Newly diagnosed with advice needs

[Becca84]

Hi! I'm Becca. My cat Candi has been recently diagnosed with diabetes. She has been on insulin for 3 weeks now. The first 2 weeks on half of a unit of insulin (vetsulin) her symptoms (drinking almost 500ml of water a day and using the litter box and using outside the litter box) subsided alot. She went from peeing on the carpet (she has a special spot and I have put down pee pads) 2 to 3 times a day to maybe 2 to 3 times a week.
The vet increased her insulin from half a unit to one unit last thursday at her pet curve. The last and only 2 pet curves they have done they have had to cut short 8am-1pm instead of 8am-5pm because her numbers kept going up. They said the reason was she is prolly stressed from being there.
So about Monday her symptoms returned. She started peeing more frequently again to 2 to 3 times a day and drinking more water. I have bought an alpha trak meter. I used it tonight just to check her blood glucose to see where she was at fasting. I feed her and gave her insulin at 7am this morning. I checked her blood sugar at 6:10pm fasting- it was 298. I fed her and gave her insulin around 7pm. I waited til 8:54p to check it again. It was at 229. Since thess are her only symptoms and shes acting okay, I am trying to avoid a costly trip to the vet and trying to be proactive and get knowledgeable.
Her next pet curve is next thursday Oct 8th. I guess I'm asking if this is okay numbers? Should I start testing her BS more often? I will be calling the vet in the morning to get an adequate understanding of her numbers. But I also dont want to be pursauded into bringing her into the vet because they want more money or think I'm stupid or make me feel stupid.
Any advice I would appreciate.
Also she is on methimazole 5mg 1/2 tab twice a day of course for life. She was 15.3 lbs now shes down 14.8 lbs. I'm happy about that. But I'm also portioning her meals now and shes not happy. But I do understand it's for the best. Shes also 13 years old. Sorry yall. I feel like I'm all over the place. Thanks!

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

Hi Becca and beautiful Candi and welcome to the forum!
Congratulations on deciding to home test. That is great!
The best way we can help you is if you set up a spreadsheet and enter all the data you collect for the BGs.
I will put the link in for the SS at the bottom of this post. If you have any trouble setting it up, just let me know and I will get someone to do it for you.
Also if you could set up your signature....it only takes 5 minutes and will appear at the bottom of all your posts and will tell us all about Candi so we don’t have to keep asking you questions.

I’m not sure where you live and what insulins are available, but Lantus and Prozinc are much better insulins for cats than vetsulin which is really an insulin for dogs. If you are able to get one of those insulins, it would be better.

Most cats get stressed at the vet so it is very likely she did get stressed. That is another reason why home testing is so good. Also if you are home testing you are in control....you know what the insulin is doing in the body and there is no guesswork.
We recommend only going up by 1/4 unit at a time in dose.
Here is a beginners guide to vetsulin
https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/beginners-guide-to-caninsulin-vetsulin.231587/

I would test before every dose of insulin to ensure it is safe to give the shot, feed Candi, wait 30 minutes, then give the dose. Then around +3 and +5 (that is 3 and 5 hours after the shot) I would test again to see how low the dose is taking Candi. Anything under 68 on the pet meter is the take action number and you need to give some high carb food and/or honey Karo to bring the numbers up higher.

The SS instructions link and how to set up your signature are both in this link
https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/new-how-you-can-help-us-help-you.216696/

Please keep asking questions, we are very happy to answer them.
Bron

 

[jt and trouble (GA)]

WELCOME TO FDMB Becca and extra sweet Candi! We are so glad you found us.
Bron has already given you the best advice for learning to navigate this disease. Shes one of our very BEST!

I just want to say you and Candi have landed in a safe place. We are a community of kitty cat lovers that all have one thing in common Feline Diabetes. We are all dedicated to helping any one that needs advice and even some hand holding.We know the stress you are under because we all have walked in your shoes.
Theres a wealth of information here at your fingertips USE IT!

WELCOME TO OUR FAMILY

Again welcome to the best site on this planet to learn everything you need to know about feline diabetes.

jeanne

 

[Ale & Bobo & Minnie (GA)]

Hi Candi & Becca and welcome!!!

She’s gorgeous and looks like my Minnie but with long hair

I just want to add that since you’re home testing, you do not need another vet curve. You can do the curves at home and you’ll get true results since she won’t be stressed out. Especially since you mentioned they couldn’t finish the last one because of her stress level. I’d cancel it and let your vet know you’ll be doing it at home and emailing him/her the results.

the other thing is when you do the pre shot tests in the morning and evening, make sure she hasn’t eaten for at least 2 hours before so you get a bg number that is not food influenced. Then feed and then give the insulin in this order. That’s only important for the pre shots so you know it’s safe to give the insulin. For later tests in the day withholding food is not necessary

 

[JanetNJ]

Welcome... she's so pretty!!! great job testing right away! Diabetes is definitely manageable, we can help. I like your vet took it slow and encouraged you to test. Some find vetsulin doesn't last long enough. I had good results with it when my cat was diagnosed though, so you never know. Give it a chance and if it doesn't work out for you, you can always switch to something else. Feed as often as you want, just no food at least two hours before the preshot test so the numbers won't be food influenced.