New diagnosis and very overwhelmed, help!

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BecAndDids

Member Since 2018
Hi all,

I am Rebecca, my almost 10 yr old cat Diddles was diagnosed with diabetes today. I am completely overwhelmed by this right now.

I wrote a post outlining our situation but every time I try and post it I get an error message saying it is spam or inappropriate content. Hmm!

I have copied my original post, maybe if I can successfully create this thread then I can edit and add it in.

I will be spending some time reading through the message boards and website tonight. My vet gave me zero instructions aside from once a day insulin. Not even diet control so I am needing to educate myself as much as possible.

Below is my original worried cat mum ramble... :)


I'm Rebecca, my cat Diddles (I wish I could blame my kids for her silly name but she was with me long before them!) is 9 and we live in Australia. We recently noticed she was drinking excessive amounts of water. She also started peeing in odd places if she accidentally didn't have access to her litter box. Other than this she has always been in good health.

Today I took her to the vet and a blood test confirmed she has diabetes. I don't know if my vet was in a rush but he gave me an insulin pen, said to give her 7 IU once a day and bring her back next week and sent us on our way. He spoke so quickly and I had my two little kids with me so I struggled to take it all in but he mentioned next week inserting a probe to monitor her glucose levels?? I think as he was talking my mind wandered to "oh my God, how much is this all going to cost us I can't afford this" and I couldn't concentrate.

I feel like a dill now for not exactly knowing what it is going on. He made it sound like this insulin will help and it's no big deal, then I came home and started researching and I'm reading of people euthanising their cat because it's too hard to manage and all sorts. The vet didn't mention changing her diet. She is fed mostly dry kibble but I imagine that will need to change immediately.

This couldn't have happened at a worse time for us financially. I'll probably put all the vet bills on a credit card because I'm not going to leave her untreated or put to sleep because of cost but it's just another stressor. My husband works away, I'm on my own caring for a toddler and a baby and now I also need to get my cat's diabetes under control. It just all feels a bit too much to handle!

Can someone please give me some advice or reassurance? As I type this she is lying at my feet happy as anything, it's so hard to even believe she is actually unwell. :(​
 
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I am quickly going to post this as the dose you mentioned is VERY scary and is the first big concern before dealing with the other questions

If the vet told you to give 7 units once a day...DO NOT DO IT!!

Please post which type of insulin you are using. The usual starting doses of most insulin is 1 unit twice a day. 7 units could be deadly.
 
Thanks Tuxedo Mom. Wow... okay I have the pen in front of me right now. It is a Lantus Solastar Pen... the label the vet put on it says "give 7 IU once a day". Is IU, units? I don't exactly know how much an IU is, I'm so new to this. I'll have to call the vet tomorrow then and discuss, it's nearly 9PM here.
 
If you have the Solastar pen the measuring device is in units. So if you select "7" on the dial you would be giving 7 units which is dangerously high. The starting dose of Lantus is 1 unit twice a day. Kitties have a faster metabolism than people so although some people only use Lantus once a day it does not last long enough with a kitty and must be given twice a day at 12 hour intervals.

This link has basic information of Lantus:

http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/...ntus-basaglar-levemir-group-start-here.18139/


Not to be cruel but right off the bat with prescribing a possibly deadly starting dose and only once a day usage it appears your vet is not familiar with FD in kitties,

Home testing is the best way to monitor your kitty's glucose levels. The constant monitoring meters are more expensive and only last for a week or so before needing to have the implant changed. Most people use a regular insulin meter to monitor.

You can get a lot of information if you post on the Lantus Forum: (sometimes it takes a day or so before new posters can post because of spam filters..if that is the problem then post here until you can post on the Lantus forum)

http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/forums/lantus-basaglar-glargine-and-levemir-detemir.9/

I am tagging @Bron and Sheba who also lives in Australia to give you some ideas on the best glucose monitors and foods suitable for a dianetic kitty.


I would contact your vet and ask about the starting dose. If she insists on 7 units then find a new vet.
 
Thank you so much. I'm really glad I spent some time looking into this tonight instead of just following the vet's instructions. I'm scared to think what may have happened to my cat tomorrow. She had one dose today at the vet (I'm sure he said 6 units at that time) so I hope she isn't already harmed, although she seems well right now. The vet we saw is always highly recommended so this is so disappointing.

This just goes from bad to worse!
 
Lantus usually has an onset about 2-3 hours after the injection and a nadir (peak effect) at about 5-7 hours after the injection. How long ago was the shot given at the vet?

ETA Also do you know what your kitty's glucose reading was. Many kitties have a higher reading at the vet due to the stress effect
 
At midday, so 9 hours ago now. Kitty is sitting with me right now happy as can be. I won't be injecting her until I get some advice from a better vet that's for sure. What a nightmare..
 
OK If it has been 9 hours then the peak effect should have already occurred although with larger doses it can be a bit later and last longer. Luckily you are feeding kibble which is high carb. Changing to a low carb wet food would be the best approach but ONLY once you are home testing. Hopefully Bron can give you some good suggestions on meters in Australia along with some good food choices.

