02/04/20 Thomas J. PMPS 353, +4 247

[LilTurkey]

02/03/20
Tested on his other ear today even though it's still healing, his other ear needs a break. Took a couple tries but got it, he still hates getting tested. He ate and I gave him his injection, he doesn't like when I lift his skin up to do it.
Since I changed his food to a low carb wet food a couple weeks ago he's been lethargic and just sleeping, no playing even at night. Is this kind of like carb flu? His bowel movements don't seem different just his energy level. This is before starting insulin, just with the food change. It makes it difficult to know if he's doing alright with the insulin or not. Perhaps I worry too much.
I'm wondering if I should've just done as the vet said, 1 unit once a day. I feel like I went rogue by switching to 0.5 unit every 12 hours but at the same time I don't feel like he needed that much since he switched to LC wet food and his numbers were staying between the mid 200s to mid 300s. I don't know much about insulin myself other than the very basics and even though he's never worked with Lantus he knows more about insulin than me.
I want to thank everyone for giving me encouragement yesterday. I had a good start yesterday morning but felt defeated by evening time. Your kind words made me feel a lot better.

 

[LilTurkey]

Tested +8 showing 295, retested because it seems high then it showed 359. Not sure what's correct. He wasn't very stressed and he'd only had a few treats 30 minutes before. Last feeding was about 4 hours ago.

 

[Cinnie Cole]

Hi Brittany and Thomas J. Just want to give some encouragement because everything you are saying, I went through. There were times I was in despair but it does get better.

I know the feeling of "going rogue" but I think you are doing the right thing. My vet says definitely 2 X a day for Lantus 12 hours apart. My guy Zoot! was diagnosed last May and we have been on a long path to get to the greens (even had one failed attempt at going OTJ). We started with one vet and ended up going to a new Vet who was more knowledgeable about diabetes, and receptive to our following this group's guidance. He watches our chart and often agrees with the steps that the group protocols recommend. So we are lucky.

Depending on the treats, his BG could jump a bit, and what I learned is that BG readings can be off up to 20% so don't freak at that reading. Sometimes you have to look at how he is acting - if normal, then ride to the next testing time.

Zoot! also HATES getting his ear pricked and because he is orange and white, it is really easy to see the clots and bumps, which is upsetting to me. However, he has learned to tolerate me doing it (occassionally tries to bite me) because he knows he will get a small piece of chicken after the ordeal.

Do you inject making a tent between the shoulder blades? How does he behave - maybe you need to loosen your grip a little so it doesn't feel like scruffing?

Good luck! It takes time but it seems like you are getting it!

 

[Diane Tyler's Mom GA]

Hey Brittany, I don't think you did the wring thing by giving the 0.5 twice, lantus should be given twice a day, just give it some time, just wondering if you plan on switching to the Relion prime meter since you stated you are using your brothers meter and had about 50 strips left and the strips for that meter are expensive

 

[LilTurkey]

Hi Brittany and Thomas J. Just want to give some encouragement because everything you are saying, I went through. There were times I was in despair but it does get better.

I know the feeling of "going rogue" but I think you are doing the right thing. My vet says definitely 2 X a day for Lantus 12 hours apart. My guy Zoot! was diagnosed last May and we have been on a long path to get to the greens (even had one failed attempt at going OTJ). We started with one vet and ended up going to a new Vet who was more knowledgeable about diabetes, and receptive to our following this group's guidance. He watches our chart and often agrees with the steps that the group protocols recommend. So we are lucky.

Depending on the treats, his BG could jump a bit, and what I learned is that BG readings can be off up to 20% so don't freak at that reading. Sometimes you have to look at how he is acting - if normal, then ride to the next testing time.

Zoot! also HATES getting his ear pricked and because he is orange and white, it is really easy to see the clots and bumps, which is upsetting to me. However, he has learned to tolerate me doing it (occassionally tries to bite me) because he knows he will get a small piece of chicken after the ordeal.

Do you inject making a tent between the shoulder blades? How does he behave - maybe you need to loosen your grip a little so it doesn't feel like scruffing?

