Introducing Hobie-Cat Lantz and Maria Lantz Frontera

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cityloft

Member Since 2013
Hello my name is Maria Frontera. Our cat's name is Hobie-Cat Lantz-Frontera. We named him Hobie because he showed up at dinner time on 1/28/2013, just like a hobo. I was making pasta and opened the door off the kitchen to rid the house of the humidity the pasta had generated. About seven minutes after I opened the door, I heard this little meow. I looked and there was this beautiful, soft, large cat with the sweetest face. I swear he was smiling.

During the sixth week of his stay, he started leaving his dry food behind. Then he ate only the gravy on his wet food. He began to lose weight and could no longer drink. He also started to vomit whatever he took in.

I rushed him to the vet's where he tested positive for pancreatitis and diabetes. He glucose was off the charts. His odds of surviving were grim. I sobbed and sobbed. I could not put this handsome, deep-souled, loving cat to sleep.

The veterinary team went to work and saved his life. I went everyday to massage and stroke him while singing, humming, and talking to him.

Today, I brought him home. He will be receiving insulin twice a day, along with a lot of other meds for the time being. We love Hobie-Cat and want to be sure we take good care of him. I look forward to getting to know all of you and learning from you.

So Hey! to everyone!

Maria & Hobie-Cat Lantz-Frontera
 
Welcome. What a lovely story of how he adopted you.

The best way we know to keep your sweet kitty safe is to test his blood sugar levels at home. (we figure that is how we would treat our 2 legged kids so we do the same for our 4 legged ones.) We test before each shot to be sure it is safe to give the amount of insulin we are planning on. And we test midcycle to see how well the insulin is working.

At here is a lot of info on this site. On the Board Index page are Health and Nutrition threads with lots of links. Do some reading and ask questions. We'd love to help you help your Hobie.
 
Welcome, Maria!

If you haven't yet started the insulin, changing the food to low carb canned or raw food only is your first step. Friskies Pate style and Fancy Feast Classic Pates are relatively inexpensive ones. For more nutrition info and a printable food chart, go to Cat Info.

If you have already started insulin, focus on learning to home test Hobie-cat's glucose levels. You'll need an inexpensive human glucometer, such as the WalMart ReliOn Confirm (shoppping link that supports the board at the top of the page), test strips for the meter (keep a reserve of 40-50 on hand, in case he ever goes low), 26-27 gauge lancets for getting the blood, and some Neosporin ointment (not cream) to help the blood bead up, reduce the annoyance of testing, and heal the pricked area. Also pick up some urine ketone testing strips to monitor for ketones. See my signature link Secondary Monitoring Tools for info on how to use these and on some other ways to monitor Hobie-cat.

For insulin, please make sure the vet does not give you Humulin, Humalog, or Novolog as these will last only 6-8 hours in most cats. Recommended insulins are Lantus, Levemir, ProZinc, and PZI. If you're in Europe, vets may have to start with Caninsulin, but it doesn't work well for most cats.
 
Thats how I was adopted! Good luck with Hobie and WELCOME to the best site on planet earth to help you help your kitty. There is a wealth of information here and a family eager to provide the best knowledge from accumulated sources. Much to read lots to learn but you CAN do this!

Welcome to FDMB
jeanne
 
Good Afternoon All!

Thank you for all your warm wishes and encouragement! Hobie and I have been working hard to ease into the world of diabetic cats. We have done okay for the past 48 hours, except Hobie is kinda hungry and none to happy about it!

We did our first hometest today and got a nice blood droplet after the third try. The first two times didn't hurt because the lance was too short! It was short because I did not adjust the lancet correctly! Hobie would have gotten it right the first time. He is the smart one of the two of us. pc_work @-)

The vet gave me permission this morning to add 1/2 can of Fancy Feast to his two mealtimes. Hobie said "that's cool." Then he told me it still wasn't enough with several raspy meows!

We took his very first reading at 12: 35 pm. It was 334!!! I called the clinic ASAP! I was told it was to be expected as he had eaten the additional Fancy Feast at 10 pm.

Right now, Hobie, is sitting at my feet and starring at his bowl. He was in the cupboard with the garbage can a few minutes ago. He was bummed as the can was empty! cat(2)_steam

His next mealtime is 6 pm. Ugh! The next few hours are going to be rough. He is not napping because he is hungry. He has the best voice, so I really love his meows. I just wish he weren't hungry . . . cat_pet_icon

We are keeping our eyes on the prize -- happy and well-cared for diabetic cats!

