New Member Ebony 15yr kitty and owner Mike

[SammieCat]

Hi everyone ,

My name is Mike and I have two cats with my spouse. Ebony and Sammie. Only Ebony has diabetes. She is 15 years old. It has been about 2 years since her diagnosis.

She is on Vetsulin 2x day 3 1/2 units. The vet upped it when we went in for the Solensa shot this month. It was 260 at the vets and they said she felt bloated. So we see the vet Friday. It was last raised 2 months before this from 2-3 units 2x day. We were only going in every 6 months before the Solensa shots. So it was probably raised 8 months prior from 1 1/2- 2. We have had 2 curves done. 2 moths at at 2 units the vet saw no charge during the course of the 12 hours.

We switched to friskies pate when she was diagnosed. 4 ounces 2x a day. She is a big boned cat 10.5 pounds. I used the food chart here and read that ocean white fish and tuna was good in carbs. It’s also what we can afford. Between the two cats we have been spending 100’s per month between meds and the vets.

I recently worked up the courage to try testing her ourselves. We got the relion yesterday. She was 208 at midday. We tried again today but after 3 pokes unsuccessful. I think the ear wasn’t warm enough.

I’m still after all this time not very confident when I give the insulin shot. I hope with a meter I can now know if I am giving it correctly.

Our vet had said due to the difficulty in testing and risk of infection it was best to bring her in. Even if that is not the best advice I am keeping our vet. I like her and with our current situation it’s not easy to switch anyways.

It’s very stressful to be honest as I always feel like I’m doing a bad job taking care of her and Sammie with her issues. Trying so hard to get at least 1 of them stable. I know Vetsulin is not the best but that’s what my vet gave. I may mention lantus next time. Can I use goodrx or the manufacturer coupon program to fill it for a cat?

I think that is pretty much it for my introduction. I’m glad I finally joined after lurking here and there. It might be nice to talk to other people about this. Not just for tips but just for someone to talk to. It’s so hard sometimes staying strong.

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

Hi and welcome to the forum.
Yes you are correct. Lantus is a much better insulin for cats. I would ask the vet to swap you over to it. I’m going to tag @Diane Tyler's Mom as she can tell you about purchasing Lantus with coupons etc

Well done getting a ReliOn meter. Keep trying and you will master it. We all fail in the beginning. You will find it much cheaper to do the testing yourself and the results will be much more reliable as cats gets stresses at the vet. Keep us updated on your progress. Make sure you give Ebony a little treat every time you test.

please don’t increase the dose from 2 to 3 units. That is too much of an increase. We recommend increasing by 1/4 unit at a time.
So with testing you test first, then feed, then wait 30 minutes before giving the Vetsulin.
Keep asking questions

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

BEGINNERS GUIDE TO VETSULIN

 

[SammieCat]

Hi and welcome to the forum.
Yes you are correct. Lantus is a much better insulin for cats. I would ask the vet to swap you over to it. I’m going to tag @Diane Tyler's Mom as she can tell you about purchasing Lantus with coupons etc

Well done getting a ReliOn meter. Keep trying and you will master it. We all fail in the beginning. You will find it much cheaper to do the testing yourself and the results will be much more reliable as cats gets stresses at the vet. Keep us updated on your progress. Make sure you give Ebony a little treat every time you test.

please don’t increase the dose from 2 to 3 units. That is too much of an increase. We recommend increasing by 1/4 unit at a time.
So with testing you test first, then feed, then wait 30 minutes before giving the Vetsulin.
Keep asking questions

Thank you for the reply. I will keep up with the testing. Sorry if my post was confusing. I tried to include everything but I ended up writing a book lol.

We actually have had her on 3 units for over 2 months. They had increased it to 3 1/2 last week from 3. I do use needles that have the 1/2 unit. I could try estimating a 1/4 for 3 1/4 units.

Before we got the meter I was worried 3 1/2 might be too much. After the vet I had seen her laying in the liter box. She only did that once though so maybe it was stress. As she has aged the vets stress her quite a bit more and it takes her longer to recover from a visit.

Do you think royal canin Hydrolyzed Protein Cat Treats would be ok? I know it has a lot of carbs probably but she would only be getting 1 or 2.We use that for our cat that has allergies. Right now she has no treats. I had given her some salami the other day. However I know that has a bunch of unhealthy fillers in it.

If not would you know of a good pre packaged treat I could buy? Thank you for tagging that user as I definitely would need some sort of discount to afford lantus. Also thanks for the tip on testing. The vet always tests mid day so that’s why I had done it like that so far.

 

[Rosie Lass]

Thank you for the reply. I will keep up with the testing. Sorry if my post was confusing. I tried to include everything but I ended up writing a book lol.

