New Member Introduction

[jaspkaur]

Hi all!

Duff and I are new members to the Feline Diabetes community. Duff was just recently diagnosed and currently on Glargine with a recent increase from 1 unit to 2 units. He'd been having symptoms for months prior that I just dismissed for other things so I feel a ton of guilt for not catching the diabetes earlier to get him help sooner. He had been tired, peeing tons, ravenously hungry, and losing a bit of weight. It wasn't until he was wobbling on his back feet that I realized something isn't right.

Since his diagnosis, I've tried to do as much research as possible to get him regulated as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, I'm either impatient or his pre-existing conditions (asthma, early kidney disease) are making this tougher than expected. I felt like our vet sort of just dropped this on me, and it's been up to me to figure out the rest. We're currently taking things slow and monitoring. But his neuropathy in the back legs is just really hard to see. My poor guy can't take a few steps without laying down. I ordered some methyl-B12 based on recommendations here hoping we'd have some success.

I do have a visit with an Internist at Garden State Vet in a few weeks, and I've been doing my best to spot check him and a weekly blood glucose curve. He's gotten used to it but he hates all the pricks and prods. He has a bit more energy since he's been on insulin so he can put up a fight sometimes. I spent the first few weeks trying to positively condition him to like the ear pricks and insulin. Some days, he's okay with it. Some days, he won't have it at all.

His lack of good response to the insulin has me thinking maybe I'm doing something wrong. I've watched hours and hours of videos on how to give insulin. We even shaved a spot in his back so I could make sure I was getting him every time instead of a fur shot. The insulin is refrigerated, and I make sure it's never out for too long. I do wait a few minutes for the insulin in the shot to come to room temperature because he reacts negatively when it's very cold. I also roll the insulin a bit (even though it's clear not milky) so I'm wondering if I'm doing anything wrong.

I'll take any recommendations or references for vets in NJ or advice! Thank you.

 

[Hendrick Cuddleclaw]

Hi there my name is Kyle and my buddy Hendrick was just diagnosed about a month ago. I am new to all this as well so I will take a back seat as far as offering any advice on your situation, I just wanted to give your thread a response and say welcome. The people here are GREAT and without their help I would be SO lost. My vet, like many, only said to give him his insulin every 12 hours with food, and otherwise do not feed at all, and also no need to hometest the BG. smh.

It seems most vets know little to nothing about how to care for a diabetic cat in 2022.

One thing that really helps people here offer advice and guidance is your signature -- can you put some information in there such as the insulin you are giving, your cats age, diabetes diagnosis date, what type of meter you are using, what food you are feeding, and any other recent diagnosis.

See this link: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/new-how-you-can-help-us-help-you.216696/

and this one: https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/editing-your-signature-profile-and-preferences.130340/


Good job getting started on home testing! This was a huuuuuuuuuuge challenge for me but at this point I am getting the hang of it. Tested Hendrick by myself yesterday every hour for 5 straight hours, whew.

 

[jaspkaur]

Hi there my name is Kyle and my buddy Hendrick was just diagnosed about a month ago. I am new to all this as well so I will take a back seat as far as offering any advice on your situation, I just wanted to give your thread a response and say welcome. The people here are GREAT and without their help I would be SO lost. My vet, like many, only said to give him his insulin every 12 hours with food, and otherwise do not feed at all, and also no need to hometest the BG. smh.

It seems most vets know little to nothing about how to care for a diabetic cat in 2022.

One thing that really helps people here offer advice and guidance is your signature -- can you put some information in there such as the insulin you are giving, your cats age, diabetes diagnosis date, what type of meter you are using, what food you are feeding, and any other recent diagnosis.

See this link: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/new-how-you-can-help-us-help-you.216696/

and this one: https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/editing-your-signature-profile-and-preferences.130340/


Good job getting started on home testing! This was a huuuuuuuuuuge challenge for me but at this point I am getting the hang of it. Tested Hendrick by myself yesterday every hour for 5 straight hours, whew.

Thanks so much Kyle! I updated my signature to follow your format because I liked it Hendrick is a handsome man! An every hour glucose curve! Duff will only comply for maybe every 2-3 hours right now.

