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Bammcc

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Tommy was losing weight and really drinking a lot of water. Glucose level was 635. Everything else ok tho. He's still at vet. He's a meanie. I hope I can give him his shots. Had him since he was born. After I cried a bit, I know I've got to give him a chance.
 
Welcome to FDMB.

While feline diabetes may mean insulin, sometimes it is possible for a cat's pancrease to regain its ability to secrete insulin. To get there, you'll need to
- home test the blood glucose
- switch the food to low carb canned or raw food (and it doesn't need to be prescription.
- and use a long-acting insulin such as Levemir, ProZinc, Lantus, or BCP PZI.

Because you've indicated he can be difficult to handle, you'll want to use lots of positive reinforcement for desired behaviors. Reinforcements are something he does or will like, such as brushing, play with a favorite toy, or low carb treats. Plain baked, boiled, or broiled meat, poultry, or fish can be used as low carb treats, or you might try Pure Bites or other plain freeze dried pure protein. Tip: the dog size costs less per ounce and may be broken up into cat sized bits.
 
Thanks. I have knee surgery tomorrow so Tommy will spend a couple of extra days at the vet. If I can get him to eat, I can give him the shots, I hope. I hope I can regulate him with diet after a while. Can you recommend a home test kit?
 
Hi there,

I hope the knee surgery goes well tomorrow. The idea of giving shots and blood testing often sounds scarier than it actually is.....and it does get easier over time. Most people here use ReliOn meters (e.g., Micro or Prime) from Wal-Mart. The test strips are some of the least expensive out there. A lot of vets recommend buying expensive pet meters, but they really aren't necessary. The human meters work just fine.

We're one of the success stories of FDMB. The wonderful people here helped us get Jersey into remission after just a couple of months on Lantus. She's now in remission and doing great. I am confident that if she can go into remission, any kitty can!

I'm glad you found us!
Shelly
 
I see you posted here too - I answered on the other thread --

You can go to Walmart and purchase the Relion brand meter - micro, confirm or prime - I think most use micro or confirm -- strips are inexpensive, easy to use and requires small blood drop.

If you want a name brand meter - then get a Bayer Contour - also requires small blood drop and easy to use. A bit more pricey, but can get strips online that may be cheaper than the store.
 
Shelly & Jersey,
Great news about the remission. I hope Tommy follows suit. I just hope I can get him to eat. He's starting out on Vetsulin (probably because of the price ) but after all I've read, I want to switch to Lantus. It will be 12 hours between shots.
 
If you could start him on levimer instead of lantus - from what I've been reading lately, you actually may see even better results. There is a post in Think Tank Forum that talks more about this.

Since they are comparable in price and how to use - if given a choice, start with Levimer - that's my 2 cents.
 
I am answered a couple questions you asked on another thread. The three insulins we suggest (Lantus, Levemir and ProZinc) generally last 12 hours per shot in cats. There aren't any that are longer lasting than that. Vetsulin lasts about 8 hours in most cats, although every cat is different.

Here is a video showing how we poke the ear

http://www.sugarcats.net/sites/harry/bgtest.htm
 
I hope your knee surgery went well today and that you recover quickly!

If you could start him on levimer instead of lantus - from what I've been reading lately, you actually may see even better results. There is a post in Think Tank Forum that talks more about this.

Since they are comparable in price and how to use - if given a choice, start with Levimer - that's my 2 cents.
Click to expand...

Both Levemir and Lantus are really good insulins, and each of them have their own pros and cons. I think more kitties here right now are using Lantus, but I know several members have recently switched from Lantus to Levemir with good results.

As you are deciding which insulin you want to use, keep asking questions. We'll be more than happy to try to answer them for you, and there are lots of experienced users of all of the different insulins who will be able to help you once you get started with the insulin.

Shelly
 
Surgery went well. I got Tommy home but he won't eat. I loaded a syringe with food and he ate a little but it wasn't enough for his shot. Not sure what to do. He's been at the vet since Saturday so I don't know if he's just freaked out or what. Wondering if I should get him to eat when I can and give him a shot or keep him on the schedule.
 
It is not unusual to not be interested in food the evening after surgery and maybe the next morning. I would syringe feed some the next day if necessary
 
How is Tommy doing now? Has his appetite picked up? There are lots of tricks people use to entice their kitties to eat - like sprinkling Parmesan cheese on top or sprinkling some Forti Flora on the food. Have you started insulin yet?

Hope you two are doing okay!
Shelly
 
Today He didn't want to eat. I tried to syringe feed ( which I've never done) and half went in his mouth, half on the counter. This is way to stressful for both of us. He did eat a couple of dry morsels and a couple small pcs of chicken and about 10 ml of syringe of food. I called the vet and she said if he ate anything, to go ahead and give him his shot since he missed one. I gave him a treat and the shot was pretty easy. He slept all day. Pretty sure it was because he was so wore out from the vet. Much better this evening. He ate a little bit more. Still not a lot though. Again I gave him a treat and his shot. He seems to be doing ok. Wish he'd eat more. Taking it day by day. Me, I'm doing pretty good. Not too much pain. Thanks for all of y'all being here for me.
 
I have gotten better at the shots. Tommy still freaks out but with the help of a towel, he stays calm, or calmer should I say. I've had to chase him, bet I could after surgery. I closed off his hiding places so he was easier to catch. Today he got in the little box on the cat condo. Again with the help of a towel, I was able to give him a good shot. I hope he's getting used to it. I did practice the shots on an apple. It seemed to help.
 
It's getting harder and harder to give shots. Either he won't eat or totally freaks out. I have to trap him under a towel but even that didn't work tonight. He sure is mean, always has been.
 
I'm sorry that you're having such a difficult time giving Tommy his insulin, and doubly so because he's off his food. Saoirse grumbles a bit but otherwise she's really good about the injections so I don't have anything much by way of suggestions to give you except to ask if he likes being groomed? If he does, maybe you could incorporate the injection into a grooming session with maybe a freeze-dried protein treat as a reward after (if he'll eat them)?
 
Tommy isn't eating very much. I'm going thru canned food trying to find something he'll eat. He quit eating tuna. Quit eating chicken. About the only soft stuff he likes is baby food Tonight he ate it but threw up. He's not running from me. He doesn't look sick but he hasn't eaten very much in the last couple if days. At the most, 1/8 cup of dry and 1 tsp baby food in a feeding. He ate very little this morning and not much so far tonight. I know he doesn't have a chance if he won't eat.
 
What does his breath smell like - fruity? nail polish remover?

Does he seem dehydrated? (see my signature link Secondary Monitoring Tools for 2 ways to check)

How much and how often is he urinating?

Have you been able to test his blood OR urine for ketones? glucose?
 
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