New on insulin

[Sonny's Mom]

Sonny was diagnosed a week ago. After much deliberation I was able to work things out with my vet and we did a glucose curve. His initial reading was 540 at a high, using 2 units, he was down to 400. My vet recommended 2 units twice a day and offer MD dry food in addition to his regular dry food to start with.

He is eating about half of what he was eating, but his drinking and urination seem slightly improved. My vet said we would wait and see before we do another glucose test. He did say I could try doing the at home testing. My question is should I start doing testing at home and if so is it necessary to do it before each dose of insulin?

Susanne

 

[dirtybirdsoaps]

Welcome to FDMB!!!!


YES! and YES!!!!! lol. No clearer way to put it then "Would you dose your child without knowing?"

A couple of things.....

You don't need a pet specific meter (they are EXPENSIVE and not necessary) you can use a cheap human meter. Most here use the walmart brand relion. Its cheap and needs little blood.

The MD dry food, its not a diabetic friendly food. The carb % is pretty hill still. Your goal is foods with 10% or less carbs. There are only a few dry diabetic friendly foods. Young Again zero carb (5% carbs), EVO cat & kitten (12% carbs) Stella & Chewys freeze dried (1% I THINK), and Wysong Epigen (not sure on the %) which brings me to my next concern/question.

Is it possible to switch to low carb wet food only? It is the best option when it comes to diabetes. Dry is not recommended because it is high carb, besides the ones listed, but dry food also can cause other health issues. I suggest reading info on catinfo.org


What insulin are you using?

Glucose curves can be done at home, this can save Sonny stress (which raises bg) and saves you money. For the most part results are more accurate when done at home because the stress elevates bg.


Lastly....for the time being lol......DO NOT SWITCH DIET WITHOUT HOME TESTING!

Diet change alone can drastically reduce bg, which can cause Sonny to go into hypo.

 

[Sonny's Mom]

Using ProZinc insulin. My vet suggested using dry since he is currently eating dry and is a grazer. I am offering food in separate bowls and he seems partial to what he has been eating and not the new stuff. I purchased two cans of fancy feast classic to try but am afraid to make any changes being that we just put him on insulin.
I have to look but need to see video on how to do testing at home. Giving the insulin shots doesnt seem to bother him so hopefully he will be ok with testing.
I will look into test kit and will wait on food until I have one.

 

[Vyktors Mum]

You can start preparing Sonny for testing by rubbing the edges of his ears and telling him how good he is. Many cats don't like having their ears touched at first and this is the biggest thing for them to get used to.

Also, vital for testing, is a small low carb treat (something freeze dried or a little piece of raw meat) most cats adjust well to testing and with a treat being involved actually look forward to it, Vyktor starts purring at the sight of his meter

 

[Sonny's Mom]

Thank you. Will start there.