First BG Test Tonight - Scared and Questions!

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Kim&Buddy

Kim&Buddy

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Tonight's the night. Although Buddy was diagnosed as diabetic over a month ago, my vet never mentioned home testing. (This is also the same vet that put him on glipizide instead of insulin - something to be remedied as soon as possible.) Thanks to all the wonderful advice provided in this forum, plus the gift of YouTube, I'm think I'm ready to take the plunge. I'm downgraded from flat out terrified to "just" very scared. Oh, who am I kidding? I'm very, very, very scared.

I'm wondering what I should do if come testing time before dinner that Buddy's BG is normal? Do I skip the glip? Fly blind and give him a lesser amount? (He currently takes .5ml compounded liquid twice a day.) Has anyone ever been in a similar position before and if so, how did you handle it?

When I was at the vet's office last Tuesday, she mentioned the possibility of doing a wait and see by taking him off the medicine and see how he does. I'd like to gauge how he's doing on his own, but obviously don't want to risk his health. Because of my work schedule, there is no way I can test him more than twice a day during the week (6:00 am, 6:00 pm). My evidence would be litter box based (excessive urination) plus a short-term observation window when I'm home (his eating, behavior, drinking, etc). What if I take the chance and he was to take a turn for the worse when I wasn't home or was sleeping? For people whose cats have gone into remission, how did you gauge it? Was it a certain BG level over a certain period of time?
 
I can't comment at all about glip, but if you want to start testing right now, and then monitor, that could be a good idea.

It all depends on how his numbers are when you test.
What about if you test and post here, then see what people have to say.

If you were NOT testing Buddy, what would you do tonite? You would just do what you have always done, right? You would treat him without having a clue if his numbers were high or low.

That's why I say to do a test, or even a few tests, just mark down the time you test and the BG number you get on the meter. Then you will see how he's doing. Why not test him right now, and then again at the time you would be giving glip or giving insulin shot?
 
I can't believe it - I just did it!! I followed your advice Gayle - I just went and did it. I remembered everything but to press his ear right away. I did quickly press afterward and there wasn't any blood so hopefully the delay is OK. The craziest part? I was running on adrenaline so much from my nerves that I almost forgot to give him his glip!!

For everyone on this board who recommends treats before and after, holy cow I can see why! I followed a tip I read from Julia suggesting 100% meat treats. I crumbled up some frozen beef/liver treats in a bowl and Buddy pretty much ate his way through the whole thing. He was more annoyed that I was keeping him from his treats than me pressing against his ear. He was at 157 which according to the chart I have is an acceptable number for a diabetic cat undergoing treatment. Is this true?

Thanks for the nudge!
 
what you can do is make yourself a little chart.
Track the time of day, and the test result number.
Also, track the time when you give the glip and what times you feed.
That way, you can tell how Buddy's numbers are affected by food and by the glip.

All the data will tell you a story about how well or poorly Buddy is doing.

There's a spreadsheet that the people on this board use, you can put in all your numbers and info, and then you can share with others so that they can help you decide what to do.
Create your Spreadsheet

if you use the Google spreadsheet, you can put info about food in the comments column on the far right of the sheet.

You and Buddy are going to be just fine, and that 157 is a quite fine number.
 
Congratulations on joining the vampire club :-D and on your first try :-D :-D

A lot of people can't test during the day because of work but get their midcycle tests at night instead. You probably couldn't follow the TR protocol but you could follow the SLGS protocol. Are you able to leave food out for Buddy during the day? Cats will generally eat when their BG gets too low and bring it back up all by themselves.

I would want to get him off the glip ASAP as it actually reduces the chances of insulin induced remission.
 
The second attempt at 9:00 (+2) wasn't as easy as the first, but I got it eventually. He's such a patient cat!!

Thanks for the spreadsheet. I've downloaded it and am ready to go. What does the "PS" stand for in AMPS and PMPS?
 
