KAZ Needs Help Desperately

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Claire and Kaz

Claire and Kaz

Member Since 2022
Hello

The following message was posted on a general cat forum site yesterday and someone directed me here and based on the name of the site I think I might be able to finally get some help. I have visited every site imaginable and I am pretty much in tears all the time as I don't seem to be able to get straight blunt answers.

Below is what I am asking so if anyone can help me I would be so grateful.

I am hoping that someone here can help me. I have spent hours trolling websites trying to read and understand cat diabetes but I am not getting the answers that I am necessarily looking for.

Kaz is 13 1/2 years old long haired male cat. Kaz nearly died three years ago when he was diagnosed with 75% of his liver covered in masses. The hospital basically told me there was nothing they could do and to take him home and when ready to bring him back to be put down. I nursed him back to health with a wonderful product I found on Pet Wellbeing for Cat cancer. Now three years on and I have been told he has diabetes.
About month ago I noticed that he was drinking a lot more water than normal and was looking for food all the time. I thought it was his thyroid but no diabetes for the person with needle phobias.
We are now on day 6 of the insulin shots twice a day and I have also started giving him drops from Pet Wellbeing to help reduce his blood sugar.
The cat is still drinking a lot of water and is still very hungry. I weight him on Friday and again just now (6 days) and his weight is the same at 11.4. He looks scraggly his coat is usually so soft, smooth and shiny.
He is not the same cat that he was three weeks ago.
Before he liked to be with me most of the time I was home and would always sleep on the bed with me at night. Now he sleeps in the living room alone or goes to the cold floor in the kitchen. I am guessing he finds it hard to jump up to his bed as he will now only lie on the floor or jump on the bed if I call him.
It is really heart breaking.

1) How long will it take for the insulin to work
2) He did weigh 12.2lbs now I am feeding him twice as much to keep his weight up will this go back to normal once the insulin kicks in or do I need to feed him extra to keep the weight on and will this cause any additional damage by over feeding a diabetic cat.
3)Will his water consumption go back to normal. The poor thing is in and out the box every few hours.
4)He seems to have diarrhea all the time now will this go away as he gets used to the meds.
5) Will his old personality come back or is this how it will be from now on.
6)Will he be able to jump up to his bed and play with his brother again.
He seems like such a sad cat right now
7) He wont eat the diabetic food regardless of how hungry he is so I have him on Tiki Cat (been on this for years) which is high protein and low carbs and grain free so I think the food is ok if not could someone advice. He can't eat dry food due to a urinary condition and I tried Purina DM for diabetic cats per the vets request.

Any help or advice anyone could offer however small would be so greatly appreciated.

Thanks Claire
 
Hi Claire and Taz, sorry to hear of Taz's diabetes diagnosis. The good news is you have found help here! I was so overwhelmed and heartbroken when my boy Hendrick was diagnosed, omg. Felt like I was drowning! This place is like someone tossed me a rope and pulled me up out of the water!!

I am very new to all this, diagnosis was 1/5/22 so I don't know as much as all the experts but I can answer some questions.

Yes his water consumption should return to normal once diabetes is regulated, coat, weight, behavior -- sleeping with you and cuddling -- all these things are likely to go back to normal or near-normal! I have seen it with my own eyes.

Hendrick was doing a lot of the same stuff -- not sleeping with his brother, no longer playing or grooming, etc etc. But after a few weeks on Lantus insulin, we started to see the old Hendrick come back! I cried tears of joy.

This group is very numbers driven, if you want Taz to get the best help here you should setup a spreadsheet and your signature. I'll come back in here with some links in a minute.

Welcome to the club, we can be new together I'll see you around the forums. Let's see what Taz looks like eh? Any pics?
 
Thank you ever so much for responding I am literally tearing up now I have been so overwhelmed and feel like I have had no where to go so again thank you.

You answered most of the questions and the really important ones which is the liquid intake, weight, and his personality. I thought maybe I was doing something wrong as I have yet to see any changes.
I will check out the links you sent.

Kaz and I both thank you (so does his brother Sam who just wants his play mate back).

Claire
 
what insulin and how much are you giving him btw?

it is fine to feed him extra, most people just don't feed much if anything at all when it is more than 6-8 hours after the insulin shot as that is when the insulin is usually wearing off. but that can depend on the type of insulin and the kittah :)

Hendrick was around 12, 12.5 pounds most of last year, at diabetes diagnosis he was down to 9.8

2 months later, he is back to 10.9 pounds today! Vet says he should be 11-11.5 for a healthy weight so we are close! It takes some time though. Cats with unregulated diabetes have bodies that cannot process food properly and make use of it so they are constantly hungry and also can't gain weight.
 
