Cat drinking lots...

[Guinevere]

PPS.

I realise I have dispensed the insulin into the syringe cap in any event so I will be starting again!!

It is now 2 hours since she ate her breakfast - shall I continue to try? My new plan is to wait til she is fast asleep!

Or should I wait till she eats her evening meal and try that dose?

Thanks for helping

[Eliz+Cats]

I just came across this article by Lisa Pierson (highly respected) and she says to be careful switching to a diabetic diet without reducing the insulin dose. I will have a look later, but might be worth a read. I know there is a lot of info online, but I know this vet is highly regarded http://www.catinfo.org/?link=felinediabetes" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

That's a great link that Mark has given the link to. Well worth reading. Dr Pierson's advice is second to none.

And regarding reducing the insulin dose if switching to a diabetic-friendly diet, yes, that is vital...

For optimal results, diabetic cats do best on a wet food low carbohydrate diet. But care has to be taken when switching a cat's diet from higher carb to lower carb. That's because reducing the carb content of the diet can reduce the blood glucose quite a bit in some cats. So, an insulin dose that may be OK for a cat on a higher carb diet may be too much when the cat is eating lower carb, and too much insulin can cause hypoglycemia.

It is advisable to only switch to a lower carb diet if the cat can be 'hometested' (ie, have it's blood glucose tested at home on a regular basis). This probably sounds a bit scary. But it's really not that hard to learn, and it's a very quick and painless process. (Some people have found it easier to hometest than to give insulin shots). Most people use ordinary glucose meters made for humans. And the process basically involves pricking the outer edge of the cat's ear (not painful at all) to get a teensy blood droplet, transferring that droplet onto a test strip in a glucose meter, waiting for the meter to count down and give a result, and rewarding said kitty with a treat or a cuddle.

If the caregiver can hometest then it becomes possible to monitor the effect of any diet change, and the effectiveness of any insulin dose. It also makes it possible to spot if/when the cat is going into remission...

[Eliz+Cats]

..The vet said I am to check there is no blood in the syringe before administering it and so I am worried to just "go for it" when I manage to grab the scruff.

Hmmm....Why should there be blood in the syringe? Does the vet mean that you may have accidentally drawn blood into the syringe during a previous attempt to inject...?

..Would yesterday's injection point be sore so she is feeling pain when I grab the scruff?

No. There shouldn't be any pain at all from a shot into the scruff. Although it may be that you pricked the flesh beneath the skin and she's remembering that.

I know this is frustrating for you. You're trying to do your best for your cat and she's less than enthusiatic about your efforts at the moment. But she will very soon get used to this: I promise you. In fact, many folks find that in just a little while the bond between cat and caregiver becomes stronger as a result of treating the diabetes. (Strange but true!).

[Eliz+Cats]

I realise I have dispensed the insulin into the syringe cap in any event so I will be starting again!!

It is now 2 hours since she ate her breakfast - shall I continue to try? My new plan is to wait til she is fast asleep!

Or should I wait till she eats her evening meal and try that dose?

You could continue to try to give this shot, however, on the other hand, a missed shot isn't the end of the world. And you could give yourselves a breather today and just start again this evening...

Has the vet given you Caninsulin (I'm guessing so)?
And it sounds like you're using syringes rather than the Vetpen?
And what dose has the vet started your cat on?

[Guinevere]

I didn't get any blood in the syringe but the vet was just teaching me so alerted me to that in case I went too far and not just through her skin.

I have just spoken with the vet who said to leave her alone now and either try again tonight or tomorrow morning. He also said that so long as I am sure I am only injecting into the skin and not her torso, then I can just go for it and not check for blood in the syringe (this is what was holding me back so hopefully next try will be okay).

For info he said that the insulin is not so effective after being in the syringe for more than an hour so that's handy to know (I hope I won't need this info!)

I must have a look at the forum link - not had a chance to do so yet.

Eliz: Yes it is Caninsulin (sounds like it should be for dogs!) The dose is the lowest one - 2 bars on the syringe. I don't know what a Vetpen is?

Last week I casually posted that my cat was drinking a lot and this week we are both in this situation - how life can turn out eh? No more weekends away for me, must be home by dinner time etc, etc!!

[MarkB]

I don't have the experience with daily injections, but I have to give one of mine drops up his nose twice a day (DDAVP) and the other has eye ointment once a day. It used to be an ordeal but now I am confident doing it, they are also more relaxed. I wish I could film it, but when she sees me take the eye ointment from the fridge, Kylie lies on the floor and turns her head to face me, ready for me to cup her head and put the ointment in her eyes now she is used to it I talk to her all the time - while I am doing it (that's one, now the other, good girl, let's wipe your eyes now etc. )

[Eliz+Cats]

I don't have the experience with daily injections, but I have to give one of mine drops up his nose twice a day (DDAVP) and the other has eye ointment once a day.

And you previously gave a cat subQ fluids too...?
Mark - kudos to you - I'm completely in awe! I regularly do insulin shots and home blood testing but to do any of what you are doing (or have done) would really challenge me!

[MarkB]

I didn't do full-on SubQs from a bag, as she never would have stayed still long enough. I just used to inject 20ml at a time with a syringe (with the vet's blessing)

I think a cat's temperament makes a huge difference. Laz is very easy to do/give things to. In the morning, I have his breakfast ready. He knows he won;t get it until I put the drops up his nose and give him his liver tablet and Felimazole. Ditto in the evening, except the meds are nose drops, bloods pressure tablet and Felimazole.

With Alice (who we lost just before xmas) giving the occasional wormer was a battle!! - The last time I tried, I ended up on antibiotics after her teeth sank into me! - Laz would never bite or scratch me - he is also the onlt cat I know that you can place a carrier next to and lift him into it without a battle

[Alice]

Mark -You've not met my two Ragdolls, - when I put their carriers in the hall they walk into them of their own accord, every time! After having major struggles with previous cats I couldn't believe it the first time I saw it. Even after being taken to be cared for elsewhere when I was in hospital for two months, and not being too happy there (confined with much less freedom and little human company), they still do the same, and long may it continue - I'm certainly not complaining

[Guinevere]

I DID IT! I have successfully just given my first injection at home.

I put her food down and was so determined that even when she pulled away as I grabbed her scruff, I just continued and put the needle in. She didn't even flinch at that and then simply continued to eat her fish.

This morning I was in tears with exasperation at my failures to achieve this and I spoke to the vet again to let him know that after 3 days I had not successfully managed even one dose! He was so matter of fact about the need to get the insulin into her system that I was absolutely adamant that this dose would go in. Perhaps she sensed the no-excuses attitude and reluctantly complied?

I truly hope this becomes second nature to us both.

I looked on the Feline Diabetes Forum and clicked on one of the diet links which said absolutely NO cat biscuits or cereals in food for diabetic cats and that raw meats should be fed. Each night my cat has her raw fish but has always eaten biscuits. I plan to decrease them now and then cut them out.

Does everyone else agree with this for diabetic cats - is this the way to go?

Many thanks

[Crewella]

Well done! I've never had a diabetic cat, but did once have to give injections to a lamb (long story!) and the first is definitely the worst. You'll be an expert soon, and hopefully she'll be feeling all the better for it.

[Guinevere]

Hi All,

I just want to say how grateful I am to all who helped me and Guinevere leading up to her diagnosis of Diabetes. I have switched over to the Feline Diabetes Forum and I am receiving lots of help and advice from the equally lovely crowd on there.

A big THANK YOU!