Hi Kendra,
Let's take it one issue at a time:
1) glargine or lantus is an excellent insulin - you don't have to purchase the vial which is $110 and expensive, rather we recommend purchasing the pens - they are more cost effective and you won't waste any product. While the initial cost for pens (box of 5) are a more than $110, overall it will come out to less monies. You may even be able to purchase one or two pens at a time.
And don't worry, you will use the syringes you bought with the pens - just pretend it's a small vial.
2) regarding food - sadly there is NO dry food that you can safely give your cat to eat. All dry food is really bad - read about the reasons here:
www.catinfo.org
The good news is you can feed fancy feast - look for the ones that are classic pate varieties - such as beef feast, turkey & giblet feast, chicken feast, beef & liver feast, etc.
Now there are safe dry treats that you can use - such as purebites or halo liv a littles - these are freeze dried pure chicken or beef, nothing else, it's dry, crunchy and cats love it. I also recently discovered stella & chewy's freeze dried cat food dinner -
http://www.petfooddirect.com/Product/50 ... -for-Cats-
My cat's love this and while I don't know how many carbs are in it, reading the ingredient list, to me it appears safe for diabetics. You can serve it dry or wet, mine prefer dry.
3) yes you can use a human meter for your cat.
If you tell us where you are located, there may be someone close by who can provide in person support and show you how to test with the meter.
How much insulin are you giving?
Here is what I typically write to newbies, you may find the information and links helpful.
WELCOME, this forum is a great place to gain knowledge and really learn how to manage feline diabetes. By doing just a few things each day (that really won't take up much of your time at all), you won't need to worry about losing your precious cat, not where feline diabetes is concerned.
There are three key factors to managing diabetes: food/nutrition, home testing and insulin
1) Feline Nutrition: Now, as far as diet - definitely dump the dry food (if you are feeding any) and if the vet recommends purchasing prescription food like DM just say "no thank you". ALL cats, and especially those with diabetes, do best on a species appropriate diet that is high in protein and low in carbs. Dry food DOES NOT fit that bill and DM food, even canned, just really isn't that great as far as quality. Most here on FDMB feed low carb/high protein canned, raw bought from a pet store or they make there own.
Here great links, one is to a food chart put together by one of our board members that breaks down the carb % and protein % of most of the commercial brand foods. You want to keep the carb % below 10% and around 7% is great. The other link is to a site by a vet "Dr. Lisa DVM" ... who also posts on this board from time to time ... there is in-depth info. there about many things, including nutrition and how to make raw food.
Nutrition/food info
The good thing with feeding your diabetic cat this way, is that it is ALSO good for any non-diabetic cat too. All your cats can safely eat the same food without worry and it may save you some costs and headaches of having to do separate feedings and keeping track of what they are eating.
2. Home testing: It is impossible to convey the value of testing your cat's BG (blood glucose) level at home. Some vets will "suggest" this, but most won't even mention it. They will send you home with insulin and an amount to shoot and maybe some instructions about hypoglycemia (blood sugar dropping to a dangerously low level).
Well, the thing is, human diabetics don't EVER give themselves insulin without checking there BG to make sure it is safe to do so, so why shouldn't it be the same for our kitties. Here on FDMB it is. You will notice that the vast majority of people here test their cat's BG at least 2x/day (before giving each shot to make sure the level is safe enough) and periodically at other times to see how the cat is responding to the current dose. We use a human glucometer, test strips and lancets - which are all very readily available and easy to use.
Our kitties get lots of love and treats for "putting up" with this and most of them actually come out to be tested on their own 'cause they want those treats . Here is a collection of great links that "Carolyn and Spot" pulled together about hometesting. See what you think ... it truly is the best way to not only keep Your cat safe but also really get a handle on this disease and help him to live a healthy life with FD (feline diabetes).
Home testing Links
3. Insulin: There are several types of insulin available. Many people, myself included use Lantus or Levimer both of which are great insulins. They are gentle insulin and given twice (BID) per day in 12 hour increments. Or you could also choose PZI or the new version called Prozinc.
Please read up on the insulins available, here is a link to the Insulin Support Groups:
Insulin Support Groups
However, one caveat and again this shows how these three things are inter-related:
If you are feeding dry food or even a high carb food, BEFORE removing these foods, please make sure of your insulin dose as it will most likely need to be reduced, so as to avoid a possible hypoglycemic situation due to the removal of the dry/high carb foods that will lower the BG’s and reduce the amount of insulin required. Again, another reason why home testing is important.
I know this all seems like a lot, and that's because it is ... there is a learning curve here. But as long as you are determined and keep at it, you will have it down before you know it and you'll be seeing the results in Your cat' overall health and happiness. Ask all the questions you can think of - that's why we are here!
