Newbies - Emma and Xena

Hello,

I am totally new to a chat forum. Please forgive me for not knowing the rules and jargon. Just shows what we'll do for the felines we love and care about!

I hope I have created my own new thread by posting a new topic.

Anyway, Xena and I need help. Xena was diagnosed several months ago and was put on ProZinc. The vet took her off ProZinc after 45 days. She started at 1 unit, went to2, then back down in 1/2 increments. It was a nightmare. The first time she bottomed out I thought it was over for her. No matter how low the vet reduced her insulin it kept happening. Towards the end of giving her insulin, Xena began fighting my husband and me when we tried to give her the injections. Her normal bottoming out readings - BG 40. I see I am not alone in this experience. I have read others with almost the identical story on this forum.

The vet has now suggested she have scans, etc. and more testing because she thinks there must be something seriously wrong with her that she keeps bottoming out. She's had two Senior Panel bloodwork done with everything but glucose normal. The latest fructosamine tests was "fair" showing that she is spiking after bottoming out. I can't afford scans and more testing. I have already spent almost $1000.

She's been on Purina DM canned for 3 months.

Your stories have been an inspiration. I want to give up, but I love her too much to do that.

Thanks Emma

 

Hi Emma

glad you began a thread for yourself and Xena.

I cross posted for u in the PZI forum, so those insulin users can stop by here and give you a hand.

Are you home testing Xena?
Are there any mid cycle numbers?

 

Hi Ronnie and Luna,

Chatting like this is very cool actually. Thank-you for responding. No, I haven't done any at home testing. That's one reason it was so expensive - we were running to the vet constantly for readings.

I am on my way out now to purchase a glucometer at Walmart. I see several people recommend the Relion so I'll start witht hat. Thanks for your help. I'll try to get my profile up soon too.

Emma

 

I'm not too sure what you mean by "bottoming out", low numbers? I think.

Low numbers are good - but home testing will really give you a bigger picture on how the insulin is working...I'm not familiar with PZi - but there are lots here who are.
Not sure what scans your vet is doing. Unless Xena has bad teeth, or any infections - that would show up in the numbers and they would be higher.

We can help thou with the home testing and how-to's. Get yourself the meter, and come back and check in ok?
Home testing will save you money and the added stress of what's going on.

 

Welcome

Are you using U40 insulin syringes with ProZinc? Or U100 insulin syringes? Your package of insulin syringes will say which type.

ProZinc is a U40 insulin so typically you use matching U40 insulins yringes. But many people use U100 insulin syringes **with a conversion chart** to masure teeny doses.

Are you measuring the insulin dose correctly? To the 1 unit line and not the 10 unit line? That's a common newbie mistake, misreading the line markings on an isnulin syringe.

Was your cat correctly diagnosed with diabetes? The fructosamine test is done to confirm diabetes or now. Typical symptoms, such as flooding the litter box with excessive amounts of urine, eating a ton of food but stilll losing weight, and drinking like a fish are taken into consideration as well. A simple in-office blood glucose test may show a very high blood glucose number but that is almost always a stress-induced number.

Canned DM is "ok" but there are other lesser expensive better quality commercial brands of foods that you can feed. Brands such as Fancy Feast, Friskies, and Wellness are popular on this board. The board recommends feeding canned foods that are low carb, ie under 10% carbs. Use the food charts to find out: http://binkyspage.tripod.com/canfood.html It may take trial and error to find a brand that your cat likes to eat.

 

Emma - glad you created your own post. Now we can work on helping you. Here is something I say to all newbies:

There are three key factors to managing diabetes: food/nutrition, home testing and insulin

1) Feline Nutrition: Now, as far as diet - definitely dump the dry food (if you are feeding any) and if the vet recommends purchasing prescription food like DM just say "no thank you". ALL cats, and especially those with diabetes, do best on a species appropriate diet that is high in protein and low in carbs. Dry food DOES NOT fit that bill and DM food, even canned, just really isn't that great as far as quality. Most here on FDMB feed low carb/high protein canned, raw bought from a pet store or they make there own.

