Newly Diagnosed BoCat & His ScaredyCat Mom

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Catlady

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nailbite_smile Hi Everyone. My 12 yr old neutered male cat - Bojangles - has been diagnosed with diabetes. WT loss past 4 months has gone from 20# To 14.8#. Was tested at very good facility by Internal Specialist that was referred by his regular vet. Started on Lantus 100u 1 unit twice a day. Using u-100 29g syringe. Advised to start on Purina DM Dry Food. Was still drinking/peeing a lot. Went for 10 hr glucose curve and fructose test. Result was to increase to 2 units bid. Still losing weight, drinking and peeing too much. Went for 2nd 10 hr Glucose curve and fructose test. VET just called to increase Lantus 100u to 3 units BID and repeat tests in 10 days. Just very nervous and worried if I'm giving shot correctly for full dose benefit. Also, does anyone know where to get the Lantus and syringes for a reasonable cost? I haven't been able to work for past 5 months due to health reasons so finances are tight, to say the least. I don't want to compromise my Bo's health in any way, but am open for suggestions where to shop for supplies. Will be doing home glucose monitoring once Bo gets more regulated. He's a sweet loving boy and I want to do right by him, whatever it takes. Pretty anxious now and watch him closely for any changes or hypoglycemia symptoms. Sorry if I broke protocol and rambled on. Appreciate any advice and support. Bo and I (Linda) thank you so much!
 
Welcome Linda and Bojangles! Lots of things come to mind when I read your post, but the first FIRST thing I thought is DO NOT WAIT TO HOMETEST! I did. I spent a fair amount of time weighing options, followed the vet to the letter until we were up to 3u BID (not hometesting) My Buster had a severe hypo event and I nearly lost him. I will never forget finding our poor kitty face planted in the corner of the room, completely limp, cold and twitching. Not to mention it was a $600 ER visit. I don't mean to be overly dramatic, but I don't want anything bad to happen to Bojangles. Hometesting is the only way to keep him safe and we can definitely help you do that.

The dry food is still too high in carbs and is way more expensive than what you need. Commercial foods can be just as effective at a much better price. Fancy Feast Classics are very popular here. Someone will post the food list for you - you want to feed canned food only, less than 10% carbs. HOWEVER, you do not want to break off of the dry food before you are hometesting!! This is very important!! The change in food can drop glucose levels by 100 points or more. I suspect that's why your vet is bumping you up to 3u already - the dry food is keeping Bojangles in the higher numbers.

I will dig up the link for the food list for you reference. I would imagine by the time I do someone else will have posted it. We are a pretty attentive & caring group. We only want what's best for our sweet kitties!

I know you're scared - we've all been there - but this can be managed, and YOU can do it!
 
Hi there Linda! Bojangles!! What a great name!

Lantus is a great insulin choice for your cat. However your issue here is that you are not home testing and still feeding dry food. Dry food (even DM) is too high carb and is inflating his blood glucose and that will make it very hard, if not impossible to regulate him, let alone have him go into remission. So waiting till he is regulated before home testing and changing his food doesn't make sense.

You need to feed a food that is under 10%carbs such as fancy feast classic pâtés, friskies pâtés or wellness grain free.
However here is the thing, do not change his food until you start home testing. With a food change his insulin requirements can drop suddenly and you are at risk for a hypo.

So my suggestions, go out to Walmart and get yourself a relion meter and strips etc (see here for shopping list etc https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Rd6sMfsrNB41yQVEqpyjlHrJsDIbGEhbRIWR4QAwu3c/pub) and start testing. Then ditch the dry food. Don't increase the lantus dose and let's see how his readings are with the wet food. This also means you can do the curves yourself instead of costly and inaccurate ones at the vet.

There are shop now links above that you can get reasonable cost supplies or you can see if there are any freebies in here.. Might also be free test kits http://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewforum.php?f=15

Let me know what you want to do or if you have any questions...
Thanks!
Wendy

PS the vet may have told you lantus only lasts one month as that what it says on the bottle. That's not true, it can last six months in the fridge as ling as you don't shake or roll it and there is no cloudiness or flakes or anything! That will save you money!