Thanks to all of you from which I learned how to hometest my hobie. Yesterday morning I didn't have a clue!

:thumbup xo Hobie & Mom
 
Welcome Maria and Hobie.

Here on the FDMB the members often recommend that if an unregulated diabetic cats says he is hungry, to feed him. Because the cells are not being "opened" by insulin, there is little cellular uptake of sugar and other nutrients, leaving an unregulated diabetic starving. The FDMB members also often recommend small frequent meals during the day if that is possible with your schedule or a timed feeder. Just as with human diabetics, small frequent meals for extra-sweet kitties help to keep blood glucose numbers level.
 
Hi Maria,
great job on the testing!
Just to make sure, Hobie has not yet started on insulin? Do you know what kind yet?

Like Venita said, we do suggest multiple feedings rather than just twice a day. Hobie might prefer a snack or two between his regular meals, and it can also help keep his BG more level once you do start insulin.

Carl
 
Hello Everyone!

I am not sure how to post to each of you individually, so i will do a "bulk" post until i figure it out!

i didn't do such a great job on the testing this evening :-| i thought i would use the other ear because there is a small red spot from this afternoon's testing. i tried three times, but there wasn't enough blood. i just couldn't stick hobie another time. he was so good. he shook his head only twice. he didn't make a peep (or meow since he is a cat :razz: )

I just re-read the post from bjm, and i realized i forgot about the neosporin tip! i will get some tomorrow now that he has 4 little sore spots. : (

i did everything the same so there might be a problem with the lancet device because the adjustment i used this afternoon, didn't work tonight. i called the company. they are sending another. i will go to walmart tomorrow. i would think i could buy one separately?

hobie is such a good eater. he is not fussy. he had shimp and fish this morning and grilled fiesta this evening.

yes, his insulin was started in the hospital last thursday evening. i give him two shots a day now. the morning is 2 mg; evening is 1 mg. he doesn't mind his shots at all.

he is taking the novolin-N until the lantus arrives. venita sent it out today. thank you, venita!

i am so glad to hear you say multiple little meals. he was so hungry today! i couldn't wait until 6 pm! he ate his 1 1/2 cans of fiesta feast in no time.

Are a few pieces of plain tuna packed in water okay for a snack? What about a few shreaded chucks of baked chicken without seasoning for snacks. Or cooked hamburger drained really well?

Hobie stayed upstairs all day today, which warms my heart. He really is feeling better.

night, night all. thanks again and till tomorrow . . . . . zzzzzzzzz
 
Are a few pieces of plain tuna packed in water okay for a snack? What about a few shreaded chucks of baked chicken without seasoning for snacks. Or cooked hamburger drained really well
Click to expand...

All of those are fine as snacks. Make sure to read the tuna can to make sure there are no additives. Any type of plain meat is ok. Some kitties have occasional issues with beef (can cause diarrhea or an upset tummy in some cats), but you can try it and see. My cat never had problems with it.
 
A number of us use the lancets "freehand." Either holding the individual lancet in our fingers, or placing the lancet in the lancet holder as a handle, but not using the holder's cover or the spring-loaded button. We prick the ear with the tip of the lancet at a 45 degree angle, as one would when doing a running stitch in hand sewing, one to three times in a row, closely together. Then we set down the lancet and "milk" the ear to move the blood toward where we pricked.

After you have taken the blood, you should put pressure on where you pricked the ear to stop the flow of blood and prevent bruising. I do it with a tissue; others use cosmetic pads.

Some of us use a rice sock to warm up the ear before pricking. (Warm the rice sock in the microwave for 10-20 seconds or more until "baby bottle" warm.) A warm ear will encourage capillary blood flow. The rice sock also serves as a platform for the prick so that the lancet doesn't go through the ear and into your own finger. There is a rice sock in the DCIN package you are getting today.
 
Hi Carl! Thank you for the guidance. I didn't think to look at the tuna can for additives. :-| I will do so for sure from now on! Hobie does like the plain meet. I think the beef gives him stinky gas, however @-) , not so much with the tuna or chicken! I have a friend who loves to fish and brings me fresh trout frozen in ice. I will steam it and see if he likes it. He is being treated for lung worm, so the raw foods might not be good for him now.

