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Brittani

Brittani

Member Since 2021
Hello,
My name is Brittani and my cat Luna was just diagnosed with diabetes on 12/21/2020. The vet we were going to didn’t start him on insulin right away and scheduled a “diabetic consult” for 10 days later. I asked her if this was safe because I know it wouldn’t be in humans and she said he didn’t have ketones in his urine at this time so it was fine. On 12/30 the day before our appt. he went from having a ravenous appetite to no appetite at all. On our appt. on 12/31 I shared this information with the vet. She gave him an anti nausea shot, an appetite stimulant, and a fluid bolus and sent us home. No bloodwork, no UA, nothing. The next morning he was extremely lethargic and still wasn’t eating so I decided to take him to the emergency animal hospital. Luna was in a diabetic crisis from not being started on insulin soon enough and had to be hospitalized for three days. I found this forum and I’m hoping for some help/emotional support because I’m really struggling. He’s getting up on the counters looking for food, constantly starving, he’s lost a significant amount of weight, and keeps trying to chew his Freestyle Libre monitor off. He’s keeping me awake all night begging for food and the vet has him on a very specific feeding schedule. Can someone please help me? I haven’t been sleeping since I brought him home and I start nursing school classes back up in 2 weeks and I need to get things under control with him by then.
 
Brittani said:
Hello,
My name is Brittani and my cat Luna was just diagnosed with diabetes on 12/21/2020. The vet we were going to didn’t start him on insulin right away and scheduled a “diabetic consult” for 10 days later. I asked her if this was safe because I know it wouldn’t be in humans and she said he didn’t have ketones in his urine at this time so it was fine. On 12/30 the day before our appt. he went from having a ravenous appetite to no appetite at all. On our appt. on 12/31 I shared this information with the vet. She gave him an anti nausea shot, an appetite stimulant, and a fluid bolus and sent us home. No bloodwork, no UA, nothing. The next morning he was extremely lethargic and still wasn’t eating so I decided to take him to the emergency animal hospital. Luna was in a diabetic crisis from not being started on insulin soon enough and had to be hospitalized for three days. I found this forum and I’m hoping for some help/emotional support because I’m really struggling. He’s getting up on the counters looking for food, constantly starving, he’s lost a significant amount of weight, and keeps trying to chew his Freestyle Libre monitor off. He’s keeping me awake all night begging for food and the vet has him on a very specific feeding schedule. Can someone please help me? I haven’t been sleeping since I brought him home and I start nursing school classes back up in 2 weeks and I need to get things under control with him by then.
Click to expand...
Poor Luna! Well you've come to the right place! The vet should have started him on the insulin. Now when he told you to wait 10 days did he advise you to switch to a low carb food? What is Luna currently eating? Are you in the US or somewhere else in the world? The food aspect is very important. But, the feeding twice a day thing is totally not needed esp if she now has ketones! You will want to feed her many smaller meals a day to help her flush those ketones out!!! Just no food at least 2 hours prior to the preshot test so the number is not food influenced so you are sure she's high enough for a shot.

You'll want something to measure the ketones at home. Pharmacies sell ketone sticks that go in fresh pee. (It's for humans, that's OK). You can also buy a ketone blood meter which is what I use. They might sell them in your local pharmacy out you can get one on amazon. How did they treat the ketones? Which insulin are you giving and what dose??

I'm glad he's got a monitor on, so this is a good time to learn to test his ears with a regular monitor because he won't be wearing it forever. Most cats get it off after a week. Lol. I have a video in my signature showing how I test my cat CC at home.


Since you are getting readings at home you'll want to set up a spreadsheet so we can help you better and give better advice. Here's a link to the spreadsheet we use that you will see in our signatures.
https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/fdmb-spreadsheet-instructions.130337/

To set up a signature, click on your name at the top right corner and choose signature. Add info such as your pets name, date diagnosed, insulin type, food you're feeding and any other health concerns such as the ketones. Once you get a spreadsheet going you can put a link there to it. If you struggle with setting it up one of us can do it for you.

