09/09 Ivana AMPS=202, +3=131, +5=122, +7=112, +10=158, PMPS=185

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Tara & Ivana (GA)

Tara & Ivana (GA)

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Yesterday's post

Ivana is really starting to associate the testing with treats. Mornings are always a bit difficult because she's hanging out for breakfast and has no patience for anything except us serving her meal, and today was no exception. I gave her a little treat, attempted to test her and failed, and went outside to give her a break for 5mins. When I came back in she was still sitting next to the meter waiting for me (absolutely nothing to do with the treat container being next to the meter too...)
 
Tara & Ivana said:
(absolutely nothing to do with the treat container being next to the meter too...)
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Of course it didn't...LOL It's truly amazing how quick they pick up on the "hold still for 5 seconds, get a yummy treat" concept!

Nice cycle so far...I'd plan on getting a +5 if you can ...let's see where she's going
 
What is the difference between testing ketones with blood strips or urine strips? And how often do I need to do it? Ivana showed no ketones when tested at the vet when she was first diagnosed.

(Is this the right place to ask questions, by the way?)
 
Yes, this is the perfect place to ask questions!!

Testing for blood ketones is actually the "gold standard" compared to urine testing, but only certain meters will test blood ketones and the strips are pretty high.
When you test for urine ketones, you're seeing the results of however long it's been since they peed last, and it takes longer for ketones to show up in urine than they do in blood, but the test strips are cheap.

As for how often to test, generally, if you can do it, getting a test once a day would be great and if Ivana were to be in higher numbers or acting sick, more often, but mostly I think it's a matter of opportunity a lot of times. When we first started, I'd be lucky to get a test on China twice a week.

I think it's pretty much up to you on how often you test, unless she starts acting sick or her numbers go higher...any time they start to act sick, it's time to get a ketone test.....otherwise, get them when you can ...there's no exact answer to "how often"
 
My meter can do it, but it needs 1.5µl of blood - which is almost three times as much as the BG strips need. Not sure she'd sit still long enough for me to get that much blood! I'll go the wee strips I think. Poor thing doesn't need to poked more than necessary.
 
I would go with the urine strips too. The meter strips are very expensive and are good if the urine is showing ketones, but I think you would be absolutely fine with the urine strips at this point.

ETA my meter also tests for ketones and I have never used it....always use the strips. I would use it if ketones showed up in the urine test
 
I'm about to go shopping to get more testing supplies and also some tinned food. Should I get a mix of high/medium/low carb foods to keep on hand? Are there any we can feed as a whole meal? We're trying to vary Ivana's diet now that she can't eat some of what she used to. I'm going by Bron's list here.

Just did her +5 and nearly got sprayed with blood! It's so easy when she's been sleeping in the sun. She hardly even moved, and didn't even want a treat afterwards. I love that this is getting easier! (Mind you, it still took me a few goes to do the injection this morning...)
 
I'm with Bron, my meter tests for ketones but I've only used it if I've got a positive from the pee strips. With Ivana since she hasn't had ketones and her numbers aren't horrible I would aim for once a weekish unless she gets stuck in high numbers then I'd be testing more often.

Good to see everyone is getting into the groove so quickly :) sending scritches for daddybean's extra sweet baby girl.
 
From yesterday:
Tara & Ivana said:
Also, can I please have a clap for hubby who managed to successfully test her tonight!!! Only took him two goes too! :woot: So given that she didn't have her shot this morning, how do her numbers look?
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High five for your husband!! And yes, she's looking pretty good. The goal for Tight Reg (and for remission) is to get all the blood sugar numbers under 120. It's a process and it just takes time.
 
Tara & Ivana said:
Should I get a mix of high/medium/low carb foods to keep on hand?
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Anything under 10% is considered low carb and that's what you want her eating most of the time....it's always good to have a couple cans of medium and high carb food in the house in case you need it!

Just make sure you keep the medium/high carb food separate so you don't accidentally feed it when you don't need to
 
Given that Ivana has been on a zero carb diet since diagnoses a few weeks ago, do we need to introduce the low carb tins to her slowly? Start with the lowest one, for example? It's been years since she's had tinned cat food, but she used to have dry food before breakfast.
 
Once I get the medium and high carb cans or sachets home, I always mark how many carbs on the top of the can. So when I want them I don't have to go researching which is which. I'm with Chris.....you need mostly the low carb food with just a couple of medium and high carb cans/ sachets for when Ivana drops low.
 
Tara & Ivana said:
Given that Ivana has been on a zero carb diet since diagnoses a few weeks ago, do we need to introduce the low carb tins to her slowly? Start with the lowest one, for example? It's been years since she's had tinned cat food, but she used to have dry food before breakfast.
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I think any of the low carb foods will be fine. I would introduce slowly so she doesn't get a tummy upset from the change of diet. The only thing giving low carbs instead of no carbs might do is it might raise the BSL slightly higher. But nothing major I wouldn't think. The effect of the change of diet on her tummy is what you need to manage by changing slowly
 
Unless she's VERY carb sensitive, anything in about the same range (like 3-5%) would be a good place to start...just give yourself enough freedom in the carb percentage to get a good variety of foods....you know how these kitties can be about being finicky!!

Anything under 10 is really fine...you'll know by her numbers if she does better on 4% or 9%
 
Excellent, have just printed your list Bron and am about to hit Petbarn.

In other news, Ivana has just jumped up on the lounge next to me - good to know she doesn't hate me after this morning's miserable attempts with the lancet and needle!
 
I only bought low carb, 4-6% cans, and kept 2-3 high carb cans. I found I wanted hc over 20%, higher carbs will take less gravy to bring up blood sugar than if you get a hc that's just 16%, for example. Cats respond differently to carbs, so this is a case where you try something, take notes, and see how your cat responds.

I never used med carb food. You can always add corn syrup, honey or maple syrup to low carb if you want to tweak it.
 
Update for last night: I couldn't get a post PM shot test. I tried multiple times at +1, +2 and +3, then gave up. Given that her PMPS wasn't low, and that we stayed up til +5 anyway to catch if anything happened, I don't think that I put her in too much undue danger. I just couldn't get it, no matter what I tried. I've been growled at a few times since testing, but last night I got hissed at too :-(
 
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