Pps food list as promised by Tara http://www.catinfo.org/docs/Food Chart Public 9-22-12.pdf
 
Hi Linda and BoJangles,
My sweet Molly cat just got diagnosed last week. I have started Lantus and changed her to wet food. I have been sticking her ears and she actually tolerates this really well (trips to the vet would really stress her!)
I can't offer any advise since I'm a newbie too but I share your anxiety!
We will get through this! :-D
 
:roll: Wow. First I'd like to say how comforting it was to see such helpful and concerned replies to my first post. I am overwhelmed at the information available. Thanks Tara and Wendy for the home testing and feeding advice. I plan on getting a glucose meter and supplies at Wal mart in the next few days. In addition to the dry Purina DM I have the canned too but Bo isn't wild about the wet food. I used to give him canned Fancy Feast Tuna and Shrimp then switched to dry Evo Turkey or their dry Wt Mngmnt. when he started to put on too much weight. He got up to 20# Then WHAM, he started losing pretty fast. Then came the diagnosis. Bo has a prior history of an attack of pancreatitis from a reaction to taking megesteral for miliary dermatitis; hepatic lipidosis; aspiration pneumonia; and had his spleen removed because it was sooo enlarged about 2 and a half yrs ago. He's been thru so much but is a fighter. We are very close because of what he's gone through. He's a special boy and is very sweet and loving even when he's sick. You can tell when he's feeling good because he shows his happy face and actually smiles. And to the other newbie - Lesley and Molly -we can learn and share together. We're in the best company for our kitties health. Take care all.
 
Do you know what his blood glucose was at the vets?
Were there any ketones detected?

Some folks don't start insulin until after changing the diet, to allow diet changes to stabilize before adding in insulin.

See my signature link on Secondary Monitoring Tools for info on urine ketone testing (very important) and some other ways of assessing your cat. Ketones may indicate diabetic ketoacidosis, an expensive to treat, potentially fatal, complication of diabetes.
 
Thanks for the information! I should explain a little more about Bo's current situation. His longtime and routine Vet is just one doc that works out of his home and doesn't have a lot of high tech equipment. He's very experienced and good at what he does however. He referred Bo to an intern specialist that works out of a huge full scale 24/7 clinic about an hour away, and that's where the diabetes was confrimed. The Vet and Techs he sees there do the Blood Glucose Curve and Fructose Test. (A very long day for Bo and very expensive.) This Vet wants to do one more round and then will support my at home testing. The test results are faxed to my local Vet....the big clinic doesn't fax to the "patient". Since the latest results weren't back until Friday, I 'll be calling my Vet tomorrow and want those and the previous 2. I'm still new at this, but a fast learner, and now realize that I should have insisted the results be made available to me as well. I just trusted what the specialist said and have no idea what all the numbers are. As soon as I get them, and the meter, I'll keep you updated. Bo and I appreciate the helpful replies we've been getting!! :smile:
 
ok well let us know how he gets on!

You do know you dont need your vets support on home testing right? You can do whatever you want with your cat. Also its way cheaper and more accurate to do the testing and curves at home yourself...
 
I sent a PM to Linda and got this response
Yep- I got the meter from WalMart. A Relion, plus strips, lancets,and even ketone strips. Now got to figure how to use them! Thanks for keeping in touch and sorry I haven't updated you sooner. Bo is fine, thankfully. We just have to get his Mom straightened out. I have a Dr appt (again) tomorrow and next Tuesday. Hopefully things will settle down and I can focus entirely on Bo. I've been too overwhelmed with everything and didn't feel comfortable starting the home testing yet. He goes for the last time on Monday to the Internist Vet for the glucose curve and fructose. That's it. I figure he should have enough to be able to hand the reins over to me. I wanted Bo to be stabilized as possible and think he should be now. I still need the Vet for input, Rx's, and help with any problems so I'm trying to be patient to maintain a good line of communication. I don't want to do the wrong thing and put Bo at risk.
Hope you get this email ok. Still trying to learn how to navigate the site. It's really good though and glad I found it. If you're still up for the challenge I would be very grateful for your help. Is there anything in particular I need to ask about other than the numbers they get from the test draws they pull every two hours?
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Hi there, did you pick up neosporin too? It's good for helping the blood well up and healing any wounds.

