Hi all, My little guy Oliver was just found to have diabetes. He has lost 4 pounds in a few months (he was just under 20#). Anyway, last Friday I left him at the vet for the day for his first shot of insulin and all day blood curve. They gave him 2 units at 8:30AM (his level was at 344), by 1PM it was down to 126 and didn't stop there. When I went to pick him up at 5:30, it had dropped to 52 and the vet was giving him NutrCal. They sent him home with instructions to feed him whatever he would eat to get his levels up to normal. The vet said he had never seen a cat react to that small of a dose of insulin before. Needless to say, we are attempting now to control it with diet (which is hard to do because I have 5 others and they hate the dry diabetic food). In general, Oliver's attitude is great, he doesn't act like a sick cat. Anyway, has anyone else had this experience with insulin (it was kinda scary)? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you Patti confused_cat
First insulin worked too well
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Sue and Oliver (GA)
Member Since 2009
How small a dose and what kind of insulin?
It may be that he was really in normal numbers when they gave the insulin. Stress raises blood glucose levels and most cats are very stressed at the vet. Some cats are 100+ higher at the vet than at home. That is why we like to rely on numbers from home testing.
But yes, some cats need only a food change and they drop into normal levels. You may be one of the lucky ones!
It may be that he was really in normal numbers when they gave the insulin. Stress raises blood glucose levels and most cats are very stressed at the vet. Some cats are 100+ higher at the vet than at home. That is why we like to rely on numbers from home testing.
But yes, some cats need only a food change and they drop into normal levels. You may be one of the lucky ones!
Squeaky and KT (GA)
Member Since 2011
Welcome Patti and extra sweet Oliver! Yep that WAS scary. I wonder what kind of insulin it was...did they tell you that?
And they sent you HOME to bring it up? Hummm....how were YOU to know his numbers were rising since he didn't also tell you to test AND provide equipment to do so?
Food - first, ditch the dry you're trying to give them, it's not good for them anyway! Too high of carbs especially if it's Hill's 'Diabetic'. What canned were you feeding prior to this? Many of us feed Friskies and Fancy Feast available lots of places...plus MUCH cheaper.
We have 2 diabetics so give 4 insulin shots a day...it becomes just another 'thing to do' very quickly.
BIG HUGS!!! You've found the right place!!!
And they sent you HOME to bring it up? Hummm....how were YOU to know his numbers were rising since he didn't also tell you to test AND provide equipment to do so?
Food - first, ditch the dry you're trying to give them, it's not good for them anyway! Too high of carbs especially if it's Hill's 'Diabetic'. What canned were you feeding prior to this? Many of us feed Friskies and Fancy Feast available lots of places...plus MUCH cheaper.
We have 2 diabetics so give 4 insulin shots a day...it becomes just another 'thing to do' very quickly.
BIG HUGS!!! You've found the right place!!!
BJM
Member Since 2010
Lets hold off on the insulin for the moment, given that extreme reaction, and work to make sure you've got low carb canned food on board for all of them. Why? Cats are obligate carnivores; they have absolutely no need for grains nor starchy vegetables. See Cat Info for more information and a terrific printable food list compiled by veterinarian Dr Lisa Pierson.
Make all food changes gradually - about 20-25% per day, to reduce the chances of stomach upset.
Make all food changes gradually - about 20-25% per day, to reduce the chances of stomach upset.
WOW, You people are GREAT. Anyway, I have a copy of his chart and the gave him 2 units of what looks like "Honstat". The food they sold me was Purina DM. Before I was trying to move all the babies to the Wellness Dry food, It is high in protein and grain free (which to me means low carbs). Could you give me more info on home testing, how and when? The vet wants to do a one time blood test in about 10 days. I have to leave for awhile (time for people food) but will check back later. Again, thank you, thank you, thank you. You give me hope.
BJM
Member Since 2010
patticats said:
Alas, grain free does not equal low carbohydrate. Potatoes, peas, beans, and carrots, for example, have high carbs and are not meat protein which a cat needs.
The Wellness Core Dry is about 17% calories from carbohydrates when recently checked. That's too high. Canned, low carb, food is preferred as it has enough moisture in it to support the kidneys. Friskies pates is one low cost source.
For home testing, all you do is make a small prick in the outer edge of the ear and test it with a human glucometer. Many of us use the WalMart ReliOn Confirm (smalles blood drop, inexpensive test strips) or Prime (slightly larger blood drop, least expensive test strips). If you don't like walMart, the Arkray glucocard 01 is the same thing as the Confirm and is available from our shopping partner ADW (link at top of page). You'll also need test strips for your monitor (always have a spare package) and 26-27 gauge lancets to make the ear prick.
Will not be hard to take him off dry food, its been weeks since I have seen him at the dry food bowl. All the canned food I give all my feline family is on the list with the lowest carbs. Could this high Glucose and BUN/Creatinine Ratio be a sign of something else? Everything else is normal We really expected hyperthyroidism before the bloodwork. The vet said she felt an enlarged thyroid.
Hillary & Maui (GA)
Member Since 2009
please call the vet tomorrow and ask what insulin was used. "Honstat" is not an insulin. did the vet prescirbe or sell you insulin? if yes, what kind?
