Frustrated Newbie needing to make a choice

Hello All. I'm Carla and I'm new here and new to the feline diabetes scene (that makes it sound like a singles' bar... ha) !

My 13 year old cat, Boo, was recently diagnosed with diabetes shortly following surgery for bladder stones. I'm a little overwhelmed and trying to learn all I can in order to make the best decisions I can.

I love my vet and have known him for 20 years. However, I'm wondering if I might need to seek a specialist.

Boo's initial reading was over 500. He started her on 1 unit twice a day and has gradually increased her over the last 6 weeks to 4 units twice a day. This morning when he took her reading, it was over 400. What on earth?

I switched her over slowly from a prescription bladder food to a prescription diabetes food (Purina D/M). She will not eat wet food. I've tried. Believe me. She is stubborn.

She is very good about showing me when something is "off" by using Piddle Pads instead of the litter box. It seems that she is good for the first 2-3 days on the larger dosage, and then she starts peeing out of the box an acting unhappy until her dosage is increased. Again. This morning the vet increased her to FIVE UNITS. I panicked. It just seems like we've hit a cap on dosage and now I don't know what to do.

I am willing to try anything including cooking her food (if she will eat it).

Anyone have a first step to suggest for Boo and me?

Frustrated but eager....
Carla

 

Hi Carla,

You said that you're home testing, which is very important! There's a couple things that could be going on, but without more data it's hard to tell. How often are you testing a day? With Lantus, you need to get at least three tests daily--before your AM shot, before the PM shot, and a test 6 hours after the shot in either cycle. This is the only way to see how insulin is affecting your cat.

I think a couple of things could be going on. Either the dry food is keeping her Blood Glucose high, or she's on too big a dose of insulin. If her dose was not increased in .25-.5u increments based off that test 6 hours in, then she's probably on too high a dose. Too much insulin can look just like too little insulin if you don't get that daily test, because the liver will dump glucose into the blood as a survival mechanism. Here's a link to the the dosing protocol for Lantus that we use here--this protocol has been proven to bring a large majority of new cats safely into remission: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=1581

As for the wet food problem, what food did you try to feed her? If it was the prescription food many cats don't like it because of the high liver content. There are a lot of commercial foods that are better for your cat than the dry DM, which is WAY too high in carbs for a diabetic cat. Many cats love Fancy Feast, and there's a lot of low carb flavors to choose from: http://felinediabetes.com/glutenfree.htm. Or just pick something off the cat food nutrition chart under 10% carbs: http://felinediabetes.com/diabetic-cat-diets.htm. I feed Bandit EVO 95% Vension, 95% Chicken & Turkey, and Merricks Cowboy Cookout and Surf n Turf. If that doesn't work, here are some tips to get her switched to a wet diet: http://catinfo.org/#Transitioning_Dry_Food_Addicts_to_Canned_Food_. After taking these steps, it's rare that the cat won't give up the dry food. If you are willing to make her food and she'll eat a raw diet, that is a fantastic option: http://catinfo.org/#Home-Prepared_Diets

If you have one of those rare cats though, EVO dry is under 10% carbs and you should switch to that. However, I would really urge you to try hard to get her on wet or raw food, because a lot of cats are carb sensitive and won't go into remission unless they're completely off the dry. Also, and this is really important, do not change the food without testing and lowering the dose, because switching from dry to wet can lower your cat's Blood Glucose by 100-200 points almost immediately.

 

First question are you testing her at home? If not, can we teach you to? That would really be your first line of defense, as all cats are under stress at the vet's and stress raises BGs. So if the vet is adjusting her dose by the numbers he is seeing at the office there is a good chance she is getting too much insulin and her body is trying to protect itself from going too low by dumping stored glucose. Also all dry food is too high in carbs for a diabetic cat. She will learn to eat canned food, but you can't just take up the dry and set down canned if she has never seen canned food. You need to transition her slowly. Starting with 75% dry food, 25% canned, then slowly phase out the dry while upping the canned.

Dogs are natural hunters, thus when left on their own will kill and eat prey. Cats on the other hand are learned hunters, if left on their own they will starve to death in a barn full of mice if no other cat has ever taught them that mice are food..Now they may kill the mice, but wouldn't know they are food.