The problem with curves done at the vet is that the cat is stressed which tends to raise their blood glucose levels and the vet can over prescribe insulin based on that. Then when you get the cat home, his levels drop to normal but the insulin is then too high. That's why home testing is so key.. It's way more accurate! once you get testing you will run your own curves and you can share that with us and the vet which will help dosing decisions if he isn't regulated well enough. Don't panic if the vet says he isn't regulated yet, as soon as you start home testing we can help with that.. And even if he is we may be able to help refine things. Plus start moving him off the dry!!!

Wendy
 
jus want to say welcome and as scary as it is now (and still is for me) it gets easier. this place is like walking into a big hug

wendy-your such a great welcome commity, i remember how grateful i was that you took me under your wing
i have no expert advise to give. but i have tons of love and support to give, just breath and stay positive, your kitty will pick up on your stress.
also home testing is so key to not only manageing this but for helping your own sanity.
you can do this!!!
 
Ruben you sure are one handsome boy. And lucky to have a doting Mom. Thanks for the kind words and support. This is a wonderful cat caring community. I saw where Ruben has a profile and number/comment chart. I'll have to start one for Bo. Still confused on what to feed though -plus he has a feisty 8 yr old sister that loves to eat so its hard to make sure Bo gets enough and she doesn't act like a lil piglet. Feeding both Purina dry DM that vet recommended plus a lil bit of purina indoor dry. Switched from Evo dry weight management. Temptation and Party Mix treats as a post insulin shot reward. Now Sissy has started biting fur off her rt hip and overgrooming. Wondering if she's stressed about her big brother being sick and/or picking up my stress. Whats a Mother to do? confused_cat
 
Are you trying to transition to wet? Thats our best bet for getting him regulated and even potentially into rmission... At least try and ditch the temptations and get the freeze dried chicken treats instead.. It would be a start.
 
Hi Linda

I switched my 3 cats to wet food when Honey was diagnosed. Monster was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism then following month and they eat even more than unregulated diabetic cats do - I feed them in separate places and make sure everyone gets a share. My 3rd cat is a sweetie and has his food on top of the washing machine as he'd starve otherwise :?

Honey was on prescription weight loss food for many years as the vet wanted her to lose weight so as not to get diabetes.
This was high carb and probably caused her diabeties.
Vets are taught very little about feline nutrition and go with the advice from the large food manufacturers.
When my vet sold me DM, I returned it after reading up on this board.

Try to introduce the wet food - Fancy Feast Classic Pates or Friskies Pate are good to start with.

Also, its possible that the dry food is making your Sassy itch - I know that when I switched Honey to wet, her dandruff cleared up.
I think there's some references to skin issues and dry food on the board.

I got my lantus from Costco - I got the vial for $125. It lasted from mid-October to now. I actually have .5 bottle left but Honey is almost (2 days away) from being in remission (diet-controlled diabetic) so that worked out as a good buy. :-D :-D
 
Hello everyone
Bo made his last adventure to the Big City Vet yesterday----hopefully. Waiting for Fructose number now. Bo gained a little weight and thankfully has been eating the dry food for now. Tried giving him a can of Fancy Feast --why you thought I was insulting him or something. Good thing his healthy little sister polished off any traces. Vet to check and call back in few days with home meter instructions. His glucose numbers were in the 400's this trip.
 
