New with questions

[Jengilbert]

Hi. my five year old kitty Gilbert was diagnosed with diabetes about nine days ago. So far it hasn't gone well. He was on two units of insulin at night and rx cat food. After a week his glucose number was a higher. 500 I think. And he lost a little weight.i admit I may have had a few fur shots those first days but not sure. Vet now has be trying 1 unit of prozinc insulin in am and 1 in pm. Is it normal to have nothing change in first week? The vet is very very concerned. But it can still get better right? My vet also isn't having me home test. Not yet anyway. I take him in on Tuesday for another check. Anyway. Any advice is welcome. I'm stressed. I want my old kitty back. He's so skinny. He eats well and is still drinking a lot of water too. Thanks.

 

[Idjit's mom]

Welcome to the board, Jen and Gilbert. He's adorable. First, what are you feeding him? If you are feeding Rx food from the vet, it's too high in carbs, as well as too expensive. A low carb wet food diet is the best thing for our sugar cats, all cats really. Many of us feel Fancy Feast Classics and/or Friskies pate, at least to begin with. There are lots of low carb wet foods available.

You do not have to have the vet's permission to home test, and home testing is going to let you know it's safe to inject the insulin, and how the insulin is working in Gilbert's body. Since he is probably eating high carb food still, he might not be a candidate for a low blood sugar event (a hypo), but better safe than sorry. Many vets don't have enough education in Feline Diabetes, and don't realize that home testing your cat is just as important as testing if you or your child had diabetes. Plus it saves you stressful and expensive visits to the vet. Many of us use a human meter, a ReliOn Confirm or Micro from Walmart. It's affordable and so are the test strips. Lancets are very inexpensive. It takes practice and patience and a lot of treats (low carb for the cat, it's up to you what your treat is )

You can read about using Prozinc insulin in the Prozinc Insulin Support Forum. Just look on the Forum list and scroll down. Read the stickies, they are full of information. Post your questions in the Main Forum, so that more members can see and respond. This Introduction forum is more like a welcome mat on the front porch and not as many members are able to keep watch.

We are here to help.

 

[FurBabiesMama]

Welcome! You have a cute little man there. Normal insulin dosing is twice a day, and 1 unit is the normal starting dose of ProZinc. I'm not sure why your vet had you start out just giving shots at night. Getting your cat on a high-protein, low-carb wet food diet and doing home glucose testing are the two most important things you can do to help your cat. The site catinfo.org provides info on feline nutrition. The cat food database link in my signature came from that site and can help you find appropriate foods. The vet who created it suggests starting with "protein minimum of 40, fat maximum of 50, carb max of 10, and for cats with kidney issues....phos less than 300".

Once Gilbert's glucose is more under control, he will start to gain back the lost weight and will start drinking and peeing less and feeling better.

 

[JanetNJ]

Welcome. I'm glad you're doing two shots now. Insulin is supposed to be given twice a day... Not sure why he started at one shot.

Keep in mind is a marathon not a sprint. Eliminate any dry food and treats. Start testing at home. We are here for you