Monitoring levels

[Tasha & Darwin]

After some research and reading; I purchased the ReliOn Micro glucometer, and (after a couple practice runs on myself and my partner); took one reading (+4 hrs) on Darwin to see how he was going to handle it - he is VERY resistant to any type of restraint or handling. He did quite well, surprisingly, and probably would have done better if I was a little quicker with the lancet (we'll get there).

However, my question is this. At the moment, he has been free feeding kibble (he is a kibble addict). I'd like to switch him to EVO to start (currently eating Nature's Recipe Grain Free Indoor), and then attempt to transition him to canned - which I am anticipating will take some time (and patience!).

Currently, he is free feeding a set amount throughout the day. I am leery of switching things up too much, and causing him stress, but I'd like to try and get him on twice daily meal feedings so I can get a better idea of how his levels are truly going to be.

I am wondering what is recommended for making this transition. He ate some this morning, and I have now picked up the bowls, and intend to put them down again this evening (at dinner time). If he eats that portion, should I just pick up the bowl overnight and then start over again in the morning? I, obviously want to avoid any type of hypo episode.

I plan to check his BG prior to injections, but am wondering when else I should be checking if he is free feeding?

Sorry for the long post - I am feeling so overwhelmed, and just want to make sure I am doing right by my little guy. It is much easier for me to go over Diabetes with my veterinary clients that to deal with it myself I'd like to get a hang of things this weekend, and get into a routine as I am back to 11 hour days on Monday (though I do come home midday, and have a roommate that is home during the daytime).

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

It's actually better for a diabetic to eat several small meals instead of 2 big ones....the old idea of 2 meals a day was meant more for the older insulins

Just like human diabetics are told to eat several small meals instead of 3 big ones, it works the same for our sugarcats. It doesn't necessarily mean feeding them more, just cutting up their daily calories into more meals.

It's easier for the pancreas to deal with small meals than big ones and kitty is usually a lot happier too!!

We want to take food up for the 2 hours immediately before Pre-shot tests so those tests aren't influenced by food, but between then, it's OK to feed. Some cats do better if they have all their food before nadir (usually around +6) but some cats can eat all the way up to +10 without problems.....as you get more tests in, you'll know what works best for Darwin.

I'd like to invite you over to the Lantus Forum too. Everyone there uses Lantus or Levemir so you'll get the most experienced eyes watching out for you

 

[Clark]

I suspected something was going on with Charlie. Peeing'water drinking. I started feeding grain free wet food. For about three weeks along with dry. She loved it. This is before I got her tested.

Once she was diagnosed I switched her of all dry food. Fancy feast. However, I had to monitor her closely as she went from 2 units to .5 in a week. I have routine now but it took a bit. 1/2 can mornings. Then she grazes in the other half during the day. Another half at night. Then leave the rest out till 6. Wait two hours and test.

Im new just wanted to share my experience.

 

[Tasha & Darwin]

It's actually better for a diabetic to eat several small meals instead of 2 big ones....the old idea of 2 meals a day was meant more for the older insulins

I like this idea, I'm just worried about the days when I do work. Typically, we get an hour lunch and I can come home for that. So I could potentially feed morning, lunch, after work, evening. BUT, sometimes we don't get that lunch, and I worry that'll set him up to need that midday meal. I might be able to get my roommate to feed that if I have it ready - I may have to do some planning for this.

We want to take food up for the 2 hours immediately before Pre-shot tests so those tests aren't influenced by food, but between then, it's OK to feed. Some cats do better if they have all their food before nadir (usually around +6) but some cats can eat all the way up to +10 without problems.....as you get more tests in, you'll know what works best for Darwin.

I need to read more about when to feed, test, inject, etc. We usually don't teach people to home monitor at the vet I work at (although, if I get it down that may change!). Does this mean I do not feed him just before giving insulin? Or I need to test him before he eats in the morning, and then feed/insulin two hours later?

I'd like to invite you over to the Lantus Forum too. Everyone there uses Lantus or Levemir so you'll get the most experienced eyes watching out for you

I have just bookmarked it and started to read through things! Yay!

 

[Tasha & Darwin]

I suspected something was going on with Charlie. Peeing'water drinking. I started feeding grain free wet food. For about three weeks along with dry. She loved it. This is before I got her tested.

Once she was diagnosed I switched her of all dry food. Fancy feast. However, I had to monitor her closely as she went from 2 units to .5 in a week. I have routine now but it took a bit. 1/2 can mornings. Then she grazes in the other half during the day. Another half at night. Then leave the rest out till 6. Wait two hours and test.

Im new just wanted to share my experience.

Thank you! It's going to take a bit for me to figure all of this out!

 

[Sharon14]

Hi Tasha
Many here use timed feeders to deliver food when they are away or asleep. Since you have other kitties, you may need to separate him or work something out.

For testing, we do not feed 2hours before the preshot (PS) test, then test, feed and give the shot. After that, Darwin can eat throughout the day and just no food 2 hours before the next PS test.

 

[Yong & Maury GA]

Some use "catfoodsicles". Add some water to wet food and freeze portions in an ice tray. Pop a couple out when you leave and they thaw out in a couple hours (obviously temperature can be a factor ).

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

I need to read more about when to feed, test, inject, etc. We usually don't teach people to home monitor at the vet I work at (although, if I get it down that may change!). Does this mean I do not feed him just before giving insulin? Or I need to test him before he eats in the morning, and then feed/insulin two hours later?

You Test/Feed/Shoot....all within about 5-10 minutes....You Test (to make sure they're high enough for insulin at all), Feed (to make sure they're at least willing to eat) and Shoot (usually while their head's in the food bowl)

With Lantus, it's not necessary that they eat a certain amount before shooting, just that they're willing to eat....the "onset of action" is usually 2-3 hours after the shot, so you have that time to get them to eat their normal meal.

So if you usually shoot at 6am/6pm, you don't want him to eat anything after 4am/4pm (so when you test, it's without the influence of food)

 

[Tasha & Darwin]

You Test/Feed/Shoot....all within about 5-10 minutes....You Test (to make sure they're high enough for insulin at all), Feed (to make sure they're at least willing to eat) and Shoot (usually while their head's in the food bowl)

With Lantus, it's not necessary that they eat a certain amount before shooting, just that they're willing to eat....the "onset of action" is usually 2-3 hours after the shot, so you have that time to get them to eat their normal meal.

So if you usually shoot at 6am/6pm, you don't want him to eat anything after 4am/4pm (so when you test, it's without the influence of food)

This helps A LOT, thanks!! I spent a long time reading tons of information today, and I feel a lot more comfortable with things. And, by some miracle and despite my doubts, Darwin did great for everything today!

I fed him a small amount midday, and then picked up food for 2 hours prior to testing. I tried testing him on the table (versus the floor), and it went absolutely perfectly. I then offered him dinner, which he promptly ate, and he got his shot.

I am feeling much less stressed tonight than I was this morning...and I plan to test again before bed (+2 after PM shot) to see where he stands.

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

I tried testing him on the table (versus the floor), and it went absolutely perfectly.

Probably because he's not used to having you put him on the table...usually we're shoo'ing them off!!

One of the reasons a lot of animals act so much more timid at vets offices is because they're up on a table where they're not use to being....kind of the "Whoa...wait a minute...what am I doing up here???" reaction