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kozykitty

kozykitty

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Jack was diagnosed over a year ago. He has been on 3 units of prozinc for several months but his numbers have gone up. He was increased to 4 units and is doing better. This morning he was 236 --11 hours after his last shot. I have to give him a shot within this hour and I don't know what to do. I'll be out all day and there will be no one to monitor him. Should I reduce his dose? The test was done before I fed him and he tends to nibble throughout the day.
 
Have you ever shot any dose into a number around that before? What was his number last night? Sorry, it's hard to advise well without being able to see recent numbers.
 
I just tested him again and it was 344 so I gave him the 4 units. He had eaten a little. Hopefully he'll be okay.
 
Hey there, I am not experienced in giving dosing advice but was wondering if those are lower numbers than you are used to seeing. The slogan around here is shoot lower if you can't monitor.
 
Sorry I had to head to work. We'd love to help you with dosing though! Can I ask what you feed?

Do you do increases by whole units? I ask because you may have skipped over the perfect dose...most of us do increases by .25 or .5.
 
I just took the vet's advice. He was there on 10/16 and his numbers were 502 6 .5 hours after his shot. They said to increase from 3 to 4 units. Now I'm testing him prior to shooting. Hopefully I can do a curve this weekend when I'm home. I feed him grain free wet food and I leave some dry out. I put every dry food into the calculator at balanceit.com which gives you the percentage of calories from carbs. He used to eat Instinct Raw Boost chicken. One of my other cats developed a poultry allergy so I can't leave that one out. I now use Orijens Regional which is a red meat blend: bison, lamb, pork. The carb/protein balance of that is similar to the Instinct Chicken. He gets canned rabbit in the morning and a fish variety in the evening. Sometimes I mix in Stella and Chewy's frozen raw rabbit. Unfortunately the freeze dried stella and chewy's all have poultry in them so I can't leave that out. I'll test him again this evening before his shot. At what number do I want to reduce his dose? I gave him the full 4 units this morning. His preshot reading was 344.
 
kozykitty said:
I just took the vet's advice. He was there on 10/16 and his numbers were 502 6 .5 hours after his shot. They said to increase from 3 to 4 units. Now I'm testing him prior to shooting. Hopefully I can do a curve this weekend when I'm home. I feed him grain free wet food and I leave some dry out. I put every dry food into the calculator at balanceit.com which gives you the percentage of calories from carbs. He used to eat Instinct Raw Boost chicken. One of my other cats developed a poultry allergy so I can't leave that one out. I now use Orijens Regional which is a red meat blend: bison, lamb, pork. The carb/protein balance of that is similar to the Instinct Chicken. He gets canned rabbit in the morning and a fish variety in the evening. Sometimes I mix in Stella and Chewy's frozen raw rabbit. Unfortunately the freeze dried stella and chewy's all have poultry in them so I can't leave that out. I'll test him again this evening before his shot. At what number do I want to reduce his dose? I gave him the full 4 units this morning. His preshot reading was 344.
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Hi again, I am going to let the more experienced in dosing answer the question about reducing the dose. The curve you will be doing will help them a lot with dosing advice. Keep in mind that when your kittie was at the vets on 10/16, that number could be as much as 100 points higher due to stress, so it is really good that you will be doing your own curve. We all use a spread sheet to store our numbers. Our spreadsheet instructions are here. If you look at the signatures of the members here, you will see a link to their kitty’s spreadsheets. We keep track of all our tests. This is basically a place to collect data and help you to determine patterns, doses, etc. It also aids those that may be helping you to better understand your kitty.

Here is an explanation of how to read it and use it.
The colored headings at the top are the ranges of glucose values. They are color-coded to clue you in as to meaning.

Each day is 1 row. Each column stores different data for the day.

From left to right, you enter
the Date in the first column
the AMPS (morning, pre-shot, test) in the 2nd column
the Units given (turquoise column)

Then, there are 11 columns labeled +1 through +11
If you test at +5 (5 hours after the shot), you enter the test number in the +5 column
If you test at +7 (7 hours after the shot), you enter the test number in the +7 column
and so on.