My vet was kind enough to give me a pen as I knew I could not handle a needle. The medication is Lantus and he gets 1 unit at 6am ish and another at 6pm ish.
I was told to never miss a dose and to keep it 12 hours apart which will be hard to do every day if something comes up at work. I was told I could get refills at CVS and use GoodRx so am assuming this is the same medication that people take. (Doesn't half have a peculiar smell to it which seems to remain on the cat.)
Also dreading travel which I do twice a year. Trying to figure out what do do with him at that point as I am scared to leave him in the house with just his brother and he has never been boarded. Then I have to find someone willing to come twice a day at set points make sure he eats and then inject him.
I have to travel twice a year due to family commitments. Already started this search and so far no luck.

My cat is probably at the correct weight I have got it in my mind to keep him around 12.5lbs due to the masses on his liver which are pretty much non existent at this point but the vet is convinced it will come back so I thought the extra weight might help him. Definitely helped with this case. I can feel that he's a bit boney at the back end which I don't like and he probably is at the optimum weight for his size and age.
 
I'm going to tag a few members for you but first are you home testing?
It's the only way to keep Kaz safe
With the lantus you can only adjust by full units which isn't good
We use syringes U-100 with half unit markings so we can adjust the dose by 0.25 units at a time.
Can you please fill out your signature so the members know this information
Here is a link helping us to help you link. If you noticed, our members have some basic information about their cat's in their signature. This helps us to not pester you by asking the same questions (your cat's name, insulin type, date of diagnosis, etc.) repeatedly. We also have a link to our spreadsheet in our signature. We are very numbers driven. The spreadsheet is a record of your cat's progress. By linking it in your signature, we can follow along and provide feedback should you need the help.


If you need help setting this up and your spreadsheet please ask, we have a member that will help you with it
Without seeing how the lantus is working for him and how low he's dropping I don't know if members can give you any advice

Is this what you are giving Kaz?
https://www.chewy.com/pet-wellbeing-blood-sugar-gold-bacon/dp/206989?utm_source=google-product&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=12798209681&utm_content=Pet Wellbeing&utm_term=&gclid=CjwKCAiA4KaRBhBdEiwAZi1zzlUDBZZms2aEp15r7xF3RhPpm4ob1LGYjV_xRLQqHmokqJwfZg7y9RoC2EIQAvD_BwE
I don't think this is a good idea
You will get used to giving him the insulin with the syringes its really not that hard
I will give you a link to watch

You said he it's hard for him to jump, is he walking flat footed like a rabbit would walk , if so he could have neuropathy . If he is I can tell you want to give him
It will help but first his BG needs to be regulated.
I would also add to your signature that he had cancer
These would be the syringes you will need
https://www.adwdiabetes.com/product/5739/ulticare-u100-vet-rx-half-unit-syringes-31g-3-10cc-60ct
 
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Hi and welcome to the forum. Hendricks dad has been giving you lots of good information.
I would not give him anything orally such as the drops from Pet Wellbeing. Those things do no good. Giving the insulin, feeding a low carb diet and monitoring the blood glucose is the way forward to getting Kaz back to his former self.
I would strongly recommend you look into doing hometesting the blood glucose as that is the only way you can tell day to day that the insulin is working, you are giving the correct dose,….not too much and not too little………
You can buy a glucose meter from Walmart called ReliOn Premier for $9 and the test strips are $17.88. You will also need some cotton rounds to hold behind the ear when testing. Always test before every shot to see it is safe to give the dose and around +4 to +7 to see how low the dose is taking Kaz.
HOMETESTING LINK

Also make sure you have a hypo kit set up in case of low numbers
HELP US HELP YOU Has lots of useful links for you.

I would also seriously think about trying to use a syringe instead of a pen as pens only go up in 1 unit increments where as we recommend going up in 1/4 unit increments.
The syringe you will need is a U100 3/10 30 or 30 gauge 6 or 8 mm insulin syringe with 1/2 unit markings.. There are several brands to choose from. You can still use your pen to draw the insulin from it…..I can show you once you have the syringes.

I would also buy a bottle of Ketostix from Walmart or a pharmacy and check the urine for ketones……..which can form in unregulated cats.
Let us know if there are any ketones in the urine and the vet if there is more than a trace of ketones. Food and insulin and fluids help keep ketones away. So makes sure you are feeding lots of food such as snacks during the cycle as well as the preshot meal.

Once you have reached the correct dose of insulin, his weight will start to stabilise and he should start drinking less. That is why it is so important to be hometesting.
Keep asking lots of questions.
 
