NEW MEMBER 12/8/2020 - 13.5 yr old cat w/diabetes :(

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John Mike

John Mike

Member Since 2020
My 13.5 year old cat, Ranger, was diagnosed today with diabetes. Unfortunately this is not the first cat I've had that has gotten/ had this disease, but, it's been probably 6 years since our old cat passed, so I'm out of practice. After thinking it over today, there's absolutely no reason I shouldn't give it a try, again, as this cat has been our buddy for a long time, & some non cat people that have met him really like him. I'm trying to read about the low carb food, lantus, and monitoring at home. He likes dry food, and wet food. If anyone has some good advice about low carb food - or the recommended cat food for diabetic cats, AND the whole monitoring thing at home ( which I think is awesome ), please let me know. I will be calling my vet tomorrow and letting them know I'll give this a go. My vet is good, but I trust members here may have a little more insight about treatment. They kept my old cat for a few weeks trying to "treat" him. My wife reminded me tonight that he never really responded to it at the vet, or a few months at home. Anyway, I'm glad to be here, glad I found this site, and look forward to any recommendations. Thanks! John Mike
 
Hi and welcome John and Ranger. We are here to help you. Ask all the questions you want, we are happy to answer them.
There is no need to have Ranger at the vet when he starts insulin. If you are testing at home, that is far better all round.
Here are some links for you

How you can help us help you
https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/new-how-you-can-help-us-help-you.216696/

Food charts. Low carb 10% or under wet food is the best for diabetic cats
https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/links-to-food-charts.174182/

home testing link
https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/hometesting-links-and-tips.287/

Spreadsheet link
[url]https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/forums/spreadsheets-tech-support-testing-area.6/[/URL]
 
Welcome to you and Ranger, John Mike.

John Mike said:
I will be calling my vet tomorrow and letting them know I'll give this a go.
Click to expand...
When speaking to the vet, ask for either Lantus or Prozinc insulin. (Other insulins aren't a good choice for feline diabetics because their action is quite harsh and they don't have a long enough duration.)

NB: Lantus is quite expensive in the US but many members here regularly order it from Marks Marine Pharmacy in Canada at a much, much better price. You'd need a prescription from the vet but we can then provide you with information on ordering. Also I believe that there are some places in the US where they sell single Lantus pens (the pen cartridge is used like a 'mini vial' and the insulin is drawn up using a U100 insulin syringe). [@Chris & China (GA) - do you have info on where it might be possible to purchase a single Lantus pen quickly?]

We can also help you find where to get all the other supplies you'll need at good prices.


Mogs
.
 
Critter Mom said:
Welcome to you and Ranger, John Mike.


When speaking to the vet, ask for either Lantus or Prozinc insulin. (Other insulins aren't a good choice for feline diabetics because their action is quite harsh and they don't have a long enough duration.)

NB: Lantus is quite expensive in the US but many members here regularly order it from Marks Marine Pharmacy in Canada at a much, much better price. You'd need a prescription from the vet but we can then provide you with information on ordering. Also I believe that there are some places in the US where they sell single Lantus pens (the pen cartridge is used like a 'mini vial' and the insulin is drawn up using a U100 insulin syringe). [@Chris & China (GA) - do you have info on where it might be possible to purchase a single Lantus pen quickly?]

We can also help you find where to get all the other supplies you'll need at good prices.


Mogs
.
Click to expand...

Mogs - thank you for the insight. My vet did give me Prozinc today so that's good. He's got some Hills Science food on order as well, although I bought some friskies canned food today and Ranger ate it up right away. I don't want to have to spend money on fancy name brand food if I don't have to. Now I need to figure out the dosage to give him starting ( I have to read what the vet sent ) then also how to test/ monitor his levels from home. Again, I greatly appreciate the feedback!!!
 
Welcome John and Ranger
  • when you get a chance ,It would be helpful if you can set up your signature so we don't have to ask you the same questions over again. Members will look at this first , not what you wrote in your profile
  • It appears after each post in gray, look at mine,



  • On the left, under Settings, Click on Signature. This is where you will put information that helps us give you feedback.
    • There is a limit of two lines which may include two links; you may separate pieces with commas, dashes, | etc. This is where you paste the link for your spreadsheet, once it is set up.
    • Add any other text, such as
    • Caregiver & kitty's name (optional)
    • DX: Date
    • Name of Insulin
    • Name of your meter
    • Diet: "LC wet" or "dry food" or "combo"
    • Dosing: TR or SLGS or Custom (if applicable)
    • DKA or other recent health issue (if applicable)
    • Acro, IAA, or Cushings (if applicable)
    • Spreadsheet link. Please put the signature link on the bottom line of your signature information, on its own, so it is easy to find.
    • Please do not put any information about your location in the signature for security reasons. If you wish to add your country location, please add it to your profile.
Be sure to click the 'Save Changes' button at the bottom. If you need help urgently it is important we know these things at a glance. We don’t want to waste valuable time finding out information.


tap on your avatar where it says your name ,then hit profile page ,tap on that ,then go up to the very top, upper right hand side and tap on your name ,it will bring down a drop box, tap on signature, the signature will be under settings, tap on the signature then and you can start to add what I posted above, make sure you hit save ,
Welcome to the best place you could ever be and an awesome group of people
 
Hello and welcome!

