I don't even know if I'm in the right place but can anyone tell me, if I can't get a blood gloucose on Vinnie, do I feed him a can of FF Classic before I give him his 1U of insulin or give the insulin first? I'm confused. . . . my guy thinks food first. I hope he's right. Vinnie wants food now!!!! He was just diagnosed last week and the directions are getting muddled in my head. I'm doing well with giving his injection but this BG draw thing is going to get the best of me. Help!
When to feed?
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Sue and Oliver (GA)
Member Since 2009
It is fine to feed him and then give the insulin. (it is important to wait to feed until you get the test done but if you can't test, it isn't an issue.)
Can we help you with the testing? What is giving you problems?
Can we help you with the testing? What is giving you problems?
Thanks for being there. Is it Sue? I'm Janet. The BG using the ear has been hard because Vinnie just doesn't like me messing with his ear. I'm using a small piece of paper towel in a plastic bag and can get him to let me warm it. The lancet gadget is good I think but I wasn't getting close enough to the edge, the sweet spot picture has helped. I like the idea of using a flash light. I think I have a good grasp of the theory but nerves are running high around here right now. Will try for another BG tomorrow morning. His vet put him on 1U of Lantus @12 hrs. I have managed to get blood a couple of times in the last few days. Poor Vinnie is bruised! I poked him too far fron the edge of his ear. I'm logging time, food, insulin time. This is just a lot to wrap my head around right now. I'm sorry to read that you lost Oliver. Does Niko have diabetes? Hope not.
I'm going to get some rest and Vinne, David & I will try it all again in the morning. Will let you know how it goes. Thanks again for the response. I'm new at this blog thing as well. Bear with me. Good night.
I'm going to get some rest and Vinne, David & I will try it all again in the morning. Will let you know how it goes. Thanks again for the response. I'm new at this blog thing as well. Bear with me. Good night.
Sue and Oliver (GA)
Member Since 2009
Hi Janet,
Welcome to the board. You are doing fine posting.
We used the lancer pen and liked it - after we took off the clear cap. Without it, it was much easier to see where we were actually poking. If yours has a cap, you might try that. What size lancet are you using? The 30-31 gauge they sell for humans is too thin at first; we suggest 25-27 gauge for new diabetic kitties. You can put Neosporin with pain relief on his ears where you poke to help with bruising and hold the ears for a few seconds after the poke.
Another tip is if he is moving away, you can get the drop of blood on your fingernail and test from there. And always, always give a favorite treat, successful poke or not. Once they associate the treats with the poking, they are willing to put up with it.
If you are still having trouble, if you want to tell us where you live, there might be a member nearby who could come help. The first few times it really helps to have some hands on support.
Niko is a civie - our term for a non diabetic cat. Oliver lived a good long life, thanks in no small part to the wonderful support system on this Board.
Welcome to the board. You are doing fine posting.
We used the lancer pen and liked it - after we took off the clear cap. Without it, it was much easier to see where we were actually poking. If yours has a cap, you might try that. What size lancet are you using? The 30-31 gauge they sell for humans is too thin at first; we suggest 25-27 gauge for new diabetic kitties. You can put Neosporin with pain relief on his ears where you poke to help with bruising and hold the ears for a few seconds after the poke.
Another tip is if he is moving away, you can get the drop of blood on your fingernail and test from there. And always, always give a favorite treat, successful poke or not. Once they associate the treats with the poking, they are willing to put up with it.
If you are still having trouble, if you want to tell us where you live, there might be a member nearby who could come help. The first few times it really helps to have some hands on support.
Niko is a civie - our term for a non diabetic cat. Oliver lived a good long life, thanks in no small part to the wonderful support system on this Board.
BG Draw a Success!
Hello Sue,
I finally got a good blood sample
! I used the lancet w/o the clear cover, put a small warmed bottle behind the ear, aimed carefully for the outer edge & got it! Vinnie didn't even wince. Gave him a treat right away as I put the Neosporin on.
Soooo relieved. His BG was 472. I know that is high so I will call his vet Monday morn. to see if he needs his insulin changed.
