Need help

D

Dewey’s Mom

Member Since 2026
I just joined last night. It has been a week since Dewey started insulin. I do not have a glucose monitor so going my behavior only. I was to the ER at my vets office 3 nights ago and they applied the CCM on him. But it stopped working the next day. Today he ate very little, but I did get him to eat a squeeze up. He seems wobbly. I did not give his insulin. He hides constantly so I am concerned I will not be able to do the glucose tests on him ( I did order the one recommended on this forum). I need lots of advice as to how to lessen his stress.
 
Your first thread: 6/20/26. New Member Newbies are advised to put all their questions in one thread so it's easier for members to help.

Yes, CGMs are known to fall off or malfunction :rolleyes: There's info here on using CGMs: Getting Started With Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) for Diabetic Cats You'll need to keep a few CGMs on hand to replace as needed.

Were you able to get the readings off the CGM? There's an app thing that connects to the CGM. @Staci & Ivy can help you with that.

In the meantime, you can use any manual Human blood glucose meter to test blood glucose levels from the edge of the ear or a paw pad. Any pharmacy sells at least a few brands. WalMart's Relion brand is popular and affordable.

Hometesting Links and Tips

Being wobbly can be a sign of hypoglycemia but without a blood glucose reading, it's hard to know. Have you gotten your cat to eat anything?

Sticky - How to treat HYPOS - THEY CAN KILL! Print this Out!!
Sticky - jojo and bunny's HYPO TOOL BOX

1 unit of Lantus twice a day is good starting dose. 0.5 units is even an option. Better to start too low and increase as needed than to start too high and risk a hypo. Did the vet show you how to measure 1 unit correctly with the correct syringes (U100 3/10 cc)?

Some cats do hide in the beginning because being poked and messed with is new to them. Have patience. Many people find that if the cat is busy eating away, they can test and give insulin without the cat noticing much. Cats can pick up on your stress so try to be calm.

What do you feed your cat? Diet is an important part of managing the diabetes/
 
Hi Ruth, welcome to you and Dewey. We are sorry you have to be here but are glad to welcome you and we are glad to help you.

I have a lot of experience using a Libre CGM with my cat Ivy.

I have been using it for over three years daily because she is very fractious and doesn’t like to be poked all the time.
However, I do need to be able to poke her when her glucose goes low on the Libre to make sure what her actual glucose level is.
Libres can read lower than actual blood glucose with an ear prick on a handheld meter with some cats.

That being said, please read the document linked above about using Libre, we have put a lot of work into that document for users to give information about using them. Please ask any questions if you have them.

Many times when a vet installs a Libre they use surgical glue and that causes the sensor to shut down pretty quickly.
When installing a Libre never use glue, it can harm their fragile skin and cause the sensor to shut down. That’s probably what happened.

Or, if they go very low (glucose) for long periods of time that can also cause the sensor to fail. Don’t know if that’s what happened in your case or not.

I hope this information helps and please let me know if you have questions. 🥰
 
I do have the app for the CGM and contacted the customer service area when it stopped working. They were not helpful as they told me this should not be used on a cat. I also notified my vet but they also were no help about the monitor.
I did get him to eat a squeeze up. He is in my screened room under a chair now. I am waiting for the glucose monitor to be delivered.
He has never been a cuddly lap cat. Hates being held or constricted. So this is a tough situation. I am trying to be calm but my stomach is in knots. I live alone so have no one to help me
 
Staci & Ivy said:
Hi Ruth, welcome to you and Dewey. We are sorry you have to be here but are glad to welcome you and we are glad to help you.

I have a lot of experience using a Libre CGM with my cat Ivy.

I have been using it for over three years daily because she is very fractious and doesn’t like to be poked all the time.
However, I do need to be able to poke her when her glucose goes low on the Libre to make sure what her actual glucose level is.
Libres can read lower than actual blood glucose with an ear prick on a handheld meter with some cats.

That being said, please read the document linked above about using Libre, we have put a lot of work into that document for users to give information about using them. Please ask any questions if you have them.

Many times when a vet installs a Libre they use surgical glue and that causes the sensor to shut down pretty quickly.
When installing a Libre never use glue, it can harm their fragile skin and cause the sensor to shut down. That’s probably what happened.

Or, if they go very low (glucose) for long periods of time that can also cause the sensor to fail. Don’t know if that’s what happened in your case or not.

