Newbie just wanted to say hi

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Bewitched1210

Member Since 2013
Hi all,
I'm Samantha and my eldest cat, Brenna was diagnosed with diabetes on Monday. We are learning today how to do her insulin injections. We're from the Northern suburbs of Chicago, almost in Wisconsin. I've been reading a lot on this site and have found it very helpful. We're looking forward to getting our girl feeling better.
 
Welcome Samantha and Brenna. :-D
I think you'll find the giving injections is easier than you thought it would be. Learning to home test if you aren't already will help to keep her safe.
Ask all the questions you want and ask again if you don't understand. We're here to help you.
 
Hello and welcome to the board!

We have lots of advice we can give depending on your goals and lifestyle etc - whether its regulation or even remission. But we would need more information such as

- what insulin and how much
- what are you currently feeding - brand and type
- if your vet mentioned home testing?

Wendy
 
Hi Samantha and sweet girl Brenna and welcome to the board!

Let us know if you have any questions. We'd love to help you get your sugarkitty Brenna feeling better.
 
We started Lantus last night. 1 unit every 12 hours. Right now we are doing the Hills W/D, it worked for my mom's cat so I'm doing the same food. We use the wet because she had all but 3 teeth removed on Monday. She gets half a can in the morning and half at night. I'm glad the injections aren't that hard. Diabetes runs in my family so my dad gave me his spare monitor, it's a Relicon Micro. My vet is all for home testing. I just have to figure out how to do it. My pharmisct is also really helpful. I do have one question though. My pharmacist mentioned switching to the Lantus pens because I'll end up having to throw a lot of the bottle away. Is it possible for the pen to penetrate their skin act or is there a way to extract.the insulin from the pens?
 
To use the pens you just stick the needle of the insulin syringe in the end where you would insert the pen needle and draw the insulin out like you do from a vial.
You can use the vial (and pen) longer than 28 days (what the manufacturer says) as long the the Lantus is clear ands still works and you keep it in the fridge. Users seem to get about six months from a via before it loses effectiveness.
 
Lantus is a great insulin, the vial will last you up to six months if you keep it in the fridge (not the door) and dont shake or roll it. Just as Larry said, watch for floaties and cloudiness around the 4 month stage.

Pens last even longer since you only use one at a time and there is even a coupon on this site for a discount. You use the syringe to extract the insulin from the pen the same way as for the vial because the pen tips arent accurate enough for dosing cats. See pic:

4113.jpg


Home testing is a great idea - it will keep him safe - here are some tips! But let us know how you get on as some cats are easier than others and we can help with technique: https://docs.google.com/document/d/13c_CPZVKz27fD_6aVbsguadJKvjSrSAkD7flgPPhEag/pub

What kind of relion is it?Confirm? micro? prime?

Once you start home testing we need to discuss food as Hills canned is too high in carb - a lower carb food can reduce blood sugar and in many cases the cat will go into remission as a result.We also have cheaper ideas.

Let us know how you get on with the home testing and we can take it from there and I will look for the coupon link but you shouldnt need it for a while

Wendy
 
I really have not had good experience with the Hill's W/d myself. It's what kept Wink high for so long, and he did so much better on the lower carb foods, it took only a little while for him to go OTJ, in remission, diet controlled.
 
Our meter is the Relion Micro. I'm waiting a t least a week for her to get used to the shots before I start pricking her ear. The vet wants to start her on the W/D mainly because she's a skinny girl. He has a rated as a 2 and wants her to put on a little weight first. I spent 6 years getting her from 17 lbs. down to 9 and now she's lost another 2, so we want her to get back up to 9 lbs first.
 
Bewitched1210 said:
Our meter is the Relion Micro. I'm waiting a t least a week for her to get used to the shots before I start pricking her ear. The vet wants to start her on the W/D mainly because she's a skinny girl. He has a rated as a 2 and wants her to put on a little weight first. I spent 6 years getting her from 17 lbs. down to 9 and now she's lost another 2, so we want her to get back up to 9 lbs first.
Click to expand...
The W/D is for weight control, not for weight gain.
A kitten formula has higher protein and fat for weight gain.
Check Cat Info has a food list with % of calories from protein, Fat, and carbohydrates. Select any with < 10% calories from carbohydrates.
Evo cat & Kitten canned might be suitable, or Fancy Feast Kitten Turkey and Giblets.
 
What BJM said about the W/d for weight loss. Also, it's very high in carbs, dry like 37%. My foster cat Wink was on that W/D and soon after I transitioned him to the lower carb canned foods, he went OTJ, off -the-juice, into remission, diet controlled.

Does your kitty like any pure meats like some cooked chicken or turkey? Maybe supplement the diet with up to 20% meat mixed in to help boost the protein content of her diet and get her to gain some weight.
 
I agree with Deb and BJ - if your goal is remission or good regulation (which will also help him put on weight) then the hills isnt a good choice. We can recommend higher calories but low carb foods if you like? check this lost out but choose ones that have column C (% calories from carbs) under 10% : http://www.catinfo.org/docs/FoodChartPublic9-22-12.pdf

The meter is good though - this meter is good for cats, reasonably priced strips and doesnt need a lot of blood!
Wendy
 
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