Kaz/help with vacation schedule

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Claire and Kaz

Claire and Kaz

Member Since 2022
@Bron and Sheba (GA)
@Suzanne & Darcy
@tiffmaxee

Hello all sorry I have not been on lately had two people die in the last three weeks and I have also been unwell so I have been trying to help others as they need it. Plus work been a nightmare. Anyway enough about me.

So I fly to the UK next Wednesday and I wanted advice on the amount of insulin I should give as a vacation dose.
Both my cats will be going to Ambers house. Amber is a vet technician who works in the emergency wing on Angel Hospital out of the Waltham office.

So I'm wanting to keep Kaz at his normal food and then if she finds there is an issues to then switch to the higher carb food. Kaz really dislikes the high carb food so its much easier on everyone if this can happen.

Also thinking that he may want to stay at 2.25 units although I am not against decreasing to 2 units as this level should keep him in the acceptable range (high side) while I am gone.
 
This is my preferred schedule



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Hi Claire. Good to hear from you . I was only thinking about you a couple of days ago and wandering how things were going.
I’m so sorry you have had people die recently and you have been unwell.

How often is Amber going to be testing? Just the preshots?
Are you fitting a libre freestyle or is Amber going to use your meter?
How often do you think she will test?
How long is your vacation?
 
Bron and Sheba (GA) said:
Hi Claire. Good to hear from you . I was only thinking about you a couple of days ago and wandering how things were going.
I’m so sorry you have had people die recently and you have been unwell.

How often is Amber going to be testing? Just the preshots?
Are you fitting a libre freestyle or is Amber going to use your meter?
How often do you think she will test?
How long is your vacation?
Click to expand...

As far as I know before each of the main meals. She works during the day.
I'm sure if she's around she wont mind scanning extra time as it is a simple scan versus a blood test.
Yes there will be a button fitted the day before I leave.
On vacation from December 21st until Jan 10th. The cats are with her from the 20th thru the 11th. She asked that they were dropped off the night before and my plane lands late on the 10th so she asked that I pick them up at 7pm the next night.

Don't want to push too much as i was extremely lucky to find this women.

I'll feel her out when I drop them off as to what extra tests she might do. I'm hoping to persuade her to do a Ketone test once a week.

My gut also says she wont join the forum as she is a vet tech and works in emergency so probably thinks she doesn't need site like this.
Again I will talk to her but don't want to push too hard. If this work I may have found someone to look after them when I travel who is going to be way more educated than most on the subject of diabetes plus she would know if the cat needed medical attention.
 
Yes she sounds like a good find!
Is she going to fit a second libre on when that one runs out?
Do you think he will eat ok for Amber at her place?
 
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Claire and Kaz said:
My gut also says she wont join the forum as she is a vet tech and works in emergency so probably thinks she doesn't need site like this.
Click to expand...

You might just give her your sign on information so she can get on if she needs to and we'll also still have access to your spreadsheet.

Cats are very routine-driven and any change in that routine can cause them to not eat as often or as much. Having mama gone, being in a strange house with a new human may cause her to not eat as well as she usually does at home. That's why we usually do recommend lowering the dose just a little. It's better that he run a little higher than normal than to worry if he's eating enough to keep him safe from hypo's. If it were me, I'd drop to 2U for the time I was gone.

Looks like you've got all your bases covered and boy are you lucky to have found such a good cat-sitter! Hope you have a great time!
 
Claire -

Just a thought on my part... Unless your cat sitter knows your cat and your routine well, I would keep instructions as simple and straightforward as possible. You've done an incredibly detailed job of providing information. I just wonder if it won't be a bit overwhelming. (I can be guilty of doing the same thing!!) On the other hand, if you've gone over the information with your sitter in person, it may be fine. Either way, I'd run the information by her before you leave. That way, if she has questions, you'll be able to respond quickly vs you're being in the UK and dealing with time differences.

A couple of things I would do for my sitter, especially when I moved and had to "train" a new person. I would leave a sample syringe that was set up with a colored liquid at the dose Gabby was getting. This is especially helpful if the dose isn't on a line on your syringe. Alternatively, you can drop the dose to an amount that is one of the marked dose increments on the syringe. (I would typically lower Gabby's dose when I was traveling.) Emailing your sitter a photo of the loaded syringe can also help since it's easy to enlarge the photo on a phone.

If Kaz doesn't like high carb food, had you thought about adding a drop or two of something like honey or Karo syrup to his food? This may not be the time to experiment but it's what I did for Gabby since she couldn't tolerate the gluten in the gravy-type foods.

Is your vet at Angell Memorial? If it's the same Dr. Brum, he was my sister's vet. He's wonderful!
 
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Chris & China (GA) said:
You might just give her your sign on information so she can get on if she needs to and we'll also still have access to your spreadsheet.

Cats are very routine-driven and any change in that routine can cause them to not eat as often or as much. Having mama gone, being in a strange house with a new human may cause her to not eat as well as she usually does at home. That's why we usually do recommend lowering the dose just a little. It's better that he run a little higher than normal than to worry if he's eating enough to keep him safe from hypo's. If it were me, I'd drop to 2U for the time I was gone.