Just breathe. Once you get Luna through this crisis she can live a long healthy life with diabetes. It is not a death sentence. My cat was Diagnosed 4.5 years ago, and there are many on here that have lived far longer with it.

The food thing about being a nursing student is you won't be afraid of giving needles!
 
Last edited:
Shopping list :

1. A monitor that takes a small 0.3-0.5 blood sample (many here use Walmart Relion Prime, I use an alpha track. Prime is a lot cheaper.)

2. Box of 100 extra test strips

3. Box of 100 26 to 28 gauge lancets (any brand)

4. Cotton cosmetic rounds to go behind the ear

5. Neosporin ointment with pain relief in case the ears get sore

6. A treat for you because you are awesome

7. Low carb wet food. Many here feed fancy feast classic or Friskies pate foods. No dry and no gravy. I feed weruva foods because my cat also needs low phosphorus.
 
JanetNJ said:
Poor Luna! Well you've come to the right place! The vet should have started him on the insulin. Now when he told you to wait 10 days did he advise you to switch to a low carb food? What is Luna currently eating? Are you in the US or somewhere else in the world? The food aspect is very important. But, the feeding twice a day thing is totally not needed esp if she now has ketones! You will want to feed her many smaller meals a day to help her flush those ketones out!!! Just no food at least 2 hours prior to the preshot test so the number is not food influenced so you are sure she's high enough for a shot.

You'll want something to measure the ketones at home. Pharmacies sell ketone sticks that go in fresh pee. (It's for humans, that's OK). You can also buy a ketone blood meter which is what I use. They might sell them in your local pharmacy out you can get one on amazon. How did they treat the ketones? Which insulin are you giving and what dose??

I'm glad he's got a monitor on, so this is a good time to learn to test his ears with a regular monitor because he won't be wearing it forever. Most cats get it off after a week. Lol. I have a video in my signature showing how I test my cat CC at home.


Since you are getting readings at home you'll want to set up a spreadsheet so we can help you better and give better advice. Here's a link to the spreadsheet we use that you will see in our signatures.
https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/fdmb-spreadsheet-instructions.130337/

To set up a signature, click on your name at the top right corner and choose signature. Add info such as your pets name, date diagnosed, insulin type, food you're feeding and any other health concerns such as the ketones. Once you get a spreadsheet going you can put a link there to it. If you struggle with setting it up one of us can do it for you.

Just breathe. Once you get Luna through this crisis she can live a long healthy life with diabetes. It is not a death sentence. My cat was Diagnosed 4.5 years ago, and there are many on here that have lived far longer with it.

The food thing about being a nursing student is you won't be afraid of giving needles!
Click to expand...



Hi Janet,

Thank you for replying! So the day Luna got diagnosed the vet didn't send the script for the new food over to Chewy until 12/29. The recommended diet is Hills W/D wet food 2/3 can every 12 hours. I have been feeding at 730am and 730pm and giving 2 Units of Prozinc at 8am and 8pm. I am living in the US, I live in Pennsylvania! What about you?

The emergency vet administered fluids and balanced out his electrolytes and had him on an insulin drip, so I'm assuming that flushed all the ketones out? I honestly have no idea? He was admitted with diabetic ketosis, so I'm assuming that was reversed during his hospital stay.

Luna is on the Freestyle Libre monitor so I can scan the monitor at any time to get a reading. I just went out and bought a harness today that covers the monitor so he can't chew at it anymore. I prefer to keep the Libre on him because I don't think I can prick his ears multiple times a day. I have been checking his sugars once an hour and hes still sitting in the 350-400 range on 2 Units of Prozinc. I am going to try 2.5 Units tomorrow morning. I will definitely order the supplies on the shopping list you provided me so thank you for that!