Always aim for the sweet spot warm the ears up first, you can put rice in a sock and put it in the microwave, test it on the inside of your wrist to be sure it's not to hot, like you would test a babies bottle. You can fill a pill bottle with warm water and roll it on the ears also.Just keep rubbing the ears with your fingers to warm them up
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6. As the ears get used to bleeding and grow more capilares, it gets easier to get the amount of blood you need on the first try. If he won’t stand still, you can get the blood onto a clean finger nail and test from there.
When you do get some blood you can try milking the ear.
Get you finger and gently push up toward the blood , more will appear
You will put the cotton round behind his ear in case you poke your finger, after you are done testing you will fold the cotton round over his ear to stop the bleeding , press gently for about 20 seconds until it stops
Get 26 or 28 gauge lancets
A lot of us use the lancets to test freehand
I find it better to see where I'm aiming
You can also put a thin layer of vaseline on the ear ,to help the blood bead up

Here is a video one of our members did
VIDEO: How to test your cat's blood sugar
 
[USER=10387]@Claire[/USER] said:
My vet was kind enough to give me a pen as I knew I could not handle a needle. The medication is Lantus and he gets 1 unit at 6am ish and another at 6pm ish.
I was told to never miss a dose and to keep it 12 hours apart which will be hard to do every day if something comes up at work. I was told I could get refills at CVS and use GoodRx so am assuming this is the same medication that people take. (
Click to expand...


Here is a coupon below
Just call any pharmacy to see if they have the 5 pens, they will last you a year or more
Type in where you live and you will see where you can buy it
Lantus is expensive if you live in the US
https://www.goodrx.com/semglee?dosa...rride=Semglee&quantity=1&sort_type=popularity
Semglee, it is a generic Lantus, and was approved by the FDA last June.
Some have their vet write the prescription as insulin glargine
 
Thank you this is a lot of information to try and digest all at once. I will start googling and seeing if I can understand what is being said as right now this is like trying to speak a foreign language.
I do know that the pen is an easy way for me to administer doses especially as a beginner and especially as I live alone and have to do this myself.
I did actually think that there was a pen that you could do half doses as I watched a YouTube video on it.

The vet told me to use urine strips to check his glucose level and they seem really high but he also told me to give it a couple weeks to start seeing a change.
Kaz has only been on this for 6 days and I would be petrified to change his dose without the vet telling me otherwise. My vet was travelling to the East Coast for a week so I have been muddling through this on my own this week.
I will ask about the glucose meter as I did see one on Amazon but it seemed like the cat would be in paid each time I tried to do this and I am trying him to get him into a routine with the insulin which has been going surprisingly well. If he knows something painful is going to happen prior to a shot I am going to be in trouble. Not going to lie my Anxiety level has gone way back up right now.

I did try to download the spreadsheet already as Hendrick sent me the link but it was not allowing me to copy it (greyed out) so I thought I would try again in the morning as I am assuming its user error.
I was able to open it though and it looked like a foreign language. So again I was going to have to start at the top and google each title to try and understand what is going on here.

I will get it sorted but right now I am so over whelmed with this additional information I don't know if I am coming or going.
 
I know it's a lot to take in but we are here to help you
You couldnt have found a better group to join there are many experienced members here that have been helping members for over 25 years. If it wasn't for them giving me advice Tyler would not be in remission right now.
In my opinion these members know more than some vets do
I'm going to tag Bhooma
@Bandit's Mom to contact you , look up top where it says inbox , she will set up your signature and spreadsheet.
I'll give you a link so you can read how the spreadsheet works, it's really easy
https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/how-to-use-the-spreadsheet.241653/
 
I looked the link up you sent (thank you) and this is for a pen as well similar to what I have?

upload_2022-3-10_18-30-28.png


This does not appear to give half doses or quarter doses. I can see the cost would be less so I will ask my vet to call this in along with 3 boxes of needles unless there is a pen out there that does half doses. But again no expert so would be petrified to change his dose.

I do know I need to check his levels but the vet said the glucose sticks were ok right now he is all way at the positive end. The vet told me that I could stick it into the litter box right after he peed and I would get an accurate reading. I was a bit optimistic but it does seem to work.
I just looked at his ear which is almost translucent. When I tried to rub it to get a sense Kaz had a fit. Is this the only place to get blood and I would hate to do this daily as it will be painful for him. The vet had discussed a button with me but I must have heard the name wrong. But it was something that would attach to the cat and all I would have to do is wave my phone over it to get a reading. Not really sure how it would stay in long term especially with two cats if they were rough housing but I was waiting to discuss this with the vet as it seemed like a good option if it did not hurt or both the cat.

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This is what I currently have but I was looking at
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I watched a video on the blood one and it definitely hurt the cat and seemed to need two people this simply would not work. I am on my own and it will be an every day wrestling match with the cat. If it hurts he won't sit still. I can see that the paw is worse for the animal. I nearly passed out watching this. Really hoping this button option the vet mentioned may work for us. This is really scary stuff. Just getting the shots under control and now this.
 

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Again thanks for everyone's help it is greatly appreciated. My cats are my kids they mean everything to me but I know their limits. I will make myself get over fear of needles eventually but I can not hurt my cat daily I don't want him to be scared of me.
 
[USER=10387]@Claire[/USER] said:
Thank you this is a lot of information to try and digest all at once
Click to expand...

