Refractory diabetes? & lack of appetite...

[smokey the elder]

I find that insulin needs cycle, and especially at the higher doses (3-4 units 2x/day) testing is especially critical. Within a week Moby went from needing 4 units to 0 units (this can happen once in awhile; no one quite understands why.) I think that may be what happened to your precious baby. I'm glad he's doing well.

My vet actually prefers people to use the urine test strips. He thinks blood testing is stressful. But if you're used to doing that (and the cat is) it's probably more accurate.

[SVAFR]

Good to know...I had no idea that by going to 4 units how much more serious it had become. My vets have been really low-key with me -- perhaps because I've been so anxious -- and neither really advocates for hometesting, but I keep on it any way, especially now, at least. Thanks again.

[smokey the elder]

The vet doesn't advocate daily monitoring? I'm afraid I don't agree with that. You might want to consult with a feline diabetes specialist. My vet consults closely with one, and says I should test at least once a day.

[SVAFR]

In thinking back as to why the vet told me that about homestesting, my thought is that she didn't agree with it not because of its obvious advantages, but I think that she's dealt with too many owners who have tried it as well and botched it up because her response was, "You're tearing up his ear? Awww..." My other thought is that with so many monitors being on the market, it's hard to know which is a good one to buy that will give an accurate score, as well as pet owners not realizing that BG can fluctuate throughout the day & creating false alarms when seeing a low score. From judging my vet's reaction, I think that she's just dealt with too many uninformed clients...my other vet hasn't told me not to hometest and he listens when I tell him what BG scores I get. Both vets do listen, but I really give the first vet the benefit of the doubt because she's currently dealing with 6 different cases of feline diabetes, and only my cat responded to the insulin -- to the point of going the opposite direction. As for the other 5, I'm sure that she's beside herself trying to help her other clients.

[smokey the elder]

I think that's why my vet likes the urine test strips. It's more of a "composite" result over time, and changes much more slowly. People on the feline diabetes web site are big fans of the blood glucose meters, but I always wondered how you calibrated them for a cat.

[Freedom]

I have no direct experience with cats with diabetes. What I DO have is a father who lives with me, is diabetic, and doesn't pay attention so I have to. I subscribe to several diabetes magazines, and they have all, at one time or another, run an article on feline diabetes. (Apparently diabetes is more common in cats than in dogs.) I agree, you need to find a diabetes specialist vet, even if it is for just once or twice. Monitoring blood glucose levels is important, I can't believe ANY medical professional (human or otherwise) would not advocate it. Particularly if you are giving insulin.

There are guidelines out there, you need to find them. Here is what to look for: times of the day to test, frequency of testing, how long before / after eating to test, how long before / after giving medications to test. Parts of the body to test, - the ear is NOT the only place! That I DO know. Whether or not to leave food out and available all day / night long. How much food to give, how often. Humans have fully digested a meal in about 2 hours, so Dad tests 2 hours after a meal as that "should" be his highest reading. I don't know what it is for cats, but you need to find out, is it 2 hours, half an hour, etc. I assure you, the information is out there.

In terms of which meter to use, with humans a lot of that is dictated by what your health insurance will cover and what your doctor wants you to use. Some can let you download the results onto your PC and get graphs to see how things are going. If you have the opportunity, contact the senior center in your city or town and see if they have a diabetes educator available. That person can give you the best info on meters!

Good luck
Freedom

[Freedom]

I am just now reading the November 2006 issue of Cat Fancy magazine. There is a new hand-held blood glucose monitoring system for easy testing of cats with diabetes. The article says it costs $80, and more info is at ww.abbottanimalhealth.com.