Catlady said:
Hello everyone
Bo made his last adventure to the Big City Vet yesterday----hopefully. Waiting for Fructose number now. Bo gained a little weight and thankfully has been eating the dry food for now. Tried giving him a can of Fancy Feast --why you thought I was insulting him or something. Good thing his healthy little sister polished off any traces. Vet to check and call back in few days with home meter instructions. His glucose numbers were in the 400's this trip.
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Bo's numbers will likely stay in the 400s as long as he's eating the dry food, and long term numbers over about 240 will contribute to organ damage.... the goal is to get the numbers under that 240 mark at all times. Bo may not like the wet food you offered but for his health, he needs to switch over if at all possible.

There is the odd cat who will not switch, and that owner just needs to give alot more insulin to keep the numbers down. There was a person who joined this site and the cat was getting 20units of insulin! When asked about the diet, it was found the cat was eating dry food, so once the switch was made to low carb wet, the cat's insulin needs dropped down to 1 unit. There are so very many cats who need no insulin at all once they are off the dry, so there's your incentive to find some low carb wet food that Bo will eat.
 
ruben went to all wet and in less than a month he is on an otj trial. i never relized how food can effect his numbers. he will go up even on fd recommended fancy feast if its 5% or over. keep up the good work but def try to make the switch. ruben free fed only dry for 12 yrs as well and he did not take to the change easy but where finally there and both him and i are better for it.
 
Newly Diagnosed BoCat & The Wet Food Contest

Lots to learn and so little time. Bo's glucose curve numbers were in the 400's and fructose was 600 again. Vet totally agrees he would do better with the home testing. Keeping the Lantus insulin dose at 3, twice a day. Vet wanted me to get the Alphatrak II system since its calibrated for cats (and dogs?) and that's what the center/clinic uses. After I get it he wants Bo and me to come in for a training appt to make sure I'm doing things correctly. Then from home, I'm to fax the test results to him so he can monitor Bo's numbers and adjust if necessary. I feel more secure doing it this way and happy that he is being thorough and is concerned enough to continue following Bo from home. I respect him for that. Looks like I'll be returning the Relion meter and supplies to Walmart. They were never opened. I was too scared. Searched the web and found the best price for the AlphaTrak II starter kit. Not happy about the cost or the price of strips, but I know I'll like the accuracy and ease of use. It should be here middle of next week.
Now, next hurdle. Wet food. He did eat 2x from the Fancy Feast fish and Shrimp can today. Sissy devoured the rest. She's my little piglet. I am still giving Purina DM Dry and Evo weight management dry as well until we tip the scales over to wet only. Giving Halo liv a ill beef and chicken treats which they go berserk over. I think we have to make choices that we're comfortable with and what we think works best for our fur babies. I'm open for suggestions and advice. Everyone has been so nice and helpful with Bo and me. Thanks for caring and sharing.
Linda ;-)
 
I have a feeling you are going to find that you will not be able to return the meter and supplies to Walmart even if they are unopened, I know our Walmart has signs up that those type of items can not be returned even unopened...my suggestion if you find that to be true to hang on to them as a back up to the Alphatrak, since the only place you can get the strips for it is online or from the vet's office. If you need to test when the vet's isn't open and find yourself low on strips at least you will have a meter to use, even if it isn't calibrated for cats it will at least tell you if Bo is going too low, and you need to step in.

Mel, Maxwell, Autumn & The Fur Gang
 
The only difference between the human meters and the pet ones is 30points.... that's right, a human meter that reads 50 is equal to a pet meter that reads 80.
That's about it.

Oh, and the price for the strips for the pet meter are much too expensive.

You will be just fine using the Relion meter. Human meters are good enough for humans, so they are just fine for cats.

The pet meter is not worth the expense and getting strips for the pet meter is not convenient at all, whereas Relion meter strips can be obtained 24/7.
 
Thanks for the good idea about keeping the meter as a backup. I didn't think about the return issue at Walmart. Still trying to get used to all this and just want to do the best I can for my Bo. Thanks also for the web link on transitioning to wet food. That's a really helpful article and we're doing the switch slowly. Half a can of wet a day and dry the rest. May be my imagination but he's not drinking as much water and isn't as lethargic, which is good. Guess that's it for now.
 
