New Here Need Advice

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julie & punkin said:
((((nora))))
try shining a flashlight against the inside of her ear so you can see the vein. poke straight on it. we don't do that on an ongoing basis, but in your case you need to know what her BG is.
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Really???? Oh ****.
Back to square one, Akbah!

Brian said:
do you have another cat (or even a friends cat) you can practice on? My innocent healthy cats all got stabbed a few times when I was first learning. It's much more relaxing stabbing a cat when you don't feel you need to do it.
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I do have a spare cat... Hmmm. She's a ex-feral though, could be a challenging "practice". (I'm learning a lot from your thread, Nora)

Hope today goes better for you and Blaki. ((hug))

Nat
 
Thank you all so much for your support and advice. I am sad to say that I have not yet been able to get a bg on Blaki. It turns out that Blakis vet was not open yesterday, but I did manage to talk to him on the phone. I told him about dropping Blaki's vial of insulin and asked him if he could call in a prescription for Lantus to our local pharmacy. He said he was not familiar with it but that he would call it in. Well when I went to pick it up what they gave me instead was Humulin N. They said that is what he called in, and by this time he was no longer available for phone calls so I had to take it so I wouldnt be completely out. I did buy some ketostix and her urine tested between negative and trace. So I am still pretty much in the dark about what's going on. She is eating such small amouunts, like a couple of bites...what should I be doing as far as her insulin when she is eating so little? We have fought for her life and wellness all these years...just to lose her to this? :(
 
Nora:

I"m trying to get some other eyes on your condo for someone experienced with using Humulin.

Here is a link to registered members of FDMB: Members

I don't know where your town in CA is located...can you give us an idea and we can see if someone is near you that we can ask to come help you test?

If she has trace ketones, you need to be sure that you get food and water in her even if you have to make a nice slurry and syringe it into her. She also needs insulin but try to get her to eat/drink and let's see if someone
lives near you that can help test and if we have someone who can help you with the dosing on the humulin.

ETA: I was just provided this Humulin N link for additional info for you to read: Humulin N Primer
 
I would so very much appreciate someone to come help me test Blaki. I live in a very very small rural town called Orosi, California. I am 45 miles east of Fresno, and 16 miles north of Visalia. Fresno and Visalia are the closest bigger cities to where i live. There are more smaller towns within 10-20 miles such as Dinuba, Reedley, Sanger, Selma, Kingsburg and such. I am so worried. Taking Blaki to the vet is so very stressful for her, especially because her last stay was so recent and traumatic that I am in doubt if the readings would be right due to her being so stressed out at being hauled back to there again so soon. And the Humulin..and the small amounts she's eating...I don't have the slightest idea about what I should be giving her as far as amount of insulin. I have decided to leave her food down and available to her all of the time, since she is eating only a couple of bites at any given time. She is still sleeping a lot and when she is up she walks only a few feet before dropping to the floor to rest. She looks bright eyed and alert when she is awake, but seems weak in the hind legs.

Nora & Blaki
 
Maybe you could talk to the vets office, and see if one of the vet techs from the clinic would be willing to come to your home and give you lessons, or perhaps they know of another diabetic cat mom locally who would be able to assist?
 
I grew up in Fresno, but as a kid you don't really know what's around you. are any of these close enough? i don't think we need a N user, but someone to help you get a BG test would be good.

did you try hitting smack on the vein? did you try it on yourself? i know it's hard, but i also know you can do it! try warming up blacki's ear nice and warm before you poke. i used an old glass spice bottle because it gave me something to poke against.


