Novolin is not a good insulin for cats, regardless of how cheap it might be. You get what you pay for...meaning only partial coverage (unless you're shooting three times a day), higher risk of hypo, and less chance of remission (meaning no need for insulin). I really wish vets would stop offering this as a "cheaper" alternative because it's anything but! Even the AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association)
Guidelines for Diabetes say to not use this insulin on cats. ohmygod_smile
There are ways of saving money on better insulins than the Novolin. Both Lantus and Levemir have Savings Cards that you can sign up for that bring the cost of insulin down into a less-expensive range. You can get a
Lantus Solostar pen for $25 a piece and each pen should last you two to three months or more (depending on dosage). They also have a discount card for the
Levemir FlexPens (not sure what that equals out to per pen, but it's reasonable and affordable). You use the pens the same as you would use a vial by inserting a syringe into the tip (you don't use the cartridges or the "dial-a-dose").
We also have a
Supply Closet here where people offer up their old supplies, including
insulin.
Getting rid of the dry food is a great step towards getting his diabetes regulated and possibly even getting VanAxle into remission. Here is a list of the
nutritional information for most of the available commercial cat foods. It is recommended to feed diabetics less than 8-10% carbs (the lower the better). The Friskies Pates are fine to feed (and inexpensive, too!). As for how much he should eat and to help him gain weight, newly diagnosed diabetic cats are essentially starving because their body isn't able to process nutrients from food properly. Have a read-through on this
discussion about feeding newly diagnosed kitties as much as they want and it might give you some more ideas to help him gain the weight back (getting him regulated, of course, being the best idea ;-) ).
As for the diastix, you might surprisingly have an easier time with
home-testing than with getting a properly timed pee sample. :lol: We've taught plenty of people how to home test and it is the most accurate way of knowing how your cat is doing
right then instead of how he was doing hours before (from a urine sample). You can also get a
free home-testing kit here.
catz54 said:
I feel like I should be filing an 'IDIOT' form.
I didn't get this perplexed when I was daignosed with cancer! :?
Well, you found us, so I hardly think you're an idiot. ;-) As I like to say, "I don't need to know everything; I just need to know someone who knows what I don't know." Collectively, we all know what you don't (yet) know so we can help fill you in where needed. Remember, the only bad question is the question that goes unasked.
And welcome! :YMHUG:
