My 14 year old baby just diagnosed.... Please help

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eeraby

eeraby

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Thank you all so much for being here!

Bud Bud's level was 481 when we tested her Monday. Just about as bad as the shock of her diagnosis was the shock of what the vet wanted for the meter and strips... $230? . . for a PBGM made just for cats. From what I've read here, the Walmart relion works very well so I purchased one today. $30 for the meter, lancets and 100 strips.

My vet is very against the Relion and says the only reliable human meters that work well for cats are the Bayer ones. I told him that I found out about the Relion from your site and he said info from "laymen" was not as reliable as from a vet. :o My idea was to take the Relion in when we do her first insulin shot on Friday and compare it to his meter. The Bayer strips are 3 to 4 times more expensive.

I'm of the opinion that "laymen" that live with this day in and out probably know at least as much as the vet and what does work and what doesn't. Does anyone have any experience comparing the same blood sample with the vet's meter and the Relion? Would really appreciate it!

BTW... he is prescribing ProZinc

I am sure I'll have a lot more questions and panic in the next few months and I am so very grateful to you all for being here with support and advice. Your site has been a God send for me and I've only scratched the surface.

I'm really frightened about all this..
 
Welcome! I hope it will help to know we all felt the same way. It is a steep learning curve and you can find lots of information here. The good news is that diabetes is a very treatable disease.

You are right about the meter and taking it with you to the vet is a great idea.

PZI is a good, mild insulin. Be sure he starts with a nice low dose like .5 or one unit twice a day.

We may be laymen, but the protocol we advocate of wet lo carb food, hometesting and insulin have led hundreds of cats to regulation and often remission.
 
Welcome to the family!

Yeah we may be laymen, but your right we do live with this day in and day out. I personally use a Relion meter for my boy Max it works great. Nice size, easy to read, small amount of blood needed. Haven't had a change to compare it to the one at the vet's since we haven't had to go there yet. I adopted Max as a diabetic from this board and a week after he came home he went into remission so he hasn't even seen his new vet yet. They have all his paperwork that I got with him, but still haven't laid eyes on him.

We were all right where you are now when we first stumbled in here, scared to death and in a complete panic...So I will give you the very first piece of advice a wise lady gave me here....BREATHE!!!!! :-D

It really is going to be Okay! It is a steep learning curve but none of it is really hard. Frustrating, confusing, scary..yep but not terribly hard.

Love the fact that you are already looking into home testing, it is the best thing you can do to keep your guy safe. Taking the meter with you to the vet's is a great idea. Even if the numbers don't match exactly they should be within about 20% and at least you will know where your meter reads in comparison.

Can't give you any real advice on PZI as my Max was a Lantus boy, but if you haven't yet, wander over to the PZI insulin support group, say hi and read the stickies. They are a friendly bunch and can give you tons of info on your specific insulin ( they all are just a little different and act a little differently) . Of course you are always welcome to post here too, sometimes here can get the quickest answer as I just about all of us wander in here.

Couple of things that will help to keep a few bucks in your wallet...You don't need any expensive prescription cat food, there is plenty out there in the commercial market that is cheaper, with better quality ingredients and your cat will probably like better. My guy is doing just fine on Friskies & 9-lives pate flavors from Binky's list (I'm sure some one will give you the link). I just keep him on those flavors that are 8% or below on the carbs. I have 10 cats, 1 is a diabetic but all eat the exact same thing, and even the non-diabetics have benefitted from the diet change, so if you have more than one cat, everyone is fine eating what the diabetic eats. And since you are going to be home testing, then you can do your own curves, you are going to get truer numbers as just about all kitties are stressed at the vet's and stress will raise BG numbers.

And best thing about finding us is we are all here to hold your hand and paw along the way. Got a problem, just shout someone has been there and done that, and can offer help.

