Loose Lips: Question Those That Work & Have A Diabetic

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Angela & Blackie & 3 Others

Angela & Blackie & 3 Others

Member Since 2010
Just recently, I'm starting to get a call here and there for employment opportunities, which is great since I haven't been working for about 20 years now. I'm looking forward to going back into the workforce, however, I'm scared to death since Blackie is diabetic, and I'm concerned that she would plummet if I'm not here. Not to mention, I do have other indoor cats that I have to consider when I feed Blackie, and them.

If you have multiple indoor cats that eat a different food, how do you do it? Do you separate them from the diabetic kitty during the day?

Any and all details would be welcome. We really need a 2nd income right now, but I also need to know how to go about doing this so that I don't turn down a nice opportunity. Thank you in advance.
 
I have my two kitties and they both eat the same food which makes things a bit easier.

In a sense, I'm lucky in that Gabby has an early nadir and I have a little flexibility with my schedule. I set shot time so I can get tests to +3 (and sometimes a bit later). That gives me the cushion I need to make sure Gabby's numbers are in a safe zone. And then, I rush home in the evening for the PM shot. I also leave food in a timed feeder. I have to admit, I think Gizmo eats the food and Gabby sleeps!
 
I have 2 cats (1 FD) and work full time. I have days with no tests between AMPS and PMPS, but so far I haven't had low AMPS that worried me; he tends to be highest then. Plus it looks like Sweetie's liver is very strong :lol: he always bounces up from a low BG.

Now that I have an auto feeder, I've been putting the civie Flynn outside in the AM after he eats his normal sized meal so that Sweetie won't have competition for the mini meals while I'm at work. Both kitties are hoovers, not grazers which helps. They eat pretty much the same food, 100% canned though I'll give Flynn more Friskies (7-8% carb and cheaper) and save the FF (3-5%) for Sweetie.

I try to fill in the morning cycle hours on days off and weekends, and am often surprised that he doesn't drop in that cycle like he does in the PM cycle. The new auto feeder may help to even things out.

It is always a work in progress I guess! :-D
 
I was working full time with both Cyclone and Salem, and with an 8 1/2 hour workday plus an hour commute each way I didn't have the option of a meaningful spot check before leaving in the morning. All my cats ate low carb and I left frozen snacks. I got my spot checks in the evenings and weekends, was a little conservative on dosing, and if there was a low amps and I couldn't take time off for a +3 and +4 I'd reduce or skip. Not ideal, but we all do what we can.
 
They made a feeders that comes with collars and only the cat that matches will the feeder open to,it calls there name at feeding time,If I leave I freeze food and leave it out for them I have 4.So it will defrost i a few hours then they can eat.Hope this helps.
 
I have a multi-cat house (7 kitties) and have to keep half of the cats separated while I am at work. The others eat dry and wet food. I have not been able to get them to only eat wet food. All of my cats are indoor only cats, co I can't put any outside during the day. I don't work close enough to home to be able to come home during lunch and check on Furball. I've started getting up earlier and getting a +10.25 test to let me know if she is rising or falling at AMPS. This, plus the data I've already got on her, helps me know if I need to reduce a dose or skip a dose. This also tells me whether or not I need to leave extra food out. An automatic feeder won't work for me with all of the cats I have. I also get home early enough that I can get a +10.5 so I can tell if she is rising or falling at PMPS. A work schedule can be worked around, but it does take planning.
 
I have an autofeeder, but Blackie can easily break into it. It's a 2 compartment PetSafe, and I have 2 of them screwed to a board so that it wouldn't tip open. Where can I find that name-calling feeder?

With Blackie, I would need to keep her separated from the others during the day. Otherwise, if I put an auto feeder out, and it pops open, the others (especially Groucho and Tiny) would get her food, and she wouldn't eat.
 
