New member Bella

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Sharon Hill

Sharon Hill

Member Since 2020
Hello my name is Sharon & Bella is my cat. 3 years ago she came on our porch in a bad rain storm half starved & she’s been our baby ever since. On October 2, 20 she was diagnosed with diabetes and was put on Novolin, 1 unit 2x day. She has lost 4lbs & weighs 6lbs. I’m taking her to a different vet on Thursday October 8 to recheck her weight and hopefully get a script for Lantus. Her bg ranges from 243-553, she eats Fancy Feast & non seasoned baked chicken. I can only get blood from her back foot pads & then sometimes have to poke twice just to get enough blood & then when I think I have enough ERROR comes up and we have to do it again We live in Hardin Texas so if anyone can offer me any advice, I’ll truly appreciate it. Thank y’all & God bless
 
Welcome. Waving from Canada.
Lantus is a much gentler insulin for cats. Good luck with the new vet.
Lantus is expensive in the US. A lot of people get a prescription from their vet and order from Canada. It is a reputable pharmacy.

You can try freehanding with the lancet (not using the lancing device) or try setting the device to a deeper setting.
There are some testing tips and videos here:
I'm asking the moderators to move your thread over to the Health Forum where more eyes will see it.
@Wendy&Neko
@Sienne and Gabby (GA)
 
Sharon Hill said:
Hello my name is Sharon & Bella is my cat. 3 years ago she came on our porch in a bad rain storm half starved & she’s been our baby ever since. On October 2, 20 she was diagnosed with diabetes and was put on Novolin, 1 unit 2x day. She has lost 4lbs & weighs 6lbs. I’m taking her to a different vet on Thursday October 8 to recheck her weight and hopefully get a script for Lantus. Her bg ranges from 243-553, she eats Fancy Feast & non seasoned baked chicken. I can only get blood from her back foot pads & then sometimes have to poke twice just to get enough blood & then when I think I have enough ERROR comes up and we have to do it again We live in Hardin Texas so if anyone can offer me any advice, I’ll truly appreciate it. Thank y’all & God bless
Click to expand...

Just wanted to say welcome to you & Bella. You have found the best support group possible and they will soon help you help Bella. Good luck with the new vet
Gill
 
WELCOME TO FDMB Sharon and extra sweet Bella. Sounds like she scored with her new home. We are glad you found us!
Here we are ALL dedicated to helping anyone who asks. You are ahead of the game since you are already home testing
Bella's blood sugar levels BRAVO!
I'm thinking you may want to start here and get acquainted with just how this board works and all the neat things that go with it :
New? How You Can Help Us Help You!

You have landed in a safe place with good people to help you learn to navigate this disease
FDMB is the best site on this planet to teach you everything you need to know about feline diabetes.

WELCOME TO OUR FAMILY:bighug:
jeanne
 
Just got home from taking Bella to new vet. Her weight in 1 week has gone from 6.3-6.1, so better than what I was thinking, she’s so skinny. Doc upped her insulin from 1 unit 2x a day to 2 units 2x a day, compared ReliOn meter to drs reading, 292(mine) 317(drs). He said to test only 1x day, NOT GONNA HAPPEN, & come back in a week to see how things are going. I begged for a script for Lantus & he wants to wait 4-6 weeks to see how she does on Novolin, even though I told him about it not being recommend for cats. His response was,”I’m no cat expert but I have been doing this for 30 years “. I’ll start 2units tonight & test her 4 hrs later & then throughout the day 4hrs. I don’t want her to drop too fast. Have a blessed day everyone & thank y’all for welcoming us with open arms!! ❤️ I do believe I’m not going to double her insulin right at once but start off at 1.25 and go from there.
 
Hi
Others will be much more experienced to guide you on what you should dose. But this was just to say that Mac had his insulin increased twice by our vet. Initially when he was on caninsulin he started on 1 iu then after hisvl BG curve after 10 days he put him up to 1.5 iu.
Then when we swapped to prozinc (I asked vet said yes) he started him back at 1 iu for safety then after the 10 day BG curve put him up to 1.6 iu.
So each time it was only about a 0.5iu increase but that is only my experience with Mac.
I think you are very wise to ask the experienced kitty parents on here what they think about an increase from 1iu to 2iu

PS if your vet is not willing to consider the swap of insulin perhaps you could think of another vet -? after all you are the one paying for it and him.
Gill
 
HELP!!!! This morning Bella woke me up to eat, as usual, I found wet throw up on the floor again for the 3rd time in the last week. I tested her BG before feeding & the ReliOn Premier Classic monitor read HI. The manual said it meant it was over 600 She only lapped up the juices from her FF & I instantly gave her 2 units of Novolin. How often should I recheck her?? It’s never been this high before, thank y’all
 
Hi Sharon.

First some URGENT questions:

1. Has your cat eaten anything at all this morning (from 1 hour before insulin until now) or has she just licked up some liquid from the FF? If she has eaten, tell me how much and which FF variety you gave.

2. How much time has elapsed since you gave the 2 units of Novolin?


Mogs
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Sh
Critter Mom said:
Hi Sharon.

First some URGENT questions:

1. Has your cat eaten anything at all this morning (from 1 hour before insulin until now) or has she just licked up some liquid from the FF? If she has eaten, tell me how much and which FF variety you gave.

2. How much time has elapsed since you gave the 2 units of Novolin?


Mogs
.
Click to expand...
She did lick up the juice from the can plus 1 Tab of water & maybe 2 bites. I gave her FF Classic pate cod, sole & shrimp. I gave her 2 units 5 minutes after that. I was scared
 
Sorry to have to ask this again, Sharon. I know you're worried but please bear with me. I need to know how long the insulin has been in Bella's system.