Looks like you've got all your bases covered and boy are you lucky to have found such a good cat-sitter! Hope you have a great time!
Click to expand...

Thanks I was thinking I should drop to 2 units.
 
Sienne and Gabby (GA) said:
Claire -

Just a thought on my part... Unless your cat sitter knows your cat and your routine well, I would keep instructions as simple and straightforward as possible. You've done an incredibly detailed job of providing information. I just wonder if it won't be a bit overwhelming. (I can be guilty of doing the same thing!!) On the other hand, if you've gone over the information with your sitter in person, it may be fine. Either way, I'd run the information by her before you leave. That way, if she has questions, you'll be able to respond quickly vs you're being in the UK and dealing with time differences.

A couple of things I would do for my sitter, especially when I moved and had to "train" a new person. I would leave a sample syringe that was set up with a colored liquid at the dose Gabby was getting. This is especially helpful if the dose isn't on a line on your syringe. Alternatively, you can drop the dose to an amount that is one of the marked dose increments on the syringe. (I would typically lower Gabby's dose when I was traveling.) Emailing your sitter a photo of the loaded syringe can also help since it's easy to enlarge the photo on a phone.

If Kaz doesn't like high carb food, had you thought about adding a drop or two of something like honey or Karo syrup to his food? This may not be the time to experiment but it's what I did for Gabby since she couldn't tolerate the gluten in the gravy-type foods.

Is your vet at Angell Memorial? If it's the same Dr. Brum, he was my sister's vet. He's wonderful!
Click to expand...


I'd never thought of dropping honey into Kaz's food versus giving high carb food that's an idea but I would be worried to experiment with that now as Kaz is a picky eater and there are not many foods he really likes to eat. I am taking homey and Karo with me.
I'm dropping to 2 units as it's easier to draw on the syringe (one of the reasons I wanted a round number).

As she is a vet tech she should be used to injections.

My only concern is she asked me to bring Gabapentin with me which is a kind of sedative. She claims that it will help the cats adjust but I'm worried they will be so doped out that Kaz won't want to eat just sleep. Don't really like the thought of my animals being high but I had to agree to this in order for her to take them.

Dr Brum also was not that keen but said it was ok for a couple of days if she was demanding it.

Yes same Dr Brum.
 
Sienne and Gabby (GA) said:
How about bringing some Feliway? If she's keeping Kaz in his own room, a Feliway diffuser may be a way to calm him without sedation.
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The plan is to keep Kaz and Sam in their own room for the first couple days. Apparently glass door. During this time they will be able to see her cat then after a couple days if they get on with her cats then they will be allowed the full access to the house.

I happen to have an unopened Feliway so I could take that over.
 
Thanks will go with 2 units. Cats get dropped off tonight at which time I am assuming I go dark till Kaz is returned to me on the 12th December.
 
Bron and Sheba (GA) said:
Have a wonderful holiday with your family Claire. Happy Christmas. :bighug:
Sounds like Kaz and your other kitty are in safe hands
Click to expand...
You too Bron I hope you and your husband have a wonderful time.

It was quite hard leaving them but they are now with the sitter and its 100% no go on sending me readings or going on the forum she says she doesn't have time.
She does work in the emergency room at Angel Waltham so fingers crossed she knows what she is doing.

They have a nice room and the women said she may even sleep with them tonight to help them settle in.

She has three cats two of which I saw.

Anyway fingers crossed.
 
I’m sure it was hard leaving them but I think you have someone who seems well qualified to look after them.
It is always hard leaving our kitties with someone else to care for.
Enjoy your trip.
 
Already got a text this morning that neither of them are eating which does not put me at ease but I asked her to put the appetite simulant behind his ear not much else I can do.

I offered to go over to help but she said that would be more stressful for their adjustment.

So guessing no insulin this morning.
 
Claire and Kaz said:
Already got a text this morning that neither of them are eating which does not put me at ease but I asked her to put the appetite simulant behind his ear not much else I can do.

I offered to go over to help but she said that would be more stressful for their adjustment.

So guessing no insulin this morning.
Click to expand...
Oh no that's not good, I hope her putting miritaz on there ears helps! I hope she didn't give insulin on an empty stomach. I wish you could have just taken them with you, I know that's not always possible though.
I'm scheduled to have a hysterectomy on Feb 3rd & I hate the fact that I have to stay at the hospital for 24hrs away from them. Please keep us updated :bighug:
 
Oh Claire, I hope they’re eating while you are away. I also hope that you dropped the dose to 2 units. I was looking at his spreadsheet and that’s what I would have done - although he needs to eat. I hope they’re settling in! I’m so sorry that you have been through a lot recently. I do hope you able to enjoy your time in the UK with your family!
 
Any update on if they are eating Claire.? I hope she will test for ketones if she is skipping doses.
I remember when I left Harry with my daughter for several days (he’s not a diabetic) he would not eat for 24 hours, and he knew my daughter well and her kitty well. I suggested she feed him cheese which he can’t resist and that got him eating.
 
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