I just want to say...I remember this feeling exactly. And how everything is like a foreign language. And thinking there was no way I could ever test my boy's blood by poking his ear. Just not possible I said.

but you know what, he is like my kid, I dont have a son. No kids here, just cats so...I learned how, I gave him treats, and he now runs to the ear poke spot for tests and waits patiently, he can't wait for his treat after the test and loves the warm rubs before the poke. When I do it just right he barely notices, purrs the whole time.

Check out this video of me and Hendrick

 
[USER=10387]@Claire[/USER] said:
I looked the link up you sent (thank you) and this is for a pen as well similar to what I have?

upload_2022-3-10_18-30-28-png.63687


This does not appear to give half doses or quarter doses. I can see the cost would be less so I will ask my vet to call this in along with 3 boxes of needles unless there is a pen out there that does half doses. But again no expert so would be petrified to change his dose.
Click to expand...

It's not the pens that have half unit markings it's the syringes
Just take the cap off the pen and use a U100 syringes and pull the insulin out of the pen!
syringe-in-pen-pic-jpg.45006
 
[USER=10387]@Claire[/USER] said:
The vet had discussed a button with me but I must have heard the name wrong. But it was something that would attach to the cat and all I would have to do is wave my phone over it to get a reading. Not really sure how it would stay in long term especially with two cats if they were rough housing but I was waiting to discuss this with the vet as it seemed like a good option if it did not hurt or both the cat.
Click to expand...
Your vet is probably talking about the Freestyle Libre
You can read about it here
https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/thr...stration-explanations-tips-discussion.221630/
 
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@Hendrick's mom and dad is right. I know this is all very overwhelming, I felt the exact same way a few weeks ago. I can promise you the tests won’t hurt Kaz! I couldn’t picture doing it either, and thought it would be the limit for me. But I gave it a try and it really is important. My Gizmo is pretty much back to normal now because of the close monitoring. It gets better with practice!

I know we all have our limits, trust me. I didn’t think I could do any of it. Just take it slow and don’t feel pressured by anyone, experiment with it at your pace. But I do hope you give it a try! It will help Kaz a lot and won’t hurt. My cat purrs when it’s going on because she know she gets a treat and attention. Kaz may make a stink at first, but it’s only because they’re not used to it! You’ve got this!
 
1) How long will it take for the insulin to work : day 5, but my cat was in intensive care for 3 days
2) He did weigh 12.2lbs now I am feeding him twice as much to keep his weight up will this go back to normal once the insulin kicks in or do I need to feed him extra to keep the weight on and will this cause any additional damage by over feeding a diabetic cat. :do not feed extra but better quality. Wet food, grain free. 2 fancy fest can per day should be enought
3)Will his water consumption go back to normal. The poor thing is in and out the box every few hours....Bee still pee a lot even with her diabetes under control for years.
4)He seems to have diarrhea all the time now will this go away as he gets used to the meds.
5) Will his old personality come back or is this how it will be from now on....He will be the same, give him time to adjust to the insuline shots...he will even feel better :)

6)Will he be able to jump up to his bed and play with his brother again.
He seems like such a sad cat right now...he is not feeling well. He ll probably play again and jumping wont be a problem
7) He wont eat the diabetic food regardless of how hungry he is so I have him on Tiki Cat (been on this for years) which is high protein and low carbs and grain free so I think the food is ok if not could someone advice. He can't eat dry food due to a urinary condition and I tried Purina DM for diabetic cats per the vets request. ...Don't listen to vets for food but yes a diabetic cat need a check up once a year. My kit was prescribed DM...its expensive and not great
 
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Thanks Hendrick I did watch the video your cat is extremely well behaved my cat not so much. I have started playing with his ears which he does not like. But keep doing this for a while speak to the vet next week when he's back and see if I can arrange for them to show me how to do it. Sick to my stomach now trying to fathom out how I am going to get Kaz to sit still, hit right spot and not hurt him.
Already stabbed myself twice giving the inslin.
Thanks for the video.
 
Thanks Lalkabee based on your response I am not going to change his food. He won't eat the DM anyway and every time I put it down the other non diabetic cat eats it. He seems to like it but probably not good for him.
 
Thank you Diane you have provided a load of information which is a bit of an over load right now.
Going to take time over the weekend when I am not working to try and research some of this stuff a bit more.

I am still a bit anxious about the syringe. When I say I am bad with needles I am not exaggerating. I watched a video on line yesterday of a kitten getting blood taken from its ear and paw and came close to pausing out.
I have to get used to the pen first which gets better by the day although I get hot and bit dizzy each time but I think I will get used to this. I need to get used to one step at a time.
If I can get the pen injections down first which I will admit does not appear to hurt the cat. Think its worse for me and I need to figure out how to stop stabbing myself which does not help. Kaz has been very good we are getting into a routine he eats his food then he comes out the kitchen and looks down the hall at me sitting on the bed waiting for him. I hold up his treats and he comes immediately I give him one treat turn him round rub his neck and give the shot. Rub neck for about minute then give him a couple more treats. He has yet to not come or run away. Once I add blood checking to this which I will probably only be able to do once a day when I get home from work except on Fridays/Saturday/Sundays when I am home I am afraid he will stop coming as this will hurt and then I am going to be chasing him round the apartment.

