I'm new I'm scared and I need help

Purrrnella said:
I tried using the lancet pin to get some blood, BOY he is not happy with me :nailbiting: I'm going to give him a break and try later, I don't seem to be able to get enough blood and when I do he won't sit still, waiting for the treats for him to be delivered... I think part of it is I'm really nervous about doing this but I will get it! Like you said I need to just breathe :p
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Always good to lure after testing with a low carb treat for association and always where he feels more comfortable sitting
 
CORKY said:
Always good to lure after testing with a low carb treat for association and always where he feels more comfortable sitting
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Yeah I ordered some of that Stella and chewy I think it's called, but it's being shipped I might have to go to the store and get something to make this easier. My cats always had an attitude :cat: it's what I've always loved about him but now he's making a little hard, but we'll figure it out, he does like being rewarded
 
Purrrnella said:
Yeah I ordered some of that Stella and chewy I think it's called, but it's being shipped I might have to go to the store and get something to make this easier. My cats always had an attitude :cat: it's what I've always loved about him but now he's making a little hard, but we'll figure it out, he does like being rewarded
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Place all the testing supplies in front of him let him smell stroke and caress for a bit, get a small sock and fill the end with rice knot it so you can cup the ear easier
 
Yeah I did let him check out the testing supplies in that did work, but the lancet didn't draw enough blood out.. I tried all the settings and have it on the highest one now... But I haven't tried the rice that'll be my next trick... I'm just going to give him a break so he doesn't remember this as a really bad experience
 
I never used the pen. I always free handed. I felt like it gave me more control. In addition, some cats are bothered by the click of the pen.

I hope you got a wider gauge lancet. A 26 - 28 gauge is a good place to start. It takes a while for the capillary bed along the edge of the ear to develop and then it will be easier to get blood. In the meantime, you can scrape blood onto your fingernails which will give you more time to test.

treats will do a lot to make the process easier.
 
Press the lancet device firmly against the ear. You'll need to put something on the other side of the ear so you have a firm surface to poke against and prevent your fingers from being poked. Floppy ears are hard to get a good poke. Some people use cotton balls / cotton squares. Others use the rice sock.
 
I got it done and I don't think it's very good...it says 378 mg/dl ...I don't know how to read these yet but I'm guessing this is bad ...any advice? He is on two units of ProZinc every 12 hours
 
He's acting a lot better than he was a few days ago, and I've been feeding him only Fancy feast, should I check his blood again after I give him his insulin?
 
How many hours after insulin was the 378?

Anything over 200 is a diabetic number but don't worry. Your cat is on insulin and a low carb diet. Have patience while you find the right insulin dose for your cat.

Yes, get some random checks in if you can. If your cat doesn't cooperate, it's ok. Try again later.

@Suzanne & Darcy
 
squeem3 said:
How many hours after insulin was the 378?

Anything over 200 is a diabetic number but don't worry. Your cat is on insulin and a low carb diet. Have patience while you find the right insulin dose for your cat.

Yes, get some random checks in if you can. If your cat doesn't cooperate, it's ok. Try again later.

@Suzanne & Darcy
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Try and try again he’ll get used to it soon
 
His insulin is 8:00 in the morning and 8:00 at night, I live in Michigan it's 6:36 right now... Glad you told me not to worry cuz I was freaking out. I will check again after his insulin
 
You guys are my rocks! I would be so stressed if it wasn't for you guys so thank you... I'm hoping and praying to get him into remission, and I think I can absolutely do it with the help of everybody here
 
So 10.5 hours-ish after AM insulin the bg is 378?

Always check the blood glucose level before giving insulin. That's the only way you know what the level is and if it's safe to give insulin or not. You can't assume that it will always be high. Sometimes a cat will throw a curve ball and might be in a normal non-diabetic range (roughly 60 to 150). You definitely don't want to give insulin in that case.
 
Purrrnella said:
You guys are my rocks! I would be so stressed if it wasn't for you guys so thank you... I'm hoping and praying to get him into remission, and I think I can absolutely do it with the help of everybody here
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Some cats never go into remission but become stabilized, like my Corky, see his spreadsheet he will be a lifetime diabetic and I’m ok with that he’s very healthy and that makes me the happiest :D:bighug::bighug::cat::cat:
And we will always be here for you
 
squeem3 said:
So 10.5 hours-ish after AM insulin the bg is 378?