Alameda County California Karen & Zelda
Albany/El Cerrito California Mary & Miles
Antelope Valley Callifornia mendi&bubba
Arcadia California Mindy & Snickers
Bakersfield California chase n sara
Bay Area California Christy & Tater (GA)
Bay Area California Karen & Zelda
Bay Area California Marc & Zep
Brea California Tina, Rob & Snowboots
Burbank California Dee and Bee
Corona California Cindy & Mousie et al (Yorba Linda -Work)
Costa Mesa California Lois and Sweetpea
Downey California Kathy & Murphy
El Cerrito, Bay Area California Amy & Max
Freemont California Julie & Boo(GA)
Glassel Park (Near Glendale) California Robin & Barney
Glendale California dee and bee
Hollister California Kim & Kliban
Irvine California Debby K & Charlie
Irvine California Nolene & Poopaws
West Covina California Naomi and Panther
La Mesa, San Diego California Natasha & Josiah
Lake Forrest (works in Irvine) California Lisa & Blakey
Livermore California Judy, Peanut & Bell
Los Angeles California Holly and Spader
Los Angeles California Karen & dB (GA)
Los Angeles California Robin & Barney
Los Angeles(Sherman Oaks) California Felice & Bert
Marin California Kathy & Chauncy
Marina Del Rey California Linda, Susan, Zenny Moonbeam
Martinez California Sue & Roscoe
Martinez California Amy and Kayah
Martinez California Sue & Roscoe
Martinez, (Bay Area) California Sue & Roscoe
Menlo Park California Peg & Rocky
Oakland California Naomi Elliot & Simon
Orange County California Doug & Rodney
Orange County California Katie & Hallie
Orange County California Lisa and Simba
Orange County California Susan & Harley
Placerville California Christine & Cricket
Redondo Beach California Ambre & Toonces
Sacramento California Cindy & Baby
Sacramento California Randy & Buddy
Sacramento California Stephanie & Mollie
San Bernadino County California Gail & Houdini
San Bernadino (Inland Empire) California Anne Bremer & Puff
San Carlos California George & Blackie
San Diego California Florrence & Purrsey
San Diego California Jacalyn & Mandala
San Diego California Mama & Max
San Diego (Escondido) California Lynn_Sufi
San Diego (North) California Pawprints and Ten
San Diego /National City California Anne B and the Royal Court
San Fancisco California Von and Bushy
San Francisco California Bruce Janke
San Francisco California chriscleo
San Francisco California Lisa & Merlyn
San Francisco California Lore & Kitty
San Francisco California Lore & Kitty
San Francisco California Michael & Gina
San Francisco California Stella & Mr. Nougato
San Francisco (North) California Rosalind & Edward
San Francisco California Lisa and Merlyn
San Gabriel Valley California Diane & Tabitha
San Jose California Terry & Punkin (GA)San Mateo California Linda & Wildthing
San Raphael, Bay Area California Hillary & Zug
Santa Barbara California Michele, Rick & Serendipity (GA)
Santa Barbara California Nina & Felix the Cat
Santa Clara (SF Bay) California Rillibee’s Mom
Santa Cruz California Amy & Kaboodle
Santa Cruz California Carol & Yoshi
Simi Valley California Pamela Collins & Blackie
Southern - P/T in San Francisco California Melissa and Popcorn (GA) & Sushi (GA)
Talmadge, San Jose California Gabriella & Bucky
Torrance California Cheri & Patriot
Union City California Patticass & Tyler
Vallejo California Bonnie and Ditto
Van Nuys California Bruce & Snoopy
Walnut Creek California Chet & ClaraKitty
West Covina California Noemi and Panther
Yorba Linda California cedubose
 
You know, I was thinking back at the way this all unfolded.Blaki's tail had been injured for 9-10 months prior to her tail amputaion. The vet repeatedly told us to wait before deciding on amputation, because the tail will sometimes regain feeling and heal itself. In hindsight, I think she has been in significant pain from her tail for quite awhile. Cats are extremely good at hiding their pain. Also I had been giving her all the wrong things in her diet...she was eating a fair amount of dry food, she was getting popcorn everytime we would eat popcorn while watching movies, about 3 to 4 times a week. Also she is a wonderful beggar, and therefore was always getting bits of whatever we were eating at any given time. I realize now that all of that was wrong for her. So what I'm thinking is that maybe the high bg readings during her stay at the vets was due to the stress and the pain, and all the bad feeding habits. Could it just be wishful thinking that maybe Blaki is not diabetic at all? Unfortunately none on the list in California are close. The closest one is over 100 miles away. Thanks so much for all of your efforts. I have tried every suggestion without success to test her bg...I just cannot manage to get even the tiniest drop of blood. I feel like such a failure...it's just a single drop of blood! Whats so hard about that?!
God Bless You All!!! This forum's members are AWESOME! Thank you from the bottoms of our hearts.
Nora & Blaki
 
Hi Nora. I used to live in CA, and my parents live in Stockton, but I'm currently living in New Jersey.
I haven't read every word of your condo, so don't know if this has been mentioned before, but I notice your cat is black. I poke on the inside (where there's a lot less fur) of J.D.'s ears. I use 28 gauge lancets and almost always have to poke several times in basically the same spot to get enough blood for a test. I also test in a section down further on the ear, nearer to the flap. I hope you will keep trying, and I hope she will start eating more (or you will assist feed her). Hugs.
 
