Newly diagnosed Zoe and her "bean"

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Alyssa and Zoe

Alyssa and Zoe

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Hello all, my name is Alyssa and my 8 year old Zoe was diagnosed with diabetes last Monday (April 18). After a week on Royal Canin Diabetic DS, Zoe's BG (attempting to use the lingo here) was still nearly 500. I'm new to all of this, so it's hard to retain everything the vet says. I think she was at 475, with no sign of ketones. We have not started insulin yet, as I wasn't sure we were going to start at all. I'm a college student, relying on my parents, so it was their final decision if they wanted to go through with spending the money. Thankfully, I've been given the go-ahead and I hope to have Zoe started on Glargine Thursday or Friday. Zoe is my first and only sugarcat, but I also have two civilians, Corky and Bella.

I can't wait to get to know all of you and look forward to your help as I begin this journey with my "Doughie"!
 
just wanted to say welcome to fdmb! and thank you to your parents and you for treating Zoe's diabetes. :-)

my only advice right now is to start reading and asking questions as they pop in your head. there's a lot to learn and this board is here to help you learn it
 
Dear Alyssa, and, of course, you too, sweet Zoe -- and Corky and Bella watching everything and taking notes,

I wasn't in college when Giz was diagnosed diabetic and DKA in the same breath at age 14... Headed straight from her vet to the ER hospital and three days in ICU. Was an emotional train wreck when I got home clutching the projected bill... Called my mom and said I have to give her this chance...

Took me two years to pay her back -- with interest, that she didn't wan't, but I was determined to give... And, Giz and I danced for four more years...

I have such a good feeling about you and Zoe, and definitely your parents!

Welcome to the place you never wanted to be; but, will be blessed for having found.

Love and as many encouraging hugs as you both and your parents -- and Corky and Bella, watching everything and taking notes -- can handle,
Deb and Nikki -- and, Giz, forever dancing in my heart...
 
Hi Alyssa! Welcome to the sugar kitty express. You have landed in a great place with all the help you could possibly need.
Have you looked into getting a Newbie Kit? In it is all the stuff you will need for testing your cat's blood sugar at home....all of it..and some special goodies too!
Look below my page here and see the link for the Newbie Kits.
I can get one out to you tomorow.
Lori
and tomtom too!
 
Thank you! Just seeing the replies and your sweet words made my eyes fill with tears! It is amazing to see this forum and see that everyone has bonded together for their kitties.

A big question I have is do I have to monitor her levels? I realize that is probably a wise choice, but is it a choice at all?
 
nope, it is not a choice...it is a must. if you want to get your kitty well, if you want to do this right and not risk her life....and if you want to do it cheap...than you test at home.
 
Ok, that's what I needed to know!

I'm terrified about doing all of this. I'm so willing to do anything, but I am SO scared of doing something wrong!
 
Dear Alyssa -- sorry, sweet Zoe, and, definitely you two, Corky and Bella, as there will be no note taking -- this is mom talk,

Alyssa and Zoe said:
I'm terrified about doing all of this. I'm so willing to do anything, but I am SO scared of doing something wrong!
Click to expand...
It's okay to be terrified about doing all of this. And, it's okay to be scared of doing something wrong. Why? Because it means you truly care and will be careful. Because cats are very resilient creatures; and, despite their occasional 'tudes, are most forgiving. Because feline diabetes is do-able; challenging at times, but do-able.

Promise me two things, Alyssa, and I swear, you and Zoe are good to dance:
1. Breathe. And, reward yourself with treats -- hopefully different than the ones you'll be giving Zoe (and Corky and Bella when they're watching... Apparently notes have a way of appearing on WikiLeaks...)...
2. Do home test. A very wise soul here said often, Knowledge is power. It is! And who knew knowledge could be gained from a couple of minutes twice a day, and and power with spot checks when your schedule allows... It's a good start.

Lace up your sugar toe shoes, Alyssa, because you and Zoe are going to dance!

Love and continued encouraging hugs for you and Zoe, your parents, and Corky and Bella,
Deb and Nikki -- and, Giz, forever dancing in my heart...
 
Alyssa and Zoe said:
After a week on Royal Canin Diabetic DS, Zoe's BG (attempting to use the lingo here) was still nearly 500.
Click to expand...

Forgive me because I'm not familiar with this particular food...is this wet or dry food?

One way to keep your costs down is to change diet, and that's best done before you start insulin. If this is a dry food, you'll want to ditch it immediately and feed a low carb wet diet. If it's wet, well, there are cheaper wet foods that are just as good or better for your cat. I feed the grain free flavors of Fancy Feast: http://www.felinediabetes.com/glutenfree.htm

This is such a great site to come for info! I'm looking forward to seeing Zoe's progress. Lantus (glargine) is a great insulin and sends lots of cats into remission. My Bandit was on it for about a year before he became diet controlled.
 
Deb415andNikki said:
Promise me two things, Alyssa, and I swear, you and Zoe are good to dance:
1. Breathe. And, reward yourself with treats -- hopefully different than the ones you'll be giving Zoe (and Corky and Bella when they're watching... Apparently notes have a way of appearing on WikiLeaks...)...
2. Do home test. A very wise soul here said often, Knowledge is power. It is! And who knew knowledge could be gained from a couple of minutes twice a day, and and power with spot checks when your schedule allows... It's a good start.
Click to expand...

I can certainly promise to TRY to breathe! haha! My boyfriend bought me a Keurig coffee maker (I've been wanting one for so long!) after the diagnosis, so I've certainly been treating myself to a few moments with my coffee or tea!