I need some advice too on how to control his ravenous appetite. He's keeping me awake all night and it's exhausting, meowing non-stop, and oddly keeps jumping on the counters and stove looking for crumbs and even licking the counter? I tried to use foil on the counters and stove, but even that won't keep him away. I was doing every 12H for feeds because thats what the emergency vet said to do, but it sounds like that isn't a good idea?? What feeding schedule should I follow based on your recommendations?
 
Is this what your vet ordered for you?
Most of us feed Fancy Feast Classic Pates or Friskies Pate
We try to stay under 10% carbs most of these are 2 or3 percent
No need to feed prescription food
I'll post the food chart for you
Mostly all of us feed 2 or 3 smaller meals(about a tablespoon with water added to it) during each 12 hour cycle
The bigger meal first thing in the AM then maybe
@+2(this means 2 hours after giving insulin)
Then maybe @+4 (4 hours ditto)
Then maybe @+6 ( 6 hours ditto)

Same at the night time after giving insulin
That 2 meals a day is crazy
No wonder why he's starving
How much does he weigh
Is he at a normal weight



Hill's Prescription Diet w/d Multi-Benefit Digestive, Weight, Glucose, Urinary Management with Chicken Canned Cat Food, 5.5-oz, case of 24
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Veterinary Diet Item

  • Price:

    $49.99FREE 1-3 DAYSHIPPING ON THIS ITEM
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$47.49(Save an extra 5%)
 
  • when you get a chance ,It would be helpful if you can set up your signature so we don't have to ask you the same questions over again. Members will look at this first .
  • It appears after each post in gray, look at mine,



  • On the left, under Settings, Click on Signature. This is where you will put information that helps us give you feedback.
    • There is a limit of two lines which may include two links; you may separate pieces with commas, dashes, | etc. This is where you paste the link for your spreadsheet, once it is set up.
    • Add any other text, such as
    • Caregiver & kitty's name (optional)
    • DX: Date
    • Name of Insulin
    • Name of your meter
    • Diet: "LC wet" or "dry food" or "combo"
    • Dosing: TR or SLGS or Custom (if applicable)
    • DKA or other recent health issue (if applicable)
    • Acro, IAA, or Cushings (if applicable)
    • Spreadsheet link. Please put the signature link on the bottom line of your signature information, on its own, so it is easy to find.
    • Please do not put any information about your location in the signature for security reasons. If you wish to add your country location, please add it to your profile.
Be sure to click the 'Save Changes' button at the bottom. If you need help urgently it is important we know these things at a glance. We don’t want to waste valuable time finding out information.


tap on your avatar where it says your name ,then hit profile page ,tap on that ,then go up to the very top, upper right hand side and tap on your name ,it will bring down a drop box, tap on signature, the signature will be under settings, tap on the signature then and you can start to add what I posted above, make sure you hit save ,
Welcome to the best place you could ever be and an awesome group of people
You can also add where you live in your profile, not your signature

Just make sure you put his health issues
 
If you are not going to be home when you start your nursing classes you can get a
automatic feeder and set it for certain times to open , and so you can get some sleep


PetSafe 5 automated feeder is highly recommended.
A lot of members use this one

I found this that a member posted about

I have a Petsafe 5. You can put ice packs in it - I made a post about it on another thread (with pictures). Here's the post.
 
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The Petsafe 5 is a good feeder and it has space for an ice pack (need to purchase it separately). The compartments might be a little deep but you can get little dishes that fit into them
 
@Diane Tyler's Mom Yes, this is what the vet ordered me to do and the food you linked is what the vet told me to get. I have no idea what I'm doing and every 12H for feeds seemed crazy to me too. Luna is normally 10lbs and as of right now he is 7.7lbs and losing about 1lb. a week. I added Luna's SS to my signature- do you see it?
 
Brittani said:
@Diane Tyler's Mom Yes, this is what the vet ordered me to do and the food you linked is what the vet told me to get. I have no idea what I'm doing and every 12H for feeds seemed crazy to me too. Luna is normally 10lbs and as of right now he is 7.7lbs and losing about 1lb. a week. I added Luna's SS to my signature- do you see it?
Click to expand...
Most vets will tell you that you have to get prescription food not true

I don't know how much you ordered , call Chewys they will refund your money, tell them your cat won't eat it

Feed him more, what are you giving him now ?
 