It stands for pre shot, this is the test you get right before you feed and shoot, ideally all within 5 minutes.

Well done you on the testing, I suspect you have a very close relationship with Buddy or he is just one very cool customer :cool:

Let us know if you have any trouble attaching the ss link to your signature, you can post any problems like that in the tech forum too.
 
When I did the BG test this morning, Buddy's was at 227. Is it normal to have such a big difference - from 157 pre glip last night at 6:00 to 150 two hours post glip to 227 this morning at 6:00? I know it's not insulin, but Is it possible an increase overnight could have triggered his vomiting earlier this morning?

He's been on the glipizide for 5 weeks now, so I don't think it was the medicine itself that upset his stomach. I did switch his food yesterday from Purina DM to Friskies. Maybe that upset his stomach? Could stress from the two tests stressed him out to the point he got sick?

The amount he vomited is of concern - a very large amount. It was almost as if he had just eaten a full meal and then lost everything five minutes later. Not the amount that would happen 7-9 hours afterward (I feed him at night in two stages - 6:00 and 9:00 - something I've done for years, so not a new routine.) And my stress theory feels like a stretch because he's obviously been through more stressful times at the vet than having his poor little ears pricked.
 
Oops - posted reply to wrong thread. Buddy vomited a large amount during the night and I'm trying to figure out what could be going on while waiting for the vet to call.
 
Kim&Buddy said:
I'm wondering what I should do if come testing time before dinner that Buddy's BG is normal? Do I skip the glip? Fly blind and give him a lesser amount? (He currently takes .5ml compounded liquid twice a day.) Has anyone ever been in a similar position before and if so, how did you handle it?

When I was at the vet's office last Tuesday, she mentioned the possibility of doing a wait and see by taking him off the medicine and see how he does. I'd like to gauge how he's doing on his own, but obviously don't want to risk his health. Because of my work schedule, there is no way I can test him more than twice a day during the week (6:00 am, 6:00 pm). My evidence would be litter box based (excessive urination) plus a short-term observation window when I'm home (his eating, behavior, drinking, etc). What if I take the chance and he was to take a turn for the worse when I wasn't home or was sleeping? For people whose cats have gone into remission, how did you gauge it? Was it a certain BG level over a certain period of time?
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Congrats on getting your first test! It seems so scary the first week, but you'll be amazed how quickly you become a pro at it! I was in tears the first week but two weeks later I was doing it one handed while talking on the phone. :smile:

I think waiting and getting about 5-7 days worth of numbers is a good idea. His numbers are low enough where it's possible his diabetes can be controlled with diet alone. However, I wouldn't wait too long to start treatment.

If you do start insulin, you will need at least 3 tests a day. The 84% remission rate for Lantus/Lev that I discussed is only related to the tight regulation dosing protocol, which requires a daily nadir (the lowest number of the cycle, usually about 6 hrs after the shot). You test once before each shot to make sure it's safe to give insulin, and one mid-cycle check to see how the insulin is working. I work two jobs (with my full time job having an hour commute back and forth), and go to grad school, and I was able to manage it with some creative scheduling. I gave Bandit his injections at 7am/7pm, so that meant his nadirs were at 1pm/1am. So I would set an alarm for 1am, get up for a minute and do the test, and go right back to sleep. Then I would do a curve on the weekend when I was home during the day. The getting up/going back to bed seems like a pain, but after a couple weeks it became routine and I was fine. And it was absolutely worth every test to have Bandit in remission now. Another option is to find a responsible neighborhood teenager or college student, teach them to test and pay them to come in a few times a week while you're at work so you only have to get the late test a couple nights a week. You'd be surprised how little it costs to do this--I had a college student coming in and testing for me during the day a couple times a week in exchange for free admission to the club that my boyfriend manages. Then I just started bribing my boyfriend to get the tests for me, and that was even cheaper.

