Help please - I'm failing at this

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Scratchie'smom

I still can't get Scratch to cooperate with testing. He's turned into this cat that bites and he's never been that way before. I believe I said before that he has neuropathy but if I even look at his back legs he bites and hard. We could easily test my blood with tons too spare! :shock: I do have him on methyl b12.

Forget the ears. He folds those right down. It's almost as if he doesn't trust me right now which is also weird. He's always been so cuddly and loving, good tempered even sleeps with me. I don't know this cat right now and that makes me so sad! He's always been a person cat and wanted to be in the middle of everything. Now he just mostly stays downstairs.

Has anyone gone through this?

Other problem is that I am worried. He's been on wet food since 7/13 and I'm sure there's been a change in his bg but I don't know as I'm failing at home testing. Wanted to take him to the vet today for a fructose mine test but he doesn't want to see him for 4 weeks. That really doesn't help me right now. He's on 4 units of lantus 2x day. Still new at testing just started trying this past weekend. Maybe I'm just not patient enough with myself?..

Should I drop his insulin or wait until I can get numbers? Am I just over emotional? I could never have kids so he's my baby and my heart is breaking...
 
I am not an expert, but 4 units is a lot! My vet advised me to do 1 unit twice a day until I could get the hang of testing. Even 1 unit is a risk without testing, but much less than 4 units. I think you are running a real risk of hypo at that dosage. The experts will know more.

As to testing, it took me 10 days to get even one test; and a full month to be able to test regularly -- so don't feel bad. The issue right now is to keep Scratch SAFE until you learn how to test. Experts will be along to advise on dosage, but I am guessing they will tell you something like 1 unit or maybe even zero for now. I was the absolute WORST AT TESTING... and even I got it after awhile. Maybe you will have to go back to square 1 with Scratch -- like give him a treat if he lets you touch his ears, and then release him and build up to the actual testing. Others will be by with advice on that... but again, it is critical to keep Scratch safe right now -- and that may mean a lot less (or maybe no) insulin for now. The experts on this board should be by soon to advise you on dosage.

Where do you live? Maybe there is someone in your area who can come over and work with you and Scratch.
 
Scratchie'smom said:
I still can't get Scratch to cooperate with testing. He's turned into this cat that bites and he's never been that way before. I believe I said before that he has neuropathy but if I even look at his back legs he bites and hard. We could easily test my blood with tons too spare! :shock: I do have him on methyl b12.

Forget the ears. He folds those right down. It's almost as if he doesn't trust me right now which is also weird. He's always been so cuddly and loving, good tempered even sleeps with me. I don't know this cat right now and that makes me so sad! He's always been a person cat and wanted to be in the middle of everything. Now he just mostly stays downstairs.

Has anyone gone through this?

Other problem is that I am worried. He's been on wet food since 7/13 and I'm sure there's been a change in his bg but I don't know as I'm failing at home testing. Wanted to take him to the vet today for a fructose mine test but he doesn't want to see him for 4 weeks. That really doesn't help me right now. He's on 4 units of lantus 2x day. Still new at testing just started trying this past weekend. Maybe I'm just not patient enough with myself?..

Should I drop his insulin or wait until I can get numbers? Am I just over emotional? I could never have kids so he's my baby and my heart is breaking...
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OK the 4 units is most likely too high a dose, most cats don't ever get that high, and especially since you have changed the diet.
There are some cats who are diet controlled and don't need any insulin once the food is changed.

Your cat allows you to give shots but not test, is that correct?
I would drop the dose to 1unit twice a day while the food change settles and just focus on getting some tests.

Please change the Subject line of your first post here to ask for tips on home testing.... say 'Cat won't let me test his ears - help please'
You will get lots of people with tips to help you get some numbers.
 
I've had an awful time with Eleanor, testing got easier for awhile but now she's back to taking spells of biting, fighting me, screaming etc. Her latest thing is to jerk her head around just as I'm about to test her and I'm worried sick I'm going to get her in her eye.
Things that help with Eleanor: I freehand the lancet, the device scared Eleanor.
I have a set place to test, NOT any "happy" places such as the bed. I now test Eleanor ONLY in the bathroom. I sit down on the toilet and hold her on my lap. I scratch her and love on her for awhile. This "routine" settled her down a lot. No wrapping her in a towel (it panicked her).
I rub her ear lightly rather than trying to apply heat.
I sing to her, stupid little songs about hokey pokey ears, but it distracts her.
I let her see the meter, she hits it and tries to bite it. After the test I let her hit it again and hit me if she wants - I let her bite me ONLY because she has NO TEETH!! This seems to settle her down so she can relax post test and be civil again.
I also pick her up throughout the day, in between tests and take her and sit with her in a chair, bed etc, so she will not automatically associate being handled with getting poked.
She runs from me and I feel so bad. I've almost stopped all this several times because I hate to see her afraid of me, so I really understand how you are feeling.
I hope there might be something helpful for you in this.
Some people have luck with giving a treat at test time.
As for the 4u, I'm a newbie and probably shouldn't say this but that seems like an awfully high dose to not be testing. If his bg is too low it could make him act weird.
Can't you take him to the vet even though the vet doesn't want to see him yet? It's your cat, remember that. If you want the vet to test him, take him in.
Hugs!
 