Some info on home testing and why it is important. A weekly test at the vet will NOT give adequate information

http://www.felinediabetes.com/fdmb-faq.htm#glucose
 
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Do read through the information on this link to get a better insight into treating a diabetic kitty,

http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/...ntus-basaglar-levemir-group-start-here.18139/

Home testing can be tricky in the beginning but it is certainly something that can be done with almost any kitty. My second FD kitty was nearly impossible to test and within 2 weeks she was a pro. Home testing gives you peace of mind in knowing what is happening with the glucose levels at any given time and is far less expensive than regular vet visits.
 
Hi Rebecca and Diddles and welcome to FDMB!:)
I live in Sydney so hopefully I will be able to help with all the "local "issues. Where abouts in Australia do you live?

First of all I must say I agree with Mary Ann @Tuxedo Mom, 7 units is way too much insulin to give a cat at diagnosis. I would seriously be looking around for another vet who knows more about feline diabetes.
It will be overwhelming in the beginning as it is a big learning curve.......but we were all in your position in the beginning so understand how you feel. It gets much easier and it will soon just be routine.

What I would do is ring the vet and ask him to email you the blood test results that were done the other day. You paid for the tests so they are yours. I always ask for a copy of all test results and keep a file of them at home. While on the phone ask if there were any KETONES showing in the blood. The emailed results should also tell you what the blood sugar level (BSL) was.

There are two ways you could go. IF there are NO KETONES in the blood, you could not start any insulin yet but change over the food to low carb wet/canned food....10% or under carbs and see how that changes the BSL. It will most likely drop the BSL quite a bit. You will need to test the urine for ketones each day while you do this way to ensure no ketones develop. Should only take a week. Then you can start the insulin. You can buy KETOSTIX at any chemisthttps://www.amcal.com.au/ketostix-reagent-strips-for-urinalysis---50-strips-p-5016003288005?cm_cr=IBMProductRecommendations-_-Web+Activity-_-IBM+Recs+-+Product+Page+-+PDP+Zone+1-_-ProductPageIntelligentOffer-_-Ketostix+Reagent+Strips+For+Urinalysis+-+50+Strips&cm_vc=pdpz1

OR you could start the insulin at 1 unit twice a day as Tuxedo Mom suggested and slowly change over to the low carb food but you would have to be testing the BSL BEFORE you do this, because changing over from high carb dry to low carb wet will drop the BSL and we don't want Diddles to drop too low.
Either way, to keep Diddles safe, you will need to start testing the BSLs. Sounds scary I know but it isn't and both you and Diddles will get used to it very quickly. We will help you get started with it all.


So here is some info on monitors. Most of us use a human monitor. The Alphatrak 2 which has recently become available in Australia is for animals and vets are favouring them now, but they have all used human monitors up until now and the Alphatrak strips are much more expensive to buy so I would stick with a human monitor. I used to buy the test strips on EBay as they were about half the price. Here is the monitor I used
https://www.amcal.com.au/freestyle-...MI0feb_quR3gIVyw0rCh1YDQEoEAQYASABEgL4QvD_BwE

This is another good monitor
https://www.superpharmacy.com.au/pr...MI2Nid3q6R3gIVmSQrCh2oNQhcEAQYAyABEgJi2vD_BwE

You will also need some lancets
https://www.amcal.com.au/freestyle-...MI0feb_quR3gIVyw0rCh1YDQEoEAQYASABEgL4QvD_BwE

For low carb food, you don't need any prescription food but canned food you can buy at the supermarket or Petbarn. Here is a link to some foods
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/...anned-food-suitable-for-diabetic-cats.134090/

I hope I haven't confused you at all with all this.....ask lots of questions, we are only too happy to help.
Hope to here back from you soon
Bron
 
Re the probe the vet was saying he would insert....they are a new way of testing the blood sugars....they insert under the skin and it monitors the BSL. Downside is that they only last a week or two then you have to either do nothing or home test. Not sure how expensive they are. In the meantime between now and next week.....if you had been giving 7 units and no testing.......I hate to think of the outcome.........don't understand the vets thinking.
I know @Girlie's mom who also lives in Sydney had one on her kitty initially but changed over to home testing. She is not online all that often so may not see this post.
Lots more I could tell you but don't want to confuse you.
You might like to start posting over on the main forum or the Lantus forum.
Bron
 
Holy cow 7 units is crazy for a starting dose unless your cat is the size of a great dane. Definitly start at 1 unit.

While the first few weeks there is a learning curve and is very stressful, I promise it gets easier and is not a death sentence. I have a video in my signature showing how I test my cat CC at home.
 
I can't add anything useful to what has already been said, but will just echo the others who have said PLEASE don't give 7 units of insulin to your kitty. That is waaaay too much for a starting dose. It is worrying that the vet has told you this - could you call them to confirm that that's what they meant, as it just *seemed* high to you? Nobody wants to get on the wrong side of their vet but in instances like this I would seriously question their ability and experience.

Wishing you the very best of luck - keep coming here with your questions, everyone here is amazing and will definitely set you on the right path!
 
I would not give that vet another chance of treating your furbaby. I mean the trust is already gone.

Dont worry- everything is going to be okay. My cat was diagnosed a month ago and I felt the same way. It gets easier. It really does. Knowledge is power!
 
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