New Diagnosis - Feeling Uninformed

[Sabs03]

Hello All! My 14yo kitty, Sabrina, was diagnosed with diabetes (400+ / no ketones) on Saturday (Sept. 17th) when I took her to the vet after I noticed she was urinating quite frequently. The vet gave me virtually no information other than to give me Prozinc (U- 40, 2 units / 12 hrs) and a prescription for Glycobalance. (All of this - diagnosis+ insulin came at a cost of nearly $500....) I was so upset and taken aback. After some research here, I immediately started her on wet food (Fancy Feast Classic). I have not started the insulin yet, because, given the change in diet, I am afraid it may be too much! When I tried to ask the vet about how changes in diet could help control Sabrina's blood glucose, they made it seem as if the only solution was to do things as I have already been instructed. I just feel lost. I don't want to make things worse. Help!

 

[Sharon14]

Hi welcome to you and Sabrina. Glad you've changed to a low carb wet food, that's a good first step. Now you need to start home testing Sabrina's blood glucose so you'll know if it's safe to give her insulin. It's easy to do, you'll need a glucometer, test strips and lancets. Here's some more info to get you started, but just ask if you have any questions
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/hometesting-links-and-tips.287/
ProZinc is an excellent insulin. Here's some info on it
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/...prozinc-pzi-insulin-for-diabetic-cats.164995/
Come on over to the ProZinc forum and introduce yourself. Sue and Rachel and the others will help you with dosing and any other questions you have.

 

[Noelle Muffin]

Hello All! My 14yo kitty, Sabrina, was diagnosed with diabetes (400+ / no ketones) on Saturday (Sept. 17th) when I took her to the vet after I noticed she was urinating quite frequently. The vet gave me virtually no information other than to give me Prozinc (U- 40, 2 units / 12 hrs) and a prescription for Glycobalance. (All of this - diagnosis+ insulin came at a cost of nearly $500....) I was so upset and taken aback. After some research here, I immediately started her on wet food (Fancy Feast Classic). I have not started the insulin yet, because, given the change in diet, I am afraid it may be too much! When I tried to ask the vet about how changes in diet could help control Sabrina's blood glucose, they made it seem as if the only solution was to do things as I have already been instructed. I just feel lost. I don't want to make things worse. Help!

I know how you feel and how frustrating it is. Not all vets are highly educated on diabetic cats and how to properly care for them. I myself are trying to comprehend the proper dosing and at what numbers to do so for my current rescue. You are told and hear one thing about numbers and when not to dose and then you are told something else by someone else.

 

[Lisa and Smoky]

Welcome to you and your kitty, I'm fairly new to the board myself. I switched smoky to low carb canned food due to urinary tract issues. I had to transition him from dry to wet though as he was a dry food "junkie".
The people here are so wonderful, my smoky was just diagnosed on Sept 1 and started his insulin on Sept 6th. I have received a lot of support and caring guidance from so many. It's only been 9 days that I've been giving smoky his insulin and have only home tested in the last three days. Hang in there, we are all here to help and support each other

 

[Noelle Muffin]

Thanks! We have anothe diabetic that took us 5wks to get into remission over a yr ago and is still. Need a refresher course since its been awhile on dosing, numbers when and when not to.