We actually have had her on 3 units for over 2 months. They had increased it to 3 1/2 last week from 3. I do use needles that have the 1/2 unit. I could try estimating a 1/4 for 3 1/4 units.

Before we got the meter I was worried 3 1/2 might be too much. After the vet I had seen her laying in the liter box. She only did that once though so maybe it was stress. As she has aged the vets stress her quite a bit more and it takes her longer to recover from a visit.

Do you think royal canin Hydrolyzed Protein Cat Treats would be ok? I know it has a lot of carbs probably but she would only be getting 1 or 2.We use that for our cat that has allergies. Right now she has no treats. I had given her some salami the other day. However I know that has a bunch of unhealthy fillers in it.

If not would you know of a good pre packaged treat I could buy? Thank you for tagging that user as I definitely would need some sort of discount to afford lantus. Also thanks for the tip on testing. The vet always tests mid day so that’s why I had done it like that so far.

I’m relatively new here also but my cat has been on Lantis insulin for a year and I am able to use GoodRx. A vial is about $35 at the Rite Aid near me. I’m not sure what state you live in but if you’re in the US, it should be about the same, I’m told that if you keep the insulin refrigerated it can last until you use the whole bottle

 

[SammieCat]

I’m relatively new here also but my cat has been on Lantis insulin for a year and I am able to use GoodRx. A vial is about $35 at the Rite Aid near me. I’m not sure what state you live in but if you’re in the US, it should be about the same, I’m told that if you keep the insulin refrigerated it can last until you use the whole bottle

Nice that is great. Im in NY and I have a rite aid near me. Thank you very much for the information. I will make sure to ask the vet this Friday. At that price I can get 2 vials for the price of Vetsulin.

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

It sounds like you have not been getting a great deal of guidance when it comes to managing your cat's diabetes. We are strong advocates of home testing, getting a cat on a low carbohydrate, canned food diet, making sure your cat is being prescribed insulin that is appropriate for managing feline diabetes (i.e., Prozinc or glargine), and becoming pro-active with managing your cat's insulin dose. We also understand that there are some cats who need more insulin than other cats and if that's the case with Ebony, there are blood tests that will help you understand what may be going on. (Ebony is not at a high enough dose for this to be a consideration.) We are also advocates for you and your cats. The bottom line is that we are here to help.

I would not suggest giving your diabetic cat the high carb treats. There are a number of freeze dried protein treats available (e.g., Pure Bites). The only ingredient is a form of protein such as chicken.

 

[SammieCat]

It sounds like you have not been getting a great deal of guidance when it comes to managing your cat's diabetes. We are strong advocates of home testing, getting a cat on a low carbohydrate, canned food diet, making sure your cat is being prescribed insulin that is appropriate for managing feline diabetes (i.e., Prozinc or glargine), and becoming pro-active with managing your cat's insulin dose. We also understand that there are some cats who need more insulin than other cats and if that's the case with Ebony, there are blood tests that will help you understand what may be going on. (Ebony is not at a high enough dose for this to be a consideration.) We are also advocates for you and your cats. The bottom line is that we are here to help.

I would not suggest giving your diabetic cat the high carb treats. There are a number of freeze dried protein treats available (e.g., Pure Bites). The only ingredient is a form of protein such as chicken.

Yeah unfortunately we haven’t gotten a ton of guidance from the vet. I will keep learning and advocating for Ebony at the vets. Thank you for the name of diabetic safe treats.

 

[SammieCat]

Today’s midday glucose check was a success. 184 at 2:04 Tonight before her evening meal we will check again. We will have to work on checking before breakfast. That’s a hard time for both of us to be available to check her sugar. So far it’s taking myself and my spouse to do the check. What a difference the rice and sock method made. Way better than a hot wash cloth in a baggie.

 

[Diane Tyler's Mom GA]

@SammieCat
A member said she followed this prescription info exactly and it worked perfectly. Hope this helps!
Then go to the Lantus site to generate the coupon as in second image.

Or
Most members get the generic you can get generic/biosimilar glargine at very reasonable prices using GoodRx coupon. Most members use the generic because Lantus is to expensive.
https://www.goodrx.com/lantus?label...d-pens-of-100-units-ml&quantity=1&slug=lantus
Make sure that the Match your prescription pull down menu says generic glargine 1carton of 5 3ml pens.

