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BJM

BJM

Member Since 2010
Cattluvr49 said:
I am returning after being away for over 10'years. Some of you may remember me as Barbara and Munchkin (GA). Munchkin passed away in 2003. Now I have another diabetic cat. A Maine coon named Bogie who was diagnosed Oct. 8. His vet started him on 2 units of Humulin N AM and PM. A week later we went to 3 u based on a blood glucose of 410 drawn just before his PM injection. A week later we went to 4 units based on BG of 506 also drawn B4 PM injection. Bogie had a curve this past Tuesday (Oct 28). Results were 9 AM 367, 11 AM 244, 1 PM 366 and 3 PM 600 ( which was highest BG so far-- vet did mention stress might be a factor since they had a dog in the room at the time they drew the blood). Yesterday I ordered the Alphatrak 2 and paid for overnight shipping so hopefully it will arrive today or tomorrow. My main concern is that N is not the right insulin for Bogie. I switched Bogie to a grain free diet and he gets human shrimp and tuna flakes as treats. I really was expecting better numbers. Munchkin used Humulin U and was regulated very quickly on a low dose. I know that u is no longer in existence but it seems like everyone I speak tom is using a long acting insulin with their cats. Please advise. Thank you.

I forgot to mention that Bogie is also hyperthyroid and takes Methimazole 2x/day

Barbara (Cattluvr49) and Bogie
5 units 2x/ day Humulin N
Click to expand...
 
Better insulins are ProZinc, Levemir, Lantus, and Levemir. These last about 12 hours in the cat.
You vet is familiar with Humulin/Novolin N, so I'd suggest lobbying for ProZinc, as it will build on his familiarity with non-depot insulins.

N lasts about 6-8 hours in the cat, so increasing the dose based on a pre-shot blood draw is going up too much, too fast.

We do advocate home testing. Most find the costs of test strips for the AlphaTrak prohibitive at $1 or more per strip and use a human glucometer with pet specific reference numbers (see my signature link Glucometer Notes.) The WalMart ReliOn Confirm is decent for our purposes and good when starting out. A generic version, the Glucocard 01, is available through our shopping link above, at ADW.

Go to Cat Info for nutrition info and a food list. Anything under 10% calories from carbohydrates is good. I feed all of mine Friskies pates (except Mixed Grill)
 
Thanks for reposting for me. Bogie has never eaten canned food in his life. In fact I have 8 other cats and I can leave their canned food down cause I know Bogie won't touch it. We use Fancy Feast in addition to several other grain free canned foods. I confess that Bogie was my junk food junkie living on Fancy Feast dry for a long time. I was thrilled to find a grain free dry he liked but it is 70% protein and Fats and 30% carbs and fiber. I realize know that may still be too high carbs for him. I will check out the food link and try transitioning him to a food with less carbs.
 
If you absolutely have to go with dry or to use while transitioning him over to canned then I've heard excellent things about Young Again Zero Carbs, the only draw backs are its only available on line and is fairly pricey.

I lucked out all 16 of mine thought they hit the mother load when we adopted our first diabetic and everyone went on Friskies Pate style canned. Although I did have to start adding a little water to it and mushing it with a fork to fool the gravy addict in the house... :lol:

Mel and The Fur Gang
 
So happy I got the AlphaTrak 2 and started home testing already. Just tested Bogie at + 3 1/2 hours after giving him his 5 units of N and his BG is 95. Gave him some grain free kibble to nosh on. Yesterday at + 5 hours his BG was 213 and at + 11 hours it was 447. I have an appt with a different vet tomorrow at 10:15 and I'm guessing he will go to a different insulin. In the meantime input in a call to the current vet with the numbers. I will spend the evening reading as much as I can on this board. Thanks to everyone for their advice. With my last diabetic cat this board was a life saver and I made some life long friends.
 
Thx to Mel and the Furgang for suggesting that Young Again zero Carbs. I will look into it.

Purrs Barbara and Bogie
 
Thx to Mel and the Furgang for suggesting that Young Again zero Carbs. I will look into it.

Purrs Barbara and Bogie
 
If you email or call them, they send pretty generous samples. They have low carb dry kibble treats too! Only my diabetic likes the Young Again, which is good that I know I can leave a few tablespoons out and he'll graze when he wants.
 
My Bogie had pretty good numbers today. At + 4 hours, he was 117 and at + 11 he was 304. Still on N. Took him to a different vet yesterday and he said to continue with the N. We are using 4 units AM and PM. We had gone to 5 units but his peak BG (3+ 1/2 hours) was 95 and I felt that was a little lower than I felt comfortable with. I am so happy I am home testing.
 
Can we get you started using our grid to record your glucose tests? It will help us give you better feedback. Instructions are here.

Understanding the spreadsheet/grid:

The colored headings at the top are the ranges of glucose values. They are color-coded to clue you in as to meaning.

Each day is 1 row. Each column stores different data for the day.

From left to right, you enter
the Date in the first column
the AMPS (morning pre-shot test) in the 2nd column
the Units given (turquoise column)

Then, there are 11 columns labeled +1 through +11
If you test at +5 (5 hours after the shot), you enter the test number in the +5 column
If you test at +7 (7 hours after the shot), you enter the test number in the +7 column
and so on.

Halfway across the page is the column for PMPS (evening pre-shot)
To the right is another turquoise column for Units given at the evening shot.

There is second set of columns labeled +1 through +11
If you snag a before bed test at +3, you enter the test number in the +3 column.

We separate day and night numbers like that because many cats go lower at night.

It is merely a grid for storing the info; no math required.
 
Cattluvr49 said:
I am so happy I am home testing.
Click to expand...

Me, too! It makes the world of difference. I'd be in a home for the bewildered by now were it not for my trusty glucometer. :smile:
 
I placed my order today for the NO CARB CAT FOOD FROM YOUNG AMERICA. The lady from the company said that 85% of the cats that start on this product within 90 days of diagnosis end up no longer requiring insulin.I realize that she is selling a product, but she certainly sounded very nice, concerned and sincere. Getting Bogie to eat it is the next step. If I can transition him, I am cautiously optimistic that we can reduce or eliminate the insulin.They also sell no carb treats which several companies sell. She is throwing some in the order for me to try. She is also sending a flavor packet which she said she does not think I will need, but just in case. She also said that some people stop using the food after a year and attempt to reintroduce a dry food that contains carbs and within days the cats BG's are elevated. :smile:


BarbaraK and Bogie
Humulin N
 
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