Same goes with dry vs. canned food. If they were never taught that it is food, they won't have a clue what to do with it. I have one little girl here that grew up on dry food, when I adopted her she refused to even try the canned food, but since she likes hanging out with my diabetic I had to get her to switch over. I started slowly transitioning her from dry to wet, now she is the one that dances the most when the canned food is coming. She runs in circles, jumps on and off the bed (Maxwell & her eat in the bedroom). And talks loudly to me until I set the bowl down and she dives in with gusto.

The two key steps for me to get Maxwell into remission and off insulin was home testing and diet change. He was 485 when dxed, never got more that 1u of Lantus every 12 hours and had his diet changed to low carb/high protein canned food,. After 2 weeks on insulin with the diet change, he was off insulin all together, and if you didn't know he was a diabetic you would not be able to tell.

Mel, Maxwell and The Fur Gang

 

Julia and Mel, thank you so much for all the wonderful info. I will read the links right now.

I am NOT home testing... making many, many trips to the vet. My vet was concerned with a) me freaking OUT trying to test her at home, and b) me not getting an accurate reading and panicking for no reason. I'm not a panicky person by nature, but I lean on the "doting" side when it comes to my animals. ;-)

Thanks again so much for taking time to respond. I know you get the same questions over and over from people who are new to this. I'm very concerned and very anxious to find what works best for my cat. It just makes my brain explode trying to consider all the different factors involved in finding just the right balance.

ONWARD!!!
:razz:

Carla

 

I'm sorry Carla! For some reason I got the impression that you were home testing. If you aren't then you definitely need to start! This is the only way to safely treat your diabetic cat. Vet numbers are often inflated due to stress, so it can lead to a dangerous overdose situation. Plus, it will save you a lot of money that you're spending to test at the vet!

All you need to do is pick up a human glucose meter that takes a small sample of blood (less than .6uL) Many like the Relion from Walmart because it's inexpensive and the strips are easy to get. I use the Aviva Accuchek, and I buy my strips online. You'll also need lancets. Here's some info and tips for hometesting: http://felinediabetes.com/bg-test.htm, and a video showing you how: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zE12-4fVn8.

With the combination of regulation through home testing, a wet or raw diet, and Lantus, 80+% of newly diagnosed cats go into remission. My own cat is in diet-controlled remission right now.

Keep posting back here with questions! There are many experienced people here who can help you with just about any problem you have with treatment. Also, check out the Lantus form and read the stickies, because they provide information about the insulin and how it works on your cat: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewforum.php?f=9

 

Aw Carla,

While home testing takes a little bit to get the hang of, it becomes as easy as brushing your teeth. I in fact adopted my Maxwell as a diabetic, and started testing him the first night he was in my home. Now if I can do it with a cat that had never even seen me before, you can do it with Boo, who knows, loves and trusts you.

And we can help you every step of the way. Think of it like this, if she was your human child, would you inject insulin into her without testing first? Would any human diabetic? Since I come from a family of human diabetics I can answer that ...not a chance! Then why should it be any different for our furry children.

Once you get home testing down you will so much more in control of things, and your wallet will be fatter. lol Since I adopted Maxwell in October of last year the only time he has seen my vet was when I took him in to show the Vets how to home test. There has just been no reason for him to go, he came to me fully vetted, up to date on his shots, and neutered. Healthwise the only thing that was wrong with him was he was diabetic. I started testing him at home, and even with him in remission I still test a couple times a month. Then I simply email my spread sheet with his numbers to my vet, so they can keep track of him as well.

Living with a diabetic cat is so very easy once you get a few simple steps down. so easy in fact this coming Saturday I will be welcoming home my newest addition Musette a little diabetic girl that I'm adopting. Now if you look at the end of my post and notice all those names...their all mine, if it wasn't easy and so worth it for the bound that you develop I certainly wouldn't be looking foreward to taking on yet another one...lol

Just read, and reread everything on this site, and ask a ton of questions. The only stupid question is the one that goes unasked. We all either have or have had diabetic cats and it is our pleasure to help newbies such as yourself. And unlike the vet's we don't have office hours, we don't close for holidays, or take vacations, there is always someone around to answer questions, give advice or just talk you off the ledge..lol

We care for every cat and their person that come to this board like they are members of our own family....So WELCOME TO THE FDMB FAMILY!!!