Lisa and Witn (GA)
Member Since 2009
Take the food back, it is high in carbs and most cats stop eating it. The vet should give you a refund.
You can switch all of your cats to a low carb/high protein canned food diet. I have 7 cats and they all eat Friskies canned food. Try to only feed pate flavors, they have less carbs.
If you have a Walmart near you, they have the best price (at least in my area). Also, while you are there, you can also buy a glucose meter & strips. The Walmart Relion meters are good and relatively inexpensive to use. By testing the glucose at home, you will be able to accurately determine if the low carb diet is working to lower his BG levels.
You can switch all of your cats to a low carb/high protein canned food diet. I have 7 cats and they all eat Friskies canned food. Try to only feed pate flavors, they have less carbs.
If you have a Walmart near you, they have the best price (at least in my area). Also, while you are there, you can also buy a glucose meter & strips. The Walmart Relion meters are good and relatively inexpensive to use. By testing the glucose at home, you will be able to accurately determine if the low carb diet is working to lower his BG levels.
Found out today, They gave Oliver Humulin-nph. It is a humane insulin. Yes I will return the food. The scary part is that Ollie was already eating only low carb canned food so I am fearful the food thing will not lower his sugar. Also, please, are there other things that show these symptoms?
Larry and Kitties
Member Since 2009
NPH (usually call N insulin) does not work well for most cats. It does not last 12 hours. It typically cause a relatively fast drop in BG with the lostest BG being in about 4 to 5 hours.
Are you now giving insulin? If so how much? Two units seems too much
Are you now giving insulin? If so how much? Two units seems too much
No, he had two units one time at the vets Friday and it continued to drop and never went back up. Nine hours after the only insulin shot, his level was below normal and the vet sent him home with instructions to give him anything he wanted to eat. Now we are trying diet only and he goes back for bloodwork in 10 days. I am getting a meter in the meantime so maybe he will not have to go back.
BJM
Member Since 2010
Stick with the low carb canned food for all of them; its better for their health.
If you have to do some dry for some reason, Evo Cat & Kitten is about 8% calories from carbohydrates. Young Again 0 Carb is about 5% calories from carbohydrates, and pricey (internet order only)
If it turns out he does need insulin, get one of these: Lantus, Levemir, ProZinc, or PZI. Each of these is normally given every 12 hours. Humulin/Novolin lasts about 6-8 hours in the cat and effective control may mean shooting every 8 hours. You might find it helpful to print out the AAHA Guidelines for treating feline diabetes and giving it to your vet so he can get updated.
If you have to do some dry for some reason, Evo Cat & Kitten is about 8% calories from carbohydrates. Young Again 0 Carb is about 5% calories from carbohydrates, and pricey (internet order only)
If it turns out he does need insulin, get one of these: Lantus, Levemir, ProZinc, or PZI. Each of these is normally given every 12 hours. Humulin/Novolin lasts about 6-8 hours in the cat and effective control may mean shooting every 8 hours. You might find it helpful to print out the AAHA Guidelines for treating feline diabetes and giving it to your vet so he can get updated.
Wendy&Tiggy(GA)
Member Since 2011
Hello and welcome to the board!
He might still be picking at the dry bowl so take it away and give him the low carb wet foods and lets see how he does for now. heres a shopping list for the home testing :
Getting started shopping list
1. Meter ie Walmart Relion Confirm or Micro.
2. Matching strips
3. Lancets - little sticks to poke the ear to get blood . new members usually start with a larger gauge lancet such as 28g or 29g until the ear learns to bleed. Optional - lancing tool.
4. Cotton balls to stem the blood
5. Neosporin or Polysporin ointment with pain relief to heal the wound
6. Mini flashlight (optional) - useful to help see the ear veins in dark cats, and to press against
7. Ketone urine test strips ie ketodiastix - Important to check ketones when blood is high
8. Sharps container - to dispose of waste syringes and lancets.
9. Treats for the cat - like freeze dried chicken
Let us know when you get the kit and we can advise on "how to"
Wendy
He might still be picking at the dry bowl so take it away and give him the low carb wet foods and lets see how he does for now. heres a shopping list for the home testing :
Getting started shopping list
1. Meter ie Walmart Relion Confirm or Micro.
2. Matching strips
3. Lancets - little sticks to poke the ear to get blood . new members usually start with a larger gauge lancet such as 28g or 29g until the ear learns to bleed. Optional - lancing tool.
4. Cotton balls to stem the blood
5. Neosporin or Polysporin ointment with pain relief to heal the wound
6. Mini flashlight (optional) - useful to help see the ear veins in dark cats, and to press against
7. Ketone urine test strips ie ketodiastix - Important to check ketones when blood is high
8. Sharps container - to dispose of waste syringes and lancets.
9. Treats for the cat - like freeze dried chicken
Let us know when you get the kit and we can advise on "how to"
Wendy
KPassa
Member Since 2012
patticats said:
He might not have been diabetic in the first place. There are many things that can cause hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) such as infections, stress, and steroid use. How did the vet come to the conclusion he was diabetic? From just the one Blood Glucose test at the office or from a fructosamine test?
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