Newbie - introduction

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sandi-tucker

Member Since 2013
Hi everyone
Just wanted to introduce myself (Sandi) and my cat Tucker, who was just diagnosed with diabetes. Tucker is a male, black, DSH - 12 years old; weight 7.2 kg or about 15 lbs. Glucose curve is currently underway through my vet, though Tucker is returning home each evening. Specific details re dosage, insulin type, etc will be given Friday afternoon. He has been switched to Purina DM both wet and dry. Last year, Tucker suffered a stroke so now has a bit of a wonky walk but otherwise back to normal. At this time, I'm just trying to educate myself and a friend recommended your site. Thrilled about the amout of information that is available!
I'm sure I'm the same as everyone, hoping for a remission. It's good to know as Tucker and I continue on this journey there is somewhere to get useful, up-to-date information. Thank you.
 
Recommended insulins are Lantus, Levemir, or ProZinc

Home testing helps keep your cat safe. We recommend a human glucometer such as the Arkray Glucocard 01 from our shopping partner ADW (link above). Its sold branded at WalMart as the ReliOn Confirm. The Mini or Micro versions of the Glucocard are fine too. Get lots of test strips, plus 27-28 gauge lancets for use in testing.

Recommend foods are over the counter, less than 10% calories from carbohydrates, canned or raw foods see Cat Info for more about why.

If you are already giving insulin, you must learn to home test before changing food.
If you are NOT giving insulin yet, making dietary changes may be done. Only change 20-25% of the food per day to avoid GI upsets of vomiting, diarrhea, or refusal to eat.
 
Welcome to the board!

I agree with what BJ said..

- we can help more once you get your boy home but make sure you get a prescription for a good insulin like BJ said ( Lantus, Levemir or prozinc).

- Say no to the vets expensive Alphatrak meter and get a human one from Walmart

- Say no the prescription DM dry. You can try the wet but he will probably get sick of it so then you can choose one like Friskies Pates, Fancy feast pates or wellness grain free

Let us know when you get him home and we can go from there!
Wendy
 
Hi Sandi and your sugardude Tucker! Welcome to the FDMB where extra sweet kitties abound. ;-)

I'm Deb and that tuxie over on the right is my sugardude Wink. He's been OTJ (off-the-juice, insulin being the juice) or as you would say, in remission. He is diet controlled on Fancy Feast classic pates.

Our goal for Tucker is remission too! Hopefully, we can get him there.

First, deep breath, hold, release, deep breath, hold, release, deep breath, hold, release. Repeat as necessary to help relieve the stress of having a newly diagnosed sugarkitty.

This new journey you have embarked on with Tucker, we call the sugardance. The steps are always changing and we may need to learn something new. Hang in there, we have lots of experience here and can help with most questions.

Where do you live Sandi? US? Canada? International?
 
Thanks everyone for your kind words and thoughts. I've already obtained some valuable information from this message board so my thanks to all who have contributed! I live in Ontario, Canada.
Again, my thanks
 
So Ontario,Canada, you can't get the Wal-Mart Relion line of blood glucose meters. I understand the Bayer Contour meter is a good one.

Wendy & Tiggy are in your general vicinity, up in the greater Toronto area. Hoping she'll pop in to comment on where to buy stuff.

Let us know how else we can help you. Lots of experience here.
 
I live in Oshawa just outside Toronto.

So revised for a fellow Canadian!

Food- wellness grain free, friskies pâtés or fancy feast pâtés are fine. Same as the US.

Meter - unless you want to cross the border to shop on a regular basis the bayer contour is good. You can get a free meter when you buy strips if you get the coupon from the bayer Canada website. However you can also get a free meter AND strips by using the offer below but it takes 4-6 weeks to arrive so I would get one of these as well and use it as a backup meter and free strips! Buy extra strips from shoppers (points) or half the price on eBay.

Free meter offer for Canadians
You can get a free bayer contour USB meter and 25 strips if you go to http://www.bayerdiabetes.ca/BDoffer and use code "BDS 06-12" And then if you register the meter when it arrives, you get a free USB wall charger. Its a reliable meter. This offer was in the flyer comes inside the BD ultra fine 3/10cc syringes you get in Walmart Canada. I used a similar one six months ago and it worked great so bayer seem to run it a lot.


Insulin- unlike the US you don't need a prescription for insulin here. You can get lantus, levemir etc at any pharmacy. Cheapest I find is costco Canada but I heard loblaws might be cheaper.

Wendy
 
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