Good luck! It takes time but it seems like you are getting it!

Thank you for your encouragement! He seems upset all today, I can see his eyes glowing, no real reason for it. His behavior seems normal other than that, well normal as in the last 2 weeks normal since the food change. I don't think his body is completely used to having so little carbs yet, he's been very lethargic. Yes, I'm doing the scruff at the moment because it's easy to lift the skin there. Maybe my grip was a little too tight this morning, I'll make sure to loosen it.

 

[LilTurkey]

Hey Brittany, I don't think you did the wring thing by giving the 0.5 twice, lantus should be given twice a day, just give it some time, just wondering if you plan on switching to the Relion prime meter since you stated you are using your brothers meter and had about 50 strips left and the strips for that meter are expensive

Yes, I'm still switching. I was looking at that specific one too. Does it work well for you?

 

[Diane Tyler's Mom GA]

Yes, I'm still switching. I was looking at that specific one too. Does it work well for you?

I love it Brittany, most of us use the Relion Prime, never had a problem with it
9 bucks at Walmart and about 17.88 for 100 strips you are doing a great job just be patient



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[LilTurkey]

I love it Brittany, most of us use the Relion Prime, never had a problem with it
9 bucks at Walmart and about 17.88 for 100 strips you are doing a great job just be patient

It says it doesn't include a lancer. Any suggestions of what lancer to use?

 

[Diane Tyler's Mom GA]

When first starting off you can use a 28 gauge lancet, to get him to bleed better until he grows more capillaries and then if you want you can switch to a 30 or 32 they are thinner, I always use a 28 gauge on Tyler, free hand I don't use the gadget, free hand you do it on an angle

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

Hi Brittany,
You are doing the correct thing giving the insulin twice a day. That is how it is supposed to be given. If you only give it once a day Thomas would be left with no insulin for the other 12 hours. Cats have a faster metabolism than humans.

I’m glad to see you tested for ketones And it was negative. That’s really good. Try and get a daily test in at the moment if you can. Especially while Thomas is lethargic and in higher numbers.

Thomas may be bouncing from the blue number 158 at +8 yesterday. While it isn’t a low number... Thomas’s body probably thinks it is because he has been is higher than normal numbers for a while and he now thinks they are the normal numbers. So until his body gets used to the lower normal numbers again, he could bounce when he drops into blue or green numbers. Bounces can last from one to 6 cycles. Don’t get discouraged by theses bounces. They are normal especially in newly diagnosed cats. Frustrating but normal.

Are you able to get some tests in during the pm cycle? That cycle is just as important as the am cycle. Try and always get a before bed test in every night to keep Thomas safe. If the before bed test is lower than the Preshot number then you will know that it will most likely be an active cycle and you may need to set the alarm and get up and test later in the cycle to see the BG is not dropping too low.

 

[Diane Tyler's Mom GA]

Brittany

At first, it's best to use 26-28 gauge instead of 30-33....the lower the number, the bigger "hole" it makes. Once the ears "learn to bleed" (by growing in more capillaries) you can use the smaller ones

 

[LilTurkey]

Hi Brittany,
You are doing the correct thing giving the insulin twice a day. That is how it is supposed to be given. If you only give it once a day Thomas would be left with no insulin for the other 12 hours. Cats have a faster metabolism than humans.

I’m glad to see you tested for ketones And it was negative. That’s really good. Try and get a daily test in at the moment if you can. Especially while Thomas is lethargic and in higher numbers.

Thomas may be bouncing from the blue number 158 at +8 yesterday. While it isn’t a low number... Thomas’s body probably thinks it is because he has been is higher than normal numbers for a while and he now thinks they are the normal numbers. So until his body gets used to the lower normal numbers again, he could bounce when he drops into blue or green numbers. Bounces can last from one to 6 cycles. Don’t get discouraged by theses bounces. They are normal especially in newly diagnosed cats. Frustrating but normal.

Are you able to get some tests in during the pm cycle? That cycle is just as important as the am cycle. Try and always get a before bed test in every night to keep Thomas safe. If the before bed test is lower than the Preshot number then you will know that it will most likely be an active cycle and you may need to set the alarm and get up and test later in the cycle to see the BG is not dropping too low.

