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Renee M

Renee M

Member Since 2024
Thank You for this site
I'm Renee and I have a newly diagnosed diabetic cat.
Smokey is a 12-13 yr old DLH, neutered male, dedicated house cat. I first noticed a change in behavior a couple months ago. He started urinating in the dog bowls. We would have to pick them up as soon as they finished their food or he'd pee in it. Then he'd pee on the paper plate we fed wet cat food on. No blood, no straining. Off and on lethargy, eating well but just "off". We passed it off thinking he was grieving our elderly cat that had passed recently.
Then I noticed he was drinking COPIOUS amounts of water, like 3-4 + cups daily.
Off to the vet and after running the testing gamut, he's diabetic. Blood glucose 577. Weight 8.0 lbs
Started him on 2 units ProZinc twice daily and Hills Glucose Support.
Recheck in 2 weeks, was down to 293 at 5hr after insulin, weight 8.75 lbs.
Increase to 3 u, recheck today at 6 hr mark he was 67, weight is 10 lbs which is closer to where he should be in weight.
We are going to 2u at night and 3u in morning.
He is back to his old self, grooming, zoomies with the other cats, sleeping with us. Yeah! Water consumption has decreased.
I did research on dry diet because the prescription diet is cost prohibitive with three cats eating it. (From day one Smokey and the other two immediately ignored their old food and ate the prescription diet) I bought Instinct Original dry cat and Wysong, both diets not only have the kitties seal of approval but also the vet's.
He gets "snacky" of a small can of fancy feast pate in the morning (he's not fond of pate) evening they get a can of Frisky's meaty bits, shreds, or prime filet. I only get the ones in sauce not gravy.
I think we're on the right track, was a little freaked out at the 67 reading but I didn't give him wet food this morning. He's eating the lower carb dry really well. We free feed and he's really good about snacking throughout the day. He goes to eat when I tell him to get snackies and is absolutely amazing with the insulin shots.
I'm going to be reading everything you have on testing and best meter for this. I'm sure it'll be a challenge.
I welcome any and all feedback on what we're doing so far .
Thanks again, it's nice having access to help
 
Welcome Renee and smokey ,I will tag a member who is familiar with Prozinc but for now can you fill out what we call our signature and set up our spreadsheet. If you have trouble setting up our spreadsheet just ask and one of our members will set it up for you .
One thing we don't increase the dose by whole units , we increase the dose by 0.25 units at a time and don't give different doses in the AM and PM.
Do you have the U-40 syringes with the half unit markings?
I would suggest getting a humam
meter ,that's what our numbers are based on
Here is the link for the meter and test strips so you don't have to search for them
Relion Premier Classic Meter at Walmart for 9 dollars
https://www.walmart.com/ip/ReliOn-Premier-CLASSIC-Blood-Glucose-Monitoring-System/552134103

The tests strips are 17.88 for 100
https://www.walmart.com/ip/ReliOn-Premier-Blood-Glucose-Test-Strips-100-Count/575088197

Testing
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
c2b8079a-b471-4fa6-ac36-9ac1c8d6dcca-jpeg.57072
fec17d29-5ab4-44a8-912b-3a91944c3954-jpeg.57073

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 to stop the bleeding , press gently for about 10 or 20 seconds until it stops
Get 26 or 28 gauge lancets
A lot of us use the lancets to test freehand not the lancing device
I find it better to see where I'm aiming
Look at the lancet under a light and you will see one side is curved upward, that's the side you want to poke with
Here is a video one of our members made testing her kitty
She's using a pet meter that has to be coded ,with a human meter you don't have to code it.