All the advice really helped when it came to hobie's munchie's yesterday. He looked for food everywhere! It wore him out, but he was too hungry to sleep. Today he seems content napping and yapping when he wakes up. cat_pet_icon

Maria & Hobie ; )
 
Thank you Venita for suggesting the fee-hand "sewing needle position." I tried again today, but no blood. Now he has all these little needle pricks along his ears. I will follow your advice about placing pressure on the ear. Thank you, too, for the rice sock. It's a good thing that the snacks helped because he might try to eat the sock! cat_pet_icon
 
Don't worry - all of a sudden you will get this testing thing sorted.
We were all like that in the beginning - I thought there was something wrong with Honey as I couldn't get any blood but then, the ears just start to bleed better.

The rice sock does need to be pretty warm and you do need to hold it on for around 30 seconds at first.
I could never get the hang of free-hand so used the lancet. I switched to the clear end - the one not for the finger tips - and that really helped as I could see where the spike was going.
Also don't be afraid to press firmly on the back of the ear - my husband tried to do Honey once and couldn't get any blood but he wasn't putting enough pressure on.

You'll get there :-D
 
Also, Maria, the lancets I sent you yesterday were mistakenly 33 gauge, which are very fine and take an experienced person to use. Please put those aside for the future.
 
It will take Hobie's ear a little time to adjust to the poking to consistently get blood drops. And, yes, his ears will look a little tattered.

A few hints:
Warm up the ear my massaging it for about a minute or with a rice sock or something like that.
Once you have the blood on your fingernail, lightly pinch the spot for 3-5 seconds to stop the blood flow and start the clotting process. This helps against blood blisters forming.
Instead of poking down with the lancet (freehand) poke at a 45 degree angle. If you look there is a bevel on the lancet- have that pointed up. Same for the syringes- point the bevel up.

FF grilled is most likely too high in carbs for a diabetic cat. Grilled, gravy, shredded- anything but Pate will most likely be carb heavy and needs to be saved for the hypo kit. The shrimp and tuna is fine though- look for anything CLASSIC from FF as it will be in a better carb range for Hobie.

And Hobie will be HUNGRY!!!! Sneakers was eating 15-20 oz per day until she got regulated- and would eat a whole FF tin at a time. And would have another one an hour later. Several smaller meals will be better for Hobie than two meals- and easier on you! Just make sure not to feed him within 2 hours of his shot time- completely take the food bowl up and hide it so you won't have a food induced PS.
 
To second what Heather said - on the FF food, as long as it says "Classic" on the can, you're good to go. All of the classic flavors are listed at 5% calories from carbs or lower. There is one flavor that might confuse, and that would be "Chopped Grill". But it also says Classic on the label. It's a particular favorite of my two little eating machines :-D
 
Hello All! Hobie was due to start his Lantus Sunday morning until we learned that his BL was 76! This was at the vets Saturday at 12:15 pm. Hobie's ears still weren't cooperating at home, so the vet did the test. I tried again at the vet's but no blood!!! :YMSIGH:

The vet gave him lunch! dancing_cat The vet said to stay on the Novilin-N until we see how he does over the weekend. However, she cut his insulin to 1 unit in the morning and 1 unit in the evening. It was 2 units, then 1 unit.

Hobie did a-okay over the weekend, yet his ears still would not cooperate. i used the med bottle warming technique, as my microwave died two weeks ago and I could not use the nifty rice sock. :sad:

Well, this morning, Hobie ate his FF Chicken feast with gusto. He then used his litter box, and sat by the window where I gave him his 1 unit. About 15 minutes later I noticed his purr was gutteral and wet sounding and that his eyes looked glazed. I put him on the table and tried to get a droplet. Success! After 3 tries. His BL was 26!!!! I fed him. I tried for another reading about 30 minutes later, but his ears gave up little blood.

I came home at 10 am and he was doing well. He wanted outside, so we went for a "walk" in the snow. I tried for a reading about 20 minutes after we came in. No luck. He was hungry so I gave him a bit of FF chicken.

We have an appointment at the vet's at 1:30 pm. I will fill you in when we get home. confused_cat
 
A hypo is not good; it is lucky you were home, as they can be fatal.

If you absolutely must get blood and are not having success, aim for the vein. It may bleed profusely (why we don't normally recommend it), so be prepared to blot and hold after you take your sample.

