Now have almost everything I need. Time to get started!

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Megan & Ubu

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I originally posted on the PZI about prozinc (I had no idea that as a "newbie" I wasn't supposed to post there), and I think the thread was removed.
Anyway, I did get a lot of help and wanted to thank everyone that gave me advice, sent supplies, etc.

So, now that I'm on board, it's time to formally introduce myself. My name is Megan and my cat is Ubu (I originally had the name here as "Ubee", since that's what I call him). Ubu is 13.5 years old and was diagnosed about 2 years ago. He was originally on vetsulin until they discontinued it, and is now on prozinc unfortunately. I say "unfortunately" because of the price tag. But, he's been doing well on it so far. He is currently on 2.5 units, as instructed by the vet based on his BG checks done at the vet hospital. But, now that I have a meter, I will be doing the tests at home.
I should also add that he has been FIV+ for about 10 years.

Now that I am ready to get started, I have a few questions (and I'm sure more will come):
- How often should I be home testing?
- I'm seeing spreadsheets on some threads? What's that about? Excel is my enemy, so if I need to do a spreadsheet, I do hope it's user-friendly.
- As for his diet, he currently eats low carb fancy feast, one can a day. Plus I free feed him purina one dry food (I still need to check the carbs on that). I used to mix it with m/d, but it's just too expensive and he hates that stuff anyway. Is free feeding dry food okay? I do hope so, otherwise I'm going to have a screaming cat demanding food

Thanks a bunch!
 
hey there :-)
no worries about posting on the pzi isg. i didn't see if someone told you to not post there or not but just to clarify, you can post anywhere you like :-) , it's just preferred that new people post on the main board while they get some baseline knowledge of the disease and treatment just because it's more "watched" i guess i'll say so you get all the help you need when new and usually confused and overwhelmed. when you move to an isg (insulin support group) it's kinda assumed that you are already hometesting and feeding a low carb diet, etc....plus if you have a crisis, often isg's aren't as populated and it can take a bit longer to get a response.

and funny to see you here today actually because i finally found a box to get those syringes sent out to you. it's a bit odd looking as my newest additions to my house like to chew on anything cardboard so ignore the perforated flaps on the box. :lol: but they are on their way.
 
Great! Like your attitude.

You should test before each shot to be sure it is safe to give the dose of insulin you planned on giving. With PZI, you also want to test around 4-6 hours after the shot. This will give you the lowest point in the cycle (nadir). That will help you see how the insulin is working. And yes, it is a great help to put all those numbers in the spreadsheet. It helps you to see patterns, and it is a great help to us if you come on and want to get advice. Here are the directions: Setting up a spreadsheet If you need help, just ask.

Purina dry is 13% carbs. We stay under 10%. But it isn't just the carbs; it's that dry food is not a natural food for cats. They like protein, not grains. See this website by a vet: http://www.catinfo.org And here is our food chart so you can find some great wet, lo carb: http://www.felinediabetes.com/diabetic-cat-diets.htm

And do be prepared. Often wet food really lowers bg levels. Oliver went down 100 points overnight when we went from dry to wet. That is why we want you to be testing.
 
oh man, weaning him off the dry food is going to be huge. He loves that stuff

and for the check 4-6 hours after his morning shot, what range should he be in? I did one today and he was at 90, 6 hours after his shot
 
Hey Megan great to see you!
Is it possible to go all low carb wet diet? Ubu may complain at first but most of our kitties complained. An all low carb wet diet is likely to reduce your numbers dramatically.
As for testing...i believe you got 50 strips no? well you always test before a shot but it would be nice to get a curve in right away for us all to see.
sue and oliver can help you set up a spread sheet.
in the meantime show us your #'s as such:

amps (morning pre-shot) number and then dose
+2 number
+4 number
+6 number
all the pluses are the hours since last shot.
pmps (evening pre shot) number and dose.

until you get your spread sheet up this will help us and yourself to keep track of how quickly he uses his insulin and when he nadirs (hits his lowest point)
good luck!

lori and tomtom
 
Hi Megan and Ubu,

You already have had your questions answered, but I just wanted to formally welcome you and Ubu.

Also, I believe that your previous posts remain on the PZI group. Go to the top left of the page, the second line under the drawing of the cat, and you will see a link for "view your posts."

Venita
 
You can free feed wet food. I leave wet food out for 12 hours and it doesn't go bad, as long as it isn't left out in the heat. Others here freeze wet food and put the frozen "puck" out with the morning meal. It will defrost and be edible for a mid day meal. Others use timed feeders.

Eliminating the dry food is important, but there have been some cats, including my Maggie, who wouldn't eat any wet food. Remember to do the transition gradually if you decide to eliminate the dry. And if all else fails, there are also lower carb dry foods - Wellness CORE and EVO - that might help a little.
 
Remember when you wean him off the dry those numbers are going to drop down so you really need to test as much as you can. He also may be hungry with the dry food disappearing so 1 can of FF is not going to be enough.
 
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