Thank you. I'll try my best. He's been fighting me a lot during tests and sometimes I'm unable to get enough blood. He doesn't like me poking more than once, starts biting me and twisting around on the floor. I'll try harder though, I know it has to be done.

 

[LilTurkey]

Brittany

At first, it's best to use 26-28 gauge instead of 30-33....the lower the number, the bigger "hole" it makes. Once the ears "learn to bleed" (by growing in more capillaries) you can use the smaller ones

Ah, I see. I'm using 30 gauge at the moment.

 

[Diane Tyler's Mom GA]

Ah, I see. I'm using 30 gauge at the moment.

Are you doing it free hand, I have never used the gadgets I actually get these from my vet , she taught me with these. You probably can't buy on line because they are needles
Here is a picture, I like these because they are longer than the lancets and I can see where I am poking because they are longer and I have better control
Not saying to buy them if your vet has these, I'm sure the 28 gauge will be fine, I just prefer these over lancets. They cost about 11 dollars for 100 that's what my vet charges me if you look at them you can see one side is curved up, that's the part you stick them with, you can't see it in the pic though

 

[Diane Tyler's Mom GA]

Are you doing it free hand

 

[LilTurkey]

View attachment 51081 View attachment 51080
Are you doing it free hand, I have never used the gadgets I actually get these from my vet , she taught me with these. You probably can't buy on line because they are needles
Here is a picture, I like these because they are longer than the lancets and I can see where I am poking because they are longer and I have better control
Not saying to buy them if your vet has these, I'm sure the 28 gauge will be fine, I just prefer these over lancets. They cost about 11 dollars for 100 that's what my vet charges me if you look at them you can see one side is curved up, that's the part you stick them with, you can't see it in the pic though

I tried free handing with a lancet but I've never been successful and it just results in more pokes. I just use the lancer.

 

[Diane Tyler's Mom GA]

I tried free handing with a lancet but I've never been successful and it just results in more pokes. I just use the lancer.

Oh OK that's fine, heads up nothing hard, the meter we are talking about , the hole slot where you put the text strip in is a little further to the bottom and when you put the strip in you sort of have to wiggle it a little back and forth to get it in, no biggie at all, it's fine, like I said I really love the meter, easy to set up

 

[Sue and Luci]

Is there a counter or a table that you could use for testing? With good lighting? Sometime it's helpful to get kitty to a comfortable place where you can hold on to him and perhaps the change of scenery will help you get a better grasp and give him an opportunity to learn about this special place where not every time he goes there it's about a pokey - I use one the island in my kitchen where I place a white towel and I lay out all of Luci's supplies before I pick her up....it was very difficult for me at first and I had to get DH to help me hold on to her while I did the poking. Many times during the day I'd pick her up, set her on the towel and pet her - then give her a little freeze dried treat or a dab of low carb food - soon she came to think of what I was doing as a method to getting fed...I always gave her a treat - whether there was a poke or not.

Next thing I know, I find her laying on the towel waiting for me! I was stunned to see that the first time! So they can learn - but it took us about three months before she got to that point - it may have been even longer before I caught her one day laying on the towel waiting for me...all she thought about was getting some petting and a treat...and I think about testing.

Now she purrs when I set her on her towel - she knows what's going to happen - so just saying that it takes a lot of repetition and soon he'll settle down and accept the routine - especially if you throw in a few times a day where there's no poking...just petting, and loving and a treat.

You're doing great - and YES, definitely Lantus twice a day - always!

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

I used the lancet device. If you can get the lancets that are 26 or 28 gauge you will have more success.
Where do you test?
I used to test on the floor. I knelt down then sat back on by heels and put Sheba in between my knees facing the same way as me so that her ears were easily accessible, and she couldn’t back away and I could gently keep her there with one hand as I got ready to test. Try and have it set up ready to go before getting Thomas. You can trial how long you have before the meter times out.
I would put a small snack in front of Sheba, she would be nose down eating and I would grab the test. I used to talk to her all the time calmly so she wasn’t stressed.