Hi Nora,

Sending you hugs from NW Ohio!! It's always traumatic when you have to start doing things like this, but don't worry, your kitty still loves you! He knows you're just trying to make him feel better.

What kind of glucose meter are you using? Can you take the cap off the lancer so you can see the needle? Do you know what gauge you are using? If you bought a meter it probably came with a lancer and 10 "lancets" - small flesh-colored plastic sticks with a tiny sharp needle on the end, covered by a round plastic cap. You uncap the needle (the round cap twists off), insert the lancet into the lancer, and you're good to go. On mine you pull the lancer back until you hear a 'click'. The lancers are spring-loaded so when you push a little button on the 'pen', the needle darts forward and jabs the skin.

Is this what's happening with you? What I did when I first got my kit was to practice on a styrofoam take-out container. That way I could see how the needle comes out, how far it goes, and whether it worked better for me with the protective 'cap' on or off the lancer (some people prefer to keep the cap off so they can see exactly where the needle's going.)

See the thread "My diabetic kitty has my vet stumped!" to read all about my 1 1/2 hour adventure trying to get my kitty's BG reading this afternoon. Everybody goes through this, and the important thing to remember is that your cat won't hold any of this against you. They have very bad short-term memories that are usually easily cleared by a treat or a cuddle. After jabbing my kitty's ear about 50 times this afternoon I was afraid she'd never let me near her with the lancer again! But tonight she was just fine.

You will be too! Don't give up. We're all pulling for you!!!! :-D
 
it's a great idea to try poking on a styrofoam piece to see how it works. if there's no member nearby we'll just have to continue trying to coach you through it til you have success. it will come! we have yet to have someone not be able to get blood!

did you try it on yourself? i just can't tell when you say you've tried everything - i'm not sure what else to say to help. i would literally just keep poking til you get blood. did you try hitting on the vein - because we know it has blood in it!!!

are you free-hand poking or using the lancet device? if you're using the device, try holding it firmly against the ear for about 10 seconds (count them) before you click the device, then continue holding in the same place for a few more seconds. you should see blood welling up from that.

make certain that something hard is behind her ear when you poke. otherwise the ear will bend away from the lancet and it won't go in.

it is possible that some level of high numbers was because of stress, pain and a poor diet. if that's the case, having her completely on low-carb canned food may allow her pancreas to heal. we have seen cats go off of insulin after their diets were corrected.

great job getting the ketone test! keep trying to get blood. btw, there are people who poke the foot pad. i think one of the ones that's up higher and not being walked on, but i'm not sure and haven't ever done it. however, it's worth a try.

if you can't get blood to test, i think i'd call the vet's emergency number and ask whether or not you should give insulin. my prescription says if punkin's not eating not to give insulin. i don't know how much blaki needs to eat to be ok to get the shot. i would be very reluctant to shoot a cat that's sick and not eating.

as far as the back legs go, have we suggested methyl B-12 to you yet? it takes a little bit of time to work but people have had great success with it. that usually develops after extended uncontrolled BG, as i understand it, but i could be wrong. i don't know much about neuropathy except that it is reversible in many cases.
 
Hi Nora. Just wanted to wish you well and hope you and Blaki are doing okay.
Hope you get blood today. Isn't it weird to say something like that.
You can do it.
Nat
 
Losing weight can impact a cat in a lot of ways so its really important to get her to maintain her weight. Cats can't use body fat for energy like humans do. Their livers clog up with fat. Maverick's story is in my signature - you want to start assist feeding to make up the difference. Syringe feeding is very easy to do - just takes a little practice. There is a Yahoo group dedicated to assist feeding called Yahoo Feline Assisted Feeding. When you register you will be sent five files automatically. One of them is how to assist feed safely and efficiently. You'll get a lot of tips.

