Normal Glucose Levels?

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Natalie & Fluffy

Natalie & Fluffy

Member Since 2015
Hi guys! My wonderful 15 year old cat Fluffy was diagnosed a few weeks ago with diabetes :( I give him 1 unit of Novo Novolin twice a day at around 7:15 or 7:30 am and pm. However, I don't have a glucometer, but I want to start hometesting since Fluffy has at time exhibited signs of hypo (esp. at 2 units, our vet then reduced it to 1). I'm bringing him to the vet this Friday for a glucose curve.

Does anyone have a chart of normal blood glucose levels for a cat? I don't know what's normal or not... Thank you so much!

And what in the meantime are signs of hyper*glycemia? I know how he gets when he's hypo, but what sort of behavior is typical when his levels are too high? I get so worried all the time :( I'm looking at him obsessively for any strange behavior :(
 
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Welcome Natalie and Fluffy. So glad you found this site and am so glad that you are interested in home testing. First thing you will want to do is get a meter, strips and lancets (preferably 26-28 gauge). Some here use AlphaTrak2 pet meters and most here use human meters. The human meters are cheaper as well as the strips. The human meter registers a little lower than the pet one but you can compensate for that. Anyway, Relion meters like the Micro or Confirm can be bought for around $15. Both the strips and meter can be bought at Walmart or other human meters at pharmacies or online.

Next thing is to create a spreadsheet to record your data. This data collection may help in preventing hypos before they happen, with dosing decisions, and show you some great data patterns. Our spreadsheet instructions are here.
 
The guidelines here for using various insulins optimally are based on using human glucometers. The Walmart Relion Confirm takes a small blood drop and works very well using those reference numbers, with the advantage of being much less expensive than a pet meter.
 
Congratulations on taking the 1st step. You were likely researching the feline disease & as did we, you came across this site. Your Sugar Cat, is lucky to have you as a Mommy @Natalie Mann !

First thing, learn to relax, take a deep breath, & then respond to what is going on. That deep breath will serve you well when things aren't going smooth!

For instance, when you start home testing, you won't be comfortable right away, you may find yourself fumbling around, & you may even feel bad for doing it. Take that deep breath & then proceed with what you were doing. Remember, you are doing it for the right reasons!

2nd thing, don't forget that diabetes doesn't define your kitty, nor does it define the life of your kitty. You must remind yourself to remember to love, laugh, & enjoy your pet, not just get wrapped up in caring for a patient. Those play times were what served to recharge my drive on those late night, early mornings, or those nights where I was up every few hours. It reminded me exactly why I was waking up at 3:00 am to check on our son!

Before you go too much further, read this & take it to heart: http://www.felinediabetes.com/dear-mom.htm
Dear Mom,

I know it's only been a couple of days, but there are a few things I'd like to tell you.

First of all, you really do have to calm down, because you're stressing me out.

Please at least let me get all the way out of the litter box before you start to inspect it.

Don't stare at me while I'm eating. It makes me nervous. I need a little privacy please.

You really don't have to follow me from one room to the next. I'm not doing anything that I haven't done a million times before. I'm still trying to catch those pesky fish that live behind the glass. I'm chasing the dust bunnies under your desk. I'm waiting to catch Libby (drooler) off guard so I can smack her and run. I'm doing all those catly things I've always done. I don't need a perpetual audience.

Just because I'm sleeping, doesn't mean that you need to wake me up and check on me every five minutes. I'm a cat. I sleep.

I feel hot because I've been lying in my favorite sunny spot in the office. Yes, that really is the only reason.

I know it would make you feel better if I slept in your bed with you, but it wouldn't make me feel better. I've never done that before, so it would feel funny to start doing it now. Besides, I really like my bed. I've had it a long time, you know.

It doesn't mean that something is wrong with me just because I don't want to play. Don't you remember the rules? When you want to play with me, I want to ignore you and treat you with disdain. I want to play with you when you are reading the newspaper or attempting to drink your first cup of coffee. This has always worked for us, so why would I want to
change that now? So if I don't want to play with you, it doesn't necessarily mean that I don't feel good. It means that I'm just being the Rainbow I've always been.

Stop lecturing (boyfriend) every time you leave the house for five minutes. He has read everything you have. He was there at the vet's when you picked me up. He knows all the signals/symptoms of hypo, and he knows what to do. He knows where the syrup is. How could he not, since it's now in every room in the house. Remember when you told me that you would trust him with your life? Well trust him with mine. He loves you, and he won't let anything happen to me.

You know that pounding headache you've had since last Sunday? It might go away if you'd chill out just a little bit.

And lastly, every single sound I make need not be analyzed for meaning. Just because I speak to you, it doesn't mean I'm sick or hurting or getting ready to go hypo. I've always been a very vocal kitty. Sometimes a meow really is just a meow.
Love,

Your Sugar Cat
 
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Now that we have that out of the way!

