New member -- kitty diagnosed in June.

[msfast3]

My 15 year old kitty was diagnosed in June and we are trying to get him regulated using Lantus insulin from a pen injector.

The shots have been easy, but I am terrified of trying to test him daily, so have relied on fructosamine tests done at the vet. These tests show his blood sugar is not being regulated to the appropriate levels. I'm feeling pretty frustrated and hopeless (what's new?).

I've posted a question in the main health forum hoping to find suggestions.

 

[Maggies Mom Debby]

Welcome! I was afraid of testing, too, but it's really not that hard once you and your cat get used to it.

 

[JanetNJ]

What scares you about home testing? My cat doesn't even flinch. She barely feels it.

 

[Dyana]

I think close to 100% of us were terrified of testing our cats in the beginning, but eventually we and our cats learned.

 

[Amy E]

What scares you about home testing? My cat doesn't even flinch. She barely feels it.

Are ear pokes being used mostely for testing, or any other testing sites recommended?

 

[Larry and Kitties]

Most caretakers prick the edge of the ears. A few prick the paw pads.

 

[JanetNJ]

Are ear pokes being used mostely for testing, or any other testing sites recommended?

I poke the upper outer edge of the ear. They have very few nerve endings there. Some poke the pad of the vet but my cat doesn't like people messing with her feet. The first week home testing is tricky because the ears don't bleed too easily.... After a few days it's no biggie. As I said my cat rarely even notices.

 

[msfast3]

What scares you about home testing? My cat doesn't even flinch. She barely feels it.

Good morning,

Kitty is not one to hold still for long, so restraining him bothers me. With the pen shots, he will mostly lay down, but sometimes, he walks away when we approach. I don't want it to be an ordeal for him!

Both parents were diabetic and after watching years of finger pricks, I felt squeamish.

 

[Kris & Teasel]

Good morning,

Kitty is not one to hold still for long, so restraining him bothers me. With the pen shots, he will mostly lay down, but sometimes, he walks away when we approach. I don't want it to be an ordeal for him!

Both parents were diabetic and after watching years of finger pricks, I felt squeamish.

Have you tried training your kitty to accept staying still in one place and having his ears handled? Freeze dried meat treats work well. If you spend a fair bit of time at this before actually trying any ear pricking that might help him to stay more still. As far as you getting accustomed to doing it, it takes practice but does get much easier with time. The calmer you can train yourself to be, the better and then being very matter-of-fact and businesslike about it works best - after the treat training of course.

Many people here have found that they were more frightened/stressed about the prospect of ear pricking than actually doing it once they plucked up enough courage to begin.

 

[msfast3]

Have you tried training your kitty to accept staying still in one place and having his ears handled? Freeze dried meat treats work well. If you spend a fair bit of time at this before actually trying any ear pricking that might help him to stay more still. As far as you getting accustomed to doing it, it takes practice but does get much easier with time. The calmer you can train yourself to be, the better and then being very matter-of-fact and businesslike about it works best - after the treat training of course.

Many people here have found that they were more frightened/stressed about the prospect of ear pricking than actually doing it once they plucked up enough courage to begin.

I have not yet started testing, but will work on the process of ear handling, etc. My cat is probably the only one on earth that does NOT like freeze dried treats, but I will look for another low carb alternative. Yes, staying calm myself is the issue. Husband gives him the shots now, so it will be a joint effort in testing.

Once you begin testing, can you continue dosing from the Lantus pens? It does have very small increments, so I'm hopeful we do not have to switch to a regular syringe. I've been reading a lot, but have not seen that addressed.

 

[Kris & Teasel]

I have not yet started testing, but will work on the process of ear handling, etc. My cat is probably the only one on earth that does NOT like freeze dried treats, but I will look for another low carb alternative. Yes, staying calm myself is the issue. Husband gives him the shots now, so it will be a joint effort in testing.

Once you begin testing, can you continue dosing from the Lantus pens? It does have very small increments, so I'm hopeful we do not have to switch to a regular syringe. I've been reading a lot, but have not seen that addressed.