I have always used a human meter
VIDEO: How to test your cat's blood sugar

More testing tips
https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/testing-and-shooting-tips.85113/


To set up your signature and spreadsheet
Here is a link helping us to help you link. If you noticed, our members have some basic information about their cat's in their signature. This helps us to not pester you by asking the same questions (your cat's name, insulin type, date of diagnosis, etc.) repeatedly. We also have a link to our spreadsheet in our signature. We are very numbers driven. The spreadsheet is a record of your cat's progress. By linking it in your signature, we can follow along and provide feedback should you need the help
Do you see mine about Tyler in gray
 
Last edited:
Renee M said:
Thank You for this site
I'm Renee and I have a newly diagnosed diabetic cat.
Smokey is a 12-13 yr old DLH, neutered male, dedicated house cat. I first noticed a change in behavior a couple months ago. He started urinating in the dog bowls. We would have to pick them up as soon as they finished their food or he'd pee in it. Then he'd pee on the paper plate we fed wet cat food on. No blood, no straining. Off and on lethargy, eating well but just "off". We passed it off thinking he was grieving our elderly cat that had passed recently.
Then I noticed he was drinking COPIOUS amounts of water, like 3-4 + cups daily.
Off to the vet and after running the testing gamut, he's diabetic. Blood glucose 577. Weight 8.0 lbs
Started him on 2 units ProZinc twice daily and Hills Glucose Support.
Recheck in 2 weeks, was down to 293 at 5hr after insulin, weight 8.75 lbs.
Increase to 3 u, recheck today at 6 hr mark he was 67, weight is 10 lbs which is closer to where he should be in weight.
We are going to 2u at night and 3u in morning.
He is back to his old self, grooming, zoomies with the other cats, sleeping with us. Yeah! Water consumption has decreased.
I did research on dry diet because the prescription diet is cost prohibitive with three cats eating it. (From day one Smokey and the other two immediately ignored their old food and ate the prescription diet) I bought Instinct Original dry cat and Wysong, both diets not only have the kitties seal of approval but also the vet's.
He gets "snacky" of a small can of fancy feast pate in the morning (he's not fond of pate) evening they get a can of Frisky's meaty bits, shreds, or prime filet. I only get the ones in sauce not gravy.
I think we're on the right track, was a little freaked out at the 67 reading but I didn't give him wet food this morning. He's eating the lower carb dry really well. We free feed and he's really good about snacking throughout the day. He goes to eat when I tell him to get snackies and is absolutely amazing with the insulin shots.
I'm going to be reading everything you have on testing and best meter for this. I'm sure it'll be a challenge.
I welcome any and all feedback on what we're doing so far .
Thanks again, it's nice having access to help
Click to expand...
@Suzanne & Darcy
 
Thanks for the info. I'm not really good navigating this site. (I'm Technology challenged) Took me awhile to figure out how to post this
I saw the link & will definitely try to do the signature and spreadsheet asap.
Yes I am using U-40 syringes.
I'm pleased with Smokey's response so far but I know we can do better. I'm a little concerned that the vets in my area aren't well versed in treating diabetic cats, we're in a rural area. I want to do the best I can for him and so far he's been a model patient. (He's always identified as a dog )
I hope he'll be tolerant with me learning to get blood from his ear. I'm nervous about that. He hates his ears touched. I'm capable of actually drawing from a leg or neck (former vet assistant) but the ear pokes I've never done.
I'm going to Walmart tomorrow for the meter and strips. Thanks for the info and I appreciate having a support group in the wings.
 
@Renee M
I had trouble with navigating the site in the beginning also, it will get easier ,just ask if you have a question
If you have any trouble setting anything up just ask and I will ask one of our members to do it for you.
About the U-40:syringes do the have the half unit marking ones??
Need to charge my tablet but I'll post some more info for you later :cat:
I'm back lol
Try start to rubbing his ears so he gets used to it
Take him to the same place when you start testing him and give him a treat first .freeze dried treat so he will start to associate getting a treat and give him one after. Even if you fail the first couple of times still give him that treat.
About the freeze dried treats

Freeze dried treats
Click on this link and look at post #6. Numbers are to the right
You can get any freeze dried treats ,information is there
https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/brand-new-many-questions-3.255627/#post-2878703

Freeze dried treats that only contain one ingredient (the meat or fish) is zero carb and fine to feed to a diabetes

Smokey is a handsome dude !
 
