New Member 1/15/26 - Just Diagnosed

[k&b13]

Hello everyone!

My cat, Biggs, is 10 and was just diagnosed after taking him to the vet on 1/12/26 and finding out he was DKA. He had barely been eating for the past 2 days and I took him in wondering if it was a dental issue. He was transferred to a 24hr vet and has been in the ICU since that afternoon, 3 days ago. He has typically weighed about 18 lbs but was down to 14.4 lbs.

The vet has briefly mentioned a Libre device for when I take him home, but so far I do not have anything at home for the start of our journey. I have started with this thread: New? How You Can Help Us Help You! and have read about the hypo tool box and spreadsheet.

I received a call this morning stating that he is doing a lot better and is more active, no longer has ketones, but his blood sugar is still a little high. They said he was appropriately reacting to the given insulin levels for a cat his size, and we can discuss probably coming home tonight.

Is there anything I should prioritize to anticipate him coming home? They said they would be sending enough insulin in the meantime and the script that I can take to a human pharmacy.

Thank you all!

 

[CORKY]

Welcome to FDMB
You are not alone, we are here for you, since you have been reading our Forum, and you are ready to go!
BG numbers on the SS, What insulin was Bigg prescribed? Lantus and ProZinc are the best insulin for cats they are a 12-hour insulin easy on the cat,
A diabetic cat needs to have a diet of Wet can or raw food between 0-10% carbs, most member feed Fancy Feast pate most members feed up to 5%, if have been feeding kibbles, the transition from dry to wet is a slow process, not to upset the stomach, let us know what insulin he will be using and the dose, in the mean time I will tag a member that can assist you with DKA and dosing questions and other concerns you may have

 

[k&b13]

Thank you! Luckily he is used to eating Fancy Feast pate, as that has mainly been his diet. He eats wet food only already.

I am unsure what insulin and dose he will be on; I will make sure to get that info when I talk to the vet again this afternoon.

 

[CORKY]

Wow! You are way ahead, we cant call you newbie! Great job!, also with either insulin, is best to feed several meal/ snacks a day to keep the insulin in check, if you work, most members use a wet food feeder, some have chips, and cameras

 

[CORKY]

@Wendy&Neko

 

[k&b13]

Wow! You are way ahead, we cant call you newbie! Great job!, also with either insulin, is best to feed several meal/ snacks a day to keep the insulin in check, if you work, most members use a wet food feeder, some have chips, and cameras

Fortunately, I have a Petlibro wet food timed feeder! I will also set up a camera near it.

I found out that he is on Lantus insulin100units/mL. And I also just received a call stating that he is ready to come home! So I will have additional details soon regarding dose, etc. Thanks again!

 

[CORKY]

Fortunately, I have a Petlibro wet food timed feeder! I will also set up a camera near it.

I found out that he is on Lantus insulin100units/mL. And I also just received a call stating that he is ready to come home! So I will have additional details soon regarding dose, etc. Thanks again!

Awesome, now we need to know the dose, it is also a good idea that you purchase a manual meter most of all the member use the ReliOn Premier human monitor and strips, purchased at Walmart the meter is $19.99 and the strips are $9.00 for 50 or $17.88 for 100 or any other human monitor is just as good, is always good to have extra strips, the reason for this is that the Libre tends to read low numbers lower than usual, if this happens you can double confirm
manually, or if you do not have an extra sensor handy, or falls off, they last 14 days, you can check manually as well, is always good to have a couple of sensors at home as well, I will tag a couple of members that cans assist you with Lantus and any other concerns regarding dosing
@Wendy&Neko
@Sienne and Gabby (GA)

 

[CORKY]

here is a link on home testing
Hometesting Links and Tips

 

[squeem3]

If the prescription is for the Lantus pens, you'll also need a prescription for U100 insulin syringes. The ideal ones are 3/10cc with half unit markings. You don't need or want the pen needles. If the prescription is for the 10 ml bottle, you'll need syringes. The bottle may or may not last long. Some people have gotten a few months use out of the bottle, others can barely get a month's use. Info on how to handle and store Lantus: Sticky - Insulin Care & Syringe Info: Proper Handling, Drawing, Fine Dosing

WalMart has the Relion brand of syringes which many people use. One thing to note about the Relion syringes: the 3/10cc syringes do have half unit markings but it's not specifically noted on the box and apparently the pharmacists have no clue what you are talking about when you ask about half unit markings

If you're going to Walmart, ask for Relion 3/10ml, 31 or 30 gauge insulin syringes. (Don't mention half unit marks because this tends to confuse them and they think you don't know what you want and will try to convince you that you need 1/2ml syringes---you DON'T)

ALL of the 3/10ml Relion syringes at Walmart have half unit marks. Trust me on this. You will want one of these boxes of syringes (the difference is the needle length...blue box are shorter needles than white box but both work fine). As long as the box has the purple stripe, they are the correct syringes.

