How best to do a mini curve with ProZinc

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Lynn & Rupert

Lynn & Rupert

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Hi, I haven't been able to do a full curve, but trying to do a mini curve. Any suggestions to testing times, when to feed, etc. I have read several different articles, each are a little different. Are curves conducted differently for different insulins? My cat is on ProZinc 1 unit twice daily. I am doing a mini curve today, AMPS test and shot, fed 1/4 of daily food, tested again at + 2 and at +6, did not feed till after the tests. I read this one online today:

  1. A good mini-curve is:
  2. An hour after eating, to determine how much of a postprandial (after eating) rise in blood sugar is occurring.
  3. At the expected time of insulin peak action, to determine the lowest BG.
  4. Halfway between (2) and the next injection, to determine how well the insulin is controlling the BG.
  5. Just before the next injection, to determine the duration of insulin effectiveness.
What do you think? Feedback appreciated! Thanks in advance.
 


    1. Whoops, copied and pasted weird there on the mini-curve advice. I was following a mini curve today that said test +2 after shot , +6 , +8, then PMPS , does this make sense or this other method better? Or is there any method to our madness? (JK) ;)
    A good mini-curve is:
  2. An hour after eating, to determine how much of a postprandial (after eating) rise in blood sugar is occurring.
  3. At the expected time of insulin peak action, to determine the lowest BG.
  4. Halfway between (2) and the next injection, to determine how well the insulin is controlling the BG.
  5. Just before the next injection, to determine the duration of insulin effectiveness.
 
CatX4 said:


    1. Whoops, copied and pasted weird there on the mini-curve advice. I was following a mini curve today that said test +2 after shot , +6 , +8, then PMPS , does this make sense or this other method better? Or is there any method to our madness? (JK) ;)
    A good mini-curve is:
  2. An hour after eating, to determine how much of a postprandial (after eating) rise in blood sugar is occurring.
  3. At the expected time of insulin peak action, to determine the lowest BG.
  4. Halfway between (2) and the next injection, to determine how well the insulin is controlling the BG.
  5. Just before the next injection, to determine the duration of insulin effectiveness.
Click to expand...
One thing to keep in mind if you're doing a curve - even a mini-curve - is that you probably don't want to feed again after the insulin shot (meaning no mini-meal) until after you've determined where Rupert's nadir occurs. Frankly, in the beginning of Bat's treatment, I divided her daily ration into only two feedings (before her insulin doses, 12 hrs. apart), because otherwise how do you really know what the insulin really does in his body over that 12 hr cycle when you're giving another blood-sugar spike of food somewhere in between during that 12-hour cycle?

I actually didn't start dividing Bat's meals into 4 mini-meals per day until I had her very well-regulated with the ProZinc, as the additional mini-meal will affect how and when your kitty nadirs. Of course, this is just my own opinion; I'm sure some of the others can weigh in with some sage advice. But you might want to try dividing Rupert's daily ration into just two meals a day for now - each right before insulin time - just until he's on an even keel and well-regulated with the insulin. And is there any way you can manage a full curve, say, on a weekend day?
 
I think that any data is good data. So I am not picky. If you record when you feed, then that is just more data. a +2 is nice to see how soon the insulin kicks in, something between 5 and 7 give you an idea of the low point (although it is never necessarily the same spot every cycle) and then between 9/10 might even you an idea of when the cycle starts up. But whatever you get is information you can use. Some people get numbers here at one spot for one cycle and then at different spots in another cycle. To me, any number is an interesting one and can provide information.

My two cents....
 
I think there are a multitude of ways to perform a mini curve and this article does provide good suggestions. A full curve, I suppose, would be every two hours and a mini-curve would be almost every three hours. It is nice to get a +2 to see if the BG goes up before it starts going down. It is always good to see if you can catch a nadir (middle of the cycle) which is typically between +5-+7. Then a +9 is nice to see when the BG is going up.

As far as food, I give Merlin a mini-meal after I have tested. So he typically eats every 2-3 hours and he typically only wants a tablespoon or less. Every kitty is different but with him, I have to feed him mini-meals throughout the day. Then at night, he now only wants a snack before going to bed after his main meal.

So back to testing, I might test at +2, +5 then +9 as one example. The next time, I might test at +3, +6 then +10. It gives you an overall picture. I do try everyday to try and get one mid-cycle test just to see how low he may go. Merlin's nadir is usually at +5. I will check it earlier if his BG is at the low end of my sliding scale like today; my sliding scale is 1U for 290-340. He got a 290 this am so I gave him - 1U. So I checked it at +4 just in case he was going to go low with that dose.
 
Thank you all for the great advice and info! I am getting much more confident at testing (my fangs are out a lot now) and Rupert knows the and doesn't protest too much as long as he gets a snack. He has always been a foody, so I have been giving him mini-meals throughout the day, but now I wait two hours after feeding to do a BG test. I might try Robin's method for awhile, so I have more control over his BG levels. He is not only a foody, but a LOUD foody! lol Even before his diabetes, he was the keeper of the food and water bowl, would yowl at me till I came and filled it more or at least freshened it up! He was the leader of my pack of 4 and I hope he will rule again soon! I play musical feeding spots now with them all, fast eaters in a different spot and I have to make sure Rupert isn't stealing any of theirs! He is a loud, sneaky foody! ha ha
 
CatX4 said:
He is a loud, sneaky foody! ha ha
Click to expand...
Oh, boy, can I relate to that statement! Bat is a real loudmouth about food, too! (I've always wondered if she isn't part Labrador Retriever, given what a total gorp she is about her chow). She's less noisy now that her BG levels are better under control ... but still, old habits die hard. Even if Rupert puts up more of a squawk with a shift in feeding schedule, as long as he's getting the same amount of food every day, he'll get used to it. (You're the boss, even if he doesn't think so ...;))
 
Lol, nice to have a reminder that I am the boss! It would actually be a relief to feed less often, I am constantly doling out food, washing the bowls, making sure the right kitties are at the correct eating post! Next time I will tell Rupert to talk to the "hand"! Tell Bat "woof, woof" for me. :cat:
 
I was so tired last night, I thought I hit "post Reply" and sent this, but just checking out the mini curve info and saw it just sitting here! I am very late with reply, but better late than never! :banghead:
 
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