New to Feline diabetes and working it out...

[MissChelle]

This is my boy Mugs. He's 12, I've had him his whole life, he's an indoor/outdoor cat but he's always had weight issues and been a big/heavy cat. He's not an only cat, and until now, it's been a free-for-all when it comes to food.

We recently noticed a change in his fur which led to a trip to the vet for some blood work and an exam.

The vet called to let us know his sugar was up around 500 and we made an appointment tomorrow morning for consultation and insulin and learn to give him his shots.

Our concerns are keeping him happy, healthy, and comfortable.

Mostly I'm looking for tips and warnings. Things to look out for. I will be home a lot the first few days after we start insulin so I can watch him and make sure he's adjusting well.

He especially loves dry food and was wondering if there is one that is good to add to his wet diet.

Also curious about testing urine for keystones. How would you do this at home!??!

My name is Michelle, we live in Florida and any help is appreciated! Thank you.

 

[Larry and Kitties]

Welcome.Good insulins are the human Lantus and Levemir and the pet insulins ProZinc and BCP PZI. For those two human insulin it is best to get the 5 pack of 3 ml disposable pens via a 10 ml vial. Although per ml the vial is less expensive most cats will not use up a 10 ml vial before the insulin goes bad/becomes ineffective. The human insulin N/NPH is sometimes prescribed but only lasts 8-10 hours. Same for the pet insulin Vetsulin/Caninisulin.

Most of us here test our cat's blood glucose at home using a human meter.
Here is a link to home testing blood sugar http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/hometesting-links-and-tips.287/

We test before each shot and periodically between shots. We record our reading and other info in a spreadsheet. See:
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/fdmb-spreadsheet-instructions.130337/

A low-carb canned is best. No reason for a prescription food. Here is a list of commercial low-carb canned

http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/shortcut-shopping-list-all-8-or-less-updated.117688/
If you have to feed dry there is Young Again Zero carb It is not really zero carb though.
https://www.youngagainpetfood.com/zero-formula.html
and Evo Turkey and Chicken
http://www.evopet.com/products/1441

 

[Sharon14]

Hi Michelle welcome to you and adorable Mugs! As Larry said, the best way to keep Mugs safe and know how well the insulin is working is to monitor his blood glucose. It's really easy to learn, and will save you money because you won't have to take him to the vet for curves or fructosamine tests. Check this out
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/hometesting-links-and-tips.287/
and if you have any questions, come to the Main a Health Forum where there are more people to answer

 

[MissChelle]

Okay so! I have given it a couple of days to see how things are working out.

Lots of changes around here.

Tuesday morning, I did not feed Mugs before we went to the vet. His blood glucose was about 250 at that time.

After all was said and done he was put on one cc of Novolin and we sat down and did some math with his food and requirements to make sure he's getting enough to eat and able to get a balance.

Thank you to this board and Larry for his recommendation on the EVO food, I picked that up, the vet was very impressed and Mugs seems OK with it!

The first couple of feedings were a little disappointing, he wasn't eating a lot, not even everything he was supposed to, I figured maybe because he's been through so much in the past few days (he also had a uti and was given an antibiotic shot).

My vet is also not having me check his blood glucose at home at this time. Things may change as we are working this out. Our vet may even change to one that is more suitable to this situation.

He's been adjusting well to the insulin, same Mugs, lays around, chill, wants brushed. He's a VERY good boy.

My worries at this time are his bathroom habits. He's using the bathroom pretty normally (compared to the other kitties) when it comes to urinating, but he hasn't had a noticeable bowel movement (he COULD have gone outside, they have free reign with a cat door) but knowing him it's unlikely. It could be because his appetite wasn't up to par, or he could be a little constipated. He hasn't been acting funny like, trips to the litter box with just gas, or meowing etc

Would that be a common reaction to insulin or food change? Should I worry about it? Is there anything I can do to curb the problem?

I've also been considering switching him off the pate and using unseasoned boiled chicken as the addition to his EVO instead of Fancy Feast. Has anyone tried this?

 

[Callie & Patches]

Did your vet say 1 unit insulin or 1cc? There is a huge difference. Insulin is given in units.

I don't agree with your vet about testing at home. If you don't test, you risk him going hypoglycemic. It can kill! Why some vets say no, I don't understand. My vet started me testing right away. I think some vets want to be in control, or they like the extra money they get when they do all those extra tests. Take some time to read through the different forums here. Learn all you can. There will be lots of people to help you.

 

[MissChelle]

So the vet we go to is in a group. Our usual vet was away for the Labor Day weekend and we saw a vet in her group that doesn't see Mugs usually. She has him on a very conservative amount of insulin (according to her).

This is also why we haven't broached home testing. I'm also aware of hypoglycemic and what his peak times would be and we are watching closely during this initial phase of getting regulated and balanced.

If insulin is measured in units, when I'm using the syringe and it's one, is that one unit?

 

[Sharon14]

You don't have to have your vets permission to home test. It really can save lives as not all kitties show symptoms of hypoglycemia at first. If you catch it early, it easy to bring him up into good numbers.

 

[Tuxedo Mom]

This is also why we haven't broached home testing. I'm also aware of hypoglycemic and what his peak times would be and we are watching closely during this initial phase of getting regulated and balanced.

The problem with just watching Mugs for signs of hypo is that not every kitty will show signs even when the numbers get very low. I have 2 FD kitties...one will get very insistent for more food when he is low, the other will show no signs even if her numbers get dangerously low. Sometimes by the time a kitty actually shows signs of a hypo they are far too low for safety. The BEST way to keep your kitty safe is by home testing...before each shot and at least once in between shots. Novolin is a faster acting, harsher insulin and can bring numbers down quickly in the first few hours after a shot. Since glucose levels, even in a non-diabetic kitty can fluctuate each day and during the day as well, regular testing is the only way to know how your kitty is responding to the insulin type and dose.