My cat has diabetes. How often to test blood, regulate, or use urine?

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I think this is Veterinarian preference. If your Vet wants you to be doing this at home, double check with them on what time they want you to check Nappy's blood sugar so they can accurately guide you on changes. With that being said, I like the reading to be right before the insulin is due to be given or 6 hours AFTER it has been given (which should be the lowest point of the day). I sometimes have owners do full blood sugar curves at home, which requires measuring the blood sugar every 2 hours for 12 hours, starting right before the morning dose of insulin. I hope this helps!

Good question. The "normal" level of glucose in urine is none. In a non-diabetic, the urine glucose should read negative. This is rarely the case with our diabetic animals. They often have some glucose in their urine because their blood glucose levels are higher than normal and that high glucose "spills over" into their urine. So, we use the urine glucose level as an indicator of blood glucose levels and changes in blood glucose levels. I hope that was helfpul and answered your question. Please post again if you have any other questions. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

If the insulin and syringe is U40 then yes, 5 should be 5 units (it is important to use the same graded syringes and insulin as this would invalidate the graduations otherwise). Blood glucose should be checked resting and fasting as a meal or strenuous exercise will affect readings - a schedule of timings before meals/exercise should be arranged in order to compare readings. Changes the the dose rate given should be made only in consultation with the treating vet - we are not legally in a position to prescribe medication as the animal must be under the direct care and supervision of the prescribing vet in order to make these decisions

Normally, a diabetic cat should come back to the vet for a blood test (either a serum fructosamine level, or a blood glucose curve) 7-14 days after first starting insulin. Your vet should give you specific instructions for what he/she recommends in Fonzie's case.

Hi there. Your veterinarian may be able to board Cody for a few weeks so that staff members can administer his insulin regularly, monitor his glucose levels, and make adjustments as needed until he's regulated. Keep in mind, though, that stress can affect glucose readings in cats - so it's generally better for this process to be done with the cat at home, if possible. You don't mention why you're having difficulty - giving the insulin injections, checking his glucose at home, feeding the appropriate diet, or something else? Feel free to post again with more information about what you're having trouble with. We would be happy to try and make some suggestions to help.

Hi there and thanks for posting on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! If glucose was high on blood work and glucose is also present in the urine, then this is a diagnosis of diabetes. Insulin should begin as soon as possible when a diabetic is first diagnosed. Unless the patient is really ill or unstable, one or two day delay for insulin should be okay. A 12 hour glucose curve at the hospital should be run with the insulin Bella will be on for her first day of insulin treatment so the proper dose can be calculated and to make sure Bella does not have any negative reactions to the insulin or become hypoglycemic at any point. I hope this helps!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is concerning as it may be an indication that his diabetes is not well-controlled at the moment. I would highly recommend that you check in with a veterinarian as soon as possible to check for this possibility. If this is the case, they can work in getting him to feel better and then possibly focusing in controlling his diabetes better. Best of luck!