Frustrated

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Barbara Carella

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My cat Simon is about 14 years old and was diagnosed with diabetes about 1 1/2 years ago. I've had him on Purina DM and found it was not good for him. He had bms four times a day and got dangerously thin. I found Binky's list and have been giving him Friskies dinners but now I feel his numbers are higher. Also, even before I changed his food, his numbers have ranged from the 200's to the 400's everyday. Never stable. I have to give him 3-4 units of insulin in the morning and again at night. Am I doing something wrong?
 
We need more information.

What kind of insulin? Starting dose/how increased
Some sample morning, evening and mid cycle numbers?
Any other health issues?
What is he eating now?
 
The insulin is Pro Zinc. We started with one dose twice a day but his numbers started to go up so I was told to increase the insulin. I've been in touch with the vet every couple of weeks with the new set of numbers and he has kept changing the amount of insulin but no matter what he suggests, the numbers swing from low to high and back again. Since I work full time I can only test him in the morning and at night. He's starving by the time I get home at night. I give him one can in the morning and another at night. Right now I have him on the Friskies Dinners. I know his teeth are not in good shape but he's too old and frail to have anything done. Other than that, he seems to be okay.
 
You have a good insulin. I am wondering about the teeth. Infections/bad teeth can make regulation difficult, but understand with his age, your reluctance to do a dental.

It is impossible to know exactly how the insulin is working in his body without some mid cycle numbers, but we all have lives. :mrgreen: Some people get an out the door test and in the door test, set the alarm for a +5-7 test at night and then do a curve on their day off. Any tests you can get help you see what is going on.

If he is hungry, I would feed him more often. Lots of us free feed, dividing the amount to be feed into several small meals during the day. Freezing the food and letting it thaw or an automatic feeder is great for this.

Btw, do you test first and then feed?
 
Yes, I always test first. Could you explain a little more about doing the test at night and the curve? How do I know how much food to give him? Does the amount of food affect his numbers?
 
People just do testing whenever they can - before they leave in the am, before they go to bed at night - whenever you have the chance. If you keep track of the numbers on a spreadsheet, even random times over several days will help you figure things out. We have a great google document for this.

I know there is a formula for how much to feed. I'll look for it and get the spreadsheet info. Or maybe someone else will have it handy.
 
I'm afraid I have to leave the forum for a while. Thank you so much for responding to my questions. I'm sure I will be back with more. You've been a big help.
 
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