As for remission, one way to find out if the pancreas is producing insulin on its own is to get a test before you feed, another test an hour or two after you feed, and then a third test about 4 hours afterwards. If the pancreas is producing insulin, the second test should be higher than the first, and the third test lower than the second.
 
Do you still have PurinaDm left? Cuz it's always a good idea to switch food progressively.
Day 1: 20% friskies, 80% PurinaDm
Day 2: 40% friskies, 60% PurinaDm
Day 3: 60% friskies, 40% PurinaDm
Ect... Five days to reach 100% of new food. That way you will make it easier for your cat's stomach!

By the way my cat always either puked or got diarrhea when I switched her food too quickly! So it COULD only be caused by the switch of food
 
I do think it could have been the food. Poor little guy. I feel awful for putting him through that!! I went home at lunch to check things out and he was his usual loving self. The only clumps I could see were those that belonged in the litter box.

kimouette thanks for the % recommendations. I'll do a more gradual transition. I already gave him Friskies this morning so I'll give him the DM tonight.

Julia that's comforting to hear about your progression with the testing. Right now I feel like he's going to hate me and think of me as this horrible monster that causes him pain. I've read about the two week mark from others. So.... only 13 days to go! If I can survive a month without chocolate, I can do this! :-D

Re: Lantus and three tests daily. I could probably make arrangements at work. Back/forth plus shot would be a 1.5 hour lunch, but if I offer to stay a half hour later, they might let me do it. Dang, I knew I should have stay married. Having a husband would be convenient right about now! :mrgreen:
 
Doing it during your lunch break would definitely work! I would have loved to have that option, but since I live an hour away from my job it just wasn't possible for me to go home for lunch. And who needs a husband when you already have Buddy to take care of? :-D

Believe me, he's not even really giving you much resistance now, so he'll be totally ok with it in a week or two once he realizes the tests come with treats. The testing doesn't hurt the cat--what they don't like in the beginning is you doing something new to them and them having to be restrained (usually). They don't have much feeling in tips of their ears and the quick pokes don't really hurt, they're just startling and take a little time to get used to. Cats are really into routines--the more you test, the more Buddy will accept it.
 
Wanted to say welcome!

Just read thru the thread of your home testing! kuuudddooos for you. I remember when I started testing. I would shake, sweat and tears! But, it was well worth it. Take a look at my sugar Beans ssheet....eeeks... that was our first test that worked and she was already hypo. All she has is me, so I found those big girl undies, put them on, and not long after that, it was routine :o

If it were not for the wonderful people here, helping for 4+ hours that night, I probably would not have my wonderful girl!

I am smiling from ear to fuzzy ear to see that you are beating the fears of home testing.

Keep up the great work! Buddy has a fantastic mommabean! :razz:
 
Seriously, it doesn't hurt them???? You just made my day!!! :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

I so can't wait to be there for newbies like you all have been here for me. Thank you!!!!
 
Kim&Buddy said:
Seriously, it doesn't hurt them???? You just made my day!!! :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:
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Oh believe me, if it hurt I'd sure hear about it from Bandit. Cat's have very few nerve endings in the tips of their ears, so they don't usually even feel it. Dab a little neosporin + pain relief ointment on after, and it's like nothing ever happened. :-D
 
Nope doesn't hurt them at all...Trust me if it did, I wouldn't have Musette purring in my lap right now and Maxwell curled up asleep on my desk. You see I adopted them both as diabetics when their previous owners were going to have them put to sleep for being diabetics, so they had no reason to trust me when we first started testing (within the first 30 minutes of beingin my house), let alone learn to love me.