Last edited:
Good morning and welcome to you and Smokey!

I believe the food you are feeding is way too high in carbs. There are only two kinds of kibble that are low enough in carbs for a diabetic cat. They are Dr. Elsey’s Clean Protein and Young Again. The rest are not low enough and will definitely work to keep blood glucose elevated and create instability in Smokey’s cycles. @Diane Tyler's Mom have you provided a food list link or some recommendations?
 
Welcome to FDMD!

My first thought was the same as Suzanne's -- there are very few dry foods that are low enough in carbohydrates for a diabetic cat. If you're using a "diabetic" kibble, in reality, those dry foods are very high in carbs.

It sounds like you're home testing which is great! With a drop in Smokey's numbers to 67, even on a diet that is high in carbohydrates, I would suggest reducing his dose. With Prozinc, we suggest dose reductions if numbers drop below 90.

A bit of reading for you:
Please let us know how we can help!
 
Suzanne & Darcy said:
@Diane Tyler's Mom have you provided a food list link or some recommendations?
Click to expand...
Dr Elseys you can buy on chewey site
https://www.chewy.com/dr-elseys-cleanprotein-chicken/dp/146269?utm_source=google-product&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=12791446238&utm_content=Dr. Elsey's&utm_term=&show-search=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0PvU2Zj79wIVRIdbCh3JawEkEAQYASABEgIInfD_Bw


Dr Elsey's also at Walmart
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Dr-Elsey...ViI3ICh0suwO_EAQYAiABEgJrOPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Dr Elsey's Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FCJHDPR/ref=twister_B09GHFJY65?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

From what I have read on our site they are 5 or 6% carbs so that's ok
I read the same thing about The Young Again Kibble stinky poops

Dr Elsey's will send you a sample . You can see if Callie likes them before buying them ,get the chicken flavor. Dr Elsey's Clean Protein

Dr Elsey's web site
https://www.drelseys.com

I think this is there phone number
Phone: 877-311-2287
 
Hi there. I’m just checking in. How are things going? Have you gotten any successful tests yet? How can we help you? Remember, if you need help setting up a spreadsheet we have people who can do it for you in a jiffy.
 
Diane Tyler's Mom said:
Dr Elseys you can buy on chewey site
https://www.chewy.com/dr-elseys-cleanprotein-chicken/dp/146269?utm_source=google-product&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=12791446238&utm_content=Dr. Elsey's&utm_term=&show-search=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0PvU2Zj79wIVRIdbCh3JawEkEAQYASABEgIInfD_Bw


Dr Elsey's also at Walmart
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Dr-Elsey...ViI3ICh0suwO_EAQYAiABEgJrOPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Dr Elsey's Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FCJHDPR/ref=twister_B09GHFJY65?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

From what I have read on our site they are 5 or 6% carbs so that's ok
I read the same thing about The Young Again Kibble stinky poops

Dr Elsey's will send you a sample . You can see if Callie likes them before buying them ,get the chicken flavor. Dr Elsey's Clean Protein

Dr Elsey's web site
https://www.drelseys.com

I think this is there phone number
Phone: 877-311-2287
Click to expand...
Suzanne & Darcy said:
Good morning and welcome to you and Smokey!

I believe the food you are feeding is way too high in carbs. There are only two kinds of kibble that are low enough in carbs for a diabetic cat. They are Dr. Elsey’s Clean Protein and Young Again. The rest are not low enough and will definitely work to keep blood glucose elevated and create instability in Smokey’s cycles. @Diane Tyler's Mom have you provided a food list link or some recommendations?
Click to expand...
Suzanne & Darcy said:
Hi there. I’m just checking in. How are things going? Have you gotten any successful tests yet? How can we help you? Remember, if you need help setting up a spreadsheet we have people who can do it for you in a jiffy.
Click to expand...