If you go to a different pharmacy, there are probably other brands of syringes like BD / Embecta and Monoject. You can also buy insulin syringes online. Amazon is one place you can buy insulin syringes from with no prescription. Chewy.com and diabetic supply web sites may or may not ask for a doctor's phone to confirm the prescription, it depends on what your state law is. Shipping may take a few days so it may be best to get the first box of syringes from the vet or a pharmacy for now. There are U100 syringes made for pets such as UltiCare VetRX but the Human ones work just fine and generally cost less.

Consider manual testing of blood glucose levels instead of a Libre. Discuss the pros and cons with the vet. You take a drop of blood from either the edge of the ear or a paw pad. Many cats need a bit of time to tolerate being tested. All you need is a Human blood glucose meter, test strips, and lancets and DIY rice sock or other method to warm the ear up. Pet meters are expensive and are no more accurate than a Human meter. Lots of people use the Relion meter sold at Walmart but any brand will work. You just need a basic meter. Test strips can be procey for some brands. I suggest a well known brand instead of an obscure brand only sold on Amazon or other online place. Most pharmacies carry the well known brands so you can pop in at any time to get more test strips if you forget to buy more online.

For cats who simply won't tolerate manual testing, the Libre is an option but you do need to know how to test from the ear or paw pad in case the Libre falls off or malfunctions or reads LO (all very common). There's info on the Libre here: https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/thr...ucose-monitors-cgms-for-diabetic-cats.303722/ One thing the vet won't tell you is that the Libre lasts about 2 weeks before it needs to be replaced (sooner if it falls off or malfunctions). A Libre is pricey too. You can save money by learning how to put the Libre on yourself instead of paying the vet to do it every 2 weeks or more. Less stress for your cat too. There is also a coupon to get a Libre for $20 but it may or may not work. See Freestyle Libre CGM Abbott Coupon $19.99 Each!!! Please Read

 

[squeem3]

For starting dose, FDMB recommends no more than 1 unit twice a day. Your cat is recovering from DKA so I'm not sure if your cat needs a different starting dose. @Wendy&Neko @Sienne and Gabby (GA) might have a suggestion.

You'll want to test for ketones at home. You can test with a fresh urine sample or by using a blood ketone meter. Urine is the easiest method. You need ketone strips from the pharmacy. Ketostix is one brand. Catching and testing urine

Ketones, Ketoacidosis, and Diabetic Cats: A Primer on Ketones

 

[k&b13]

For starting dose, FDMB recommends no more than 1 unit twice a day. Your cat is recovering from DKA so I'm not sure if your cat needs a different starting dose. @Wendy&Neko @Sienne and Gabby (GA) might have a suggestion.

You'll want to test for ketones at home. You can test with a fresh urine sample or by using a blood ketone meter. Urine is the easiest method. You need ketone strips from the pharmacy. Ketostix is one brand. Catching and testing urine

Ketones, Ketoacidosis, and Diabetic Cats: A Primer on Ketones

His dose is 2 units every 12 hours.

They gave me 6 prefilled doses so I am heading to the pharmacy to fill his scripts this afternoon. I will look for other mentioned supplies while I'm there. He came home last night and it was great to have him home and also sleeping in bed again.

I have done 2 shots so far! Both went well. He is also taking other medications (antibiotic and antiplatelet) and getting him to eat those even in a pill pocket has been more challenging. He is eating and showing interest in food but has been given an appetite stimulatant for putting in his ear.

 

[squeem3]

Insulin can pack a punch so monitor blood glucose levels carefully. You'll need to check before giving every insulin shot and a few random spot checks. And obviously if your cat is showing signs of hypo or seems off. If your cat hypos, you'll need to reduce the insulin dose.