If it helps at all if this wasn't such an easy disease to treat, do you really think I would have willingly adopted another diabetic after my first girl passed away (not from diabetes)? Remember I already had 9...lol

Mel & Max
 
I bought three different meters when my cat was diagnosed....they all measured samples within ten points of each other. I ended up using the freestyle lite meter because it takes a smaller sample and is easier for me to use. I think what your vet said is absurd. If only Bayer meters are reliable then millions of human diabetics, hospitals and skilled nursing facilities are wrong! Maybe your vet has some stock in Bayer or has a bunch of their meter kits he needs to sell! Anyways welcome to the board. Do your own research and you may get some good info. From these "lay" people your vet warned you about!
 
Dear eeraby, and, of course, you too, sweet Bud Bud,

I think you're both incredibly brave and bright! This comes from a laywoman who has done the sugar dance for many years...

Giz was diagnosed at 14 as well. She celebrated her 18th Birthday! It was not diabetes that took her; she simply decided her work here was done...

I also took my meter to compare it with her vet's. She did the whole leg blood draw and I just suddenly whipped out my meter, stuck in a strip, and asked for a bead of blood. The vet looked astonished! I said, I'm only asking for a bead. She put that precious bead on the table. It's been a while, but I think her meter read 497 and mine read 489. She then accepted all the pages of meter readings I gave her; and, Giz never got that leg blood draw again.

Bud Bud is going to need his vet. That doesn't mean that you can't patiently train him -- the vet, not Bud Bud...

Welcome to the place you never wanted to be, but are blessed to have found, kind of hugs,
Deb and Nikki, my extra-sweet rescue furry -- and Giz, forever whispering in my heart...
 
PS: Dear eeraby, it's okay to be scared. Been there, done that, owned it...

Did I mention that I think you're incredibly brave and bright! I do.

Hugs,
Deb
 
Thank you ALL! Indeed, the place I never wanted to be, but am blessed to have found! I very much appreciate you all taking the time to reply.

So, even if a PBGM is 20% off, it is still accurate enough to use?
I feel I really must home test her.

I've four other 'babies".. 15 year old cat, a Golden Retreiver that can barely walk, a mixed breed dog who is developing hip problems and a grand dog with skin issues... if there's any way the less expensive stips will work, I've got to try them. Ya'll know what kind of vet bills I can run up!

I'm sure you know scared I am to have to draw blood and inject her. When they drew blood Monday, they stuck a huge needle in her ear and it just kept on bleeding. I finally asked them to put some powder on it to stop it. And I spent the 30 minutes in there on the verge of passing out. Even though I have been giving all 5 their vacines (and Priss, our cat we lost last year) I always got very faint doing it. Had to quit trimming the dogs' nails because every time I cut too short and they bled, close to fainting again. Any ideas on how to over come this? It only happens with those I love.. other blood doesn't bother me.

I have found the wet food chart and have switch to those that are 9 or less carbs.. (she and Itty Bitty have always been on dry, free feed) Made a spreadsheet of only those and am systimatically feeding one of each kind to see what she'll eat. Currently running through the Friskies and will then do the 9 lives. Bless those that put this chart together!!!! I can't imagine trying to help Bud Bud with out it.

If I don't respond to your replies quickly, please know that I read and greatly appreciate every one of you that have taken time to help us out. I am working 6 to 7 days a week now through Christmas.

Bless you all for being here for us. HUGS
 
The Relion meter will work just fine, 20% one way or the other really doesn't matter a whole lot and it gets more accurate the closer you are to the low end. Really all you are using it for is to see how the insulin is working and that Bud Bud is high enough to safely give insulin.

One other thing you will like is that it only takes a very little blood sample. And just hold a small amount of pressure on the ear and it will stop bleeding. Its easy it really is.

Mel & Max
 
Just keep asking questions and trusting yourself. We'll help when you are here.

You do need to set up some kind of a schedule that you can test before each morning and evening shot - to be sure it is, in fact, safe to give insulin. And it is important to get some kind of a mid cycle reading - usually somewhere around the 6 hour mark. That is the nadir, or the lowest point the insulin takes the kitty. You can take that one at night, if your work schedule is hectic, 6 hours after your evening shot. It is important to know the nadir; it is the real indication of how the insulin is working.

We use lancets - just like human diabetics - to get the blood glucose readings. Needles make too big a hole and can result in a torn ear. You can buy the lancets and a lancet device at the drug store. We usually suggest 25 -26 gauge for new diabetics. It makes a bigger hole until the ear "learns to bleed".

We have lots of tricks to help you. And it may take a while at first - it took us a whole weekend of poking Oliver to get a drop. Here is a video: Video for hometesting and a good beginning site: Newbie hometesting site And here is a list of what you will need:

A human glucometer. Any one that sips and takes a tiny sample is fine. The meters are often free at drug stores; it’s the strips that are expensive. You can, however, buy them on ebay at less than half the price of stores. Lots of people here also like the ReliOn from Walmart. It is an inexpensive meter and its strips are the cheapest around.

Lancets and a lancet device. Usually, until the ears “learn” to bleed, a 25-26 gauge is good. Any type will work.

Ketone strips. (Ketostix) Just like human diabetics use. You will sometimes need to test urine if the numbers are high.

Rice sack. Make this out of thinnish sock, filled with raw rice or oatmeal and then knotted. You heat this in the microwave until very warm but not hot. Then heat the ears before poking.

Also nice to have. Flashlight: so you can look at the ears and find the little capillaries that come off the vein running down the ear. Vaseline: Put a tiny smear where you want to poke. It will help the blood bead up.

If you are not able to come on often, we will answer your questions and be encouraging and you can read our volumes when you come on. They may be down toward the bottom of the page, but they will be there!
 
I have had a total of 4 diabetic cats and with three of them I have used the Relion meter. So far, none of my cats have ever become hypoglycemic, their diatetes has always been under control and my vet agrees with me when I change my doses based on my testing. In fact, for my first diabetic cat, my vet's office gave me a human glucose meter for hometesting. They also accept my donation of meters to give to their other patients.
 
eeraby said:
... So, even if a PBGM is 20% off, it is still accurate enough to use? ...

... I always got very faint doing it.

... I have found the wet food chart and have switch to those that are 9 or less carbs..
Click to expand...

A range of + or - 20% generally isn't enough to change what you're going to do.
ex
100 -> 80 - 120 a normal range
200 -> 160 - 240 normal to slightly high
etc.

When you feel faint, tighten your abdominal muscles. This puts pressure on the aorta and keeps the blood going to your brain.

ARE YOU GIVING INSULIN ???? ARE YOU TESTING ??? You say you just made a food change; this can drastically reduce the insulin requirements and if you are giving insulin and not testing, you won't know how to adjust the dose and you might overdose the cat!!!
 
Dear eeraby -- Sorry, sweet Bud Bud, but this is parental talk so just please find a sun spot and don't listen...

Okay, so when Giz was first diagnosed and I was a complete wreck, her vet asked me, "Why the tears? Can you give two shots a day?" Immediately said YES! Totally forgot I was needle-phobic since childhood... Somehow got those first important shots into her -- really shaking... Okay, and crying...

Then, somehow discovered that a certain potholder when folded, bore a remarkable resemblance to Giz's scruff... Practiced shooting that potholder after every shot. Within two weeks had a fairly smooth and swift delivery. Thankfully for us both! Darling eeraby (really wish I knew your name...), far more educated people in the sugar dance trenches here, suggested practicing on oranges, but I kept eating them, thus the potholder... Just do whatever works for you and sweet Bud Bud.

I confess it took me a while and a couple of glasses of chardonney to actually prick her precious ear... (Did I mention her nicknames were Cujo, Gizzie Blair, and the Spawn of Satan -- and, hearing the theme from Jaws...?) My humble suggestion is that you do not wait one month and 28 days, as I did... You are very bright and very brave. You can do this. And, if it helps, I do believe in you and Bud Bud. We all do.

Much love and channel your fears into strength kind of continued welcoming hugs where you and Bud Bud are held close,
Deb and Nikki -- and Giz, forever aka Cujo, Gizzie Blair, and the Spawn of Satan, in my heart...
 
*********************** SUCCESS!!!!!! ******************* .... thanks to all of you encouraging me!

Bud Bud was a purrrrrrrrfect angel! Wasn't shaky, nor faint and just the tiniest drop of blood and the meter worked fine. was 300. This was about 2.5 hours after she was fed. (hubby had me do his and I did mine too!) Helped to see that it doesn't hurt her at all. She didn't even flinch! Only took 3 tries. All of you kind folks: Would NOT have been so smooth with out all of you here. "Thank you" just doesn't express my emense gratitude.

Lisa - Thanks for the info on the Relion. I'm just telling the vet tomorrow that it's either this meter or we won't be doing the testing. (I'll try to not allienate him ;-) )

BJM - We have not started insulin yet. I go in tomorrow. Will test with vet's PBGM and the Relion and compare, then feed and then shoot. I am leaving her there until 1:00 to insure that the dose does not affect her adversely and to get another reading @ 6 hours with both meters. I started the wet food Monday. She's always eaten dry. We have another cat, Itty Bitty, that can't eat wet. She throws up. We've only found 1 type of dry that she can tolerate so we are working on keeping the 2 foods and 2 cats separate! Going pretty well, too :D

BTW.... I'm Beth and it's a REAL PLEASURE meeting all of ya'll!

Thanks again, folks, for the encouragement and fantastic advice. I'll try to post again tomorrow night with the results of the vet visit and the readings.

Ya'll *are* the best!
 
Fantastic! :RAHCAT :RAHCAT Welcome to the Vampire club! (Secret handshake coming later in the mail.)

It sounds like you have a good plan for tomorrow. 300 isn't a terribly high number so be sure they start on a low dose. The numbers at the vet may be higher - stress raises blood glucose levels and most kitties are stressed at the vet with the strange noises, smells and people. But your number at home will be the most reliable and the one to base the dose on.
 
Sue and Oliver - Thanks for the list! Got all the supplies together before we started. We used the flashlight to see the vein. I had been rubbing her in my lap for a bit and her ears were nice and warm - didn't need the sock but had it on standby. I found it helped to put her ear *on* the flashlight (that was the 3rd try). I'm sure that I won't have to do that for long, just until I get the hang of it. Thank you so much!
 
Deb415andNikki - Thanks for the post about how it went for ya'll. I was feeling like an aweful mom because it had been 10 days since we found out and I'd not started her on insulin yet. I was out of town working when hubby found out and called. I had been away the previous week, and when I came home, I'd noticed that Bud Bud was thinner than she had been. I don't know that I would have picked up on it as quickly had I not been traveling so much. Thank you!
 
Mel & Max - thanks ya'll :D

Sue... the needle they used at the vet's really was a needle! I could even see the hole in it with out my glasses. Don't know why they didn't use a lancet. and BLOOD was every where for about 10 minutes until I got them to put the powder on it. A much better experience with the lancet!
 
Woohoo! Congrats on passing your entrance exam for Vampire Club!! :thumbup
You got over a major hurdle...it is very rare that newbies get blood on the first try! It usually takes a couple of days to get it down. So give yourself a pat on the back. Your doing fantastic! flip_cat

Mel & Max
 
You may want to get a friend or someone to help you test the first few times. When people have phobias or are newbies to something using the buddy system often reduces beginning jitters. Many people who eventually become nurses or med. Techs were also originally blood or needle phobic. To get the hang of the lancet device and using a meter I practiced on myself first....my fingers were sore for a few days LOL

If you feel like you need some in person help you could post the general area you live in and if another board member lives in the area they could contact you private message. Hang in there you and Bud Bud are off to a good start.
 
Dear Beth (and thank you so much for sharing your name!), and of course, you too, sweet Bud Bud, who we all now adore,

Sometime you'll have to tell us how she got her name...

I'm immensely proud of you! Why? Because you got your first reading. Why? Because since you've changed her food from dry to wet, you do need to keep testing your precious Bud Bud. There are more than a few darling extra-sweet kitties here who have gone OTJ -- Off The Juice -- after a pretty radical diet change...

Okay, lecture over; but, please do remember the food vs insulin notes.

The night I finally decided to test Giz, I tested myself first, too. The meter read 21 so I figured I was probably dead (and pretty much posted the same here...), so had nothing left to lose... She was 189 somewhere in her early cycle, maybe plus 2 or 3 (two or three hours after shot). I figured I'd messed up again, as she was always so high-ish at the vet's, there was no way she could be 189, particularly if I wasn't actually dead. Then again, she was on 3 units of Humulin N (a fast-acting, not cat-friendly insulin...) at the time...

Who knows if those first readings were actually right?

The thing is, those readings started me approaching her diabetes differently. It was like an epiphany. I became less vet dependent -- although always grateful! -- and more proactive. Diabetes is tricky. It doesn't necessarily follow any rhyme or reason. Ask any human who has it. But, at least with testing, I had more clues to the puzzle. I remember her first curve (BG tests taken every two hours for a shot cycle) was like an Agatha Christie mystery unfolding before my very eyes...

Bud Bud is so lucky to have you, dear Beth. You are super mom in my eyes...

Love and continuing welcoming hugs,
Deb and Nikki -- and Giz, who is REMINDING me to tell Bud Bud to ask for treats for each ear poke...
 
:-D

Just took Bud Bud to vet... Had a VERY nice tech walking me thru it.

Hubby gave her a 1/2 can of food this morning before I got up... around 5 I guess. She ate approximately 1/3 of the 1/2 can. Bad communication on my part.

Told the tech about the food. We tested her .... got 303 on their meter and 247 on the Relion at 8:10. COMMENTS, PLEASE! I got the sample on the 2nd try. Gave her 2 units on PZI myself.

They are keeping her and doing a 12:00 and 4:00 test with both meters.

Thank YOU ALL!
 
"Because since you've changed her food from dry to wet, you do need to keep testing your precious Bud Bud. "

I don't understand.... I'd wouldn't need to test her if she was still on dry?

The plan is to do this at 5am and 5pm every day... Test, feed, and shoot. Right?

Gotta get to work..... will check back this evening.

THANK YOU!
 
Your numbers fall within the same range, so that looks fine. Remember your numbers may be quite a bit less at home when he is feeling relaxed and safe, although you were in that range last night, I think.

We prefer starting with a low dose like 1 unit. Two reasons:

You can always increase the dose over time if the numbers remain high. You can't get the insulin out of the cat once it is in.

If you start over the ideal dose, you cause a rebound situation where his body tries to compensate for too much insulin.

But you are going to be testing regularly at home, so you can figure this out.
 
To answer your other question: Yes you would have to test her either way. But since you have just switched her from dry to wet you need to watch her fairly close by testing, especially at shot time. The reasoning is that it may take a few days for her to work all the dry food out of her system, so you could see her higher for a couple of days and then suddenly the bottom drops out when the lower carb diet takes over.

But no worries you are already home testing, so you will catch anything that becomes different. :-D Your getting the hang of this very quickly. Bravo!

Mel & Max
 
Hi Beth, and of course, you too, sweet Bud Bud,

How did the 12:00 and 4:00 test readings go?

Continued proud hugs for being such a proactive mom,
Deb and Nikki -- and Giz, forever whispering in my heart...

PS: Sorry I confused you about the diet change and testing... Thank you, Mel, for explaining it so well!
 
rushing to work. Quick note to let ya'll know ... it is ALL GOING EXTREMELY WELL!
Will post numbers tonight or tomorrow morning...

Hugs and TY!
 
Thanks, Sue :D

Things are insane for me until Xmas eve ;-)

Ok... Vet results from Friday
Time Vet Meter My Meter (Relion)
8.15 303 247
12.15 367 314
4.15 314 263
5.45 (pre dinner) 283 2 units PZI
Saturday 5.30am 303 2 units PZI
Saturday 5.20pm 271 2 units PZI

Bud's Happy... playful. Appetite varying due to us still trying to find the foods she likes the best.

Question: Do I leave the wet out for her to eat as she wishes or do I take it up after a resonable time.
Is it OK to give her little nibble of food just cuz we love her between meals? We had salmon for dinner, baked with a little butter... could not resist treating her to a tablespoonful.

y'know... she's never really acted much different from before we discovered she was a sugarcat.. maybe a little more 'subdued' but I thought that was just age. I count us very lucky. btw... she is 15! found out from the vet. All 3 of our cats adopted us and one of our dogs, so we're not really sure exactly how old they are... except for our Golden, Chloe who is only 12 but in bad shape due to her legs.

Bless all of you... your kindness, knowledge and generosity of you time is incredible. You have made so many lives better... both for us 2 legged people and the ones with 4 legs we all love. Makes me cry just a little, y'know. Special place reserved for ya'll with St. Peter, I am sure.
 
Thanks, Mel and Deb and Sue for the explaination on the low carb diet and the test results!

At what number do I NOT give her the PZI? I thought the 2 units seemed a bit high and I would have prefered to start her out lower. With all that was going on in the office on Friday, didn't think to ask why the 2 units.

I've seen many posts where the sugarcats are OTJ.. was wondering (and hoping) that one day her number is to the point she doesn't need the PZI. What's the majic number?
 
I, too, want to became less vet dependent -- although grateful -- and more proactive. And because of ya'll, I AM more proactive! Things would definitly not be going this wonderful for me or for Bud Bud without ya'll being here for us.

Bud Bud got her name from my daughter, who was 6 or 7 at the time. She named her "Buddy" cuz, well, Bud Bud was her buddy! It's just gotten shortend over the years. :-D

We had a houseful... LOL, so I thought ... at the time Bud Bud showed up. 2 dogs and a cat. (We have had 3 cats, 3 dogs, and a suthern flying squirrel in here all at once ... All just showed up here, excpet for our Golden.

My daughter saw Bud Bud come around the corner riding on top of a car. When the car stopped at the sign, Bud Bud hopped off. And we got the, "PLUEeeeeeeez can I keep her, I'll feed her and take care of her." :lol: NO! NO WAY... we have enough animals to care for. It was cold out but I don't remember what month. So, I put some food in the garage and let her in. OOOOOO and she was a MEAN lil cuss! Growling.. hissing... ;-) Put her outside after she ate and figured she go on back where she came from..... nooooooooo

The next night she was sitting outside the window where I could she her while I was on the computer, sitting patiently under the porch lamp watching the moths it attracted. Every so often, she's swat up, lightening fast, and grab a moth and eat it. Now, I was very amazed and took pity on here... fed her again in the garage... Well y'all know how *that* worked out :-D

She can still catch those moths!!!!!!!
 
eeraby said:
... Question: Do I leave the wet out for her to eat as she wishes or do I take it up after a resonable time.
Is it OK to give her little nibble of food just cuz we love her between meals? We had salmon for dinner, baked with a little butter... could not resist treating her to a tablespoonful...
Click to expand...

If it is low carb food, leaving it out is no problem - she may nibble several meals instead of bolting a bigger one, with a smoother glucose curve for the former than the latter.

