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csepulveda85

csepulveda85

Member Since 2012
Hi everyone,

This is my first time on here and asking a question, so please excuse if this was already asked.
I have a 9 yr old cal who is diabetic. She was diagnosed in May 2012. I am feeding her prescription M/D right now (Hard and Caned). I feed her half a can at day and night and leave the hard M/D out for her to pick on.
The doctor said she can be on the food but that he recommends her to be on insulin. But since her level wasn't high i didn't want to make her go through all the process of the insulin.

I just came back from the doctor for her monthly blood check and he said it was 400. He stated that i will have to put her on the insulin. It felt like a knife in stomach to think of the stress she will have to go through. I tried so hard to lower it down with exercise and herbal vitamins for diabetic cats (which I'm taking her off because it did not help). As i held back my tears the vet told me he will have to stay with her for 4 days... (oh man was it hard to hold the tears at this point). 4 days?? He told me that they front desk will call me and tell me how much everything will be.

Well i got the call and she told me that it will be $1200 for everything. I nearly dropped.. I cant afford this.... I am recently laid off and have been putting all her expenses on my credit. I REFUSE to put her down ... She is not only my cat but my best friend. We have been through so much together and she has healed me from a lot of pain in my past. I cant see how life will be normal without her..
When it is her time i will have to deal with it, but right now it cant be..

So basically i am asking
What other ways can i help her besides insulin? i will cook her foods if i have too. Please help me....
Anything else i can do to help drop her blood sugar?

Thanks
Crystal
 
Re: Can't afford this insulin program

Hello Crystal,

Welcome to the FDMB forum.

It sounds like you're having a really tough time. But you've come to a good place to find help and advice. So take a deep breath... And now another deep breath.... OK...

First off, lets look at your cat's diet. You can almost certainly reduce your cat's blood glucoce levels right now by removing the dry food from her diet (it's much easier to do it now BEFORE she goes onto insulin), and it may well reduce the amount of insulin she needs.

Also, you don't need to feed her prescription foods. You can feed her something that will be better for her and almost certainly cheaper. Basically she needs to be a eating low carb wet/canned food. You will get lots of suggestions from folks here. (I'm in the UK so can't recommend food brands to you).

You can learn to test your cat's blood glucose levels at home (not nearly as hard as it sounds!) and this will save you a lot of money at the vets as well as giving more accurate results. You should be able to get a free bloodtesting kit from this site.

There are other ways too that you should be able to save costs. There are quite a few folks here who have found ways to manage their cat's diabetes on a low income. I'm sure others here will be along shortly with more advice...

Best wishes,

Elizabeth
 
You do not have to leave her for 4 days at the vet. We think blood glucose levels at the vet can be much higher than at home (different noises, animals, food - all cause stress - and stress makes blood glucose levels rise) So we test at home and send the results to the vet. We have taught hundreds of people how to test over the internet and would be glad to teach you. We have free kits if you need the help - click on the Home Testing picture at the top of this page. We'd suggest starting her on a low dose of a mild, long lasting insulin and test before each shot and midcycle so you can see how she does with the insulin.

Dry food can keep levels high. (Our Oliver went down 100 points overnight when we switched him from dry food to wet) We feed our cats wet low carb food under 8% carbs. We don't think "prescription" foods have any better ingredients than the pet store brands; they just cost more. See this website by a vet: www.catinfo.org

You can start the home testing to see what her levels really are (as compared to the possible stress induced levels at the vet) And get rid of the all the dry to see if that helps (Lots of us use wet food and let our cats graze) Once you see how she does, you will know within a few days whether her body needs insulin. If she does, it is not a big deal. Most of us give the shot while the cat has her face deep into breakfast and dinner. Some cats need it only for a while and then go into remission.

This is doable. We'll help.
 
Re: Can't afford this insulin program

Hi and welcome to FDMB.

Your userid looks kind of like the spammer ids, so you may want to edit your name -- most of us use our first name and our diabetic kitty's name or names.

