Hello everyone Newbie here on Prozinc (not me actually)...

Hello there,

My cat Yossel diagnosed 2 weeks ago and put on 1.5 units twice a day on Prozinc. I have not got a glucometer - only have urine strips to test at the moment. But I was wondering what would be the cut -off figure that you feel it would be harmful to give a cat prozinc in case of a hypo. In other words how low do you go? My cat very lethargic today and appetite and fluid intake not great. I am worried he may be too low this evening when he has his shot.

Many thanks for any advice,
Kind regards,
Sarah, UK

 

Hi Sarah and welcome! First and foremost, how soon would you be able to get a glucometer? It sounds like you're willing to home test which is GREAT. We get very nervous and don't usually suggest shooting when you can't get a PS number (Pre Shot). It sounds like he may definitely be going too low and may even be getting into hypo numbers (sorry to scare you!). Also, no disrespect to your vet, but 1.5 units may also be a bit too high. We usually recommend starting at 1 unit and working up by .25 increments. Either way, I'd suggest trying to test before you give any more insulin. I just took a peak at your SS (good job setting it up!). I hope that helps and let us know!

 

Hi Caitlin and thank you! I am hoping to buy one tomorrow and start tomorrow - although dreading it as he does not like too much handling. Its an awful dilemma - he had ketonaciditis when he was diagnosed - so if i miss it out tonight, it may be bad for him, although today the urine strip was OK for ketones. I missed it out last night because I was scared of a hypo. But he had his shot this morning. Once I start home BG testing what would be the lowest figure to miss a shot? Thank you Caitlin also for kind comments - re the signature, I hope I can work it all OK with uploading the figures when getting started.

 

I know they're all different, but even the formerly, and still occasionally, feral Eugene the Jeep has taken to testing and shots quite well. He will NOT be held while this is happening, he made that quite clear to us humans. However, he will sit on the couch next to the armrest and let us do what's necessary. It took longer for the humans to get used to it than it did the Patient. Give it a few days and you'll be a pro!

 

First that depends on the meter you're using. For a human meter I do believe that 200 is the no shoot number, for an aminal calibrated meter you may want to go as high as 250 at first. However as you get to know how your baby responds to insulin that number may go lower. Many people will microdose at lower numbers to help kitty stay in better ranges.

 

Check out the sticky tabs at the top of the Prozinc forum. They are filled with info about meters, hypo, ect.

 

Side note, until you get the meter, try getting him ready for testing. Choose a spot you're going to test...table, back of the couch, bathroom floor, whatever works. Take him there, pet him, rub his ears some, then give a treat. Do this as often as possible and maybe he'll associate that with good things. I know you're getting a meter tomorrow, so not much time, but even a few times of doing that might help!

 

Thank you WK and Caitlin, I did get a glucometer today.......gosh it was a bit of a disaster! I've posted this on another thread
Update on Yossel:
Hi everyone and thank you! I got up at 3am as he was only eating if you fed him with spoon, breathing became laboured so I took him to the vet this morning. Sounds like he has the chest infection back again that he had when he was first diagnosed with diabetes 2 weeks ago. Vet gave him a 24 hour jab and some amoxcyllin (can't spell) drops to start tomorrow. He said yesterday urine sample looked good and he's not dehydrated. "As long as he is drinking and peeing". I took him home relieved quite a lot! He said if chest not better by wednesday to bring him back for further investigation. He's not had insulin since 11am sunday and I'm not to give it till he is over this infection. Me and Mum went out to town to get an accu check nano performa we found at Boots. When we got back Yossel looking more poorly and he still won't eat. This afternoon he drank a gallon of water and then threw it all up. We were worried about his BGs so decided to have a go straight away we watched some videos -but bloody hell what a struggle it was! We used up all the lancets that came with it, tried every setting and could get nothing out of the ear tip, we tried paw in desperation and nothing. In the end Mum got an insulin syringe and we pricked his paw - still not enough blood for the monitor to read! By this time the four of us were exhausted and for no reading. (my brother joined in helping)

I was hoping he would be better this afternoon but he was better this morning and last night was eating 1 or 2 mouthfuls from a spoon of his favourite rubbish cat food. Today he has not eaten a thing, and is either sitting by the water bowl or sitting in his hidey-hole corner. I spent £100 today at the vets and for the glucometer. I just hope and pray he won't need to go on a IV drip. We are all thoroughly fed up and depressed and God knows what Yossel feels with all the messing around! I am hoping maybe the antibiotic injection has caused nausea. I hope and pray!

Many thanks to all!

 

Using the lancet device isn't a must. Alot of us free hand poke and find it easier as we have more control.
We've all been where you are, and it is tough at first. Are you by chance testing for ketones? I diabetic not receiving any insulin can easily go into DKA and will need immediate veterinarian care. Did your vet tell you not to give insulin?
If I were you I'd probably try to get to an ER vet ASAP to make sure Yossel hasn't gone into DKA.

 

Please keep us updated.

 

Hi WK, sorry I posted the update on the health part of the forum under "UK newbie with poorly cat". Sadly my cat had to be euthanised yesterday. You were correct he did go into DKA again. The vet failed to inform us when he had his first BG curve done at the practice and that his was a difficult case. All he said was "his highs are too high and his lows too low but he is alright in himself." Instead of actually saying "we can't get his levels balanced therefore long term his prognosis isn't good" He might not have suffered as much as he did.

Thank you everyone here for your advice and help. God Bless you!

 

Im so sorry to hear this, Sarah!

 

I'm so sorry you lost your sweet Yossel.