What time on the clock did you give the insulin?

What time on the clock is it now?

.
 
Thanks for the info, Sharon. I know better where you are now.

Next question - please answer ASAP:

When you insert a test strip into your BG meter does it switch the meter on?

.
 
Please confirm so that I understand clearly.

My understanding of the current status is:

Meter type: Human???

AMPS - >600 - Dose: 2IU Novolin N - Bella only licked up juice from food.
+2.00 - 308 (Bella still won't eat).

Sharon, please advise if my understanding is correct. If it isn't, please tell me what I've got wrong.

.
 
T
jt and trouble (GA) said:
Dont worry Mogs is the expert here. I'm just a cheerleader. She one of our VERY best and is likely researching.
Click to expand...
Critter Mom said:
Please confirm so that I understand clearly.

My understanding of the current status is:

Meter type: Human???

AMPS - >600 - Dose: 2IU Novolin N - Bella only licked up juice from food.
+2.00 - 308 (Bella still won't eat).

Sharon, please advise if my understanding is correct. If it isn't, please tell me what I've got wrong.

.
Click to expand...
Yes ma’am, human monitor ReliOn Premier Classic, numbers are down to 308 2+ still not eating. Thank you so very much for your help
 
Sinc
Sharon Hill said:
T


Yes ma’am, human monitor ReliOn Premier Classic, numbers are down to 308 2+ still not eating. Thank you so very much for your help
Click to expand...
she’s been diagnosed one week ago, she’s not very active & sleeps a lot, she’s also lost 4lbs since July & now weighs 6.1lbs as of yesterday October 8
 
you dont have to do this right now but...after this crisis is over..

To avoid future delays... You REALLY need to set up a spread sheet. This is going to help US help YOU:
FDMB SPREADSHEET INSTRUCTIONS

Next is your signature. We will be able to tell at a glance what insulin you use...all of your kitties particulars and not waste time, asking the same questions over and over:


    • 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.

All this is
IMPERATIVE to keep kitty safe
 
I
jt and trouble (GA) said:
you dont have to do this right now but...after this crisis is over..

To avoid future delays... You REALLY need to set up a spread sheet. This is going to help US help YOU:
FDMB SPREADSHEET INSTRUCTIONS

Next is your signature. We will be able to tell at a glance what insulin you use...all of your kitties particulars and not waste time, asking the same questions over and over:


    • 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.

All this is
IMPERATIVE to keep kitty safe
Click to expand...
had Chris set up Bella’s page for me, I just need to update it. I’m wanting on Google to send me an email to reset my forgotten password. It’s been 8yrs since I’ve used a google app and couldn’t remember my password. I’ll try again later today. Thank you again!! ❤️❤️❤️
 
It's great that you got that +2 test. We know that at the moment Bella's in safe numbers but Novolin N typically continues to drop numbers till at least +4 after the insulin was given, sometimes longer.

* As you have seen, Novolin N drops numbers hard and fast in the early part of the cycle.
* Numbers are likely to continue dropping till at least +4 after the injection was given, and possibly for a few hours after that.
* There's no way of predicting how low Bella will go with the insulin having not eaten.
* Bella's not eating at the moment so you won't be able to steer her BG levels with food while waiting for the dose to wear off.
* You need to determine what's causing the vomiting / nausea so that Bella can eat properly ASAP.
* Bella's only recently diagnosed and there's very little BG info at the moment so we've no real picture of her individual response to the Novolin N.

NOTE: Bella may well stay in safe numbers this cycle, but I don't make assumptions like that, particularly with the way Novolin N works and the fact she hasn't eaten.

For the above reasons, I think your best course of action would be to get Bella to a vet ASAP, but I'm worried about the level of support you'll receive from your veterinary team after the response you got the other day.

First step, can you ring your vet ASAP to see if you can get Bella in to them immediately - but definitely at some stage today: you need to find out why she's vomiting and not eating (very probably nausea) and the vets would be able to administer IV sugars if needed.

If you do need to rush out and aren't able to post, I'd suggest as a safety precaution rubbing honey/karo on Bella's gums. She may not need it but it would be safer to give the extra carbs than for her not to have enough. Bring the honey/karo with you. If you have to wait to see the vet (presumably in your vehicle because of covid) give a little bit of honey every 15 minutes.

Hopefully, you will have a few minutes to update me before you go, but don't worry if you can't.

If you don't get much support from the vet, come back to me and we'll go from there, OK?

I'm monitoring your thread for a reply.


Mogs
.
 
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More things to ask the vet about:

* As mentioned above, please ask the vet to check for ketones (can cause vomiting and inappetence, and needs to be treated urgently so that it doesn't progress into full diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a very serious complication of diabetes).

* Ask if they can do a Snap fPL test to check that Bella doesn't have pancreatitis.

* Ask them to check whether Bella might be constipated (can cause vomiting and/or loss of appetite).

* Ask about a Cerenia injection and a B12 injection (to help straight away with nausea and appetite respectively).

* Ask about getting a supply of ondansetron and/or Cerenia so you can continue to treat nausea/vomiting when she comes home.

* Ask about an appetite stimulant to give Bella at home (e.g. cyproheptadine).

* If pancreatitis test did come back positive, ask about pain relief (buprenorphine). This would also help make eating more comfortable in this instance.

* Ask what to do about insulin dosing if Bella's not eating properly.

Please can you update us when you're able to, Sharon. We worry ... :bighug: Post again for any help you need.

(((Sharon and Bella)))


Mogs
.
 
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