just joined

[deb112958]

I just joined the site today. My daughter's 10 year old cat, Sullivan was diagnosed a few weeks ago with diabetes. He also has allergies and urinary crystals and possible irritable bowel syndrome. I watch him whenever she goes out of town. I now have him for 2 weeks while they are on there honeymoon and thought this site could relieve some of my anxiety while keeping him safe and healthy. She loves this boy like her child, so I want to know as much as I can about how to take care of him.

He is going to the vet tomorrow for a check on his levels. He is on lantus, 1 unit twice a day right now.

 

[Sue and Oliver (GA)]

How wonderful of you to grandsit! I would suggest you do a lot of reading - start with the FAQs, nutrition and health threads on the Board Index page. They are full of great information.

Our long term treatment plan involves testing and wet low carb food. He is already on a nice dose of a good insulin. (www.catinfo.org) If you want to, you could get him used to testing while she is away. What a gift this would be! We test our cats before giving a shot to be sure it is safe to give the amount we have planned, just like we would our 2 legged kids. If you want, we can teach you how to test him; we have taught hundreds of people over the internet.

Let us know how we can help.

 

[deb112958]

Thank you for the response. I would I go about getting a testing kit? I know she would like to be able to test him at home. My daughter is very sensitive to Sully's needs and behaviors.

I have been reading a lot of site before I signed up. Thanks again.

 

[Sue and Oliver (GA)]

Here is a shopping list for hometesting:

What you need to start hometesting

A human glucometer. Any one that sips and takes a tiny sample is fine. We do stay away from any meter with True in the name and the Freestyle meters. They have proven to be very unreliable and read lower than other meters. The meters are often free at drug stores; it’s the strips that are expensive. You can, however, buy them on ebay at less than half the price of stores. Lots of people here also like the ReliOn from Walmart. It is an inexpensive meter and its strips are the cheapest around. Try the meter out on yourself or someone else before you try it on your cat. You want to be familiar with it before you poke the cat.

Lancets and a lancet device. Usually, until the ears “learn” to bleed, a 26-28 gauge is good. Any brand will work as long as the lancets match your device.

Ketone strips. (Ketostix) Just like human diabetics use. You will sometimes need to test urine if the numbers are high.

Rice sack. Make this out of thinnish sock, filled with raw rice or oatmeal and then knotted. You heat this in the microwave until very warm but not hot. Then heat the ears before poking. You can also use a prescription bottle filled with very warm water. It provides a good surface to poke against.

Also nice to have. Flashlight: so you can look at the ears and find the little capillaries that come off the vein running down the ear. Vaseline: Put a tiny smear where you want to poke. It will help the blood bead up.

And some lo carb treats to give your kitty, successful test or not Lo carb treats