Vet Wants to Start Insulin ASAP but I'm Scared and Confused!

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R

rdl

Member Since 2013
Hi,
I took my cat to the vet last week to get blood work and a urinalysis because she was drinking a ton of water and peeing way more than normal. The vet did a strip test and saw sugar in the urine so said to start her on Purina DM asap in case it was diabetes. I found this forum and did start her on a new wet food only diet but not on the Purina DM since that was obviously not needed or the best. Anyway after a few days on the wet food diet she was/is back to drinking and peeing normal again. She never showed any other signs of illness before and isn't showing any now. Yesterday I got a call from the vet saying the results confirm she is diabetic so he told me to make an appointment to come in to learn how to administer insulin shots. My cat is not friendly at the vet office at all (she hissed and howled during the blood work and urine sample) so he told me I could "train" on one of the cats there and not bring in my cat since she isn't the best behaved (not his words exactly but close enough).

Anyway I'm confused. Now that she is on a new diet obviously her blood sugar isn't going to be the same as the blood work results so how does he know the exact amount of insulin to start her on? Is there a random low dose all/most cats are started on? And should I or shouldn't I give her insulin if she seems to already be back to normal? I was debating to continue this diet and if a month from now she still seems happy and healthy maybe get her blood work done again and check levels then decide if insulin is needed...good idea? bad idea? I know with diabetes is all about the sooner the better so I don't want to be overly optimistic and not start but I am weary of starting insulin. I take my cat to the Humane Society which I find great but calling and speaking to the vet...not so great so I haven't been able to speak to him yet but hope to discuss all this with him soon. Until then any advice/suggestions/info I can get from others who have been or are going through this now would be greatly appreciated. I'm grateful and thankful and happy she is doing better but still scared because I don't know what to do next as far as insulin.
 
Re: Vet Wants to Start Insulin ASAP but I'm Scared and Confu

My advise is to learn to home test your cat's blood sugar. If the change is diet is helping her to stay in normal non diabetic numbers, then you don't have to start insulin. I would not put off giving insulin if her blood glucose numbers are raised as she could go into DKA if she stays in higher numbers too long. DKA is life threatening and very expensive, and a long hospital stay. I know, J.D. was hospitalized for over 8 days.

You have come to the right place for guidance and support. We will help you through this. (((((hugs)))))
 
Re: Vet Wants to Start Insulin ASAP but I'm Scared and Confu

By changing the food, you may have (nearly) solved the problem. To prove that, though, she'll need to be tested (glucose), either at home or at the vet (fructosamine).

You'll need an inexpensive meter like the WalMart ReliOn Confirm or Confirm Micro or Prime, 2 boxes of test strips (always have a spare box), 26-27 gauge lancets to prick the ear, antibiotic ointment with pain relief (Ex Neosporin), and patience. ;-)

You prick the ear between the vein on the edge and the edge itself, about 1/3 of the way up from the skull. Snag a blood droplet on your fingernail if the cat is squirmy and place the very edge of the end of the strip to the blood. It will sip it up, the monitor will do its thing, and you'll get a reading. If its between 40-130 mg/dL, those are normal numbers and no insulin is needed.

Also pick up urine ketone or ketone/glucose test strips and read my signature link Secondary Monitoring Tools for tips on urine testing. It isn't as precise as blood glucose testing, but is still helpful.
 
Re: Vet Wants to Start Insulin ASAP but I'm Scared and Confu

Dyana,
Thank you for recommended home testing! I will look into it right away. I'm scared of needles so wasn't looking forward to administering the insulin shots but reading about testing the blood (pricking the ear) sounds even more difficult than the insulin BUT I will do whatever is needed to keep Nina healthy. I read and the symptoms of DKA sound same as diabetes (increase thirst, constant peeing.. also a lot of other things like throwing up, etc). Fortunately Nina seems back to the way she was before the diabetes so I really think the diet change helped dramatically but I'm still waiting to speak to the vet. He is suppose to finally call today. I hope he does if not I will just pay for an appointment so I can go in and speak with him. If insulin is definitely needed then I want to start her sooner than later. I just don't know if the insulin is him being pro active and maybe I have a choice (wait and see how diet a lone is working) OR if it is not a choice. Hope that make sense. Thank u for the home testing suggestion and hope your cat is MUCH better now! Hospitalized 8 days?! I can't even imagine the mental stress and financial stress of that.
 
