FurBabyMamma
Member Since 2016
My sweet baby, Sophie (about 8 lbs) was recently diagnosed with diabetes. She was drinking and peeing a lot and very lethargic. However, we've had a terrible time regulating her because she's still drinking and eating a lot. No vomiting or anything, though.
She is up to 3 Units of Lantus twice a day after 2 curves done at the vet that had her BG at 500 or over (once it was 498, but whatever). She's also taking potassium and is on the Hills W/D diet for low carbs.
She's less spunky, more lethargic, and still drinking a peeing a ton. Poor baby. We're going to do our own glucose monitoring to see what the numbers look like as I've learned vet readings can be high, but I'm sure she's still not regulated.
Few questions (sorry if I'm in the wrong forum, happy to move this):
1) Injections- the vet techs said a chemically smell around the injection site means the injections aren't getting in. We've smelled that, but we are super sure we are getting the needle all the way in and aren't going through the other side of the tent. Any truth to that? We use Nipro 1/2 cc 1/2" U-100 needles/syringes.
2) How long after being regulated should it take for drinking/peeing to get back to normal? E.g. should the insulin fix that immediately?
3) Any advice as to what to ask the vet about regarding other conditions that may be exacerbating this?
4) Would forcing her to exercise help her lower her blood sugar significantly (e.g. bribing with a treat to run back and forth across the house)?
I'm just worried sick about her, and I feel overhwelmed. I also feel like the vet is taking shots in the dark, even though it's a cat only vet. Vet was like, well, we can keep doing curves at the vet (for $300 a pop, USA), but it might be good to do an abdominal ultrasound to see if there is anything else going on. I'd be willing to spend the $600- $800 she says it will cost, but from what she's said, it would be the same course of treatment.
Okay, ending verbal vomit here....ugh...so worried!
She is up to 3 Units of Lantus twice a day after 2 curves done at the vet that had her BG at 500 or over (once it was 498, but whatever). She's also taking potassium and is on the Hills W/D diet for low carbs.
She's less spunky, more lethargic, and still drinking a peeing a ton. Poor baby. We're going to do our own glucose monitoring to see what the numbers look like as I've learned vet readings can be high, but I'm sure she's still not regulated.
Few questions (sorry if I'm in the wrong forum, happy to move this):
1) Injections- the vet techs said a chemically smell around the injection site means the injections aren't getting in. We've smelled that, but we are super sure we are getting the needle all the way in and aren't going through the other side of the tent. Any truth to that? We use Nipro 1/2 cc 1/2" U-100 needles/syringes.
2) How long after being regulated should it take for drinking/peeing to get back to normal? E.g. should the insulin fix that immediately?
3) Any advice as to what to ask the vet about regarding other conditions that may be exacerbating this?
4) Would forcing her to exercise help her lower her blood sugar significantly (e.g. bribing with a treat to run back and forth across the house)?
I'm just worried sick about her, and I feel overhwelmed. I also feel like the vet is taking shots in the dark, even though it's a cat only vet. Vet was like, well, we can keep doing curves at the vet (for $300 a pop, USA), but it might be good to do an abdominal ultrasound to see if there is anything else going on. I'd be willing to spend the $600- $800 she says it will cost, but from what she's said, it would be the same course of treatment.
Okay, ending verbal vomit here....ugh...so worried!
Yes, think about getting your Sophie on a good, low carb canned 'wet' food, like Fancy Feast or Friskies classic pate's. But do not make the change suddenly, the difference in 'sugar'/carbs is so dramatic that you can drop your kitty's BG by 100 points or more just by making the switch, and it could send your cat into a HYPO episode. Don't do that...make the change gradual, mixing foods so you can slowly adjust your insulin to cope.
