New diagnosis- Really need advice

[shadowsmom<3]

Hi! I am really new to all of this as my baby boy Shadow ( 6 years old) was just diagnosed with diabetes 3 weeks ago. He has been started on Vetsulin ( I have been reading the forms so I asked for him to be switched to Lantus in the future once we get his curve test down next week and can figure out a good set unit to place him on. I have also requested that I started monitoring his levels at home soon so I can keep a better eye on him) he is on 1 unit twice a day. For the first couple days I kept giving fur shots and just when I think I have them down - he is freaking out about them now. Yesterday he jumped so bad when i gave him his shot, he bent the needle (u-40 needle). I am mediately called the vet and they assured me that I really can’t do any true harm to him because the needle is so small and he maybe just a bit anxious or sore. I had only stuck him the first time so I stuck him again and that time had no problems. Well tonight, I stuck him (lifting the scruff of the fur) and he yelped and I went to rub the area and he yelped again. I think he is just sore because I have been giving him the shot only in the scruff of his neck as per my vets request. I felt like I had been getting a good grip on getting in a routine and now my confidence is completely crushed by all of this. Another issue I have been having is trying to figure out how to feed him correctly, I am feeding him on FF pate 1 1/2 can in the morning with water added and again at night. I have been having difficulty trying to get him to eat all of it as he will chow down in the beginning but then stop as he wants to just snack throughout the day but he cannot do that anymore. I should mention that he at night ( even when i feed him and get him to eat a good deal he will become super hungry at night and wake me up to be fed) I was once feeding him three times a day but I wasn’t sure if I could feed him a full can mid day with his diabetes so I stopped and split the third can to make it 1 1/2 each feeding but i am thinking it still too much food for him to eat in one sitting? so I guess my second question is How do I get him to eat more? he gets anxiety meds at night so it’s really important that he eats all of his food at night. Am I feeding him too much? He is 13 pounds as he has lost 2 pounds in the past month and half due to the diabetes diagnosis so I’m trying to make sure he still eats a fair amount because I don’t want him losing any more weight super quickly. I’m sorry I know this post was long, I am sure new to all of this and I love my baby so much and I just keep feeling like I am failing him. He is counting on me to get him better. I am in college full time and I work full time in a deli so I am trying to juggle a million different things and trying to figure out a good schedule for my baby. I would really appreciate any advice on what to do! Also any tips or tricks in general you have learned I would really appreciate! I just want to take care of my boy the best I possibly can!

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

Hi and welcome to you and Shadow to the forum. It can be overwhelming in the beginning but it does get much easier.
First of all, please don’t worry that you have given a few fur shots in the beginning. It does happen but never give another dose at the same time. You must wait the 12 hours until the next dose as it is not safe to repeat the dose as some may have got in.
Are you letting him eat while you give the injection? Try having him on a table at your height when you do it
Here is a diagram of places to give the insulin, it doesn’t have to be the scruff of the neck.

Another issue I have been having is trying to figure out how to feed him correctly

With vetsulin you need to feed Shadow 30 minutes before the shot. So you test the BG, feed Shadow, wait 30 minutes then give the insulin. The reason for this is because vetsulin hits hard and fast and you need to have food aboard. It is also good to give snacks during the cycles as well. I would suggest giving a snack at +2 and +4 and +6 each cycle if he is hungry and asking for food a lot and has lost weight.
I would suggest getting him an automatic timed feeder for when you work and at night, that you can fill so that he gets food while you are away and asleep. It is fine to use wet food in the feeders. You will just need to wash the containers out.

I have also requested that I started monitoring his levels at home soon so I can keep a better eye on him) he is on 1 unit twice a day. For

You don’t need your vets permission to home test. You can buy an ReliOn meter from Walmart for $9 amd 100test strips for $17.99. You will also need a box of lancets to prick the ear. Ask for 26 or 26 gauge. And some cotton rounds to hold behind the ear while you prick it. We can help you get started with testing.
It is the best way to keep your Shadow safe and will help get him into better numbers quicker as you will be able to see how the insulin is working.

I have been reading the forms so I asked for him to be switched to Lantus in the future once we get his curve test down next week and can figure out a good set unit to place him on. I have

You don’t need to wait to figure out a dose, to swap to Lantus. You can swap now over to 1 unit if that is what you have been giving. Lantus is a much better insulin for cats. Vetsulin is an insulin made for dogs.

I think I have answered all your questions. If not, let me know. Keep asking lots of questions and post and let us know how you are getting along. Post daily if you like.
When you start hometesting we will ask you to set up a spreadsheet to enter the data. Makes it all much easier to follow and for us to help you.
Bron

 

[Chris and Checkers]

Hi welcome to the site. It is usually pretty overwhelming when your kitty gets diagnosed with diabetes but it gets easier and there is a lot of helpful information and members here.

Do you distract Shadow with a treat while you are giving insulin. That usually helps. What gauge needles are you using, the higher the gauge the smaller the needle. You will need new syringes anyway when you switch to lantus, I use 31g.

I am sure there are other members that will give you more information.

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

Welcome to FDMB!

First and foremost, you are not failing your cat! How much you care about Shadow is evident. If you didn't care, you wouldn't have searched the internet and found us. The beginning of the learning curve is rather steep. There's a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience here and members of the forum are here to help.

Bron has provided some great information. It sounds like you've already found out that Vetsulin is no longer recommended by the American Animal Hospital Assn for the treatment of feline diabetes. If your vet gives you a hard time about switching to Lantus, Prozinc is also recommended. (You can also purchase Prozinc from Chewy's, not just from your vet.)

We have lots of information on home testing. If you want to do some homework, this post has links and videos. One of the key items with home testing is treats. Many people here use freeze dried chicken as a treat although there are a variety of freeze dried proteins that are zero carbs and work great as a reward. You might want to consider using a treat even with giving a shot.

There is no need to change the feeding schedule Shadow was used to. Like Bron noted, Shadow should be given food about 30 min. prior to a shot. It's fine if your cat wants to graze and finish his food at his convenience. If he's waking you at night, a timed feeder will help so you don't have to wake up. I'd also be curious if his numbers are dropping lower at night. Many cats do experience lower numbers in the evenings and many cats will let you know if they need food to offset the lower numbers. (Or, he just may want attention!!) The only caveat is that you do not want to provide 2 hours prior to shot time. You don't want your pre-shot test (once you start testing) to be influenced by food. You need to know if it's safe to give insulin and that's what the pre-shot test tells you.

I'm including a link to a post on helping us to help you. It provides information on how to set up your signature and a spreadsheet. The signature will provide some basic information about you and Shadow so we don't keep asking you the same questions over and over again. It will also provide instructions on setting up a spreadsheet which you'll need to track Shadow's test data and progress. It will also allow us to follow along. There's also additional information that's helpful with getting started.

Please let us know how we can help.