Anyway once I have this down (insulin pen shots) I think I need to try to move to the blood checking next but I am hoping like the injection I can meet with a technician at the hospital and she explains it to me but lets me do the actual process myself. This is a little less stressful vs doing it blind.

Then once I am able to do this then if I'm still conscious I will move to the needles.

I am hoping for remission but I know its a long shot.
 
Hi Claire, just take your time reading about everything, just take it one day at a time.
Do everything at your own pace. Kaz and Sam look so adorable in his little house .:bighug::cat:
 
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Hi Claire glad to see you are slowly taking in this massive amount of information. I love the pic of Kaz and Sam together peeking out! totes adorbs

We could not get a blood drop and home test successfully until a vet tech showed us how at the office. I think it helped us a lot, that's a good idea.

A member recently posted a huge post with tons of tips and tricks for getting a cat comfortable with home testing and insulin shots, let me find it. The conditioning you are doing with the treats on the bed is perfect!! Very well done, good move on your part. Cats are so smart, they learn quickly when there are yummy treats involved!! LOL
 
Here it is. I'm saving this and going to re-post it now and then hopefully that's ok @Elizabeth and Bertie ?

It is such a great post.


Elizabeth and Bertie said:
It can take time. So do be patient with yourself. (((Hugs)))

With both of my diabetics the key to success with testing has been 'desensitization' and 'counter conditioning'.
My first diabetic was a large and strong willed cat, and there was no way I'd be able to test unless he was OK with that... My current diabetic girl absolutely hates having her ears touched, so she presented a particularly difficult challenge at first (Note: some cats are fine with paw testing, but my girl hates her feet being touched too...)
Neither of my cats has tolerated being held or restrained in any way at all. So, I've had to use 'distraction' to keep them relatively still while I quickly test.
I could distract my first diabetic with some crushed cat treats and test him while he was hoovering up the treat crumbs. My diabetic girl likes to be brushed. So, I just sneak a test into the middle of a little brushing/grooming session and she barely notices. Singing to her while I brush her seems to help too... :rolleyes: ....This did take a bit of time, but with patience and persistence all kinds of things are possible...

With both my cats I've had to go slowly, introducing just a very low level aspect of testing at first, but not enough to spook or upset them.
....This is something that I wrote for another group, just copying it here in case it's helpful...

--------
GETTING KITTY USED TO BEING TESTED - ‘DESENSITISATION’
Some kitties take to being tested like proverbial ‘ducks to water’, they are just not bothered by it at all. Other kitties take a bit more work, and with a minority of kitties it can take a quite a bit of dedicated effort to get them used to the process.
Please be reassured that ‘most’ kitties can be tested, and ‘most’ people can learn to do it. Honestly!

One really useful way to get kitties used to testing is to ‘desensitise’ them to the sensations and sounds involved in the test process. And a really good thing to do at first is just to get them more used to having their ears touched.
So, whenever you are stroking or cuddling the kitty use that opportunity to include very gentle ‘ear touching’ when you stroke them, just for a second at first. Make ear touching ‘ordinary’ and nothing to fear...

You can also go to wherever the cat is chilling out, then stroke them, hold or massage an ear for a second or two, and then immediately reward with a yummy treat and some praise. This starts to condition them to associate ear touching with rewards. And this is what you want to happen.

You can also get them used to the test kit itself. For example, you can rattle the test strip container, or click the lancing device a few times (it can be used a bit like a training clicker), and immediately give the kitty a treat. Then just walk away, leaving them with their reward. They can soon come to associate those sounds with rewards just like when they hear the sound of the can opener...

I did these kinds of desensitisation techniques with my kitties about 6 or 7 times a day at first during the first couple of weeks. It only takes a minute or two each time, maybe only seconds. But that repetition is key to success. Repetition, repetition, repetition...

It can be often be helpful at first to test in the same location so as to establish a routine. I tested my first diabetic on a table top. I test my current girl in her favourite armchair. You can get the kitty used to the test spot by taking or calling them there and just rewarding them with strokes or brushing, or treats.
Make the test spot a place where nice things happen.
If you can get the kitty to the test spot and hold or massage an ear for a second or two and then reward with a treat and praise, you really are most of the way to being able to test on a regular basis.

-------

HOMETESTING TIPS & TRICKS

1. WARM EARS. Probably THE most important thing. Warm ears bleed very much more easily than cold ones. You can warm an ear by massaging it, or by holding something warm against it; ie a pill bottle filled with warm water, or a ‘rice sock’ briefly warmed in the microwave.