OH boy, bought the ReliOn voice meter cause that was the only one they had. Took it to work to set it up, and the instructions don't match the prompts on the meter, plus I forgot the control solution. (Stupid of me because I ran the QA customer return lab for the One Touch meter back in the 1990's)
I'm definitely going to need help setting up the signature and spreadsheet.
Right now I need to master the meter set up.
And run the 30 miles to town in the morning for control solution. Do I just turn it on and run his drop of blood and it's an accurate reading for a cat? I haven't read on this site that procedure yet. ( My vet was surprised we can use a human meter) I apologize for being so dumb and confused. We've got a lot of feather and fur babies and I'm working part time so I'm trying to squeeze in reading the info and learning the lingo. I can't thank you all enough for your patience and help.
Gonna grab supper and read, read, read the newbie info.

)
 
Renee M said:
OH boy, bought the ReliOn voice meter cause that was the only one they had. Took it to work to set it up, and the instructions don't match the prompts on the meter, plus I forgot the control solution. (Stupid of me because I ran the QA customer return lab for the One Touch meter back in the 1990's)
I'm definitely going to need help setting up the signature and spreadsheet.
Right now I need to master the meter set up.
And run the 30 miles to town in the morning for control solution. Do I just turn it on and run his drop of blood and it's an accurate reading for a cat? I haven't read on this site that procedure yet. ( My vet was surprised we can use a human meter) I apologize for being so dumb and confused. We've got a lot of feather and fur babies and I'm working part time so I'm trying to squeeze in reading the info and learning the lingo. I can't thank you all enough for your patience and help.
Gonna grab supper and read, read, read the newbie info.

)
Click to expand...
@Suzanne & Darcy
 
Diane Tyler's Mom said:
I have never really used the control solution unless I started seeing crazy crazy numbers after seeing really good numbers
@Renee M
Click to expand...
Neither did I. I read somewhere that the ReliOn meters didn’t need to be calibrated (or whatever you call it). I can’t remember anyone where I read this, but I think it was in the pamphlet for my ReliOn premier or my ReliOn Prime meter. I had both. Once I did check the Premier just out of curiosity because I had some control solution that came with my Nova Max Plus glucose/blood ketone meter. I had been using the Premier for at least 6 months and it was working just fine when I checked it with the control solution.
 
Suzanne & Darcy said:
Once I did check the Premier just out of curiosity because I had some control solution that came with my Nova Max Plus glucose/blood ketone meter. I had been using the Premier for at least 6 months and it was working just fine when I checked it with the control solution.
Click to expand...
Note the one should only use the control solution made for the specific meter/strips. The control solution is NOT a simple glucose solution. I once did check one meter with a different meter's control solution and the results were not even close. I only used a control solution in the past when meters came with control solution. Sees now that meters do not come with a control solution. Almost all meters today are self coding. In the past one had to enter a cide/check code with each box of strips. The most recent meter that I had to code the strips always had the same code for years. What coding was required if one forgot to change the code the reported BG values would be off and that seems to be the major reason. In that case a control solution test would show that.
 
Renee M said:
OH boy, bought the ReliOn voice meter cause that was the only one they had. Took it to work to set it up, and the instructions don't match the prompts on the meter, plus I forgot the control solution. (Stupid of me because I ran the QA customer return lab for the One Touch meter back in the 1990's)
I'm definitely going to need help setting up the signature and spreadsheet.
Right now I need to master the meter set up.
Click to expand...
@Renee M
How are things going did you get the meter to work yet.
If you want to try and set up your signature it's very easy
You can just tap on your name above then tap on the word signature and add , do you see Tyler's after my post in gray

  • Add info we need to help you:
    • Caregiver & kitty's name
    • DX: Date
    • Name of Insulin (do not include dose or frequency)
    • 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)
    • Bexacat or Senvelgo (if applicable) and dates
    • 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.


I'm going to tag one more member to contact you to set up your spreadsheet for you
@Chris & China (GA)
 
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