I have no experience with Lantus pens. Are the smallest increments half units? Aside from that, being able to use regular syringes is another valuable skill to work on. It, too, is something many needle phobes here struggled with and then learned it's actually a lot easier than they thought. This whole diabetes thing requires that we learn skills and/or confront fears that we never thought possible. It's all in your mindset ... and we've all been where you are.

 

[msfast3]

I have no experience with Lantus pens. Are the smallest increments half units? Aside from that, being able to use regular syringes is another valuable skill to work on. It, too, is something many needle phobes here struggled with and then learned it's actually a lot easier than they thought. This whole diabetes thing requires that we learn skills and/or confront fears that we never thought possible. It's all in your mindset ... and we've all been where you are.

Yes, I started at 1/2 Unit, so the pen does have those increments. We have worked our way up from 1/2 U to 3 U in about 6 months, so it has been a slow process. I also used to give myself pen shots for migraines, so over the years, I have come to despise needles, but I realize that is MY problem, not the cat's!

 

[Dyana]

I always thought the pens only dosed in 1 unit increments. I found this on the Lantus.com site.
I know that testing and syringes are scary.. They were for all of us. Many cats eventually come to us when it's time for a test and purr during it. They are creatures of habit. You will both get the hang of it. Remember to stay calm as your cat will feel your stress. Some people have reported singing to their cat when dosing or testing as it helps their mind set.

 

[msfast3]

I always thought the pens only dosed in 1 unit increments. I found this on the Lantus.com site.
I know that testing and syringes are scary.. They were for all of us. Many cats eventually come to us when it's time for a test and purr during it. They are creatures of habit. You will both get the hang of it. Remember to stay calm as your cat will feel your stress. Some people have reported singing to their cat when dosing or testing as it helps their mind set.

I just looked closely at our pen and you are right, it is 1 U increments. I was mistaken. So, with a syringe, you can control 1/4 U or 1/2 U? I never looked closely at my parents' syringes and my shot was a controlled dose.

As with many things, thinking about it is actually worse. I had to let two of my boys go earlier this year and having another with issues right now does not help my state of mind, but I know it is just a matter of making up ones mind to go forward. Not always so east!

 

[Olive & Paula]

For a treat try Nature's Variety raw boost Minis for dogs. They are semi hard nuggets. The dogs are bigger than the cats and cheaper for larger size package than the ones they have for cats. Smokey loved the duck flavor.

You can practice sticking your finger, you don't have to test just practice the prick. You cat will feel less than what you feel. It's no different than testing yourself if you were diabetic. Give it a try, you will be helping your kitty feel better and be safe.

 

[msfast3]

For a treat try Nature's Variety raw boost Minis for dogs. They are semi hard nuggets. The dogs are bigger than the cats and cheaper for larger size package than the ones they have for cats. Smokey loved the duck flavor.

You can practice sticking your finger, you don't have to test just practice the prick. You cat will feel less than what you feel. It's no different than testing yourself if you were diabetic. Give it a try, you will be helping your kitty feel better and be safe.

I see your boy is 18? My Artemis is 15. Looks like you have been as this for a while!

I linked to Smokey's Numbers and stunned at the information! How did you begin setting up such a chart? I know I have more reading to do, but as you might guess, it is overwhelming (I've said that a lot.)

I've looked around a bit, but cannot find any charts other than those individuals have established. Is there a template someplace? Or is it just enough to keep track of the blood reading, date and insulin?

Honestly, at this point I don't even know how you determine how much insulin to give depending on the readings.

 

[Dyana]

I just looked closely at our pen and you are right, it is 1 U increments. I was mistaken. So, with a syringe, you can control 1/4 U or 1/2 U?

Your parents syringes may not have the 1/2 unit markings. Most adult humans don't need the 1/2 unit markings. I think they started making the 1/2 unit markings for babies with diabetes. Here is a picture example of 1/4 unit using a syringe. You can fine tune them unlike the pens. You can find a lot of information in the stickys of the Lantus forum. I found this picture under the thread for Where can I find _____ ?

