newbie

Status
Not open for further replies.
kimber

kimber

Member Since 2010
Hi everyone,

My 10 year old cat Mr. Bibbles was diagnosed on Saturday and we started 2 units of Lantus on Monday. Trying to read all of the wonderful information here and received tons of support on the main board but thought I would pop in over here and introduce myself. Not home testing yet but we go back to the vet next Monday for bloodwork to check on his progress after a week. He was at 530 on Saturday, no signs really other than the excessive/obsessive drinking and eating which has seemed to gone away with the first few shots. So far he's behaving when it's time for them too.

Kim
 
Hi from another Kim -- I haven't been here very long myself but welcome! Folks will bombard you with questions and show you how to set up your spreadsheet and strongly encourage home-testing. I wasn't doing it either, when I first came here but the good folks in this group quickly set me wise. :-D Shadow and I have had a lot of success since we found this place and we hold out the same hope for you and Mr. B.
 
Welcome Kimber and Mr Bibbles! You have definitely come to the right place! Do you plan on home testing soon? It really is a must. The people here are wonderful and helpful and caring and very very knowledgeable. We hope to see you posting here on a regular basis, and welcome to the family!
 
woo-hoo! newbie buddies!

we're newbies too, and just want to say Welcome...boy, have you ever come to the right place! these folks are amazing when it comes to knowledge & support. And there's a whole lot of encouraging humor flying around here too...so you might want to put a soft pad on the floor next to your computer.

The complicated name duo
 
Welcome to Lantus Land!

I skimmed though the posts on Health and I'm very glad you started shooting. The next hurdle is testing. If it's any consolation, no one taught me how to shoot or to test. I learned watching YouTube videos.

This group is very numbers oriented. If you look at the spreadsheet attached to my signature you'll see what I mean. (OK, I'm a bit of a testaholic....) You'll want to get a spreadsheet set up so you can record Kimber'sMr. Bibble's numbers once you start testing -- and I'd really encourage you to start testing as soon as you can. One of the comments I read on Health when I first came to FDMB was how no parent would ever consider giving insulin to their child without first testing. That's when I turned off the computer and went and bought a meter. Shooting blind can be a recipe for disaster. The first rule to to make sure your kitty is safe.

Please read the starred, sticky notes at the top of the Board. They contain a wealth of information. Please ask questions -- we're all here to help.
 
Hi Kim and Mr. Bibbles! :mrgreen: Welcome!
I guess I am one of those ones who will be asking a lot of questions... :roll: sorry! :razz:
I usually ask a barage of questions but you have added the date of dx which was last Saturday 9/11/2010 so that is one out of the way. You have also mentioned that your kitties free feed during the day on dry due to his other physical issues, right? Hyperthesia, allergies. Any other health issues?
Congratulations on doing the injections! I know you had an issue but now, look at you girl! :thumbup

I am so happy that you found this forum. Everyone here has helped me so much during this past year. My two kitties were dx Aug 2009 and while the female, Raja went OTJ (off the juice) and had a party to celebrate on Dec 5th, her brother is still on insulin. We are like a big family here and we each have one condo (thread) each day. We post in the morning with the first number we get which is AMPS (am prehot) and again at night for the PMPS. We like to see many tests during the day but if you are working, then maybe a before bedtim check at night at least. I hope you visit some condos to see how it works.

I do hope you will be checking your own BGs soon. I realized with my two that shooting without testing is like driving down the highway at 90 mph with a bag over your head. Getting those numbers was non-negotiable and I had to muddle through the learning process with the two of them. I find that having a towel somewhere with all the testing supplies works great. It is THE place were the shot is given and the testing is done. The kitties learn quickly. I was amazed at how well they adjusted.

A word here about this whole process. Our kitties are not feeling so good, some for awhile before dx...when they begin to get the insulin, they realize that this is all for them to make them feel better. They are sooo smart and it is surprising that you actually become so close to them because of this process.

Here is a link to a post in the Tech Support Forum to help you get your SS (spreadsheet) up and running.
We attach it to our signature here and then everyone can click and see the numbers we have gotten. The data is super important. I do hope you will be testing soon and have your SS up and running too!
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=18207

There are starred stickies at the top of the page that contain important information for you. Here would be a good place to start: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=18139
Please read the section on HYPOS and print out the HYPO kit page, ok? You will need HC (high carb) canned food with gravy to give in case of very low numbers. You should also buy Karo syrup to have on hand too.
Here is a link to the carb content of some popular brands of cat food for when you switch over...the Janet & Binky food chart... http://binkyspage.tripod.com/canfood.html

Again, Welcome Kim...hope to see you ever day!! :mrgreen: You are doing great so far...any questions, do not hesitate to ask, okay?
 