Re: Vet Wants to Start Insulin ASAP but I'm Scared and Confu

BJM,
I think I'm going to ask the vet to do the test. They managed to get blood and urine from her easily (even though she was freaking out the whole time). I'm scared to hurt her in the process but if the kit isn't too much I guess I could try it once that way I can avoid the stress she experiences when going to the vet. She isn't difficult with me BUT I've also never tried to prick her with a needle before so I have no clue how she will respond to it. Mostly I think I just fear hurting her. And if I hurt her and don't get the blood then trying again is going to be much more difficult since she will know what I'm doing and be prepared to fight/run away. I really want to know her blood sugar levels now so that I can test her and put my mind at ease. I don't know if she is ok or just seems ok and thats scary and stressful. We don't have a Walmart anywhere around me (I live in NYC and they are banned from the city). We have one Kmart. Can I order it off Amazon? If so I have Amazon Prime so could order it now and get it shipped by the weekend. I will search but if anyone knows and can tell me I'd appreciate it. Also IF vet calls back I can ask him. I'm sure that maybe the Humane Society sells them or a local pet store.
 
Re: Vet Wants to Start Insulin ASAP but I'm Scared and Confu

DKA - diabetic ketoacidosis - is a complication of uncontrolled diabetes which can be fatal, so you will see excessive urination and thirst until its bad enough the cat is sick enough to not eat or drink.

Ketones form when fat is broken down for calories. Too many make the cat ill, ie DKA. Also, too much fat breakdown can overwhelm the liver, causing another problem - hepatic lipidosis, which also can be fatal. The cat may become jaundiced (turn yellow) and become very ill. Never let a cat go longer than 2 days without eating because of this.
 
Re: Vet Wants to Start Insulin ASAP but I'm Scared and Confu

You can get the Arkray USA Glucocard 01 from our shopping partner ADW - link at top of page. Its the same thing, just not labeled for WalMart.

Pick up 2 or more boxes of test strips (always have a spare box for emergencies).

Testing hurts us more than it annoys them.
 
Re: Vet Wants to Start Insulin ASAP but I'm Scared and Confu

Just got a call from the vet. He said since Nina is showing improvement on the food he feels it is safe to wait a month and then test her blood again and if blood sugar is still high then we will start on insulin immediately. I asked about the home testing and he told me he doesn't recommend the home testing on cats (only dogs) because any stress factors can cause the home test (at that moment) in cats to spike sugar levels so its really not accurate at all and its not very dependable. So I think I will continue to research and hope I don't need to start insulin but if I do then I will be prepared (thanks to this site) to know which insulin to ask for and which to avoid. Thank u all so much!!! ((((((((hugs)))))))) to everyone who responded. This can be so stressful. I'm really happy this forum exists!
 
Re: Vet Wants to Start Insulin ASAP but I'm Scared and Confu

Welcome extra sweet kitty and MamaBean! WOOHOO! DIET controlled diabetic!!!

I must disagree with your vet tho'...testing cats isn't any more stressful for cats than it is for dogs. I test both my cats AND dogs. It's one of my little dogs that creates the biggest fuss.

I have 2 diabetic cats - if testing causes so much stress, would they come running TO ME and lay in their test positions when they hear their case zippers? Nope...they'd run the other way! When I test one and don't test the other, the one that didn't get tested gets VERY confused and sad. MY vet also thinks testing is too stressful for cats - we just agree to disagree and I test mine anyway.

BIG HUGS! Welcome again!
 
Re: Vet Wants to Start Insulin ASAP but I'm Scared and Confu

Squeaky and KT said:
if testing causes so much stress, would they come running TO ME and lay in their test positions when they hear their case zippers?
Click to expand...
They get used to it and even enjoy the attention. My sugar gets up on his testing place and waits for me -- and he does the same for my catsitter. He knows he gets a good brushing afterwards. That's his treat!

I would encourage you to learn how to test. Your kitty may not even need insulin. You can get testing supplies and do it yourself and then you can tell the vet whether she needs insulin or not.
 
Re: Vet Wants to Start Insulin ASAP but I'm Scared and Confu

don't worry about testing.. cats ears have less nerve endings than our fingers and don't feel it. My Tiggy sleeps through it. Bailey comes running when I pick up the testing gear cos he wants a treat. It doesn't stress them at all!!!

She will get used to it (what she might not like is having her ears played with so start now by rubbing her ears and giving a treat to get her used to that!). And its important to keep her safe and know whats going on.