What area do you live in -- maybe we could recommend a different vet. To keep your cat for 4 days is not necessary. They can show you how to do the shots and send you on your way with prescriptions to buy the insulin. (ask for either Lantus 5 pack of pens or Levemir 5 pack --- these will last for several months if you refrigerate and handle carefully). We recommend learning to test your kitty's blood sugar at home. If you test every day and keep blood sugar records online here, some people can advise on what the numbers mean and if your kitty needs more or less insulin.

Inexpensive supplies are available at Walmart or online - I buy mine from American Diabetes Wholesale website.
Meter and Test strips ~$13 + $40 per 100 test strips (meter is good for several years)
lancets ~$4 per 100
syringes ~$13 per 100
insulin prices vary a lot - call around or check online. It is cheapest from Canada but some online sources have stopped shipping cold pack items like insulin. Some people have found great prices at Walmart pharmacy.

You need a prescription for insulin -- Lantus or Levemir are the best insulins for cats, and they are "human" insulins available at any pharmacy.

Depending on where you live, you may need a prescription for syringes. I'm in Michigan - none needed here. They are cheapest in boxes of 100, and you will need to use 2 per day (1 every 12 hours). The needles are tiny and most cats don't even feel the poke - especially if you give the shot while they are busy eating.

If YOU are calm about this -- your kitty will also be calm -- if you are nervous and upset, your kitty will also get nervous and upset.

Getting rid of the dry food and feeding low carbohydrate (grain free) canned food will help --- it does NOT need to be prescription food. I feed all 4 of my cats Wellness Turkey and Fancy Feast Classic pates, even though only one cat is diabetic.

Tiggy needs a tiny dose of 0.5 units of Levemir insulin every 12 hours.

gotta go for now (at work) -- will check back later
 
What area do you live in -- maybe we could recommend a different vet. To keep your cat for 4 days is not necessary. They can show you how to do the shots and send you on your way with prescriptions to buy the insulin. (ask for either Lantus 5 pack of pens or Levemir 5 pack --- these will last for several months if you refrigerate and handle carefully). We recommend learning to test your kitty's blood sugar at home. If you test every day and keep blood sugar records online here, some people can advise on what the numbers mean and if your kitty needs more or less insulin.

Inexpensive supplies are available at Walmart or online - I buy mine from American Diabetes Wholesale website.
Meter and Test strips ~$13 + $40 per 100 test strips (meter is good for several years)
lancets ~$4 per 100
syringes ~$13 per 100
insulin prices vary a lot - call around or check online. It is cheapest from Canada but some online sources have stopped shipping cold pack items like insulin. Some people have found great prices at Walmart pharmacy.

You need a prescription for insulin -- Lantus or Levemir are the best insulins for cats, and they are "human" insulins available at any pharmacy.

Depending on where you live, you may need a prescription for syringes. I'm in Michigan - none needed here. They are cheapest in boxes of 100, and you will need to use 2 per day (1 every 12 hours). The needles are tiny and most cats don't even feel the poke - especially if you give the shot while they are busy eating.

If YOU are calm about this -- your kitty will also be calm -- if you are nervous and upset, your kitty will also get nervous and upset.

Getting rid of the dry food and feeding low carbohydrate (grain free) canned food will help --- it does NOT need to be prescription food. I feed all 4 of my cats Wellness Turkey and Fancy Feast Classic pates, even though only one cat is diabetic.

Tiggy needs a tiny dose of 0.5 units of Levemir insulin every 12 hours.
Click to expand...

I live in New Jersey in the Hudson County Area. I also think that this is way to long to keep her and she is so stressed when i take her to the vet. I will find out about Lantus or Levemir and if they sell it anywhere in jersey or new york. Im trying to keep calm but the worst keeps playing in my head.. Just the thought makes me want to hold her and never let go... but she does feel my pain so i should try to keep myself calm. i will get a test meter and try these... Any advice on how much insulin to start with?