I hope this information helps and please let me know if you have questions. 🥰
Click to expand...
That is very helpful. Thank you so much
 
squeem3 said:
Your first thread: 6/20/26. New Member Newbies are advised to put all their questions in one thread so it's easier for members to help.

Yes, CGMs are known to fall off or malfunction :rolleyes: There's info here on using CGMs: Getting Started With Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) for Diabetic Cats You'll need to keep a few CGMs on hand to replace as needed.

Were you able to get the readings off the CGM? There's an app thing that connects to the CGM. @Staci & Ivy can help you with that.

In the meantime, you can use any manual Human blood glucose meter to test blood glucose levels from the edge of the ear or a paw pad. Any pharmacy sells at least a few brands. WalMart's Relion brand is popular and affordable.

Hometesting Links and Tips

Being wobbly can be a sign of hypoglycemia but without a blood glucose reading, it's hard to know. Have you gotten your cat to eat anything?

Sticky - How to treat HYPOS - THEY CAN KILL! Print this Out!!
Sticky - jojo and bunny's HYPO TOOL BOX

1 unit of Lantus twice a day is good starting dose. 0.5 units is even an option. Better to start too low and increase as needed than to start too high and risk a hypo. Did the vet show you how to measure 1 unit correctly with the correct syringes (U100 3/10 cc)?

Some cats do hide in the beginning because being poked and messed with is new to them. Have patience. Many people find that if the cat is busy eating away, they can test and give insulin without the cat noticing much. Cats can pick up on your stress so try to be calm.

What do you feed your cat? Diet is an important part of managing the diabetes/
Click to expand...
I am feeding him fancy feast wet food twice a day. He has eaten this all his life. He does not like pate. I also give him a squeeze up at lunch with his heart medicine in it. And tuna treats as his treats. Weaning him off of his temptations treats, which has been hard.
 
Human meters and products aren't made for pets so you won't get customer service help. Just refer to your cat as "family member" if asked.

Fancy Feast is good but only the Pate ones are low in carbs.

Glutenfree - Felinediabetes.com

There are other brands you can feed that aren't Pate. The food charts are here:

Links to FOOD CHARTS
Cat Food As-Fed Chart

Any food under 10% carbs is good. Keep some higher carb foods on hand to use in case of a hypo.

Can you or someone go to the local pharmacy today and pick up a blood glucose meter to use until your order arrives? You can keep it as a back up later. Always good to have a back up meter just in case.
 
Temptations treats used to be a favorite around here too :blackeye:

The FF Chunky are ok. A little higher than pates but still low carb.

Have you considered spreading meals out a bit throughout the day? A lot of people here (maybe all) feed smaller meals. Helps keep blood glucose steady.
 
I am learning. All this is new and so appreciated. I will definitely be trying all if this. I just did a glucose test after receiving my monitor and it was 490. I did not give his insulin this morning. Should I give it now. His next injection would be at 6 tonight
 
squeem3 said:
Human meters and products aren't made for pets so you won't get customer service help. Just refer to your cat as "family member" if asked.

Fancy Feast is good but only the Pate ones are low in carbs.

Glutenfree - Felinediabetes.com

There are other brands you can feed that aren't Pate. The food charts are here:

Links to FOOD CHARTS
Cat Food As-Fed Chart

Any food under 10% carbs is good. Keep some higher carb foods on hand to use in case of a hypo.

Can you or someone go to the local pharmacy today and pick up a blood glucose meter to use until your order arrives? You can keep it as a back up later. Always good to have a back up meter just in case.
Click to expand...
I did get a monitor this. Morning and his glucose is 490. Just did it
 
No. Just skip. Resume your normal insulin time at 6pm tonight. Randomly giving doses with Lantus doesn't work for cats. Lantus works best with consistency. If you skip a dose, it's ok. Just give insulin again at the next scheduled time.
 
You may want to take a look at the sticky notes at the top of the Lantus board. The sticky notes provide a great deal of information about using Lantus and how it works. There is also a sticky note on dosing methods.

I'd also encourage you to set up a spreadsheet and your signature. They will let us follow along and offer input. The information is in this post on helping us to help you.
 
Dewey’s Mom said:
That is very helpful. Thank you so much
Click to expand...
You’re very welcome!
If you ever need to contact Abbott about a Libre, just say it’s for you or a family member. Never for a pet. They won’t give you any support.

Believe me, you’re not the first or last person to run into Abbott telling us Librrs aren’t for a pets 😫
 
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