Squeek

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Carol R.

Carol R.

Member Since 2015
hi... I'm Carol and my Squeek was just diagnosed with diabetes. She's 5 years old and has a history of thrombocytopenia. When she was 3 months old she was diagnosed with immune mediated throbocytopenia. Her immune system was killing her red blood cells. She almost died. She was is the hospital for two weeks, had two blood transfusions and after that was put on steroids to suppress her immune system so her blood could recover. She was on prednisolone for 5 1/2 months and had blood tests every week. After the 5 1/2 months they said she was okay and weaned her off of the steroids.

Now this week she's been diagnosed with diabetes and the vets swears it's not from the steroids she had as a kitten, but I think it is. Squeek has eaten raw diet her whole life and was never overweight, so I can't see how she could have diabetes unless it was from the steroids. I have no idea what to feed her now. She's snubbing all her raw food and the canned we got (Evo, Wellness, First Mate no grain foods), she won't eat more than a few bites of. :(

Her bloodwork this week showed her glucose was 387 and the fructosamine test was 569. I don't know what all the numbers mean, but that it's bad. The vet wanted us to start insulin today, and do the glucose curve, but he didn't give us a meter. I went to buy one, and the store said I have to have a prescription, and the vet isn't in today. This is a new vet we went to, and we're not happy with him at all! Our vet who we love, is out on medical leave and won't be back to work for at least 4 months. In the meantime, we don't have a vet we know or trust. I know we can just go to someone else instead of this guy we went to this week, but time is ticking away and we need help with Squeek now.. so we're stuck with this guy.

Is there anyone in the San Jose, California area who has a meter we can borrow until we can get one ourselves? Please let me know. You can email me at carolroar@aol.com

I'm really stressed out and scared. I know nothing about diabetes and having to do this testing has me stressed even more.

Thanks for any support you can give us. We're really kind of freaked out.

Carol and Squeek
 
I'm pretty sure that glucometers are over-the-counter in all states. The only reason you'd need a prescription is if you were paying with insurance. Go to a different store I guess and ask. Pharmacies usually keep them behind the counter not because they are prescription, but to prevent theft.
 
Are you sure California requires a prescription for a glucometer? Check some other places, too. You can use an inexpensive human glucometer such as the Target Up and Up, or the WalMart ReliOn Confirm or Confirm Micro, with feline specific reference numbers (see my signature link Glucometer Notes.)
 
Carollynn said:
The vet wanted us to start insulin today, and do the glucose curve, but he didn't give us a meter. I went to buy one, and the store said I have to have a prescription, and the vet isn't in today.
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Hi, Carol, and welcome to the Feline Diabetes Message Board. You've come to the right place for advice and answers. You are already on the right track by wanting to hometest beautiful Squeek. Right choice! Your new vet sounds a little "iffy", at best. I think I'd be looking for another one until your dependable vet is back in service.

I live in upstate New York, so I don't know the laws in California, but here you don't need a prescription for a glucometer or the test strips. We use a ReliOn Micro from the local Walmart and it works just dandy. It was inexpensive, around $16 if I remember correctly, and the test strips cost about $36 for 100.

I know you are feeling quite overwhelmed at the moment. Given a little time and testing, you will get a better feel for handling things. Just knowing what Squeek's BG numbers are will help you to know how she's doing at any given time... and that's a huge help in itself. The testing is very simple, so please don't stress over it. With a little practice, you will get very experienced. So, for now, step back, take a deep breath, and know that you can and will get a handle on this. And never, ever hesitate to come here when you need some answers or even some handholding. Best wishes to you and Squeek. I will be checking back to see your progress.:cat:
 
Oh, yes, the thrombocytopenia attacks the platelets. I'm so overwhelmed right now, I mixed it up. From that, Squeek got extremely anemic. Her hematocrit was only 7 when she was admitted to the hospital.

I kept searching online and found a meter on Walgreens.com and ordered it. It was an Accu-Chek Aviva Plus. I had it set up so I can pick it up from the store this afternoon. I'm nervous about doing the testing. I wish I had someone here to do it and show me how to do it the first time.

Not only do I have Squeek sick now, two weeks ago my Fritz was diagnosed with stomatitis and has to have all his teeth pulled, and I have three other furkids who have cancer, one with IBD... so I'm feeling a bit spread too thin right now. I'm so glad to find this board. I also joined a group on facebook too. The responses I've received from folks have helped me calm down a bit, and I'm so grateful.

Carol and Squeek
 
http://www.alphatrakmeter.com/videospage/blood-test.html

This is from the pet meter, but a human meter is fine too. The instructions are helpful, however I find the lancet device really hard to use. I find it's much easier just taking a lancet and using my hands to poke just to the outer edge of the vein. Have treats and cuddles ready, cause the first time might take a few tries. A bright desklight set up behind his ear helps, as I'm sure you don't have 3 hands to hold a lancet, the cat, and a flashlight all at the same time.
 
Hi Carollyn, welcome to the FDMB, It's a sad thing that you needed to come here, but you did the right thing. I've learned a lot since I joined last December. I was so shocked when my Goofus was diagnosed as diabetic, he's 11 years old and not an ounce over weight. I've always fed good quality food and he's always had good veterinary care, it just made no sense at all that he could be diabetic. But, he is.

I also have a cat, Goofs sister, that has several medical issues that cause her to be on prednisone for extended periods from time to time, but other than for the heart murmur and severe athsma :confused: she's fine. No diabetes.
 
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Carollynn said:
Oh, yes, the thrombocytopenia attacks the platelets. I'm so overwhelmed right now, I mixed it up. From that, Squeek got extremely anemic. Her hematocrit was only 7 when she was admitted to the hospital.

I kept searching online and found a meter on Walgreens.com and ordered it. It was an Accu-Chek Aviva Plus. I had it set up so I can pick it up from the store this afternoon. I'm nervous about doing the testing. I wish I had someone here to do it and show me how to do it the first time.

Not only do I have Squeek sick now, two weeks ago my Fritz was diagnosed with stomatitis and has to have all his teeth pulled, and I have three other furkids who have cancer, one with IBD... so I'm feeling a bit spread too thin right now. I'm so glad to find this board. I also joined a group on facebook too. The responses I've received from folks have helped me calm down a bit, and I'm so grateful.

Carol and Squeek
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Oh my gosh, you do have your hands full! Testing isn't so hard after you do it few times. I had no luck with poking the ear, I use the paw pads. I use the gizmo that comes with the meter, but with attachment for poking a finger.
 
Thanks, everyone for all the good suggestions and support. I'm still figuring out how to navigate the group here, so I hadn't seen the links and tips yet. Thanks for the link to that. I haven't done the testing yet. I picked up the meter yesterday. I'm going to start tomorrow. I have a friend who is a vet tech, I'm going to see if she can help me the first time.
 
Carollynn said:
Thanks, everyone for all the good suggestions and support. I'm still figuring out how to navigate the group here, so I hadn't seen the links and tips yet. Thanks for the link to that. I haven't done the testing yet. I picked up the meter yesterday. I'm going to start tomorrow. I have a friend who is a vet tech, I'm going to see if she can help me the first time.
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That's an awesome idea!
 
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