New Member with questions

[kagee75]

Hello all -

I'm so glad I found this place! I am in fact overwhelmed. My name is Kim and I am owned by 13 year old Major (aka Tooter). We were diagnosed about 2 months ago. We started with 2 units of Vetsulin twice a day and have been increasing steadily every week to ten days. Two weeks ago, we moved to 5 units twice a day because his numbers were still hovering in the 330's. He went back to the vet this morning for his glucose panel and his numbers are back up to 537. How is that possible? He's had his insulin with no skips and he's eating a prescription food (W/D because he's also prone to crystals in his urine). I'm so confused and worried. I see the doctor this afternoon when I pick him up, but I thought I'd see if any of you have had similar experiences. I've just started using a home testing kit and my Tooter is tolerating it well so I feel like we're making some progress, but it also feels a bit like a roller coaster. Is that normal?

Also, can someone explain the spreadsheet to me? I've seen several people talk about it but that is new to me.

Thank you so much in advance for any information you can share. I think talking to people who have been where we are will be invaluable.

Kim & Tooter

 

[Sue and Oliver (GA)]

Hi Kim and Tooter(I bet there's a story behind that name )

Two things may be happening. Vetsulin is not one of the preferred insulins here. In most cats, it tends to have a fast onset, taking the kitty low early in the cycle and then bouncing back up and it usually does not last the 12 hours the other insulins do (Lantus, Levemir and ProZinc). Some people however have had success using it. It usually takes a lot of monitoring and tinkering with the dose, sometimes giving every 8 hours. The other problem is that, if the doses have been raised at the vets, based on numbers there, it may be too much insulin. Most cats are very stressed at the vet and stress raises blood glucose levels. Then doses based on those levels are be too high once the cat gets home, and set up a pattern of bouncing from lows to highs. I am really glad you are going to hometest. That will give you a real picture of how the insulin is working for Tooter and how you might be able to adjust it.

The third possibility is more remote, and I would certainly look at his numbers and insulin first. There are high dose conditions for which some cats do need higher doses.

The directions for the spreadsheet are here

http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=18207


It's a little tricky. If you need help, just ask.

 

[kagee75]

Hi Sue,

Thank you for your input (and Oliver too!). I'm meeting with the vet this afternoon and I'll discuss the insulin type with him; see what he thinks. His levels have been higher at the clinic, but they were leveling out in the 330's at the clinic. So to see it jump to 567 was a little disheartening. I'll definitely be checking his levels at home to see what the difference is. When are the best times to check it at home? Also, thanks for the spreadsheet information - I'll definitely get that started. I knew it would be good coming here.

Kim & Tooter

P.S. His name is actually Major because he was born right around Veterans Day, but when he was little, he was very mischievous. I was always following him around saying "Stop it, you little toot" or "Get out of there, you little toot" or "You little toot, stop shredding the toilet paper" and somehow it just stuck. So, Tooter he has been for the majority of his life. It suits his personality. :smile:

ETA: Sue - I just read that you lost Oliver - I'm so sorry! I'm sure he contributed to the help that you've been able to share with me so I thank him for that.

 

[Sue and Oliver (GA)]

Tooter sounds more fun than Major. :mrgreen: Yes, this site helped me get Oliver into remission and we enjoyed more time with him. He was 16 when he died of heart failure.

We urge you to test before each shot, to be sure the amount you are planning to give is safe. With Vetsulin, to see how it working for him, you might test 2-3 hours after the shot, then 6, then around 8. That should give you a good snapshot of how low it takes him, when, and how long it lasts. With milder insulins, we say not to feed 2 hours before the shot so you get a number uninfluenced by food. But since Vetsulin can have a fast onset, we suggest feeding before the shot so he has food in his tummy to cushion the onset.

 

[KPassa]

As Sue mentioned, Vetuslin is not a very good insulin for cats. I would ask your vet about switching to Lantus, Levemir, or ProZinc.

The W/D also not the greatest food, especially for a diabetic as it's too high in carbs. Before switching food, however, you will want to be home-testing regularly as a food switch can drastically lower insulin needs! Catinfo.org is a great site about feline nutrition and also has a section devoted entirely to urinary tract health.

Please let us know how else we can help and if you have any questions or problems with home-testing.

 

[Grady'smom]

Hello Kim And Major!

As I am far from an expert right now, just wanted to offer you some words of support and encouragment. You are exactly where I was 6 weeks ago. I felt like I was hit by a brick to hear my boy was diabetic!! Grady and I are navigating this new challenge together and, while I know it seems so overwhelming right now, it DOES get better. The people here are the best ever and the progress we've made is all thanks to them. I was so afraid and nervous but everyones support and advice really boosted my confidence that we could do this and do it well. We still are working on getting into a routine home test schedule ( he's not the most cooperative gentlemen!) but its getting easier for both of us every day. He'sbeen great about his diet switch and he 's fabulous with his shots. You CAN do this!!

Hugs to you and Major from Grady and I!!

Linda

 

[Wendy&Neko]

Hello Kim and Major - and welcome. You are in the right place to help your kitty. We too started out on Vetsulin (also called Caninsulin) and got up to 5 units. It didn't last long enough on Neko and she was screaming for food hours before dinner time. It's a great insulin for dogs. :roll: KPassa listed the ones that work better for cats.

I too have to deal with a crystal prone kitty. I have two, Neko is not crystal prone but the other is and I need them to be on the same food. As the catinfo website you've been referred to says, it's best to feed low carb, low phosphorus wet food (or raw), with lots of water added to the food. But please don't make that change until you are hometesting Major. We've seen some rather dramatic changes when people go from feeding high carb dry to low carb wet food.

I also want to emphasize the difference in blood sugar readings at the vet due to stress. My second kitty tested over 200 at the vet, and 53 at home the next day.

My kitty has two of those high dose conditions that Sue referred to, but we don't even think about those until kitties are on a wet food diet, and higher in dose. How are Major's teeth? Needing a dental or other infection can also increase blood sugar numbers.