Howdy.
I agree with the other posts above me.
Without any bg tests, the dose is too high. The phrase "driving a car with a paper bag on your head" comes to mind. :o

I've been getting lots of similar behaviours. lots of growling and I know she dreads me picking her up and carrying her to our spot.
However, her attitude has improved since I am now giving her her favorite treats every time we get a sticky. She loves shrimp - raw or freeze dried.
I cut one up and give her a couple of small bites so suddenly her attitude is to at least tolerate it and she's looking at her little dish behind me out of reach
anticipating.
Biting often signals they have pain. I had been reading up on cat pain and how little "they" know about it and even worse, how difficult it is to treat since
most pain killers wreck havoc on a cat. My girl wasn't reacting well to the pain medication after her last surgery- she couldn't sleep.
Cats are wired so differently from us or other creatures.

You said he doesn't want you to mess with his legs.
How many days has he been on the B12 and have you looked upthe dosage on that and how long it takes to work?
I'm pretty sure too much insulin can also be painful too.
And then he's gotta get stickies on top of that.

My girl isn't sleeping with me either and I haven't figured that one out. It does make you feel rejected.

I would try to giving treats and work your way back into his good graces. If he won't let you touch him, put a treat near him and see if he goes for it.
If he does, you'll be able to work your way back into his good graces.
If he doesn't, then he's in more pain than he should be.
If your vet isn't responsive , then search for another.

Since going to a vet is always stressful for them, it's not my first choice but once he's not interested in his favorite foods at all then its necessary.
 
I see from your first posting that you have been treating Scratchie since February, correct? Just so everyone understands that you did not just start him out on 4U.
Hi, my name is Jo and my 11 year old beautiful brown tipped tabby Scratch was diagnosed with diabetes back in February. It has been a roller coaster. He is suffering from neuropathy, but I do have him on a daily dose of Methyl B-12 (thanks to this site) While this is the first time that I have posted on this site, I have been reading everything I can get my hands on. We started out at 1/2 unit 2x day - now we are up to 4 units 2x day.
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I was curious as to how your vet has been advising you? Have you had regular fructosamine tests or blood sugar tests in the vet's office? I have to resound my own agreement that 4U is a large dose to not be testing blood sugar.

I will tell you that I have been the poster child when it comes to frustration and testing, but I can assure you that in time, with your diligence, it becomes an every day routine to them. I wouldn't ever be the one to advise you on dosing, but perhaps you can decide from receiving some sound advice here or at least try your vet. If he does not give you the answers you need, you should probably find yourself one who will come along side you and Scratchie and work with you.. I think the harderst realization is that all of this really begins AND ends with you, and that it is a life change.

I hope for you that you can find someone on here who lives close who perhaps can stop by and give you some assistance.
Some one once told me to search your city/state or at least your state in the search box above and you may find some help that way.

Has Scratchie ever been a lap-kitty? Did he like being picked up and held before this started? There are so many ways you can approach getting the job done with testing. Have you tried wrapping him in a blanket? Or just holding him first and comforting him before trying a test? Do you use the lancet pen to test or are you trying to "free-hand"? Having someone's help can be priceless, too. I have read over your previous posts but I don't see what you have or haven't tried.

I encourage you to keep being diligent. So many of us have felt the same as you and persevered, and eventually found our success. You will too, I am certain of it. :-)
I wish you all the best.

-Jill
 
You're among good company. Many have difficulty getting their cats to cooperate with testing. It can be overwhelming to read all the suggestions on what to do, especially when you may have tried most of them, but I urge you to check here if you haven't already: http://www.felinediabetes.com/bg-test.htm. You can test the pads of the paws (maybe he'd let you touch his front paws?) instead of ears, and there are instructionals on how to do that, as well as other testing tips. I know it's not as highly recommended as the ears, due to the fact that paws are dirty places and harder to keep clean, (but hey, EQ puts his icky paws on my face and I lived to tell LOL). What tests have you been able to get since the beginning of his treatment, if any?

