Feline Diabetes Management Board Glossary
((( ))) : Shorthand/emoticon for HUGS, as in wrapping arms around the person.
BCP: BCP Veterinary Pharmacy, compounders of 100% beef PZI insulin. The initials can refer to the pharmacy or to the insulin.
BEANS: Our sugarcats’ unique word for humans (“beings” as in human beings/"beans").
BTW: By the way…
BUN/Creatinine values: Important blood values that reflect renal (kidney) function.
BG: Blood Glucose (normal for a cat is between 70-120). For diabetic cats, the preferred range is between 100 (at peak insulin activity) and 300.
BUN/Creatinine values: Important blood values that reflect renal (kidney) function.
CC: Cubic centimeter. Same as milliliter or ml. This is a term you will hear associated with some medications and subcutaneous fluid dosages.
CIVILIAN or CIVIE: Non-diabetic cat.
CRF: Chronic Renal Failure
CURVE: When a blood glucose curve is done to determine the cat’s reaction to the insulin/dosage, a blood glucose (BG) test is generally taken every 2 hours for a 12-hour period. The curve can also be a full 24-hour curve or a mini curve.
DKA: Diabetic Ketoacidosis
DX: Diagnosis
DC: Diabetic cat
DM: Purina DM - prescription higher protein diet for diabetic cats, available in both canned and dry forms
DOSAGE ABBREVIATIONS:
b.i.d - Twice daily
s.i.d - Once daily
t.i.d - Three times daily
q.i.d - Four times daily
DROOLER: dog
ECID: Every Cat Is Different
EFA: Essential Fatty Acids.
FALLS: "The Falls" as in Niagra Falls, a traditional honeymoon place. See h*n*ym**n.
FURSHOT: Failing to penetrate the skin when injecting insulin. A variation is the "all the way through shot" where the needle penetrates the tented skin but comes out the other side.
FF: Fancy Feast canned cat food.
FDMB: Feline Diabetes Management Board
GA: Guardian Angel (our kitties who have passed on to Rainbow Bridge) or those who have Gone Ahead to await us at Rainbow Bridge..
IMHO: In My Humble Opinion.
FF: Fancy Feast canned cat food.
HONEYMOON: Many cats experience a period of time where they no longer need insulin. This treatment free period is referred to as the "honeymoon."
h*n*ym**n*: Often used to denote “honeymoon” by those who don’t want to jinx the happy possibility by spelling out the whole word.
HYPO: Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar - must be treated!)
HYPOGLYCEMIC UNAWARENESS: Condition in which no visible signs of hypoglycemia are present even though the BG level is low.
IBD: Inflammatory Bowel disease.
IMHO: In My Humble Opinion.
IMO: In My Opinion.
IMOM (In Memory of Magic): An incredible non-profit organization established in 1998 by a diabetic cat owner who found the necessary information and support too late to save her beloved “Magic.”. IMOM relies entirely upon donations. IMOM provides information, education, referral and financial aid to pets in need. One of IMOM’s special funds is the Diabetic Pet Fund. IMOM’s belief is that no pet should ever have to suffer or die due to lack of money. Please visit them and consider making a donation: http://www.imom.org.
KARO: An American brand of high-sugar corn syrup. You may substitute honey.
LOL: Laughing Out Loud.
NM: No Message
OT: Off Topic
PEAK: The time period when the insulin is strongest causing the BG level to be lowest. Will vary depending on the cat and duration of insulin used. Should not fall below 100 mg/dl or 5.5 mmol.
PS: Pre shot
P/U: Polyuria - excessive urination (peeing a lot).
P/D: Polydipsia - excessive thirst (drinking alot).
PURINA DM: High protein diet for diabetic cats.
PZI: Protamine Zinc Insulin. PZI is a long acting insulin widely accepted as an excellent choice for diabetic cats. The most popular forms are PZI Vet(95% beef & 5% pork) and BCP PZI (100% beef).
RAINBOW BRIDGE: Where are pets go after death. They are restored to health and spend their days in the sun playing - waiting for the day when we will all be together again. Also see www.petloss.com
ROTFLMAO: Rolling on the floor laughing my a** off.
ROTFLOL: Rolling on the floor laughing out loud.
SCIENCE DIET PRESCRIPTION FOODS (common):
W/D canned: Science Diet’s Prescription food for weight loss, diabetes, and constipation. High fiber and low fat. 41% protein & 24.6% carbohydrates on a dry matter basis.
R/D canned: Science Diet’s Prescription food for obesity, FLUTD ( Feline lower urinary tract disease), hyperlipidemia. High fiber and low fat. 36% protein & 31.8% carbohydrates on a dry matter basis.
K/D canned: Science Diet’s Prescription food for CRF and mild to moderate cardiac disease. Low protein and low phosphorus. 29% protein & 35.8 carbohydrates on a dry matter basis.
G/D canned: Science Diet’s Prescription food for renal insufficiency (pre-CRF) and mild cardiac disease. Low protein and low phosphorus. 35.1% protein & 37.2% carbohydrates on a dry matter basis.
A/D canned: Science Diet’s Prescription food for debilitation, cachexia and anorexia, tube feeding. High fat, protein and phosphorus. 45.7% protein & 16.5% carbohydrates on a dry matter basis.
SLGS: abbreviation for Start Low, Go Slow. This term is used to refer to the method of treating feline diabetes where insulin is started at a low dose (1-2 U or less per day) and the dose slowly increased to bring the cat's diabetes under regulation.
SHOOT: To inject.
Sub-Q, SQ: Subcutaneous (just under the skin)
SUGARCATS: What all our diabetic kitties are!
TLI: This is a simple blood test to determine the presence of pancreatitis.
UNIT: This is the term we use to measure our insulin dosage; abbreviated as a capital U
UTI: Urinary tract infection
The FelineDiabetes.org community owes a great debt to long-time FDMB user Melissa for her hard work in creating and maintaining the first FDMB glossary.
Sources:
Feline Diabetes Message Board Glossary. FelineDiabetes.com, https://www.felinediabetes.com/dictionary/cat-health-dictionary-fdmb.htm