New member -Jan 11th 2022-How long does it take to find the right insulin level ?

[Fei Hei]

Hello,
My cat Fei Hei has just been diagnosed with diabetes 2 days ago. This is the first time I am dealing with this disease so I am feeling overwhelmed. I read some of the posts on this forum and have found them useful.

The vet has started him on 3 units of Glargine twice a day. I measure his blood glucose with a device attached to his body. Today is only the second day. The first day seems alright but the second day, his blood glucose was above 28 mmol/L 2 hours before the insulin was due. Finally I fed him at 6.30pm and injected him after his meal but the blood glucose remained high until 10pm.
During those hours, He was lethargic and thirsty. He drank, pee and poo. Now he is asleep while I am typing next to him.

I am wondering how long it will take the vet to find the correct dosage ? I feel very anxious that his blood glucose is high but yet it is not time for insulin. And I keep thinking that when there is so much sugar in him, every minute he is at risk of ketosis. The pharmacy here no longer sell ketones dip stick so I ordered online and will take a few days to arrive.

When my cat is thirsty and lethargic, is there anything I can do to help him be comfortable?

Thank you

 

[Larry and Kitties]

Really depends upon the cat. For some it is weeks, other months and a few years. Also it is not unusual insulin needs to change with time and thus the dose has to be changed.

 

[Fei Hei]

Thanks for your reply. So at this initial stage, I can expect Fei Hei to feel alright one day ( not super thirsty and lethargic) but not so sparky the next ? The vet has prescribed him diabetic dry food from Royal Canine. I used to feed him a mix of wet food, own cooked food and vet prescribed metabolic dry food. Now with just dry food and him being dehydrated, I decided to soaked the dry food to soften it and made it more fluid. Has anyone tried this before? I also read about Fancy Feast pate here but at this moment I am not sure if i should deviate much from the vet's recommendation of food. Thank you !

 

[Chris and Checkers]

It does take time to get diabetes regulated. Glargine insulin takes a few days to build up what is called a depot (https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/what-is-the-insulin-depot.150/).

Also getting to the right dose takes time as well. Although it is awful seeing the high numbers it will get better. I am glad to see that you are monitoring his blood glucose levels, this is a very important part in getting him regulated.

Unfortunately, the food the vet prescribed will not help him get better. A diabetic cat needs a low carb diet, less than 10% is good, many people here do about 5% and wet food is preferred. There are lists available that have the carb content of various foods (https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/links-to-food-charts.174182/). It sounds like what you were feeding him before with the exception of the dry metabolic food was better for him. Many people here feed Fancy Feast pates because they are less than 5% carbs.

Be careful though, switching him to a low carb diet on his current dose of insulin can lower his blood glucose a lot. I do not have a lot of experience to help you with dosing advice but I am sure a more knowledgeable member will be around to give you more advice.

It is common to feel overwhelmed with a new diagnosis of diabetes but there is a lot of help and information here available .

This link will help you get started.

https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/new-how-you-can-help-us-help-you.216696/

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

Hi and welcome to the forum. If you could set up your spreadsheet and signature we will be able to help You a lot more. The link to the spreadsheet and sift is in the link above that Christine gave you.