Both, however, come running when they hear the meter turn on. Maxwell at first didn't like to be tested mostly because he didn't like the sound of the lancet pen, but once they both figured out that test meant treat they come looking for me if I'm late with a test. And both sleep with my husband and I at night. If it hurt either of them I'm pretty sure they would have taken a couple of chunks out of me by now..lol. Especially Maxwell who is a big guy at a lean 17lbs and fully armed with razor sharp claws as the drooler found out a couple of times for trying to steal Maxie's treats. :lol:

Mel, Maxwell, Musette & The Fur Gang
 
If you could mix the 2 food together with the pourcentage I gave you it would be even even easier for your cat to accept it.

Oh and I confirm, cats are not hurt by the ear prick! They do feel human nervousness and might be surprised by the sound of the lancet but definitely don't care having that little drop of blood taken from their ear. In my most nervous state of mind I do need to prick the ear more than twice and the cat does become kind of impatient but that's all my fault. And if for some reason I am "zen" during the process I can even hear her purring!

The zen attitude... That's all it takes... It takes some practice but that's it!
 
kimouette said:
The zen attitude... That's all it takes... It takes some practice but that's it!
Click to expand...

HAH! So un-zen yesterday and today. Can't figure out the best way to position him when testing, although I think I'm one step closer. I had him on the floor and kind of sat over him - the position I'm in when I give him his medicine. I figure if he comes to learn this as the "all medicine" position, then it might go smoother. I'll repeat to myself "be zen...be zen..." I'm also banking that the familiarity of the position will help ease me as well.

He's decided he doesn't like the freeze dried treats I bought him. Is there any harm in giving him 1 small Temptations treat beforehand? His treat afterward is his breakfast/dinner. He's already picked up on the fact that much yumminess awaits him once we're finished. So, it would end up being 2 Temptations a day.
 
Is your cat very turbulent? Cuz I used the exact same position "sitting over my cat" for insulin injections, but for the testing I simply put her on a homemade cat tree which is basically a stairway leading to a table covered with carpet. That "table" is just the right height (I noticed at the vet, that the exam table is the exact same height). So I see the top of her head, but I dont have to lean over her to do the testing.

Here's the little routine (in case it might help) :
Once I have all the material needed (and I mean ALL material : lancet, glucometer with a strip inside, but not completely inserted so I can just press it in when it's the right time, treats, a little sterile gauze, sock full of hot rice, one slightly moist cotton wool that I place behind her ear to press the lancet on)... all that kit is ready in a plate next to my cat! Then let her lay her down on the table, talk to her and pet her. Once she is purring, I use the sock to warm her ear and keep on talking to her, petting ect, then press the strip in the glucometer, remove the sock, place the cotton wool behind her hear, prick and test, then hold her ear with the sterile gauze a little bit to stop the bleeding. I swear she thinks i'm petting her ear the whole time cuz she asks for more if I leave right after!

She definitely hates injections and did everything she could to show me how unacceptable it is to inject her with insulin, but for some reason, she's ok with the whole ear pricking routine

I have no idea what the Temptations treats are, but if you dont get any answer to that question, you can still put a little quantity of his regular wet food in the microwave and serve it to him in a small plate right after the test. The smell of hot meat should do the trick!
 
What type of frz dried did you try? Do you think a small bit of tuna? I bought tuna flakes for Bean when we first started. She loved them. couple of pinches and that is all she gets...
I would think the temptations are high in carbs. Will have to research on the binkys list and see if it is stated there for sure.
Bean was eating the purina hair ball treats...high in carbs and would make her # increase... bummer for her, but trial and error, we have found a couple of treats now that pass the test.
I found after our home testing routine was established, we did much better. Took a few weeks, but after that, we were good. She still wants to get it over with, but will handle it just fine.
You might want to take a bit of regular foods, and add a bit of parm. chz to it.
 
I like the suggestion of a couple of tuna flakes. When I get time this weekend, I'll head back to Petsmart. I have a list that was posted on the forum (Julia perhaps?).

Hopefully today is the Lantus day!! I'm finishing up with my old vet and then will probably make a transition from there. Good time if I'm switching to insulin and Buddy needs frequent trips to a well-educated vet!!
 
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