Dry food can keep levels high. (Our Oliver went down 100 points overnight when we switched him from dry food to wet) We feed our cats wet low carb food under 8% carbs. We don't think "prescription" foods have any better ingredients than the pet store brands; they just cost more. See this website by a vet: www.catinfo.org

You can start the home testing to see what her levels really are (as compared to the possible stress induced levels at the vet) And get rid of the all the dry to see if that helps (Lots of us use wet food and let our cats graze) Once you see how she does, you will know within a few days whether her body needs insulin. If she does, it is not a big deal. Most of us give the shot while the cat has her face deep into breakfast and dinner. Some cats need it only for a while and then go into remission.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the advice on the free kit - this will help alot! I will keep her off the dry prescription food and keep her on the wet until i find another food. She just seems hungry all the time... Any suggestions on how much is to much on wet food? She weighs 13 pounds and i feed her half a can in morning at 9 am and half a can at night at 8:30.
maybe i should be feeding her another time in between?

its scary to start testing her at home with insulin.. Can anything bad happen while testing? to much insulin or to little? will it sky rocket that i have to rush her to a doctor? or will it all be ok?

Also, you don't need to feed her prescription foods. You can feed her something that will be better for her and almost certainly cheaper. Basically she needs to be a eating low carb wet/canned food. You will get lots of suggestions from folks here. (I'm in the UK so can't recommend food brands to you).
Click to expand...

Thank you ... I will be taking her off the dry food and leaving her on the wet.. I will be looking or new food as well.. this is such a stressful process but i will breath and remain calm for her
 
Okay, just take things in little steps - baby steps; you don't have to do everthing all at once.

Removing the dry food from your kitty's diet will be a great start. And replacing the prescription diet with ordinary low carb canned food will be good too. She will be hungry all the time at the moment because her body can't utilise the food properly. So, as long as it's low carb canned food just let her eat what she wants for now.

It would be great if you could learn to test your kitty's blood sugar at home. We can help you learn to do that. It sounds a little scary and difficult at first but you will soon learn. I promise. And you will be helping your kitty by doing it.
 
New diabetics tend to be very hungry at first as their bodies are processing the food well. When Oliver was diabetic, I fed him 2.5 cans of Fancy Feast daily. Lots of people feed smaller amounts during the day and night. It supports the pancreas and helps them feel like they are fuller. Many cats also like the food mixed with a little warm water so it's a little soupy - it stretches out the amount and makes it seem like it has yummy gravy. You'll have to see what your cat likes best - most of us feed Friskies or Fancy Feast if watching our pennies, Wellness or Merrick if we want a premium food. What your kitty will eat and what you can afford. This food chart will help you find brands and flavors in that 8% carb range: Janet and Binky’s chart

Lantus and Levemir are human insulin so they are sold at any pharmacy; ProZinc is for animals so it is sold only at the vet. For any of the insulin, you will need to have a vet prescription.

Actually you gain a real feeling of control once you start to test at home. Instead of blindly giving a shot, you know what her glucose level is and know whether the amount you are planning to give is safe. And you can track how low the insulin is taking her so you can monitor her safely.

We have a number of NJ folks. I will send out some feelers.
 
It would be great if you could learn to test your kitty's blood sugar at home. We can help you learn to do that. It sounds a little scary and difficult at first but you will soon learn. I promise. And you will be helping your kitty by doing it.
Click to expand...

Yes it will be great to have some help as i have no idea how to start or how much to start with ....
I will ask my vet what insulin he has to see if that a brand.

New diabetics tend to be very hungry at first as their bodies are processing the food well. When Oliver was diabetic, I fed him 2.5 cans of Fancy Feast daily. Lots of people feed smaller amounts during the day and night. It supports the pancreas and helps them feel like they are fuller. Many cats also like the food mixed with a little warm water so it's a little soupy - it stretches out the amount and makes it seem like it has yummy gravy. You'll have to see what your cat likes best - most of us feed Friskies or Fancy Feast if watching our pennies, Wellness or Merrick if we want a premium food. What your kitty will eat and what you can afford. This food chart will help you find brands and flavors in that 8% carb range: Janet and Binky’s chart
Click to expand...

