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- Thread starter CHenry
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Critter Mom
Member Since 2014
Hello and welcome to you and Molly.
Diabetes is very much a treatable condition. You've found a great place to learn and to get support.
Diabetes is very much a treatable condition. You've found a great place to learn and to get support.
Critter Mom
Member Since 2014
Hi Courtney.
Yep. Saoirse went OTJ six months to the day after diagnosis. I was doubly delighted because she had a bad pancreatitis flare not long after starting insulin treatment and I worried that she might lose her chance of becoming diet-controlled. Her numbers had been improving but they deteriorated again with the inflammation in the pancreas after I had to suspend her insulin treatment. In the UK vets have to prescribe Caninsulin first by law. It only helped Saoirse part of the way and as her numbers got lower it became too dangerous to administer (big drops in BG at onset). With the spreadsheet data and clinical observations I made, I was able to build a case to get Saoirse a prescription for Lantus. With its gentler, longer action, Lantus made a great difference to her blood glucose regulation, and it gave her little pancreas a chance to heal.
You're not alone with the overwhelmed feeling, btw. I think most, if not all, of the members here felt like that in the early days. It does get better and less scary as you go along. Promise!
How is Molly doing today?
.
Yep. Saoirse went OTJ six months to the day after diagnosis. I was doubly delighted because she had a bad pancreatitis flare not long after starting insulin treatment and I worried that she might lose her chance of becoming diet-controlled. Her numbers had been improving but they deteriorated again with the inflammation in the pancreas after I had to suspend her insulin treatment. In the UK vets have to prescribe Caninsulin first by law. It only helped Saoirse part of the way and as her numbers got lower it became too dangerous to administer (big drops in BG at onset). With the spreadsheet data and clinical observations I made, I was able to build a case to get Saoirse a prescription for Lantus. With its gentler, longer action, Lantus made a great difference to her blood glucose regulation, and it gave her little pancreas a chance to heal.
You're not alone with the overwhelmed feeling, btw. I think most, if not all, of the members here felt like that in the early days. It does get better and less scary as you go along. Promise!
How is Molly doing today?
.
Good to know that everyone goes through the initial shock/being overwhelmed. Molly is ok-still drinking/peeing but seems maybe a little more active tonight. I am working on changing her food. Haven't started insulin yet, I go to vet Friday for that. After reading on here though, it sounds like it may be better for me to test her glucose for several days first to get a baseline of sorts, especially with changing her food. Vet wants me to feed DM but sounds like Friskies Pate and fancy feast classics are better. I'm nervous with changing food since she has had pancreatitis before and is finicky. She's been on I/D dry since that (close to 2 years). I get the glucose tracker Friday too.
phlika29
Member Since 2014
Hi and welcome
Like critter mom my cat was also on insulin for just a few months and like you my cat also has chronic pancreatitis.
Go very careful with any food changes, the slower the better. Remi was on dry food for years until his diagnosis. I decided on a low fat, low carb, high protein dirt for him as he seems to be fat sensitive. You could also increase the protein and decrease fat levels in a food by adding in plain cooked chicken breast.
When you go back to the vet make sure he takes new readings based on your food changes as it should lower the blood glucose. Do you know what insulin he is giving you? Are you buying a human meter or a feline one (alphatrak). Most of us use the human one as test strips on the alphatrak are very expensive and the human one works just fine.
And don't worry we were all overwhelmed in the beginning. It soon settles into a pattern.
Like critter mom my cat was also on insulin for just a few months and like you my cat also has chronic pancreatitis.
Go very careful with any food changes, the slower the better. Remi was on dry food for years until his diagnosis. I decided on a low fat, low carb, high protein dirt for him as he seems to be fat sensitive. You could also increase the protein and decrease fat levels in a food by adding in plain cooked chicken breast.
When you go back to the vet make sure he takes new readings based on your food changes as it should lower the blood glucose. Do you know what insulin he is giving you? Are you buying a human meter or a feline one (alphatrak). Most of us use the human one as test strips on the alphatrak are very expensive and the human one works just fine.
And don't worry we were all overwhelmed in the beginning. It soon settles into a pattern.
Fiona and Sasha
Member Since 2015
Hi Courtney. Right there with you in feeling overwhelmed. My kitty (Sasha) was just diagnosed, too. I hope Molly improves soon.
The vet keeps giving me contradictory advice about the feeding of Sasha and my non-diabetic kitty. It is so good to be able to come here and see what others have to say.
Fiona
The vet keeps giving me contradictory advice about the feeding of Sasha and my non-diabetic kitty. It is so good to be able to come here and see what others have to say.
Fiona
Fiona, what did your vet say? I have another cat too who is non diabetic so figuring out feeding is tough. I'm still not sure yet how to best approach.
I got the insulin today, pro zinc. Also didn't know better and got the alphatrack before I read on here that the human ones work ok too. Molly is not patient with me so I think I'll have trouble getting her blood glucose. Giving the shot will be easier but still not fun. They did a reading at the vet today and it was 411. What is normal? I think I read on here, 100-200?
How is Sasha doing?
I got the insulin today, pro zinc. Also didn't know better and got the alphatrack before I read on here that the human ones work ok too. Molly is not patient with me so I think I'll have trouble getting her blood glucose. Giving the shot will be easier but still not fun. They did a reading at the vet today and it was 411. What is normal? I think I read on here, 100-200?
How is Sasha doing?
Fiona and Sasha
Member Since 2015
I didn't ask the vet, as I figured he wouldn't have much to say other than feed them in separate rooms. Hard when they both like to graze.
411 is way too high at any time
Any improvement?Sasha is doing really well. He was ravenously hungry this morning. I took a cute pic that shows the food still over his face while he had a comfortable nap
Elizabeth and Bertie
Member Since 2010
Hi Courtney and Molly, and welcome to FDMB
Many of us have more than one kitty, and it can be lot easier if the non-diabetics eat the same food as the diabetic kitty. Low carb wet food is good for all kitties.
Eliz
Sue and Oliver (GA)
Member Since 2009
ProZinc is one of the three mild long lasting insulin we suggest on this site. We have put together a protocol that might be helpful
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/protocol-for-prozinc-pzi.109077/
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/protocol-for-prozinc-pzi.109077/
Fiona and Sasha
Member Since 2015
Hi Courtney and Molly, and welcome to FDMB
Many of us have more than one kitty, and it can be lot easier if the non-diabetics eat the same food as the diabetic kitty. Low carb wet food is good for all kitties.
Eliz
I am with Elizabeth on this. I just have issues with Bella having IBS, so I am trying to keep her on hypoallergenic food, which the vet agreed today was the best thing for her. Wish I knew more about cat food when I first got Bella. I used to feed her heaps of Whiskers. I knew better by the time Sasha moved in.
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