Mel, Maxwell and The Fur Gang

 

Thank you both, sooo much. As I read your encouraging posts and welled up, I realize I have let my anxiety get the better of me. Thank you for your level heads and kind words. Boo is the sweetest cat ever and I want to do right by her.

Here's to getting started.

Thanks again. You don't know how much I appreciate your time and patience.
Carla (and Boo)

 

We were all right where you are now when we got here. I know my first post I was crying and shaking so hard I could barely type. It won't be long and you will be the one here, giving the helping hand and being the calm voice of reason. And who knows might even teach your vet a trick or two along the way.

Mel, Maxwell and The Fur Gang

 

Hi Carla,
You are getting some great support so far. Everyone is absolutely right on what they are saying about the food, about testing her BGs and especially about that insulin dose.

Here are 2 things you can do to help Boo.

#1. Read, then print out the AAHA guidelines for treating diabetes in dogs and cats and give it to your vet. http://www.aahanet.org/PublicDocuments/AAHADiabetesGuidelines.pdf Many older vets may not be keeping up with current thinking on treatment of diabetes, especially with cats. This will help both of you.

#2. Read Dr. Lisa Pierson's marvelous cat site! http://www.catinfo.orgShe is a leader in cat nutrition and she covers everything. She has sections about diabetes and also on bladder problems, both of which are caused by improper diet!

I don't think we have established that Boo is actually on Lantus (glargine) type insulin. Is that in fact the type of insulin?

Also, you have found the feline diabetes specialists! They are right here, on this board. We may not be licensed veterinarians, but our experience with feline diabetes collectively trumps that of most vets. Even feline specialist vets. We have a system of peer review, so if someone sees advice which may be wrong, someone will speak up and keep your cat safe. You will find most all answers to your questions here, either through info from the home page or on the board from members. So keep asking questions and we can help you help Boo!

 

I remember how anxious I was when Bandit was diagnosed! Treating your cat's diabetes becomes so second nature and easy once you're successfully home testing, that sometimes it's easy to forget how panicked you were in the beginning. :smile:

Believe me, a lot of that anxiety will go away once you have the data to make decisions, and you're not shooting "blind". You'll also sleep better without having to worry if your cat is going to have a hypoglycemic incident, because you'll know.

 

Again, I thought I saw this in the first post but I guess I assumed that, too. Wow, I maybe need some coffee this morning.

Carla, what type of insulin is Boo getting? Is it Lantus?

 

Julia, I've had my coffee this AM and I had to read the OP 3 times to make sure I hadn't missed it! :roll:

 

Yes... Lantus.

Funny story.... when I was in the drive through at Walgreens picking up my prescription for the insulin and syringes, the person filling my order mistakenly ran it through my insurance thinking it was for me. The prescription said Carla McDonald "Boo" and it was written by a vet... yet they still ran it through my insurance. I suppose they thought my doctor affectionately called me "Boo." tee hee! To add insult to injury, I had just come from Chick Fil A and was eating an enormous soft serve ice cream cone. Must have looked awfully stupid sitting there sucking down an ice cream while waiting for my insulin to be filled. :?

Thanks again, everyone. I will get a prescription from my vet this afternoon for a glucose monitor and start with the home testing training.

xo
Carla

 

You don't need a script from your vet for a meter, any human meter works just fine. If you have a Walmart nearby they have a nice little meter called the Relion micro it is what I personally use for Maxwell. The whole set up, Meter, 50 test strips, lancet pen, box of lancets, and some ketostixs I think ran me under $40.

Mel, Maxwell and the Fur gang

 

Hey Carla,
You are already well on your way. Maybe I'm a bit weird, but I am always amazed that vets think that people will shoot insulin into their cat and yet they think that people will find it too hard to prick the ear and test a drop of blood. You are already doing the very hardest and most scary part. Testing is the easy part IMHO! I know you can handle testing. And the very best part is that you don't have to take Boo to the vet every few days to be tested and suddenly you have a much smaller vet bill! And you are totally in control knowing what her number is.

Just wait until you get a drop of blood. There is a special welcome for you then.

