Joey
- Thread starter sharon
- Start date
- Status
BJM
Member Since 2010
Welcome to FDMB!
Please tell us a bit about you, your kitty, when Joey was diagnosed, what insulin, and what dose, and what you're feeding.
And some details to your signature so that each post has the context to help us understand what is going on.
Go to the top left of the screen.
Click on User Control Panel.
Click on Profile
Click on Edit Signature
A text box displays.
This is where you paste the link for your spreadsheet, once it is set up.
Add any other text, such as
your name, cat's name,
city and state,
date of Dx (diagnosis)
insulin (the dose can change, so don't enter the dose)
meter
any other pertinent issues like food issues, allergies, IBD, etc.
Please tell us a bit about you, your kitty, when Joey was diagnosed, what insulin, and what dose, and what you're feeding.
And some details to your signature so that each post has the context to help us understand what is going on.
Go to the top left of the screen.
Click on User Control Panel.
Click on Profile
Click on Edit Signature
A text box displays.
This is where you paste the link for your spreadsheet, once it is set up.
Add any other text, such as
your name, cat's name,
city and state,
date of Dx (diagnosis)
insulin (the dose can change, so don't enter the dose)
meter
any other pertinent issues like food issues, allergies, IBD, etc.
Lisa and Witn (GA)
Member Since 2009
Hi Sharon & Joey. Welcome to FDMB.
We understand how you feel. It is normal to feel scared and overwhelmed when you find out your cat has feline diabetes. But I want to assure you that it is something that can be managed and we can help you learn to do it.
The best way to manage Joey's diabetes will be with a low carb/high protein diet, home testing and insulin. A low carb/high protein diet means feeding him either a canned or raw food diet - no more dry food. Many of us feed our cats either Fancy Feast or Friskies canned foods. The pate flavors are lower in carbs; anything with gravy is usually higher. You also do not need to feed prescription food if your vet tries to convince you otherwise.
Home testing means testing Joey's blood glucose (BG) levels before every shot. You can use a human glucose meter for testing. If you are here in the US, the Walmart Relion brand meters are good and inexpensive to use. We can help you learn how to test. The reason you test before every shot is to make sure it is safe to give the insulin. You do not want to give it if his BG levels are too low. That could cause hypoglycemia, which could be very dangerous. Also by testing before every shot, you will learn to determine how well your dose is working and if you need to adjust it.
There are several good insulins that work well in cats. Levemir and Lantus are human insulins. You will buy these from your pharmacy. If your vet has prescribed one of these, as for the prescription for the pens instead of a vial. The package of pens will last a lot longer than a single vial. PZI and Prozinc are pet insulins that you will get through your vet's office. All of these are long acting insulins and cats respond well to them. With any insulin you want to start low and go slow. This means starting at a very low dose, usually 1 unit and if the dose needs to be increased, it is done in very small increments, 1/2 unit, over several weeks. Don't worry, this is something we can also teach you.
Your probably have already started reading through the posts. Ask us any questions you may have. That is why this board was created, to help others learn how to care for their sugar babies.
We understand how you feel. It is normal to feel scared and overwhelmed when you find out your cat has feline diabetes. But I want to assure you that it is something that can be managed and we can help you learn to do it.
The best way to manage Joey's diabetes will be with a low carb/high protein diet, home testing and insulin. A low carb/high protein diet means feeding him either a canned or raw food diet - no more dry food. Many of us feed our cats either Fancy Feast or Friskies canned foods. The pate flavors are lower in carbs; anything with gravy is usually higher. You also do not need to feed prescription food if your vet tries to convince you otherwise.
Home testing means testing Joey's blood glucose (BG) levels before every shot. You can use a human glucose meter for testing. If you are here in the US, the Walmart Relion brand meters are good and inexpensive to use. We can help you learn how to test. The reason you test before every shot is to make sure it is safe to give the insulin. You do not want to give it if his BG levels are too low. That could cause hypoglycemia, which could be very dangerous. Also by testing before every shot, you will learn to determine how well your dose is working and if you need to adjust it.
There are several good insulins that work well in cats. Levemir and Lantus are human insulins. You will buy these from your pharmacy. If your vet has prescribed one of these, as for the prescription for the pens instead of a vial. The package of pens will last a lot longer than a single vial. PZI and Prozinc are pet insulins that you will get through your vet's office. All of these are long acting insulins and cats respond well to them. With any insulin you want to start low and go slow. This means starting at a very low dose, usually 1 unit and if the dose needs to be increased, it is done in very small increments, 1/2 unit, over several weeks. Don't worry, this is something we can also teach you.
Your probably have already started reading through the posts. Ask us any questions you may have. That is why this board was created, to help others learn how to care for their sugar babies.
- Status