Hi Taco and Tacos Mom! Welcome to the best place you never wanted to be! It sounds like you guys have been going through a whirlwind lately. First off, great job that you're home testing! That's one of the hardest hurdles to get past and you're already a pro! That 275 you got is not a bad number at all...it's hard to say what's going on for sure without more data, but my GUESS is that he may be bouncing. That happens sometimes when a kitty gets a lower number than they're used to. All it means is that the kitty had a lower number than used to and that caused them to get a much higher number next time. I could be totally wrong, but it's one possibility.
To really help you, we'd like to get a spreadsheet set up for you. That way, you can record all your numbers and we can look at it. That helps us see patterns...you can see mine in my signature (it's very old, but it still works the same). The instructions are here:
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/fdmb-spreadsheet-instructions.130337/. If you find it difficult, let us know! We have a few techy people who can definitely help you out. It'll make it much easier for us to advise you and to help figure out how to get Taco in better numbers!
So, to clarify, he's eating the DM right now and is on 2 units a day? The DM isn't really needed...he can be on much better quality food that's a LOT cheaper. You want to get a food that is under 10% carbs...most people use friskies or fancy feast here. If you click on this
Food Chart you can see all the foods that we have data on. The carb % column is the one you want under 10. But make sure you're home testing and able to be there if you do decide to switch food...getting to a lower carb food can drop them over 100 points in a night sometimes!
What meter did you get? I just ask because human meters and pet meters have different numbers somewhat.
How often/how much are you feeding?
One last question. Are you testing him before each shot? You want to do that before he eats (at least 2 hours past any food so the number isn't food influenced).
I'll try to find our old guide for the abbreviations...not sure where it is, but someone should know. I'll link it if I do. For now, though, are there any questions about specific abbreviations you have?
I don't want to overwhelm you with too much info, so I'm going to stop here. But do let us know if you have ANY questions (we all had a million when we arrived!). Take a deep breath and don't worry. We are here and we CAN DEFINITELY help you get Taco in better numbers. We've done it tons of times. We can and will help you figure this out!
Thank you so much! So, Ill try to number my answers to your questions.
A little about Taco, as you can see from my avatar , Taco was a big boy, he was putting on weight in the last year, in fact we called him bigger boy, then, about 4 months ago, I noticed he was losing weight, and his fur was shedding alot and had alot of dandruff like, still I really didnt pay attention, because he goes to vet regularly. One night I saw him drink about a 1/2 a cup of water, which was unusual , because I always added a tablespoon of water to his Friskies wet.
So , I took him in the next day, and his BG was 400 something. The vet said he was diabetic and needed to lose weight , even tho by this time he was 14 pounds instead of 19-21. He said he also needed a curve done, so I took him in the next am for that, but they told me he wouldnt eat for them. So to me that curve was useless, That's when I did some homework, and decided to do my own. He was quite surprised that I was going to do that on my own, but, I'm WHERE"S THERE's A WILL THERE's A WAY person.
After you read this, do you think I should try the Friskies PRIME FILET with CHICKEN in GRAVY again and do a curve with that, ? It would be nice to have all 3 cats eating the same, plus, nothing ever changed with the DM??
1) Taco had been eating the Friskies PRIME FILETS with CHICKEN IN GRAVY (ONLY) for 11 years. any other he wouldnt eat. 1/2 can in the AM , 1/2 can in the PM with 1 tbs water added to each 1/2 can. My 2 other cats, one tacos liter mate and 1, 2 year old stray dont like any other friskies either. Talk about fincky!!
2) He was also getting free feed Purina CAT Complete, but really didnt eat a whole lot of it, maybe total 1/2 cup daily, mostly at night.
3) I've been using the Pet Test ADVOCATE, I just ordered another, because for a little extra I can get the whole kit, I've brought it in to the vets and the numbers match with his more enpensive meter.(twice)
4) Taco eats 3/4 of a can of DM, then gets 2 U. twice daily 12 hours apart. Started on 1/2 can DM and 1U for about 1 month.
5)I liked that 275, but then the next feeding 12 hours later, it was 400.(before the feeding)?
6) I test, then immediately feed, and immediately give 2 U prozinc.
7) He's down 1 more pound, so 13 pounds, I have a difference of opinion with the vet about his weight, maybe because I'm not used to seeing him that small.
8) He goes around meowing like he's starving, yet, he has a hard time finishing his 3/4 can of DM ?
9) He was taken off dry food and friskies cold turkey, he seemed to like the DM, the one with the pieces, but, he was doing the same as friskies and licking the gravy and leaving alot of the meat, wasting it, so I traded it for the pate, Thats what he's been on now for the 2 months, except maybe 1 week at first. I was trying to mimic his chicken filet and gravy.
10) All three of our cats have never been outside, and all 3 eat in different rooms, so, never any stealing
11) He hates Fancy feast, tried a few, and wont eat it
12)Which Friskeys are most people using?
Thank you so much for the concern.