2. MASSAGING immediately below the ear prick, with finger and thumb, can ‘milk’ more blood out. I almost always do this, if only for a second or two.

3. VASELINE. A teensy weensy smear of Vaseline on the outer edge of the ear will enable the blood to ‘bead up’ and stops it disappearing into the fur. This also makes it easier to see the blood droplet if the kitty has dark ears.

4. RESISTANCE. The lancet needs something to ‘resist’ otherwise it can push the ear away rather than pricking it effectively. Some folks use a piece of cotton wool or folded tissue. I use one of my fingers, but sometimes do accidentally take a blood sample from myself that way.

5. TWO EAR PRICKS close together can often produce enough blood for a test when one ear prick might not.

6. SCOOPING THE BLOOD DROP ONTO YOUR FINGERNAIL. Doing this is a game-changer for some people. If you can get that drop of blood on your finger or thumb nail you can then let the kitty go and finish the test without her/him.

7. TREATS. It is important to reward the kitty for each attempted test, whether the test was ‘successful’ or not. Cats very soon learn to associate tests with treats. And some will soon come running for their tests. A ‘treat’ is usually a food reward of some kind, but some folks reward their kitties with a cuddle or a grooming session. I actually crumble a few treats for my cat and test him while he’s hoovering up the crumbs.

Remember to reward yourself too. Chocolate is good…

8. GET COMFORTABLE. If you are physically comfortable you’ll be more relaxed, and also less likely to try to rush the process. Some people like to test their cats on a counter top or a desk, maybe next to a desk lamp. Some people prefer to hold their cats on their laps when they test. Some folks incorporate testing into a grooming session. You’ll find what works best for you. And once you get used to home testing you’ll quite possibly be able to do it anywhere, and maybe even while the kitty is asleep.

9. RELAX. Cats pick up on our moods. The more relaxed and ‘matter of fact’ we are, the more relaxed and confident the kitty is likely to be. Some people chat or sing to their cats while they test him. Try it. It might help you too.

10. PATIENCE. Be kind to yourself. You’re learning something new. (And you’re learning something wonderful!)

-------

Re desensitization and counter conditioning, there is a good little video here showing a real life example. The (very fast talking!) vet in this vid is getting a food-motivated cat used to injections. But the principles of desensitization and counter conditioning can be used in many situations.


Eliz
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Diane Tyler's Mom said:
Lantus is expensive if you live in the US
https://www.goodrx.com/semglee?dosa...rride=Semglee&quantity=1&sort_type=popularity
Semglee, it is a generic Lantus, and was approved by the FDA last June.
Some have their vet write the prescription as insulin glargine
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Semglee is a branded glargine insulin. There s a unbranded insulin that is less expensive. SSe:
https://www.goodrx.com/semglee?dosa...ulin+glargine&quantity=1&sort_type=popularity
Note th that some pharmacies have restrictions that say the coupon is not for pets. However, if you clcik on get coupont there is a link that provides the price without the coupon. That price is less than real Lantus.

[USER=10387]@Claire[/USER] said:
Kaz is 13 1/2 years old long haired male cat. Kaz nearly died three years ago when he was diagnosed with 75% of his liver covered in masses. The hospital basically told me there was nothing they could do and to take him home and when ready to bring him back to be put down. I nursed him back to health with a wonderful product I found on Pet Wellbeing for Cat cancer. Now three years on and I have been told he has diabetes.
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I suspect the liver masses were determined via ultrasound. Many times the masses are just benign cysts. Has a recent ultrasound been performed? The liver is the only internal organ that can regenerate itself.
 
Thanks Hendrick appreciate all the information you are sending over.
I did read the attachment you sent it was actually very helpful.
Trying to get myself set up with the FreeStyle Libre 2 system which apparently has a free trial with button but low and behold my State appear to be pretty much the only State not eligible for the free trial.
Going to hit a friend up in the next State over to see if they can order it for me.
Now I am trying to narrow down the blood testing kit. I see that the animal ones plus strips are way more expensive however I don't even know how to read that device which I am guessing is done for me as its calibrated for an animal. So I think I will have to bite the bullet and get the more expensive one first then after I understand the readings a bit more maybe I can convert to a human one.
 
[USER=10387]@Claire[/USER] said:
Now I am trying to narrow down the blood testing kit. I see that the animal ones plus strips are way more expensive however I don't even know how to read that device which I am guessing is done for me as its calibrated for an animal. So I think I will have to bite the bullet and get the more expensive one first then after I understand the readings a bit more maybe I can convert to a human one.
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As far as I understand it, the so-called calibration for animals is just a slightly higher number. Seems pointless honestly.

as far as how to read -- you do a blood test, and the meter will display a number. All you have to do is read that number -- that's it. Understanding what the number means is different, and takes some time. But a pet calibrated meter won't help with that part anyway.
 