You mentioned he has neuropathy but he won't let you touch his back legs. Are you testing his urine yet? At the very least, you could get some Keto-Diastix (I got mine at Walgreens) which have a section for ketones and another for glucose, and start testing without even getting near him (unless you choose to wave the stix under his butt while he's peeing LOL). This way you'll know if his sugar levels are even coming down at all - EQs haven't and the glucose part of the strips have always turned dark brown from day one. It's not an accurate picture of the BG level at the time of the test, but it can give you a vague picture of what was happening a few hours prior. This might ease your mind a bit, and/or confirm that his sugars are still too high until you can start poking him. It also tells you if there are ketones present, so you can act quickly on that issue.

My kitty is now on 4.5u and I see from Jill's post that you also had gradually increased to your current dose. Yes, 4u is a lot for most cats. But for some special cats, it's not enough. Scratch may fit into that category, but you won't know until you can get some semi-regular tests to paint a more thorough picture. You already know this, and I can imaging how frustrating it is to feel that he doesn't trust you right now. I want you to know it's not permanent. He'll likely start trusting you again when he begins to feel better! Does Scratch have a history of urinary issues, or is it possible he has an infection either in his mouth or bladder? An infection could cause him to feel super-crummy, and not respond to the insulin as well.
 
BG Testing

Everyone, thanks for your encouragement - Julie, Rhiannon everyone. I read a post from Jill to Shai and that made me feel like I wasn't totally alone as I get the crying, frustration and thinking I hate this new stuff as well. Tonight I will be calm and pull this off. I'll keep telling myself that for the next few hours until I get off work and get home to him.
 
Stay strong and take it day by day. You can do this. If there is any way at all to get a 2nd person to help you while you do the blood test, it may bring some relief. Keep trying and don't give up. I really failed with the lancet pen. My vet gave us little needles to prick the ear with. It works much better. Hang in there and take it babystep by babystep.
 
Hi Scratchie'sMom: Just checking in to see if you are having more luck. I really want you to succeed at this and reiterate that it took me SOOOOO long to get this down myself, and to please not get discouraged. It is only now, after about a month and a half of daily trying that I finally feel I have some control over this -- that I can get readings when I need to. I didn't think it would ever happen for me -- but it did. If Scratchie is really traumatized at this point...maybe you will have to step backwards and start again. I think you said in an earlier post that you were to the point of "ripping his ears" to try to get blood. Maybe he needs to relearn that touching his ears does not = extreme pain.. .that it is just a small nusiance, followed by yummy treats.

If it were me, and this is JUST MY OPINION, I would start trying to desensitize Scratchie to the process:

Step 1. Simply touch Scratchie's ears with your fingers, treat and release. I would do this several times a day (the touch could be a second or two..or whatever Scratchie will tolerate). I would do this for a day or two...or however long it takes for him to show no fear about having his ears simply touched and to affiliate "ear touching" with "treats."
Step 2. When Scratchie begins to show no fear from you just touching his ears briefly... you could move to: massaging his ears for a longer period, treat and release.
Step 3: When he is comfortable with step 2, I would move to: massaging ears (to get the blood flowing), clicking the lancet pen on his ear WITHOUT A LANCET IN IT -- just so he associates the clicking sound with no pain and getting a treat.
Step 4: When he is comfortable with step 3, you could move to: massaging ears, clicking the lancet pen on his ear (with a lancet in it) ... ONE POKE ONLY... treat quickly and release.
Step 5: I would keep repeating step 4 for however long it took Scratchie to get over being afraid of the stick. In time, you will get blood in that one stick, or by that time he may be desensitized enough to allow multiple sticks, and all will be well.

This desensitizing process may take you an additional few weeks but the important thing is that you be able to test Scrachie in time and lower the stress level for you both. This is a marathon, not a sprint and if you have tried all other suggestions without success.. maybe this approach will work for you. There are hundreds of people out here pulling for you and Scratchie. :)
 
Have you had any more luck testing Scratchie? If not, I might be able to help. I live in Draper, but I would be willing to drive up there to help you. I'm not really familiar with Lantus, since my Katie was on Prozinc. Happily, she has been in remission since September. She hated being tested at first, but soon she came running to me, purring, when it was time for testing. I still test her about once a month, and she still purrs.
Let me know if you need me to come help with Scratchie^^
 
Update on Scratchie's BG testing

Ladies,

All of you thanks for your support. Things are getting better, but still no luck on the BG. I finally convinced my husband that he needs to help me with the testing until Scratchie is used to it. We did good last night, gave Scratchie a treat - he was mellow (for a few minutes) let me rub/touch his ears, his legs, his feet. All good. Tried 3 times, then he started wanting to escape. Problem? I forgot to put the dang lancet in!!!! :sad: What an idiot.

The good thing is that afterwards he was more mellow than he has been in a while. He hung out with me all night, and come bed time jumped right on the bed for his nightly hugs. Then he went over to his 'chair' in the bedroom - which by the way he hasn't done in months - curled up and went fast to sleep.

