Newly Diagnosed

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Carly E.

Carly E.

Member Since 2024
Hi! Maci is an almost 14yo just diagnosed. I'm having a very hard time getting her on a regular feeding schedule and feeling compfortable giving her the shot. She just eats a little and is done for awhile. Once I switched her to the Purina DM she got as slow as 59 her first day on it. So vet had me go to .5 unit. I have a job that keeps me away 12 hours a day so I can't constantly monitor her. I just don't know what to do. Im terrified of her going hypo if she gets under 100 I feel I need to give her some food. She went all the way down to 80 from 345 in 2 hours. How do I not panic...and I can't always be home to catch that. I am just scared all the time, every momemt of everday.
 
What insulin are you using? There are several different insulins that are commonly used in cats and knowing which one you are using helps us help you better. Do you have insulin syringes with half unit markings so that you can measure 0.5 units? Did the vet show you how to measure insulin correctly?

How did the vet make the diagnosis? Was your cat showing symptoms of diabetes or just not feeling well which prompted you to take the cat to the vet? Did the vet do any blood work?

I assume you are home testing blood glucose levels? Are you using a pet meter or a Human one? A lot of people also work full time job, go to school, haul the kids around after school, etc and are able to manage home testing. Day time testing is usually not doable so people get a few tests in when they get home in the evening and dedicate one day on the weekend to monitor more closely.

Was 345 the number right before you gave 0.5 units of insulin? If not, how many hours after insulin was the 345?

You don't need to feed the Purina DM junk even if the vet says you do. There is nothing in the ingredients that works magic for diabetic cats. What were you feeding your cat before the diabetes diagnosis? Canned or dry or both? We recommend low carb canned food for diabetic cats. Raw and home cooked diets are also options. Don't change the diet just yet. Doing so has a big impact on blood glucose levels so it's important to be testing at least a few times a day.
 
squeem3 said:
What insulin are you using? There are several different insulins that are commonly used in cats and knowing which one you are using helps us help you better. Do you have insulin syringes with half unit markings so that you can measure 0.5 units? Did the vet show you how to measure insulin correctly?

How did the vet make the diagnosis? Was your cat showing symptoms of diabetes or just not feeling well which prompted you to take the cat to the vet? Did the vet do any blood work?

I assume you are home testing blood glucose levels? Are you using a pet meter or a Human one? A lot of people also work full time job, go to school, haul the kids around after school, etc and are able to manage home testing. Day time testing is usually not doable so people get a few tests in when they get home in the evening and dedicate one day on the weekend to monitor more closely.

Was 345 the number right before you gave 0.5 units of insulin? If not, how many hours after insulin was the 345?

You don't need to feed the Purina DM junk even if the vet says you do. There is nothing in the ingredients that works magic for diabetic cats. What were you feeding your cat before the diabetes diagnosis? Canned or dry or both? We recommend low carb canned food for diabetic cats. Raw and home cooked diets are also options. Don't change the diet just yet. Doing so has a big impact on blood glucose levels so it's important to be testing at least a few times a day.
Click to expand...

*Using Vetsulin
*No they don't have 1/2 units on the syringe so im eyeballing, yes they showed me how to fill, administrator.
*She was drinking and urinating a lot so I took her. They ran blood work, and she was at 491 glucose.
*345 was her # before I gave .5 unit, yes and in 2 hrs she dropped to 80.
*She currently has the Freestyle Libre. When she got into the 60s I used the Alphatrack3. So I have been using both.
*Before her diagnosis she was strictly dry food, and a grazer. Even now with eating twice a day she grazes...she won't eat a whole meal all at once, she's always been that way..but she also sometimes forgets her foods there and won't eat until I remind her!
 
Thanks for the extra info! When you get a minute, add the info to your signature so people aren't constantly asking you for the basic info on your cat. The instructions are here: https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/new-how-you-can-help-us-help-you.216696/ Scroll down a bit to find it.

