More Questions - New to my Cat Having Diabetes on 1-8-11

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judy

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Hi,
This is my second posting about my Annie.... I have more questions. When I give my cat her shot (1 unit once a day for now) in the morning after she eats does someone need to be with her for 24 hours now to she how she is doing??? I work and my husband works, so is she going to be okay or do I need to hire someome to kitty sit???? I am so confused and scared. I just started to read all the information in the frequent questions. I did sign up to get a newbie kit, and I want to learn how to home test. I went out toay and bought some fancy feast classic food and some wellness canned food. I gave my Annie the kitten wellness and she seemed to really like it.
When I do learn to test (if I don't pass out) what does the reading have to be??? Do we have to test everytime she eats??
Thank you,
Judy and Annie
 
If she is eating well, I think you are probably safe at 1unit 1x/day.

When you get your testing equipment, you can start fine-tuning the
process.

You test before every SHOT, not before eating necessarily, because she
will probably eat several times per day, especially if you leave the food out.

For beginners, we usually recommend that if the BG test before the shot (we call
that the pre-shot number), is below 200, then don't give insulin.

You can always come here for advice.

I recommend you go over to the insulin support group for Lantus, and read all
their sticky postings at the top of the forum.

Go here:

viewforum.php?f=9
 
Many of us work or go to school. I have my shot schedule set up so I'm home in the AM to monitor for a few hours because I have a kitty who like to drop fast early in the cycle. Some people will make a mad dash home during the day. Having a diabetic cat does not mean that you can't have a life. The only time I use a petsitter is when I'm traveling.
 
Hi Judy,

Generally no one needs to be around to watch your cat. 1 unit is a good starting dose, but most insulins require giving a shot twice a day. What insulin are you giving Annie?

I am glad you want to learn to hometest. That is the best way of determining when it is safe to give insulin. For newbies, we recommend not giving insulin unless the reading is 200 or higher. As you become more familiar with how Annie responds to her current dose by doing your own curves, you will be able to lower that number. But until then, use the 200 + reading as your reading to give insulin.

You want to test before every shot. This test is done before feeding. The recommend order is to test, feed then shoot.

Don't worry if the first few tests are not successful. This is normal while someone is learning to test. Also, sometimes a cat's ears need to learn to bleed. Once you get your kit let us know and we can share some helpful hints that will make testing easier.

Don't worry about asking us any question, even if you think it may be not important or silly. We have all been where you are right now and we are here to help you. Looking forward to have you joining the vampire club when you do your first test. :mrgreen:
 
Lisa and Witn (GA) said:
Hi Judy,

Generally no one needs to be around to watch your cat. 1 unit is a good starting dose, but most insulins require giving a shot twice a day. What insulin are you giving Annie?
Click to expand...

I think it's Lantus....Judy please confirm for us what insulin you are using.
 
Sorry yes it is Lantus that I am giving her. I feel so guilty that I did this to her by giving her the hard food, I have been crying that she is sick now!!!
 
Judy you are guilty of nothing other than loving your kitty. Please do not blame yourself. We all come here very upset.
Once you start testing you will be feeling much more empowered. We do not need to watch our kitties 24/7. Your testing will let you know how his cycle goes and will free you up.
Please just love your kitty and do not regret what you did not know.
You are with cat lovers who want nothing more than to help you each step of the way.
Pm me with any questions you may have about your kit when it arrives.
Lori
 
You weren't the first and you won't be the last. My vet insisted I feed my overweight cat his prescription-only weight loss (dry) food for years. Two years later, he became diabetic - why, you ask? Because this super weight-loss food was, in fact, 37% carbs, with an ingredient list full of crap. Why would we not trust out vets? When folks like Iams talk up their healthy recipes, we have no reason not to believe it...

Better late than never, Judy, and you can get your cat back to a place of health and happiness.

Lantus is a great insulin; and that combined with a diet of low-carb canned food will do wonders for your cat.
judy said:
Sorry yes it is Lantus that I am giving her. I feel so guilty that I did this to her by giving her the hard food, I have been crying that she is sick now!!!
Click to expand...
 
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