Newbie- very overwhelmed

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MJ.H

MJ.H

Member Since 2020
Hi everyone! I am really happy I stumbled upon this forum. I am extremely overwhelmed. I have been looking through the threads and reading the helpful information for newbie's before making my first post. I am still learning how to navigate the site so please forgive me if this has been addressed.

My cat's vet recommends getting a pet glucometer, she uses those in her office and I know the readings may be different. After finding this site and realizing most of you use human meters, I bought one today (Freestyle Neo). I read that its most similar to the Alphatrak. I just checked him at home, his BG reading was 385. His SS readings before today came from his vet's glucometer.

He gets his insulin (1unit BID) at 7:30AM and PM. I've switched him from Royal Canin Maine Coon kibble to a diet consisting of raw meat (with the added TCfeline premix) and Fancy Feast pate. I feed them separately.

I am just really worried and there is so much information to digest. I want to check him again before he gets his PM dose. It seems high and I feel like I should have bought the Relion meter because I noticed so many people use it. Should I switch glucometers? Marcus is also on antibiotics right now for a respiratory infection... can that cause spikes? He got his antibiotic about 4 hours ago.
 
Welcome! There is a lot of info here, but we will help you figure it all out. The meter you have is fine. Most of us use the Relion meters simply because they are cheap and easy to find strips for. The important thing is that you are testing!!! Do get a test before you feed his meal so that you get a reading that is not influenced by food. That way you are sure he’s high enough to need insulin. Have you read the prozinc guides? There is great info in them. Here’s a link, the guides can be found at the top of the page
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/forums/prozinc-pzi.24/
What AB is Marcus on? Some liquids do have sugars and can raise BG.
 
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Welcome to FDMB!!

You are absolutely correct. There is an overwhelming amount of information to absorb. You will also be surprised at how quickly much of what you need to know becomes routine. We've all been in your shoes and we're happy to help you get to the place where it all seems very much a part of your routine.

First and foremost, test before you give a shot. Without knowing what your cat's blood glucose (BG) reading is, you have no idea if Marcus is at 400 or 40. The pre-shot tests (AMPS and PMPS) let you know if it's safe to give a shot. You also want to test somewhere around mid-cycle. Every cat's lowest point in the cycle (i.e., nadir) may vary. Once your comfortable with testing, you'll want to do a curve so you can learn when insulin onset and nadir occur.

I did not use a Relion meter. It doesn't really matter what brand of meter you use. It's more important that you test. Home testing is the only way to keep Marcus safe.

Antibiotics typically don't cause BG spikes. The exception is if it's a liquid and it's in a sugar syrup base. If you're giving Marcus a pill, there are no worries. What can raise BG number is the infection. Once the antibiotics are doing their job, numbers may drop so it's good you're already testing.

Remember to give Marcus a treat every time you test. Regardless of whether the test is successful, he gets a treat. You want him to associate testing with treats!

Please let us know what questions you have. The members here are very generous with their time and their knowledge and people really do want to help.
 
Welcome:bighug:

I am no expert but I think human meter is good enough (that's what I use because it is a lot cheaper), otherwise there would not be so many member using it.
The most important thing is to protect your cat from hypoglycemia, that means blood sugar being too low.
Therefore, for example, it should not overestimate the BG of the cat within the range of about 0-70.
We have two spreadsheet to use, one is adjusted to human meter, one is adjusted to pet meter.
 
Sharon14 said:
Welcome! There is a lot of info here, but we will help you figure it all out. The meter you have is fine. Most of us use the Relion meters simply because they are cheap and easy to find strips for. The important thing is that you are testing!!! Do get a test before you feed his meal so that you get a reading that is not influenced by food. That way you are sure he’s high enough to need insulin. Have you read the prozinc guides? There is great info in them. Here’s a link, the guides can be found at the top of the page
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/forums/prozinc-pzi.24/
What AB is Marcus on? Some liquids do have sugars and can raise BG.
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I have been going through some of the Prozinc guides, all this information on this forum is so helpful. I kind of hit a wall yesterday aftering trying to test Marcus before his PM meal and it didn't go well AT ALL. It was a mess, I didn't hit the marginal ear vein but he bled so much- then again it might just have seemed like a lot of blood because it was my first time. I tried to collect the blood on the meter strip and realized I put it in upside down. I tried again but at that point Marcus was over it and getting stressed. I still had to give his insulin so I gave up trying gave him his shot, fed it, then cried lol.

He is on a liquid antibiotic, 1 ml once per day. I have to double check what type it is when I get home from work.
 
