Home testing

[Kate and Grace]

A huge thank you to Sue and Oliver and Carl and Bob for their help for me regarding Grace's new diagnosis. And extra extra thanks for pushing home BG testing! You probably saved my cat's life.

Grace's BG was 486 at diagnosis, 389 at follow-up, 169 (midday vet) after a week of 1 unit prozinc BID, 109 (midday vet) the following week. My first successful cat BG was 11/26 2 hours post-insulin (scarily it was 80 and I pushed food). We switched to once a day insulin, but her BG this AM was 89 (with no PM insulin due to BG 104 last night). With no AM insulin this morning her PM BG was 90 (again no insulin).

If I hadn't tested I would not have a new BG number until the next weekly appointment (which would be tomorrow) - I'd have given her insulin all week and I'm afraid I might have killed her. So I offer a huge thank you. I think your advice kept my cat alive and we both say thank you.

And regarding the methyl b12... I don't know it that's what did it, or ROM exercises, or strength training, or heat to increase circulation... it doesn't really matter what worked, Grace can walk, Grace can even manage stairs again. She may not have 9 lives - I think she's got at least 14 by my count.

Thanks for all the acquired wisdom of the discussion board and the advice.

 

[Sue and Oliver (GA)]

Hurray! What wonderful news! You can return the favor by explaining to your vet that Grace could likely have been dead before the next vet visit, if you hadn't been testing at home. Maybe he/she will consider it and suggest home testing for feline diabetics in the future. Think of the lives you and Gracie could save!

Our remission definition is 2 weeks with numbers below 120 and the majority of the time in double digits, without insulin. If Gracie sneaks up, come on and get some advice. You should probably continue to test for the next two weeks at least twice daily.

She looks like she is on her way!

 

[Carl & Polly & Bob (GA)]

That is such awesome news!

Kate,

Just keep testing her twice a day. It doesn't have to be at "shot time". It can be at random times.
All you need to do is keep track of how long it's been since Gracie ate. Her BG will still go up a bit from food, then back down again as her pancreas does the job it is supposed to do. It might fluctuate anywhere between 50 and 120, but all of those numbers are okay. That's "normal" for cat.

If it is easier to just stay on the routine you are on, testing before meals, that's fine too. You may find that she needs a tiny dose of insulin if her numbers climb, but even that is okay If that happens, like Sue said, post and ask if you need help.

And yes, definitely share this with your vet, and with any person who ever happens to mention "my cat has diabetes". Home testing, proper diet, and logical insulin treatment are the keys to success, and the more people that understand that, the more kitties will benefit!!!

Thank you so much for the great news!
Carl

 

[Hillary & Maui (GA)]

that is really good news and just proves that not all internet people are crazy! :shock:

 

[Elizabeth and Bertie]

Wow, that's brilliant news about Grace!

And what a fantastic advertisement for hometesting too!!!! :smile: