Need advice - instructions for sitter?

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Michelle & Jetson

Michelle & Jetson

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Hello,

DH and I will be taking a trip for 10 days (planned and paid for before dx) and had already arranged for my mom to stay at our house with our 3 cats. Now that Jetson is on Lantus, it's a bit more complicated (to say the least! :roll: ).

Mom is not ok with testing/shooting, so will have a friend come by for am and pm test/shot but there likely won't be any mid-cycle tests. We have the hypo kit/instructions ready, but would appreciate advice on how to proceed while we're away. What instructions to give mom and friend? Do we lower the dose? How much?

Mom is not computer savvy, so I couldn't begin to tell her how to get here and post. Friend is not much better at it.

As a last resort, I could board him with the vet, but would prefer not to stress him like that.

Appreciate any ideas/thoughts :-D
 
I'm sure others will have more suggestions but one of the first one that comes to mind, is take an old syringe..fill it with colored water to Jetson's correct dosage so your friend can compare that 'sample' syringe to what they are drawing up. That way there should be no confusion on what each line on the syringe stands for.

Mel, Maxwell, Musette & The Fur Gang
 
Thanks Mel - that's a great idea!
:-D

I actually ran into the "missing the mark" thing with DH ohmygod_smile

Hope you and the furries are having a great day!
 
I agree with the colored water demo syringe, I've done that in the past.
Have your friend come over so you can give a tutorial on giving the shot.
I'd print out a list of hypo symptoms and tape it to the fridge.
Also, leave a list of all important phone numbers and directions to vet (regular and ER)
If you want, you can also leave credit card info with the vet so the caretaker doesn't have to worry about paying for something. I've done that and put a limit on what the vet could do without speaking to me.
With Korbel no one could give her a shot. I was gone for 10 days once and the sitter did manage to get a shot into her every 2-3 days. I instructed to give 1/2 of her regular dose. I was more concerned about her going hypo-she was never prone to ketones so being high for a while didn't concern me. That would be different if you have a cat proned to ketones.
 
Thank you Jennifer!

I'm making my list of things up know/do and will start with your and Mel's suggestions.

I really appreciate the help - had no idea where to start! :-D
 
I am going out of town this week and have 2 sitters coming over during the week. Fortunately, both have experience with diabetic cats and have taken care of them before.

However, I still write out a detailed list of instructions. Make sure you include in your instructions your "don't shoot below" number so they know when it is safe to give insulin. I usually make this number higher than the one I personally use. I also let them know that it is normal that if they have to skip a shot, the next PS number may be considerably higher than normal and that is expected. Also, if they have not tested before, include testing instructions.

Include the vet info and contact information. I also place all of the testing equip, syringes, hypo kit and any other meds into a tupperware container and put it on the counter next to the instructions. Also include the web address for FDMB if they have any questions and can't reach you.
 
Generally here are the guidelines I often discuss with clients.

First it is recommended to give a reduced dose of a 0.25 to 0.5u. For sitters it is much easier for them to draw on the mark than the fuzzy mystery mark between half. So 2.75 or on the 2.5 mark. Be sure to discuss how to give the shot and the bevel needle edge up for comfort. Even the most compliant cat can become hostile if it 'hurts' from the stranger. Provide your sitter/shooter with extra special treats to be used as a distraction during 'shot time.' And instruct them the quicker they are about it...the better.

Second, is for your watching sitter....hypo. Some cats are obvious hypo others like my Atlas are not. A sitter even with the best observation skills would never realize Atlas may be low without testing. Atlas has been in the 20's with little to no observable signs when he was on humilin. Same with 30's on Lantus. If you know your cat has a certain place he goes to when low tell your watcher. Tell them the peak time range when this behavior may occur. Teach them to test?

Third, and this is coming from the professional sitter side. Make sure your vet is informed of the protocol you have left for your sitters...before you leave. Even though these sitters sound like friends & family...if something goes wrong your vet won't have to decipher their distressed ramblings.
 
Thank you, thank you, thank you! :-D

I'm actually now in dire need of a new visitor/sitter, as the one I had lined up had a family emergency (posted in a new thread).

Greatly appreciate the advice and pointers, as I will need and use them :-D
Thanks!
 
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