New diagnosis, new to Forum, so many questions...

[EmmasMom]

Hi All,

My sweet 16 year old cat Emma was diagnosed last Monday. I am giving her 2 shots per day of 1 unit of ProZinc. I purchased a Walgreens TrueResult glucometer, and Bayer urine test strips. I did a glucose curve on her on Sunday, a week after she started the insulin. She started at 315, and went to 150 after 8 hours. So it seems she is responding well. I am hoping to get her numbers a little lower by paying closer attention to her diet.

Before the diagnosis, I fed her Hills Science Diet for senior cats dry food. The vet sent me home with Purina DM canned and dry food. As I've been doing a ton of reading in the past week (I've read everything on felinediabetes.com, and more!), and I've been shocked to learn how much carbs are in all dry food, even the expensive stuff. From the reading I've done, it seems clear I need to get her off dry food altogether.

Some of my questions (I am sure there will be more!!):

-Any thoughts on the Walgreens TrueResult glucometer? Is it accurate enough?
-Can I dip the urine test strips into wet clumping litter after she has peed and expect an accurate reading?
-What do you think of Purina DM canned food? It seems there might be other lower carb alteratives?
-Any tips on slowly moving her from dry to wet? Her digestive system is sensitive.
-I work full time and she is home alone during the day. I am worried about not leaving any food out for her during the day (and while I'm sleeping for that matter!) in case her blood sugar goes low - I was going to rely on the dry food for that. She usually eats small amounts at a time throughout the day. The wet food seems to dry out quickly, even if I mix in some water. Any tips?

I am so thankful to have the support of this forum. I want to do the best for my little girl who has been with me through so much in my life! She has given me so much, and I feel it is now my turn to give to her and make sure the rest of her life is as comfortable and happy as possible.

 

[Blue]

Hi All,

My sweet 16 year old cat Emma was diagnosed last Monday. I am giving her 2 shots per day of 1 unit of ProZinc. I purchased a Walgreens TrueResult glucometer, and Bayer urine test strips. I did a glucose curve on her on Sunday, a week after she started the insulin. She started at 315, and went to 150 after 8 hours. So it seems she is responding well. I am hoping to get her numbers a little lower by paying closer attention to her diet.

Before the diagnosis, I fed her Hills Science Diet for senior cats dry food. The vet sent me home with Purina DM canned and dry food. As I've been doing a ton of reading in the past week (I've read everything on felinediabetes.com, and more!), and I've been shocked to learn how much carbs are in all dry food, even the expensive stuff. From the reading I've done, it seems clear I need to get her off dry food altogether.

Some of my questions (I am sure there will be more!!):

-Any thoughts on the Walgreens TrueResult glucometer? Is it accurate enough?
-Can I dip the urine test strips into wet clumping litter after she has peed and expect an accurate reading?
-What do you think of Purina DM canned food? It seems there might be other lower carb alteratives?
-Any tips on slowly moving her from dry to wet? Her digestive system is sensitive.
-I work full time and she is home alone during the day. I am worried about not leaving any food out for her during the day (and while I'm sleeping for that matter!) in case her blood sugar goes low - I was going to rely on the dry food for that. She usually eats small amounts at a time throughout the day. The wet food seems to dry out quickly, even if I mix in some water. Any tips?

I am so thankful to have the support of this forum. I want to do the best for my little girl who has been with me through so much in my life! She has given me so much, and I feel it is now my turn to give to her and make sure the rest of her life is as comfortable and happy as possible.

Right of the top, I have to tell you that the meter you got is not reliable. The meters with TRUE in the name and also the FreeStryle meters with the butterfly strips are not to be used; your readings on your cat will be false.

Pick up a Relion meter and strips as they have the most economical strips and the meters are quite reliable. I prefer the Bayer contour meters, but the strips are more costly. The KETOSTIX so that you can test her urine for ketones can be laid in the puddle in the litter. Both my cats would turn around in the box and poke their heads out the door, so there was no way to hold a strip under them and into the urine stream. Some cats are more prone to ketones and it's possible for ketones to occur at lower BG numbers.

Next, the food you are feeding can be improved and it would be cheaper to just get the fancy feast pates or friskies pates as they are both lower carb and much easier on the pocket book. If she is eating wet food already, then just remove all of the dry food... who knows, she may not need any insulin once the dry food is gone.

Most people use a time feeder and there is a compartment under the turning tray to put a small ice pack, but it's perfectly fine to leave the food out all day if that's what you prefer. You can form portions, then put them into the freezer and place the portions out as needed.

 

[Squeaky and KT (GA)]

Welcome extra sweet Emma and Emma's MamaBean!