Hi Kimber,

So glad you found the lantus forum. I think you will find lots of help for all those questions you will be having.

I am so glad to read you're up and giving your baby the shots he needs. :YMHUG:
 
Wow, thank you all for the warm welcome. I have my test kit as of today and I think a lot of my nervousness is rooted in doing this so blindly, totally agree that it seems insane to administer insulin without knowing what is going on. I talked to 2 friends/acquaintances who have done this and neither tested. The one said that her kitty went into remission and she had no idea that his level had dropped so low. Mr. Bibbles can be quite a cranky, sometimes impossible kitty. I did look at the spreadsheet but didn't read the directions so that is on my to do list. Is maple syrup good enough or should I get this karo syrup? We're on what my vet called a very low dose (though I'm seeing that others are on even less which makes me nervous) and I'm wondering if I should call my primary vet...we stopped seeing her because he really dislikes her but she is cats only and has a PhD in Immunology, though she didn't resolve our allergy issues...I found this new vet rather on accident, regular vet was at a conference and he was having diarrhea but he is far calmer with a male vet. He did pitch a royal hissy fit last weekend (we got a free pedicure with the $320 bill for appointment and labs:) but my original vet is a lot farther away and isn't open late ever during the week so logistically it's a nightmare. My boss is pet free and doesn't sympathize at all. He's sleeping now so I think I might go do his shot while I have the chance...
 
ok shot successful, he woke up when I touched him so I said treats and we moved into the other room. Gosh that needle looks smaller and smaller everytime I do this drinking24
 
kimber said:
...I found this new vet rather on accident, regular vet was at a conference and he was having diarrhea but he is far calmer with a male vet. He did pitch a royal hissy fit last weekend (we got a free pedicure with the $320 bill for appointment and labs:) but my original vet is a lot farther away and isn't open late ever during the week so logistically it's a nightmare. My boss is pet free and doesn't sympathize at all. He's sleeping now so I think I might go do his shot while I have the chance...
Click to expand...

I would stick with the vet that works for you and Mr. Bibbles. During the first few weeks and even several months, working with a good vet who supports you and Mr. Bibbles, will prove themselves invaluable.

I say do what you are comfortable with in regards to your vet of choice.

I actually email and link to the SpreadSheet with Atlas' shelter vet. We phone consult and email consult at this point. He once told me he gets more information from me on my spreadsheets than he gets from his own techs. :lol:

Even before we were on Lantus and were only working an excel spreadsheet...he had better information than he has ever received.
 
I had a serious needle phobia, perhaps this is fate's way of fixing that for me:)

Pat+Raja+Shadow said:
:lol: The needle isn't changing you know...but YOU are! :lol:
Good going! :mrgreen:
Click to expand...
 
Hi - I just wanted to pop on in and say Welcome aboard! Another newbie - YAY! You have found a great place here, with a ton of very knowledgeable people, and even more support. Congrats on mastering the injections. Good job! I remember when I first started - had no one to show me, did it all via web sites. Testing will become second nature to you as well, and easier as you become used to it. It has become our special time. Mannie does not object at all - I think he knows I am trying to help him.

Good luck with everything, and remember to ask questions if you are unsure on anything. We are all here to help, no matter what the issue.

Welcome aboard!
 
I remember when I had to give my baby 3 month old horse two shots (because her body was so little) twice a day (jabbed straight in). She had injured herself.. I remember drinking a beer first, just to get over the anxiety.
You will become a pro at this in no time. This board is a good great place to be.
Welcome to the family :-D
Mr. Bibbles is very handsome.
 
WElcome to lantus land--You will find the knowledge and friendship we all share here, and will learn how to make Mr B well again.
It took me months to learn to test Moonie, and I am sorry I didnt do it right away--It all seems overwhelming at first, but just remember this-------
Cats will do almost anything for treats, food & snacks!!! :lol: :lol: :lol: --I really not kidding though, once they associate the little poke of a needle, and lancet will earn them some food, it begins to work!!--I give her a chicken snack( real or freeze dried pure chicken) before every test & shot--It works every time--
It may take you some time, but HEY You are Half way there already able to shoot him!! Be as relaxed as possible, Cats sense our stress & nervousness!
Good job, keep up the good work, ask questions and it will all come together!! Welcome! :mrgreen:
 
Mr. Bibbles learned how to sit for his pills rather quickly, even though I stopped the pred a week ago when he hears me pick up my vitamins he comes running and sits down right in the proper spot. Trying to figure out a good spot for the shots, last night he was sleeping on the bed so I did it there, in the mornings they all typically follow me around when I make coffee, etc. , so I've been doing it there in the mornings. He seems good with routines so I think we'll be ok. He was just so wound up after the cat nip infused gift we received today with the meter lol, I wasn't sure if he'd get his shot tonight.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top