 

[LilTurkey]

Is there a counter or a table that you could use for testing? With good lighting? Sometime it's helpful to get kitty to a comfortable place where you can hold on to him and perhaps the change of scenery will help you get a better grasp and give him an opportunity to learn about this special place where not every time he goes there it's about a pokey - I use one the island in my kitchen where I place a white towel and I lay out all of Luci's supplies before I pick her up....it was very difficult for me at first and I had to get DH to help me hold on to her while I did the poking. Many times during the day I'd pick her up, set her on the towel and pet her - then give her a little freeze dried treat or a dab of low carb food - soon she came to think of what I was doing as a method to getting fed...I always gave her a treat - whether there was a poke or not.

Next thing I know, I find her laying on the towel waiting for me! I was stunned to see that the first time! So they can learn - but it took us about three months before she got to that point - it may have been even longer before I caught her one day laying on the towel waiting for me...all she thought about was getting some petting and a treat...and I think about testing.

Now she purrs when I set her on her towel - she knows what's going to happen - so just saying that it takes a lot of repetition and soon he'll settle down and accept the routine - especially if you throw in a few times a day where there's no poking...just petting, and loving and a treat.

You're doing great - and YES, definitely Lantus twice a day - always!

Thank you. I'll try to find a specific place for him.

 

[LilTurkey]

I used the lancet device. If you can get the lancets that are 26 or 28 gauge you will have more success.
Where do you test?
I used to test on the floor. I knelt down then sat back on by heels and put Sheba in between my knees facing the same way as me so that her ears were easily accessible, and she couldn’t back away and I could gently keep her there with one hand as I got ready to test. Try and have it set up ready to go before getting Thomas. You can trial how long you have before the meter times out.
I would put a small snack in front of Sheba, she would be nose down eating and I would grab the test. I used to talk to her all the time calmly so she wasn’t stressed.

Thank you. I've been doing similar to what you did if I can't get him to calmly lie own. Sometimes though he'll twist out from my legs until he's on his back and fully attack me.
I get my stuff all layed out and ready so I'm able to do it quickly, well, as quickly as he'll let me. My meter goes off pretty quickly so I just barely put a strip in then push it in fully in right when I'm about to poke.
I give him treats but as soon as I touch his ears he nopes out regardless of the treats.
I do pet him and talk to him sweetly, that's the only part he likes besides the treats.
We've just got to work at it I believe. He's fairly patient but I know it hurts his ears.

 

[LilTurkey]

His +4 tonight is 247. Should I wake up around +6 or +8 to do another test or will he be alright without one? I just fed him as well after testing.

 

[Diane Tyler's Mom GA]

His +4 tonight is 247. Should I wake up around +6 or +8 to do another test or will he be alright without one? I just fed him as well after testing.

Hey Brittany, wouldn't be a bad idea to get one more test in tonight, maybe can +7
The more data you get the better it is to see how he is doing with the insulin and the dose. Don't forget to fill in the spreadsheet for tonight .

 

[LilTurkey]

Hey Brittany, wouldn't be a bad idea to get one more test in tonight, maybe can +7
The more data you get the better it is to see how he is doing with the insulin and the dose. Don't forget to fill in the spreadsheet for tonight .

I'll try my best. I'm trying to slowly work up to more tests. He absolutely hates them. If I can wake up and find him I will attempt a test. Thank you.

 

[Diane Tyler's Mom GA]

I'll try my best. I'm trying to slowly work up to more tests. He absolutely hates them. If I can wake up and find him I will attempt a test. Thank you.

It will get easier, I see that a lot of members will give them a treat after testing, so they
associate that with testing. You can ask about what treats they give their cats, I'm sorry but I never had to give Tyler a treat. I would just start getting him used to me touching his ears, which he doesn't mind at all.
Even if you do that , still give him a treat to get him used to you touching his ears and then just let him go.
I put Tyler on the couch facing the arm and pet him and tell him he's a good boy.
I have to say though with Tyler he doesn't mind it at all. I can even test him when he's sleeping.
Thomas J will get used to it, don't get frustrated.
Are you able to get any tests in during the day and if not how about the weekends.
I'm assuming you work and not able to zip home lunch time for a test.
So maybe on the weekends you can get more day and night time tests in. He's a handsome boy.