The link is great! it will help me picking the food . Thank you!
Ok .. I always want to give her more but i never know if its ok for her.. I will start giving her as she needs then .. thank you so much...
i hard anything in high protein is good also.. is this true? someone suggested boil chicken and give her pieces as a treat..but i wasn't sure...
 
You are getting some good suggestions here.

Boiled chicken would be a great treat for your kitty.

I'll get a diabetes kit out to you today.

Best,
Rebecca
 
Here's the Frugal Feline Diabetes tips: http://binkyspage.tripod.com/frugal.html

The main ongoing expenses are insulin, insulin syringes, and blood glucose testing supplies (ie lancets and test strips). And food but of course food is always an ongoing cost :smile:

Your insulin choices are ProZinc, BCP PZI, Lantus, and Levemir. Each has their pros and cons. You can read the info stickies at the top of each insulin support group to understand how that particular insulin works: http://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewforum.php?f=5

Lantus and Levemir are used by Human diabetics and can be used "off label" for cats. You buy Lantus and Levemir at the Human pharmacy with a prescription. Most people here use the pen form of Lantus or Levemir instead of the 10 ml bottle. A box of five 3ml pens costs around $225 or so but the entire box will last you at least 5 months. A 10 ml bottle costs $115 or so and may last as little as a month, maybe two. There is a coupon for $25 off a box of Lantus SoloStar pens or Levemir FlexPens here: http://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=36964 Your vet's prescription has to specify the pens. You do not use the insulin pen the way a Human diabetic does, no matter what your vet or the pharmcist says. You can stick the needle of an insulin syringe right into the rubber stopper at the end of the pen and draw out insulin that way, no different from an insulin bottle really.

ProZinc is a pet insulin so you can only get it from the vet or from a vet pharmacy, like an online one such as DrsFosterandSmith.com or 1800PetMeds. ProZinc is a U40 insulin so you need to use U40 insulin syringes or follow the dose conversion chart if you wish to use U100 insulin syringes.

Your vet can request a free 5 ml bottle of BCP PZI for you from here: http://www.bcpvetpharm.com/products_bovine.htm BCP PZI is also another pet insulin so it is only available from the vet or directly from BCP. I think it is a U40 insulin so you would need to use U40 insulin syringes or the dose conversion chart with U100 insulin syringes.

Insulin syringes can cost as little as $13 for a box of 100. If you need U100 insulin syringes, the ideal ones to use are 3/10 cc with half unit markings. Wal Mart's Relion brand of U100 insulin sringes work well and are inexpensive. AmericanDiabetesWholesale.com is a popular place to buy brand name insulin syringes, both U100 and U40.

You can buy your blood glucose test strips and lancets from AmericanDiabetesWholesale.com as well. It will cost less there than if you buy them at the local pharmacy.

Food - No need for the expensive prescription stuff, dry or canned. You can feed much more affordable commerical canned foods such as Fancy Feast, Friskies, Wellness, and Merrick. Here is the most up to date food chart that we use: http://www.catinfo.org/docs/Food Chart Public 9-22-12.pdf Anythign with a number 10 or less in the carb % calorie column is good for diabetics. You can still use the other food charts.lists but the info is slightly out of date on some:

Binky's canned food charts
Pet Food Nutritional Values list
Hobo's Guide To Nutritional Values
Dr. Lynne's Wet Food list
List of low carb gluten free Fancy Feast

Raw food is another option. Some people here make their own homemade raw food, others feed a commerical brand. Cooked foods aren't ideal because the cooking process results in the loss of essential nutrients. Here is some info on making your own raw cat food: http://www.catinfo.org/?link=makingcatfood Oher ways of making your own raw food is doing the "whole prey" diet and using a pre-mix with raw meats of your choice. If making your own raw food is doable, you can feed a commerical brand. The Catinfo.org food chart lists some good low carb brands of raw food, like Nature's Variety.
 