I'm waiting for the alpha trak starter kit. It should be here in a few days. I'm anxious to get Bo started. I didn't want to use the relion then switch. Mostly so I don't get confused:). Are the lantus refill cartridges available again, by chance? I'm trying to find a less expensive way to go and I read that they're discontinued but the solostar pen isn't. Thanks! Bo is doing fine so far. We're still transitioning to the wet.
 
Here is a cost run-down that I did between my Relion Micro and the Alpha Track:

Upfront expenses:
Alpha track meter- $100+ to buy
strips- I think they are $1 EACH (actually they are $2 each so double the savings at the end)
vs
Relion Micro- $15 (they just went up- I bought mine in January for $9- honest!)
strips- store- 100/$36 ($.36 EACH) and ADW 250/$72 ($.29 EACH)

I tested, on average, 7 times a day (When I calculated this- currently 4 to 5 times a day as school is in session).
Alpha- 7*1.00=7.00/day, 49.00/wk, 196.00/4 wk month.
Relion- 7*.29= 2.03/day, 14.21/wk, 56.84/4 wk month.

I save $139 a month by using a human meter, on average. Sure, every 45 days my auto-ship order comes from ADW ($73 because of the auto ship discount covers most of the shipping cost) but I've built that into my budget.

But lets say you only test 3 times a day because of time constraints (both PS shots and one mid-cycle)-
Alpha- 3*1.00=3.00/day, 21.00/wk, 84.00/4 wk month.
Relion- 3*.29= .87/day, 6.09/wk, 24.36/4 wk month.

Comes to a $56 savings. That's a lot of cat food (or people food, utility bill, car payment...)

Plus, consider this- Walmart is easier to get to in the middle of the night (for at least half of us)- your vet isn't open at midnight if you need extra strips NOW!!! I've had many a teller say they can open those plastic little boxes for me if the pharmacy is closed.


And right now you just want Bo's ears to get used to the testing, so start testing- just mark it on the SS which one you are using. And you might find out that there isn't that much difference between the two after all.
 
yeah what hmjohnston said.. :lol: :lol: :lol:
I was just getting ready to post i bought the Alpha trax and am going to switch back to the Relion when I run out of strips. You will find your gonna be doing a lot of testing in the begining. You can bring in your relion and and test in the office to find out the difference.
The strips get real expensive quick when first learning your cats "dance"
If you do end up using the AT still bring it in to the vets to make sure there close as well, heck bring in all 3 and do a comparrison. The experts here know the meters and advise based on the ones we each use. def make note of it on your signature or condo. I'm one of the few here still using AT, but I'm def switching when done w strips. I have found the experts here def know more about FD than any vet I have talked to. Does your vet support the TRP? Mine rolled her eyes and now 1 month later Ruben is OTJ. My vet would of still been having me shoot 1u bid< would have killed him. Either way its your call, I choose the AT and DEF regret it. If you bring the relion and do the comparrison there your vet will know the difference themselves, The AT comes with 25 strips. That was gone in under 3 days I think, Take into account the ones that get wasted in bad testing moments. Or the ones you take twice just to make sure you did it right, or the times you might want to try the other ear (there's a differnce between ears sometime) Any number that alerted me I would teat the other ear. It adds up.
Also for Ruben I feed FF pate. I was only feeding him the seafood flavors b/c they were lowest in %, but then i found out not so good all the time. I stick w the turkey and giblet flavor 3%. Ruben seems to be effect big ime by the food. make notes of all the things you noticed. it paints a better picture.
 
