off insulin for now

I cannot stress the importance of home glucose testing! No diabetic would shoot themselves up without first checking their glucose levels. Cats are no different. The protocol is to shlep your cat to the vet once a week to get their glucose tested. But if during that week their numbers drop you would never know - unless you test yourself. Ergo I tested Petey and he was measuring in the 40s and 50s - which means giving him insulin would make him sicker. The very nice vet at Ellicott Small Animal Hospital, Dr. Stevens (who is kind and excellent) reviewed Petey's numbers with me on the phone (no shlepping cat to vet and thus stressing him out - which affects their readings) told me to cease the insulin until his numbers reach over 150 - then to give only 1ml. I have been reading that a change of food alone can reverse diabetes in some newly diagnosed critters. I feel Petey is one of those critters. I also feel that the medical community is very quick to prescribe medicine without trying alternatives first. Many clinics first try changing the food before they send their clients home with needles.

Before I wised up to home testing I brought Petey in to the vet for a glucose test - his number was 70. A little digression here - to take the blood they shaved part of his leg and made him scream - barbaric when all they needed to do was prick his ear or foot pad. But I continue to maintain that medical treatment (animal and human) takes the needs and comfort of the patient last in all cases.

But I digress, back to the reading - right then and there I should have been told not to administer insulin until his numbers (if his numbers went up). He was on the new high protein low carb wet food and that may have taken care of the problem. But instead I shot him up twice a day for another 4 days - which did him no good at all. Insulin is a powerful drug. The cat mistook an open piece of luggage for his litter box - he NEVER does that. Anyways, all to say levels this morning were at 56 - so no insulin today or last night.

Again - I watched youtube videos on getting a sample of blood from your cat's ear - it is so easy and painless. I did not have to warm the ear - I just rubbed it between my fingers for a few minutes as part of an overall calming him/massage session. If your vet will prescribe you a meter - the peeps at Rite Aid can get you a discount of 20 percent. The Rite Aid pharmacists on Delevan and Delaware are extremely helpful and compassionate.