Ivana

Hi, my almost 11yo girl Ivana was diagnosed as diabetic about 1-1/2 weeks ago. I have switched her to Friskies pate and have been home testing or at least trying to. She has begun to run and hide when she sees us coming. We have tried giving her food while we do the testing and she had no interest at all. We always give her lots of hugs, pets, kisses and the “Jackson Galaxy closed eyes I’m your friend look” when we are doing the testing. She has never liked to be held and we’ve never forced her to be held. Thankfully, she has not hissed, growled, scratched or anything like that. She will tolerate it while trying to bury her head and folding her ear down. We just can’t get close to her now, so we cannot check her BG levels. The vet wanted to change her diet before starting insulin which we both felt was a good idea. Her levels have come down but there are a few times it is over 300. We know that there are times she gets into the dog food which I am sure is not at all low carb as 3 of the first 4 ingredients are potatoes. Yes I will be changing his food too. We are trying to remember to pick the dog food up after he has had a chance to eat. But we sometimes forget as we have always free-fed both and have had no issues with either over eating and becoming overweight. Anyway, does anyone have any suggestions.

 

Welcome! Questions are best posted on the main health forum where they will get more attention. Testing can be very hard in the beginning, but it gets easier. Many of us find it helpful to always do it in a specific location and to always offer a special treat. It sounds like you are already giving lots of love during the process. As you become more comfortable with testing, you will be more 'efficient' about it and less stressed, and that will make it easier on Ivana.

 

Welcome! Yes the dog food is not helping. I have other cats and in the beginning I had trouble remembering to pick up their food. I started feeding them in another room with the door closed. When I opened the door I picked up the food (be sure to look for spilled pieces!) For testing, forget the testing for a bit and just concentrate on getting you and Ivana relaxed. Start by choosing a spot to test and taking her there as often as possible and just pet and talk to her, give a treat and let her go. You need to be totally relaxed too, some say singing softly helps. Come to the Main Health forum and we can help with more suggestions

 

Welcome! You've come to the best place for help and support.

 

Welcome to the forum. Kudos to you for starting home testing - a vital method to determine BG levels and keep your kitteh safe.

BG (blood glucose) test anxiety happens. You may want to approach Ivana many times outside of the test period, and maybe give low carb treats. That way she would associate you with good stuff, and not with testing.

I test Leo in the kitchen. There is a dedicated padded towel on the floor. He is trained (now 2.5 years diabetic):
- I call him to the towel, and he gets right on it
- he gets tested
- he immediately gets a treat or a warmed meal

That way he associates testing with getting fed - and getting fed is pretty much the ultimate for Leo the Loverboy.

 

Welcome to you and Ivana! Testing can be difficult, try and stick with it, cats are stubborn, but with patience, treats, and a little time it will become easier for both of you

 

@JeffJ - Great picture!


Mogs
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She was laying on the top of the recliner behind me.