Set up a spreadsheet with all the bg numbers you have so far. It'll help members help you better. https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/how-to-create-a-spreadsheet.241706/

There are U40 insulin syringes with half unit markings that will make dosing so much easier and more accurate. Here's one brand: https://www.ultimedinc.com/ulticare...ges-3-10-ml-cc-12-7mm-x-29g-half-unit-marking Lots of places to buy these from: Amazon, Chewy, American Diabetes Warehouse, etc. Amazon won't ask for a prescription or doctor's phone number but Chewy and American Diabetes Warehouse and other places may, depending on what your state law is (assuming you are in the US).

There's some general Vetsulin info here: https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/forums/caninsulin-vetsulin-and-n-nph.19/

I don't use Vetsulin or the Libre meter so I'll leave those for other members to give you more info about.

Was the 491 bg level from the regular bloodwork or did from a fructosamine test? The blood glucose level included with regular bloodwork only tells what the cat's level is at the time of blood draw. Most cats are super stressed out and that shoots blood glucose levels way up. A fructosamine test has to be specified by the vet and is gives the average blood glucose level over the past few weeks.

Will your cat eat canned food? That would be a lot better for your cat in general and help with blood glucose levels.
 
You won't need a script if you order the half unit syringes from Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/UltiCare-Insulin-Syringes-12-7mm-Markings/dp/B08HX9BPH7

You can order an auto feeder to set to open at certain times for your kitty to eat while you are at work.They have them for wet food

some info on auto feeders always add a little water to the wet food
Here is an auto feeder that hold 5 slots and comes with 2 ice packs for wet food
https://www.amazon.com/Cat-Mate-C500-Digital-Automatic/dp/B01AUYLVU8/ref=sr_1_6?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIuM_y2p79_AIVDvrICh1_xAy6EAAYASAAEgJBDfD_BwE&hvadid=178540036693&hvdev=t&hvlocphy=9003521&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=6990619631848479728&hvtargid=kwd-12652445711&hydadcr=10635_9894649&keywords=petsafe 5-meal automatic pet feeder&qid=1675560889&sr=8-6

Extra ice packs so you can keep them in the freezer ready to go
https://www.amazon.com/Cat-Mate-Rep...5c-bd5c-e23f6094563c&pd_rd_i=B091HTXNHR&psc=1

This one has 3 slots with one ice pack
https://www.amazon.com/Cat-Mate-Automatic-Feeder-Digital/dp/B01MXDFB28

Extra ice pack
https://www.amazon.com/Mate-Replace...cb-974a-deec2fb8a80c&pd_rd_i=B07KFP7PRG&psc=1

You can even order the stainless steel inserts for the 5 slot if you don't like your kitty eating out of plastic, from what I have heard plastic could cause acne on some cats
https://www.amazon.com/Cat-Mate-Sta...36-830d-6cc20f385409&pd_rd_i=B0B3MS1MWR&psc=1

@Carly E.
 
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Carly E. said:
She currently has the Freestyle Libre. When she got into the 60s I used the Alphatrack3. So I have been using both.
Click to expand...
Since you are using the Freestyle Libre which is considered a human meter ,if you need to double check you cats BG instead of using the Alpha Trak you can buy a human meter which most of us use .
Comparing the numbers from the Freestyle Libre against the Alpha Trak could be tricky

if you live in the US
Here is the link for the meter and test strips so you don't have to search for them
Relion Premier Classic Meter at Walmart for 9 dollars
https://www.walmart.com/ip/ReliOn-Premier-CLASSIC-Blood-Glucose-Monitoring-System/552134103

The tests strips are 17.88 for 100
https://www.walmart.com/ip/ReliOn-Premier-Blood-Glucose-Test-Strips-100-Count/575088197

If not any human meter will be fine

When you get a minute can you set up your signature it's information we need to know about Maci
Tap on this blue link
Here is a link helping us to help you link. If you noticed, our members have some basic information about their cat's in their signature. This helps us to not pester you by asking the same questions (your cat's name, insulin type, date of diagnosis, etc.) repeatedly. We also have a link to our spreadsheet in our signature. We are very numbers driven. The spreadsheet is a record of your cat's progress. By linking it in your signature, we can follow along and provide feedback should you need the help


Do you see mine for Tyler in gray at the end of my post
The blue link will also explain how to set up our spreadsheet and how to use it, it's easy. If you need help setting it up just ask, we have a member here who will be happy to do it for you

Do you have a hypo it in case you need to bring Maci's BG numbers up?
Such as
Med and High Carb food and honey