Please read and print out How to treat HYPOS - THEY CAN KILL! Print this Out!!. Also get the recommended supplies of high carb gravied food, Karo syrup, oral syringe, and make sure you have enough test strips (40-50).

If you are unable to get a test before hand, you need to be available to monitor. And if you get a test, generally when starting, don't shoot under 200 unless you can be home to monitor or until you have data showing it is safe to do. As you acquire data, you should be able to lower the no shot level.

With a history of DKA, if it is in your budget, I'd suggest getting a meter which can test for ketones, although these can be pricey. Check my signature link Secondary Monitoring Tools for urine ketone/glucose testing (not perfect, but if you see ketones, you'll need to go to a vet). They are secondary for a reason - they do not give real-time levels for either ketones or glucose, they give a cummulative level.
 
Thank you all! At the vet's yesterday at 2 pm, he was at 74. So, I fed him more. Thanks for the advice about what foods to buy. The clinic didn't tell me that. I wondered whether the straight fancy feast just wasn't enough.

He was doing well last evening, then about 2 pm I was having this terrible dream. I was yelling out and woke my son. I started to go back to sleep and thought, what if the dream were intended to wake me up to check on Hobie. Sure enough. I found him downstairs in the living room curled up by the outside wall, where it is cooler. He also had the low, gutteral purring going on. I quickly brought him upstairs and fed him. At 7 pm he woke me up for more. I was going to try to get a reading, but he just tucked his ears. I didn't want to interfere with his eating, since he needs nourishment.

My son said he was okay at 8:30 am. I came home at 11 pm to check on him. He was okay and meowed for food. So I fed him another can of FF.

I am going to read all the links and re-read bjm's post. Thank you BJM! The clinic called twice this morning to check on Hobie. I will keep you posted!

Hobie's Mom . . . . Maria :YMSIGH:
 
Hi Jeanne,

He was for about 10 days. First 2 units in morning and 1 unit in the evening. Starting Sunday it was 1 unit/1unit. I gave 1 unit yesterday morning. We went to the vet's, and she discontinued the insulin because his GL was so low. He has not had any since yesterday (Monday) at 6:30 am.

Thanks for asking!

Maria confused_cat
 
Maria

You will want to vigilant in monitoring for signs of infection as that can cause him to relapse.

You might want to check his mouth weekly - lift the lip and look at the teeth and gums. Any redness, tartar buildup. or bad smell means see the vet.

His breath: If his breath ever smells like nail polish remover, that is the smell of ketones, so a vet visit is an emergency in that case. If his breath ever smells like urine, that may be a sign of renal disease, and an urgent vet appointment is required.

Dehydration: Gently pull up the scruff of the neck and release. If it stays stuck up and only slowly goes back down, he may be moderately to severly dehydrated. Get to a vet fast. If the scruff test is negative, lift up the lip and press your finger into the gum for a bit. Release and watch how fast the blanched area turns pink again. If it is slow doing that, or if his mouth feels stickly/tacky, he is dehydrated.

urination: Frequent, small urination suggests things like bladder infection or stones. Lakes of pee may indicate diabetes, renal disease, or hyperthyroidism, among other things.
 
Yes, yesterday he was 101. I couldn't get a droplet this morning at 7 am, but I will be going home at 11 am. I will try again then and target the vein as .was suggested. I hate to do so, but I have to!!!

He looked and sounded better this morning. His chest is starting to fill out again, and his meow was really strong. His appetite is very good, but of course I am now concerned I will make his glucose go high again! 1-1/2 cans of FF just didn't do it this morning, so I gave him 2 cans and a bit of tuna fish. I am just spinning, and so worried that i might do the wrong thing, especially when I can't get the blood droplet!! :?: :-|
 
There will always be some rise and fall in glucose levels and that is normal. They go up some with food, come down some with activity, and so forth. One of the ways to help the glucose stable while feeding adequate calories is to make mini-meals of a few ounces, fed a couple of hours apart.

Some folks do this with a timed feeder, such as the PetMate 5, available from our shopping partner Amazon.

Some folks freeze half the food and put it out to be nibbled as it thaws.

Some folks smear the food across a wide plate, to slow down the cat prone to "scarf 'n' barf" food.

Some folks add a tablespoon or so of water to the food to add volume without adding calories.

And some folks are actually home enough to put out the mini-meals every couple of hours.

Whatever works for you is fine.
 
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