Halfway across the page is the column for PMPS (evening, pre-shot, test)
To the right is another turquoise column for Units given at the evening shot.

There is second set of columns labeled +1 through +11
If you snag a before bed test at +3, you enter the test number in the +3 column.

We separate day and night numbers like that because many cats go lower at night.

The nadir is the lowest glucose between shots. There is a general period when it will happen which is specific to the insulin being used and testing then helps make sure your cat doesn't go too low.

I hope that helps and if you need any help setting up the Spread Sheet (SS) just ask and someone can assist you.
 
Hi and Welcome!

It may be that Jack is starting to need less insulin. So I am glad you are hometesting! As Bobbi said, the spreadsheet will help you, the vet and us - when you need dosing help, we can see his history of dosing and levels at a glance.

We put together a protocol for ProZinc. It is in blue in my signature and might be helpful.
 
We are so glad that you have posted here in the Prozinc forum and kudos for you to home test Jack. With the information that you have given us, I can definitely see some suggestions for you to help Jack. I agree with Sue that Jack may be telling you that he needs less insulin and like Bobbie says, putting together a spread sheet will help you put the puzzle together. Also, we will definitely have some suggestions for you to help bring numbers down just by possibly transitioning to a different food. I am going to give you some additional information below. Probably most of it, you may already know but just in case. Just holler with your questions.

Good Reading: This is a must read. It is an excellent 18 page informative document that covers feline health and nutrition. Don't take short cuts and read it all. www.catinfo.org Also read other postings and their spreadsheets. You will learn a lot more from others.

Home Testing: Here, we all home test and am so glad that you already are. It is mandatory to understand how your kitty is reacting to the insulin and the dose. You will want to test before each shot and some additional test in between the 12 hour cycle. Another reason to home test is to keep your kitty safe. Find a place in your home where you will always perform the test and give lots of hugs before and after testing. There are many videos showing you how to test. Hometesting Links and TipsHere is a picture of where you test on your kitty. http://s106.photobucket.com/user/chupie_2006/media/testingear/sweetspot.jpg.html

Here is another good link on Home Testing:http://www.felinediabetes.com/bg-home-test.htm

Meters: What kind of meter are you using? There are many meters. There is a pet meter called the Alpha Trak2 and human meters. Some use the pet meter because it is what the vets use so the numbers will match up. The meter and strips are expensive though. Most use human meters that can be purchased at any pharmacy. It typically reads a little lower than the pet meter but we have ways of compensating those lower numbers. Many use Walmart's brand, Relion Micro or Relion Confirm, because it only needs a tiny drop of blood. They cost around $15 and the strips are around 35 cents each.

Lancets: These are used to poke the ear to get blood. There are many different sizes (gauges). It is recommended when you are first starting out to use a 26-28 gauge. Also, it would be a good idea to pick up Neosporin WITH pain reliever to apply on the edge of the ears and don't forget to alternate ears.

Spreadsheets: Our spreadsheet instructions are here. If you are using a pet meter, you will want to make sure that you have the Alpha Trak spreadsheet as the numbers are a little different. If you look at the signatures of the members here, you will see a link to their kitty’s spreadsheets. We keep track of all our tests. This is basically a place to collect data and help you to determine patterns, doses, etc. It also aids those that may be helping you to better understand your kitty. Since you have already been testing, you will be able to use the "history" on your meter to back fill your test data information on your new sheet. Bobbie has already given you instructions on how to read it.

Food: There are many reasons why we are here but one is due to feeding dry cat food which is high in carbs. You will want to consider changing your food to wet, low carb food. It is recommended to feed food that is under 10% carbs. Here is a list of cat food to choose from food chart you will note that the food with fish are lower in carbs however it is recommended that you only give fish once a week due to its mercury content. Many use Fancy Feast, 9 Lives, Friskies, etc. This list can also be found in www.catinfo.org If you are already giving insulin and you have not transitioned to wet, low carb cat food, be sure to test while you are transitioning. This is because by changing to low carb food, it could decrease your kitty’s number by 100 points or more. One last thing, many of us add water to the wet food so your kitty is getting plenty of water to flush out the toxins and to keep them hydrated.

