This just isn't working...

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Bruce Blount

Bruce Blount

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As I see, to successfully manage Wickeds' diabetis, I need to get blood samples at least three times each day. Honestly, I am lucky to get samples 3 or 4 times per week - he fights me (claws), shakes his head, runs from me. I keep trying day after day, with little success.

Then, I cannot figure out how to use this website, how to reply to people who have asked me questions...And, then there is the spreadsheet. Understanding it is like climbing a mountain with my shoelaces tied together! (Never happen...)

So, what is the next logical step? I guess relying completely on the vet. I have tried (really tried) to make this work, but it's been months, and I am no closer than on day 1.
At least I have learned to switch him from dry to (mostly) wet food - so that's one thing.

The litter box is very wet, showing something isn't right, but the vet doesn't want to change the dose of insulin.

I give up. My next goal is to decide how to keep him as well as possible - with the limited abilities I have.
 
Bruce Blount said:
As I see, to successfully manage Wickeds' diabetis, I need to get blood samples at least three times each day. Honestly, I am lucky to get samples 3 or 4 times per week - he fights me (claws), shakes his head, runs from me. I keep trying day after day, with little success.

Then, I cannot figure out how to use this website, how to reply to people who have asked me questions...And, then there is the spreadsheet. Understanding it is like climbing a mountain with my shoelaces tied together! (Never happen...)

So, what is the next logical step? I guess relying completely on the vet. I have tried (really tried) to make this work, but it's been months, and I am no closer than on day 1.
At least I have learned to switch him from dry to (mostly) wet food - so that's one thing.

The litter box is very wet, showing something isn't right, but the vet doesn't want to change the dose of insulin.

I give up. My next goal is to decide how to keep him as well as possible - with the limited abilities I have.
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@Diane and Tylor's Mom GA
@Sienne and Gabby (GA)
 
Many of the members here use a continuous glucose monitor like the Freestyle Libre to test their cat. The Libre has a sensor that adheres to your cat's skin and your get the blood glucose readings from an app on your phone. Unless there's a problem, you need a new sensor every 2 weeks. This would be an alternative to poking your cat and using a glucometer.

To reply directly to someone, type the "@" sign (do not include the quotation marks) and start typing out their name. Usually, the website will supply the member's name and you can click on that box. It will then fill in the name in your post. This alerts the member in their Alert box that someone has tagged them. If you look at Corky's post above, she tagged both Diane and I.

I don't know what to tell you about the spreadsheet. There are instructions on how to use it -- what each of the columns mean. Essentially, you fill in the date. The AMPS and the PMPS are the morning and evening pre-shot values. In other words, the results of where Wicked's blood glucose numbers are before you give him a shot. This lets you know if it's safe to give your cat insulin. The "U" column represents the units of insulin -- the amount of the dose -- that you are giving. The rest of the spreadsheet includes the times that that you test. Since everyone here is in different time zones, we indicate time based on how long it's been since the insulin shot. Thus, +1 is an hour after a shot, +5 is five hours after a shot and so on until you get to the PMPS (which is essentially 12 hours from your cat's last shot).

The other consideration is whether your vet is listening to you and if not, do you need to find a new vet.
 
Bruce I understand how frustrating this all is. I again strongly encourage you to consider using a Libre. Your vet could apply the first one. People here who use them will be happy to give you tips on applying future ones yourself if you want to continue using them without going to the vet. But at least one would give your vet the data needed to decide on a dose.

you can get sticks at a pharmacy that checks urine for glucose and ketones. Monitoring his urine will let you know a rough idea of how well he’s controlled. Some members follow their cat to the box and slip a cup under them once they start to pee. Decades ago I put Saran Wrap inside the box over the litter to collect urine. Now days they make special litter you can temporarily put in the box.

If all else fails, you can take wicked to your vet for a fructosamine test.

I hope one of these methods works for you
 
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I just stick the urine test strip in the pee puddle as soon as Ivy finishes peeing and then compare it against the color strips on that bottle at 15 seconds (which the bottle tells you to do).

Could you try that with the ketone strips Bruce?
 
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