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LoveMySmokey

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It's been awhile since I posted here, got kind of caught up in life and trying to figure everything out. Still struggling with getting Smokeys diabetes under control. Still not testing as much as I should but it took us awhile to get the ear pricks figured out and to get enough blood. Finally we got enough blood last night and it was 309 before his shot (haven't tested since then but will be soon.) Not sure how much I should be testing anyway? The vet wants him on 4 units of ProZinc twice a day which seems like a crazy amount to me but what do I know? My mom thinks we should just follow the vets instructions and not make them mad. I was so worried about him going hypo that I was still giving dry food Called on Monday to get more insulin and the vet won't give it to me until he comes in for a glucose curve. Last time he was there it was 400 but he was so stressed out, he didn't eat, drink, pee or poop the whole time he was there. Tried explaining that too them but they didn't seem to listen. Told her we had started home testing and she said that was fine but he still needs to come in because they don't consider him regulated yet. Not sure how they think they can get him regulated when he is so stressed.

My problem today is Smokey seems so hungry and I'm not sure how much he should be eating. So far he has had half a can of Friskies and I was trying to save the other half until dinner but he just keeps meowing at me like he is starving? I thought a 5.5oz can of Friskies would be enough to last a whole day but maybe I should be giving more. Should I be finding another food that might keep him fuller during the day?

Forgot to mention when I asked about Lantus or Levemir the vets said they have never heard of it.
 
First, welcome back. You should test before each shot, otherwise you won't know if he needs it or not. If you are switching to canned low carb food, 4 units is WAY TOO MUCH. Much better to start with 1 unit and do it a few days then gradually move up by .5 again stick with it for a few days. Blood Glucose can drop more than 100 points just by food change. And stress at the Vets is likely to have Blood Glucose level up 100 points. So he could already be down near 200 which would mean small doses. Maisey's initial number was 505 and the vet had said to use 2 units, I don't recall that we ever got that high.
 
I plan on testing before his shot tonight and hoping for a good number. He has had no dry food today and already seems a bit more alert and active. Other than he seems to be starving. I just gave him a little bit more food and he attacked it like he hadn't eaten all day. The Friskies I got were all below 10% carbs which I think is what it needs to be? I just want to get it as low as possible before he goes to the vet and hope that he gives them a number that will pacify them for awhile.
 
Well, it sounds like you have taken your vet's advice and things have not improved. I hope you will try our protocol and see if it makes a difference. I agree that most cats do not need 4 units of insulin, and if they do, they get there over months of testing and increasing the dose by small increments.

The good news is that you can test. If I were you, I would ditch the dry and go to all wet lo carb. I would start over at one unit twice daily, testing before each shot and midcycle as often as possible. Have you seen this info on ProZinc? viewtopic.php?f=24&t=32799 You can also come over to the PZI support forum and check out other PZI user's posts and spreadsheets: viewforum.php?f=24

You have all the tools you need - a good mild insulin, a cat who will eat wet food and the ability to hometest. Now you just need to decide to use it all in a way that will help him.

PS to your response. He is starving - non regulated diabetics can't process food and they are always hungry. We suggest feeding them more than you usually do until they get regulated.

Re the vet. They are probably going to get high numbers, because stress raises bg levels and he sounds very stressed at the vet. How about pleading sickness (yours - you are sick at heart) or something and putting off the curve. Continue with the wet lo carb, reduce the dose, keep your numbers on a spreadsheet. Then you can take that to the vet instead of poor Smokey.
 
Ditto to everything Sue posted. I would rather make a vet mad than risk losing my cat's life. You are the one paying them for advice and care and IMHO your vet is making some dangerous choices for your cat.
 
All wet food today. Just tested and it is 164. flip_cat My mom and I were actually cheering. Going to test in the morning before he goes to the vet. That will show them!
 
:RAHCAT So darn glad you tested and didn't shoot. He may need insulin tomorrow but just the change to all canned made one heck of a difference. A few more days with absolutely no dry may show even more of a change downward.
 
I bet that if you drop down from that drastically high dose you will find regulating this will be a heck of a lot easier for you... it seems like everyone who follows the protocol has success...
 
Maisey & I are ever so glad that you tested. YEAH!!! Also that you got a GREAT number to show the importance of testing to Mom and the Vet.
:RAHCAT :RAHCAT flip_cat dancing_cat
 
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