Just Diagnosed

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Julie and Eleanor (GA)

Julie and Eleanor (GA)

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My cat, Eleanor, was just diagnosed with diabetes. I'm not well and I can't think very well nor assimilate large amounts of info. Can anyone just tell me which meter is reliable? Where to get test strips for it, and I need info on Lantus, do the vials really last 3-6 months? I basically have no money and I am absolutely heartsick. I'm trying desparately to figure out some way to pay for all this.
Eleanor's blood glucose was 379. She also had glucose in her urine. I took her in to be checked because once a day she guzzles water and has a huge pee. She has been eating Fancy Feast classic, which is lower in carb.I had recently started giving her some 9-Lives canned and some DRY Purina Pro-something or other that I got for free, I was trying to save money you see.
I was reading on this board that if you give low carb food it can bring the numbers down before you even start insulin. Is it even remotely possible that her numbers might come down on their own after awhile OFF the 9Lives and dry? The vet says she has a good chance of going into remission but ONLY if I start her on insulin.
Thank you.
 
Welcome Julie and Eleanor

First off it sounds like you caught Eleanor's diabetes fairly early since she wasn't that high when diagnoised. Vials of Lantus will last a couple of months if handled properly, by keeping them refridgerated, not injecting air back in etc.

One of the best and cheapest meters out there is Walmart's house brand, the Relion Micro is what I use for one of my two diabetic cats, the meter is around $9 and the strips which are the most expensive part are 100 for a little over $30 I think last time I priced the larger amounts. Not really sure since the cat I use this meter for is in remission and off insulin so I usually only get the smallest package of strips I can since I don't test him very often anymore.

Now Maxwell was one of the lucky ones that went into remission on a diet change and a very short course of Lantus, exactly 2 weeks. But I also have a little girl that was dxed with lower BG readings and she is still insulin dependent, It is just kind of one of those ECID (Every Cat Is Different).

However, as far as the bills go, there is an organization run by one of the women on this board called DCIN (Diabetic Cats In Need) http://fdmb-cin.blogspot.com/ They have a financial program to help get insulin and testing supplies to people that want to keep their sugarcats and treat them at home but may not have the financial resources to do so. If you follow the link I gave you and contact them they maybe able to help you with some of the expense in treating Eleanor.

Mel, Maxwell, Musette & The Fur Gang
 
Welcome Eleanor and Julie! Glad you guys found this website, there is a lot of good information here and people who want to help you and your kitty. cat_pet_icon

I would definitely recommend getting rid of the dry food ASAP, before starting insulin. This can cause a big drop in the numbers for some cats. You can keep feeding Fancy Feast Classics, or give Special Kitty (Wal-mart brand), or other canned food - less than 10% carbs is best. Here is a link to the carb counts of common cat foods (Binky's List):
http://binkyspage.tripod.com/CanFoodNew.html

I use the ReliOn meter that Mel describes and I like it, it doesn't need much blood and doesn't cause me problems. The strips can be gotten cheaper online - but we can worry about that once you've started hometesting. Also, if you look at the top left of this page, you will see a link to 'home testing kits', click on that and you can get a meter, a few strips & lancets, & other supplies to get you started for the cost of postage.

There is a lot of info on this website - just take it slow and don't be afraid to ask questions, people are here to help!

Good luck to you and Eleanor, be sure and let us know how things are going!
 
Welcome Eleanor and Julie to the FDMB family! cat_pet_icon You've found the greatest place for help, with the super friendly and knowledgeable folks here! :-D

If cost is an issue, the Walmart Special Kitty is a bit cheaper and some of the flavors are low carb (refer to Janet and Binky's food list) so that may help a bit to cut costs with the added cost of testing (which is by far cheaper to do at home than at the vet's office!).

Don't hesitate to ask questions. We are all here to help our kitties and to help each other. :-D
 
Thank you for the info! I'm just so upset about this diagnosis, I'm not seeing how I can do it financially. Plus I'm scared to death. I'll be afraid to ever leave Eleanor alone.
How can I put up a profile picture?
 
Will it help to know we were all overwhelmed and terrified? The more you learn about this disease, the more confident you become. The hometesting alone is a huge relief because you can be sure that you aren't giving too much insulin and you can see what is happening during the cycle.

We have free Hometesting kits from this site. They include a meter and strips to get you started. The picture up at the top of the page next to the Shop Icon is the way to get one.

This" letter from a cat" helps some people over the initial fear. Hope it helps you:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...Gw3VklobGFGc1JXa1lJRmE2YjhwR3c&hl=en_US#gid=0
 
Once you start testing Sweet Eleanor at home and know what her bloodsugar readings are you will feel much better about leaving her alone. I know I use to be worried to death to leave my diabetics home alone, but now that one is in remission and the other one I have over 6 months of testing under my belt, I can leave her without thinking twice about it...I simply test her before I leave, and test her again when I return, and leave her plenty of food down just in case she goes lower than I expect her too.

Your biggest expense right now is just about over, getting the testing done and getting set up with meter, strips, lancets, syringes and insulin. After that it is like caring for any other kitty, except they now eat low carb canned food, instead of having a big bowl of dry food down.

We have 13 cats of our own, as well as a 97lb dog, and are fostering a momma cat and her two newborn kittens, and only one income from my DH as a roofer. So money is always tight here but we get by. Somethings that we have found to keep our costs down is to feed the larger cans of Friskies...8 large cans per day feeds all 14 cats here which works out to about $8/day for 14 cats or 57 cents per day per cat..not too shabby when you break it down that way.

Plus since we test at home neither of our two diabetics have seen our vet for anything other than routine health care like shots, ear infection, dentals etc. Everything concerning their diabetes I manage here at home with the help of the folks on this board.

It is all very overwhelming and scary at first but within no time at all just become as routine as brushing your teeth. We all started out right where you are now, emotionally a wreck, in tears and scared to death for our furry baby.

Mel, Maxwell, Musette & The Fur Gang
 
Just wanted to drop by and say, "WELCOME!" This is such a wonderful place you've found! We are fairly new, too, Hershey was diagnosed Nov, 2011 and started insulin 1/13/12. I can totally identify with the emotions you are feeling right now, right down to the money worries. We're a one-income family of four (since the oldest got married) with two kids in college.

Take your time and look around the forum. Read other threads to glean bits of knowledge you can apply and please, don't be afraid to ask questions. I have asked a LOT (and continue to ask almost daily) and have learned so much!

Take care -

Libby (and Hershey, too!)
 
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