Here great links, one is to a food chart put together by one of our board members that breaks down the carb % and protein % of most of the commercial brand foods. You want to keep the carb % below 10% and around 7% is great. The other link is to a site by a vet "Dr. Lisa DVM" ... who also posts on this board from time to time ... there is in-depth info. there about many things, including nutrition and how to make raw food.
Nutrition/food info

The good thing with feeding your diabetic cat this way, is that it is ALSO good for any non-diabetic cat too. All your cats can safely eat the same food without worry and it may save you some costs and headaches of having to do separate feedings and keeping track of what they are eating.


2. Home testing: It is impossible to convey the value of testing your cat's BG (blood glucose) level at home. Some vets will "suggest" this, but most won't even mention it. They will send you home with insulin and an amount to shoot and maybe some instructions about hypoglycemia (blood sugar dropping to a dangerously low level).

Well, the thing is, human diabetics don't EVER give themselves insulin without checking there BG to make sure it is safe to do so, so why shouldn't it be the same for our kitties. Here on FDMB it is. You will notice that the vast majority of people here test their cat's BG at least 2x/day (before giving each shot to make sure the level is safe enough) and periodically at other times to see how the cat is responding to the current dose. We use a human glucometer, test strips and lancets - which are all very readily available and easy to use.

Our kitties get lots of love and treats for "putting up" with this and most of them actually come out to be tested on their own 'cause they want those treats . Here is a collection of great links that "Carolyn and Spot" pulled together about hometesting. See what you think ... it truly is the best way to not only keep Your cat safe but also really get a handle on this disease and help him to live a healthy life with FD (feline diabetes).

Home testing Links

3. Insulin: There are several types of insulin available. Many people, myself included use Lantus or Levimer both of which are great insulins. They are gentle insulin and given twice (BID) per day in 12 hour increments. Or you could also choose PZI or the new version called Prozinc.

Please read up on the insulins available, here is a link to the Insulin Support Groups:

Insulin Support Groups

However, one caveat and again this shows how these three things are inter-related:

If you are feeding dry food or even a high carb food, BEFORE removing these foods, please make sure of your insulin dose as it will most likely need to be reduced, so as to avoid a possible hypoglycemic situation due to the removal of the dry/high carb foods that will lower the BG’s and reduce the amount of insulin required. Again, another reason why home testing is important.

I know this all seems like a lot, and that's because it is ... there is a learning curve here. But as long as you are determined and keep at it, you will have it down before you know it and you'll be seeing the results in Your cat' overall health and happiness. Ask all the questions you can think of - that's why we are here!

Also, if you haven't done it yet, take the time and fill out your profile. It will help when others come on and read this. Also, let us know where you live - city/state as there are probably people in your area who can provide on the ground support and help you to learn home testing, etc.

 

Hi Emma,

While you're at Walmart don't forget to buy the corresponding test strips and some Lancets.

Also as suggested before, print out Janet & Binky's food chart, take it with you and get some low carb canned food, either Fancy Feast, Friskies or Special Kitty.

Buy some Karo syrup or honey for your hypo kit so if Xena bottoms out again you will be able to help her.

Then come back and let us know when you're ready to start.

Your doing great.

 

and while you are at it - pick up

ketone strips - keto-diastix or ketostix

neosporin or other antibiotic ointment with pain relief is fine.

 

Emma--a lot of cats only need very tiny doses of insulin. That's one of the really great features of PZI--it's U-40 so you can use it with a U-100 syringe to accurately measure out doses of .2 units. The bottoming out may easily be controlled now that you have decided to home test. If I'm reading your post correctly, Xena is not getting any insulin right now, but you still have a relatively new bottle of PZI. I would master the art of testing first. Then with a couple of days of test data, you can re-introduce the insulin in a smaller dose.

Another really great help with micro-dose kitties is to use a high quality food rather than Friskies or Fancy Feast. The quality of the protein can make a difference. If you have a non-chain pet store in your community, check for grain-free brands such as Wellness and Merricks.

 

I agree that you should try U100 human insulin syringes with the U40 ProZinc insulin.

My two diabetics (adopted through this board) each only need 0.25u BID

If you choose syringes that have a tinier needle, like 31 gauge, hopefully it will hurt less.

My kitties hardly notice the shot

These are the syringes that I buy:
http://hocks.com/hocks-healthcare/hocks ... 40030.html

phoebe

 

Welcome to the greatest place. Now your kitty will be on the mend in no time at all Kath