Hi, I wrote to you folks when my little Sadie first got diaignosed with diabetes. Well, here it is 4 months later and she looks worse than when she first got sick. I changed vets and got her put on prozinc insulin, bought all the stuff needed to test her at home. She looks like a scarecrow, went from 11 lbs to 7 lbs. She limps on her left rear leg half the time and acts like shes in pain when I pick her up. I have tried to keep track of her bs, but I am still having trouble getting blood out of her ear I watched a video on utube showing how to do it but I wind up sticking her 5 times or more and still no blood. When i am lucky enough to get blood she is in the 222, 256, 226 range. Now she is peeing and poping on my bedroom floor, which she hasn't ever done. She has an appt w/vet on tues for another blood glucose curve maybe I'll learn something good on how to care for her. If anyone has any advice please post I could sure use it. Thanks for all your help!!! gail &Sadie
still not regulated, HELP!!!!
- Thread starter lilgail
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Shelly & Jersey (GA)
Member Since 2014
I'm so sorry that Sadie isn't doing well. I'm sending lots of thoughts and prayers her way.
Have you tried paw testing? We really struggled with ear testing and finally had to switch to paw testing. We knew getting the numbers at home were super important, and paw testing was the only that we could get those numbers. It's definitely not the preferred method, but it's worked for us.
I'm sorry I can't help you more with Sadie's issues. Without being able to see how Sadie is doing numbers-wise, it's hard to give you advice about a good dose, etc. I'm sure other, more experienced users will be along soon to offer you some additional tips.
Shelly
Have you tried paw testing? We really struggled with ear testing and finally had to switch to paw testing. We knew getting the numbers at home were super important, and paw testing was the only that we could get those numbers. It's definitely not the preferred method, but it's worked for us.
I'm sorry I can't help you more with Sadie's issues. Without being able to see how Sadie is doing numbers-wise, it's hard to give you advice about a good dose, etc. I'm sure other, more experienced users will be along soon to offer you some additional tips.
Shelly
Sue and Oliver (GA)
Member Since 2009
Her numbers aren't bad. We consider a cat regulated if they are in the mid to low 200s at preshot and double digits at midcycle, but not lower than 40, which is hypo range. If you could get a number 5-7 hours after the shot, that will show you how low she is going.
How much insulin is she on? It is possible that she is getting too much and dropping low.
Tell us about your testing regime. Do you heat her ear before poking? What size lancet are you using (new diabetics often need the bigger lancet - 25-27 gauge - rather than the 30-31 gauge people use.). Is it that you don't get enough blood?
How much insulin is she on? It is possible that she is getting too much and dropping low.
Tell us about your testing regime. Do you heat her ear before poking? What size lancet are you using (new diabetics often need the bigger lancet - 25-27 gauge - rather than the 30-31 gauge people use.). Is it that you don't get enough blood?
BJM
Member Since 2010
If you really need to get blood, you can aim for the vein. Just be prepared to blot quickly as it may bleed profusely. You can catch a droplet on a clean fingernail and test that.
To supplement your glucose testing, see my signature link Secondary Monitoring Tools for additional assessments you may wish to make. Water drunk can be useful if no other condition that alters water intake exists ( ex renal disease, hyperthyroidism).
To supplement your glucose testing, see my signature link Secondary Monitoring Tools for additional assessments you may wish to make. Water drunk can be useful if no other condition that alters water intake exists ( ex renal disease, hyperthyroidism).
HappyCat
Member Since 2013
As to testing you can try other options such as the paw or vein. It took me a long time to get the hang of ear testing too it's a lot harder than you may initially think but don't give up! Something that really helped me is searching out youtube videos, something along the line of "Diabetic cat testing sweet spot." I'm not 100% but one I think is from a user on here cuz I recognize the name Kismet. It's kind of self explanatory in it's own way - cat's ears have a sweet spot that will give you a good amount of blood for your tests. It's along the outer edge of the ear there's a big vein preferably you don't want to hit the vein but right by it that's the "sweet spot." At first it may take warm compressions but it is kitty fact not urban legend that their ears do train to bleed, it gets easier every time. With Jerry I just had to rub his ear in that area briefly and always got a perfect amount, that was even over winter when his ears were a bit cold. Home testing will save a lot of money and help to fill in the blanks and answer questions so go by any means necessary but ear testing will get easier if you keep up on it.
As to still struggling with numbers it is good to get random checks otherwise it's hard to say if it's too much, not enough, etc. Highs are alarming and all but you need to keep an eye out for the lows too.
Weight loss can happen from change to diet and sometimes reaction to the insulin. The more blanks you can fill in (dose, preshots and mid readings, etc) the more detailed help you'll receive.
Hang in there things will get better. You're in great hands.
As to still struggling with numbers it is good to get random checks otherwise it's hard to say if it's too much, not enough, etc. Highs are alarming and all but you need to keep an eye out for the lows too.
Weight loss can happen from change to diet and sometimes reaction to the insulin. The more blanks you can fill in (dose, preshots and mid readings, etc) the more detailed help you'll receive.
Hang in there things will get better. You're in great hands.
Deb & Wink
Member Since 2013
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