 

[Hendrick Cuddleclaw]

I am very lucky that he is so cooperative most of the time. Rarely gives me any trouble at all at this point, except when he hears that meter beep because he now knows a treat is coming and he starts to wriggle haha

we are giving Whole Life Freeze-dried Chicken treats as our pokey-treat and omg....he goes nuts for them!! We used to feed temptations and he went nuts for those as well but every since the diabetes, we are changing to treats that are good for the kitties

 

[Ashleigh & Ares]

Hi Jaspkaur! Hi Duff! welcome to your new home!
so sorry about uour baby being FD
But so glad u found this FDMB! so much help here from members who have loads of experience!

just to let u know, if u go to the Forums board and click on Lantus board, daily you will create a new post titled :date, Duff, Amps #, +#s...once u get there and look at posts, ull see what i mean

https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/forums/lantus-levemir-biosimilars.9/


you will get more help there concerning dosing because it is specific to ur insulin

 

[TabbyCatMom]

Hi all!

Duff and I are new members to the Feline Diabetes community. Duff was just recently diagnosed and currently on Glargine with a recent increase from 1 unit to 2 units. He'd been having symptoms for months prior that I just dismissed for other things so I feel a ton of guilt for not catching the diabetes earlier to get him help sooner. He had been tired, peeing tons, ravenously hungry, and losing a bit of weight. It wasn't until he was wobbling on his back feet that I realized something isn't right.

Since his diagnosis, I've tried to do as much research as possible to get him regulated as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, I'm either impatient or his pre-existing conditions (asthma, early kidney disease) are making this tougher than expected. I felt like our vet sort of just dropped this on me, and it's been up to me to figure out the rest. We're currently taking things slow and monitoring. But his neuropathy in the back legs is just really hard to see. My poor guy can't take a few steps without laying down. I ordered some methyl-B12 based on recommendations here hoping we'd have some success.

I do have a visit with an Internist at Garden State Vet in a few weeks, and I've been doing my best to spot check him and a weekly blood glucose curve. He's gotten used to it but he hates all the pricks and prods. He has a bit more energy since he's been on insulin so he can put up a fight sometimes. I spent the first few weeks trying to positively condition him to like the ear pricks and insulin. Some days, he's okay with it. Some days, he won't have it at all.

His lack of good response to the insulin has me thinking maybe I'm doing something wrong. I've watched hours and hours of videos on how to give insulin. We even shaved a spot in his back so I could make sure I was getting him every time instead of a fur shot. The insulin is refrigerated, and I make sure it's never out for too long. I do wait a few minutes for the insulin in the shot to come to room temperature because he reacts negatively when it's very cold. I also roll the insulin a bit (even though it's clear not milky) so I'm wondering if I'm doing anything wrong.

I'll take any recommendations or references for vets in NJ or advice! Thank you.

Welcome, I am new too. You are on it with your signature and spreadsheet! Good luck and welcome.

 

[Katherine&Ruby]

Hi there, chances are you're doing nothing wrong. Looks like you just have to hit the right dose of insulin to break through the resistance he's built up. I see from your signature that you're feeding a renal food--that is usually very high carb food, and that might be contributing to the high numbers you are seeing. Has he been diagnosed with kidney disease? What is the IRIS stage? Renal food isn't really going to help him unless he's in late stages of renal failure, and then you would need to dose the insulin around the hyperglycemia that the food causes. If he's stage 1 or 2, I'd get Duff on a low phosphorus, low carb diet. Weruva makes many foods that fit this bill, like BFF Play Pates, Cats in the Kitchen Fowl Ball, Chick Magnet, La Isla Bonita... Weruva lists all of their nutritional values on their website, and what you are looking for are foods that are less than 10% carb (ideally less than 5% if you can swing that) and less than 250 mg/100 kcal phosphorus.

I would also make sure that you are getting tests before shots. On the Lantus forum, we recommend a minimum of 4 tests a day--one before each shot, and then one in the middle of each cycle (a cycle is 12 hours). The more data you can collect, the better it is. What we are looking for is how low (or not) the dose of insulin is taking the cat in order to keep the cat safe from overdosing. Don't shoot any number below 200 for now, stall, don't feed, and test again to see if he is going up.

This post may help you get acclimated here: New? Help Us Help You!

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

Hi and welcome to you and Duff.
First of all…..don’t roll the lantus insulin. It doesn’t need to be rolled like some of the old insulin were.

I also agree with Katherine and would ditch the renal food which is most likely high in carbs. That will be contributing to the higher BGs.
What you need is low carb, high protein, low phosphorus canned food. Have a look in this FOOD CHART
The renal diets are not needed for early kidney disease….only late stage.
Once you start feeding these lower carb foods you may find that the BGs drop, so monitor closely as you do the change over, over a few days.
Are you feeding him snacks during the first half of all cycles as well as the pre shot meal? diabetic cats do much better with snacks as well as the main meals.