Always check the blood glucose level before giving insulin. That's the only way you know what the level is and if it's safe to give insulin or not. You can't assume that it will always be high. Sometimes a cat will throw a curve ball and might be in a normal non-diabetic range (roughly 60 to 150). You definitely don't want to give insulin in that case.
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What would the numbers be that I wouldn't give him insulin? My old vet didn't want me checking his blood, that's why she's being replaced
 
CORKY said:
Some cats never go into remission but become stabilized, like my Corky, see his spreadsheet he will be a lifetime diabetic and I’m ok with that he’s very healthy and that makes me the happiest :D:bighug::bighug::cat::cat:
And we will always be here for you
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Because you're a true animal lover!
 
The general advice to newbies is to not give insulin if the cat is under 150.

Have you been over to the Prozinc forum? There are info stickies at the top that you will find helpful: https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/forums/prozinc-pzi.24/ You can also post in that forum, too.

My cat is just a broken lemon :blackeye: There's no fixing all his issues or getting his blood glucose levels to stay in a good range:confused: My previous diabetic was also a lemon.
 
squeem3 said:
The general advice to newbies is to not give insulin if the cat is under 150.

Have you been over to the Prozinc forum? There are info stickies at the top that you will find helpful: https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/forums/prozinc-pzi.24/ You can also post in that forum, too.

My cat is just a broken lemon :blackeye: There's no fixing all his issues or getting his blood glucose levels to stay in a good range:confused: My previous diabetic was also a lemon.
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THANK YOU! No I haven't been there, but I'm going right now... I will be changing Mateo's insulin, can't remember the name but it's what DCIN told me to get him on and they can help pay for it, I have an appointment with a new vet on the first when I get paid, kind of blew on my money on good treats, food and testing supplies.. but it'll be about 2 weeks since he went to the last but when I go this next time, from what I understand that's about average. I have a lot to learn!!! I am so thankful to you guys. The old vet pretty much sounded like I should put Mateo down because I was low income. But I'm figuring it out... There are things I can go without if I need to. Well if your kitties are lemons they sure found the right person to love them :') we take on an animal we take on the responsibility, they should always have a good healthy and happy life!
 
Purrrnella said:
THANK YOU! No I haven't been there, but I'm going right now... I will be changing Mateo's insulin, can't remember the name but it's what DCIN told me to get him on and they can help pay for it, I have an appointment with a new vet on the first when I get paid, kind of blew on my money on good treats, food and testing supplies.. but it'll be about 2 weeks since he went to the last but when I go this next time, from what I understand that's about average. I have a lot to learn!!! I am so thankful to you guys. The old vet pretty much sounded like I should put Mateo down because I was low income. But I'm figuring it out... There are things I can go without if I need to. Well if your kitties are lemons they sure found the right person to love them :') we take on an animal we take on the responsibility, they should always have a good healthy and happy life!
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Sorry if you can't understand my message I'm getting tired
 
Prozinc is a good insulin to use. If DCIN recommended Lantus, there's a way to get the box of pens for $35. There are five pens in the box, each pen contains 3 ml of insulin. That's at least a year's supply of insulin for most cats. You'll need to buy U100 insulin syringes to use with Lantus. I'm sure DCIN will give you that info.
 
squeem3 said:
Prozinc is a good insulin to use. If DCIN recommended Lantus, there's a way to get the box of pens for $35. There are five pens in the box, each pen contains 3 ml of insulin. That's at least a year's supply of insulin for most cats. You'll need to buy U100 insulin syringes to use with Lantus. I'm sure DCIN will give you that info.
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How do I get the pens for $35 I can afford that? I pretty much have everything I need so $35 is no problem. Even if I have to cut down on a few things that I like I'm willing to do that. I'm 65 and really don't need a whole lot in my life anymore except my kitty :cat:
 
https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/sourcing-insulin-more-economically.288053/

You need a prescription from the vet and I guess the prescription has to be written exactly as what's in the thread above. If the GoodRx coupon or whatever you use doesn't work at the pharmacy, try a different pharmacy or go on a different day and maybe a different pharmacist will be there. Some people have said that the $35 price depends on the pharmacist.

Lantus is a U100 insulin so you'll need to buy U100 insulin syringes. 3/10cc with half unit markings are best. WalMart's Relion brand is what many people here use since it's something like less than $20 a box. See https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/new-member-steve-alex-advice-on-regulation.298710/ for a picture of the box to buy. There are many other brands of insulin syringes. You can buy insulin syringes from Amazon with no prescription, Chewy but you may need to provide a phone number of the vet, Human diabetic supply web sites, etc. There is a US member who isn't able to order any insulin syringes online due to some state law. If your state has something similar, any store pharmacy sells insulin syringes, prescription may be needed.
 
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