Syringes should never be pre-filled with Lantus. The inside of the syringe is coated with a lubricant and that can negatively affect the insulin.

Eating is good Food and being well hydrated helps post-DKA.

 

[k&b13]

Insulin can pack a punch so monitor blood glucose levels carefully. You'll need to check before giving every insulin shot and a few random spot checks. And obviously if your cat is showing signs of hypo or seems off. If your cat hypos, you'll need to reduce the insulin dose.

Syringes should never be pre-filled with Lantus. The inside of the syringe is coated with a lubricant and that can negatively affect the insulin.

Eating is good Food and being well hydrated helps post-DKA.

Wow, that's good to know about the prefilled syringes. I gave him one last night and this morning (I picked him up in the evening and it was snowing and wouldn't have been able to get to a pharmacy in time. But I just got his prescription filled so I can use that now.

They didn't have any brand of glucose meter I saw mentioned at all so I'm going to get the Relion brand tomorrow from Walmart. I picked up some Ketostix today also and keeping a look out for him to use the litter box next so I can test with those.

 

[squeem3]

Really, any brand of blood glucose meter works Relion is what many people use and find affordable. The bare basic model is all you need, the Premier Classic one. You don't need fancy bluetooth or wireless or food tracking or app features.

I use AccuChek because that's what I bought when I had my first diabetic years ago. I started with the Advantage, then the Aviva, now using the Guide.. I have a subscription for test strips and syringes from a diabetic supply web site but can go to any chain pharmacy in the area to get more test strips.

 

[k&b13]

With the stress of this week, I completely forgot I am scheduled to work my 2nd job tomorrow night (5p-12:30am). After getting home last night, Biggs has been on a 9:30am/9:30pm schedule for shots (2 units/dose). I'm trying to find coverage but after being out of work this week from my full-time job (vet appts + winter weather -- I work outside normally), I really need the hours

I am trying to read up on tight regulation right now, but would anyone have advise?

• Call off if I can't find coverage
• Skip the evening dose since I will be at work at 9:30pm
• Give evening dose when I get home hopefully before 1am and skip the next morning?

With currently having 2 jobs, usually 7:30am-6pm-ish, and 7:30am-3pm and 5pm-CL/12:00am-ish, I will research trying to get to a better routine for his shots.

 

[squeem3]

Do you have friends, family, relatives, pet sitter, etc who could give the insulin injections and test? Vet techs often do pet sitting and other things on the side for the money. You may want to ask the techs at your vet's office if they or someone they know would be able to help.

Lantus needs to be given consistently. Skipping doses and very late doses won't work.

@Wendy&Neko @Sienne and Gabby (GA) may have suggestions on how to keep your cat's insulin dosing on schedule.

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

Lantus does best with consistency. However, I doubt there's a member here who hasn't inadvertently given a fur shot (i.e., screwed up and the insulin didn't go into the cat). You can't shoot again since you don't know how much, if any amount, actually was injected. If you need to skip a shot, it's OK. I would do some planning though since it sounds like you work a second job and this will happen again. Either finding a shot time that will accommodate your schedule or having a friend, neighbor, cat sitter, etc. who can fill in for you may be an option.

 

[k&b13]

Lantus does best with consistency. However, I doubt there's a member here who hasn't inadvertently given a fur shot (i.e., screwed up and the insulin didn't go into the cat). You can't shoot again since you don't know how much, if any amount, actually was injected. If you need to skip a shot, it's OK. I would do some planning though since it sounds like you work a second job and this will happen again. Either finding a shot time that will accommodate your schedule or having a friend, neighbor, cat sitter, etc. who can fill in for you may be an option.

I agree, I definitely am going to plan my neighbor as a backup, I just didn't have time with the sudden news of the diagnosis and getting him Thursday night. The good news is my second job is totally fine with working around me having to go home based on his shot schedule. I only work here 1-2 days a week but long term I am going to be adjusting his shot schedule away from the vet's times and more to my work schedule. I did see a thread about adjusting times slowly so I will look into that tomorrow morning.

 

[CORKY]

You’re doing a great job, it gets easier, I promise!

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

Basically, if you have to adjust shot time, you have the choice of moving the time 15 min twice a day (i.e., at each shot time) or once a day by 30 min. The small adjustments have limited impact on blood glucose numbers. An early shot can work like a dose increase whereas a late shot acts like a dose reduction.