Sam's readings aren't making sense

Sam's last three readings have been 191 (+6), 237 (+8) and now "hi" on the meter (+10), meaning over 500. I probably should have retested but he was antsy for dinner, so I didn't, opting just to feed him and the other ravenous beasts winding around my feet. I'll retest at 9 before he gets his shot, but doesn't that seem odd? He's on a low carb diet, so I'm especially surprised to see such a jump. Or am I just seeing the other side of his curve?

Hi Kristen and Sam! I looked at your ss, and today's numbers don't look all that weird to me, but I'm sure others will be by with their opinions. It looked like a nice u-shaped curve today. It is normal to start rising again around +8, even sooner for some kitties. The back half of the curve really mirrors the front half pretty well, especially when you keep in mind the 20% allowable error of the meters. You're doing great so far! Keep collecting all the data you can and you'll get it figured out, with some help from the friendly fdmb folks!

Hi Kristen,

Am I recalling correcting that Sam has had DKA recently? If he's already reading Hi on the meter at +10, I would think it would be okay for you to go ahead and shoot a little early. If you do this just be sure to monitor - but I just can't see any reason to wait. If you don't feel comfortable shooting early this is something you can discuss with your vet.

Best,
Pam & Layla

The LC can take a while to have an effect. You said you switch at 5p yesterday? It can take up to about a week to just start to notice an effect. But it can happen sooner too.

Crap. I wish I'd known it was okay to shoot early. I retested him before his shot just now and he was still hi. Getting regulated really takes some doing, huh?

Prozinc is very flexible about shooting but if you shoot early Sam will go longer between shots in the next cycle.

Actually you have a very good day today insulin wise.

Kristen,
Jut wanted to comment on your testing a little here. I actually think you are doing a great job with the testing - and getting some valuable data quickly. But we try to always get the PS values no matter what and it seems like you have missed the PMPS ones?

Also I did want to cover with you what to do if you do not see any improvements here in the next days. Basically I think we like to wait a good week to see if the food switch changes anything. So say towards the end of about 6 days on the new food start making some noise in here about what to do next.

If it does not change anything then we generally ask the owner a bunch of questions like what the dental situation of the cat, any other pets in the house, indoor or outdoor cat etc etc. You can put the answers to these in your profile and that will help us and you so you don't have to answer the same silly questions all the time. And I generally make sure the owner takes a look at my incomplete list of things that can cause problems with the BGs and see if anything could match up. http://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopi ... 223#p77223

I'm just trying to get you as primed as possible to proceed as quick as possible one this little trial is over.

When you start making noise at the end of this diet test here also list your vets ideas about increases.

And in the mean time you can keep trying to digest the stuff in the Newbie checklist and other reading. I'm so happy you are starting to see light at the end of the tunnel. It IS overwhelming at first.

I hope that leave you in good order to take advantage of things here.

PMPS is evening preshot, right? I always do those. In fact, I've been trying to stay up long enough to the +2 after the evening shot too. Note: I just looked at my SS and I didn't realize there was a place for the PMPS. I added in last night's. Today is going well, so I'm happy. My vet is very open to new ideas and new research - she knows I'm doing a lot of reading online and am very invested in Sam's health. He goes back next Tuesday to recheck his potassium (which I really hope is normal because he hates the renakare gel he's now getting twice a day.)

Will work on filling out the profile questions! Thanks for the note.

No clue where to enter the profile questions, so just listing them here for now.

Questions about Sam:
a) Sam is strictly an indoor cat, although we do have a cat door that leads out to the lanai, but it's completely screened. He has been known to catch a lizard or two, but last I checked, they were still low carb. ;o)
b) No dog, so no dog food. The only human food he gets is meat.
c) Food - Wet only and only truly low carb (Binky's list), treats are tuna flakes or other certified low carb snacks.
d) Infection/inflammation/pain - UTI, teeth, constipation, arthritis - Sam has none of these, although I should point out he's a little low on teeth due to having to have a bunch pulled about 6 years ago.
e) Sources of potential stress - Sam gets along fine with our other cats. Four cats, four litter boxes, so all good there too.
f) We free feed, but always make sure he gets food before his shot.
g) Just as an additional note, Sam is on 75-100 ml of sub-q fluids a day until at the vet says otherwise.

Something that you might want to get ahead too and get comfortable with are the U100 syringes if that is something you feel up for. They will help you get smaller and more consistent incriminate increases.

Info on that can be found in the PZI Sticky. They can be bought from Wal-Mart [reli-on brand] too in the areas that allow purchase of diabetic syringes without Rx. You just need to the the 1/3cc short needle ones with half unit markings. If you are in a area that prohibits sales of diabetic syringes without Rx then you can order online from Hocks. I actually do prefer the GNP or Monoject brand [available at Hocks.com] over the reli-on brand - but for the ability to just go down to the store and get them, the Wal-Mart ones will do just fine too.

This is one idea you might find your vet less open minded to. They tend to get worried about doing the conversion [probably because they would have a hard with with it themselves if they didn't have a conversion sheet right in front of them]. And it is something you can do on your own with an Rx.

And I use the U100 syringes to give all sort of other injections too - like B12 or even IM injections. And even though it's almost a direct conversion from units to mls vets still get worried even about that!

KristenPainter said:

No clue where to enter the profile questions, so just listing them here for now.

Click to expand...

When is doubt check the Newbie checklist!
viewtopic.php?f=24&t=31358

8) Get that profile up! Creating a profile of your kitty and linking to it in your signature will help us help you better. It's a good place to put the answers to questions you frequently receive or anything unique about your kitty. Instructions for this can be found in the Tech Support Form Stickies here: viewforum.php?f=6

The direct link is:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=17766