I would also try and get at least one test in during the pm cycle. A before bed test is a good habit to get into. If that test is lower than the pre shot test.I would set the alarm and get up and test a few hours later to see the BG has not dropped too low
Please make sure you test before every shot to make sure it is safe to give the dose.

I would also test a few times a week for ketones in the urine while his BG are high. You will need a bottle of Ketostix from Walmart or a pharmacy. Collect a urine sample and dip the test strip into the urine and read it exactly 15 seconds later against the colours on the side of the bottle. There should be no ketones. Report any ketones to the vet.
My Sheba had neuropathy badly and used to slip and slide on the wooden floors and had to sit down constantly. I gave her zobaline. Once I got her BGs under control and with the help of the zobaline she returned to her former self….it took more than 6 months though.

 

[jaspkaur]

Hi there, chances are you're doing nothing wrong. Looks like you just have to hit the right dose of insulin to break through the resistance he's built up. I see from your signature that you're feeding a renal food--that is usually very high carb food, and that might be contributing to the high numbers you are seeing. Has he been diagnosed with kidney disease? What is the IRIS stage? Renal food isn't really going to help him unless he's in late stages of renal failure, and then you would need to dose the insulin around the hyperglycemia that the food causes. If he's stage 1 or 2, I'd get Duff on a low phosphorus, low carb diet. Weruva makes many foods that fit this bill, like BFF Play Pates, Cats in the Kitchen Fowl Ball, Chick Magnet, La Isla Bonita... Weruva lists all of their nutritional values on their website, and what you are looking for are foods that are less than 10% carb (ideally less than 5% if you can swing that) and less than 250 mg/100 kcal phosphorus.

I would also make sure that you are getting tests before shots. On the Lantus forum, we recommend a minimum of 4 tests a day--one before each shot, and then one in the middle of each cycle (a cycle is 12 hours). The more data you can collect, the better it is. What we are looking for is how low (or not) the dose of insulin is taking the cat in order to keep the cat safe from overdosing. Don't shoot any number below 200 for now, stall, don't feed, and test again to see if he is going up.

This post may help you get acclimated here: New? Help Us Help You!

Hi! Thank you for your help

He’s had high kidney levels (I’m not sure what exactly) and put on Calcitriol and early kidney disease food for a few years. He used to have dry and wet food of the kidney function Early Care. But now he’s just on wet food. I’m not sure how to tell what carb percentage is in the food. Is it crude fiber I’m looking for? This is the nutritional information I can find for the food he’s on.

Caloric Content
New: 1,020 kcal/kg, 159 kcal/can

Original: 1,039 kcal/kg, 162 kcal/can

Guaranteed Analysis
Crude Protein 6.5% min
Crude Fat 3.0% min
Crude Fiber 3.0% max
Moisture 77.0% max
Ash 2.5% max
Calcium 0.14% min
Phosphorus 0.21% max

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

Do you have the lab results with his kidney values you could post here?

 

[Diane Tyler's Mom GA]

What is the name of the wet food you are feedibg now?

As far as the food goes
For kitties with kidney disease and diabetes



. First number is carb percentage, second is mgs of phosphorus/100 cals, all less than 10% carb and less than 250 mg phos:

Weruva Truluxe Steak Frites can 6% 118
Weruva Cats in the Kitchen La Isla Bonita can 3% 166
Weruva Cats in the Kitchen Pates Meowiss Bueller pouch 7% 174
Weruva Truluxe Glam 'N Punk can 0.6% 180
Weruva Cats in the Kitchen Fowl Ball can 4% 180
Weruva Classic Pates Jeopurrdy Licious pouch 4% 187
Weruva Classic Pates Family Food pouch 0% 191
Weruva Cats in the Kitchen Pates Cattyshack pouch 9% 211
BFF PLAY Tuna & Salmon Shhh... pouch 3% 223
BFF PLAY Tuna & Turkey Totes! pouch 2% 226
BFF PLAY Tuna & Chicken Chill Out pouch 2% 226
Weruva Cats in the Kitchen Pates Cat to the Future pouch 8% 235
Weruva Cats in the Kitchen Pates The Breakfast Cat pouch 9.7% 235
Weruva Classic Pates Meal of Fortune pouch 8% 236
Weruva Cats in the Kitchen Lamburgini can 8% 236
Weruva Cats in the Kitchen Double Dip can 8% 248

You want carbs under 10% and phosphorus ideally low 200's or less.



