Starting to worry about testing regarding tomorrow.

[SidneysMom]

I didn't know I was supposed to test Sidney today. I didn't hear that I should until around 5pm today on the FB forum.
I haven't been able to do this yet as he was sleeping in the carrier. It's getting so late, and his feeding time isn't for another twenty minutes. Since he is on a feeding schedule of every 4-5 hours, I hear I should test after hour three or right when he eats. I don't even know if I will be awake by then.
Sid's been *mostly* switched to FF low carb over the past few days, but sometimes he's had to have an occasional gravy when he refuses his food. I'm trying.
He also has a UTI which is being treated, but I heard can increase BG.
My appt for his first shot is tomorrow at 11 am, but now I'm worried that I won't get a test in before that as it's getting really late.
I know BG is sky high at the vets office. People were warning me not to give him the first dose of insulin until I test at home, because it could kill him if he's no longer diabetic. What do I do if I can't get a test?? Cancel his appt?
Honestly, he had 3+ bg measurement of urine on Thursday, and a fructosomine in the 500's on Saturday. I mean, surely he's diabetic??
I am worried about testing in the middle of the cycle by myself tomorrow (hubby will be at work), as I don't know if Sid will let me.
I'm so dreading tomorrow. I am not even worried about giving the shot at this point, just the effects. He'll be getting Lantus. If he does go to his appt tomorrow, do I feed him beforehand? After?
Does anyone have any thoughts on any of this? I'm so sorry for all the questions.

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

Here's something I wrote up for others for testing...maybe it'll help you too!

It can be really helpful to establish a routine with testing. Pick one spot that you want your "testing spot" to be (I like the kitchen counter because it's got good light and it's at a good height....it also already blocked 2 escape routes due to the wall and the backsplash) It can be anywhere though...a rug on the floor, a table, a particular spot on the couch...wherever is good for you.

Take him there as many times a day as you can and just give his ears a quick rub and then he gets a yummy (low carb) treat. Most cats aren't objecting so much with the poking..it's the fooling with their ears they don't like, but once they're desensitized to it and learn to associate a certain place with the treats, they usually start to come when they're called! Or even when they hear us opening the test kit!

You also have to remember...you're not poking him to hurt him...you're testing him to keep him safe and understand what's going on inside his body. There's just nothing better than truly understanding what's going on inside your kitty's body and with this disease, the more knowledge you have, the more power you have against it. The edges of the ears have very few pain receptors, so it really doesn't hurt them. Also, if you're nervous and tense, it's going to make your kitty nervous and tense too. As silly as it might seem, try singing! It forces you to use a different part of your brain!

It's also important to make sure his ear is warm. A small sock filled with a little rice and microwaved or a small pill bottle filled with warm water (check temp against your wrist like you would a baby bottle) works well

For new kitties, using a heavier gauge lancet is also really helpful. A 25-28 gauge lancet pokes a bigger "hole" than a 31-33 gauge lancet does, so look for "Alternate Site testing" lancets that are usually a lower number

Finding the right "treat" will be a great help too! Freeze dried chicken, bonito flakes, little pieces of baked chicken...whatever low carb treat you can find that he really enjoys will help him to associate the testing with the treat! China's Achilles heel was baked chicken, so I'd bake a piece, chop it into bite sized pieces, put some in the refrigerator and freeze the rest to use as needed. It didn't take long for her to come any time I picked up the meter!

There are more testing tips here:
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/hometesting-links-and-tips.287/

If he does go to his appt tomorrow, do I feed him beforehand? After?

What time are you planning on shooting? If you're going in tomorrow just to practice shooting, they can let you use saline instead of insulin. Lantus needs to be given every 12 hours, so if you want to shoot at say 7am/7pm and they gave him his insulin at 11am tomorrow, you couldn't give it again until 11pm. Then you'd have to slowly work your way back to 7am/7pm.

I am not even worried about giving the shot at this point, just the effects.

Lantus is a very gentle insulin. I usually take 5-7 days before you are going to see the full effects of the starting dose. Occasionally a cat will react sooner, but it's not usual. The important thing is to just not start at too high a dose.

