Overwhelmed and exhausted.

[KittyMom777]

Our cats are having picnics on the lawn when their numbers are in double digits
Swimming in the lagoon if their numbers are in the 100's
Sunning or working on their tans if their numbers are in the 200's
And wearing tutus and practicing their ballet/dance moves if in the 300's

Mel and The Fur Gang

Very helpful - I was seriously wondering what the tutus and ballet was all about. Hmmm, I don't think Silver will like it if I tell him but he is wearing a tutu and practicing ballet these days!

Juliet

 

[Lisa and Witn (GA)]

Our cats are having picnics on the lawn when their numbers are in double digits
Swimming in the lagoon if their numbers are in the 100's
Sunning or working on their tans if their numbers are in the 200's
And wearing tutus and practicing their ballet/dance moves if in the 300's

Mel and The Fur Gang

A couple more phrases that you may see:

OTJ (Off the Juice) and visiting the Falls. Both mean the cat's diabetes is diet controlled and no insulin
Civie - non-diabetic cat in the household

 

[Critter Mom]

I think if your cat is coming home on Saturday you will want to make sure that he is eating properly. You may like to speak to your vet about having a small stock of anti nausea medication such as ondansetron.

Hi Mike,

In addition to the anti-nausea meds, it might be worth talking with your vet about an appetite stimulant. Two are commonly used in veterinary practice. Cyproheptadine is an anti-histamine and is relatively gentle in action although it can be sedating and can lower mood somewhat (it's a serotonin antagonist). A tiny dose of cyproheptadine goes a long way. Mirtazapine seems to be stronger - a cat may even become crazed with hunger - but it does carry the risk of serotonin syndrome (a potentially life-threatening condition). I don't know how the DKA might affect Felix's suitability for these Rx meds. I am sure your vet will be able to advise you.

It was heartwarming to read about your visit with Webster today. You will have reassured him so much and I was glad to hear that you found it a positive experience. Try not to be too disheartened while he's poorly: over the past few months I have been astounded to discover the recoveries that cats are capable of once they get the help that they need (Including my own Saoirse). You're getting Webster the help he needs, and hopefully he will be back home safe with you very soon. cat_pet_icon :smile:

 

[Websterthecat]

Webster's condition seems to be improving. I am told that he took a poop (first time in over a week), is grooming himself, and is hissing nicely for the vet (once again, very unusual for him to do but I'm told it's a good sign. I'm about to drop by and visit him and maybe, just maybe take him home tonight . I was unable to speak with the vet about his BG, Hydration, and Ketone levels because she has been in emergency surgery. I suppose I'll find out in just a few minutes when I visit him.

In the meantime I have been reading over everyone's comments as well as 100's of other pages on the web. Here is the shopping list that I came up with (thanks to you guys)

-ReliOn Micro Blood Glucose Monitor
-ReliOn Confirm/micro Blood Glucose Test Strips 100 count
-ReliOn 30G Ultra Thin Lancets 100ct 30G or 33G
-Lancet device
-Ketostixs
-Syringes 3/10 cc 31 gauge with half unit marks (long/short)
- Lantus Vial $244.73 Pens $349.77 (Price matched to Kmart) WM $288.02, $432.03
-Glucose/honey for hypo emergency kit
-Emergency can of high carb food
-Syringe for feeding glucose or food
-low carb treats (From suggested list on FDMB)
-Food (discuss with vet)

Just a couple last minuite questions before I go shopping:

1. Needles - short vs long? I hear it's a preference but I never used either so I have no way of comparing the two. Which should I choose?
2. Lancets - 30G or 33G? What are you guys using
3. I plan to ask for the Lantus pens and using them as vials to avoid wasting expired/bad insulin. I'm I doing the right thing by asking for a pen prescription?
4. As for food I do plan on discussing this with the vet. I looked over Dr. Pierson's list viewtopic.php?f=28&t=87391 and noticed that it mentioned "FKD cats need under 250 phosphorus". Those who have cats with FKD, which one's on this list (under 250 of course) does your cat prefer? I need something tasty that will get him eating again.
5. Keeping a few packets of honey in the hypo kit - will this suffice as a good sugar source or should I pick up liquid glucose in diabetes section for better results?

Thanks once again everyone.

UPDATE: I just came back from visiting Webster. He was alert and curiously exploring the exam room and purred loudly when I pet him. They have been force feeding him and asked to me to bring in his normal food. I brought him "Special Kitty" (won't be feeding him that anymore of course) and "Temptation" salmon flavor treats (no more of these either) which he has never been able to resist. He wolfed down 5 temptation treats without hesitation and I was able to sneak in a couple pieces of his regular food. He could easily tell the difference between the two and always chose the treat over his regular food.

They are going to hold him for tonight and we may get him back tomorrow if all goes well with eating.

 

[MommaOfMuse]

Since his is a long haired fellow like my Autumn you might find the short needles a little easier to handle, I sure did. I started with long, but because she is such a fluff ball I was never sure if I was hitting skin or not. With the short, I know even if I go all the way in I'm not hitting muscle. With long you can go too deep and tag the muscle.