 

[JanetNJ]

Good morning,

Kitty is not one to hold still for long, so restraining him bothers me. With the pen shots, he will mostly lay down, but sometimes, he walks away when we approach. I don't want it to be an ordeal for him!

Both parents were diabetic and after watching years of finger pricks, I felt squeamish.

On the rare occasions that my cat doesn't wanna sit still for it I will poke then gather the drop onto my fingernail and test the drop from there. The whole process takes about 30 seconds.

 

[Olive & Paula]

I see your boy is 18? My Artemis is 15. Looks like you have been as this for a while!

I linked to Smokey's Numbers and stunned at the information! How did you begin setting up such a chart? I know I have more reading to do, but as you might guess, it is overwhelming (I've said that a lot.)

I've looked around a bit, but cannot find any charts other than those individuals have established. Is there a template someplace? Or is it just enough to keep track of the blood reading, date and insulin?

Honestly, at this point I don't even know how you determine how much insulin to give depending on the readings.

Yes Smokey was 18 1/2 yrs. He was dx in 2010. I only got him in 2014. Due to a stroke in October he crossed over.

I didn't know anything about FD. Just listened to my vet. When he reached 5u insulin they said there was nothing more they could do. That's when they said change the food and with no further instructions we stopped the dry cold turkey. Then found FDMB when he was unresponsive and found out he was hypo.

There is a template here for the spreadsheet. We all use it. It's done in Google sheets not excel. If you have trouble with it there are people here who can set it up.

http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/fdmb-spreadsheet-instructions.130337/
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/understanding-the-spreadsheet-grid.156606/

There are 2 protocols used here that help you decide when dose changes are made. Again most of us did them ourselves and kept our vets (the vets who are on board with home testing) informed. I emailed my vet a copy every 2 weeks. He would provide input. My vet really started getting into FD through me and Smokey. He now recommends home testing, loves the spreadsheet, and now thinks Lantus insulin is the best choice if person can afford it. The biggy thing, he doesn't recommend dry food for any cat but realises some people will only use it.

 

[msfast3]

Yes Smokey was 18 1/2 yrs. He was dx in 2010. I only got him in 2014. Due to a stroke in October he crossed over.

I didn't know anything about FD. Just listened to my vet. When he reached 5u insulin they said there was nothing more they could do. That's when they said change the food and with no further instructions we stopped the dry cold turkey. Then found FDMB when he was unresponsive and found out he was hypo.

There is a template here for the spreadsheet. We all use it. It's done in Google sheets not excel. If you have trouble with it there are people here who can set it up.

http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/fdmb-spreadsheet-instructions.130337/
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/understanding-the-spreadsheet-grid.156606/

There are 2 protocols used here that help you decide when dose changes are made. Again most of us did them ourselves and kept our vets (the vets who are on board with home testing) informed. I emailed my vet a copy every 2 weeks. He would provide input. My vet really started getting into FD through me and Smokey. He now recommends home testing, loves the spreadsheet, and now thinks Lantus insulin is the best choice if person can afford it. The biggy thing, he doesn't recommend dry food for any cat but realises some people will only use it.

Oh, I'm so sorry Smoky is gone. He was a handsome boy. He's lucky he was with you if even for a few years.

I've had Artemis and his brother for 15 years. They arrived through the woods near my house as strays. Arty became overweight (too much kibble). Even thought they always had wet, Arty liked the kibble. First thing I did in June when we learned he was diabetic was take away all kibble and switch to pates -- mostly Fancy Feast, but I do try other wet foods that are shown to be low carb. He has gone to 14 pounds from close to 20. No more constant grazing on kibble!