Well, the Alphatrak meter got here yesterday. I have it and the Relion sitting side by side on the bathroom counter. I'm taking the good advice I've been given here, and taking BOTH meters into the Vet's this Thursday, March 7th, for the "home monitoring education" they want to do. I think it's a good idea for them to show me the correct way instead of learning by trial and error. I've watched the videos on the web and You tube, and of course they make it look easy, but I'm still queasy about it! I may try it before that, but to tell the truth, I'm actually scared and just dread the thought of making Bo's little ears bleed. I can't imagine doing the paw either, cause I'm afraid it'll be too tender to walk on. Ok, by now you've guessed I'm a big chicken when it comes to violating the trust he's placed in me although I know it's for his own good. That still doesn't help much. Oh well, one of has to be the responsible one and looks like I got the job by default. Now, on the paw-sitive side, Bo and his bossy little sister, Sissy, know when it's time for his insulin shots. Perhaps it has something to do with them getting chicken liv-a-little treats after? Hmm.. They both sit and stare at the nite stand in the bedroom about an hour before it's time. Hard looking at those 4 big eyes, but I won't give in. After his shot, which he's been good about, along with allowing Sissy to sit there and watch, it's treat time. (By the way, I'm still alternating the dry food with the Fancy Feast Fish and Shrimp cans until I see what the readings are on Thursday at the Vet.) That's the only wet food flavor Bo likes, so I'm not pushing the issue for now. We can try different ones again soon. Of course the lil piglet, Sissy, will eat anything and everything! They're so different and so much fun. I want to add that I do appreciate the advice and cost breakdown between meters that was posted for me to see. There is a huge difference for sure. It's a shame that some of the pet supply companies try and take advantage of our gullible side when it comes to our animals. As always, I'll keep posting with updates and questions. Thanks!!!
 
I was really scared of testing Honey's ears too - but she really doesn't even flinch now and if she's asleep, doesn't wake up!
At first she did - but it was as much as because of my nervousness and stess as anything.

Do start with getting Bo used to having his ears touched and him being kept still - Honey would be on my bed and I'd give her a dish with a few treats and then do the deed while she was distracted.
I had to be quick though because she wolfed down the treats - so make sure you have everything ready - strip half in the meter, tissue/cotton wool (for pressure) folded, lancet ready, vaseline (to help blood bead up) with lid off.
I think the meter's give you 2 mins from when you fully push in the strip - which is plenty of time so don't feel rushed by the meter.
 
Take a deep breath and give it a go.

Look big picture, all you are doing is a small prick on his ear. Their ears are less sensitive than our finger ends and they barely notice it. IF he objects at all its, its only to the inconvenience of being held when he doesnt want to or having his ears touched.

A small poke and literally a drop of blood is a very small price to pay to prevent him having a hypo.
 
I was a disaster at first, we all have lil tricks that help our furbabies ears, ask and we'll share. when you relize the importance of HT and the power it gives in FD, you will be grateful you CAN test. I poked straight throught Rubens ear (sometimes still do) but what i can tell you is it bothers me more than him, all he knows is he gets a treat. :-D
I was also tolkd by my vet that HT could "change" our relatioanship. She was right, It changed in the most wonderful way, theres no doubt in my mind he undersands that this ritual we have makes him feel better.

you can do it

It honestly gets easier, I thought for a long time I hade to hit the vien, but you don't have to be so precise, and once you test a few times the ears will bleed easier.


Couple tips I do for Ruben

warm the ear wih rice sock.
Most of us here free hand (don't use the lancet) <you have more controll (your call tho)
I would panic when his ear wouldn't bleed and would poke again, til i realized it takes ruben a bit to have the blood come to the surface, I have to squeeze his little ear.
Just remeber testing gives you the power to not worry about a hypo, you can now catch it if it may happen.
 
I will tell you a trick I've learned with the meter- DON"T put the strip in until you get the blood. Scoop the blood onto your fingernail and press gently for about 3 seconds on the pricked area to stop the bleeding, then put the strip in and sip the blood when it calls for it.

Some meters have only 30 seconds to get the blood on the strip so it makes no sense to put it in until you have the blood and putting it on your fingernail lets you take care of kitty (treats!) and then do the strip.
 
DON"T put the strip in until you get the blood
Click to expand...