Occasional people food fish may be OK if its planned as part of the day's calories. Salmon is high protein, butter is mostly fat, with a little protein and a little carb. If there aren't any other seasonings on it, and you're absolutely sure it is completely de-boned, a little fish now and then is OK. (And just in case you don't already know - never feed onion to a cat; it causes damage to the blood cells.)

Not sure about PZI dosing, as I use Lantus. When the glucose is under 150 (long-time diabetic) - 200 (new diabetics), I have seen recommendations to delay and recheck glucose before giving Lantus, or split the dose and continue monitoring to ensure safe levels are maintained.
 
Hi Beth, and, of course, you too, sweet Bud Bud,

Thank you for sharing how Bud Bud got her name. And especially for the story of her hitch hiking on top of a car and hopping off at a stop sign! What an image!

There are varying approaches to feeding. Some like to feed at certain times only, and some let their sugar cats free feed. I free fed Giz, and now do the same with Nikki. I just feel more comfortable knowing there's food out for her when I'm at work...

I think, initially, it's good to let Bud Bud eat whenever she wants to. She's got a lot going on right now getting used to her new diet as well as receiving insulin (and, catching moths!). The important thing is that Bud Bud does eat! You can always adjust her feeding schedule as you both find your way, and you gain more knowledge and confidence, okay?

It sounds like Bud Bud is doing great! As are you, dear Beth! I hope that your crazy schedule right now allows you a few quiet moments. Maybe not exactly long enough for a bubble bath just yet; but, long enough to take care of you. It was in one of those precious quiet moments so very long ago and far away, I realized that although Gizzie was extra sweet, she was still a cat. And I knew at that precise moment, despite all the worries, shots, ear pokes, anxiety, and pretty much being nuts, that we were dancing and we'd be okay...

Love and continued proud hugs for you and Bud Bud,
Deb and Nikki -- and Giz, who had a particular fondness for salmon... Okay, and moths...
 
BJM..... NO! didn't know about the onions. Thank you. It was cooked with onion. Does the juice from the onion count? There are no bits of onion it in.

Vet never mentioned anything about calories! I know nothing about what she's suposed to be getting. Need adive on this, please!

Thanks for the info on free fed from both of you. I, too, think it's best at this point.

Morning was 303 ... Hubby's doing all the sitcks and he 's having a hard time. the tech at the vet said she sometimes uses the pads of their feet... but she always uses a needle. Anyone recomment lancing the pads?

Off to work. UGH!
 
I free feed all 10 of mine wet food, I just mix a little extra water (about 1/3 of can) into each can of food and leave it for them to munch on. I usually set it out 4 times a day, so they get fresh food at breakfast, lunch, dinner, and right before we go to bed. All 10 of mine are grazers so this way I save my sanity. The last feeding right before bed is more for my sanity than them...lol I have 3 siamese that I either leave food out for, or they are up at the crack of dawn singing an opera for food...lol.

Moths are still fine, afterall they are pure protein. =)

Mel & Max
 
eeraby said:
BJM..... NO! didn't know about the onions. Thank you. It was cooked with onion. Does the juice from the onion count? There are no bits of onion it in.

Vet never mentioned anything about calories! I know nothing about what she's suposed to be getting. Need adive on this, please!

Thanks for the info on free fed from both of you. I, too, think it's best at this point.

Morning was 303 ... Hubby's doing all the sitcks and he 's having a hard time. the tech at the vet said she sometimes uses the pads of their feet... but she always uses a needle. Anyone recomment lancing the pads?

Off to work. UGH!
Click to expand...

No onions, garlic, leeks, or any members of the onion family. No onion bits, no onion juice.

A little bit will be OK, just don't do it in the future.

If kitty is hungry....give plenty of Low Carb wet food.

A newly diagnosed kitty is literally starving until BG is under control.
 
You'd think I would know this....

How long after I feed her do I shoot her?

I'm sure the vet didn't say. Just have been testing, feeding, and then shooting... about 30 minutes after she eats. Is this wrong?
 
