Newbie Questions

[Rockpea]

My cat was just diagnosed this week. Vet wants to start him out on 2 units of Lanus. He was a free grazer of dry food for years. I've already switched him to wet canned food. The vet suggested that Prescription Hills m/d and I have several cans but I don't think I want to go with that and now I hate I even bought them. I found a listing from another board of the carbs and protein in cat food and see this m/d has more than some store brands. I may just use it up and then go with the store brands. Tonight will be his first shot which I'm nervous about cause he isn't one of those lovey dovey type cats. He has to be put to sleep for groomings because he goes in acting like a mountain lion. Do the times they receive the shot matter as long as it's 12 hours apart? Can I give the shot as late as 7:30p or 8p? I don't want to wake up at 6a on the weekend just to give kitty a shot.
I guess my question is that I see home monitoring is highly recommened but I really don't think my cat would let me. I mean he doesn't even like to be brushed or rubbed. He's been this way since a kitty and I've had him for 13 years. Is there any suggestions? Thanks.
Also, is this food chart accurate? Or should I use the one on catinfo? I see that the numbers vary some. http://binkyspage.tripod.com/CanFoodNew.html

 

[Denise & Honey]

Welcome to FDMB! Loads of info and people to help - you really won't be alone in this journey.

Dosing should be 12 hours apart - just try to find a time that can work and get as close as you can.

The prescription foods are not worth it - I bought them also. I returned them to the vet and said my cat wouldn't eat them - got a full refund.
You can use both food charts and cross-compare - most of us feed Fancy Feast Classic pates or Friskies pates but there are many other choices.

Everyone thinks they can't test their cat - mine was a little like yours. She still hisses and scratches if I try to wipe her eyes! But she's got used to the testing (and so have I) and now jumps up ready for her treat that goes with the test.
You can do it - just start slowly ...

Read as much as you can in the stickies at the top of the board - great info!

 

[BJM]

Welcome!

While you work on getting the hang of blood glucose testing and getting the insulin dose adjusted, see my signature link for Secondary Monitoring Tools for info on urine ketone testing (important!), plus some other methods to assess your cat.

 

[Wendy&Tiggy(GA)]

Hello and welcome to the board.

Many of us trust this food chart which is up to date: http://www.catinfo.org/docs/Food Chart Public 9-22-12.pdf Many people here feed the Fancy feast classic pates, friskies pates or Wellness grain free since they are low enough carb and reasonably priced.

Doesnt matter what time they get the shot as long as they are 12 hours apart (give or take 15minutes). You should start a schedule that works for you. 8pm is good because if you home test it means you can get an important before bed test 2-3 hours later to see how he is doing.

Here are some testing tips https://docs.google.com/document/d/13c_CPZVKz27fD_6aVbsguadJKvjSrSAkD7flgPPhEag/pub

Wendy