Jennifer - thanks for offering to drive all the up from Draper (that's a long drive) - but I think, we'll be able to handle. If not, I'll send you an SOS! I think if both Bobby and I do it, we'll succeed. Tonight I'll make sure the lancet is loaded! :lol: At least it was a good 'dry' run!

Thanks again for all your support and help. With your patience and guidance - I think we'll get there and I'm definitely calmer about things after last night. Good day to all of you!!!
 
That's great!! It is encouraging that Scratchie let you rub his ears. Just try to take it slow and keep rewarding with treats and hugs -- and if the stress level gets too much for either of you, just try later. If you are calm, Scratchie will be calm. It will come in time, I promise!

It may sound crazy, but I actually talk to my cat during testing and explain what I am doing. She seems to know the word treat (or maybe it's just my voice inflection) so I say to her, "You want a treat?" ... in an excited tone and she comes to where I am. Then I proceed to tell her we are going to test her ears first to make sure she is healthy, and that it will feel like a mosquito bite but will not really hurt her, and that afterwards we get a TREAT!!!!." And then I throw in a lot of "good girls" along the way.

Do I hear you laughing?? LOL!! Well, I say, "whatever works." Or maybe the talking is just calming ME down...and that is why it works. Who knows?

Keep posting to let us know how it's going.

Melanie
 
Congratulations! Even though you didn't get the lancet in, you made progress! Keep at it. One day soon your test process will work the way it's supposed to and you'll start to get nice little drops of blood and quick test results. It won't happen every day, but when it does you'll feel amazed that all the practice and preparation helped.

I second Melanie's idea of talking. It really helps. When EQ is hesitant to come closer to me, I tap the counter and say, "Come on now. We need to test you to make sure you are safe," and so on... I chatter all the way through and it seems to chill him out long enough to get a sample. I end up having to poke about four times each test - he tends to shakes his head and fling blood droplets lately, ugh!. But hopefully I'll get it down to just one poke soon. And so will you!

I do want to reiterate that you should get some Keto-Diastix if you haven't already. They'll help you confirm Scratch's sugar is still very high (not what you want for optimum health, but will help you feel more confident about giving him a shot when you haven't been able to blood test).
 
That's a great report! It sounds like you are really making progress. I agree with the suggestions on talking to Scratch, also. I do the same thing. I tell Caesar what I am doing and not to be sassy and remind him it is going to be a delicious meal when we are done.. lol. Who knows how much they understand (though I am convinced they understand most of it). But I do believe our talk soothes them as much as we enjoy their vocalizations to us.

Best wishes to you all.
 
Glad to hear you're still trying. Where there's a will, there's a way. It took us about a month to pull the trigger and start home testing. In hindsight, I now wish I started much sooner. Trip to the emergency vet and lots of costs at our normal vet, and then I decided I needed to get over my fears and get on with it. To be honest, I now believe that one of the secrets to doing the blood tests is managing your own psychology. Your kitty can tell when you're stressed. You need to also separate your rational mind from your emotions in this. If you're worried about hurting the cat, making her feel awful, etc, just think of how much it will hurt if you give her too much insulin and she has a seizure. Or think about if you give her too little and it keeps her blood sugar too high and gives adverse effects like leading to urinary infections, etc.

This has gotten me through. I know that if I stick with it and get on with it, Charlie's chances of getting better faster are stronger. So I think, no pain, no gain. Little bit of pain and annoyance now with the ear pricks will end up in less pain and a longer life later.

I also talk to Charlie when giving blood tests, and I make sure to give a treat after every single poke. My Charlie doesn't like treats, so I just give a little flake or 2 of tuna fish. That works for her.

To be honest, she's still not enjoying the blood tests, but more of them go well than before. We have an occasional grumpy moment, and when those come, I take a break for a few minutes, calm myself down, and wait for her to get calm.

Some of the things that have helped for us are:
- Using the warm rice sock
- Doing it in a well lit area so you can more easily see the veins.
- Not using a lancet, but instead bigger needles
- Holding the scruff of skin behind her neck and petting her first (each time, to calm her a bit before poking)
- Giving treats

This website might help you. Charlotte does her tests in an area with 2 walls, so she can block the cat in.
http://www.sukkerkatten.dk/45919012

Other people suggest having the cat between your legs and facing away from you (but with a bigger kitty, this might be tough).

Just keep trying, and make sure your mind rules out over your heart on this one. It is rationally the right thing to do, even if it's a bit hard on the emotions at first. You can do this!

By the way, we just did a test at 7 and Charlie acted like a real tiger. Not every time goes perfectly. Just don't let it stop you from trying. Get back on that horse! :-D
 
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