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reallyworried

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Hello, this is my second post. I have changed my cat's food and started taking glucose readings at home with a free style meter for a couple of days now. The readings have been between 2.7 and 3.6. So I have been happy with them and didn't star insulin. However, I freak out when my cat goes and urinates right after he eats. He does after some meals and not for others. I have noticed he is not interested in the tap at the kitchen sink anymore and stuff (I realize now that he wasn't just being quirky but was getting diabetic and obsessed with water due to reading that) and I haven't seen him drinking from his water bowl at all since I changed to canned food from dry. I also add water to his food as he had bladder issues before (I have started weighing his food but have mostly been just adding water without measuring, most times is fairly watery and the thickest is like apple sauce. He actually ends up drinking first and then eats what solids are left). He does play when I use a laser, drag a ribbon around, etc. He climbs his cat tree and is on and off counters a lot . When I see him peeing right after he eats sometimes I get really, really scared, but am wondering should I be because I am making him drink more than he used to plus canned food has more water than the dry prescription diet stuff he was on for years. I'm thinking of buying a second meter as soon as it is morning just to see if another meter also gives the same sort of results. I am just so stressed out most of the time worrying about him. I was elated to see the 3.4 reading tonight. I put him on my bed and turned a heater on fairly nearby so the room was really warm and his ears. I cleaned his ear with an alcohol swab and poked right near the edge. I got a nice sized drop, not huge but fine. I gave him a treat he enjoyed right after I was happy, but then I just started thinking what if it isn't right. Anyway, I guess everyone goes through this sort of emotional roller coaster at first.
 
The Arkray USA Glucocard 01 and Mini sold by ADW (link at top of page) and the branded version of it, the WalMart ReliOn Confirm and Micro are all inexpensive and used by many members here. I've put some notes about using a human glucometer and what the numbers may mean below.

* * * * * * * * * *​

The difference in using a pet-specific meter vs a human meter (aside from the very high cost of the former) is mostly a matter of scale (though not exactly 1:1). Think of it as reading temperature in Celsius vs Fahrenheit. Both are correct. If you have the reference values for each, you can interpret them

Here are some glucose reference ranges used for decision making using glucometers. Human glucometer numbers are given first. Numbers in parentheses are for non-US meters. Numbers in curly braces are estimates for an AlphaTrak.

< 40 mg/dL (2.2 mmol/L) {< 70 mg/dL for an AlphaTrak}
- Treat as if HYPO if on insulin
- At nadir (lowest point between shots) in a long term diabetic (more than a year), may earn a reduction.

< 50 mg/dL (2.8 mmol/L) {< 80 mg/dL for an AlphaTrak}
- If before nadir, steer with food, ie, give modest amounts of medium carb food to keep from going below 50 (2.8).
- At nadir, often indicates dose reduction is earned.

50 - 130 mg/dL (2.8 - 7.2 mmol/L) {80 - 160 mg/dL for an AlphaTrak}
- On insulin - great control when following a tight regulation protocol.
- Off insulin - normal numbers. (May even go as low as the upper 30s (1.7 mmol/L){60s for an AlphaTrak}; if not on insulin, this can be safe.

= 150 mg/dL (8.3 mmol/L) {> 180 mg/dL for an AlphaTrak}
- no shot limit for ProZinc, PZI, or other non-depot insulins

> 150 mg/dL (8.3 mmol/L) {> 180 mg/dL for an AlphaTrak}
- At nadir, indicates a dose increase may be needed when following a tight regulation protocol.

200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) {230 mg/dL for an AlphaTrak}
- no shot level for beginners; may slowly reduce to 150 mg/dL (8.3 mmol/L) {180 mg/dL} for long-acting insulins (Lantus, Levemir, and ProZinc) as data collection shows it is safe

180 - 280 mg/dL (10 - 15.6 mmol/L) {may be 210 - 310 mg/dL for an AlphaTrak}- Any time - The renal threshold (depending on data source and cat's renal function) where glucose spills into the urine.
- Test for ketones, glucose is too high.

>= 280 mg/dL (15.6 mmol/L) {may be >=310 mg/dL for an AlphaTrak}, if for most of the cycle between shots
- Uncontrolled diabetes and thus at risk for diabetic ketoacidosis and hepatic lipidosis
- Follow your insulin protocol for dose adjustments
- Test for ketones; if more than a trace level of ketones, go to vet ASAP.
 
