? Not eating well: Q re:Mirtazipine; Home testing

Hello to this wonderful community:
Two questions:
1. I know this is a question for my vet, but was wondering if you think it is ok to give mirtazipine for appetite stimulant? She isn't eating very well. She's been on Purina One dry and I've been trying to give her some low carb options, but not having success, and today I think she's only had about 1/4 c dry and maybe 3 tbl of some low carb offering. (She had a loss of appetite in December, for which I had to give her antibiotics and, at times, mirtazipine.) She started eating better, but never robustly, and was losing weight, which is when I brought her back to specialist vet, and discovered diabetes. She has been eating about 1/2c of the dry, and vet gave me Purina DM dry to transition her to...which I started; she's at 50/50 (but I'm not sure she is a big fan of the purina dm). I know the purinaPM is not advised, but with my desire to reduce her eating the Purina One and her being so sketchy with eating, I'm afraid to keep messing with her diet, especially with me not being very successful on the home test yet. I am thinking to stay with what I have for now (50/50), and try to get her to eat more (Just to get her settled with the Lantus administration.) I'm a mess with this diet thing, and I want to do better, but with her eating so sketchy..it's difficult. And I think I need to get her on an eating schedule.
2. Home Testing: I am just starting, and did it this morning pre-shot, and at +6, after about 3 misses with each. This evening, I couldn't do it for the life of me, and she is now resisting me. I think I read someone saying many of you don't use the lancet device. You must find it easier? I think I'm good with the insulin shots now, but terrified about poking her; with the device, I think I am doing it right, but then can't find the spot, so I guess I'm not doing it right?

Thanks again for being here; this has been a hard past few days. I've neglected my day job, which I can't keep doing, and I need to just come up with a plan going forward for my peace of mind.

Thanks so much to all,
Cecily

 

I can't speak to your first question, though it's good you're trying to get her to low carb over time. Just as an FYI since she is not low carb, you would have to follow the Start Low Go Slow (SLGS) dosing method. The Lantus board has more info and can help with that. I recommend starting a thread there, because diet can have a huge impact on BGs - and you want to be smart/safe when balancing diet changes and insulin dose so she doesn't go too low.

As for the second question, no I do not use the lancing device. I find I have way less control with it, and often the click it makes is scarier to the cat than the actual poke.

I just buy the Relion 30 gauge lancets from walmart, and some cotton rounds. I fold the round in half and stick that on the underside of the ear so I don't get accidentally poked, and then use it for pressure/clean up after the test is done. As for the lancet, I just remove the round cap and stick his ear by hand.

It's a bit hard to describe, but my middle, ring, and pinky fingers hold the scruff tightly while thumb and forefinger are holding the round with almost a death grip on his ear in case he tries to pull away.

It does take practice...early on there are a lot of pierced and shredded ears Plus you need time for the capillaries in the ear to form, which makes things much easier. You'll get it!

 

Also, you're doing a great job and youre in the right place! It is incredibly overwhelming at first, lots of reading and trying to understand. But having a spreadsheet and doing the home testing like you are is SO important.

I also want to make sure you've seen this post. Since Maggie isn't necessarily eating well or consistently, you'll want to watch for potential hypoglycemia (the link explains more). It's a good idea to get +3, +6, and +9 tests if you can, especially when just starting Lantus.

 

I don't use the lancing device either , use 26 or 28 gauge lancets . they will make bigger holes

 

Thanks so much to you both. I didn't use the lancet device this morning, and FrostD, I tried your approach to holding her; and keeping her in place (if that makes sense); It went better, but I'm still nervous. I am going to try in a moment to get a +6, I don't have courage yet to do it more frequently (I feel like I am putting holes in her ear everywhere . I am very fearful about her going too low, especially as I am trying to find good foods for her, while not throwing her off of her routine and what I know she will eat.
Thanks for the support!

 

Are you warming up the ear first? It makes a world of difference when it comes to getting enough blood and are you aiming for the sweet spot?

 

I tried to upload the sweet spot graph but I’m getting an error message that I don’t have permission to do it....

 

Always aim for the sweet spot warm the ears up first, you can put rice in a sock and put it in the microwave, test it on the inside of your wrist to be sure it's not to hot, like you would test a babies bottle. You can fill a pill bottle with warm water and roll it on the ears also

6. As the ears get used to bleeding and grow more capilares, it gets easier to get the amount of blood you need on the first try. If he won’t stand still, you can get the blood onto a clean finger nail and test from there

 

No, I wasn't really warming it up...and I didn't know there was a sweet spot...thanks so much for letting me know.

 

Ok sorry if there are a lot of blank posts...still learning how to reply properly (i've never posted on a forum before Friday). Thank you for sharing the photo/image. I am finding it easier to just use my hand v. the device, I just have to get less nervous. Does it ever become an issue for them poking in same areas?

 

Hi Ale.

See the 'problem with posting' message at the top of the board for how to upload.


Mogs
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I would alternate in different spots, and at times I would test in the same spot,

As the ears get used to bleeding and grow more capilares, it gets easier to get the amount of blood you need on the first try. If he won’t stand still, you can get the blood onto a clean finger nail and test from there

 

I used to test on the inside of the ears where there was less hair (and it was white hair).

 

To warm up the ear, most of us fill an old sock with rice then nuke it for about 30-40 seconds depending on your microwave. Hold it to her ear for a few seconds until it’s warm to the touch. Blood comes out a lot easier that way. Sometimes you get too much but that’s okay. Just apply pressure to the spot with a cotton ball so it won’t bruise. I use the same cotton ovals I use to press her ear against when I’m pricking with the lancet

 

Hi Cecile and Maggie

I regard to an appetite stimulant......you need to make sure that Maggie is not nauseated before you give an appetite stimulant.
Cats won’t eat if they are nauseated so I would ask your vet for some cerenia or ondansetron for nausea to see if that helps. You could then give the appetite stimulant.
If cerenia or the ondansetron helps, it could be nausea that is the problem. If it doesn’t help than an appetite stimulant would be worth a try.

 

Hi Cecily,

Can Maggie smell her food OK? If there were to be an issue affecting her sense of smell then that is another possible reason why a cat can be reluctant to eat. Adding tuna water, warming the food, or using a sprinkle of bonita flakes are things worth trying if you suspect such a problem.

If nausea is mild (e.g. from a touch of hyperacidity in the tummy) sometimes raising food and water bowls a few inches can make it more comfortable to eat (e.g. stick a few paperbacks under the bowls).

Nausea symptoms and treatments


Mogs
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