Wendy
 
Re: Vet Wants to Start Insulin ASAP but I'm Scared and Confu

Nina loves getting her ears rubbed so maybe I will buy the kit and try it. I would like to know her levels because if they are very high then I would prefer not to wait another month before starting insulin because I know the sooner I start her on the insulin the greater the chance she has of remission. Will get a keep early next week and then attempt to test her at home.
 
Re: Vet Wants to Start Insulin ASAP but I'm Scared and Confu

She will be much less stressed being tested by you at home than being hauled to the vet's and having it done by strangers!

Everybody is anxious about it at first, but you just have to grit your teeth and do what's best for your kitty. She will get used to it and so will you.
 
Re: Vet Wants to Start Insulin ASAP but I'm Scared and Confu

It is possible that we have a member who lives near you and could help with testing the first time. If that sounds good, let us know where in NYC you live.
 
Re: Vet Wants to Start Insulin ASAP but I'm Scared and Confu

Sue,
I would love if anyone could help me test her the first time! I live in the city on the upper west side.
 
Re: Vet Wants to Start Insulin ASAP but I'm Scared and Confu

rdl said:
Just got a call from the vet. He said since Nina is showing improvement on the food he feels it is safe to wait a month and then test her blood again and if blood sugar is still high then we will start on insulin immediately. I asked about the home testing and he told me he doesn't recommend the home testing on cats (only dogs) because any stress factors can cause the home test (at that moment) in cats to spike sugar levels so its really not accurate at all and its not very dependable. So I think I will continue to research and hope I don't need to start insulin but if I do then I will be prepared (thanks to this site) to know which insulin to ask for and which to avoid. Thank u all so much!!! ((((((((hugs)))))))) to everyone who responded. This can be so stressful. I'm really happy this forum exists!
Click to expand...

Well! Another vet who is claiming that the home testing stresses the cats..... maybe someone needs to have told my cats that they should not be sleeping through pokes to the tips of their ears??

Ridiculous. Ask the vet about the stress that the cat gets by being packed into a carrier and transported to the vet office that has strange people and animals plus smells of other animals' stress and fears? Will that environment be more conducive to a nice honest BG number??
Surely, your poking your cat's ear while she is lounging in some nice comfy spot at home is better?

Listen to the others. Pick up a meter at the pharmacy and start testing at home.... for all you know, you won't need to get any insulin, but you can't tell by less water intake and less urine output. Many cats have gone to the vet for their annual checkup/shots only to find out that their cats are diabetic.... no signs at all! The food change definitely helps most cats to either not need insulin at all or need much less insulin than would have been needed on dry food / high carb foods.

Gayle
 
Re: Vet Wants to Start Insulin ASAP but I'm Scared and Confu

Maybe start a new thread with title -looking for help upper west side NYC? and see if anyone will offer.

Wendy
 
Re: Vet Wants to Start Insulin ASAP but I'm Scared and Confu

"you can't tell by less water intake and less urine output"
Blue, I was really hoping you could but makes sense that w/o testing you have no idea. Thank you will get the kit. You make it sound very easy.

Wendy, Will start a new thread after I get the kit and maybe someone close by can help me the first time :)
 
Re: Vet Wants to Start Insulin ASAP but I'm Scared and Confu

Sorry I couldn't find anyone close enough to you - you will have to learn like most of us did - through videos and online tips i.e. https://docs.google.com/document/d/13c_CPZVKz27fD_6aVbsguadJKvjSrSAkD7flgPPhEag/pub

Heres a shopping list:

1. Meter ie Walmart Relion Confirm or Micro.
2. Matching strips
3. Lancets - little sticks to poke the ear to get blood . new members usually start with a larger gauge lancet such as 28g or 29g until the ear learns to bleed. Optional - lancing tool.
4. Cotton balls to stem the blood
5. Neosporin or Polysporin ointment with pain relief to heal the wound
6. Mini flashlight (optional) - useful to help see the ear veins in dark cats, and to press against
7. Ketone urine test strips ie ketodiastix - Important to check ketones when blood is high
8. Sharps container - to dispose of waste syringes and lancets.
9. Treats for the cat - like freeze dried chicken
10. Karo syrup/corn syrup or honey if you dont have it at home - for hypo emergencies to bring blood sugar up fast
11. A couple of cans of fancy feast gravy lovers or other high carb gravy food- for hypo emergencies to bring blood sugar up fast

Wendy
 
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