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Discussion in 'Feline Health - (Welcome & Main Forum)' started by Bodinator, Jun 17, 2017.

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  1. Bodinator

    Bodinator Member

    Joined:
    May 16, 2017
    Hello everyone,
    We are Bodie and her human, Mary. Bodie is a 9 year old handsome orange cat who has been eating wet food ever since I sprang him from the shelter at the age of two. He was diagnosed about a month ago after the pet sitter noticed him drinking gallons of water. I hadn't noticed he'd been eating and drinking more and more as it happened over time.
    We give Bodie two 2 ml shots of Lantus a day (bumped up from 1 unit after his first curve). He has been at the vet twice since his diagnosis for a blood glucose curve but he gets so stressed out that we are trying to learn to test him at home. It really doesn't take much to upset him when we test him, I guess I still get so anxious I transmit it to Bodie, so I backed off of testing him every day. For now.
    My burning question would be about feeding. He is ravenously hungry all the time. He used to eat 4x a day but the vet said to feed him 2x a day with his insulin. I didn't want to eliminate the other two feedings altogether, it never seems like a good idea to make sudden changes, so I still give him a little snack when he used to get a meal before. He does seem very uncomfortable after he eats a big meal, breathing fast and sometimes panting and seeking out a cold spot to lie on, as if his tummy is overheating. The vet says he should be getting 270 calories per day which means I am underfeeding him but I am afraid of making any changes until he gets more comfortable with me testing his BG. And maybe I should get more comfortable too.
    Thanks, I hope I put this in the right forum....
    Bodie 9 year old male, Dx May 2017/Lantus 1 unit 2 x day, increased to 2 units after BG curve a week later/AlphaTrak 2/1/2 can Wellness and FF 2 x day + 1/4 can FF am and pm snack.
     

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  2. JanetNJ

    JanetNJ Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2016
    Welcome! Your kitty is adorable! I have a thing for orange cats (although only one of my six is orange).

    If you give allow carb treat after testing he will soon come to enjoy it. After the first two weeks my cat happily purrs through a test (see video below).

    When cats are unregulated they require more food than normal because they can't utilize the nutrients properly. Your instincts are right to feed multiple times a day. You do want to feed at the preshot, but it's fine to feed in between. Many here even have auto feeders to feed throughout the day/night. The one exception is no food 2 hours prior to the preshot test so the number won't be food influenced. Otherwise if he's hungry, feed him.
     
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  3. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2016
    Welcome to you and handsome Bodie! Ask any/all questions you have on the main health forum. We're here to help. :)
     
  4. Bodinator

    Bodinator Member

    Joined:
    May 16, 2017
    I have a soft spot for grey tabbies. :) I love that video, Janet! I have been trying to hit a vein with the lancet. I get so much blood, then Bodie shakes his head and I have a crime scene. Ha! None of the blood on the test strip though. Thank you, I'm inspired to try again today.
     
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  5. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2016
    If you can scoop that blood drop onto a thumb nail before he shakes his head, you can test it from there. We all know the crime scene thing, though! :)
     
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  6. JanetNJ

    JanetNJ Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2016
    Thanks! Yeah you don't want to hit the vein.... Aim for the sweet spot. If he's a head shaker then scoop the blood drop to the back of your nail and test from there. IMG_3612.JPG
     
  7. Yong & Maury GA

    Yong & Maury GA Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2017
    Welcome Bodie and Mary! Will look for your post on Main Health Forum :bighug:
     
    Jill & Alex (GA) likes this.
  8. Jill & Alex (GA)

    Jill & Alex (GA) Senior Member Moderator

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2009
    Welcome to the FDMB Mary and Bodie!
    Yes, now that the introductions are over, please post your questions and concerns on Health - (the Main Forum). That's where you'll receive more attention from our membership.

    See you on Health! :)
     
  9. Bodinator

    Bodinator Member

    Joined:
    May 16, 2017
    Thank you! Also new to navigating message boards :)
     
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