Newly diagnosed

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caseysmomanddad

Member Since 2013
Hello. I have just been told that my 12 year old orange kitty, Casey, has diabetes. Tomorrow I am taking him back to the vet for his first fasting blood test to "confirm" the diagnosis and then we will start the process of finding a correct dose and getting him regulated. I am terrified! Any words of wisdom? Casey's mommy.
 
Hi Casey and Casey's Mommy!

You've found the best place you never wanted to be. ;-) I'm sure others will be around soon to help answer any questions you may have, but I figured I would start by asking you a few questions, if you don't mind. :smile:

How did you find out Casey has diabetes? And what does this "fasting blood test" do? I haven't ever heard of it before. Most of the time, vets will confirm diabetes diagnosis through a fructosamine test from a urine sample that gets an average of blood glucose (BG) levels over the last couple of weeks.

Has your vet prescribed insulin yet? If so, what kind? There are only three kinds of insulin recommended in use for felines: Lantus (glargine), Levemir (detemir), or PZI/ProZinc. If the vet has prescribed any other type of insulin, refuse it and ask for one of those three.

For finding the correct dose and getting Casey regulated, we recommend that you invest in a human glucometer and learn how to home test. This is the cheapest and easiest way to manage Casey's diabetes since "regulation" might take a while and is not something a trip to the vet will fix. It will also save you tons of money on expensive curves that need to be done at the vet.

What type of food are you currently feeding Casey? A change in food to a low carbohydrate, wet food diet can work wonders on BGs and might even help you get Casey into remission and off insulin, if possible.

Most of what I mentioned above can be found in the AAHA Diabetes Guidelines. It's worth a read-through. I even printed out a copy and highlighted key points to give to my vet. :lol:

Let me know if you would like more information on any of this or if you have any specific questions we can help you with. :-D
 
Reply from Newly diagnosed

Casey went to vet for annual checkup on Monday. Vet did blood workup-BG was 460....wanted to do a test with Casey unfed for 12 or more hours (fasting blood test) BG today was 321=confirmed diagnosis. Husband having hardship with looming expenses.........best prices I can find locally are $185.99 per vial for Lantus (vet's first choice) and $118.60 per vial Levemir (second choice) at Walgreen's with a $20 annual membership in Loyalty Club. I am out of work and my husband is very money conscious...my heart is breaking. Has anyone heard of or used Blood Sugar Gold - a homeopathic remedy by a vet which is supposed to work in place of insulin (a 4 month dose bottle is less than $40) to regulate blood sugar, etc.? Casey's Mommy
 
Hi and welcome to the family.

First off ask that your vet write the script for the flexpens. Yes they are a little more up front but come in a 5 pk that you open one at a time. Depending on dose that five pack will last you almost a year or longer.

Second don't let the vet talk you into expensive prescription food completely unnecessary. I have two diabetic cats (1 in remission and one insulin dependant) as well as 12 non diabetic cats. Everyone here eats what the diabetics do just plain no frills Friskies pate style canned cat food.

Third get a human glucometer and let us teach you to test at home. Not only will it keep Casey safe while on insulin there will be no pricey vet trips for curves as you can do them at home and share the readings with your vet.

Neither of my diabetics see the vet anymore often than any of my other cats just the routine kitty stuff.

Oh yeah Remission if caught early enough and started on insulin with home testing many cats go into remission and become diet controlled. Maxwell hasn't seen a drop of insulin in 3 years.

Mel, Maxwell, Autumn and The Fur Gang
 
I have never seen a homepathic remedy work for diabetes and I've been here over 6 years. The wisdom is that you have a limited window for treating and having a hope for remission. I'd go with insulin. Here are some options for buying Lantus cheaply.

http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=107412

Vets used to be able to get a free sample of PZI from a compounding company which makes it. I don't know whether it is still available.

As money is an issue, I would go to Walmart and buy a ReliOn meter and start testing his blood glucose levels at home. We don't like curves done at the vet (assuming that is the fasting all day deal) since stress raises bg levels and most cats are very stressed at the vet. We think numbers at home are much more accurate to base doses on. The supplies are under $40 and we can teach you how. Then you send your curve numbers to the vet.
 
Jeepers Cats....Momma & Sue....you type too fast....I was going to post similar info. :smile:

Anyhoo....welcome to FDMB....we are all here to help you. Momma & Sue have given you great info to start with.

Where are you from?
When will you be starting the insulin?

Once you start home testing, it would be helpful to set up a spreadsheet and link it to your signature so we can see Casey's numbers and be better able to help you. http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=18207#p179835

Take a deep breath....you will be fine.
 
Oh also check our supply closet. Diabetic Cats In Need has listed reduced priced vials of Levemir. Which would give you a good start on treatment and as a Levemir user I find it a wonderful insulin for cats

Mel, Maxwell, Autumn and The Fur Gang
 
MommaOfMuse said:
First off ask that your vet write the script for the flexpens. Yes they are a little more up front but come in a 5 pk that you open one at a time. Depending on dose that five pack will last you almost a year or longer.
Click to expand...

If the upfront cost still seems too much with the box of pens, call around to various pharmacies and see if they'll split a bot of pens up and sell them to you individually. I had luck at my local Walmart and a pen lasts me about 2-3 months (to the last drop) at less than $50 a pen.
 
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