Hi Larry
Kaz has ultrasounds at least once a year along with a cardio gram. I had to monitor the masses very closely at the beginning as they covered his liver. He could not even stand. He went from 100% normal on Day 1 to being on his death bed the next day.
After causing a huge stink at the hospital when two vets told me to put him down I met the head doctor who agreed with me that a cat who was normal on Monday should not be put down on Tuesday. He kept Kaz in for 10 days and gave him fluids everyday (I pretty much lived at the hospital as they have work stations and visited him as much as was allowed). They found the masses and he told me that there was nothing they could do. That was when I was allowed to bring him home and I treated him myself. Month later when I called the vet back he was shocked Kaz was still alive. He did another ultrasound that week and called me within hours to say that the masses reduced from 75% to 50% then 6 months later they went to 25% which is where they have stood for last three years. To this day the vet can not explain it hes says the cat should have died and even admitted to me that he thought the medication must have been the reason why.
I keep a close check on this and he get this natural medication every day.

I know that other on this site don't think much of places like Pet Wellbeing but I am 100% certain this liquid saved his life.
I am giving Kaz a similar product for his Blood Sugar. Started this two days ago and I did run this past the vet first. Like the cancer support liquid this also has good reviews.
I have spent days not hours looking into these kind of products I would never put either of my boys in harms way these are my children and I try and do what's best for them.
Looking for remission and hoping this product may help.

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the thing about that product which worries me the most is it specifically says it can interact with insulin and even increase it's impact

Taz would be much better off on just insulin, at least for a while, get him stable yknow. It is dangerous to mix drugs like that. It even says it can cause Hypoglycemia which is super scary and can kill Taz!
 
Think you are looking at something else as it specifically says it does work with insulin. I read all the negative reviews when I first started looking at this product which fell into two main categories. Cat did not like the bacon smell or simply did not work on my cat. The positive reviews were similar to the Cancer Gold that I have been using for three years which has worked for Kaz. I'm not a huge believer in natural medications but I know the other product worked and per the reviews this also has worked to help with remission in some of the users. I monitor him very closely. Right now I am only giving it to him once a day to see if there are side affects and only in the late afternoon when I get home.
I would never endanger either if them. They are trained not to touch each others food and will not touch it unless I tell them they can have it as I don't want Sam getting into any of Kaz's meds.

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read the label though it specifically says it can increase the effect of a blood-sugar reducing med (which is what insulin is) and can cause a hypoglycemic condition. That is super scary.

I wouldn't dare give that to a cat that is also getting insulin injections, way too risky I love my boy too much to take that risk.

it sounds like your mind is already made up though so I'll leave you be.
 
Hendrick's mom and dad said:
read the label though it specifically says it can increase the effect of a blood-sugar reducing med (which is what insulin is) and can cause a hypoglycemic condition. That is super scary.

I wouldn't dare give that to a cat that is also getting insulin injections, way too risky I love my boy too much to take that risk.

it sounds like your mind is already made up though so I'll leave you be.
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Hi Kyle I read the same thing about it , it says
Although, it is very important to monitor blood sugar levels closely when using a supplement, particularly if using with blood-sugar-lowering drugs. Even though the ingredients are herbal, they are surprisingly effective at lowering blood sugar, and you don't want to impact your cat to severely.
Under product description
https://www.amazon.com/Wellbeing-Blood-Sugar-Gold-Cats/dp/B01MUEFQCK
@Hendrick's mom and dad
 
Last edited:
Hi Hendrick you did scary me a bit so I did send an email to the company who do have vets on staff and I did show this to my vet before hand and asked if it was safe and he gave me the go ahead to use it. My only apprehension right now is that I am not testing glucose levels I do however feel comfortable using the product but mat hold back till I get the testing sorted. Again this product got huge number of really positive reviews.
Please know I listen to what ever anyone tells me digest the information do further review myself and then try to make an informed decision that I think is best for me and my boys. I appreciate your wisdom.


Hi Claire

Thank you for reaching out to us with your questions, and concerns.

We can certainly appreciate your apprehension after having heard, and read reviews of other pet owners.

Please bear in mind that reviews are based on one individual's experience with their pet. The circumstances under which the product has been used, or what it may have been used for, can not be verified by our staff.

Blood Sugar Gold is a great supplement to help with managing hyperglycemia, or diabetes as it is better known! The herbs in this blend assist with the digestive process by supporting the pancreas, liver, and bile duct.

When diabetes is present, your pet either is not producing enough insulin, or their body is not utilizing it properly. When the blood sugar levels rise, such as after a meal, insulin is released; this hormone helps the glucose from their food to be converted into energy, and prevents the liver from producing more sugar, while storing what is not used in the muscles and liver for future use - this is what lowers blood sugar levels. It is a complex matter!

