Luci

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bitterham

Member Since 2016
My 12 year old cat, Luci, had to have a dental cleaning and extractions done. Her blood work indicated that she is diabetic. The vet prescribed Glargine Insulin - 2 units after a meal. I was to take her back a week after her dental work so they could instruct me on how to give her the insulin.
Since she was recovering from dental extractions, I took this opportunity to take her off of dry food and she has been eating FF Classics for the past week.
Today I went to see her vet and discuss any additional testing to be done and to ask about home testing. I was told they wouldn't do any other testing until her Fructosamine test in a month. The vet said Luci had glucose in her urine indicating the high level in her blood was due to diabetes and not stress. I was also told it was too difficult to do home testing and that I was to just administer the insulin as prescribed. If she had seizures, I was to bring her in.
I asked about controlling the diabetes with diet and was told she could be put on a diet but she would still need insulin. That wasn't what I was asking but at that point I was getting frustrated.
I am going to find a new vet who is willing to help me learn to treat Luci. She seems to be doing fine, not drinking as much water, she is eating approx 3 cans of FF a day, purring, and wanting attention. She is not on insulin yet.
I want to get a meter to start testing her but am not sure which one. That way I can start testing while trying to find a new vet. Any suggestions on which meter to get? Any listings on vets who specialize in diabetic cats?

Thank you for reading through this - any and all suggestions are appreciated.

Jo Ann
 
A popular meter is the Walmart Confirm or Micro Confirm. The test strips are relatively inexpensive.
Here is a link to home testing blood sugarshttp://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/hometesting-links-and-tips.287/
Most of us here test or cats blood glucose at home using a human meter. We test before each shot and periodically between shots. We record our reading and other info in a spreadsheet. See:
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/fdmb-spreadsheet-instructions.130337/


Since you change to low-carb canned I would quickly start to home test since 2 units may now be too much. Also, after the dental insulin needs may be reduced too.

If you like your vet they do not seem to be that bad since they really do not say do not home test. Maybe you can teach your vet about home testing.
 
I agree you should start testing as soon as possible. The diet change and the dental may have dropped her glucose levels significantly. Pain and infection can also raise BG levels in addition to a high carb diet. Luci's insulin dose may need to be deceased.
 
Home testing is really important. You want to prevent seizures. If that happens it's to much insulin. What if it's when your vet isn't open? I'd question whether to stay with that vet, if I was told that.
 
Luci is not currently on insulin. I didn't want to start her on it until I was comfortable with her diagnosis but her current vet is very opposed to home testing, didn't even bring up Luci's diet, and didn't want to retest. So I am on my way to get a monitor to test her myself.
 
bitterham said:
Luci is not currently on insulin. I didn't want to start her on it until I was comfortable with her diagnosis but her current vet is very opposed to home testing, didn't even bring up Luci's diet, and didn't want to retest. So I am on my way to get a monitor to test her myself.
Click to expand...

Great! When you get your meter, if you need help learning to test just post and we will be glad to help you!
 
I purchased the ReliOn Micro meter. I managed to prick Luci's ear and do our first home test! This was done about an hour and a half after she had her dinner and her glucose was 289. I have no idea if that is good or bad but I know it is a lot lower than her test at the vet's office. That one was 458 after fasting. I am going to continue to test her a couple of times a day, noting when she eats so I can present it to her next vet. Thank you all for you help and I am sure I will have many more questions.
 
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bitterham said:
I purchased the ReliOn Micro meter. I managed to prick Luci's ear and do our first home test! This was done about an hour and a half after she had her dinner and her glucose was 289. I have no idea if that is good or bad but I know it is a lot lower than her test at the vet's office. That one was 458 after fasting. I am going to continue to test her a couple of times a day, noting when she eats so I can present it to her next vet. Thank you all for you help and I am sure I will have many more questions.
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Congratulations on your first successful home test
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The test you did could very well still be food influenced so that is a much better number than you were seeing at the vets. Since you haven't started insulin yet a good testing regime would be before Luci's meal in the morning and then again about 3 hours after. If you can do the same at suppertime...2 hours before feeding and then again about 3 hours after feeding you will have some good data as to what is happening. That will tell how well Luci's body is controlling the glucose levels on her own. The switch to a low carb wet food can have a big effect with many kitties. She may end up needing insulin but the dose may be lower than what was suggested.
 
bitterham said:
The vet said Luci had glucose in her urine indicating the high level in her blood was due to diabetes and not stress. I was also told it was too difficult to do home testing and that I was to just administer the insulin as prescribed. If she had seizures, I was to bring her in.
Click to expand...


I needed to comment on this VERY ignorant statement your vet made. Home testing is NOT difficult and can save lives. Your vet said if your kitty was having seizures to bring her in. A few weeks back another member had her kitty go hypo after the first shot and the kitty unfortunately did not survive. By the time a kitty is having seizures it is an emergency situation ( which can happen at any time of the day or night whether you vet is open or not) and would require a visit to the ER. This can be deadly and at the least very expensive.

Good for you for taking the initiative to start home testing even before Luci starts on insulin. :bighug:
 
Tuxedo Mom said:
I needed to comment on this VERY ignorant statement your vet made. Home testing is NOT difficult and can save lives. Your vet said if your kitty was having seizures to bring her in. A few weeks back another member had her kitty go hypo after the first shot and the kitty unfortunately did not survive. By the time a kitty is having seizures it is an emergency situation ( which can happen at any time of the day or night whether you vet is open or not) and would require a visit to the ER. This can be deadly and at the least very expensive.

Good for you for taking the initiative to start home testing even before Luci starts on insulin. :bighug:
Click to expand...

I was very frustrated with this vet and their entire clinic. I did not understand how they could prescribe anything based on one blood test. ONE! They had me fill a prescription and I was to bring it in and just start on the insulin @ two units after a meal. It didn't seem like a good idea. I am very glad I found this board and am very relieved that I did not follow their advice.
 
bitterham said:
I was very frustrated with this vet and their entire clinic. I did not understand how they could prescribe anything based on one blood test. ONE! They had me fill a prescription and I was to bring it in and just start on the insulin @ two units after a meal. It didn't seem like a good idea. I am very glad I found this board and am very relieved that I did not follow their advice.
Click to expand...


Unfortunately many vets are not well trained in feline diabetes. Since they deal with many different diseases they are not specialist in any one. When a person is diagnosed with diabetes they see a specialist and are told to test before each shot and at intervals during the day. The same rules should apply to any living being diagnosed with diabetes. You are doing all the right things for your Luci and the wonderful people on this site will be here to help you out as you go along. These are people that deal with feline diabetes 24/7.... 365 days a year. :bighug:
 
Hi Jo Ann, and welcome to you and Luci Fur (great name!). :)

bitterham said:
I was also told [...] that I was to just administer the insulin as prescribed. If she had seizures, I was to bring her in.
Click to expand...
I, too, am utterly appalled by the clinical ignorance your vet manifested through this comment. Well done you for taking matters into your own hands. And happy new vet hunting! :)


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