Another trick for our long haired beauties in the beginning is to ask the vet to shave a couple spots for you so you can see what your shooting, Yeah it gives them a funny do for awhile but they get over it and by the time it's grown back in you'll be an old pro at shots.

With lancets the smaller the number the bigger the hole they make so you want the smallest number you can find when starting out, once his ears learn to bleed better then you can go down in size. If you can see if you can find 28 or even 29 gauge, usually marked as for alternative site testing if they don't have the actual gauge number on the box. Otherwise 30 gauge is better than 33. Yes, his ears will learn to bleed. After 2 years of testing Autumn I think I can just about show her the lancet and her ear starts to give blood...lol

Honey is fine for the hypo kit, nice thing about honey is that it never goes bad. So even if you never have to use it (and we pray you don't) it will always be good on toast.

Pens while more expensive upfront work out far cheaper in the long run. So yes, get the script for pens.

Can't answer on the food as all of mine have no kidney issues so here it is just good old Friskies pate.

Good luck on your shopping trip and your visit with your boy, hope he is back in your arms and home next time I see an update from you.

Best Wishes
Mel and The Fur Gang

 

[Critter Mom]

You're doing famously, Mike! And I'm so pleased to read about the wonderful progress Webster's making. It will be wonderful for you both when he gets home. cat_pet_icon

I don't know whether you've found Tanya's site yet. It's a goldmine of information for kitties with renal issues (and other health problems). I've posted a link to the page on diet and nutrition below.

Tanya's Site - Diet and Nutrition

 

[Websterthecat]

Since his is a long haired fellow like my Autumn you might find the short needles a little easier to handle, I sure did. I started with long, but because she is such a fluff ball I was never sure if I was hitting skin or not. With the short, I know even if I go all the way in I'm not hitting muscle. With long you can go too deep and tag the muscle.

Another trick for our long haired beauties in the beginning is to ask the vet to shave a couple spots for you so you can see what your shooting, Yeah it gives them a funny do for awhile but they get over it and by the time it's grown back in you'll be an old pro at shots.

With lancets the smaller the number the bigger the hole they make so you want the smallest number you can find when starting out, once his ears learn to bleed better then you can go down in size. If you can see if you can find 28 or even 29 gauge, usually marked as for alternative site testing if they don't have the actual gauge number on the box. Otherwise 30 gauge is better than 33. Yes, his ears will learn to bleed. After 2 years of testing Autumn I think I can just about show her the lancet and her ear starts to give blood...lol

Honey is fine for the hypo kit, nice thing about honey is that it never goes bad. So even if you never have to use it (and we pray you don't) it will always be good on toast.

Pens while more expensive upfront work out far cheaper in the long run. So yes, get the script for pens.

Can't answer on the food as all of mine have no kidney issues so here it is just good old Friskies pate.

Good luck on your shopping trip and your visit with your boy, hope he is back in your arms and home next time I see an update from you.

Best Wishes
Mel and The Fur Gang

Thanks for the suggestions. I will go with your advice and get the shorts as well as a larger gauge lancet.

I mentioned to the vet about writing a prescription for the Lantus pens which I plan to use as vials. The vets response was that they were more expensive (which they are up front) but when I did the math it was about $.01 less per dose with the pens (not a big deal at all) but most importantly I will not have any expired waste left over if I can't use a 10ml vial in 6 months. Assuming 2 units per day, one every 12 hours, that 365 doses in 6 months or less than half a 10ml vial. This means that I would likely have to toss the other 635 doses at around 6 months? Am I looking a this correctly? If so, I hope that she will write the prescription out for the pens.

I hope so too. We will find out tomorrow.

 

[Websterthecat]

You're doing famously, Mike! And I'm so pleased to read about the wonderful progress Webster's making. It will be wonderful for you both when he gets home. cat_pet_icon

I don't know whether you've found Tanya's site yet. It's a goldmine of information for kitties with renal issues (and other health problems). I've posted a link to the page on diet and nutrition below.

Tanya's Site - Diet and Nutrition

Will look over. Thank you.

 

[Critter Mom]

You're right about the pens. Less waste. I believe some places in the US will sell single pen cartridges, and also I think it can be cheaper to buy from Canadian pharmacies. There's a sticky at the top of this board about the Canadian option.

 

[KittyMom777]

You're right about the pens. Less waste. I believe some places in the US will sell single pen cartridges, and also I think it can be cheaper to buy from Canadian pharmacies. There's a sticky at the top of this board about the Canadian option.

Canadian pharmacies definitely cheaper. My vial was only $77 Canadian $ so less for you in US $. I need to find out about pens.

 

[BJM]

1 pen is 3 mL
1 mL is 100 units (U-100 means this)
therefore, 3 mL is 300 units
At 1 unit twice a day, that is 150 days
At 2 units twice a day, that is 75 days

And so on.

 

[Marycatmom]

Hi Mike,

I'm a newbie here too. I wanted to let you know that many pharmacies will give you a discount on Lantis with a AAA membership card. It's a not a huge discount, but it's something. I'm glad Webster is improving, and I hope he'll be home very soon.

Mary and Mikey

 

[Dusty Bones]

Wow you've asked all the right questions and have received all kinds of valuable information. I think you're all set once you get Webster home. You'll have his diabetes controlled in no time, hang in there!