Hi, I'm Orry... and I have Feline Diabetes

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ORRY and Halyphill

ORRY and Halyphill

Member Since 2017
Orry is 13 years old and this is his first big diagnosis. He was hospitalized for 3 days for DKA iv treatments. Now, Orry is home on injectable insulin and Momma is overwhelmed! There is so much to absorb and learn and manage! Thankful that the Docs gave us this place with so much good info and nice people.

-Orry and Momma (aka halyphill)
 

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Welcome Orry and Momma. Nice to hear your vet recommended this site. It is overwhelming at first but once you get a routine going, it's easier and very manageable.

Did your vet recommend home testing? It is THE best way to keep Orry safe. Being that DKA is in the picture, missing any insulin right now is not good. You also need to monitor ketones in the urine. You do not want to give insulin without knowing it's safe to. Just like a human, you wouldn't give unless you knew it was safe.

Wal-Mart brand glucose monitor is very popular and the strips are reasonably priced. It is what you use the most of. The Confirm and Micro meter use the same strip and require the blood drop size. The urine dip sticks you can pick up in any pharmacy. Ask for ketone urine dip sticks.

Checking into this site regularly will provide you the best assistance and reassurance available. Ask any and all questions.
 
Welcome Halyphill and Orry!
The overwhelming feeling is too familiar to us and easily flooded with information. There is tons on this site along with very supportive members for Orry and YOU! :bighug:
If you could setup some information in your Signature before posting on the Main Health forum, it will answer some initial questions most will ask. Also will want to add his DKA date so other members know: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/editing-your-signature-profile-and-preferences.130340/
There are a few post-DKA kitties here that are doing well :cat:

Will you be home testing? We consider it the best tool in our FD kitty tool belt :) like Woodsywife stated. We have a Spreadsheet template and if you need help setting it up, just ask! http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/fdmb-spreadsheet-instructions.130337/

Lastly, I like to give this to new members: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/how-to-treat-hypos-they-can-kill-print-this-out.15887/

Maury's SS
 
Welcome Halyphill and extra sweet Orry! What a beautiful boy Orry is.

Where are you located? I like that your vet gave you this site, sounds like a good vet.

We look forward to your posting in our Feline Health forum!
 
ORRY said:
Orry is 13 years old and this is his first big diagnosis. He was hospitalized for 3 days for DKA iv treatments. Now, Orry is home on injectable insulin and Momma is overwhelmed! There is so much to absorb and learn and manage! Thankful that the Docs gave us this place with so much good info and nice people.

-Orry and Momma (aka halyphill)
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Soooo cute!!
 
How to test for urine ketones at home:
  • put the end of the test strip right in his urine stream as he's peeing
  • slip a shallow, long handled spoon under his backside to catch a little pee - you don't need much
  • put a double layer of plastic wrap over his favourite part of the litter box and poke some depressions in it too catch pee.
Most test strips have to be dipped and allowed to develop for 15 seconds before viewing the colour change in very good light.

This is really important in a post-DKA kitty. I'd test daily until he's well past the episode.
 
Well, I had my 1week followup to my hospital discharge. Momma and I thought we were doing good... alas... I failed my testing. My pDVM gave me some Karo Syurp because numbers got way too low. I didn't even reach nadir after 7 hours! BUT, pDVM did say Momma was doing a good job and taught her how to home test so I don't have to go in... Momma can just email her my numbers.

I didn't get a shot tonight but I did get to eat, as much as I wanted! Momma got my numbers out of too low but now they are reading too high before bed.

Hoping for a good read tomorrow morning.... if Momma can get the blood prick right.

-Orry
 
Kris & Teasel said:
Please set up a spreadsheet like we use here so we can give you dosing advice.
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/fdmb-spreadsheet-instructions.130337/
I strongly encourage you to post on the Lantus forum where there are many very experienced people to help. Keep practicing the BG testing. It's SO important! :)
Click to expand...

Thanks.... but I prefer to get dosing instructions from my pDVM. She is feline specific and we are in constant communication. I do have a spreadsheet that is shared with her. We are still navigating this new diagnosis and as we become more knowledgeable and comfortable, we will share more here.

I hope you can understand this perspective. Home monitoring is very supported by my pDVM. I think I just need to be less stressed and more prick forceful.

Thanks.... halyhpill
 
ORRY said:
Thanks.... but I prefer to get dosing instructions from my pDVM. She is feline specific and we are in constant communication. I do have a spreadsheet that is shared with her. We are still navigating this new diagnosis and as we become more knowledgeable and comfortable, we will share more here.

I hope you can understand this perspective. Home monitoring is very supported by my pDVM. I think I just need to be less stressed and more prick forceful.

Thanks.... halyhpill
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Absolutely your choice! I'm glad you're testing Orry at home. :)
 
Man.... home testing is so difficult! I can't seem to get a good blood bead ... or even enough for a sample. Maybe I'm just too impatient. Orry gets through his distraction while I'm still trying to get a blood bead!

I've tried the rice sock. Ive tried rubbing ears and massaging. Orry lewps shaking me off!