 

No prescription necessary! Just visit Walmart, Target, or any other pharmacy and you can pick one right up.

 

And don't let the vet sell you the expensive Alpha-Track pet only meter. It's not any better than a human meter and is over priced.

 

Also, if your prescription was for a vial of Lantus, ask your vet for a new prescription for Lantus Solostar pens instead. The reason is that with the vial, it will contain much more insulin than you will be able to use before it becomes ineffective. Most of us get about 2 1/2 months use from it before it quits working and you will end up throwing away most of the vial. Instead, if you get the prescription for the pens, you will get 5 of them in the prescription. The initial cost is about twice of a single vial, but because it is packaged in smaller containers, you will be able to use almost every drop in each pen. So you should have enough insulin from one prescription of the pens to last almost a year. There is also a coupon for the pens in the Supply Closet that will save you $25 on your first prescription. You will fill your syringes the same way that you do with a vial and do not need the needles designed for use with the pens.

 

Oh almost forgot, if you want some hands on help learning to test...just give us a general location (city and state) and we will seeif we have a member close by that can pop in and give you a hand with those first few ear pokies.

You may also want to pick up some neosporin with pain relief, it will help Boo's ears heal up faster, and it helps the blood bead up and not get absorbed by the fur. And the one thing that helped Maxwell and I more than anything else was a rice sock. Just take one of those mismatched cotton socks that for some reason we all have, fill it about a cup of plain uncooked white rice (not instant), knot and cut off the extra. Then you can toss that in the microwave for a few seconds until really warm. Use it to warm up Boo's ear. Warm ears are much easier to get to bleed in the beginning.

And problems just post back here, we all have our own tricks and tips to work around any problems.

Mel, Maxwell and The Fur Gang

 

Omgosh, so helpful. thank you, thank you ALL! I'm headed to Walmart with my list of supplies and will ask my vet about the insulin pens this afternoon when I pick Boo up. I'm extremely organized and making charts and lists is actually therapeutic for me. I think I will rest WAY easier charting Boo's levels throughout the day, especially since I will be trying to change her over to wet food too. I know that everything affects her BG level and I'm determined to find out what diet/feeding schedule/insulin level create the best curve for her.

THANKS SO MUCH!! I'm so glad I came to this site.
Carla

 

re: neosporin - you want the ointment, not the cream. The cream is water soluble and won't bead up the blood worth beans!
(I got it by mistake!)

 

Thanks, BJ. I got the cream. Will exchange it on my way home!

:mrgreen:
Carla

 

Wow, you are fast on your way Carla! Once you get everything together and start testing, you should set up a spreadsheet: http://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=18207&start=0

It's an easy way to chart your numbers and if you ever need dosing advice it's handy for people here to look at.

 

Hi and welcome! I'm glad you got the responses you did .. this site is amazing and everyone here is always so willing to help .. don't forget you are always welcome in the lantus land forum as well!

 

So funny..... so. did your insurance pay?????

I've only used one vial of insulin and it was perfectly good when I used the last of it a year after I bought it. I don't think you will have any problems with it if you are careful with it. Take it out of the frig, fill your syringe, and immediately return the vial to the frig. I keep the vial in the box it came in to cut down on the dampness inside the frig.

If you have to take it traveling, put ice cubes in a couple of zip lock bags and sandwich the insulin between them.

Lana

 

You might want to check your insurance company, regarding the mishap. You don't want your record to reflect that YOU have diabetes. That might cause a problem for you down the road.

 

Thanks Julia... I had trouble downloading the spreadsheet yesterday, but I was in a hurry. I'll try again today and if unsuccessful, I will make up a new one.

 

PDM, thanks for the welcome, and I will check out the Lantus forum for sure.

Lana an DBuggy, yes, insurance DID pay and my overactive conscience got the best of me. I contacted my insurance rep and she said to go back to Walgreens and pay the difference and set up an account for Boo that is separate from mine so I would not be tagged as a diabetic who is not seeking treatment from a doctor. Done and done. The LAST thing I need is for my insurance to cancel me!