Due to this, there is no known replacement for insulin shots or conventional treatment at this time. Our supplement is a secondary support, with the primary being maintaining the appropriate glucose levels with the injections, and a balanced diet. When using both together, the amount of insulin required for your pet's condition may be able to be decreased, or even stopped in some cases. Do ensure to work with your vet in order to determine your individual pet's needs.

Our supplements are formulated by our board of advisors, which is composed of veterinarians who are all conventionally educated, in addition to being knowledgeable in holistic pet treatments. For example, Dr. Janice Huntingford is on the board of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association. They would never use any ingredient which would be considered to be unsafe, or detrimental to the health of pets.

Having said that, the cautions are in place so as to allow the pet parent to make an informed decision as to whether they choose to use our supplement, as well as what to keep in mind with usage in conjunction with conventional treatment, for which there is no replacement.

We hope you find this information helpful.

Best regards
Otis
 
Hello
I know this is probably a stupid question but do the test strips have an expiration date? If I buy 50 strips at a time they cost $50.99 but if I buy in quantity the price drops substantially. I am going to buy the tester kit first I found that cheap at Chewy compared to Amazon. It seem that even though this is the most expensive its the one a lot of members seem to refer to on this site and I don't dare get a human one first till I understand readings.

I tried to set up a spreadsheet but so far I keep failing and I am good with excel and numbers. I was going to ask someone in the office to take a look with me on Monday to see why my brain cells are not comprehending this as I bet its simple.

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[USER=10387]@Claire[/USER] said:
Hello
I know this is probably a stupid question but do the test strips have an expiration date? If I buy 50 strips at a time they cost $50.99 but if I buy in quantity the price drops substantially. I am going to buy the tester kit first I found that cheap at Chewy compared to Amazon. It seem that even though this is the most expensive its the one a lot of members seem to refer to on this site and I don't dare get a human one first till I understand readings.

I tried to set up a spreadsheet but so far I keep failing and I am good with excel and numbers. I was going to ask someone in the office to take a look with me on Monday to see why my brain cells are not comprehending this as I bet its simple.

View attachment 63705
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Hey Claire - not a dumb question. I’m very new at this too. I also use the Alpha Trak. A lot of people here don’t and rely on the human meter and can speak to it better than I can. I like the Alpha Trak because it requires little blood, so I’ve never tried the others. I buy all my test strips on Amazon and I buy two packs at a time. If you start testing, they go very quickly so I like to have at least 100 at all times. The test strips do expire (in like a year), but I promise you will use them in less than a month. I’d buy more than you think you need.

@Bandit's Mom very graciously helped me set up my spreadsheet, I’m sure she can help you too.

I hope that helps and you’re doing great!
 
Thanks Rachel
This helps as I would have to get 1,500 strips this way and I could never use that many in a year.
I did not want to bother anyone with the spreadsheet set up till I exhausted all other options I already feel like I am being a bit of pain asking so many questions.
 
[USER=10387]@Claire[/USER] said:
Thanks Rachel
This helps as I would have to get 1,500 strips this way and I could never use that many in a year.
I did not want to bother anyone with the spreadsheet set up till I exhausted all other options I already feel like I am being a bit of pain asking so many questions.
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You aren’t being a pain! It’s a lot to absorb and sometimes typing everything out doesn’t seem like people are being as nice as opposed to being face to face or on the phone. But I promise you, everyone wants to help here and they have a lot of experience and will help Kaz. Like I said, just take your time to absorb it and go at your own pace. I took over a week to give my cat her first insulin dose because I was so scared. I gathered all my supplies and tiptoed around testing her, and all with the support of people here. You can do it!
 
[USER=10387]@Claire[/USER] said:
Sorry Rachel I do have a follow up question if that's ok. Have you tried these strips they say that they are compatible. They are out of stock on Amazon however I found them at Petsure for $21.95 for 60 which is a lot cheaper than 50 at $50.99 on Amazon.

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I have not tried them. I feel safer using the strips I know work, but it may not hurt to buy one of the regular Alpha Trak strips and one of those and do a comparison. Someone else may have info on them, but I don’t.
 
I just pulled the post you beat me to the reply. After more research yes they are compatible but the manufacture appears to have gone out of business.
 
[USER=10387]@Claire[/USER] said:
I did not want to bother anyone with the spreadsheet set up till I exhausted all other options I already feel like I am being a bit of pain asking so many questions.
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Hi Claire! Welcome to FDMB! :)

I would be happy to set up a spreadsheet for you. It would only take me a minute and it's absolutely no bother. You are not being a pain at all. We have all been where you are and we are happy to as many questions as you have. A diabetes diagnosis can be scary and overwhelming and this is a wonderful support group. I know that I would not have been able to treat Bandit without the help I got here.

You do not need an AT - the strips are pretty expensive. Any human meter is good enough. Most people use the ReliOn from Walmart. Strips are $17.88 for 100.
 
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