GREAT advise, I do the same i put the strip in the slot , but not pushed in and when I know I have enough blood I push the rest of the way in< this is especially important when using AT tester, stips are sooo expensive
 
WE DID IT!!! OMG! I was shaky as all get out but Bo was calm and lying on the bed. I used the Relion meter. Gave 3u of Lantus at 9:30. He had wet food 9:00. Did the test at 10:30 to rt ear. He was amazing and didn't move. Took 3 pokes and 3 strips cause I had to keep turning lancet device up. I started at least depth. The magic number was 255. I think that translates to 225 for kitties? His numbers were never that low at Vet's cause of stress. Once I get more comfortable I probably won't use the device, just the lancet like some of you. Less awkward. Put some neosporin on after. Of course a treat too. Does it matter what inside edge of ear to use? I'll alternate rt versus left ear each time. What a relief to get that 1st one out of the way. I wouldn't have been able to do it without your support and tips. I would have waited til the Vet showed me. I mean it. Thanks so much Wendy and everyone that's got Bo and me to this point. You are amazing. I know we still have a ways to go, but it makes a huge difference not going it alone! :-D
 
WELL DONE!!! yay!!! 255 isnt that bad.

I dont bother with the device, its so much easier and better control without. You want to go for the sweet spot (see my tips above there is a picture in there) each time ideally- doesnt matter which ear.

I am not sure what you mean about translating the reading for kitties. Every meter has some variance (manufacturers say as much as 20% from the real reading) but its more important to watch for trends, and low numbers than whether worrying if the meter is dead on - so just use whatever reading you get.

Now to set up your spreadsheet! http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=18207

Wendy
 
Using a human meter- just note the number. It is those who use the alpha track that we need notice on as most people give advice based on the human meter numbers.

And no vet stress equals lower numbers :-D .

This is when you will find out if the 3u are a good thing or not. Since his numbers at the vet were vet stressed induced and he was eating dry food I am thinking his numbers will be going down. As he already has a shed build-up you don't have to wait for it- just get really good cycle numbers to see how low those 3u take him.

You are doing great.
 
Good job bean and Bo, I knew you guys could do it, See Bo did better than you. :lol: :lol: :lol: Def ditch the lancet devise, seems scary to use your hand but it is way easier and more control, plus the noise scared Ruben.
You don' feel it now but pretty soon your gonna be one of us cheering on the next scaredy cat mom :-D
Once you get your SS set up and start getting more data you will see the biggger picture of bo's "dance" and needs. Its scary to think vets base doses, based on stress elevated numbers in offices. Once at home and food switch you might realize the initial dose is way to much. (ECID)
There is a lot to learn so don't get overwhelmed.
Start peeking at other's SS. You'll get a feel of how often we test and how we change the dose based on the protocol.
So so proud of you, Bo is lucky to have you. But we all know he's worth all the stress an effort. cat_pet_icon
 
Having computer issues but I finally got to post to you all. Read the advice and some web links. So much knowledge out there. Very comforting. I just used the lancet today without the clicky device. Much better for me and Bo. I'm pretty sure I got the sweet spot because it matched the area shown on the other kitty's ear and I only had to hit it one time. Shortly after a small red spot appeared but it was enough. Bo didn't mind at all today either. His number was 267. Monday is weigh day and I thought Bo gained but the scale said he lost 1.2# I did it twice and got the same number. He's not drinking as much water which is good, but the litter boxes are still pretty wet for two cats. It wasn't like that before. As long as it seems to be slowly improving, I shouldn't complain but I'm a natural worrier where my babies are concerned. I tried to follow the steps to put Bo's spreadsheet on the web then link to the profile signature, but I messed it all up. I'll start over and see if it comes out better. How do you get your kitty's picture to come up when you post? I'd like for you to see Bo. Last but not least, thanks for your faith in me and the positive compliments on our first home test yesterday. It made me feel real good!!!! How fortunate to be part of this fabulous feline group.
 
Hi there!

Your link isnt working properly in your SS. Change all the round brackets like this ( and ) to square ones like this [ and ] . Also change the first instance of "" to "[url=" great that you are t...me the picture and I will resize it for you .
 
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