@Diane Tyler's Mom I ordered 2 cases of 24 cans. Giving him 2/3 can every 12 hours. His sugar has been between 400-500 all day on 2U. I am incredibly frustrated, I seriously want to cry. I don't know what to do. I'm feeding him a tablespoon of the w/d food mixed with water right now even though hes not due to eat until 730. Hes just been meowing nonstop.
 
Brittani said:
@Diane Tyler's Mom I ordered 2 cases of 24 cans. Giving him 2/3 can every 12 hours. His sugar has been between 400-500 all day on 2U. I am incredibly frustrated, I seriously want to cry. I don't know what to do. I'm feeding him a tablespoon of the w/d food mixed with water right now even though hes not due to eat until 730. Hes just been meowing nonstop.
Click to expand...
Hills w/d is 25% carb... you want to find something less than 10% carb. The food is contributing to the high numbers. The HILLS company is really irresponsible for claiming it's ok for diabetic cats. Cats that are unregulated have a hard time processing the nutrients in food which is why he's hungry all the time. His body is starving. Don't worry, it will subside once we get him in better numbers. In the meantime, feed him whenever he wants except the two hours before the preshot tests.

Head to the store and pick up some low carb food. Many here feed fancy feast classic or friskies pate (all of the pates are under 10%... stay away for gravy foods and dry). I feed weruva foods, which have a lot of great options.

I see you had some low numbers the other day. With that in mind I wouldn't raise the dose just yet.... I'd like to see what effect the diet change has first. Under the column that says AMPS, that's where you want to put the number you took just before the shot. it stands for AM PRE-SHOT. In the column PMPS that's where you want to put your evening preshot number. Try to always get a preshot numbers so you are sure it's safe to shoot. I'm really glad you are home testing, that will be extremely helpful. Your cat is lucky to have you. :)

Once you get her on a diabetic appropriate diet we will wait a few days and see if the numbers change and that will help us to know if the dose is ok or not enough. :) Also add some water to the food, and maybe leave an extra water bowl in rooms she hangs out in. :)

Luna will be ok. You aren't alone, and you're doing great!
 
The average cat needs 20 calories per pound of weight (again...you’ll need to convert to metric). So a 10 pound normal cat needs roughly 200 calories. But diabetic kitties need more (1.5 times or more).

Found this posted by another member

Just feed him,
I'm going to tag some other members about this and also his dose

@Bandit's Mom

@Deb & Wink

@JanetNJ

@Panic

@Sienne and Gabby (GA)

@Marje and Gracie

Hi ladies @Brittani is having a hard time , her cat is starving, vet told her to feed only
twice a day, Hills prescription W/D
He has lost some weight, so I told her to feed him multiple times.
She's said she seriously wants to cry, I feel awful for her, can you help her out

Thank you
 
Brittani said:
@Diane Tyler's Mom I ordered 2 cases of 24 cans. Giving him 2/3 can every 12 hours. His sugar has been between 400-500 all day on 2U. I am incredibly frustrated, I seriously want to cry. I don't know what to do. I'm feeding him a tablespoon of the w/d food mixed with water right now even though hes not due to eat until 730. Hes just been meowing nonstop.
Click to expand...
How much does Luna weigh? is he overweight, underweight or just right? 2/3 of a can of that is about 86 calories. twice a day that is only 172 calories. I would think unless Luna is small that's not enough food. I would feed the 2/3 in the morning, the rest of the can at lunch, 2/3 at dinner, and the other 1/3 before bed. He may even need a little more in addition because he's unregulated.
 
JanetNJ said:
Hills w/d is 25% carb... you want to find something less than 10% carb. The food is contributing to the high numbers. The HILLS company is really irresponsible for claiming it's ok for diabetic cats. Cats that are unregulated have a hard time processing the nutrients in food which is why he's hungry all the time. His body is starving. Don't worry, it will subside once we get him in better numbers. In the meantime, feed him whenever he wants except the two hours before the preshot tests.