Welcome Crystal and extra sweet baby girl. Yes this IS doable!!!

Now that you're breathing, let me try to help you change your mindset to all this 'poking' you're going to be doing. It is NOT torture for your cat. Their ears don't have a lot of pain sensors so pokies aren't nearly as painful as you think. The insulin needles are small and you're just shooting under the skin. I've been poking KT for over a year now, he COMES for tests and shots, he'll even come get me if I'm a bit late. There are many more cats here that do the same thing - if it's torture, would they do that? So....think about it differently and breathe again.....

BIG HUG!
 
I'll get a diabetes kit out to you today.
Click to expand...
Thank you sooooo much!! That is such a great help.. And thank you for your kind email... I really appreciate it

Here's the Frugal Feline Diabetes tips: http://binkyspage.tripod.com/frugal.html

The main ongoing expenses are insulin, insulin syringes, and blood glucose testing supplies (ie lancets and test strips). And food but of course food is always an ongoing cost :smile:

Your insulin choices are ProZinc, BCP PZI, Lantus, and Levemir. Each has their pros and cons. You can read the info stickies at the top of each insulin support group to understand how that particular insulin works: http://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewforum.php?f=5

Lantus and Levemir are used by Human diabetics and can be used "off label" for cats. You buy Lantus and Levemir at the Human pharmacy with a prescription. Most people here use the pen form of Lantus or Levemir instead of the 10 ml bottle. A box of five 3ml pens costs around $225 or so but the entire box will last you at least 5 months. A 10 ml bottle costs $115 or so and may last as little as a month, maybe two. There is a coupon for $25 off a box of Lantus SoloStar pens or Levemir FlexPens here: http://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopi ... 15&t=36964 Your vet's prescription has to specify the pens. You do not use the insulin pen the way a Human diabetic does, no matter what your vet or the pharmcist says. You can stick the needle of an insulin syringe right into the rubber stopper at the end of the pen and draw out insulin that way, no different from an insulin bottle really.

ProZinc is a pet insulin so you can only get it from the vet or from a vet pharmacy, like an online one such as DrsFosterandSmith.com or 1800PetMeds. ProZinc is a U40 insulin so you need to use U40 insulin syringes or follow the dose conversion chart if you wish to use U100 insulin syringes.

Your vet can request a free 5 ml bottle of BCP PZI for you from here: http://www.bcpvetpharm.com/products_bovine.htm BCP PZI is also another pet insulin so it is only available from the vet or directly from BCP. I think it is a U40 insulin so you would need to use U40 insulin syringes or the dose conversion chart with U100 insulin syringes.

Insulin syringes can cost as little as $13 for a box of 100. If you need U100 insulin syringes, the ideal ones to use are 3/10 cc with half unit markings. Wal Mart's Relion brand of U100 insulin sringes work well and are inexpensive. AmericanDiabetesWholesale.com is a popular place to buy brand name insulin syringes, both U100 and U40.

You can buy your blood glucose test strips and lancets from AmericanDiabetesWholesale.com as well. It will cost less there than if you buy them at the local pharmacy.

Food - No need for the expensive prescription stuff, dry or canned. You can feed much more affordable commerical canned foods such as Fancy Feast, Friskies, Wellness, and Merrick. Here is the most up to date food chart that we use: http://www.catinfo.org/docs/Food%20Char ... -22-12.pdf Anythign with a number 10 or less in the carb % calorie column is good for diabetics. You can still use the other food charts.lists but the info is slightly out of date on some:

Binky's canned food charts
Pet Food Nutritional Values list
Hobo's Guide To Nutritional Values
Dr. Lynne's Wet Food list
List of low carb gluten free Fancy Feast
Click to expand...


Thank you Squeem3! You gave me so much information!!
So starting with 1/2 a unit sounds pretty good to start with? i think this is my main concern, as i dont want to cause any harm by giving her to much... i plan to change the food asap and the chart is awesome!
I will have to read up on the different insulin types to see which is best..