I can't give up... because Orry needs me to help him and I can't afford to do curves at the vets office weekly. And, I know.... he needs checks. Im not awake enough in the morning to do anything but pour my coffee and open a can of food let alone wrestle with him for an ear prick!

So beating up on myself!
This is hard stuff!

Halyphill (aka Orry's Momma)
 
ORRY and Halyphill said:
Man.... home testing is so difficult! I can't seem to get a good blood bead ... or even enough for a sample. Maybe I'm just too impatient. Orry gets through his distraction while I'm still trying to get a blood bead!

I've tried the rice sock. Ive tried rubbing ears and massaging. Orry lewps shaking me off!

I can't give up... because Orry needs me to help him and I can't afford to do curves at the vets office weekly. And, I know.... he needs checks. Im not awake enough in the morning to do anything but pour my coffee and open a can of food let alone wrestle with him for an ear prick!

So beating up on myself!
This is hard stuff!

Halyphill (aka Orry's Momma)
Click to expand...
What size lancet? The 28 gauge is easier than the 31 gauge because it's bigger. I had a lot of trouble the first week too.

My suggestion is
1. Don't act nervous.... Fake it till you make it so the cat isn't nervous
2. Don't use the device.... They don't like the click and it's harder to be accurate.
3. Massage the ear first
4. Poke with DETERMINATION... Think "I WILL get this sample!". Don't be afraid to poke all the way through. As long as you are poking the sweet spot, there are few nerve endings there. Just have a cotton pad behind the ear to protect your fingers.
5. If you get a drop but he's squirming, flick the blood drop to the back of your nail and test from there.

 
Good tips and a great video from Janet. Many people find this hard at first and eventually master it. Many kitties hate it at first but learn to tolerate it at least. Are you giving low carb treats as part of the process? Very helpful in creating positive associations in kitty's mind.
 
JanetNJ said:
What size lancet? The 28 gauge is easier than the 31 gauge because it's bigger. I had a lot of trouble the first week too.
Click to expand...

I picked up some 28 guage the other day. The blood beads get smeared by his ear fur. Im using the ReliOn Prime.... which is a 0.5 sample. :-( I should have done better research but... honestly, that monitor was a financial decision.

I think maybe he let me burrito him... like I have to do with pills.

Yes, he has a turkey or chicken chunk that he eats as distractionn and reward.

HALYPHILL
 
ORRY and Halyphill said:
I picked up some 28 guage the other day. The blood beads get smeared by his ear fur. Im using the ReliOn Prime.... which is a 0.5 sample. :-( I should have done better research but... honestly, that monitor was a financial decision.

I think maybe he let me burrito him... like I have to do with pills.

Yes, he has a turkey or chicken chunk that he eats as distractionn and reward.

HALYPHILL
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You have to do whatever works. Try the burrito. Later on, if you can afford a ReliOn meter that uses strips that take a smaller blood drop that will help. As was said above, calmness is very important along with a gigantic dose of patience.
 
Kris & Teasel said:
You have to do whatever works. Try the burrito. Later on, if you can afford a ReliOn meter that uses strips that take a smaller blood drop that will help. As was said above, calmness is very important along with a gigantic dose of patience.
Click to expand...


Ha! My cats are my stress, anxiety relievers. They are what keeps me calm and relaxed. So, needless to say, this has put my world into a bit of a scatter. Thankfully, I will have some help at home over the next few weeks when the Boy gets back into town. Navigating life alone is hard.
 
ORRY and Halyphill said:
I picked up some 28 guage the other day. The blood beads get smeared by his ear fur. Im using the ReliOn Prime.... which is a 0.5 sample. :-( I should have done better research but... honestly, that monitor was a financial decision.

I think maybe he let me burrito him... like I have to do with pills.

Yes, he has a turkey or chicken chunk that he eats as distractionn and reward.

HALYPHILL
Click to expand...
You can try putting a little vaseline or neosporin ointment on the ear so the blood beads up rather than smear.

Relion micro or confirm take a smaller sample. Maybe you can exchange.
 
Today is the day.... the day that we attempt to save $125 by NOT going to the pDVM for a full curve. I know.... I know... should be doing minis at home all the time. But we are working up to it. Still a challenge.

Last night, Orry got some honey... he ate and vomitted... and them something* wasn't right. Yup, a low reading... but not as low as his lowest before so tgat is good. And then, he wasn't having any rechecks.

But... this morning.... despite a little too committed of a prick before my coffee, resulting in way too much blood.... we got a staring point. Only 6 more pokes to do. This takes a lot out of my heart to do.

I still need to get some neosporin... I don't have any in the Western Medicine Cabinet.

-halyphill
 
Got through curve day.... awaiting the pDVM interpretation. So amazed at how easier the neosporin made it! And having a helper to give scritches while I give prickies.

-halyphill

I might just like Curve Day... I got chicken and tuna treats. Momma prefers to not rewars with food... but... guess she made an exception for me! I didn't bite her once and only splattered blood in the morning. But really... who wants ear prickies before coffee time?
-Orry
 
Good job on the curve Halyphill and Orry. You might want to make a post on the Lantus thread with yours and Orry's updates. Not a lot of traffic comes through Introduction thread :)
 
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