Hi! New but have some experience.

Hello! My 9 year old cat, Oliver, was officially diagnosed earlier this week. I had suspected it for awhile with his increase in eating, drinking, and urinating. I worked for a vet many moons ago in my younger years and also do a little cat/kitten rescue so I'm very proficient at drawing blood samples (cephalic, saphenous, jugular, and ear). I did a few preliminary glucose readings at home before taking him to the vet for an official diagnosis and urinalysis (UTI was present as well). Although I've dealt with insulin and BGs in a clinical setting this is my first personal cat who's been diagnosed. It was also a long time ago (25 years) and a lot has changed! I was supposed to start him on Prozinc a few days ago but I'm holding off until tomorrow since I'm also switching his diet from all dry to all Friskies pate. I wanted to see how the diet change would affect his readings before starting the insulin. I must say I'm a little nervous.....not about testing his BGs but just giving the insulin in general and worrying about how it will affect him. Let's get this journey started!

 

Welcome Kathy and Oliver! Zoey, my diabetic kitty, was also diagnosed at age 9. She is now almost 13! We have been on this journey for over 4 years now, and with a couple of bumps in the road, we are doing well! She is happy and healthy, and we are actually much closer than before. She loves the attention and doesn't even mind the pricks and pokes. You are so lucky to have some experience with testing, etc. I had none and hated needles. Now I'm an old pro!

Lots of great people here to help you along the way. Just ask any questions you have as you get started.

 

Welcome Kathy and Oliver on this new adventure in life! I'm sorry about the DX but so glad you found FDMB so that we can help you find answers to questions and support you while you find what works for you and Oliver. He is so handsome, and you can use that picture, if you like, when you set up your signature so that Oliver's pertinent info is available when you post. Here's how:
SIGNATURE/PROFILE. If you would, please indicate where you are in the world, as sometimes time differences factor in responses.
I'm so very glad you are home testing, this is the best tool you have to keep Oliver safe, and see how the diet change and insulin affects his blood sugar levels. We use a spreadsheet here to track that data and look for trends and patterns. It is attached to the signature so it's available to advising members: SPREADSHEET INFO
You may want to take a look at the FAQs forum for HYPO information (just to be prepared) and go through the index for valuable feline diabetes information. The insulin specific PROZINC forum is also going to be very helpful to you as you get started with the insulin. Read the info stickies at the top of the page to begin getting familiar.
It looks to me like you have made an excellent beginning to helping sweet Oliver to feeling better. You can post questions or concerns in the Main Health forum, so that more members can meet you and offer suggestions and support.
Best wishes going forward!

 

Just started his insulin today. I'm super nervous so I'm doing a curve right off the bat! lol

 

Welcome!

You're not going to get a good idea just starting insulin. The liver will go haywire suddenly having insulin again and throw all sorts of sugar out for a few days. Test to be sure it's safe but you'll get a much better idea of the insulin's working after 4-5 days. I'm not discouraging a curve, just letting you know not to depend on anything it tells you other than he's still in safe numbers.

HUGS! We've all been in your nervous shoes...

 

Good to know, ty!

 

Welcome!