Well, last night was my first attempt at home testing. After having been at the vet all day getting poked and prodded, Boo was in no mood for shennanigans, but she let me stick her. ONCE. :-| I didn't get quite enough blood to bubble up to get a good sample in the tester strip, but at least I got a little practice. She growled at me, which hurt my feelings. I really don't want my sweet cat to run from me every time I approach her because she thinks I'm going to stick her. I'm sure it will get better and I will hopefully have more luck on a day that she hasn't been through the ringer already.

I do have a question though... the area (large area on both sides of her shoulder blades) where I have been giving the injections is getting kind of "spongy." It feels like she is retaining fluid or something. And she is in a baaaaad mood. Is there a possibility she could have some sort of infection at a shot site?

Thanks so much to you all for guiding me through this. Last night wasn't fun, but at least it wasn't a disaster.

P.S. I stuck my own finger and did a test run that way too..... It hurt!

Hope everyone is having a great day..... Oh, and to answer a question from yesterday, I am in Memphis, Tennessee.

xo
Carla

 

Another suggestion to keep a vial safe is to store it in an empty pill bottle with either cotton or a napkin wrapped around the vial so it fits snuggly in the pill bottle. You will only need to take the top off of the pill vial to draw the insulin. This way if it is accidentally dropped, you have a cushion around it to protect it.

 

Great suggestion, Lisa! Thank you! It is so nice learning the tricks of the trade from those who know what they are doing!!

My next big challenge is getting Boo off dry food. Will be reading all I can find on that in the coming days.

You guys are moving my research along at break neck speed!

THANKS SO MUCH!
Carla

 

It takes a few days 4-5 to get the hang of testing and to "train" kitty's ear to bleed. So don't get overly stressed. TREATS are a sure way to get and keep kitty interested in testing. I started with catnip on towel that I wrapped around Miss Maisey - Miss Maisey has very long legs & body so a bit wiggly. Dried chicken (I buy the big bag in the dog food section) is great treat, doesn't affect the BG - so a piece before and after doesn't go over badly.
EVO has a 95% chicken/turkey dry that tastes good and is lower carbs than most dry foods. But as you can switch to wet. My crew were dry lovers, except Pumpkin, who purrs at the sound of anything opening. Found extra water added to the wet (seems counter intuitive) did the trick for them, maybe it was more flavorful than water so encouraged more tasting?

 

I also found that adding warm water to the food seemed to make it more appealing. I think that it releases the fine aromas of the pate! Some cats like it mashed with a fork to applesauce consistency and some like little chewy chunks left. I'm sure that Boo will tell you her preferences. As for the growling, she'll forget - its amazing how a few treats erases the grumpy memory. And she always gets a treat - blood or no blood - just for trying.

 

Good morning! You're getting great advice, so I'll throw in a couple suggestions that haven't been covered!

For treats, look into purebites treats. they are just freeze dried meat (we use the chicken), though we buy them in the dog treat aisle because they come in a larger, more cost effective package. Every poke, successful or not, warrants a treat. Soon, Boo will be tolerating pokes like a pro, and may even be enthusiastic about them!

For the food transition, I would get some fortiflora. It is a probiotic made by Purina that you can get either from your vet or from Amazon. It contains the same animal digest that coats dry food and makes it so addictive for cats. Sprinkling a bit on wet food will likely make it more palatable for Boo, and the probiotics will also help Boo's digestive system make the transition more smoothly. Win win!!

Continue to ask questions, and as you get more settled into the sugar dance, please consider joining us over in Lantus Land!

 

Thanks Christie! Just ordered my fortiflora and will go look for treats today!

Anyone have any opinions on the "squishy" area where I've been giving injections? Should I be worried about it?

Thanks!
Carla

 

Monintor the squishy area for discharge, enlargement, or pain. Any of those 3, and I'd take my cat to the vet.

 

For the blood test:

First off, arm yourself with tasty treats to reward your cat for allowing you to test her blood. You only need a tiny amount. You can develop a shelf full of these so the cat is always interested. I frequently give my cat 6 - 8 Temptations, probably high carb, but such a small quantity that it has never posed a problem. Possibilities include smoked oysters, canned tiny boiled shrimp, freeze dried chicken(Petsmart or Petco), sardines, cheese, scrambled egg, home-cooked chicken. The favorite right now is Stella & Chewy's (freeze-dried) Yummy Lickin' Salmon & Chicken Dinner for cats. I soak 2 or three pellets in a couple of tablespoons of very hot water. He scarfs down the pellets ( I tear them apart for him) then drinks the water.