Let me see what I can answer right quick as only have minute but want to welcome you....

Meter - most members find that anything with 'True' or 'Free' in the name ISN'T for our cats. They seem to read lower than they should giving you a false sense of regulation....

Litter will spoil the test - how about getting some fish gravel which will be clean. You CAN dip it in that. You might find that you can even just run it under the urine stream after they start. I just tell KT "pee on my stick..", he lifts his butt slightly.

Low carb foods - Janet/Binky's List HERE Look under 'Diet Controlled Docs'

Few food tips and she should eat thru the day: Ice cube in soft food, freeze it in small dish or ice trays leaving one or two out in bowl when you leave, automatic feeders...

More will be along later!!! BIG HUG!!!

 

[squeem3]

Hi All,

My sweet 16 year old cat Emma was diagnosed last Monday. I am giving her 2 shots per day of 1 unit of ProZinc. I purchased a Walgreens TrueResult glucometer, and Bayer urine test strips. I did a glucose curve on her on Sunday, a week after she started the insulin. She started at 315, and went to 150 after 8 hours. So it seems she is responding well. I am hoping to get her numbers a little lower by paying closer attention to her diet.

Welcome

Great that you are learning how to test your cat's blood glucose levels :thumbup People here keep track of their cat's blood gluocse levels with an online spreadsheet that they share with others here on FDMB and even with their vet. The instructions are here: http://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=50130

Consider creating a profile (mini history) of your diabetic cat as well so other members can refer to it to better help you with questions you will certainly have as you start on this new diabetic journey with your cat :smile: Instructions: http://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=75678

Some of my questions (I am sure there will be more!!):

-Any thoughts on the Walgreens TrueResult glucometer? Is it accurate enough?

No. Any generic type meter that has True or Tru in the name are inaccurate for cats. I doubt you can return the opened and used meter. You can donate it to a diabetic Human in need through FreeCycle.org or to a shelter or diabetic resource center. FreeStyle is another brand to avoid.

Do you have a Wal Mart nearby? The Relion brand of meters works well and doesn't cost a lot. Many people here use the Relion brand.

Walgreens and other pharmacies will have big name brands like AccuChek, OneTouch, Bayer, etc that work well. Test strips for big name brands can be bought online for less than what they could cost in a store. AmericanDiabetesWholesale.com is one popular place. Test strips for some brands are pretty pricey, though, like $30 or so. Since test strips are an ongoing cost, some people choose a meter that uses inexpensive test strips.

-Can I dip the urine test strips into wet clumping litter after she has peed and expect an accurate reading?

No. The litter will affect the reading. Instead, replace the litter box temporarily with a clean new one. Put some fish tank gravel or decorative pebbles in the bottom of the box. After your cat has used the box, tip the box to pool up the urine in a corner and dip the test strip into that.

Alternatively, some people just stick a long handled soup ladel under the cat's tail to catch the pee.

-What do you think of Purina DM canned food? It seems there might be other lower carb alteratives?

DM is expensive junk quality food. Plus it's liver based and many cats get tired of eating, not to mention too much liver can cause vitamin A toxicity.

There are pleny of alternative foods you can feed that are better in quality and affordable and your cat most likely won't get tried of eating :smile: Use these charts and lists:


Binky's canned food charts
Pet Food Nutritional Values list
Hobo's Guide To Nutritional Values
Dr. Lynne's Wet Food list
List of low carb gluten free Fancy Feast

On Binky's charts, stick with foods that have a number 10 or less in the carbs colum. On the Pet Food Nutritional Values Chart and Hobo's Guide, look at the %kcal from carbs column and choose foods that have a number 10 or less.

Popular brands to feed a diabetic cat are Fancy Feast Classics, Merrick, Innova EVO, Nature's Variety, and Friskies.

Low carb treats: http://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=9172

-Any tips on slowly moving her from dry to wet? Her digestive system is sensitive.

Tips here: http://catinfo.org/docs/Tips for Transitioning PDF 1-14-11.pdf

-I work full time and she is home alone during the day. I am worried about not leaving any food out for her during the day (and while I'm sleeping for that matter!) in case her blood sugar goes low - I was going to rely on the dry food for that. She usually eats small amounts at a time throughout the day. The wet food seems to dry out quickly, even if I mix in some water. Any tips?

Many people here also work full time and have a busy life outside of the home and yet they still manage a daibetic cat or two :smile: A programmable timed feeder is your best friend :smile: You can fill the comparments with small canned food meals, set the timer for the times you want your cat to have access to the food, and go about your day :smile: The PetSafe 5 compartment feeder is a popular one. PetSmart and other stores as well as many places online sell it.