Hypo signs & Hyper Signs (keep in mind that not all cats will show any or all of these signs. It is not uncommon for a cat to be in a hypo range & exhibit no signs at all. Or some could be showing signs & their numbers are above the "hypo" range. Every Cat Is Different!) http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/...ng-signs-no-bg-monitor-for-a-few-days.138037/

Here is a thread for putting together a "Hypo Kit" http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/jojo-and-bunnys-hypo-tool-box.2354/

And don't forget, at some point, you are going to think things are moving in the right direction & the cat calls an audible. Again, breathe deep, then roll with the punches. This is all part of the sugar dance!

Best of luck to you & your kitty!
From,
Rusty, Jennifer, & Ernie "Our Sugar Baby"
 
Hi Natalie,
Welcome! I see you've had some great info already. :)

Natalie Mann said:
Does anyone have a chart of normal blood glucose levels for a cat? I don't know what's normal or not...
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According to the following chart from petdiabetes.wikia.com the normal blood glucose values for a cat (using data from a human glucose meter) are approximately 50 – 130 mg/dl (2.7 – 7.5 mmol/L):
http://petdiabetes.wikia.com/wiki/Blood_sugar_guidelines

But, for a cat on insulin, it's not just about what the number is, but also where that number occurs during the insulin cycle. See this from the FDMB Hypo document:
"Always keep in mind that with low blood glucose and no symptoms, the BG you get is not as important as where it is headed. In other words, if you get a BG of 100 mg/dL or 5.6 mmol/L or less and there are still several hours or more before the insulin peaks [ie. the blood glucose is still dropping], you need to watch your cat (and the numbers) carefully and take appropriate steps."
How to treat HYPOS - THEY CAN KILL! Print this Out!!

Eliz
 
Hi Natalie, My feline friend was recently diagnosed too, so I don't have any practical advice for you - and I see from previous replies, that's already covered. Just wanted to say welcome and that you are in the right place. The good folk of this forum are very knowledgeable, very friendly and supportive. We would have been lost without them! :) x
 
I know you are getting so much good information. Here is one more. Be sure to read everything on www.catinfo.org. It is 18 page long and has great information on everything including feeding. It also has a list of food. The thought is the lower the carb, the better. If you have to transition from dry to canned food, you must be home testing because it could decrease the BG numbers by as much as 100 or more. You will find fish flavor cat food in the lower carbs but it is recommended to only feed fish once a week due to the mercury content.
 
Just a note - some cats do better with carbohydrate calories around 8%; some do better at a lower percentage. As you observe your cat, you'll be able to determine where your cat responds best.

Check my signature link Human Glucometer and Veterinary Lab Reference Numbers and Notes, which includes veterinary blood glucose levels for the fasting cat,
 
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Much like people...cats too, can have different blood sugar ranges set by the vet. Most of us use a blood sugar monitor that is calibrated for human use. Both the meter and the supplies are much cheaper in cost. I use the Relion monitor from Walmart. A range of about 50-120 is standard for that particular meter. In fact, my vet was rather impressed with the overall results. She has also had a change of heart about serving wet food only. Good luck from Jane and Stewey
 
Ahh everyone, thank you SO much for the important information and support you have given me :):) I'm absolutely grateful... It's been about a month since his diagnosis and I've been a wreak. I am very sensitive to any behaviour changes in my cat; but my family thinks he's "fine" and the diabetes is "no big deal." I've recently got in a lot of arguments with them when I tell them Fluffy has been acting strange. On Friday for his glucose curve, his levels were quite low, and his weight a little low, and our vet said for us to take him completely off the insulin and come back in two weeks. It's been about four days now, and although he seems okay at some times later during the day, he acts very hypo (restless, shaky, pupils large) especially during the morning and afternoon. I fear he isn't getting enough sleep, and I especially panic when I see his heartbeat strong to the point where it seems to move the fur on his chest, even when he's not doing any activity. I am getting very frustrated with my mom who thinks the cat is fine, and I am BEGGING for them to understand that I think he's suffering! I try to tell them I want to do some home testing, but they won't hear me out! I think this is completely unfair to put my cat through so much stress and suffering. I am wondering if him being exhibiting the signs hypo for four days without the insulin is normal... could he be on a "honeymoon?" What do I do?

Thank you guys :( *PHEW*!
 