Secondly, make a big deal over the cat. Talk to her. Scratch her under the chin. After she knows you are not trying to punish her for anything, proceed with the test.

My sock has about 1/3 cup of rice in it and I heat it up in the microwave for about 12 seconds. I hold it underneath the ear for a count of one thousand and one then move it to the top of the ear for the same count. I keep moving it back and forth until the ear is warm. It will get uncomfortable to hold it against the ear for too long and the cat will complain, so keep moving it. You want the ear to feel quite warm.

Examine the top of the ear. Find the vein that runs around the perimeter of the ear. If you need to put a light under the ear to see it, then do that. Take your lancing device and look to see exactly where the hole is and rock it back and forth to make sure you are over the vein. Put your lancing device on a setting where it just barely pricks the ear and you have to kind of "milk" the ear to get a droplet of blood. After you get a droplet, hold on to the ear firmly because the cat is going to want to shake its head (and your droplet will be gone).

For the shot:

from: http://felinediabetes.com/injections.htm

"We had a terrible time with Scooter when we tried to inject using the 'tent' method, which was taught to us by the animal health technician at the local vets office. On a subsequent visit with the Vet, himself an owner of a diabetic cat, he displayed a different technique which works VERY WELL with Scooter, and she displays much less reaction and definitely less pain.

"The technique is to pinch some of the skin (for me using my left hand) between your thumb and forefinger (trying to avoid grabbing muscle underneath) and ROLL your hand sideways (for me, rolling my hand over to the left)pulling the skin over your finger...this makes the cats skin MUCH TIGHTER than pinching it up into a tent, and the tighter the skin, the easier the needle penetrates without pulling."

You'll be an old hand in no time!

Lana

 

Thanks BJ... kinda what I was thinking too!

Lana, thank you so much for the helpful advice. The shots are not problem whatsoever... she doesn't even really realize I'm giving them. And now I have turned off the beeping noise on the BG tester, maybe she won't have the same response she did last night. I have the nagging feeling though that something else is wrong. She was very moody before i took her in Monday and she is still very unhappy. It's a little maddening not knowing why she is uncomfortable.

I didn't warm up her ear at all last night. Will add that to my list tonight!
Thanks again, and fingers crossed!
xo
Carla

 

I DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just did my first successful home BG test!!! YAY!!!!!!

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!!! If you had not encouraged me to try this, I would have NEVER attempted it. It took me a few sticks and Boo was not particularly happy with me, but finally I got a good sample and reading!!!! It was about 20 minutes AFTER I gave her p.m. insulin shot, so it might not have been terribly accurate, but at least it worked and I feel like I can do it again successfully.

THANKS SO MUCH, EVERYONE!!!!
Carla (and Boo)

 

Woohoo!!!! Welcome to the Vampire Club!!! :RAHCAT
(bet you never thought you would here that, or be so excite to be a member...lol)

Okay so we're all dying to know......WHAT WAS THE NUMBER?

Mel, Maxwell and the Fur Gang

 

Yay!!!! You really just took the hardest (but will turn out to be the easiest) step in helping Boo. Just wait and see how less stressed you'll be.

It took me about 2 weeks testing Bandit before he started RUNNING to get tested when he heard the meter click on. Treats work wonders!

One more bit of testing advice...I got a basket a little bigger than him and put fleece blankets in it, and I tested him in the basket every time (unless he was napping somewhere and I'd sneak one in while he was sleeping). You can use the blanket to restrain him (wrap him up like a burrito) if he starts to fight you. Bandit still struggles every once and a while, especially now that we don't test so frequently.

What is very important to remember is that you're in charge, your cat won't hate you, and testing will help Boo better than anything else you can do to control his diabetes, so if he gives you attitude just tame his savage beasts with treats.

 

Thank you, Julia and Mel. I gave her a little tuna afterwards since she doesn't like treats, and we played with Christmas ribbon for quite a while. She didn't even jump down afterwards, which made me very happy. She let me pick her up and love on her. I don't want her to run for me... ever. That would hurt my heart.

