Newbies - Food for diabetic cats

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jillsilver007

jillsilver007

Member Since 2011
Thank you, that was such a cute message.I have 5 kitties I rescued from the pound, my 8 year old (Clovis) just got diagnosed with diabetes. It seems like there is so much different info. on different websites, it's stressful. The first time I gave Clovis an insulin shot I bawled like a baby :) I have to start home testing his blood tonight and I'm stressed, it's confusing. Also, any recommendations about changing his food? I have 5 and they've always eaten dry food, how should I change their food? Thanks again. cat(2)_steam
 
Re: Newbies - Food for diabetic and four civies

Let us know how things are going and how we might help. Hometesting can be hard at first. We spent a whole weekend poking poor Oliver before we got a drop. We all have little tricks that helped us get it done. Also, we might have someone who lives near you who could give some hands on help, if you want.
 
Re: Newbies - Food for diabetic and four civies

Thank you for your help, I really appreciate it. I am having a very hard time getting enough blood from my kitty Clovis to test his BG levels. I tried on his ear after watching youtube videos, I tried 4 times but still didn't get enough blood. I then tried on his paw pad and still didn't get enough blood :( I can't tell you how many times I've tried to test him this past week, too many times and only once did I get enough blood to test. Clovis was fine, he didn't even flinch.....but I ended up sitting on the floor sobbing :) Are there people that have diabetic cats available to come over and give me some tips or help? I have a good vet but he only see's Clovis once a week since he's been diagnosed. I take him every Wednesday morning and pick him up in the afternoon, they do blood tests on him. I heard that this is not accurate and the levels can be off if Clovis is stressed? My vet said that isn't true but I don't know who to believe. Thank you again for all your help, I'm so stressed and I love my baby Clovis.
 
Breathe, breathe. I know we all say it gets easier, but REALLY, it does!

Yes, we might have someone who lives nearby. What is your city and state?

Did you sure warm up the ear? Most newbies have to have warm ears to get their blood circulating.

Are you sure you are poking in the right place? Put a flashlight up next to his ear. See the vein that runs down the edge of the ear? You are aiming for the capillaries that run off that vein toward the edge of the ear. Where to poke When you see the place you want to poke, put a small smear of vaseline there. It will not only help you find the right spot, but the vaseline will help the blood bead up.

What size lancets are you using? New diabetics sometimes need the fatter lancet - 25 to 26 gauge

Do you have something behind the ear to poke against? The rice sack works as does folded up kleenix. We liked a small makeup sponge.

Yes, it will be much better if you can do the blood tests at home. Cheaper and more accurate. No matter how nice the vet is, the kitty can be stressed with strange noises and smells. And stress raises bg levels.

Don't be discouraged. Very few people get it on the first few tries. We poked poor Oliver for an entire weekend before we got a drop.
 
Thank you so much, I'm going to use all the information you gave me tonight on Clovis and let you know how it goes (crossing fingers) :) I'm not sure what size lancets I have, I'll check tonight and let you know. I know it will get better with time but it's so stressful in the beginning. Also, I have 4 other kitties I adopted from the pound as well as Clovis, and changing their food is going to be fun ;)

I live in Houston, TX near the Galleria area. I've been looking at information on how to do glucose curves at home but am still confused. It looks like you're supposed to take the cats blood every couple of hours? I just don't know when to start and when to stop, and how many times in between I should test. I'd have to do it on a weekend since I work, sigh :)

Thanks again, you are all so nice and helpful
 
I would wait until you have the testing down before you do a curve. Then you do the morning test before the shot, then a test every 2 hours until you get to the evening test, 12hours later.

I'll see if there is anyone who lives near you who would help.
 
Sue, running out the door at the moment but try Jerrie & Opie, and susan g & tiger. (I may have Jerrie spelled wrong so look for variations in member list k) they're both in the houston area. there are others in surrounding cities too so if one of them aren't close enough, ask them if they know who else might be in the area. if not, i can work my list i have when i get home tonight and see if i can figure out who else is nearby, so i'll check in later and see if you found someone
 
Thank you for your help. I tried to test Clovis' blood glucose last night via his ear and couldn't get enough blood. After 3 attempts I just stopped b/c his ears are all red :( I have only tried using the automatic device, do you think it would be better if I tried it free hand? Also, are you supposed to prick the inside of the ear or the outside (furry part)? I'm a little scared about testing him free hand with the lancet but it seems like i'd be able to aim better.
Thanks so much, you all are helping me prevent a nervous breakdown :) :shock:
 
Jerri lives 90 minutes away from you, Jill. I haven't heard back from Susan G and Tiger yet. I put a post on Community also. We could at least talk you through it over the phone if you want. Sometimes that helps. Send me a private message if you want to talk.
 
I think i may have found another person in the houston area, Celia & Marco. not sure which part of Houston though so i will contact her in case :-)
 
I gave up the lancet device because I could never get a prick so I just use the lancet free handed. I started with an Accu Check Aviva because it did not require much blood but then went to a Relion from Walmart because it only needed half that amount. With the new meter and not using the device, I was more successful. I tried to warm up the ears with a rice sock but found that just holding his ear with my warm hand was tolerated much better. Also we use a head flashlight which allows us to have both hands free. Good freeze-dried chicken treats given before, during and after was the winner in this process. Keep trying. It does get better.
 
Hello!!! I live in the Houston area and actually work near the galleria area. I can help! :) When would be a good time for you? I work 8-5 near the Port of Houston M-F which is probably about 10-15minutes from the Galleria area. Send me a PM with more details or email me at celia(dot)ybarra(at)gmail(dot)com. :smile:
 
I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who replied, I really appreciate it (and so does Clovis since he doesn't have to be poked so many times) :)

:smile:
 
Hi,
I've attached Clovis' spreadsheet if anyone would like to look at it. His BG is still high, I'm wondering if it's supposed to go decrease very slowly? Maybe to prevent him from having too low BG?
Thanks so much
Jill & Clovis
 

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Hi Jill

Problem that I see is...

1. you started at a relatively high dose so we dont know if the right dose was missed or not
2. there are few test results inbetween preshot tests so we don't know how low Clovis is going

Congrats though on testing and on starting a spreadsheet (I think there is an easier one to use if you'd like). More data will help you determine what is going on.

Jen
 
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