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Debmc13

Debmc13

Member Since 2017
Newly diagnosed diabetic cat. This week. She is nine years old and very skittish. I am having difficulty getting her 1) to eat 2) to give her the injection at all. She runs and hides. Then she won't time out of the room. So she's not eating and not getting her insulin. I don't know what to do. She won't let me get near her now. Been hiding since last night's injection. She didn't get it this morning so I'm going to wait until this evening's dose. I want her to be OK. Wasn't told about home testing but have NO idea how the hell I would do that. Any ideas.
 
Welcome Deb and kitty! (name?)
What were her diagnosis BG (blood glucose) numbers? Has she been tested for ketones? Does she act nauseas when you put her food down? Signs are licking of mouth, sniffing and walking away. Home testing really isn't as difficult at is sounds. Here are 2 videos made by members:
Janet and CC:

Sieden and Peanut:

If you are in the U.S. many of us use a human glucometer like Walmart's ReliOn Confirm/Micro: Here's a list I typed up for new members interested in home testing.
1. Meter ($15)
2. Test strips ($35.88 / 100)
3. 26 or 28 gauge lancets (about $4)
4. Neosporin / triple antibiotic ointment (Polysporin if CAN) ($3)
5. Ketone test strips
6. A treat for yourself

Some other questions can be answered by setting up your Signature: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/editing-your-signature-profile-and-preferences.130340/
We use Spreadsheets to track and share BG numbers. Just need a Google account and if you need help setting one up, just ask: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/fdmb-spreadsheet-instructions.130337/
Here's how to understand the Spreadsheet: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/understanding-the-spreadsheet-grid.156606/
And lastly, read this before hand because it's better to be prepared but I hope you never need it: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/how-to-treat-hypos-they-can-kill-print-this-out.15887/

Feel free to keep asking questions. We're a support group for your kitty and YOU :bighug:
 
Debmc13 said:
Newly diagnosed diabetic cat. This week. She is nine years old and very skittish. I am having difficulty getting her 1) to eat 2) to give her the injection at all. She runs and hides. Then she won't time out of the room. So she's not eating and not getting her insulin. I don't know what to do. She won't let me get near her now. Been hiding since last night's injection. She didn't get it this morning so I'm going to wait until this evening's dose. I want her to be OK. Wasn't told about home testing but have NO idea how the hell I would do that. Any ideas.
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Has she always been a small eater or is this something new? It's unusual because usually diabetic cats are hungry all the time until their numbers are regulated. Makes me wonder if the vet tested her for ketones. when they aren't eating and aren't getting enough insulin and the numbers run high for a long time, they can develop keytones triggering keoacidosis which can be very dangerous.

You can test for ketones at home using strips from any pharmacy... you dip it in fresh urine.

Did you suddenly switch foods? What are you feeding?
 
Kitty's name is Smudge and she does not let me touch her while eating, get anywhere near her face or ears, runs off when she anyone stands up. Very skittish. She has always been that way. Since a kitten. Her litter was abandoned by their mother and she was the runt of the litter. She's tiny and fast. I am having problems just giving her the shots. Period. It's traumatic for her, for me, for everyone. My other kitty. No problem. But he's not the diabetic one. This would be so much easier if it was him, not her.

Her glucose numbers were 578 when diagnosed. No idea about Ketones. They did all kinds of tests. Urine and blood. They said I caught it early.

Supposed to bring her to vet Tuesday morning and leave her all day. They want me to feed her, give her insulin, and get her there soon as possible. It takes sometimes 30 to 45 mins to chase her down to give her a shot. That's if she eats. And then to get her to put her in the carrier.... Hahaha! That will be a real **** show. Which will just put her numbers through the roof!

She was peeing on the rug. That's why I brought her to the vet. Ugh. She's not eating and getting insulin every twelve hours by any means. I'm stressing out about all of this. Just want the best for my Smudgie girl. I cry everyday about this. I don't want to traumatize her. I don't know what to do. She's not eating. Not getting her insulin regularly. So I'm sure Tuesday, her readings will not be accurate.

She's not nauseated, she wants to eat. But never has been a big eater. Not an all day grazer like my other one. Trying to ween both now off dry food all together. This is Brand New. As diagnosed Tuesday. First insulin injection Wednesday at 7 Pm feeding. At 7 Am, fed didn't get the insulin shot done for almost 20 mins after she ate. At dinner, same. Same again Friday morning, took longer though and them last night. All hell broke loose. Was eating her food and I read to try to give shot while eating. Well, she wasn't haven't that. Ran off. Hid under a bed. Got part of shot. But didn't eat. Had to put food by the bed. Don't know how long it took her to eat. And didn't eat today at all. Because she's hiding. I'm sure she's hungry. Did I mention she's stubborn too? I know I'm rambling... I don't know what to do.
 