You actually don't want to hit the vein -- otherwise, it will look like an episode of CSI. You want to try to aim for the space between the vein and the edge of the ear. Testing also gets easier the more you test. It's not just a matter of your having practice. The more you test, the more the capillary bed in the area you're testing builds up.

If you're getting frustrated, or Marcus is, give I'm a treat and you get chocolate (a sip of an adult beverage works, too) and try again in 15 min. It truly does get easier.

You may need to call the vet or the pharmacy to find out what's in the liquid besides the actual antibiotic. I routinely have reminded pharmacies that I don't want a medication in a sugar syrup if it's at all possible because Gabby was a diabetic.
 
I cried a lot in the beginning too, I promise it will get easier! As Sienne says, a treat for you and Marcus can help. Here’s a pic showing the sweet spot. Keep asking questions
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WELCOME TO FDMB As you already know this is a fantastic place to learn about feline diabetes. Youre ahead of the game with your interest and researching this site. We are so glad you found us!
We know how you feel literally! I think tears are part of this disease in human AND our beloved kitties. Tears can be your strength. USE THEM. ;)
Tears give that release. And as you have found emotions NEED releasing. Once you get that out of the system you can logically and deliberately forge ahead. We've all been there. From the testing to the late night "what ifs" we are here for you!
Use us.
Again welcome to the best darn site on this planet to help you navigate this disease called diabetes.
jeanne
 
Sienne and Gabby (GA) said:
You actually don't want to hit the vein -- otherwise, it will look like an episode of CSI. You want to try to aim for the space between the vein and the edge of the ear. Testing also gets easier the more you test. It's not just a matter of your having practice. The more you test, the more the capillary bed in the area you're testing builds up.

If you're getting frustrated, or Marcus is, give I'm a treat and you get chocolate (a sip of an adult beverage works, too) and try again in 15 min. It truly does get easier.

You may need to call the vet or the pharmacy to find out what's in the liquid besides the actual antibiotic. I routinely have reminded pharmacies that I don't want a medication in a sugar syrup if it's at all possible because Gabby was a diabetic.
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Yes of course! I wasn't aiming for the vein and I thought I got the right spot but it still seemed like a lot of blood, It was just terrible! I think I went through his poor ear. I am taking your advice for this evening...except maybe I'll have a glass of wine before trying :cat:
 
@MJ.H , not sure if this will work for you during tests, but I just found this out a few days ago and it’s working great. Max is newly diagnosed (2 weeks now) and I have found he’s most comfortable during a prick when he can knead on a very soft blanket as opposed to just laying on the bed. He seldom moves now.
 
MJ, welcome! I am three weeks into the home testing and I also can promise you that it does get easier.

I now have a special “test time only” treat (dehydrated turkey) for Butters and recently began using a special tiny bowl that I put them in. It makes a distinct noise when it gets set down on the counter, which brings her running.

We always do the testing on a very furry blanket where she is comfy and I make a big show of dropping a treat onto it in front of her before the test and again immediately after (even if the test fails). She is much more willing to go along with the tests now, even when I have to do several to get a drop of blood.

I put the strip halfway into the monitor first, then get the blood drop on my fingernail and do the test there. Although lately she will sometimes let me hold the monitor with the strip in it right up to her ear.

You will find that things will evolve for you and Marcus and you will eventually find what works best for you both!
 
MJ.H said:
I want to thank everyone for responding and sharing info! I followed all the advice you all gave me was able to check him! I am so happy I found this forum. Looking at his ear today I think I actually did accidentally hit the vein yesterday, poor guy. Today was so much easier than yesterday, I felt calmer and more confident, thanks everyone!
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Awesome congratulations!
 
MJ.H said:
I want to thank everyone for responding and sharing info! I followed all the advice you all gave me was able to check him! I am so happy I found this forum. Looking at his ear today I think I actually did accidentally hit the vein yesterday, poor guy. Today was so much easier than yesterday, I felt calmer and more confident, thanks everyone!
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Congratulations, if Marcus's ears every look a little beat up you can put neosporin Ointment with pain relief on them, just put a thin layer, just make sure you get the ointment and NOT the cream. You will be a pro in no time. I been doing this for awhile and I don't even get it on the first try.He is a handsome fluffy fellow :cat:
 
You are doing a terrific job!
With the ear sticks, I found that my freehand stick was just a bit too heavy and I was going through her ear and getting way too much blood. (I used to test humans). I prefer the spring loaded gadget that came with the meter as it has 5 settings for poking pressure. Takes a little more practice to get the exact spot you want, though.
 
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