First home test success!

[Liadh & Pagan]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to the boards, and my 6-year-old kitty Pagan was diagnosed with diabetes about a month ago. After a day of trying, we just had our first successful home blood glucose test (381, much better than the 500s he has been getting) so we're very drained but excited!

He's definitely perked up since starting the insulin (we originally brought him in to the vet for lethargy and excessive weight loss). He started on 1u of Lantus BID, and has gradually moved up to 3u BID. But despite our best efforts, his neuropathy has gotten to a point where he can barely walk. We have an appointment with the vet on Thursday to discuss B12. He's been peeing & pooping outside of the box, probably due to the neuropathy. We're not sure if he can even get into the litter box anymore. As for diet, we've switched him from a dry Science Diet Light (he used to be a chubby kitty) to canned M/D, and will probably switch to non-prescription canned once he's regulated.

It's been a very stressful journey so far, but I'm very grateful to the community here. There's so much helpful information on the website and in the forums, and hearing about all the kitties that are doing much better gives me hope that Pagan can resume chittering at birds outside the window and playing with his (adoptive) brother.

 

[Michele and Esse]

Welcome! That first test is really the hardest. They do get used to it after a while, they really do. And changing the diet will really help a lot, too.

Like home testing, FD is hard...at first. It does get easier, and will become routine. The biggest thing is that you're here...there is some really incredible information stored here. Take your time, read through everything, and start posting...people will help you out, and you'll find more help here than at the vets...

Again, welcome to FD! And scritches to Pagan, too!

Best-
Michele

 

[Pandasmom]

Welcome :smile:

And congratulations on the first BG test!
Really, that's the hardest one - they get *soooo* much easier.

The information overload gets easier too.

 

[Hope + (((Baby)))GA]

Congrats on the hometesting. Read Jasper's site, it explains neuropathy and where to buy methycobalmin. I doubt your vet will know about it and just end up giving you regular B12. http://www.laurieulrich.com/jasper/

 

[Lisa and Do Lou (GA)]

Hello and welcome it feels so good to have that first home test be a success for I remember it well :mrgreen: My cat Do Lou also has neuropathy although not near as bad as your cat and I just started him on xobaline which is talked about on Jaspers site I am hoping it helps he has so much trouble jumping and will sometimes fall you need to make sure your vet does not just give you B-12 its not the same thing. I am a vet tech and work for a vet but we do not carry anything like this at our clinic so I doubt your vet does. Wish you the best with you cat and you are at the right place this website has really helped me take a look at all the helpful links that are here there is so much information to take in.