Fancy Feast Gravy Lovers Gourmet Beef Feast in Gravy 20% High Carbs

Fancy Feast Gravy Lovers Gourmet Chicken Feast in Gravy 15% Med Carbs

Fancy Feast Gravy Lovers Turkey Feast in Gravy 15% Med Carbs

Fancy Feast Gravy Lovers Chicken and Beef in Gravy 15% Med Carbs

Good idea to mark the cans with magic marker how many carbs

Or any on the food chart. Doesn't have to be Fancy Feast just an example about the med and high carb foods



https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/dr-pierson-new-food-

10% and under is low carb
11% -15 is medium carbs.
16- 24 is high carb.
 
Last edited:
Diane Tyler's Mom said:
You won't need a script if you order the half unit syringes from Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/UltiCare-Insulin-Syringes-12-7mm-Markings/dp/B08HX9BPH7

You can order an auto feeder to set to open at certain times for your kitty to eat while you are at work.They have them for wet food

some info on auto feeders always add a little water to the wet food
Here is an auto feeder that hold 5 slots and comes with 2 ice packs for wet food
https://www.amazon.com/Cat-Mate-C500-Digital-Automatic/dp/B01AUYLVU8/ref=sr_1_6?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIuM_y2p79_AIVDvrICh1_xAy6EAAYASAAEgJBDfD_BwE&hvadid=178540036693&hvdev=t&hvlocphy=9003521&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=6990619631848479728&hvtargid=kwd-12652445711&hydadcr=10635_9894649&keywords=petsafe 5-meal automatic pet feeder&qid=1675560889&sr=8-6

Extra ice packs so you can keep them in the freezer ready to go
https://www.amazon.com/Cat-Mate-Rep...5c-bd5c-e23f6094563c&pd_rd_i=B091HTXNHR&psc=1

This one has 3 slots with one ice pack
https://www.amazon.com/Cat-Mate-Automatic-Feeder-Digital/dp/B01MXDFB28

Extra ice pack
https://www.amazon.com/Mate-Replace...cb-974a-deec2fb8a80c&pd_rd_i=B07KFP7PRG&psc=1

You can even order the stainless steel inserts for the 5 slot if you don't like your kitty eating out of plastic, from what I have heard plastic could cause acne on some cats
https://www.amazon.com/Cat-Mate-Sta...36-830d-6cc20f385409&pd_rd_i=B0B3MS1MWR&psc=1

@Carly E.
Click to expand...
Hello and Thank you for all the help! It has been so overwhelming trying to navigate this illness along with my very unforgiving schedule with my job. I work varying shifts and days...sadly there will be days she just can't get her shot like today. I had to leave for work at 3am which is 3 hours to early for her shot and I didn't want to risk it as nobody would be home to monitor her.
I did fill out the signature, I hope I did it correcty.
She has been eating the Purina DM so I will stick with that at least until she runs out and then possible switch to a cheaper, over the counter food. Though I am worried what that might do to her levels? She is only on .5 dose right now and hopefully the next 3 days I can get a good track of how its effecting her levels. When I switched to the Purina DM with giving her the 1unit I WAS giving her while no Purina Instinct her levels went as low as 59. So she was moved to .5. Which has been a bit better--but by the 12th hour she is over 300 again.
I also struggle with making sure she eats enough!...She has ALWAYS been a grazer not that I leave food out all the time...but even when she is absolutley starving..she will eat just a few bites and go about her day coming back to it later(maybe) sometimes she forgets she has food until I remind her!!!!--what a pain in my butt.
 
Carly E. said:
I did fill out the signature, I hope I did it correcty.
Click to expand...
Hi Carly we need more information about Maxi in your signature ,just not the spreadsheet.

Tap on the blue link
Here is a link helping us to help you link. If you noticed, our members have some basic information about their cat's in their signature. This helps us to not pester you by asking the same questions (your cat's name, insulin type, date of diagnosis, etc.) repeatedly. We also have a link to our spreadsheet in our signature. We are very numbers driven. The spreadsheet is a record of your cat's progress. By linking it in your signature, we can follow along and provide feedback should you need the help


Do you see mine for Tyler in gray at the end of my post
@Carly E.
 
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