Hi Natalie, I'm new here too and I understand your fears and frustrations. Try to relax and breathe! As I said, I'm new, but I don't think a cat that is not on insulin will go hypo. When you say you can see Fluffys heartbeat, are you sure it's not just his breathing? Even at rest, you can see the rise and fall of their chests as they breathe. In fact I have a couple of oldtimers(20's) that sleep so soundly, sometimes I watch their breathing just to make sure they're ok! It would be nice if you could home test, but since Fluffy's not on insulin at the moment, it's ok. If your vet puts him back on the insulin, try pointing out to your parents that for the small cost of a meter and strips, they could save the hefty price of the vet bill for the curve. Do try to relax, Fluffy can sense your nerves and that may make him nervous too. Give him a hug and lots of love:cat:Good luck!
 
Sharon14 said:
Hi Natalie, I'm new here too and I understand your fears and frustrations. Try to relax and breathe! As I said, I'm new, but I don't think a cat that is not on insulin will go hypo. When you say you can see Fluffys heartbeat, are you sure it's not just his breathing? Even at rest, you can see the rise and fall of their chests as they breathe. In fact I have a couple of oldtimers(20's) that sleep so soundly, sometimes I watch their breathing just to make sure they're ok! It would be nice if you could home test, but since Fluffy's not on insulin at the moment, it's ok. If your vet puts him back on the insulin, try pointing out to your parents that for the small cost of a meter and strips, they could save the hefty price of the vet bill for the curve. Do try to relax, Fluffy can sense your nerves and that may make him nervous too. Give him a hug and lots of love:cat:Good luck!
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Hello Sharon! Welcome to the site :) Haha everyone has been so helpful in reminding me to breathe and relax!! I should have it tattooed on me or something! Yeah I'm not sure, it's like right below his neck, his breathing seems normal, but it's like his neck is pulsating really fast... It looks like it goes away when he eats more... There's also the worry that the vet says he might have a sort of pancreatic cancer if his numbers are still low and he hasn't had any insulin for two weeks, but I can't worry about what I don't know :/ I have to not overthink about our sugar babies! thank you, and you to for your cats!!
 
Natalie Mann said:
There's also the worry that the vet says he might have a sort of pancreatic cancer if his numbers are still low and he hasn't had any insulin for two weeks
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I'm not sure that I understand this comment. Is the vet saying that because his numbers are low, and he hasn't had insulin, he might have cancer??? Has the vet done any tests to back that up, or is that they aren't used to a cat that has been diagnosed diabetic to be diet controlled? And how is the vet aware of his low numbers if you aren't home testing? Did I miss something?
 
Shiloh & Rhonda said:
I'm not sure that I understand this comment. Is the vet saying that because his numbers are low, and he hasn't had insulin, he might have cancer??? Has the vet done any tests to back that up, or is that they aren't used to a cat that has been diagnosed diabetic to be diet controlled? And how is the vet aware of his low numbers if you aren't home testing? Did I miss something?
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Sorry for the confusion! Hopefully the following explanation will help: Fluffy's glucose levels were very high when we brought him in about a month ago (he was throwing up, eating and drinking a lot, but still losing weight). He had to stay two nights hospitalized to bring his numbers back to normal. For the next two weeks about he was put on 2 units of insulin, and was acting pretty good, then starting exhibiting signs of hypo. We took him back, sure enough his levels were very low. We changed the dose to one unit, and did okay, but then started hypo signs again, and the vet checked his BG, and they were low, so he decided we should take him off all insulin for two weeks. It's been four days after no insulin, and Fluffy has started to show signs of hypo again, but I have no way of checking unless we go to the vet because I currently have no way to home test (trying to work on that) :( My conversation with our vet when we saw him said that he wants his levels to rise again, but if they haven't when we go to check him in in two weeks, he might need to be checked with a specialist for pancreatic cancer. I think Fluffy has been exhibiting some mild hypo signs, especially during the mornings and afternoons (his eyes are large, he seems skittish, restless, shaky at times). I just don't know if this is normal considering he hasn't had insulin in four days. Please let me know if I can clear anything or add any more information :)
 
Yeah! I'm just wondering if it's too soon to tell. He could just be recovering from all the excess insulin, he may be on a "honeymoon", or unfortunately, the pancreatic cancer. I don't know :(
 
Can I ask why you just don't go out and buy a monitor and strips if you are that worried? It's your cat and your money, and your parents can't tell you how to spend it.
 
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BJM said:
See Secondary Monitoring Tools for some additional ways to assess your cat.
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Thank you for the link!

[QUOTE="Can I ask why you just don't go out and buy a monitor and strips if you are that worried? It's your cat and your money, and your parents can't tell you how to spend it.[/QUOTE]

I only have about $35 dollars, which might be enough to buy the glucometer and strips hopefully. Everytime I try to bring it up, my mom says she's too busy to take me and that he's fine. It ends in an argument all the time. I'm not allowed to use the car. :/ I'm just going to argue until she gives in. It was the same way when I was sick during w/d's. She doesn't believe that anyone's sick until it's too serious!
 
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