Proper Introduction = Tuxedo

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Hello, I am new here and felt that I should introduce myself and my cat Tuxedo. He is just turning 15 next month, and was diagnosed 2 weeks ago after me noticing that he just didn't seem right - hair coat poor, hovering the water dish and lots of pee. I work for a vet, so I know that isn't good. I was afraid it was CRF, so was a little bit relieved when it was DM. He started out on 1.5 units SID of Caninsulin. Thanks to you folks, I went and got a glucometer and did some curves at home - brought my findings to work and my boss was EXTREMELY impressed and now is going to recommend home testing to all our DM kitties - yay! Anyhow, our findings indicated that he needed BID insulin. So we decided on 1 unit BID, which I started on Wednesday. The first day of BID shots his #'s were 10.7, 8.6, 4.2 - 2nd day 10.1, 10.2, 6.1. Anyhow, the PROBLEMS I am having are: He doesn't like me doing the ear test in the morning...he wants breakfast and if I try to do it while he is eating, he then won't eat. Also, he likes to eat a few bites, then go outside for 10 minutes, then come back in and eat. (he has his routines you know) So what ends up happening sometimes is that he doesn't eat very much breakfast - he will often leave it sitting and want to knibble on it through the day. (it is canned food, of course) I don't want to only give him a small amount of food as he is loosing weight and want the calories in him. How do you all get yours to EAT all their food in one sitting?? I'm always worried about giving his insulin when he has only eaten about 4-5 bites of his breakfast. (he did have 1 hypoglycemic event on the 3rd day of insulin - because he hadn't eaten much) Dinner seems better because he is hungry, although last night he wouldn't eat much and seemed out of sorts. This morning I was able to test him just after he ate his bites and went outside - he was fine for the test if I do it AFTER he does his routine. It was 10.1. So I gave insulin - tried to get him to eat more, but now he is back to bed. I'm hating that every time I go to pet him now, he gives me a dirty look and doesn't want me touching him...sad. Sorry if I am rambling, but it's early...Any advice is much appreciated.
 
Welcome Jana and Tuxedo,

So glad you are testing at home and your vet supports it. It is so important particularly with an insulin like Canninsulin (Vetsulin in the US) which tends to be harsher. Very few people here use Canninuslin anymore because of the recall: viewtopic.php?f=19&t=311 Have you seen this info on how it works: viewtopic.php?f=19&t=302

You are wise to be sure he has food on board before the shot. Maybe if you could give him a few treats Lo carb treats for the poke, then feed him and give him the shot? You do want food on board because Canninsulin does tend to hit pretty hard and fast. It is okay that he nibbles during the day - actually best for him to have several smaller meals. Wet food can sit out all day. If he doesn't like it, you can freeze it and let it thaw.

It would be a great idea to get a curve in this weekend to see how the insulin is working and how long it lasts. You want to determine when he goes lowest and how low he goes. You can test every 2 or 3 hours during a day - especially around the 4-6 time period. Treats are vital to the testing process. You want him to associate the poke with treats.
 
Hi and welcome.

I am also from your spot on the island :)
Very rare to find someone else here so close.
I would be happy to help if I can.

I see that the levels are not that high comparatively and actually wonder if you may be giving a bit too much insulin now.
That 4.9 and those 10.0 are not too high.
For those who are in other parts of the world, if you multiply that level by 18 you will see the American levels we are used to seeing.
4.9 =88
10.0 =180

all this is under the renal threshold for a cat , which is about 220.

I have to run out to class but will be home later this afternoon and will check back.

As to the feeding....you are to ensure he eats within 30 minutes prior to shot.
Give him as much as he will eat now

Homework in the meantime if you can, it will helpus see what is going on.

*test before each and every shot, so you know it is safe to give insulin.
*If level is below 180 I would wait, test again in a bit and give insulin only above 200 for the moment

*I would check for ketones daily- simple pee test, with a strip in the stream of urine, if ketones show up call vet...they get serious quickly. Please check the links at top of tis page for more info.

*I would reduce to 0.75 or 0.5 of a unit for today while checking for ketones and see if that doesn't see him settle a little better.

*test again about 3-4 hours after shot and see how low it is going and how quickly he has dropped in levels since shot.
I am concerned he is going much lower about 4 -6 hours after shot at peak/nadir, and that you could have another hypo.
With an iffy eater, it is better to be cautious with this insulin.

I am sorry to leave you without being able to come back quickly, but if you would like any help. I am close by and have been a member here since 2006. I do like to keep everything said public here, as we are not vets, and like the peer review, but a phone call or visit if you like to help with the ear testers, etc I can do.

Does that al seem reasonable?
Where is uyour vet at?
I can recommend a great vet who really understands this need be.

Please also have a look at this info about caninsulin. Some very helpful tips and info
viewtopic.php?f=19&t=302

Hang in there..It is scary and overwhelming at first but it gets easier.
((((hugs)))

i have a tuxedo kitty " Harlo" Myself. A special type of cat :)
 
ps- a another read through of your post sounds like perhaps you work for a vet?
I also saw that you gave insulin at 10.0 today and he was out of sorts last night.

This could be that he is dropping too quickly. Caninsulin rarely lasts the full 12 hours and the fact that you are seeing these low levels of 180 ( 10.0 ) at preshot time make me wonder if he is not a transient diabetic, which will need a little more vigillance on the part of testing, but good things in the end.
Okay..really off to work now

:)

Kimmee
 
Thanks for your input. I didn't give him a shot this morning as he was only 5.8. Then by noon it was up to 12. Now this evening he is back down to 6.8. I am quite worried about him as even though his numbers have been fine, he is not himself at all. He only wants to sleep. He is still eating, but not as much, and seems uninterested in eating. His coat looks terrible - dandruff and scruffy - he has always had a wonderful coat. We think there is a kidney issue because his SG has been low each time we check his urine. The blood work showed only slightly elevated BUN. I am giving him SQ fluids every day, and now my vet wants me to add Thera-K, a potassium supplement. I feel like he is fading and I don't really know why. He is also VERY grouchy and doesn't want me even touching him much. It's breaking my heart.
I work at Anicare.
 
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