That feeder-collar system of Lucky's sounds pretty cool! My new feeder does a have a feature to record yourself calling your kitty though I haven't used it yet. Here is a link to the QPet Auto Feeder 4 meals with recorder

Sweetie hasn't broken into it yet, but then I haven't had it very long - 3 days.
 
I've just talked to my hubby about the QPet Automatic Feeder, and I'd like to get it. Thank you for sharing that link. :-D Unfortunately, I'd have to keep her separated regardless so that she can get the food, and not the others.
 
Well, I'm torn now. I've read the reviews, mostly the bad ones, and I'm not sure at this point if we should try another feeder. I have the 2 compartment ones (2 of them), which are attached to a piece of board, and I'm wondering if I should try making catsicles, and then put them in there, and securing her in a room with a box, of course, and some water, for the day. The unfortunate thing is... I won't be able to get home during the day to test her. I really need to get a job, however, on the other hand... Would doing so at this time be jeopardizing her health...?
 
I googled and found a link to a feeder using the RFID technology: gatefeeder.com

Cool, but way more expensive than the other feeders. Wag says that the Cat Mate C50 is not available currently, but I did see it on Amazon back when I was choosing which to use.

For those who are technically inclined, I found this link to build your own RFID cat feeder system: http://www.instructables.com/id/RFID-pet-feeder/.

Another expensive but interesting product which can be used to keep litter boxes from droolers or as a private feeding box: http://meowspace.biz/

Also, http://www.idbowl.com/ says they will have a new improved product in fall of 2013.

The ONLY one I have any experience with is the QPet one in my previous post though, and that is only a few days worth.
 
There is a spot inside the QPet feeder that could hold an icepack, but I haven't been using it. Marje said that canned food can be left out 12 hours without going bad. The latest I've set my feeder is under +6 and my kitty doesn't mind that at all.

I also read all of the bad reviews and hesitated buying for a month, but then since Sweetie's numbers just weren't leveling out I figured I had to try something!

In my opinion, taking care of the whole family (which includes the sugarcat) by earning a living takes priority over getting lots of BG tests during the day. Plus I don't have a choice as a single mom ;-) .
 
Blackie is on a feeding schedule of PS, +1, +2, and +3, then no food for 9 hours after that. So, leaving the food out for that long isn't a problem as it'll be gone by then anyway, especially with a food-a-holic such as herself. :lol:
 
Angela & Blackie & 7 Others said:
I won't be able to get home during the day to test her. I really need to get a job, however, on the other hand... Would doing so at this time be jeopardizing her health...?
Click to expand...

I second Sienne's suggestion - if you can set shot time to be about 3 hours before you leave for work, you'll still get the +3s that you have been taking and that should give you a good idea of how the rest of the cycle will be. Then give the PM shot as soon as you get home, and get tests later in the PM cycle as needed.

Oh and I am in awe of what a beautiful page of blues and greens your spreadsheet is!! Sooooo jealous!!
 
I think you just need to work out a scheduled to suit Blackie & your job. It's not that serious, Ann & worth a try. Blackie's been doing very well & since she has a great appy, no problem with leaving out food for her. Isolating her in another room is a better idea if you are not there to 'guard her food' :lol:
Good luck with your new job!
 
I haven't gotten a job... Yet. :lol: I'm sure that it'll happen in August or thereafter after these 2 upcoming vacations (the first being an Alaskan cruise which is paid for by DH's company as a 20+ year anniversary gift, and the 2nd one is a week in WI visiting my inlaws in a cabin that they've rented).

I think securing her in room with some catsicles will work better. I may need to adjust her shot time, but won't know that until I land a job, and know what the hours will be. I'm excited, and on the other hand apprehensive.
 
Yes the one I posted had Ice packs which I thought was a good Idea.Which was a Qpet, Wag is a good site they also show how to make one I had found one the door open and the cat goes inside a box, mine wont go in a box that open they will feel trapped I think.MOL RFID"s are pricey maybe they will go down.haven't looked on Overstock yet
 
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