Here is another list posted by one of our members
Weruva slide and serve pate foods Family Food (.97 phosphorus and 0 carb).

Jeopurrdy Chicken (0.97 P 6.1 carb)

What a Crock 0.71 phosphorus and 8 carb lots of gravy so she loved it.

Goody stew shoes 0.71 phosphorus, 8.5 carb. This one was a big hit

Weruva Steak Frites (0.57 phosphorus 5.5 carb although I take out any big pieces of potatoes to try to limit the carbs just a bit)

Weruva LA isla Bonita - phosphorus 0.77 carb 4.5 (used to like, not a favorite anymore)

Glam and punk 1% carb, 0.93 phosphorous.

Weruva paw lickin chicken 3.3 carb 0.82 p

Press your lunch 5.9 carb. 0.82 phosphorous

Bff play Laugh Out Loud chicken and lamb 7.7 carb, 0.82 phosphorous

BFF play destiny (chicken and duck) 0.87 phosphorus 7.7 carb

Bff play chicken cherish 0.71 phosphorus 7.6 carb

Bff play best buds chicken and beef 7.9 carb 0.9 phosphorus

Bff play chicken Checkmate. 7.7 carb 0.7 phos

On the Cat Wok 3.8 carb 0.74 phos

 

[jaspkaur]

Do you have the lab results with his kidney values you could post here?

I don’t but I will get them. His kidney numbers were tested back in the first week of January and the vet said his numbers looked good so he should stay on the current dose of Calcitriol and food. I'm happy to switch from this food because it's super expensive, hard to find, and he hates pate wet food. I think the only reason he eats it now is because of how hungry he is all the time. I was told my other cat (Duff's sister Zelda) also started showing signs of early kidney disease and I was told to put her on the food also. She's already on it (and she also hates it.)

 

[jaspkaur]

What is the name of the wet food you are feedibg now?

As far as the food goes
For kitties with kidney disease and diabetes



. First number is carb percentage, second is mgs of phosphorus/100 cals, all less than 10% carb and less than 250 mg phos:

Weruva Truluxe Steak Frites can 6% 118
Weruva Cats in the Kitchen La Isla Bonita can 3% 166
Weruva Cats in the Kitchen Pates Meowiss Bueller pouch 7% 174
Weruva Truluxe Glam 'N Punk can 0.6% 180
Weruva Cats in the Kitchen Fowl Ball can 4% 180
Weruva Classic Pates Jeopurrdy Licious pouch 4% 187
Weruva Classic Pates Family Food pouch 0% 191
Weruva Cats in the Kitchen Pates Cattyshack pouch 9% 211
BFF PLAY Tuna & Salmon Shhh... pouch 3% 223
BFF PLAY Tuna & Turkey Totes! pouch 2% 226
BFF PLAY Tuna & Chicken Chill Out pouch 2% 226
Weruva Cats in the Kitchen Pates Cat to the Future pouch 8% 235
Weruva Cats in the Kitchen Pates The Breakfast Cat pouch 9.7% 235
Weruva Classic Pates Meal of Fortune pouch 8% 236
Weruva Cats in the Kitchen Lamburgini can 8% 236
Weruva Cats in the Kitchen Double Dip can 8% 248

You want carbs under 10% and phosphorus ideally low 200's or less.



Here is another list posted by one of our members
Weruva slide and serve pate foods Family Food (.97 phosphorus and 0 carb).

Jeopurrdy Chicken (0.97 P 6.1 carb)

What a Crock 0.71 phosphorus and 8 carb lots of gravy so she loved it.

Goody stew shoes 0.71 phosphorus, 8.5 carb. This one was a big hit

Weruva Steak Frites (0.57 phosphorus 5.5 carb although I take out any big pieces of potatoes to try to limit the carbs just a bit)

Weruva LA isla Bonita - phosphorus 0.77 carb 4.5 (used to like, not a favorite anymore)

Glam and punk 1% carb, 0.93 phosphorous.

Weruva paw lickin chicken 3.3 carb 0.82 p

Press your lunch 5.9 carb. 0.82 phosphorous

Bff play Laugh Out Loud chicken and lamb 7.7 carb, 0.82 phosphorous

BFF play destiny (chicken and duck) 0.87 phosphorus 7.7 carb

Bff play chicken cherish 0.71 phosphorus 7.6 carb

Bff play best buds chicken and beef 7.9 carb 0.9 phosphorus

Bff play chicken Checkmate. 7.7 carb 0.7 phos

On the Cat Wok 3.8 carb 0.74 phos

This is the food he is on currently: Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets NF Kidney Function Early Care Feline Formula (Canned)

I'm having a hard time finding carb percentage for it.

