411-352-348

Discussion in 'Feline Health - (Welcome & Main Forum)' started by Magic Johnson, Mar 4, 2018.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. Magic Johnson

    Magic Johnson Member

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2018
    Hi - my baby magic was recently diagnosed. She was 411 and put on Prozinc 1 unit per day now 2 units 1 morning, 1 night after feedings - she’s on wet food her fave is FF. But her bgl are not really dropping fast she went to 352 in a week and then 348 in 3 more days after switching to twice a day. Vet says only feed twice per day no snacks, but then I’m reading some cats do better 4 Meals instead of 2 this makes sense to me as I feel glucose is like a yo-yo and less highs and lows. Dunno, thoughts on 4 meals vs 2? I just got my blood glucose tester but scared to use it... Maji gets super stressed going to the vet.

    At her vet appts Maji has gained a few ounces of weight back... vet was kinda hoping Maji doesn’t put too much weight back on... so the insulin is working she’s not losing weight and slowly gaining weight but i’d rather have the bgl going down instead of weight coming on...Is this normal?
     
    Last edited: Mar 4, 2018
  2. Sharon14

    Sharon14 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 16, 2015
    Dont be afraid to use your glucose meter, it’s really easy to do. What meter did you get? Here’s some info to get you started
    http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/hometesting-links-and-tips.287/
    For feeding many of us feed 4 (or more) times a day. Be sure the food is under 10 carbs as seen on THIS list. The Fancy Feast Classics fit that bill.
    When were the tests taken that show the 352 and 348? Random tests or even curves done at the vet aren’t the most reliable way to interpret how well the insulin is working. For that you will need to home test. Read the info in the link I provided and come back with any questions you have.
     
    Magic Johnson likes this.
  3. Sharon14

    Sharon14 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 16, 2015
    HERE’S another good link for you to check out
     
  4. Magic Johnson

    Magic Johnson Member

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2018
    Thank you so much.

    I got the AlphaTrak 2 that the vet recommended as she said that’s what they use and she wanted me to have the same thing. Funny thing is I’ve paid for three testings at the vet and that more than paid for theirs already LOL.

    The 352 came a week after starting insulin, in the morning about 14 hours after her last meal and dosing. Then vet said go to dosing once in the morning and once at night instead of the once a day. That was on a Tuesday and then Friday at noon (basically 3 days later) roughly 6 hours after her meal and dosing we tested again. That was the 348. I was surprised the insulin seemed to have somewhat minimal effect yet Maji seems so much better, loves her FF and has considerably reduced significantly drinking water. I still see a couple big pees in the box.

    I will start on the links. I have a question perhaps the answer is in the links but if you feed 4 times a day do you give insulin only twice or divide that up to 4 times a day too?

    ...going to links now...Maji may be trying to wake me up to feed her soon... look how well I’m trained...
     
  5. Sharon14

    Sharon14 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 16, 2015
    Good morning, I just woke up and tested, Fed and gave insulin to my kitty, so not all awake yet! Insulin is twice a day, 12 hours apart, no matter how many times you feed.
     
    Magic Johnson likes this.
  6. Magic Johnson

    Magic Johnson Member

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2018
    Started reading OMG great detail in the lancets and ear this is gonna help! I need this level of detail...
     
    Sharon14 likes this.
  7. Magic Johnson

    Magic Johnson Member

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2018
    Well it’s 3:45 am here and Maji sees the iphone and is poised ready to begin the ritual of getting momma up to feed I’m going to try and sleep a few minutes before she gets insistent just wanted to say thank you so much for responding so quickly- I don’t know anyone else who has a diabetic cat...
     
    Sharon14 likes this.
  8. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2016
    You're in the right place - lots of diabetic cats here! ;) We can help.
     
    Bellasmom and Magic Johnson like this.
  9. JanetNJ

    JanetNJ Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2016
    Welcome 1 unit twice a day is the typical starting dose. Insulin doesn't last all day so u don't know why your vet originally said once a day... That's not going to cut it.

    Bg levels vary throughout the day so you can't base the dose one 1 test.

    Most of us feed several times a day. I basically free feed... Just no food 2 hours prior to the preshot test.

    Once you are home testing you can set up a spreadsheet like the one you see in our signatures.

    I have a video in my signature showing how I test my cat CC at home.
     
    Magic Johnson likes this.
  10. Magic Johnson

    Magic Johnson Member

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2018
    Janet and CC thank you! I have so much learning to do! So much I need to read I need to do a spreadsheet too... I need to catch up here.. :)
     
  11. Magic Johnson

    Magic Johnson Member

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2018
    Kris and Teasel <- what a cute name!
     
    Kris & Teasel likes this.
  12. Magic Johnson

    Magic Johnson Member

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2018
    Also, I would LOVE to free feed but Maji would become HUGE she really will overeat if given the tiniest chance - she manipulated me a lot in the past for more and more food and she was overweight even in her pic there she had lost about a pound but still a little overweight there- so I think that was the beginning of the high BGL
     
  13. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2016
    You don't have to overfeed her, just figure out what she needs to get her weight into a good range and divide that food into several small meals a day. Many diabetic cats are underweight and need to eat as much as they want. If that's not the case for your kitty she can still have the advantage of multiple little meals a day.
     
