New Member, Garfield

[Aimee M]

Hello Members,
Just introducing myself. I have a 4 year old neutered male that was diagnosed diabetic last month. We went to the vet initially because he was losing weight. I thought it was because I put him on a diet, but the weight loss was drastic. 18lbs to 12.6 since 10/23. Sure enough his BG was almost 300. The vet ordered tests and I did some research. Asked vet about Bexicat and he did not have experience with it but was willing to try. I switched him to a 2x/day feeding schedule and a low carb diet. Ziwi peak wet and half freeze dried since he was a kibble loving cat. From there I was able to switch him to almost all raw (Viva Raw) and a little wet Ziwi Peak for flavor. I have 5 cats, (4 are his siblings) so had to switch the whole crew to the new routine. I bought alphatrak monitor and off we went. I also bought a precision xtra to test his ketones because we were going to put him on Bexicat. Well, that was out because he read 4.6! Discussed result with vet and Bexicat was out. So we decided to put him on Lantus Solostar pen (2U).
He just finished his first week of Lantus and we did our first BG curve, today. I am planning on taking PM testings as well. Of course, it's his best numbers since I began testing! Go figure!
Was wondering if someone can look at my Spread Sheet to see if I am filling it out correctly and if someone who has experience could give me some advice as to what they see in the numbers and what I have to look out for.
So thankful for this community! I have been reading many posts as I am trying to find my way in helping Garfield to live a happy, healthy long life!

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

Was wondering if someone can look at my Spread Sheet to see if I am filling it out correctly and if someone who has experience could give me some advice as to what they see in the numbers and what I have to look out for.

Looks OK but don't be surprised if her numbers keep going up and/or are higher at AMPS. By dropping into greens, her body probably isn't used to being in normal numbers anymore and the liver will release stores sugars and hormones to bring the BG up to where it's used to being.

These are called "bounces" and there's not much we can do about them. A bounce can last up to 6 cycles (3 days). As their body gets used to being in those lower numbers, the bounces shouldn't be so high and should clear faster.

Since the 2U dose got her into green, I'd hold it for another few days and see if she can get down into greens again.

It's also important to get at least a "before bed" test on every PM cycle. Most cats go lower at night so it's important to know if they're dropping too fast or too low so you'll know if you need to stay up or set an alarm to get another test later in the cycle. (welcome to the world of sleep deprivation, otherwise known as feline diabetes).

Luckily, it doesn't happen every night but you should always get that "before bed" test, usually 2-4 hours after the PM shot.

 

[Aimee M]

Thank you for your reply and reading my spreadsheet. I will be putting that +2 - +4 bedtime reading in my routine…. I’ve had to learn really fast about this complicated disease. It’s nice to know that there are others going through the same thing and can understand my anxiety and worries about our fur baby.

 

[Larry and Kitties]

Are you using pen needles with the pen? The Solostar pen only doses in 1-unit increments. At low doses chanfges are usually made in ¼ or ½ unit increments. One can use a regular insulin syringe (1/3 cc (30 unit) w/ ½ unit markings) to draw out the insulin from where the pen needles go.

 

[Aimee M]

Thank you for your suggestion…Yes. I am using the needles for the pens…. Is there a video or instructions on how to use a regular syringe to extract from a pen?

 

[Larry and Kitties]

This is really for getting the last bit out of a pen but works when pen not "out" via dial a dose

 

[Aimee M]

Thank you!!

 

[squeem3]

There are images of how to use an insulin pen here (scroll down a bit): https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB...info-proper-handling-drawing-fine-dosing.151/

Basically the pen is used just like any insulin bottle: hold upside down, insert needle into the rubber tip, draw insulin into the syringe barrel.

 

[Aimee M]

Thank you for your help. Will order on Amazon in case I need them. Which gauge and length of needle would you suggest? He is a shorthaired Tabby and he takes the pen injections very well. (Currently 12.7mm, 29g is what I use for the pen)

 

[squeem3]

The ideal ones to use for cats are 3/10cc with half unit markings. These are available either as 31 gauge 5/16 inch (8 mm) needles or 31 gauge 15/64 inch (6 mm) needles. I don't think anyone uses the super short 15/16 inch needles for cats.

Needle gauge and length is mostly preference and what works best for your cat.

ADW (American Diabetes Wholesale) is another popular online place to get diabetic supplies from. There's a wide variety of insulin syringes available, both Human ones and the ones that are pet / veterinary ones. A prescription may be needed to buy insulin syringes from ADW and some online sites. It seems to depend on what your state law is on the purchase of syringes.

 

[Aimee M]

Thank you for your time and helping me. I really appreciate it. I’ll be ordering the syringes, tonight.

 

[squeem3]

Everyone seems to have their "go to" brand of insulin syringes. Some brands have issues with stubborn bubbles or plungers that are too stiff or something else the user doesn't like. You may need to try different brands within your price range to find what works best for you and your cat.

I prefer BD insulin syringes with Lantus, these specifically that have half unit markings https://www.adwdiabetes.com/product/6941/bd-ultra-fine-8mm-half-unit-syringes They're a little pricey. I'm currently working my way through a box of UltiCare Veterinary syringes I got (way overpriced) from the vet.

I have a box of Sol-Vet half unit marked insulin syringes that don't work well at all. The insulin just drips out of the needle tip so my cat isn't getting the full amount of insulin.

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

I’ll be ordering the syringes, tonight.

If you have a Walmart near you, they have Relion 3/10ml, 30 or 31 gauge insulin syringes with half unit marks (but don't mention you want "half unit marks"...so many times the people they hire don't even know their own products and will assume you really wanted .5ml syringes)

They are $12.58/100 and will be in one of these two boxes (both have a purple stripe...that's how you know you're getting the 3/10ml syringes and ALL their Relion 3/10ml syringes have half unit marks whether they know it or not).