Time between eating and insulin?

[ewest]

Do folks know what the acceptable gap in time is between a cat eating and getting their insulin? I think you're usually supposed to give insulin right after bthey eat but this is my first day and am trying to get her to eat and keep the insulin as close to 12hrs apart as possible... meaning there was a 45 minute or so gap b/w when she finished eating and got her insulin. Thanks.

 

[squeem3]

Don't go nuts trying to inject every 12 hours on the dot :smile: It's ideal but you need to have a life :smile: Most insulins can be given +/- an hour without any issue, though sometimes it does depend on the individual cat.

Always get a blood glucose test before you inject. The number you get will tell you if it's safe to give insulin or not. Newbies are advised not to give any insulin if the number is under 200 mg/dl (11 mmol).

For the long lasting insulins, like Lantus and Levemir, you can inject before, during, or after the cat eats. I always tested, give food and while my cat was stuffing his face, inject the insulin. Many people inject while the cat is eating because the cat is so occupied with eating that he/she doesn't notice the injection.

For a shorter acting insulin like Humulin N, you want to fed half the food, wait about half an hour or so, then give the rest of the food and inject. The first half of the food will sort of cushion the effect of the insulin and keep it from dropping blood glucose levels too low too fast.

 

[Ann & Scatcats]

Have you also started to home test her blood sugar?

 

[ewest]

Thanks for asking about testing her blood suagar...I bought the Advantage Accu Check and supplies but when my cat was discharged last night they said I would totally wreck her ear if I home tested before every injection. They said I could occasionally but not regularly. She's an older cat (17 yrs) and also has mild CRF. Is this true? Feeling overwhelmed right now. Thanks.

 

[squeem3]

Thanks for asking about testing her blood suagar...I bought the Advantage Accu Check and supplies

The Advantage meter is a ok meter to use. The main cons are that is needs a large drop of blood (very frustrating for a newbie to get enough blood from the cat's ear) and it takes what seems like forever to get a reading.

The AccuChek Aviva is a better choice. It only needs a teeny drop of blood and gives a reading right away. Test strips are pricey, though, so shop around online for the best price.

There are other good meters to use, like Wal Mart's Relion brand and OneTouch.

when my cat was discharged last night they said I would totally wreck her ear if I home tested before every injection. They said I could occasionally but not regularly.

Nope. The vets are wrong. Daily prickng of the ear to get a blood sample will not cause any damage to the ear. Many people here test several times a day and have done so for several years and their cats' ears are just fine.

Daily blood glucose testing is a must if you want to get the diabetes in good control, possible even into remission. Twice a day is the minimum (before the insulin injection). If your cat is hypoglycemic, you will need to test frequently, about every half hour if not more frequently, until the blood glucose level rises to a more normal level and stays there.