Head to the store and pick up some low carb food. Many here feed fancy feast classic or friskies pate (all of the pates are under 10%... stay away for gravy foods and dry). I feed weruva foods, which have a lot of great options.

I see you had some low numbers the other day. With that in mind I wouldn't raise the dose just yet.... I'd like to see what effect the diet change has first. Under the column that says AMPS, that's where you want to put the number you took just before the shot. it stands for AM PRE-SHOT. In the column PMPS that's where you want to put your evening preshot number. Try to always get a preshot numbers so you are sure it's safe to shoot. I'm really glad you are home testing, that will be extremely helpful. Your cat is lucky to have you. :)

Once you get her on a diabetic appropriate diet we will wait a few days and see if the numbers change and that will help us to know if the dose is ok or not enough. :) Also add some water to the food, and maybe leave an extra water bowl in rooms she hangs out in. :)

Luna will be ok. You aren't alone, and you're doing great!
Click to expand...
Janet she if feeding the wet W/D on the chewy site it said about the carb %


What is the percentage of phosphorus, sodium, and carbohydrates on an as fed basis?
This formula has a Phosphorus content of 0.23%, Sodium content of 0.11% and Carbohydrate content of 7.26% all on an as fed basis.



See #9 she posted about his weight

By on Oct 26, 2018 Report

@JanetNJ
 
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Janet she is feeding the wet W/D
Found this on the Chewy site so what's correct?


What is the percentage of phosphorus, sodium, and carbohydrates?
The Phosphorus content for this formula is 0.76%, the Sodium content is 0.37%, and the Carbohydrate content is 24.2% all on a dry matter basis
basis

@JanetNJ
Found this also on the Chewy, do we go by as feed or dry matter when talking about carbs

Janet she if feeding the wet W/D on the chewy site it said about the carb %


What is the percentage of phosphorus, sodium, and carbohydrates on an as fed basis?
This formula has a Phosphorus content of 0.23%, Sodium content of 0.11% and Carbohydrate content of 7.26% all on an as fed basis.



See #9 she posted about his weight
 
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Hi Brittani,

I'm so sorry yourself and Luna have had such a terribly rocky start with all this, but thanks to your understanding and your actions you saved Luna - and that's huge.

As Janet said, Luna needs more food and the 'only feed twice a day before insulin doses' is a really old school approach to feeding, especially for cats on longer acting insulins like Prozinc.

It's great that you're home testing and have your spreadsheet up and running. It will help the experienced Prozinc users to help you both faster.

I'm very glad you've found us. I understand how rough it is right now but things will get better. As Janet says above, you are not alone with all this. Hang in there, we'll do all we can to help you both.

:bighug:


Mogs
.
 

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JanetNJ said:
Hills w/d is 25% carb... you want to find something less than 10% carb. The food is contributing to the high numbers. The HILLS company is really irresponsible for claiming it's ok for diabetic cats. Cats that are unregulated have a hard time processing the nutrients in food which is why he's hungry all the time. His body is starving. Don't worry, it will subside once we get him in better numbers. In the meantime, feed him whenever he wants except the two hours before the preshot tests.

Head to the store and pick up some low carb food. Many here feed fancy feast classic or friskies pate (all of the pates are under 10%... stay away for gravy foods and dry). I feed weruva foods, which have a lot of great options.

I see you had some low numbers the other day. With that in mind I wouldn't raise the dose just yet.... I'd like to see what effect the diet change has first. Under the column that says AMPS, that's where you want to put the number you took just before the shot. it stands for AM PRE-SHOT. In the column PMPS that's where you want to put your evening preshot number. Try to always get a preshot numbers so you are sure it's safe to shoot. I'm really glad you are home testing, that will be extremely helpful. Your cat is lucky to have you. :)

Once you get her on a diabetic appropriate diet we will wait a few days and see if the numbers change and that will help us to know if the dose is ok or not enough. :) Also add some water to the food, and maybe leave an extra water bowl in rooms she hangs out in. :)

Luna will be ok. You aren't alone, and you're doing great!
Click to expand...