reallyworried said:
Hello, this is my second post. I have changed my cat's food and started taking glucose readings at home with a free style meter for a couple of days now. The readings have been between 2.7 and 3.6. So I have been happy with them and didn't star insulin. However, I freak out when my cat goes and urinates right after he eats. He does after some meals and not for others. I have noticed he is not interested in the tap at the kitchen sink anymore and stuff (I realize now that he wasn't just being quirky but was getting diabetic and obsessed with water due to reading that) and I haven't seen him drinking from his water bowl at all since I changed to canned food from dry. I also add water to his food as he had bladder issues before (I have started weighing his food but have mostly been just adding water without measuring, most times is fairly watery and the thickest is like apple sauce. He actually ends up drinking first and then eats what solids are left). He does play when I use a laser, drag a ribbon around, etc. He climbs his cat tree and is on and off counters a lot . When I see him peeing right after he eats sometimes I get really, really scared, but am wondering should I be because I am making him drink more than he used to plus canned food has more water than the dry prescription diet stuff he was on for years. I'm thinking of buying a second meter as soon as it is morning just to see if another meter also gives the same sort of results. I am just so stressed out most of the time worrying about him. I was elated to see the 3.4 reading tonight. I put him on my bed and turned a heater on fairly nearby so the room was really warm and his ears. I cleaned his ear with an alcohol swab and poked right near the edge. I got a nice sized drop, not huge but fine. I gave him a treat he enjoyed right after I was happy, but then I just started thinking what if it isn't right. Anyway, I guess everyone goes through this sort of emotional roller coaster at first.
Click to expand...

Sue and BJ have basically covered it, but I just want to say it sounds like you have a pretty happy, healthy kitty to me :-D My cat has had bladder problems and is diabetic, too, so I can relate to hovering around the litter box, but you're definitely getting more water into your cat now, so If he's showing an improved condition in general, the frequent urination doesn't necessarily mean he isn't feeling much better.

Good luck with your cat, you're in the best place for learning how best to treat him :-D
 
Thanks people, I just felt really stupid this morning for freaking out so much and writing while so emotional. I noticed he doesn't pee right after eating in the mornings, even waited 6 hours today. thanks for the support. Gurmit
 
Hey Gurmit! You're allowed to freak out, vent, cry on our shoulders, ask for us to brainstorm possible ideas, get emotional, whatever.

You are part of our FDMB family now, and we're the good type of family that looks out for each other in all sorts of circumstances. We know you love your cat and want to do your best for him. It's normal to be worried and anxious. Remember those deep breathing exercises.

{{{{{Hugs}}}}}

My sugardude Wink usually, but not always, uses the litter box right after he gets his watered down canned food. One of my civies does the same. My other civie, Monet, seems like he can hold that urine for hours and hours. Go figure. ECID - Each Cat is Different.

I rarely see any of my 3 cats drink from the water bowl anymore since their diet change to the canned food. In fact, it's a notable event if they do!

Sounds to me like your cat, Boongie, is pretty normal. Peeing, pooping, playing, preening and purring along with the appetite gives us a great idea of how your cat is doing. Boongie is more than a set of BG numbers. This sugardance is a marathon, not a sprint. It takes time, but Boongie is already telling you he is doing better.

Hang in there.

P.S. Would you be wiling to add a bit of information to your user control panel, profile tab, edit signature? Like your name, cats name, diagnosis date, insulin used if any, meter used for testing, food being fed, any complicating medical issues. It helps us to help you better. Thanks.
 
Thank you Debbie. Of course I will add more to the profile. Just give me a day or two, computers and I aren't always that great a mix. It took me a while to figure out how to post anything. That is my style, to fumble around trying different stuff and figure it out eventually. Gurmit
 
Hi Gurmit and extra sweet Boongie! Welcome!

Don't EVER worry about posting when you're emotional and even just need a hug and reassurance. We've ALL been there - that's why this is such an amazing place...we ALL 'get it'. Sometimes just getting that frustration out helps LOTS!

BIG HUG!!!
 
I know just what you mean about water drinking. Maui used to be a water fiend when on dry food. She would drink from any glass available, drink the condensation that formed on the glass, lick ice cubes and never get enough water - this was pre-diabetes diagnosis and something she did for years and years.

Once diagnosed and I changed her to wet food only, almost overnight she stopped showing interest in drinking any water anywhere and I got concerned, until I learned that it was normal as she was getting water in the wet food. I also started adding anywhere from 1/2 to 1 can of water to 1 can of food.

Now after going for years without touching the water bowl or a glass, the first time she drank water (after going into remission), I freaked and pulled out the meter to test her!

She is still in remission and will take the occasional drink of water. When you see that happen, DON'T PANIC! he may just be thirsty.
 
Thanks Hilary. He was interested in the sink yesterday and I got worried until I tried giving him water and he wasn't interested. He was probably interested in some dishes I had there and was smelling this apple cider vinegar cleaner bottle and stuff. He had been hanging around the sink a lot and licking the faucet and stuff before he developed any diabetic symptoms I could see and before diagnosis (even though he was ignoring his water bowl when he did that licking of the faucet. With the canned food that licking behaviour disappeared). I thought it weird but didn't think anything of it. I'm so glad to hear your cat is in remission for years. I still have to test Boongie some more before saying he is in remission though I am hopeful and hope he will always be in remission. Gurmit
 
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