Please do get some oral syringes from the vet - they have a curved tip and I cut the opening a bit larger. Get a bunch of them they start sticking. My vet didn't know about feline hepatic lipidosis or that it could hit quickly in an overweight cat, but also in cats that just eat less calories than normal for weeks. Maverick almost died from this so I try and tell everyone about syringe feeding so they can avoid a second crisis on top of diabetes.

You are in absolutely amazing hands here. Sending more hugs.
 
I forgot to say that you want to syringe feed a food that you do not give her normally. This is just to avoid her getting any food aversions to her favourite foods. Wellness Chicken has 200 calories a can and you would need less of this than another food - more calories per ml and is only 2-4% carbs, I can't remember. Just blend it in a blender and add enough warm water to make it syringeable. More tips in that article.
 
Thank you for the wonderful and helpful advice. I am very disappointed to say that despite repeated attempts, I have not yet been able to test bg. I have tried her ears til they are bruised, I have even tried her paws and the shaved spot on her neck. She started to eat a bit more, but now this morning she acts like she is not well. Her breathing is faster than usual and she has a glassy eyed look. I tested her urine for keytones and it tested between negative and trace. I hate to stress her out by putting her in the car and taking her back to the vet, but I may have to do it. I am just worried that the additional stress will have a worse impact on her. I am so scared and don't know what to do. There are so many variables, its hard for a newbie at this to know just what to do hour by hour. :(.

Nora & Blaki
 
I just watched your video on Blaki. She is adorable!

Alrighty. First things first.

Breathe. :smile: Not being able to get a BG yet isn't the end of the world, ok? I know it feels like it, especially with Blaki being sick. Keep attempting, and it will get better.

I know you've probably done this before, but would you post, step by step, exactly how you do a BG reading?

If you're like me, I was forgetting a step here or there. The folks here were so patient and kind, and so very helpful. Perhaps one of use will see someting and can suggest a tip or two to help. :smile:
 
My kitty was just diagnosed in this last November. I wanted to send you digital hugs and let you know that even though your stressed and scared and overwhelmed YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Everyone here has been through this before and we all are here for you. In the beginning i cried like every day my poor little artemis wasn't eating and actually had ketoassidosis and had to go to the hospital. Yet here its only been a few months and already things are much better.
It took me and my husband a good month before we got blood regularly from her ear. So keep at it, it does get better. The rice sock helped immensely after a month we didn't even need the rice sock anymore. Quite the change from her ear that would never bleed ever.
Also my girl is on lantus insulin and it really has helped her a lot. I would recommend it.

As to food, maybe try sprinkling some forta flora (sp?) on her food and mixing some water with it to help her keep hydrated. I'm told that the stuff tastes really good to kitties and might help stimulate her appetite to eat the food.

REALLY important note. If she doesn't eat you don't give her the shot. It's imperative with insulin that they have food on board for the insulin to act on or they can go hypoglycemic which is deadly. Not eating is really dangerous for kitties especially diabetic ones so definitely try syringe feeding her!
 
Open mouth breathing or just breathing more when you stress her out? When she is resting, how many breaths per minute. Sleeping is ideal (not dreaming).
 
FWIW

I never look for a vein or capillary. I have always poked the thicker/inner edge of Squeak's ear, about 2/3 of the way down and a few millimetres in. So if you haven't tried that area, you might want to see if it works for you.

I very much support syringe feeding. I had to do it for several days with Squeak when he was first diagnosed, I had to do it with my non-diabetic when a med made her inappetant, and I had to do it again recently with Squeak when his liver was in acute crisis. Each time it was successful, and he is fat and sassy to prove it. Your cat needs the food and the insulin in order to start recovery, as well as to avoid developing ketones.

I KNOW this is tough. But we also know that you CAN do it and it WILL get better

Jen
 
just checking back in on you both, nora! :YMHUG: let us know how we can help.

have you watched youtube videos on how to hometest? maybe that would help. there are quite a few.
 
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