Lantus usually doesn't kick in until 2 hours after the shot

We buy the pens but use the syringes to draw out the insulin because if you use the pen you can only adjust by full units ,we adjust the doses by 0.25units
If you do switch to lantus the generic you will need
U -100 SYRINGES WITH HALF UNIT MARKINGS
I can suggest a few if you would like


Also
The 5 pens will last about a year, we use the pens just like a vial, you would just insert the syringe it the gray rubber stopper on the pen and draw out your insulin
Its generic lantus

If you use the Good Rx
GoodRX has a 1-800 number to assist you in using their services to get your pets prescriptions filled if the pharmacy gives you any issues.

I think I found it for you
GoodRx / Customer service

1 (855) 268-2822

I see some members will call CVS, Rite Aid, Costco, Walgreen's, to get the price for 5 pens

 

[Diane Tyler's Mom GA]

Freeze dried treats
Click on this link and look at post #6. Numbers are to the right
You can get any freeze dried treats ,information is there
https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/brand-new-many-questions-3.255627/#post-2878703

Freeze dried treats that only contain one ingredient (the meat or fish) is zero carb and fine to feed to a diabetes

Or you can even give him small pieces of baked or boiled chicken breasts ,boil it in only water

I also did a search on our site and found this posted by a member
The other treat is just steamed chicken, or boiled chicken. All I do is get chicken breasts, steam them, then dice the chicken into tiny cubes. I do a big batch then put them into small 1cup containers and freeze them. I always have a small cup of chicken inthe frig because she may want something to eat in the 2hrs before her shots and she can't be fed, so she settles for a few of the chicken cubes.
@SammieCat

 

[SammieCat]

@SammieCat
A member said she followed this prescription info exactly and it worked perfectly. Hope this helps!
Then go to the Lantus site to generate the coupon as in second image.

Or
Most members get the generic you can get generic/biosimilar glargine at very reasonable prices using GoodRx coupon. Most members use the generic because Lantus is to expensive.
https://www.goodrx.com/lantus?label...d-pens-of-100-units-ml&quantity=1&slug=lantus
Make sure that the Match your prescription pull down menu says generic glargine 1carton of 5 3ml pens.

Lantus usually doesn't kick in until 2 hours after the shot

We buy the pens but use the syringes to draw out the insulin because if you use the pen you can only adjust by full units ,we adjust the doses by 0.25units
If you do switch to lantus the generic you will need
U -100 SYRINGES WITH HALF UNIT MARKINGS
I can suggest a few if you would like


Also
The 5 pens will last about a year, we use the pens just like a vial, you would just insert the syringe it the gray rubber stopper on the pen and draw out your insulin
Its generic lantus

If you use the Good Rx
GoodRX has a 1-800 number to assist you in using their services to get your pets prescriptions filled if the pharmacy gives you any issues.

I think I found it for you
GoodRx / Customer service

1 (855) 268-2822

I see some members will call CVS, Rite Aid, Costco, Walgreen's, to get the price for 5 pens

Wow thank you!!!! That information is beyond helpful. You explained everything I needed to know. That generic sounds like what I will ask for. The name brand seems like I would have to ask the vet to lie when writing the script. I don’t know my vet that well. Also the u-100 needles on Amazon are a better price than the u-40. The insulin price is great compared to Vetsulin.

 

[SammieCat]

Freeze dried treats
Click on this link and look at post #6. Numbers are to the right
You can get any freeze dried treats ,information is there
https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/brand-new-many-questions-3.255627/#post-2878703

Freeze dried treats that only contain one ingredient (the meat or fish) is zero carb and fine to feed to a diabetes

Or you can even give him small pieces of baked or boiled chicken breasts ,boil it in only water

I also did a search on our site and found this posted by a member
The other treat is just steamed chicken, or boiled chicken. All I do is get chicken breasts, steam them, then dice the chicken into tiny cubes. I do a big batch then put them into small 1cup containers and freeze them. I always have a small cup of chicken inthe frig because she may want something to eat in the 2hrs before her shots and she can't be fed, so she settles for a few of the chicken cubes.
@SammieCat

oh nice thank you. I will try those treats. I didn’t think about freezing cooked chicken. That is an excellent idea as well. I might do that in the short term till I try those treats.

 

[Diane Tyler's Mom GA]

@SammieCat
You're very welcome

 

[SammieCat]

@SammieCat
You're very welcome

We went to the vet today. I gave her the instructions in the picture. She ended up unfortunately putting the dosage on the script. The pharmacist said if she hadn’t he would have gladly filled all 5 pens. Lantus brand name was actually cheaper. We only got 1 pen at $21.

We go back for a curve test next Friday. They didn’t want us to switch ourselves until a curve was done. Her level was 244 at the vets today. I am hoping if I explain to the vet again to please not put the dosage she won’t. Worst case I could do the vial and even 1 pen at a time is cheaper than Vetsulin. My vet didn’t seem to have dealt with Lantus before.