Newly Diabetic kitty

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Sarah Beers

Sarah Beers

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Hello. My cat was diagnosed February 25th. She started peeing blood so we rushed to the vet thinking it was just a UTI but as it turned out she was diabetic. At that time her glucose came back around 350. Now, back up to November I had her tested because I suspected she was diabetic because she is so overweight but her glucose was PERFECT. The vet said her electrolytes and potassium was very low though so she put her on Science Diet R/D and we started feeding her a quarter cup twice a day. She was use to grazing. My first fear is that is this my fault for putting her on this food and strict diet. I just think it's weird that in November it was perfect and then in February her glucose is 350 after being on this "diet". She started 2 units of Prozinc on Feb. 27th. Then on March 9th we went to 3 units. Then March 17th we went to 4 units and that is where we are at now. Her levels are not changing. I have the alpha track monitor and she is staying at about 400-415. We are doing a glucose curve this friday. The vet said if she had to guess she will need about 8 units twice a day and I just can't bring myself to think that is ok or even safe for her. I'd rather try as hard as I have to to get this under control. The vet has her on Purina DM, I've mainly been giving her wet only.
 
@Sue and Oliver (GA) @Rachel Hi Sarah - happy you made it here I've tagged two of the prozinc experts who can weigh in on dose many vets increase doses in 1 unit increments, but people here generally find that increasing or decreasing in .25 or .5 units is safer and more likely to let you find the right dose.
that's great that you are home testing - we are going to need you to set up a spreadsheet. We test before each shot and periodically between shots. We record our reading and other info in a spreadsheet. See: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/fdmb-spreadsheet-instructions.130337/ the amps = morning pre shot test results u=units of insulin given, and the +1, +2, etc is for the test result from the time of the shot (for example, you gave insulin at 7 am , and then tested at noon - the noon result would be recorded as +5 click on Murphy's spreadsheet under my signature to see how it looks

As we said in the Facebook page, most cats are on between 1-2 units of insulin, and too much insulin can look like too little - your cats higher numbers may be due to too much insulin - at the top of the prozinc forum are "yellow stickies" - reading those will give you lots of information

What exactly are you feeding -Purina DM wet? Most people don't feed the prescription foods, but feed fancy feast pates and other readily available foods sold at regular super markets (see www.catinfo.org) there's also lots of information on the FDMB home page
I'll post more but hope that Sue and Rachel can chime in soon
 
Yes she is on wet DM But I'm going out tomorrow to get the fancy feast and I'll decrease her insulin too. I do have karo syrup on hand if anything would happen. I'll setup the spreadsheet tomorrow too. Thank you!
 
Hi Sarah! Welcome to FDMB. Carol has already given you some great info. :)

As she said, you probably increased the dose too fast. That can cause you to skip right over the perfect dose. Are the 400s you're getting before the shot? We test, feed, then shoot all in about 15 minutes. If you ever get a number below 200, stall without feeding, then retest in 20 minutes to see if it's rising. We don't ever suggest new diabetics to shoot under 200.

It is important to test before every single shot. Also, whenever you can grab a mid cycle number (nadir) that will help. We dose this insulin based on both numbers.

Fancy feast is great...I believe it's the pate styles you want. If you check that list Carol mentioned, it can lead you to some good choices to pick up. Just MAKE SURE you are testing consistently before switching food. The lower carb can cause drops of over 100 points. That's good, but you want to be testing to make sure you catch it.

When you say you are doing a curve Friday...do you mean you or at the vet? We'd recommend you do it at home. Less stress so the numbers will be more true (plus less money you have to spend!).

I don't want to overwhelm you here with too much info. You plan to decrease the insulin you said? I think that's good. We generally suggest new diabetics start around 1 unit or so and then increase gradually. What decrease are you thinking of? I don't think she will need 8 units...we'll help you figure it out.

I'm generally around in the early mornings...between 5 and 6 CT if you need anything that early. Don't worry! Remember to breathe! You've found the best place you never wanted to be, and we'll be here to help you all along the journey!
 
Really glad to hear this - great that you set up the spreadsheet - it will help tremendously in helping to regulate her. keep getting mid-cycle numbers too - as close to 5-7 hrs after the shot as possible to see what the nadir is (I know this can be easier said that done) You're doing a terrific job!!
 
Hi Sarah - sorry I didn't see your post on the health forum - usually the posts are on the forum by type of insulin used - so us prozinc users post on prozinc forum and then health forum for general topics I can't believe your vet experience with the UTI - unbelievable
@Sue and Oliver (GA) and @Rachel are the prozinc dosing gurus on this forum -
 
Update: I gave her half a unit. I will check her around 10:00pm. The vet just called to check on her. She said if I want she will give me a recommendation to a specialist but I told her I would hold off on that for a little. I would rather talk to you guys before taking that route. She said if she is over 300 in the morning give her 1 unit. If she's unit that do a half unit.
 
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