New Member

[Nichole Lemrick]

Hello! My name is Nichole Lemrick and I am from Minnesota (US). I just found out a week ago that my cat Cleo is diabetic. He is 14 years old and is a norwegian forest cat mix. I have temporarily switched his food to the whole hearted brand. But will be switching to something else now that I have seen the more recommended food (thank you!). We also just started at home testing and boy he hates it! But we make it work. Any recommendations on to make him hate the testing process less?

 

[Lisa and Witn (GA)]

Hi Nichole and Cleo. Welcome to FDMB.

We are glad to hear you are home testing. One recommendation to make it easier is every time you test, is reward him with a low carb treat. Soon he will associate testing with getting a treat. Freeze dried chicken or tuna flakes are great low carb treats.

Are you using the lancet pen to get blood? If so you may want to try using the lancet free hand. A lot of cats don't like the clicking noise from the pen.

 

[Nichole Lemrick]

Okay I'll try adding a treat afterwards. Also, I have been using the lancet free hand. The click bugs him to much.

 

[Diane Tyler's Mom GA]

Always aim for the sweet spot warm the ears up first, you can put rice in a sock and put it in the microwave, test it on the inside of your wrist to be sure it's not to hot, like you would test a babies bottle. You can fill a pill bottle with warm water and roll it on the ears also.Just keep rubbing the ears with your fingers to warm them up

6. As the ears get used to bleeding and grow more capilares, it gets easier to get the amount of blood you need on the first try. If he won’t stand still, you can get the blood onto a clean finger nail and test from there.
When you do get some blood you can try milking the ear.
Get you finger and gently push up toward the blood , more will appear
You will put the cotton round behind his ear in case you poke your finger, after you are done testing you will fold the cotton round over his ear tostop the bleeding , press gently for about 20 seconds until it stops
Get 26 or 28 gauge lancets

 

[Nichole Lemrick]

Thank you! Very helpful information

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

Nichole and Cleo and welcome.
Can you tell us what insulin and dose you are giving please? Also what type of glucose meter are you using?
USEFUL INFORMATION

 

[Nichole Lemrick]

He isn't on any insulin yet and the glucose meter we are using is True Metrics ($18.99 Walgreens).

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

If he hasn’t started insulin yet I would suggest testing his urine daily for ketones.
Ketones can form in diabetic cats who are not getting insulin or enough insulin. It’s a simple test. All you need is a bottle of Ketostix from Walmart or a pharmacy..
I would ask the vet to start Cleo on either Lantus or Prozinc. Both are excellent insulins for cats.