I hear I should test after hour three or right when he eats.

You want to do Pre-shot testing when he hasn't eaten for at least 2 hours. So again, using 7am/7pm as an example, you would take food up by 5am/5pm so that when you test at 7, you get a number that's not influenced by food. We test, feed and shoot....all within about 5-10 minutes. You Test to make sure they're high enough for insulin, Feed to make sure they're at least willing to eat and Shoot.
When you get tests in between shots, it doesn't matter if he's eaten lately or not. Just the Pre-shots are important to be without food.

sometimes he's had to have an occasional gravy when he refuses his food. I'm trying.

You might try adding a little warm water to the pate to make your own "gravy". The extra water is good for him anyway!

 

[Red & Rover (GA)]

Yes, you can practice testing tonight or tomorrow morning. All data is good data.
A long time member of this forum has made an excellent video on hometesting
Video I made showing how to test your cat's blood sugar

If you cannot get a test in at home due to sleep and timing, ask the vet to do a check. Better yet, take your glucometer with you and watch what they do.

Yes, you can feed his his first meal of the day. Just tell the vet what and when you fed him. The higher carb food is probably not a good idea.

Lantus needs to be given every 12 hours. There is very little leeway on the timing. What time of day and night are you planning to shoot? You may have to ask to be shown how to inject with a sterile solution and not the insulin. That is what my vet used when she showed me. This way, you are not locked into an 11am - 11pm shot time and have to slowly work your way back to a more desirable time. Shot time can only be moved back 15 minutes per cycle OR 30 minutes once a day.

In all honesty, you are more prepared than most and should be just fine. And you already have a host of people in your corner to answer questions and try their hardest to walk you through everything.

 

[MrWorfMen's Mom]

What FB group is that? Doesn't sound like our folks to me. As Kel said, you are way ahead of most folks so don't let the FB group panic you. .

While it would be nice if you could get a BG for Sidney in his own comfortable environment before the vet appt. and to know how to test before you go tomorrow but both are a nice to have but certainly not a critical issue. Getting a test would let you see what his BG is under "normal" circumstances in his own environment rather than under vet stress. That would give you an idea of how much stress elevation Sidney has at the vet tomorrow. BG may have dropped some due to the food change and if the UTI has cleared up but with a fructosamine of 500+ I seriously doubt you need to worry that he isn't diabetic and any decrease in BG should be reflected in a quick test at the vet's.

If you really want a pre vet test, what time does hubby leave for work? Could he help you before he leaves in the morning?

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

What FB group is that? Doesn't sound like our folks to me. As Kel said, you are way ahead of most folks so don't let the FB group panic you. .

I don't know if she's in the "other" group, but I do know she's in ours. The Feline Diabetes group.

She's been asking a lot of questions and gotten lots of advice (especially for her to be posting here!)

I think she's just overwhelmed with everything right now....something we all totally understand!!

 

[SidneysMom]

Sorry guys, I do appreciate ALL of your help. It was just one alarmist post in the other group. The person was trying to be helpful but scared the bejeezus out of me.
You guys have been AMAZING. And honestly I couldn't have gotten this far without all the help. I am going to try to set up the spreadsheet in a day or so. I'm tracking even food in a notebook and will track other stuff.
I am just overwhelmed. My husband is totally despondent over his best little bud being sick. It's my way to try and control all the little stuff and his to push away. So I feel a little alone here at home in a way, but your support makes up for it. <3

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

My husband is totally despondent over his best little bud being sick.

Awww...that's really sweet though. Give him a little time and I bet he'll come around and become an equal partner in Sidney's care.

Just assure him that diabetes isn't a death sentence and you're in the best place possible now to help him get back to the loving kitty he remembers.

 

[jayla-n-Drevon]

nice to hear a hubby is involved )

I was so upset when Dre was dx and thought it was the beginning of the end-he was and is "Mr bounce a lot" (which doesn't help) but he was dx in 2015 and he is now just over 20 years-he is happy and bright.
FD is manageable and you and hubby will do fantastic! The way you approach it with a happy attitude is 1/2 the battle you got this