargan. Now the vet tells me to give 1.5 units of Glargan, (spelling probally wrong), just hope my new .3ml syringes arrive soon, because how do you measure 1.5 units with a 1ml U100 syringe. I was allready only using the first notch.

The other thing the Vet said was to stop her grazing ways which she has done for the past 14 years of her life and to only feed her 2 big meals at both times of injections. I would of thought small meals more often would stop the sugar spiking levels than two big meals.

Thanks Brad.
 
You're right, more frequent meals is easier on the pancreas and will help slow down fast dives and level out the cycle.

Are you home testing?
 
Thanks Ry & Scooter

She eats such small amounts at a time so when I am taking her food bowl away for the next 12 hours, I think I am starving Sabrina and making things worse.

I want to start home testing, can you just tell me the best glucometer with out all the BS and most pet friendly, surely I don't have to jab her twice a day for that as well as th insulin.

I want my cat to still love me, this is when I say, does she want me doing this. I want her in my life but am I being selfish ;-(
 
Hi Brad,

My cat was diagnosed last week so I am a complete newbie to the whole diabetes world, but my vet also suggested 2 big meals a day, which was scary as Ollie has been grazing dry food since he was 8 weeks old and is now 14yrs.

All I can say from my experience over the weekend, so far Ollie has learnt to eat what I have offered him (which is now cooked fish instead of his normal dry food) and he is doing really well and not asking for food until about an hour before he is due to have more (but even then he's not acting like I am starving him ;-) )

I am sure Sabrina will learn too that she needs to eat more at each feed time so that she doesn't go hungry.

I also have to learn to do home testing which I am not looking forward to, but you have to be cruel to be kind (so they say!).

Good luck

Paula
 
Maui is and always has been a grazer. I never stopped allowing her to graze. Only instead of letting her eat dry food, she grazes on wet food.

What I do is add a lot of water to the wet food (1 can of food and 1 can of water). This keeps the food moist longer and ensures she gets lots of water in her system. Sometimes she will eat the entire bowl at once, but most times she will graze on it throughout the day.

So, if you have a grazer, you can certainly continue to let her graze. Just remember you may need to put out more food than usual and by adding water to it, you will keep it moist and more interesting for her.
 
I want to start home testing, can you just tell me the best glucometer with out all the BS and most pet friendly, surely I don't have to jab her twice a day for that as well as th insulin.

I want my cat to still love me, this is when I say, does she want me doing this. I want her in my life but am I being selfish ;-(
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Home testing is the best way to make sure she will be safe. At a minimum, you should test before each shot time and also try to get at least one test mid-cycle.

Don't worry too much about your cat hating you. Most everyone here will tell you their kitties have come to appreciate the testing after a bit of time. Kitties often report to testing areas on their own and will often purr through the process. You're not hurting your cat, you're helping her to feel better! Somehow, don't ask me how, they know this. This whole experience actually creates a wonderful, rewarding bond between beans and kitties. She can also tell if you're nervous, so be brave and be strong! You can do this!
 
Hi Brad-
Welcome. I've been on about a month so am not able to give much advice. However, you asked about testing. Rebecca (the webmaster) posted a great resource over on health. Here's the link. viewtopic.php?f=14&t=80723.

It can be a bit daunting and overwhelming to start testing. I was HORRIBLE at it at first and had to poke poor Fur Ball's ear so many times before I was successful. Now, we are pros at it. We sit in the same place, I massage his ears with a warm washcloth (many people use rice bags) and he even purrs through it all. It is so important that you remain calm as your kitty will feel your tension. Give yourself some grace to learn and praise kitty with lots of love and most people also give treats. I think FB even has started to equate feeling better with the testing, shooting and new food.

Hang in there. The more you do it, the more comfortable the process is.

Ask any question you have. There are many helpful and supportive people here to assist you.
Karen
 
Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and knowledge.

I'm pretty sure you guys have more knowledge than most vets on this particular subject. This forum has been an invaluable source for me and Sabrina.

I Have the injection method now down pat, I think. I put Beeny on the kitchen counter so she is nearer to my height and close to her fresh bowl of food waiting for her. It seems to work well. It was funny the morning of her sugar curve when I didn't inject her, she was waiting around the kitchen bench as if looking forward to her morning insulin. So maybe your right karen and Tara about our cats knowing where doing this becuase we love them.

Thanks Brad.
 
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