Her number was 246.

When she was first diagnosed, her number was in the mid 500's.

Like I said, the test tonight was about 20 minutes after I gave her 4.5 units of insulin. I really wanted to get a reading BEFORE the shot, but I was not confident enough in my sticking skills to think I could try it and still have a chance to give her her shot before she hid under a bed somewhere.

It seems with her (and with this particular vial of Lantus), her lowest BP (at least when taken by the vet... and keep in mind she will not eat a CRUMB at the vet... complete hunger strike) is usually later than most cats. Her lowest point has generally been around hours 5/6. So now I need to decide whether I'm going get out of bed at 12:30 tonight and try to get another reading. I don't want to obsess, but I REALLY want to know if her numbers are ever going dangerously low. Especially as I try to wein her off dry food (which may take some time).

Thoughts?
Carla

 

And by "BP," I'm sure you know I mean "BG."

@-)

 

Bandit's nadir (lowest number in the cycle) was always around +6. You'll definitely want to get that testing down before you eliminate the dry food. 4.5 u is a very high dose, and most likely it will need to be cut in half or more once she's on a wet diet.

I used to set an alarm, get Bandit's +6 at 1am, and go right back to bed. It got to the point where I was literally testing in my sleep!

 

That is a pretty nice number for so early in the cycle since at least when Maxwell was on Lantus it didn't start kicking in until about +1 or +2 I would have to go back and look at his spreadsheet to see exactly when it use to kick in. So (and this is just me, I tend to worry) I think I would try to get another test in a couple hours just to make sure she isn't going to drop too low too quickly. Lantus the nadir (lowest point is normally about +6ish) But then again I tend to be a little bit of a test-a-holic...lol. But I always figure the more tests I can get in, in the beginning the more data I have to make a decision on the next shot.

So there is a pretty good chance since it was so close to when you actually gave her the shot that its pretty close to her preshot number, and that is a pretty hefty dose, but then again she is still on fairly carb heavy dry food. So you should be fine the dry food will keep her up there. But yes, as you wean her off you are going to want to watch her pre shot numbers close so you can reduce the dose as her numbers start dropping, with the reduction in carbs.

 

Now that you've done a successful test and are thinking about testing at 12:30, you'll probably just wake up! Just get everything ready b4 you go to sleep and then you barely need to crack an eye.

Good job gtting a test - we knew you could do it!

 

Great work! Taking the BG can be frustrating for me, as sometimes I have to poke and poke and poke before I get something. Cedric takes after me.
I took the advice of those here and gave him his injections on the "side" as opposed to the scruff of the neck. Maybe that. in conjunction with other things helped get him into remission. Cedric always gets a treat after Bg reading. It's one of those chicken jerkey like treats from Drs Foster & Smith. These are in the shape of a heart, so he knows how much I love him!

 

Thanks guys. I think I will test again around +5/6. I am very uncomfortable with the large dosage (which is actually why I sought out this Board in the first place) and I want to get it down, down, down as quickly and as responsibly as possible. To do that, i will need numbers. I want to know what she looks like and acts like when her bg is at its lowest.... and highest. She seems fine right now and is nudging at my leg for me to pet her. I'm so glad she doesn't hate me.

Thanks for your opinions, concerns and encouragement!
Carla

 

Arghh...I just realized I was thinking Boo was a he when she's definitely a she. My apologies to Boo for the mix up!

 

Tee hee, no problem, Julia. Boo's a big ole girl. Most people think she's a boy.

 

Oh look at that sweet face...she is so clearly a she.

Mel, Maxwell and The Fur Gang.

 

Awwww...for sure! What a sweet kitty!

 

EVO makes a dry cat food which is 8% carbs. Go to the following website, click on "location" and enter your zip cope to see where it is sold in your area.

http://www.naturapet.com/brands/evo.asp

When I introduced EVO to my cats, I mixed 1/2 EVO & 1/2 regular dry then decreased the regular little by little over time. I always fed my cats wet food and kept a bowl of dry available at all times. I had no trouble whatsoever converting regular dry to EVO . . . but changing from Fancy Feast gravy varieties to Fancy Feast pate/ground varieties? They thought the world was coming to an end. That was traumatic for them.

Lana