If anyone knows any videos that show how to give a shot and also how to get a reading from the meter please let me know... also any charts that show me how to read a meter and what the numbers mean... Im such a newbie at this and want to do everything right..
You all are s awesome for helping me.. It makes me feel like im not alone at this..
:YMHUG:

Now that you're breathing, let me try to help you change your mindset to all this 'poking' you're going to be doing. It is NOT torture for your cat. Their ears don't have a lot of pain sensors so pokies aren't nearly as painful as you think. The insulin needles are small and you're just shooting under the skin. I've been poking KT for over a year now, he COMES for tests and shots, he'll even come get me if I'm a bit late. There are many more cats here that do the same thing - if it's torture, would they do that? So....think about it differently and breathe again.....
Click to expand...

Yeah its alot of poking that scares me but as long as she gets better thats all that matters.. I need her around alittle longer.. Shes still my little kitten that climbed up my leg to cuddle =)
 
Here is a video of how to test a cats blood sugar: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zE12-4fVn8. It is pretty easy once you get the hang of it. My cat actually waits for me to come get her because she gets cuddle time afterwards. Giving treats to your kitty after the test is also a good way to make them happy. One person here said that when she turns on the meter her cat comes running over. As for the insulin many of us using Lantus or Levemir have found they last much longer then the manufacturers guarantee if they are kept refrigerated & shelf stable (not in a spot where they can be knocked over). My last 10ml bottle lasted 6 months and I used every drop of it. A big thing is to not shoot excess insulin back into the bottle - the silicone in the syringe can contaminate it. If you draw out more then needed squirt it into the sink. You can also find insulin sold on Craigslist - however I advise caution in this. Make sure its been kept refrigerated, shelf stable, has an unbroken seal, and verify the use by date. I was lucky a lady who was switching from pens to a pump didn't want to throw away her 8 boxes of Lantus pens so she sold 2 of them to me for a substantial discount (probably her copay). This is a good way to save money as long as you are careful. This is a great forum and can guide you on this journey with your kitty. Jan
 
Here is a video of how to test a cats blood sugar: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zE12-4fVn8. It is pretty easy once you get the hang of it. My cat actually waits for me to come get her because she gets cuddle time afterwards. Giving treats to your kitty after the test is also a good way to make them happy. One person here said that when she turns on the meter her cat comes running over. As for the insulin many of us using Lantus or Levemir have found they last much longer then the manufacturers guarantee if they are kept refrigerated & shelf stable (not in a spot where they can be knocked over). My last 10ml bottle lasted 6 months and I used every drop of it. A big thing is to not shoot excess insulin back into the bottle - the silicone in the syringe can contaminate it. If you draw out more then needed squirt it into the sink. You can also find insulin sold on Craigslist - however I advise caution in this. Make sure its been kept refrigerated, shelf stable, has an unbroken seal, and verify the use by date. I was lucky a lady who was switching from pens to a pump didn't want to throw away her 8 boxes of Lantus pens so she sold 2 of them to me for a substantial discount (probably her copay). This is a good way to save money as long as you are careful. This is a great forum and can guide you on this journey with your kitty. Jan
Click to expand...

Thank you for the info....
The videos will help alot... i tried to call my doctor for the prescription and he gave me the run around... I made another topic because im not sure if i can talk about two different things here..
here is the link to the other topic about what my vet told me and why he thinks i cant do it :cry:
 
If you purchase lantus or levimer - check out Costco for pricing. I found that they had it at the best price. and you don't have to be a member to use the pharmacy. Of course if you are a member, then I think you get an additional discount.

Also, check out supply closet for a coupon for both. I think it's $25 off for the pens. That could come in handy. I don't think Costco will take the coupon, but BJ's will and you may be able to use the pharmacy without being a member too.
 
Oppps forgot the link
viewtopic.php?f=28&t=80781


Hillary & Maui thanks for the tip... Only problem is i dont think my vet is willing to give me a prescription =/
He thinks i cant do it without having her stay in the vet for 4 days... See me link above... I posted a topic about it..
 
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