Overwhelmed here- new to site

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marshallmomany

Member Since 2013
Hello My name is Karen and our cat is Konji. He was diagnosed over a year ago. April 2013 he went into DKA and now July 4th weekend as well. We had been giving Lantus 3U bid before first dka episode. After the first dka his insulin was decreased to 2.25U bid. I was monitoring by food water and litter box signs...I had chosen not to do home monitoring because I did not want to poke him so many times a day...two times a day with insulin seemed like a lot for one cat to handle. After this last episode I decided we needed to try it. Bought a Relion Confirm. I feel like an idiot now for not monitoring at home sooner. It all seemed so overwhelming to me and it still is. First glucose as 549 and has essentially stayed high all weekend. We have increased the insulin and are now at 3.5U. This morning he was 434. Both my cats were switched to dry Evo Turkey/Chicken when diabetes was diagnosed. The vet that treated the last dka switched us to Calorie Control and they free feed. I am feeling overwhelmed with so many changes and severe health problems. I am not sure when and how many times I should check his glucose during the day since he free feeds. Everything is becoming so structured.
I have read through your website the past week. I really have appreciated the knowledge that is shared here.
Karen
 
Hi Karen and Konji. Welcome to FDMB.

It can be overwhelming at first, there is a lot to learn. I even wrote up a summary of how to learn all this in my signature link to help folks out.

Since you are already giving insulin, your focus should be on getting really comfortable with hometesting, as this will keep Konji safe. To help you keep track of his glucose levels and shots, we have a spreadsheet which automatically color-codes the glucose levels for you. Instructions are here

Also, because he has experienced DKA, it is prudent to test for urine ketones daily (as possible). You can pick up urine test strips at most pharmacies. Either brand or generic, KetoStix (ketone test only) or KetoDiastix (ketone and glucose tests) may be used. See my signature link Secondary Monitoring Tools for tips on catching that elusive urine specimen which needs to be fresh, as well as some other assessments which will help you see how he is doing.
 
Welcome Karen! Everyone here understands how overwhelming diabetes is at first. It is fantastic you are doing the home testing now, way to go! Home testing is a great way to feel less overwhelmed because you won't have to wonder and worry about how Konji is doing - you have a lot more control because you can find out at any moment what is going on. So I second BJM, get comfortable with the testing and get a spreadsheet set up so that the information you collect from the testing can build up and help you make decisions on any changes in dose and diet that need to be made.

Life does definitely become more "structured" when you are treating a cat with diabetes, but as that helps your kitty feel better I know it will help you feel less stressed too! Don't hesitate to ask questions about food and dosing and anything else you need help with, as there are always lots of knowledgeable people here to help. All the best to you and Konji!
 
Let's get you set up on a spreadsheet so we can track what's going on. Here's how: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=18207. You should always get a test before you shoot, then it's a good idea to get one midcycle (5-7hours) after the shot, and one before bed. Those four tests for the next few days will give us a good idea of how well the inslin is working and if a dose change is needed.

We will want you to transition to a low carb wet food to help bring that blood glucose down. Many of us here feed the fancy feast classic pâtés, friskies pâtés or wellness grain free. What's the food brand you are feeding now?

Wendy
 
Welcome Karen and Konji to the FDMB, best place in the universe to be with your diabetic cat.

"Calorie Control" food was mentioned, but no brand. Is that Hill's? Royal Canin? something else?
 
Hi all,
The food is Calorie Control Royal Canine dry...tried switching to wet food and it was too much to watch him not eat and his sugars plummeted to 78 one day. So one step at a time...home testing and switch to new dry was enough for us for now. Okay now I will open spreadsheet so you can see how Konji is doing with glucose testing.
Thank you everyone for your warm kind responses...nice to be supported.
Karen
 
Decided to post yesterday and todays insulin and BG as the spreadsheet will take time to set up.
7/13 0600 BG-593 3.0U
1400 BG-H
1600 BG-570
1800 3.0U
2000 BG-553
7/14 0630 BG-442 3.0U
1030 BG-H
1530 BG-H
1800 BG-493 3.5U
2200 BG-596
7/15 0600 BG-434 3.5U
0800 BG-457
1000 BG-538
1400 BG-391
We have 2 cats that are brothers so hard to keep food separate. Litter box use is also together. Litter box is downstairs so hard to know when it is in use. When I work, the hours are long so then monitoring is at a minimum. Of course 2nd DKA happened when we were up north on vacation and cats were with us so had to go to a new vet in another town.
So which dry food would you have me switch to instead of calorie control? Konji is 11 lbs and I have been trying to give him 1/2 C twice a day free feed. Trying to keep Milo's food up high where only he goes but he does get into Konji's food too.
I hope this is enough info ...
Karen
 
First - all food transitions should be done gradually to avoid GI upsets.
Add 25% of the new food as you subtract 25% of the old food. Hold a day or 2 if you see signs of diarrhea, vomiting or refusal to eat.

And it can help to have some FortiFlora available to aid the GI tract.

Which dry food would you have me switch to?
Click to expand...
Answer: none (Not preferred due to chronic mild dehydration adverse effects on urinary tract - ex stones)
Source: veterinarian written Cat Info information on feline nutrition

That being noted, options for dry food:
- Young Again 0 Carb - internet olne - 5% calories from carbohydrate
- Evo Cat & Kitten dry - be sure its not a bag on the recall list
- Wellness Core Original in the Tan and Gold bag - 11% calories from carbohydrates
- Stella and Chewy's freeze dried - meant to be rehydrated, so watch out for constipation.
 
Ok, we are in all different time zones, so I'm translating your numbers to our format, it follows along with the spreadsheet entry.

7/13 AMPS 593 3U +8 HI +10 570 PMPS n/a 3U +2 553
7/14 AMPS 442 3U +4 HI +9 HI PMPS 493 3.5U +4 596
7/15 AMPS 434 3.5U +2 457 +4 538 +8 391

If you are having problems setting up the spreadsheet, give a shout. If you have a google account already, I can do it for you in about 5-10 minutes and that includes the data entry above.
 
I have set up a gmail acct and have the rest set up..need to know what the 1+ 2+ mean..are those the hours post injection? any way to indicate on the half hour
 
marshallmomany said:
I have set up a gmail acct and have the rest set up..need to know what the 1+ 2+ mean..are those the hours post injection? any way to indicate on the half hour
Click to expand...

Yes, the +1, +2 etc. is how many hours post injection. It is the best way to talk about readings without everybody getting confused, because people on the board here are in all different time zones and in fact all around the world.

If you want to make notes of half hour readings, just type it into the same box on the spreadsheet but add the time. For example if you got a reading at +4 and at +4.5, in the box under the +4 column you could type "442 @ +4, 385 @ +4.5" or whatever the numbers are. If the spreadsheet gets confused because it thinks you're trying to type a formula, just put an apostrophe in front of the string and it will know it is just text that it doesn't have to calculate.
 
Please check your PM's (private messages). Top left of the screen, click on new messages. Then go to your inbox and read the one from me and post a reply.
 
You seem to have the right spreadsheet template. I can access it ok. Now, we just need you to link it into your signature properly.

If you start with part B, in these instructions, you will have it linked into your signature.

Please, you do not want the link from the web address link at the top left of your screen. You want the link from the "Publish to the web" box. So many people make that mistake.
 
Good job on the SS.. now to link it to your signature like Deb said so we can find it easily.

Konji BG is high and he is on a fairly high dose so chances are this is the dry food. Are you planning a slow transition to wet? or a low carb dry? That should help a lot.

Wendy
 
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