You don't need to wait. PZI is a nice mild insulin, so if she is sure eating, you can shoot. We always shot Oliver while his face was deep into his breakfast (or dinner).

Your spreadsheet is up.
 
Thanks, Sue!!!!!!!!

I get it now.... the +1... +10 are post feeding test results, hourly :-D

Piece of cake! or make that piece of low carb treat. ;-)

Should I start a new thread for questions I have... This one's getting really long, and the "Newly diagnosed.... Please help" was a very desparate plea at the time, and no longer applies nearly as much! Help, though, is ALWAYS greatly apapreciated.
 
I bought an Accu Check Aviva and took it to the vet's to compare. It was about 70 points below the vet's numbers. Then I bought a Relion because I needed to get a meter taking a smaller sample size. Again the difference was about 60 points at the vet. These numbers were based on my stressed out cat. I took it to another vet who tested an "office" cat's blood using her equipment and my Relion and there was only 10 points difference and hers was lower. I am using the numbers as I get them on my meter and not making any adjustments. (I asked this group about this earlier.) I think that without this group, I would have lost my baby. They are a big help and know so much more than people including vets who have not had this as a first hand experience with their own cats. i trust the advice of this group.
 
I second that -please stay close to this group and follow our suggestions...this site saved my cats life...they know much more than any vets....welcome and keep
updating us ...it will get easier!
 
eeraby said:
Should I start a new thread for questions I have... This one's getting really long, and the "Newly diagnosed.... Please help" was a very desparate plea at the time, and no longer applies nearly as much! Help, though, is ALWAYS greatly apapreciated.
Click to expand...

And help will always be given!

Welcome to the sugar dance, dearest Beth, and, of course, you too, sweet Bud Bud...

Lots of love and countless proud hugs for you both!
Deb and Nikki -- and Giz, forever whispering and dictating dance steps in my heart...
 
Hiya! I'm a newbie as well, and I'm also freaking out over the monitor business. I've got an alphatrak rented from my vet through the weekend, and I went out and bought the relion to use as a comparison. I'm not sure if the problem is user error or what, but the numbers tend to be all over the place. Each time I've tested, I've started with the Alphatrak, then tested with the Relion. The Relion has been close to 50 points off each time, so I test a second time with the relion (third time overall), and then the number gets within 10.

Any ideas what I might be doing wrong with the Relion? If I'm having to test twice everytime to get an accurate number, then any cost benefit is lost. I've found a site where, with coupon codes and cashback, I can get the cost per strip for the Alphatrak down to $0.82/strip and can get the machine for under $80. Right now, I'm so frazzled that I'm almost willing to do it. I know, of course, that this is all operating under the assumption that the Alphatrak's numbers are accurate.

I've called relion and ordered the control solution and will do that to see if it helps. LIke I said, this may be user error. I'm just wanting to strike a balance between cost and accuracy. I do like the way the Relion strips wick, and they are 0.3 sized, which is nice given that my cat is not a bleeder, and I've had better luck getting blood with the relion than I have with the alphatrak (4 strips and nothing but errors last night!! was ready to cry!!).

If anyone has any thoughts they can add to this topic, I would so appreciate it. I know I'm going to get the high pressure sale pitch to get the alphatrak when I return the rental on Monday, so I want to be prepared (at least I've found it way less than what the vet was charging...$155for the monitor and 100 strips online vs. $250 for the monitor and 50 strips at the vet). I actually just called to find out what came in their kit and got lectured for even considering a human monitor.

Of course, this may have been from the same person who instructed me to roll my insulin bottle, draw extra into the syringe and then shoot the air bubbles back into the vial, so who knows.

*sigh*

thanks for letting me blow off steam and for any thoughts you may have. I know my friends are sick of hearing about all this!
 
Welcome...Please copy this post and start a new thread with it ok? You will get more eyes for advice.

You have found the right place to help your sugar kitty!
jeanne
 
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