(New member) I need help learning to home test.

[Bella & Butterscotch]

Butterscotch was diagnosed with diabetes at the end of January this year. I haven't even thought about home testing and checking bg levels until now. I didn't think it was necessary since he was on the new medication Senvelgo. Should I get a meter anyways? I sometimes use pee test strips to test for ketones but I feel like I should be doing more. I also think he might be constipated, I'm getting some plain pumpkin puree with no additives today.

 

[squeem3]

Yes! Home testing is extremely important and part of managing the diabetes, just like it is for Human diabetics. Without knowing what the blood glucose level is at insulin time, you risk sending your cat into hypo in a few short hours The "don't give insulin" number is generally 150 mg/dl for newbies (8 mmol if you're not in the US).

You don't need the vet's permission to home test. Some vets don't recommend it for one reason or another. There are plenty of published articles in well known veterinary journals that encourage home testing.

The home testing info thread is here: https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/hometesting-links-and-tips.287/

See my post here for a list of what you need for home testing: https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB...are-food-have-caused-my-cats-diabetes.288133/

What is the current dose of Senvelgo? What are you feeding your cat?

Miralax or generic equivalent also works for constipation. A dose is 1/8 teaspoon twice a day or up to 1/2 teaspoon twice a day. Ask your vet what dose to start with, probably the smaller dose and increase if it doesn't help after a couple of days. Mix the dose in a little water first to dissolve the powder and rehydrate it a bit and then mix it into canned food.

 

[Bella & Butterscotch]

Thanks for the reply! Butterscotch is currently taking 5.85 milligrams of Senvelgo once a day, regardless of bg levels, as stated on the instructions. It's a bit hard to be flexible when the dosage is based on the weight of the cat. He was on Purina Sensitive Stomach most of his life. When he got diagnosed the vet put him on the Purina DM dry food, but when I found this forum I slowly switched him to Fancy Feast Classic Paté. It's not like he isn't pooping, he is pooping but straining and when he does it comes out in large pebbles that are the consistency of pottery clay. I think he just needs more fiber, hence the pumpkin. I'll see about the miralax with my vet if the pumpkin doesn't help. I'll look over those links now.

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

You may want to add water to your cat's food. Even thought I've fed my guys canned food, I still add water. Cats have a limited thirst drive and in the wild, get most of their moisture from eating live prey. Water is good for their kidneys and keeps they hydrated which is also good for their entire digestive tract. In addition, diabetes is hard on the kidneys so you're helping your cat's renal function.

 

[Bella & Butterscotch]

I'll be adding water to his food, thanks. Although, he already drinks quite a bit. He has a water bowl in the hallway and a water fountain in the kitchen.

 

[Larry and Kitties]

W/a SGLT2 inhibitor like Senvelgo, the patient can't really go hypo since only so much glucose can be removed from the blood by the kidneys. This is case for humans too. Home testing would be useful to tell if the Senvelgo is working. However, it will not help w/determining if the patient is in DKA since w/a SGLT2 inhibitor there can be DKA w/o high BGs.

 

[LionHeartTX]

I am new to feline diabetes, but I agree home testing is extremely important. I observe my cat’s behavior all the time. Now that I am home testing I see a correlation between my cat’s behavior and his blood glucose levels. Sometimes I can tell what his glucose level is by his behavior (I always check though).

Another reason to start home testing is to get your cat comfortable with the procedure in case Senvelgo does not work.

 

[Bella & Butterscotch]

I just successfully tested him tonight on his back paw since he wasn't a fan of something other than my hand messing with his ears. He was purring the whole time like I was just giving him a little paw massage like always. He tested 87 mg/dL on the ReliOn Premier Classic.