He's getting 1U 12 hrs. apart. Tomorrow, Sunday, I hope to get a BG in the AM and one midday & evening to add to the daily
averages we've gotten so far.
We are using an "AlphaTRAK BG Monitoring System for animals. I have logged the draws that have been successful plus the meter has a memory function and does a davg. Whew. . . I also did a solution test to make sure the meter is calibrated. I'm feeling much more confident that we can do this. Thanks so much for your response.
We are in San Diego, CA by the way. Rancho Bernardo actually. Our vet is great. He helped us a few years back with our Himalayan "Tova" who had issues with colon moisture. He taught me how to give her lactated ringers and showed David how to give her enemas. Saved a ton of vet bills and we were able to keep her comfortable and hydrated for quite a long time before her kidneys failed.
So happy for you that Niko is spared. Thanks again for all the encouragement. Will keep you posted.
Best Wishes,
Janet
Hello Sue,
I finally got a good blood sample
! I used the lancet w/o the clear cover, put a small warmed bottle behind the ear, aimed carefully for the outer edge & got it! Vinnie didn't even wince. Gave him a treat right away as I put the Neosporin on.Soooo relieved. His BG was 472. I know that is high so I will call his vet Monday morn. to see if he needs his insulin changed.
He's getting 1U 12 hrs. apart. Tomorrow, Sunday, I hope to get a BG in the AM and one midday & evening to add to the daily
averages we've gotten so far.
We are using an "AlphaTRAK BG Monitoring System for animals. I have logged the draws that have been successful plus the meter has a memory function and does a davg. Whew. . . I also did a solution test to make sure the meter is calibrated. I'm feeling much more confident that we can do this. Thanks so much for your response.
We are in San Diego, CA by the way. Rancho Bernardo actually. Our vet is great. He helped us a few years back with our Himalayan "Tova" who had issues with colon moisture. He taught me how to give her lactated ringers and showed David how to give her enemas. Saved a ton of vet bills and we were able to keep her comfortable and hydrated for quite a long time before her kidneys failed.
So happy for you that Niko is spared. Thanks again for all the encouragement. Will keep you posted.
Best Wishes,
Janet
Sue and Oliver (GA)
Member Since 2009
Congratulations Janet! Welcome to the Vampire Club. :mrgreen:
We have an active Lantus forum where everyone uses your insulin.
http://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewforum.php?f=9
Be sure to check out the forum - especially the starred topics at the top of the page. There are tips for storing and using the insulin, how to dose, what to do with a low number - everything you need to know. You can post here and/or there.
One thing you will find is that Lantus takes a while to work - it builds up a shed so you don't want to change doses too often or by too much. Also, doses are changed based on the lowest point in the cycle - usually 5-7 hours after the shot, rather than the preshot numbers. So getting midcycle numbers will be very helpful.
The next job :mrgreen: for you is to set up a spreadsheet. It is a great tool for you, your vet and for us, if you ever need dose advice. It shows Vinnie's history of doses and numbers at a glance. It is a little tricky if computers are a bit of a mystery for you. If you want help, I'd be glad to set it up for you. I've done it for a lot of new members. Here are the directions:
http://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=18207
You have come a long way in a short while to help your sweet Vinnie. great job!
We have an active Lantus forum where everyone uses your insulin.
http://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewforum.php?f=9
Be sure to check out the forum - especially the starred topics at the top of the page. There are tips for storing and using the insulin, how to dose, what to do with a low number - everything you need to know. You can post here and/or there.
One thing you will find is that Lantus takes a while to work - it builds up a shed so you don't want to change doses too often or by too much. Also, doses are changed based on the lowest point in the cycle - usually 5-7 hours after the shot, rather than the preshot numbers. So getting midcycle numbers will be very helpful.
The next job :mrgreen: for you is to set up a spreadsheet. It is a great tool for you, your vet and for us, if you ever need dose advice. It shows Vinnie's history of doses and numbers at a glance. It is a little tricky if computers are a bit of a mystery for you. If you want help, I'd be glad to set it up for you. I've done it for a lot of new members. Here are the directions:
http://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=18207
You have come a long way in a short while to help your sweet Vinnie. great job!
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