 

[jaspkaur]

Hi and welcome to you and Duff.
First of all…..don’t roll the lantus insulin. It doesn’t need to be rolled like some of the old insulin were.

I also agree with Katherine and would ditch the renal food which is most likely high in carbs. That will be contributing to the higher BGs.
What you need is low carb, high protein, low phosphorus canned food. Have a look in this FOOD CHART
The renal diets are not needed for early kidney disease….only late stage.
Once you start feeding these lower carb foods you may find that the BGs drop, so monitor closely as you do the change over, over a few days.
Are you feeding him snacks during the first half of all cycles as well as the pre shot meal? diabetic cats do much better with snacks as well as the main meals.

I would also try and get at least one test in during the pm cycle. A before bed test is a good habit to get into. If that test is lower than the pre shot test.I would set the alarm and get up and test a few hours later to see the BG has not dropped too low
Please make sure you test before every shot to make sure it is safe to give the dose.

I would also test a few times a week for ketones in the urine while his BG are high. You will need a bottle of Ketostix from Walmart or a pharmacy. Collect a urine sample and dip the test strip into the urine and read it exactly 15 seconds later against the colours on the side of the bottle. There should be no ketones. Report any ketones to the vet.
My Sheba had neuropathy badly and used to slip and slide on the wooden floors and had to sit down constantly. I gave her zobaline. Once I got her BGs under control and with the help of the zobaline she returned to her former self….it took more than 6 months though.

I have been rolling the Lantus insulin for the entire month, twice a day, because that's what I thought I should do. I ordered a new bottle anyway because I was nervous I've made the insulin less potent already. Duff doesn't get any snacks. The vet said to only feed him before shots so that's what we're doing. He used to be a free feeder but that's become impossible now. I specifically asked the vet if I should break up his food into small meals throughout the day and she said no. I work from home so I spend all my time with him so multiple feedings/testing is no problem for me.

I was testing around 9 pm for a little bit to get him used to a night-time checking but it felt so useless because his numbers have yet to go below 300. The idea of him going hypo right now seemed impossible. But we're both adjusting to multiple daily pricks.

Also, I just ordered Ketostix because his high numbers starting scaring me into thinking he's developing ketones. Thank you so much.

I'm so glad Sheba was able to return to her normal self. I want that so bad for my little guy and it's felt like it's going to be impossible since he was diagnosed.

Thank you so much for this information. I've felt so lonely and unheard by my vet all month long. I just felt like we weren't making progress but I didn't know what to do. All this information is so helpful.

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

I have just looked up Purina Pro Plan vetinary Diets NF and the breakdown is protein 28.Fat 45 carbs 27 phosphorus 136
So this food is very high carb.
The phosphorus level is good but you can get that is plenty of other foods.
Have a look at the Weruva brand online They publish all the fats, proteins and carbs etc as well as the phosphorus levels and they have some lower phosphorus level foods. There are other brand options as well.

I'm so glad Sheba was able to return to her normal self. I want that so bad for my little guy and it's felt like it's going to be impossible since he was diagnosed

I used to get so upset seeing Sheba like that and thought she would never get better. The day she jumped up on the bed again I was so happy. She used to love eating the flowers I put inside and I had to stop doing it but when she had the neuropathy I was putting them in again and one day I found her on top of the sideboard eating them……and it was a very big jump up there! So out the flowers went again.

Also, I just ordered Ketostix because his high numbers starting scaring me into thinking he's developing ketones. Thank you so much.

Good! It a very good insurance to have.

Duff doesn't get any snacks. The vet said to only feed him before shots so that's what we're doing. He used to be a free feeder but that's become impossible now. I specifically asked the vet if I should break up his food into small meals throughout the day and she said no. I work from home so I spend all my time with him so multiple feedings/testing is no problem for me.

We hear this a lot. But it is perfectly ok to give the main meals and then some snacks. We recommend giving snacks mainly in the first half of the cycles when the insulin is strongest. It is better for the pancreas to have smaller meals than just 2 big ones.
I feel all my (non diabetic)cats 4 meals a day now. They are much happier and never ask for food like they used to.
Definitely go to giving snacks and Duff will be much happier and more content.

was testing around 9 pm for a little bit to get him used to a night-time checking but it felt so useless because his numbers have yet to go below 300. The idea of him going hypo right now seemed impossible. But we're both adjusting to multiple daily pricks.

