What to expect the first few days? Any tips?

[dirtybirdsoaps]

I get to go pick my baby up from the vet soon, he had to go in and start insulin today and do a curve. I've learned a lot from this site and I truly appreciate the help everyone puts in to helping others with this issue.

The vet USUALLY says something completely different than what you'd expect or hear from others. I know she's going to go over everything when I go to pick him up but I'd like to know what everyone else has had to deal with.

When I bring him home what should I expect? Usually on a day we visit the vet he will come home, give him self a quick bath then take a short nap and he's back to himself. Will he act any different? I know it may sound stupid even to compare but I know with vaccinations they can be very lethargic, will the insulin cause anything like this the first few days?

Is there anything to watch for the first few days? I didn't even have a clue he was diabetic till Tuesday when I took him in for a little weight loss and a complete senior check up. He was acting fine, playing more than usual, eating more.....just acting more like a kitten.

Will it be ok to give him tuna the first night home? I know the vet scolds about tuna but my cats get it every Sunday night and on very stressful days.....like trips to the vet lol I just don't know if it will effect any levels?

Thank you again for all the help

 

[Jamie N Gizmo]

First few days, you'll probably see very little change in his behavior if he was acting fine to begin with. He might sleep the first day from the stressful time at the vet can raise they're sugar. If you're starting home testing, prepare to be frustrated until you get the hang of it. If you prick the ear and the needle goes all the way through, sometimes this happens. Its always best to start out low on insulin, you can always up it. I suggest home testing whether it be blood testing or the urine test strips. The dosing my vet gave me drove my cat down to 35. I obviously had to adjust it myself to what I was seeing. Tuna should be an OK treat to give..its only fish. The first few days you'll probably be like a new parent with a newborn, poking and prodding him every 5 minutes to make sure he's breathing. I think we've all been there. Be careful with diet changes as they may help with numbers but make the insulin more potent and cause hypoglycemia. If this occurs...most people keep maple syrup lying around, I personally have normal cat treats I give him..theyre loaded with sugar. This board is great at being helpful. Welcome aboard!

 

[Deb & Wink]

Have you seen this post? A message from your cat Try to relax and just love on your kitty. We know it's very stressful to get a diagnosis of diabetes for one of our furry family members. Remember to take some time for yourself to help you de-stress.

Keep asking questions on the board. We are here to help.

 

[BJM]

...Be careful with diet changes as they may help with numbers, but make the insulin more potent ...

Clarification: the insulin is not more potent. The decrease in carbohydrate lowers the glucose level as much as 100 mg/dL and the dose the vet gave you will be too high. This can lead to hypoglycemia, which can be fatal, quickly. This is why we advocate home blood glucose testing using an inexpensive human glucometer, matching test strips, and 26-28 gauge lancets. Many of us use the WalMart ReliOn Confirm or Prime meters, as they and the test strips are inexpensive.

If you prefer to shop elsewhere, American Diabetes Warehouse has the Arkray USA Glucocard 01 and 01 mini (unbranded versions of the Confirm series).

 

[Wendy&Tiggy(GA)]

So hoes it going? Did you get a meter? What kind of insulin?

 

[dirtybirdsoaps]

Well I've done 2 shots so far. So far so good lol. He didn't even pay attention to me this morning when I gave him his shot. He was just laying on the couch and I did it. Im so surprised how easy its going......so far. They gave him prozinc. Does everyone get it at the vets or is there a better place to get it. it was $90 at the vet but she told me it will last about 6 months. His curve was 535, 395, 314, 247, 459, 479, then 561. I know everyones going to yell at me lol but I ended up buying the alphatrak 2 mainly because of my husband but the vet also. Although she wanted to sell me one for $130 and would have to order it, I found a alpha kit on amazon for $108 so it will be here in a few days. She told me I wouldn't have to check him that often but I figure that I should be checking it often till its under control....correct? She started him at 1 unit 2 x a day.

 

[Deb & Wink]

That's so nice that kitty is cooperative for the shots!

Hey, if you can afford the test strips for the Alphatrak meter, go for it. At $1-2 a piece, many people find they can not afford to spend the $120-240 a month (4 tests a day for 30 days) for the test strips. The significantly lower cost of the test strips for the human meter like the Relion Confirm ($36 per 100) is one of the main reasons most of us use a human meter. Also, the greater availability of test strips is a factor.

Please, keep plenty of test strips on hand for the Alphatrak. Since your vet probably isn't open 24 hours a day, you don't want to risk running out when the vet is closed.

Would you please add the insulin and the meter you are using to your signature? At top of the screen is the User control panel, profile tab, edit signature, type in info, submit to save. The readings you get will be different than the human meters and we want the fact you will be using an Alphatrak for testing to leap out at us, so make sure the font size is changed from normal to large. It sure will help us to help you better.