Food, insulin shot, and pre-shot b/g test

[JennyBankers]

I am a little confused and think I might be doing this wrong. My vet told me to make sure my cat eats within an hour before her shot. However, won't that skew the pre-shot b/g test? My cat doesn't like to eat on demand, so should I test her b/g before giving her the food (about an hour before her shot), let her eat for an hour and then give her a shot? Or is it okay to let her eat, then do the pre-test b/g, then shoot based on that number?

I'm not always good about pulling up food two hours before her pre-shot feeding because I'm not always home, but try to do so when I am home.

Just trying to figure this whole thing out because I am getting really high numbers for her PMPS but low number for her AMPS, but she usually hasn't eaten anything overnight whereas she eats throughout the day.

Thanks!

 

[Tisha's_Person]

Hi Jenny! Welcome! FDMB is amazing!

We free feed our cat, so she has often eaten shortly before we test her and it has not created a problem, although it does mean that the pre-shot number is not a fasting glucose. As I understand it, the pre-shot test is too make sure she doesn't go too low. even with eating, we have been able to see when she has been too low. I generally prefer to get her pre-shot level right before her shot, but since DH won't test, there is a gap sometimes. As far as eating, it is VERY important that your cat eats before her shot so that her BG doesn't get too low.

Hope that helps!

 

[BJM]

Your vet is following the procedure for using Humulin/Novolin where it hits so fast that you want food on board to help slow it down.

With ProZinc, this isn't essential, so long as there are no other medical problems. You can test, feed, and shoot within 15 minutes. Your cat can graze as desired.

 

[JennyBankers]

It's nice to know my cat isn't the only grazer/free feeder. I will continue testing her like I have been doing.

Feeding her has been the biggest struggle/stressor for me with this whole situation. I can't force her to eat on demand. She has been better about eating at least some of her food immediately after I put it down, but I was worried because my vet told me she needed to eat an entire meal within an hour of her shot (yeah right - tell my cat that!). dancing_cat

 

[Sue and Oliver (GA)]

Feeding her has been the biggest struggle/stressor for me with this whole situation. I can't force her to eat on demand. She has been better about eating at least some of her food immediately after I put it down, but I was worried because my vet told me she needed to eat an entire meal within an hour of her shot (yeah right - tell my cat that!). dancing_cat

Maybe your vet is thinking of the harsher insulins like Vetsulin and Humulin. With them you do need food on board as they have have a fast onset. With ProZinc that is much less likely. If she will have a little snack with the shot, then it is fine that she grazes all day. Some people think grazing helps support the pancreas.