Hello. Need 2nd opinion about my Lucy

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LeeAnnK

Member Since 2020
LeeAnnK
Hello everyone. I have a 12 year old tabby cat named Lucy. She has always been a little overweight. Her highest weight with 16 lb. we have been on this insulin trip for about 2 months now. She started getting sick, drink a lot of water. one of the first signs was she was using bathroom outside of her litter box. I took her to the vet, they kept her for 3 days and we started out at 2 units twice day. so almost two months later and over $800.00 later, they wanted me to give her 4 units twice a day. when I first took her to the Vet, her numbers was over 600. I just had her there today and they are still in the 300. would like a second opinion as to what insulin she should be using. she's on Prozinc. The cost is $108 a bottle . Why can I not use insulin that's half that cost. And where can I get a good test kit to check her levels at home cuz I really believe her numbers are going up when I take it to the vet cuz she gets extremely stressed out. I would love to get everyone's opinion and advice.
 
WELCOME TO FDMB LeeAnn and Lucy your extra sweet baby. We're glad you found us! I see you've been on the vet merry go round. Theres no reason for you to be visiting the vet so often (unless of course your kitty has other issues)
You can go down to the nearest drug store and purchase a human meter and use that! Thats what we promote here. You will need a meter (ReliOn is a good meter MANY here use that brand). You will need testing strips specific to that (or whatever meter you decide on) and you will need lancets. You can find ALL of these in the diabetic section of Walmart or any drug store. (Not all drug stores carry the ReliOn but they have equally good meters.

Jumping from 2 units to 4 is quite risky. We like to up doses in the .5 range. But I will let one of our "experts" guide you on that.

You have landed in a safe place to get the very best information and learning to take care of your sweet Lucy.

I'm going to direct you here:
New? How You Can Help Us Help You!
so you can get acquainted with how things work around here.

We HOPE you will join us. A second opinion is hard to give when we dot have data to view but we will do our very best to answer all your questions.
This is the best site on this planet to learn everything you need to know about feline diabetes

WELCOME TO OUR FAMILY. :bighug:
jeanne
 
You are correct that vet visits raise numbers falsely thats why 4 units is VERY risky. Its not unheard of but... We can help you make sure, what is needed ans what is not.;)
j
 
Thank you for the replys. I will be buying a home test kit as soon as possible. The veterinarian told me the ones you purchase in stores will not give an accurate reading but I will definitely invest the money and try it. I did not give her 4 units tonight. I gave her just a little over 3. I will see how she reacts to that.
 
LeeAnnK said:
Thank you for the replys. I will be buying a home test kit as soon as possible. The veterinarian told me the ones you purchase in stores will not give an accurate reading but I will definitely invest the money and try it. I did not give her 4 units tonight. I gave her just a little over 3. I will see how she reacts to that.
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Please watch her closely

The vet is wrong. This site is BUILT around using human meters and its been around for a VERY long time. Sure the numbers are different form pet meters but everything is relative. Like I said you HAVE landed in a safe place for Lucy. The collective practical knowledge here is second to none. We DO have Vets read and visit here also. I gave my own vet this address and told her this is where we could learn together. She came, she read, and gave me the thumbs up. Even though it meant she wasnt making money off me.
 
A human meter works just fine. Most people here use them.
I'm assuming you are in the US (waving from Canada).

A Walmart shopping list for you that one of our members put together:
ReliOn Prime glucometer - $9
ReliOn Prime test strips - $18 for 100 (get at least 300 – one bottle for your hypo kit)
ReliOn Lancets 26 G (or 28 if unavailable) - $1-2 for 100
ReliOn Lancing Device (optional) - $5
Travel-size Vaseline - $1
Neosporin Ointment + Pain Relief (ointment only, NOT cream) - $6
Cotton Pads (optional) - $2


Hypo Kit Supplies:

Karo Syrup - $3
Ketone Test Strips (Ketostix) - $6
A few cans of Fancy Feast Gravy Lovers Marinated Morsels/Sliced in Gravy/Grilled in Gravy varieties - $0.60 each (these are your medium-carb cans)
A few cans of Fancy Feast Gravy Lovers/Medleys Tuscany/Medleys Gravy in Sauce varieties - $0.60 each (these are your high-carb cans)

Medium Carb is 11-15%
High Carb is 16%+


Lantus is a cheaper option if you order from Canada. The link below gives you all the information you need. The pharmacy is a reputable pharmacy. Quite a few members order from them. You do need a written prescription from a vet to fax.
A box of cartridges ($160 + $25 shipping) would last you a year or close to it.

 
Awe. You guys are awesome. I did not give Lucy 4 units tonight. For the past two weeks she has been getting three units twice a day. Tonight I gave her just a little over three units. She seems to be doing okay. She's sleeping. She's had a rough day. She was at the vet all day. they tested her three times today. I will go tomorrow and get a test kit .thank you for the list. Also what is the best food I can give her. Because right now she is on the $48 bag of dry food from the vet. It's Purina diabetic management dry cat food.
 
I cant stay but... that dry food is probably whats keeping Lucy from tanking. Once you get that meter and are use to testing you can ditch that dry food.
It amazes me vets still sell that stuff. Dry food is PACKED with carbs carbs feed diabetes. It like throwing gasoline on to a fire. BUT DO NOT REMOVE IT UNTIL YOU ARE TESTING.
My Troubles numbers drooped 100 points almost over night :eek: when we switched to low carb can food. Many here feed Fancy Feast pates or Friskies Pate. they are 10 % carbs or less. Trouble is no longer with us but I STILL feed my Zoe (non diabetic) Fancy Feast pates. ;):coffee:

I have to leave for the evening. Keep an eye on Lucy. I'll see you in the morning.

KEEP UP THE GOOD FIGHT!
j
 
I second everything said. Get Walmart’s ReliOn meter and supplies. I use it and it’s great. I also buy Lantus from Mark’s Pharmacy in Canada and I recommend them as well.

dry food is not good for diabetic cats and you should transition to low carb wet food but not before you start home testing because it can drop her levels significantly especially in such a high dose. Most of us feed fancy feast pate and Friskies which are less than 10% carbs and that’s what you want. Here’s a food chart so you can see the options.
 
We also have lots of tips on home testing. Make sure you get lancets with larger tips, a 28 or 26, until you get used to testing and can then upgrade to a slightly smaller one like 30. Alway warm up the ear as it makes it easier to get the blood droplet. We use a sock filled with rice that we nuke for a few seconds to get it warm and apply to the ear for a few seconds too till it’s warm to the touch. I also like singing during it to calm myself and Minnie as well and I use a flashlight to see the ear and what I’m doing really well. You want to aim for the sweet spot
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LeeAnnK said:
she's on Prozinc. The cost is $108 a bottle. Why can I not use insulin that's half that cost.
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Short answer: Because not all insulins are the same. They’re all clear liquids with the same title of “insulin” but they act very differently. Some are more suited to the faster metabolism of a cat. Prozinc, Lantus, and Levemir are excellent insulin choices for cats. Some of the other insulins are either harsher and harder to work with, or can be downright dangerous to use. One trip to the ER with a hypoglycemic/seizing cat more than offsets any price savings (not to mention the trauma of watching such an event).

That’s a good question, by the way, and one that many newbies wonder about. :)

You’re on the right track getting a human meter and testing. Knowledge is power, and home testing your cat’s blood glucose (BG) will help you see just how the insulin is working in your cat and let you make dosing decisions based on the data rather than speculation.
 
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