The last fructosamine test showed "poor control" and the vet pushed his insulin to 4 U twice a day. I expressed concern and, after some discussion, he suggested a "specialist." He does not push home testing, but if I'm up to it, he will not object. Anyway, I found FDMB back in June, was overwhelmed, and jumped at the chance to just use the Lantus pen injections with no testing. But, after months of slow increases, I am worried the situation will end like yours did, so.....I'm hoping I can scrape up enough nerve to do this.

While I realize Lantus is pricey, I am thankful I can afford to buy it.

So, now, I've just got to gather the meter and other stuff and maybe visit the vet for an in person instruction of how to prick his ear. I've watched a few videso and read, but I'd like to see it done in person if possible. But, Arty HATES to be crated, so it might be easier just to proceed.

Thanks for all your input. I know many others have walked the same path! I just want to do what's best for my cat after having to let go of two other boys this summer.

 

[Dyana]

Just to give you my experience, my vet took a huge needle to use as a lancet and poked J.D. in the center of his ear. He got a big droplet of blood and we both tested that big droplet, his vet meter to my human (OneTouch) meter and they were pretty close in value. Your vet may not know how to test in the ear, either.

 

[Olive & Paula]

Lantus is most affordable from Marks Marine Pharmacy in Canada. A box of 5 pens is about $144 + shipping. If stored in fridge it will last a long time depending on dose. They ship according to weather temps and takes 7-10 days to arrive. You will need a script. You can use the pens same way you use a vial so you get every single drop out of them.

Once you get over the hesitation of testing, you will wonder why you hesitated to begin with. He will adjust once you have a routine down. Having a spot where you always test at helps as well as a treat each time. Smokey knew when on the table he just laid down and waited. As soon as the meter beeped he stood up and pawed the treat bag. Then he was fed.

 

[msfast3]

Just to give you my experience, my vet took a huge needle to use as a lancet and poked J.D. in the center of his ear. He got a big droplet of blood and we both tested that big droplet, his vet meter to my human (OneTouch) meter and they were pretty close in value. Your vet may not know how to test in the ear, either.

Good point.

I'm going to continue to study the videos, get my equipment assembled and try it before going to vet. And, of course, I need to learn to interpret the numbers!

I see you use a OneTouch. As I've mentioned, both parents were diabetic (both gone now) and the meters have, obviously come a long way. I'm looking for the simplest, most accurate meter. I saw the section on meters, so will begin that process.

 

[msfast3]

Lantus is most affordable from Marks Marine Pharmacy in Canada. A box of 5 pens is about $144 + shipping. If stored in fridge it will last a long time depending on dose. They ship according to weather temps and takes 7-10 days to arrive. You will need a script. You can use the pens same way you use a vial so you get every single drop out of them.

Once you get over the hesitation of testing, you will wonder why you hesitated to begin with. He will adjust once you have a routine down. Having a spot where you always test at helps as well as a treat each time. Smokey knew when on the table he just laid down and waited. As soon as the meter beeped he stood up and pawed the treat bag. Then he was fed.

Awww, Smokey sounds like an angel. Hopefully I can get to THAT place soon!

I am stunned at the price of Lantus! I paid $450 for 5 pens from Walgreens back in June. I have ordered some of my own drugs from Canada Drugs, but they do not carry Lantus. I will make sure to use Marks in the near future. Just got to decide on a meter, strips and syringes, too.

I've ordered some Young Again starch free food to be used as treats when the time comes. I've tried the freeze dried ones, and he will not touch them. He's always ready to eat in the early morning (by 6 am), so working out a routine will be helpful.

 

[Olive & Paula]

Strips is what you will spend the most on in the long run. You want one that takes the smallest blood drop which is 0.3mml and the same size as the Alpha Trac pet meter, coding necessary. The Wal-Mart Relion Confirm and Micro do that I know of. No coding necessary, beep can be turned off. A human meter does read lower than a pet specific meter but it's all taken into consideration as far as when to intervene when you get a low number and when to raise dose. Most people here use human meters. I started with pet specific and switched to human due to cost of strips and unable to get them at a store. Vet charged more for them than ordering on line. You have to be careful not to run out of them.