A feeder keeps the canned food from drying out too fast. Adding extra water will help as well. Some people even freeze canned food into chunks using silicone ice cube trays and put the frozen chunks into the timed feeder. The chunks will slowly defrost and not dry out. I suggest that you put 1 or 2 straight from the can meals into the feeder for your cat to eat right away and use the frozen chunks for later meals. That way the froze chunks will have time to defrost and be eatable. I don't think a cat wold be happy trying to eat a frozen chunk of food :lol:

 

[EmmasMom]

Wow, thank you all so much for the great info and suggestions!!
I'm staying home with her today and the weekend so I can try some new wet foods and see how she does without any dry food.

 

[hmjohnston]

Welcome you two!

I don't have anything to add but that. I am so glad you found us and are willing to home test. PZI is a good insulin to use.

You can also buy syringes at Wal-mart as well- usually $13/100- get the 100u with the half unit markings on them. 31 gauge is good, 3/8 inch needle helps- but you can't feel it go in so be careful against fur shots :lol: .

 

[squeem3]

W

You can also buy syringes at Wal-mart as well- usually $13/100- get the 100u with the half unit markings on them. 31 gauge is good, 3/8 inch needle helps- but you can't feel it go in so be careful against fur shots :lol: .

She is using ProZinc, a U40 insulin. I'm assuming her vet gave her U40 insuiln syringes. Ferh2os, can you confirm if you are using U40 insulin syringes?

There are many people here who us ProZinc but use U100 insulin syringes instead so they can dose teeny amounts of insulin. It is absolutely important to use the conversion chart so that you are giving the right amount of ProZinc with the U100 insulin syringes. To give 1 unit of ProZinc you have to measure to the 2.5 unit line of the U100 insulin syringe. I don't suggest trying the conversion with U100 insulin syringes until you are more comfortable with your cat's diabetes.

 

[EmmasMom]

Thanks, yes I am using the U-40 syringes that came with the ProZinc! Am headed to Walmart today for a Relion meter. I think I am getting reliable numbers with the TrueResult meter - when she is over 200 she tests positive for urine glucose and when she maintains under 200 she tests neg. But I want to be sure, and the Relion strips are less expensive anyway so I'll be better off in the long run.
Her numbers were much lower yesterday with no dry food! I kept a close eye on her for signs of hypo but she did great.

 

[squeem3]

Getting rid of the dry food does lower blood gluocse levels a bit :smile: What canned foods are you feeding your cat?

The Relion meter is definitely more reliable than the True/Tru meters.

I see that you put your location as Boston. There are quite a few members in that area if you ever need a vet recommendation or pet sitting or whatnot :smile:

 

[EmmasMom]

Her numbers dropped by almost 100 when I got rid of the dry altogether! I was worried I was going to have to up her ProZinc dose before I started reading his site and others and stopped feeding any dry. The vet sent me home with a case of Purina DM canned (along with the offending bag of DM dry, which is in the trash), so I will likely finish that off since her BS seems good on it. I've been trying Merrick, Wellness Core, and EVO from the food lists here too to see what she likes best, and will switch to one of those when the DM is gone (or maybe sooner...).

I might need a pet sitter recommendation! I started boarding her at a local vet/boarder after her brother died 3 years ago - she could not handle being alone, even with a sitter. But she is doing better now, and the boarder is not staffed 24 hours (only 8-6) so they would not be able to give more than 1 insulin shot a day. I cancelled a Sept trip - I don't want to leave her just yet. But I have another trip in late Nov, so will need to sort that out by then...

 

[hmjohnston]

Don't trash that bag- take it back to the vet for a refund or credit. True, dry, but they should refund it and you can go buy more canned foods to try.

 

[squeem3]

I've been trying Merrick, Wellness Core, and EVO from the food lists here too to see what she likes best, and will switch to one of those when the DM is gone (or maybe sooner...).

Most vets will take back the unopened cans of food, even a partial bag of dry food.

The commerical foods you are trying are good :smile: Some cats are happy with Fancy Feast while others have more expensive palates.

I might need a pet sitter recommendation! I started boarding her at a local vet/boarder after her brother died 3 years ago - she could not handle being alone, even with a sitter. But she is doing better now, and the boarder is not staffed 24 hours (only 8-6) so they would not be able to give more than 1 insulin shot a day. I cancelled a Sept trip - I don't want to leave her just yet. But I have another trip in late Nov, so will need to sort that out by then...

Try this one if you are in that area: http://www.4seasonspetcare.com/index.html A former FDMB member used this sitter and recommends her.

You can also start a new thread and ask for pet sitter recommendations. I think there are people north of Boston and south of Boston so depending on where you are, there will be someone who can offer a suggestion.