Once you swap over to a low carb food, you will notice a big difference in the BGs. So do it slowly a few days and make sure you are testing often.

Thank you so much for this information. I've felt so lonely and unheard by my vet all month long. I just felt like we weren't making progress but I didn't know what to do. All this information is so helpful.

Now that you have found us, we are always here and will always listen and help where we can. We have all been where you are and understand.
I am sure once you get onto some high protein, low carb, low phosphorus canned foods you will notice a big difference. keep posting and we will guide you through it.
Bron

 

[TabbyCatMom]

I don’t but I will get them. His kidney numbers were tested back in the first week of January and the vet said his numbers looked good so he should stay on the current dose of Calcitriol and food. I'm happy to switch from this food because it's super expensive, hard to find, and he hates pate wet food. I think the only reason he eats it now is because of how hungry he is all the time. I was told my other cat (Duff's sister Zelda) also started showing signs of early kidney disease and I was told to put her on the food also. She's already on it (and she also hates it.)

I just asked you about his food but I am reading this now. Looks like you are doing your research

 

[Hendrick Cuddleclaw]

I'm so glad Sheba was able to return to her normal self. I want that so bad for my little guy and it's felt like it's going to be impossible since he was diagnosed.

Thank you so much for this information. I've felt so lonely and unheard by my vet all month long. I just felt like we weren't making progress but I didn't know what to do. All this information is so helpful.

OMG this. The first couple weeks after diagnosis, before I found this group...boy that sucked. So many questions and so few answers until I got here. My vet also said only feed every 12 hours and so I started doing that immediately which pretty much caused a DKA episode and $4,000 hospitalization. I mean he was already going in that direction but if I had been feeding more, I think we keep those ketones at bay. Anyway, that's in the past.

Very glad to see you active here and getting informed, I was also doing some things wrong with the insulin -- vet said to roll it in hands to warm. Vet never mentioned to NEVER push air back into the pen, or excess insulin if you have overdrawn. I did that too. This video has some great tips, another thing I never knew about was pulling the plunger up and down to help lubricate the syringe so it's easier to shoot, or twisting a little as you are fine-tuning the dose to the right mark.

 

[TabbyCatMom]

OMG this. The first couple weeks after diagnosis, before I found this group...boy that sucked. So many questions and so few answers until I got here. My vet also said only feed every 12 hours and so I started doing that immediately which pretty much caused a DKA episode and $4,000 hospitalization. I mean he was already going in that direction but if I had been feeding more, I think we keep those ketones at bay. Anyway, that's in the past.

Very glad to see you active here and getting informed, I was also doing some things wrong with the insulin -- vet said to roll it in hands to warm. Vet never mentioned to NEVER push air back into the pen, or excess insulin if you have overdrawn. I did that too. This video has some great tips, another thing I never knew about was pulling the plunger up and down to help lubricate the syringe so it's easier to shoot, or twisting a little as you are fine-tuning the dose to the right mark.

Thanks for this! I am pretty sure I have squirted it back into the vile at least once. How do you know if the insulin is contaminated? My Vet told me to roll the vile also so I did the first few times. So frustrating!!!

 

[jaspkaur]

I've been doing the same thing @TabbyCatMom. I've watched dozens of videos on Youtube but never came across that one somehow. And all of the ones I saw said to squirt into the vile. I would do that multiple times if I didn't get dose right. Ugh.

 

[Hendrick Cuddleclaw]

I've been doing the same thing @TabbyCatMom. I've watched dozens of videos on Youtube but never came across that one somehow. And all of the ones I saw said to squirt into the vile. I would do that multiple times if I didn't get dose right. Ugh.

while the video I linked states "don't do this or you will contaminate the insulin with silicon lubricant!" I read elsewhere, "don't do this, you may contaminate the insulin" but also, if this puts silicon into the vial -- how is it not also putting silicon into my cat when I inject?? So while I have ordered a new Lantus pen just to be safe...I am not sure how big a deal this is.


to answer @TabbyCatMom 's question, I have read if the insulin is cloudy or has anything visibly floating in it, it may be contaminated. It is good practice to examine the insulin before use and do not shoot if cloudy or has visible particulates floating in it.

@Bron and Sheba (GA) @FrostD any comment?

 

[jaspkaur]

Do you have the lab results with his kidney values you could post here?

I finally received the lab results for Duff from the last few visits. I updated the spreadsheet with the numbers I can tell match.