New to the site - diabetic cat mom

[Kimarie121]

Hi all,

Lucy was diagnosed with diabetes in May of 2018... and this journey has been long and frustrating. The last few months have been especially frustrating as I've tried to be very consistent with her prescription food diet, and I just don't think it's truly helping her. After over a month of staying consistent, I had to take her in for a glucose curve and her numbers were in the 300s & 400s! Of course that led to an increase in insulin, which my gut told me wasn't the right option. Days later she stopped eating and we were back at the vet running every kind of test imaginable which of course cost a hefty sum. Interestingly enough, her glucose check at the vet that day was in a healthy range (I think it was at 126) and she'd had NO insulin that morning because she didn't eat. Although the vet had me lower her insulin dosage and was clear to not even give her a full dosage if she didn't eat all her food, they never confirmed that was the reason she wasn't eating. Basically it was a "maybe it was just an upset stomach" kind of response once all the tests were back.

So, for the rest of this week, I've been slowly introducing less prescription food and more non-prescription canned food along with her 1.5 unit dosage of insulin. Her behavior last night and this morning was exactly like the scare we had last week: only ate part of her dinner last night and then nothing this morning. I feel like taking her to the vet is not the right answer... to have her poked and prodded only to have them not even give me any diagnosis.

I'm hoping that I can educate myself better, learn how to check her glucose levels at home and find the right treatment for my girl.

To those who read, thanks for listening. I look forward to connecting with people who can understand what I'm going through.

Kim

 

[Idjit's mom]

Welcome Kim and Lucy. I'm sorry to hear that Lucy isn't feeling well at the moment and you are worried about her.
If Lucy isn't eating could you try some meat baby food. Beechnut brand has no additives, and you could add some warm water to make a "soup" that she might like. If you are injecting insulin, she needs food.
The prescription food is not the best diet for a sugar cat. We recommend a low carbohydrate wet food diet, less than 10% carbs for our sugar cats. Many of us use Fancy Feast classics and Friskies pates, no sauces or gravies.
If you would create a signature we could see Lucy's pertinent information with each of your posts. We need to know what kind of insulin, what dose, etc.
Set up your signature (light grey text under a post). Here's how:
click on your name in the upper right corner of this page
click on "signature" in the menu that drops down
type the following in the box that opens: kitty's name/age/date of diabetes diagnosis/insulin you're using and dosage amount /glucose meter you're using/what (s)he eats/any other meds or health issues (s)he has. You can add your name, and a geographic location (sometimes the time zone matters)
Are you testing her blood sugar at home? It's the best tool you have to see how the insulin is affecting her and if it's safe to inject insulin, plus to help protect her from a hypoglycemic event which can be life threatening. Home testing tells you whether the insulin dose is too high or too low.
Human diabetics always test before "shooting" and test during the cycle also. Same principle applies to our fur kids. If you are not testing, we can help you learn, and find a meter and supplies that won't break the bank.
There is information here that might fill in some gaps you may have about feline diabetes and treatment, plus a very supportive community to answer questions and address health concerns. You can post those questions and concerns in the Main Health forum so that more members can see and respond: MAIN FORUM

 

[Kimarie121]

Thank you! I updated my profile info and am hoping to get a glucose meter soon! She did eat about 1/4 a can of friskies this afternoon... so that was reassuring.

 

[Idjit's mom]

Thank you! I updated my profile info and am hoping to get a glucose meter soon! She did eat about 1/4 a can of friskies this afternoon... so that was reassuring.

So glad to hear that Lucy was eating. Good girl!
You can get an inexpensive meter and strips at Walmart, the ReliOn Prime. It does take a little larger blood sample than other meters, but many members have used/are using it with success. The meter is about (or less) $20, 100 strips about the same price. 26 or 28 gauge lancets to prick the site are very inexpensive, I buy the True Plus brand and pay less than $3 for 100. I don't use a lancing device, that's a personal preference. We each use what works for us. Cotton balls, or cosmetic pads to back the ear where you poke and to apply some pressure after poking to prevent bruising, and some of us use a pain relieving ointment (Neosporin or Equate) after the poke. I also smear a very little petroleum jelly on the ear before the poke to get the blood sample to bead up.
It's a good idea to get a meter that uses strips that are affordable and accessible. We began with a pet meter per vets advice, but you have to order it and strips online, and the strips are about a $ 1 each. Some members have found an alternative to the high strip prices by buying an alternate brand on EBay for much less and they work well.
I can't say enough how important the testing is, we weren't testing often enough when we began, and just by chance I tested and Idjit was heading into some low numbers. Made a believer out of me, for sure.
We can help with learning to test, if you need that. Plus there is a Lantus insulin specific forum with great information about that insulin and the protocols we use here.

 

[Kimarie121]

So glad to hear that Lucy was eating. Good girl!
You can get an inexpensive meter and strips at Walmart, the ReliOn Prime. It does take a little larger blood sample than other meters, but many members have used/are using it with success. The meter is about (or less) $20, 100 strips about the same price. 26 or 28 gauge lancets to prick the site are very inexpensive, I buy the True Plus brand and pay less than $3 for 100. I don't use a lancing device, that's a personal preference. We each use what works for us. Cotton balls, or cosmetic pads to back the ear where you poke and to apply some pressure after poking to prevent bruising, and some of us use a pain relieving ointment (Neosporin or Equate) after the poke. I also smear a very little petroleum jelly on the ear before the poke to get the blood sample to bead up.
It's a good idea to get a meter that uses strips that are affordable and accessible. We began with a pet meter per vets advice, but you have to order it and strips online, and the strips are about a $ 1 each. Some members have found an alternative to the high strip prices by buying an alternate brand on EBay for much less and they work well.
I can't say enough how important the testing is, we weren't testing often enough when we began, and just by chance I tested and Idjit was heading into some low numbers. Made a believer out of me, for sure.
We can help with learning to test, if you need that. Plus there is a Lantus insulin specific forum with great information about that insulin and the protocols we use here.

Thank you for all the help! I ordered a glucometer! It comes tomorrow. Question: She only had a few bites of dinner plus the 1/4 can of food earlier today. I’m afraid to give her insulin. Should I hold off until she eats more?

 

[Idjit's mom]

Kim, so sorry no one has responded. For questions about giving shots, you should post in the Lantus forum. That forum is monitored much more closely than this Introductory forum which is more of a welcome mat to just say hello. There are members there that are very knowledgeable and experienced using that insulin. Please get together with them and let them know you have only posted so far in this forum. I don't have the experience to assist in that way, sorry.