 

[Diane Tyler's Mom GA]

Brittany did you see the movie My Girl with Macaulay Culkin ,Anna Chlumsky, , Dan Aykroyd, and Jamie Lee Curtis.
Culkin's name in the movie was Thomas J

 

[LilTurkey]

It will get easier, I see that a lot of members will give them a treat after testing, so they
associate that with testing. You can ask about what treats they give their cats, I'm sorry but I never had to give Tyler a treat. I would just start getting him used to me touching his ears, which he doesn't mind at all.
Even if you do that , still give him a treat to get him used to you touching his ears and then just let him go.
I put Tyler on the couch facing the arm and pet him and tell him he's a good boy.
I have to say though with Tyler he doesn't mind it at all. I can even test him when he's sleeping.
Thomas J will get used to it, don't get frustrated.
Are you able to get any tests in during the day and if not how about the weekends.
I'm assuming you work and not able to zip home lunch time for a test.
So maybe on the weekends you can get more day and night time tests in. He's a handsome boy.

Thank you! I'll try giving him treats when I just touch his ears. He seems to be associating treats with the terrible pokes though. When I offer him them he won't always eat them cause he suspects testing. I'll try to get more tests in during the weekend. I'm trying to warm him and work him up to more tests. He goes full attack mode after so many tests so I think I'll have to be more slow with him.

 

[Diane Tyler's Mom GA]

Thank you! I'll try giving him treats when I just touch his ears. He seems to be associating treats with the terrible pokes though. When I offer him them he won't always eat them cause he suspects testing. I'll try to get more tests in during the weekend. I'm trying to warm him and work him up to more tests. He goes full attack mode after so many tests so I think I'll have to be more slow with him.

You are doing good Brittany, do the best you can, you made me laugh full attack mode
So how did you come up with his name, did you see the movie I was talking about

Also about the question about a lancing device next time you post for the day, ask people which ones they use, and can suggest. I see a lot of members use them

 

[LilTurkey]

Brittany did you see the movie My Girl with Macaulay Culkin ,Anna Chlumsky, , Dan Aykroyd, and Jamie Lee Curtis.
Culkin's name in the movie was Thomas J

Yes! That's who he's named after. Originally was going to name him Monster after a patch he had on his head as a kitten that resembled the energy drink logo and because of his temperament. We liked the movie a lot and so a friend suggested we name him Thomas J. Also, the patch turned out to be a long standing oil spot that went away after months. Random backstory haha.

 

[Diane Tyler's Mom GA]

Yes! That's who he's named after. Originally was going to name him Monster after a patch he had on his head as a kitten that resembled the energy drink logo and because of his temperament. We liked the movie a lot and so a friend suggested we name him Thomas J. Also, the patch turned out to be a long standing oil spot that went away after months. Random backstory haha.

I knew it lol, that's so funny an oil spot, poor Thomas J.

 

[LilTurkey]

I knew it lol, that's so funny an oil spot, poor Thomas J.

Haha most people don't know the movie when I tell them. He was born in a garage after a family friend took in a stray that turned out to be pregnant. His mom was super sweet, I adopted him because he looked just like her, turned out to have the opposite temperament. He's my grumpy boy though. He must've gotten into something in the garage to have it rub onto him so much, took forever to fade away.
Thank you for all the help and advice! I hope you have a great night!

 

[Diane Tyler's Mom GA]

Haha most people don't know the movie when I tell them. He was born in a garage after a family friend took in a stray that turned out to be pregnant. His mom was super sweet, I adopted him because he looked just like her, turned out to have the opposite temperament. He's my grumpy boy though. He must've gotten into something in the garage to have it rub onto him so much, took forever to fade away.
Thank you for all the help and advice! I hope you have a great night!

Nice story have a good sleep and will stay in touch