Newly diagnosed - some questions

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Mickc79

Member Since 2017
Hi there, we're new diagnosed ( I have a thread in the welcome forum).

Obviously myself and my wife are traumatised and have some questions.

1) Do you recommend the vet pens over regular needles

2) How long do you give your cats to finish their feeding? Our cats are typically all day grazers and the thought of having to give them 2 strict "mealtimes" is pretty daunting. I know for a fact they will both be looking food and crying at us all day. I can only imagine they will get used to it in time though?

3) What home testing kit do you recommend (we're in Scotland)?

Thanks so much. I'm sure I'll have more questions...
 
What insulin are you using? What dose was prescribed?

Mickc79 said:
Do you recommend the vet pens over regular needles
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I believe vet pens work in whole unit increments. We recommend much smaller increments of 0.25 u so you don't zoom past a good dose by increasing too much at one time. Insulin syringes that have half unit marks on them will allow you to eyeball this fraction.

Mickc79 said:
2 strict "mealtimes" is pretty daunting
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Most of us feed several small meals a day in spite of what many/most of us were told by our vet at diagnosis. Some people use automated pet feeders so their kitty can eat overnight. Also re food: low carb wet food is best. Even the prescription kibble for diabetic cats is too high in carbs. There are supermarket foods that are fine to feed and UK members on here can advise.

Mickc79 said:
What home testing kit do you recommend
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Many vets will want you to use a pet meter but the test strips for those can be outrageously expensive. Most people opt for a human meter and, again, there are UK members who can advise.

Anything else? Ask away! :)
 
What do you mean by "vet" pens?
The only insulin pen specifically for pets in the one the dispenses Vetsulin/Caninsulin. That pen doses in 1/2 unit increments. The pens for the human Lantus and Levemir dose in 1-unit increments.
I have used the Lantus and Levemir pens with pen needles for my high-dose MurrFee and found it harder to dose than using a syringe for two reasons:
- You have to keep the pen needle inserted for 3-5 seconds after fully depressing the button to prevent a drop or two of insulin coming out of the insertion site.
- I found it harder to to inject with the pen since the button is a lot further from the insertion site and if using a syringe.

I only used the pen needles since they were given to me when I purchased the insulin pens from Craig's list.
 
I let mine graze all day... Just pick it up two hours before preshot testing so the numbers are not food influenced. Only give low carb pate style wet food.

I know it seems overwhelming to get the diagnosis.... But in a couple of weeks it will be routine. I promise it gets easier.

I use an alpha track pet meter. Many on here use a human meter because strips are cheaper. Whichever you choose just make sure it requires a tiny blood sample (.3) and get 28 gauge lancets.
 
I'm seeing more and more people saying that they don't stick to the 12/12 - our vet was adamant that this was completely necessary but to me it seems unrealistic. We'll give it a go and see what happens.
Thanks to you all for your advice.
 
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