Not Mandatory ([info]enemabagjones) wrote in [info]felinediabetes,
@ 2007-09-19 16:31:00
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Current mood: overwhelmed

Another just-diagnosed introduction
Hey, guys. I just found this community. My name is Erin; my wonder boy Tux was diagnosed this week. Luckily, Tux and I have a lot of support from my husband and our three other cats.

In the days since my incredible vet broke the news, we've done a lot of googling and YouTubeing, and we've (more or less) mastered a total overhaul of cat-feeding and the injection process. However, I'm still really intimidated by the whole home testing thing. Tux is giving every indication that the new setup is working well for him, but despite reassurances from vet techs, I really want to learn my way around that ominous little glucometer. I got an AccuChek Aviva and a buttload of strips, and I just kind of freeze every time I look at it. My intention is to read the info materials until they make sense, but...any concise tips would be super appreciated.

Also, am I a bad person for not having done a curve yet? My husband and I are both in the middle of an ugly, ugly week (a million commitments scheduled, of course, long before the diagnosis) and haven't been able to secure a 24-hour period at home. I read all this stuff about getting my cat "regulated," and I just want to be on top of things. Advice? Tips? Lectures?

Hit me. And thanks in advance. Someday, with a little luck, I can help ANSWER some of the questions on here.


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[info]pwl1
2007-09-20 01:05 am UTC (link)
I guess our situation is somewhat unique. Our vet has never suggested that we test our cat's blood glucose regularly. We watch his behaviour all the time, paying attention to when he becomes lethargic, or his coat starts to look a little less healthy - that sort of thing. Our vet believes in keeping things simple, and we were able to get Jasper regulated very easily.

So no - I don't think you're a bad person. Hang in there.

Jasper sends purrs to Tux

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[info]enemabagjones
2007-09-22 05:13 pm UTC (link)
Thanks to Jasper on Tux's behalf. He looks gorgeous.

That's kind of what the staff at my vet's office have encouraged, too; she herself advocated home-testing, but she didn't suggest making it a constant thing. Right now we're doing the monitor-intake-and-output thing and he seems pretty stable.

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[info]finding_neo
2007-09-20 03:29 pm UTC (link)
I believe I saw a cat named Tux on FelineDiabetes.com message board recently, so if that's you, you have found the right resources.

My suggestion for a first curve is at least do a 12 hour one, if he is on BID or twice daily dosing. At least that way you can see how he's responding to this particular dose. I have never done a 24 hour curve myself. Too hard on me, way too hard on Gandalf.

What type of lancets did you get? I find how you use those more important than the meter. Lancets are meant to go in a pen that has an auto-trigger, however, you cannot see where exactly the needle is hitting the ear. If that bothers you, like it did me, ditch the pen thing - you don't need it! Just hold the lancet in your fingers and you'll find you have much better control and can see exactly where you're sticking.

Do not go straight in like people prick their finger! Hold the lancet at a 45 degree angle to the ear edge.
Stick in the area between the blood vessel that runs along the ear and the outer edge, not in the vessel itself. You'll be surprised how much blood you get. Anywhere along a half inch on either side of the tip is good. I alternate left ear morning, right ear night and also the area on each ear should alternate too. You should rarely be able to tell where you've been sticking. It's amazing, it never even scabs in our case! I wet it a little afterwards and dry with a piece of toilet paper. You may want to use an antibiotic ointment afterwards, but I never do unless I notice dried blood later on.

Make sure the ear is warm to the touch first. This is important if you live where it gets cold in winter. To warm it up some people warm a little rice in an old sock or stocking in the microwave. I use oatmeal in a baggie, but some cats would be scared by the crinkling plastic, so the rice sock is probably better.

Hope this helps. Get a routine. Gandalf always liked to sit on the sink while I did my make-up, so that's where we test and shoot. Sometimes he will even go in on his own and jump on the toilet, then the sink. He purrs and gives kisses, even though he doesn't like the testing so much.
I consider diabetes a blessing because testing is our special time away from everyone else.

It was so incredibly hard at first. I cried a lot. He's 14 now and has been diabetic for 2 1/2 years. You & Tux can do this!

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[info]enemabagjones
2007-09-22 05:17 pm UTC (link)
I've been on felinediabetes but not the boards, yet; Tux must be a popular name for sugar cats!

I was wary about the lancet pen thing; you've confirmed my suspicions that it's just too big and ungainly.

Your guide is super informative and I suspect it'll be really helpful. I'll share it with my husband. We plan to start testing this weekend. Thanks for the encouragement!

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[info]nikon6
2007-09-20 09:58 pm UTC (link)
Welcome! Don't let it intimidate you, once you get the hang of it you'll be testing when you're still half asleep. Tips.. a warm ear bleeds better. You need to fill the strip and if you don't you won't get an accurate reading. So, rub the ear a bit before you test, breathe on it or warm it with a rice sock. Check out the hometesting primers at Gorbzilla.

http://gorbzilla.com/Gorb's%20home%20testing%20primer.htm

Curves are best done on the weekend when you have the time, not to worry. And make it a very positive experience for kitty. Associate it with meal times, treats, and lots of praise. Good luck :)

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[info]enemabagjones
2007-09-22 05:21 pm UTC (link)
Good advice; thank you!

What treats would you recommend for a diabetic cat? Tux is kind of weird; he's turned up his nose at treats the other cats have broken heirlooms to get at.

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[info]nikon6
2007-09-22 10:40 pm UTC (link)
you're welcome!

Jing LOVED these things called Bonito flakes toward the middle there. I used to buy the Kitty Kaviar but as you can see they're available at a few places. List of sugarcat-friendly treats..

http://gorbzilla.com/sugarcat_treats.htm

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