New Member- Help giving insulin

O

Olliesmom316

Member Since 2025
Hello!
We are new to the world of feline diabetes. My cat Ollie is 9 and recently diagnosed. We started with Bexacat but he is no longer a candidate, so we are doing insulin shots twice daily. Ollie is a very anxious cat and always has been, and since starting his injections has only gotten worse. Our vet gave a script for gabapentin to help with the anxiety but it only works half the time. Does anyone have any advice on working with skittish/ anxious cats and making this not miserable? He’s suffering, I’m suffering, it’s not a good time over here.
 
Welcome to FDMB
It is overwhelming the word Feline Diabetes, but it is manageable, so since you have changed to insulin, what insulin and what dose did your vet prescribed, Lantus and ProZinc, are the best insulin for cats, we always advice to start on a low dose as well home testing. Most members here use the ReliOn human monitor and strips, you do not need a Pet Meter, the strips are outrageously expensive, home testing your cat's BG before each shot is very important to avoid hypoglycemia, and diabetic cats need to have a wet can diet or raw between 0-10%, and have a feeding schedule, so kibbles and grazing(are out of the question) but if that is the case the transition has to be done slow to avoid tummy aches, as for a skittish/anxious cat, you're suffering, he has no idea, we all go thru the same emotions as you are right now, but it gets better. On our Main Forum you will find many sticky notes that have a lot of valuable information, we are here to help you in this journey, so continue to post, vent, give us all the information possible about your cat: what insulin, dose, illnesses, DKA, Ketones if any labs if you have them. 🤗
 
I do not have labs but I can request them. He had ketones in his urine which made the switch to insulin. He is on 1 ml every 12 hours of prozinc. No other illnesses, working on a feeding schedule due to other cats in the home also.
 
Ok! we have a good insulin, by having multiple cats at home is good to get them all on the same schedule as the same food, with ProZinc it is good to feed two main meals before shooting and at least 3-4 small meals or snack in between, and the evening meal/shot, the protocol for ProZinc is test, feed shoot, I shoot Corky while he is eating, I understand that with Ketones it is very important that he eats, it helps get rid of Ketones, I will tag a member that can assist you with ProZinc, dosing and Ketones, if you would like us to continue assisting you, we are very numbers oriented, we would like you to create your signature and spreadsheet, which you will download on GOOGLE DRIVE, if you need assistance doing that we can help. Please do home test, it is dangerous to shoot without knowing his BG number, this way you do not have the risk of hypoglycemia. 🤗

https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/forums/spreadsheets-tech-support-testing-area.6/
Sticky - New? How You Can Help Us Help You!
@Suzanne & Darcy
@Sienne and Gabby (GA)
 
So my main problem is getting him, in order to give him the shot. With him being very anxious and skittish to start, we’ve lost a lot of trust in our relationship. I make it a point to give attention without giving the shot but I’m having a hard time getting him in my presence where I’m able to give the shot. He’s been closely monitored by the vet in the instances where he’s missed doses, but this is not sustainable long term. Do you have any advice on making this better when the cat is just overly stressed about it? I’m doing all I can think of to make him comfortable
 
Well, try his favorite spot, put the monitor in front of him let him study it, cuddle a bit before pricking, find a small sock put some rice in it till you have a small golf like size, tie it, use this to cup the ear, while you put the back of your palm between the ears securing the head, you can also give a small square size 1%carb piece of ham before and after, this way he will be able to relate, try that, let me know how it goes, because missing shots is not good, and like I said in about a week pricking the corner of the ear (sweet spot) twice daily, the capillaries will swell, making it quicker to test, just relax, think of this, “take a step back breath in breath out, cats are very sensitive to stress yiu stress they stress”
 
You might want to fill out your signature
Here is the information we need for your signature
Just click on your name up top and then tap signature and add this information. It's at the end of everyone's post in gray letters
  • Add info we need to help you:
    • Caregiver & kitty's name
    • DX: Date
    • Name of Insulin (do not include dose or frequency)
    • 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)
    • Bexacat or Senvelgo (if applicable) and dates
    • 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.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top