    Magic Johnson likes this.
  14. FurBabiesMama

    FurBabiesMama Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2017
    If I understood correctly, your vet started out with 1 dose of ProZinc a day. That is very, very odd. ProZinc dosing is supposed to be twice a day. Good thing you are doing twice a day dosing now.
    Regarding feeding, the AAHA Guidelines (link in my signature) say that feeding four times a day is ideal. They also indicate that home glucose testing is the best way to monitor. Results in vet's offices can be impacted by stress, so home test results are more accurate... not to mention that there is no reason to have to pay a vet to test for you. Going to a vet to get a random test once a week will not accurately show the impact the insulin is having.
     
    Last edited: Mar 5, 2018
    Magic Johnson likes this.
  15. Becky & Baby Girl GA

    Becky & Baby Girl GA Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2017
    Just wanted to say welcome! I’m pretty much a newbie too but all of this will make sense soon! It’s overwhelming but it sounds like you have caught on super quick! This forum & all of this info these fine peeps have given you is the best of the best! Good luck- :bighug: for Magi!
     
    Magic Johnson likes this.
  16. Magic Johnson

    Magic Johnson Member

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2018
    Thank you!! well the diabetes helped her lose some weight which was almost impossible before it seemed ... perhaps I was not stern enuff with her :( it is VERY hard for me to say no to her... but now we have a life threatening condition so I wanna do the right things...
     
  17. Magic Johnson

    Magic Johnson Member

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2018
    Thank you Becky and your baby girl kitty! Let’s hang in there together on this!!! We gotta get thru this...
     
    Becky & Baby Girl GA likes this.
  18. Magic Johnson

    Magic Johnson Member

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2018

    You guys are so smart! I am so impressed with this site and all the peeps here - just a godsend...
     
    JanetNJ likes this.
  19. JanetNJ

    JanetNJ Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2016
    You can use a timed feeder to only feed her what you want, and then have it take away the food 2 hours prior to the preshot test.
     
  20. Magic Johnson

    Magic Johnson Member

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2018
    ...it will take away food? Wow that is some timer I think I may have to look into this. Hubby is retired...I am not so I have him on a schedule to put her food out at certain time... our world revolves around her - especially now.

    But it might be nice to have the feeder timer I fascinated by the idea of the freezing portions and then it delivers them...
     
    Becky & Baby Girl GA likes this.
  21. Bellasmom

    Bellasmom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 12, 2018
    My hubby works but get off work way earlier than I do, I have let him do when I was home so he could learn while I was away working, good to have someone else around who know what to do and how to do it
     
  22. JanetNJ

    JanetNJ Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2016
    If the timer has multiple compartments you can put food in one, none in the next so when it turns at the set time they can no longer access the food.

    PetSafe Eatwell 5-Meal Automatic Pet Feeder https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000GEWHNS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_jNBNAbPQ4H43Y
     
  23. Magic Johnson

    Magic Johnson Member

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2018
    I like!!! Thank you checking this out now! BTW ok I read the book and pamphlet to the alpha trak bg meter. I don’t understand why I was so scared I think the setup had me procrastinating- setting this up was a breeze - god help me with the lancet so I do as tiny drop as I can tonight prior to dosing and food...
     
    JanetNJ likes this.
  24. JanetNJ

    JanetNJ Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2016
    Yes. Test then feed then shoot. You've got this. :)
     
    Bellasmom and Magic Johnson like this.
  25. Magic Johnson

    Magic Johnson Member

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2018
    OK. I watched your video! Totally awesome all the little hints ... and you have the same meter so this really helped I’m kinda excited to try... I’m going to sit her on my lap like a baby... that’s how we do ‘Clip Nails’. She will sit like that watches me clip her toe nails - after a while she gets tired of it but I think that position will work best as it will seem like ‘ Clipped Nails’ and I talk to her about all what I’m doing which she seems to appreciate and listen
     
    Kris & Teasel, JanetNJ and Sharon14 like this.
  26. JanetNJ

    JanetNJ Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2016
    Make sure to just touch the little protruding part (pick a side) sticking off of one of the black dots. It's like a straw that will draw in the blood. Good luck. 9A75D8CC-CF82-486E-900E-692F3B27D707.jpeg
     
    Magic Johnson likes this.
  27. Magic Johnson

    Magic Johnson Member

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2018

    I did it I did it! Maji was ok with it... now vet wants me to do the control????
     
    JanetNJ likes this.
  28. Sharon14

    Sharon14 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 16, 2015
    What number did you get?
     
    Magic Johnson likes this.
  29. FurBabiesMama

    FurBabiesMama Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2017
  30. Magic Johnson

    Magic Johnson Member

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2018
    Magic got a 96 and the control got a 138...

    Magic gets super stressed at the vet office...apparently
     
    JanetNJ and Sharon14 like this.
  31. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2016
    The control solution test isn't an every use thing. You only have to do it periodically if you have a sense that your BG readings are wonky and you think it might be the meter. Check the control solution instructions. It's only good for a few months after its opened.
     
    Magic Johnson likes this.
  32. Magic Johnson

    Magic Johnson Member

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2018
    Thank you!!! You guys are the best!!!
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.

Share This Page