:bighug::bighug::bighug: Rambling / venting is totally allowed. I cried off an on the first week of Maury's diagnosis. Wasn't sure how I was going to afford his care with being unemployed for over a year, now like 19 months. But that was more financial stress/worry. His "sister" who lives with my parents sounds more like your Smudge. Have you ever tried desensitization exercises with her? Also, what insulin are you using? Some have more flexibility than others.
 
Yea. Cried over the financial too. Prescribed Lantus. It was very expensive. But was told it should last a couple of months. I am supposed to give her one and a half units, twice a day. Desensitization exercises? Nope. More research for me... I'm trying to learn all that I can
 
Many purchase their Lantus from Canada. I just bought my first prescription from them. $175 for 5 Lantus pens that I use as mini vials. Usual starting dose is 1.0U, did the Vet say why they wanted to start at 1.5U? In addition to the links I posted earlier, you'll want to read about Lantus. This link will take you over to that forum: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/forums/lantus-glargine-levemir-detemir.9/

There are some nice videos on YouTube if you search "Desensitizing a skittish cat".
 
Debmc13 said:
Kitty's name is Smudge and she does not let me touch her while eating, get anywhere near her face or ears, runs off when she anyone stands up. Very skittish. She has always been that way. Since a kitten. Her litter was abandoned by their mother and she was the runt of the litter. She's tiny and fast. I am having problems just giving her the shots. Period. It's traumatic for her, for me, for everyone. My other kitty. No problem. But he's not the diabetic one. This would be so much easier if it was him, not her.

Her glucose numbers were 578 when diagnosed. No idea about Ketones. They did all kinds of tests. Urine and blood. They said I caught it early.

Supposed to bring her to vet Tuesday morning and leave her all day. They want me to feed her, give her insulin, and get her there soon as possible. It takes sometimes 30 to 45 mins to chase her down to give her a shot. That's if she eats. And then to get her to put her in the carrier.... Hahaha! That will be a real **** show. Which will just put her numbers through the roof!

She was peeing on the rug. That's why I brought her to the vet. Ugh. She's not eating and getting insulin every twelve hours by any means. I'm stressing out about all of this. Just want the best for my Smudgie girl. I cry everyday about this. I don't want to traumatize her. I don't know what to do. She's not eating. Not getting her insulin regularly. So I'm sure Tuesday, her readings will not be accurate.

She's not nauseated, she wants to eat. But never has been a big eater. Not an all day grazer like my other one. Trying to ween both now off dry food all together. This is Brand New. As diagnosed Tuesday. First insulin injection Wednesday at 7 Pm feeding. At 7 Am, fed didn't get the insulin shot done for almost 20 mins after she ate. At dinner, same. Same again Friday morning, took longer though and them last night. All hell broke loose. Was eating her food and I read to try to give shot while eating. Well, she wasn't haven't that. Ran off. Hid under a bed. Got part of shot. But didn't eat. Had to put food by the bed. Don't know how long it took her to eat. And didn't eat today at all. Because she's hiding. I'm sure she's hungry. Did I mention she's stubborn too? I know I'm rambling... I don't know what to do.
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Ugh that's so hard. I am so lucky that the cat I have that's diabetic is very chill about all the shots and testing. If it were my cat Ally it would be like yours.... hiding under the bed. and forget getting her to the vet -- she ***** herself if I try to even pick her up. My other cat Julie won't even let me brush her. I think if I had to inject her with something she'd take out my eyeballs. I pray the two of them never get sick. EVER. lol
 
Question? I checked the carb levels of the Fancy Feast I was feeding my cats. And the ones I would buy were all 15 and higher. The Gravy ones & Cheddar ones. My Smudgie loves cheese.... So I bought the classic pate box today. They range 4-5. I'm thinking just the switch of their wet food & cutting back of dry food (to eventually none) will help tremendously on its own. Let's Hope
 
Debmc13 said:
Question? I checked the carb levels of the Fancy Feast I was feeding my cats. And the ones I would buy were all 15 and higher. The Gravy ones & Cheddar ones. My Smudgie loves cheese.... So I bought the classic pate box today. They range 4-5. I'm thinking just the switch of their wet food & cutting back of dry food (to eventually none) will help tremendously on its own. Let's Hope
Click to expand...
That's a good place to start. Take your time and do some reading here about ways to desensitize your kitty. There are people here who have semi-feral kitties who have learned to tolerate the poking. Post specifically for help with this issue on this forum. There's a ton of experience to draw on.
 
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