I plan on home testing now that I've looked into it a bit more and I've seen that it isn't as costly as I thought it would be. Zoe does not like to be fussed with when she doesn't want to, such as when we trim her nails - she squirms and fights to get out of our arms - thankfully, Zoe has never scratched or bit anyone in her life! So, with that said, my biggest fear is actually getting her so that I can prick her ear and not miss because she's trying to get away!

Thank you so much for your words!
 
Julia & Bandit said:
Alyssa and Zoe said:
After a week on Royal Canin Diabetic DS, Zoe's BG (attempting to use the lingo here) was still nearly 500.
Click to expand...

Forgive me because I'm not familiar with this particular food...is this wet or dry food?

One way to keep your costs down is to change diet, and that's best done before you start insulin. If this is a dry food, you'll want to ditch it immediately and feed a low carb wet diet. If it's wet, well, there are cheaper wet foods that are just as good or better for your cat. I feed the grain free flavors of Fancy Feast: http://www.felinediabetes.com/glutenfree.htm

This is such a great site to come for info! I'm looking forward to seeing Zoe's progress. Lantus (glargine) is a great insulin and sends lots of cats into remission. My Bandit was on it for about a year before he became diet controlled.
Click to expand...

Royal Canin Diabetic DS is a dry food, it was recommended to me by my veterinarian. Zoe will not eat wet food. I don't think I could even force her to...
 
lori and tom said:
Alyssa watch this video...this is how we do it...and it may seem hard at first but WE ALL do it every day and it becomes so easy and routine.
I will send you what you need ok.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zE12-4fVn8
Click to expand...

That video was really helpful, thank you!

The only thing I'm worried about, like I posted just a bit before this one, is that Zoe does not like to be fussed with. She's the sweetest thing, never bitten or scratched, but she wants to be loved on in her own time. She uses all of her strength to try and get away if you hold her, especially if she's getting her nails trimmed! I'm not sure how I'll manager keeping her with me and doing all of these things without either pricking her in the wrong place or chasing her around the house!
 
Alyssa we have that all figured out.
first...you can actually start now before you even get your kit.
Start by making a ritual ear lovin session. just do it when she is relaxing with you and you might be inclined to rub her head or chin or whatever she likes. you include a sweet kiss on the ear...baby talk in the ear...massaging the ear if you can...and give her a treat.

Next find the place you'll be doing the testing...always the same place preferable. especially in the beginning. A place she normally likes. Bring her there and love on her with the baby words or whatever she likes. give her a treat...even if she runs away...give her the treat and tell her how much you love her.

Now when the kit comes and your ready to do your first test. She should be somewhat accustomed to the fact that your in love with her ears. get everything ready to go on the testing spot....have the treat ready. Bring her over...if she is squirmy we have the 'clothespin' trick. tell you bout that next. do your pokey to get the blood..and test. if you fail or if you succeed...as far as Zoe knows the whole thing was a success becuase you praise her and give her the treat.
Never let her see it makes you frustrated or unhappy. It is your special bonding time with her.

Believe it or not she will sooner than you think be inviting those tests and giving you no trouble at all.

lori
and tomtom too!
 
She can have lo carb treats such as roasted dried chicken or salmon. Petsmart sells it in packages - I found it in the dog section. The brand is Rollover. The pieces are big, but I break them into little bits. Others use chicken breast - some raw and some boiled. Freeze them individually and keep in a bag. Take one out of the freezer when you are getting ready to test, and it will be pretty much thawed in the few minutes that it takes to get things ready. I use cheddar to disguise pills, and it doesn't seem to affect Tony's bg, so you might even use small bits of cheese if she likes it.

Just remember that she gets a treat for every try - blood or no blood. Even trying is a success!
 
tuna? anything she likes ALOT maybe cheese? they love smelly stinky stuff.
and yes.. for kitties,,,every attempt is a success.
and all they know is that their ears have become something you are in love with and just letting you touch an ear brings a treat! :lol:
 
I tried rubbing her ears and she seemed to be ok with that while she was laying on my table.

I'll have to work on the treat situation though. Zoe has always been pretty picky with food, like I said she won't eat wet food even though my other two cats will. I will try the chicken. Corky will be the one begging for that!!
 
Do try the freeze-dried chicken. I use PureBites, but there are other brands that are basically the same thing - no ingredients but chicken. It's totally odorless (as far as I can tell), and my youngest cat didn't think it was food at first, but apparently once the stuff gets a little bit wet from saliva, it has an absolutely irresistible taste. Now all three of mine come running when I get it out. They'll let me do virtually anything to them if the chicken is in sight.
 
Alyssa and Zoe said:
Royal Canin Diabetic DS is a dry food, it was recommended to me by my veterinarian. Zoe will not eat wet food. I don't think I could even force her to...
Click to expand...

It's impossible to regulate diabetic cats while they're on a high-carb dry diet. It would be like a human diabetic trying to regulate while eating nothing but McDonalds. Royal Canin DS is 24% carbs, and a diabetic cat should have no more than 10% carbs. I would highly recommend changing the diet before starting insulin, because eliminating the dry food can cause a 100-200 drop in blood glucose levels immediately.

Here's a great website for transitioning a cat that will only eat dry food: http://catinfo.org/#Transitioning_Dry_Food_Addicts_to_Canned_Food_

Sometimes it's as simple as finding a wet food that they like. To eat. What kinds have you tried? I had a cat that loved some types of wet food, but would not touch others. There was a lot of trial and error finding foods she would eat. If you start with a highly palatable food, you have a better chance of success. Many cats seem to love Merrick's Cowboy Cookout, my that was one of the only foods my other cat would eat when she had stomach cancer and got extremely picky with her food. Nature's Variety Instinct Rabbit, Venison, and Lamb also worked well. Evo also makes a 95% Venison food. I've never seen a cat turn down the venison canned food before.
 
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