@JanetNJ I feel like Luna is very unlucky to have me. I have no idea what I'm doing. So are you saying to not feed 2 hours prior to giving an injection? I have been listening to the emergency vet's advice, but now I'm feeling like it's all wrong information. I am beyond stressed out. He's due for insulin at 8pm and I was going to feed him at 7:30pm EST. Is this ok?
 
Brittani said:
@JanetNJ I feel like Luna is very unlucky to have me. I have no idea what I'm doing. So are you saying to not feed 2 hours prior to giving an injection? I have been listening to the emergency vet's advice, but now I'm feeling like it's all wrong information. I am beyond stressed out. He's due for insulin at 8pm and I was going to feed him at 7:30pm EST. Is this ok?
Click to expand...
You care enough to seek out help and learn more... Therefore Luna is VERY lucky to have you. None of us knew what we were doing in the beginning. I shed SO MANY tears the first few weeks. It's so overwhelming! But soon it will all be routine and before you know it you will be helping other new, scared people.
It's no food 2 hours prior to the preshot TEST. TEST, THEN FEED, THEN SHOOT.
OK so if you do the shot at 8pm you will not feed after about 5:30 ... At 7:30 test him and get the number, then feed, then shoot at 8. :)

The reason we say no food 2 hours prior to the preshot test is so the number isn't higher from the food and you think it's safe to shoot.
 
Last edited:
The two hour fast before insulin time is to check the BG to make sure it is high enough for insulin, without food influencing the number. Nothing "bad" will happen if Luna eats before that, but the BG will be elevated higher than what it "truly" is.

If you give insulin at 8, you stop food at 6. Test, feed, shoot.
 
JanetNJ said:
You care enough to seek out help and learn more... Therefore Luna is VERY lucky to have you. None of us knew what we were doing in the beginning. I shed SO MANY tears the first few weeks. It's so overwhelming! But soon it will all be routine and before you know it you will be helping other new, scared people.
It's no food 2 hours prior to the preshot TEST. TEST, THEN FEED, THEN SHOOT.
OK so if you do the shot at 8pm you will not feed after about 5:30 ... At 7:30 test him and get the number, then feed, then shoot at 8. :)

The reason we say no food 2 hours prior to the preshot test is so the number isn't higher from the food and you think it's safe to shoot.
Click to expand...
Ok, fed him the W/D mixed with water and gave 2U just now. It went intradermally, but hopefully it absorbs quickly. This is so frustrating. I have cried way too much these past few days and haven't been sleeping well either which isn't helping.
 
Brittani said:
Ok, fed him the W/D mixed with water and gave 2U just now. It went intradermally, but hopefully it absorbs quickly. This is so frustrating. I have cried way too much these past few days and haven't been sleeping well either which isn't helping.
Click to expand...
If it makes you feel better, I didn't even see a yellow number for the first 10 weeks or so. He will be ok. You need sleep. Get a before bed test, then go to sleep. No need to test all night.
 
Hi Brrittani, how did it go this morning, I hope you feel better now with all the advice you have been given. You are doing a great job.
One thing I noticed on your spreadsheet on 1-4 you thought all of the insulin didn't go in , and drew up a little bit more, next time if this should ever happen again, don't
give him anymore only because you don't know how much went in.
It's ok . He is lucky to have you , we were all had to learn everything in the beginning. I hope you got some sleep last night :bighug::cat:
@Brittani
 
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Brittani said:
Ok, fed him the W/D mixed with water and gave 2U just now. It went intradermally, but hopefully it absorbs quickly. This is so frustrating. I have cried way too much these past few days and haven't been sleeping well either which isn't helping.
Click to expand...
Did you give him 2 units like it says here, Your spreadsheet says 2.25 units for last night? @Brittani
 
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