John Mike said:
Now I need to figure out the dosage to give him starting ( I have to read what the vet sent )
Click to expand...

Here's a doc on "dosing methods" from this site that discusses starting doses:

PROZINC DOSING METHODS

Also, you definitely do not need to spend extra money on the prescription diets-- they aren't even very good for diabetics! Great job getting him on the Friskies immediately, it will really help get him on the road to regulation.

We can help with home testing blood glucose. Most of us here use "human" meters because they cost much less to operate than the "pet" meters most vets favor. If you're in the US, many find that Walmart's Relion brand is a good bet (cheap test strips, and they're easy to re-supply in an emergency) but another option is ordering strips online from Amazon or EBay if Walmart doesn't work for you. Outside the US, depending on the country, we might be able to make other specific suggestions, just ask.

As for the testing, it's one of those things with a steep learning curve, but it soon becomes routine. Once you get going with it, you'll find that it's a real relief to be able to monitor how Ranger is doing on insulin, and you'll have much more control over the situation.

Keep asking questions!
 
Always aim for the sweet spot warm the ears up first, you can put rice in a sock and put it in the microwave, test it on the inside of your wrist to be sure it's not to hot, like you would test a babies bottle. You can fill a pill bottle with warm water and roll it on the ears also
c2b8079a-b471-4fa6-ac36-9ac1c8d6dcca-jpeg.57072
fec17d29-5ab4-44a8-912b-3a91944c3954-jpeg.57073

6. As the ears get used to bleeding and grow more capilares, it gets easier to get the amount of blood you need on the first try. If she won’t stand still, you can get the blood onto a clean finger nail and test from there
 
Most of us use the human meter from Walmart The Relion Prime 9 dollars
Test strips are 17.88 for 100 strips
Buy 26 or28 gauge lancets
Most of us test freehand just using the lancets
Some buy the lancing device
I find you have more control just using the lancet and can see where you are poking.
Get some cotton rounds to put behind the ear just in case you poke yourself
Then just press gently on the ear to stop the bleeding about 10 seconds
If his ears ever look sore you can put a thin layer of Neosporin Ointment with Pain Relief, make sure it's NOT the Cream
Have honey or Karo on hand in case he ever drops to low
 
We have a spreadsheet we all use to track our cats BG numbers
It's a very useful tool
If you ever have questions about dosing or if you are not sure whether to shoot, or if
he ever drops too low we need to see these numbers in order to feel comfortable
giving advice

I will post the link for setting up the spreadsheet, if you have trouble setting it up
just ask we have 2 wonderful members that will set it up for you

I will also give you the link Understanding the grid ( spreadsheet)

Take a look at mine it will say Tyler's spreadsheet under my signature
 
This is what you need to feed if he ever drops to low, don't have want a hypo
Such as

You should always have a few can of these on hand in case you need to bring up


Fancy Feast Gravy Lovers Gourmet Beef Feast in Gravy 20% High Carbs


Fancy Feast Gravy Lovers Gourmet Chicken Feast in Gravy. 15% Med Carbs




Fancy Feast Gravy Lovers Turkey Feast in Gravy. 15% Med Carbs


Fancy Feast Gravy Lovers Chicken and Beef Feast in Gravy 15% Med Carbs

It's mostly the gravy that has the higher carbs in it
 
John Mike said:
My 13.5 year old cat, Ranger, was diagnosed today with diabetes. Unfortunately this is not the first cat I've had that has gotten/ had this disease, but, it's been probably 6 years since our old cat passed, so I'm out of practice. After thinking it over today, there's absolutely no reason I shouldn't give it a try, again, as this cat has been our buddy for a long time, & some non cat people that have met him really like him. I'm trying to read about the low carb food, lantus, and monitoring at home. He likes dry food, and wet food. If anyone has some good advice about low carb food - or the recommended cat food for diabetic cats, AND the whole monitoring thing at home ( which I think is awesome ), please let me know. I will be calling my vet tomorrow and letting them know I'll give this a go. My vet is good, but I trust members here may have a little more insight about treatment. They kept my old cat for a few weeks trying to "treat" him. My wife reminded me tonight that he never really responded to it at the vet, or a few months at home. Anyway, I'm glad to be here, glad I found this site, and look forward to any recommendations. Thanks! John Mike
Click to expand...
Welcome! I have a video in my signature showing how I test my cat CC at home. So glad you are planning to home test. Ranger isn't that old and potentially has quite a few years ahead of him. My cat was diagnosed at 12 years old and is now 17.
 
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