Hypo Kit: Always good to be prepared for possible hypo events which means that your cat has reached dangerously low numbers. It can be fatal, hence, the importance of home testing and collecting data in a spreadsheet. In each of the Insulin Forums are stickie’s labeled Hypo Links. Here is one: How to Handle a Hypo. Please print and post on your refrigerator so everyone in your household is aware of hypo symptoms. You will want to create your hypo kit that would include and not limited to; extra testing strips, honey/karo/maple syrup, high carb food, medium carb food, vet information, etc.

Ketones: Diabetic cats are susceptible to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). It is best to buy testing strips that will measure (if any) ketones in the urine. One brand is Ketostix which can be found at Walmart or any pharmacy. You will want to test periodically unless you continue to get high numbers, then it is suggested to test more frequently. Ketostix typically costs around $10.

Treats: It is always nice to have treats available for your kitty. Some use it after they have tested to reward. I like using Pure Bites. I have found it at Petsmart and other pet stores. It is freeze dried and the only ingredient is the meat i.e. chicken, duck, etc. If your cat likes it, then I would go to the dog section where it is cheaper than the cat package. It is bigger chunks but no problem in breaking it up. Another option is to use Bonita Flakes. There is a link here somewhere that has a list of low carb treats but I don't have it right now.

Injections: Most folks here use one of these main insulins; Lantus, Levemir and Prozinc. Great to see that your vet has already prescribed Prozinc. Two hours prior to your insulin shot, you will not want your kitty to eat. Then you will test and then feed. It is best for your kitty to eat a little before your shoot. I shoot while he is eating. The reason why you do not want your kitty to eat two hours prior to your test is because food elevates BG numbers. So you do not want to dose based on a food influenced number. Here is a link on how to give injections.http://www.felinediabetes.com/injections.htm
 
Thanks. Jack has been diabetic for over a year and we had another diabetic cat years ago so I've been on this board a while. I've never had numbers fluctuate like this though. We use the Alpha Trak meter. It does cost a little more but his vet and his internist use it so I thought I'd be consistent. I've read all of the food posts on this site and keep up with them regularly. I give them pure bites treats right before I shoot him. If you're not familiar with them, they are simply freeze dried meat or fish depending on the variety you get. I typically shoot Jack when I feed him. He's cooperative because he's busy eating. I was nervous this morning about shooting him with his numbers being 296 because I thought the insulin might make him go hypo and I wasn't going to be home. After feeding him, his BG went up to 344 so I went ahead and gave him his normal dose of 4 units. I don't know how much to adjust doses and when to do so. That is where I need the help. I'll check out the protocol for prozinc.

Also--is it common for them to get a bump at the injection site? I typically inject him in the shoulder area and I noticed a nodule right about where he normally gets his shot so I did it on the other side. Thanks again for all your help.
 
Scar tissue can form where you inject and rotating the site can help with that. This board is so helpful with dosing issues. If you need any help with the SS just ask.
 
Okay his numbers are definitely coming down. I just tested him preshot--his bg was 166. This is a little over 11 hours since his morning shot. Not sure how to dose him. Called the vet and I'm waiting for her to call back. I'm going to go ahead and feed him.
 
Is there any chance you can wait till a full 12 hours w/o feeding? One of the options you can do is stall until you get a shootable number. At least at first, we don't shoot under 200 however if you get a number that is under 200 and you have gone the full 12 hours, then you can hold the food and test in about 20 minutes. Once the BG number gets to 200 or above, then you are able to shoot and more than likely a reduced dose. It definitely sounds like Jack needs a lower dose. It would be awesome to see some of the numbers that you are receiving and possibly some mid-cycle tests. If you are able to get a shootable number tonight, are you able to get a test in later tonight? We suggest to at least test just before bed time just to make sure that the kitty is safe.
 
I did wait and I'll retest him at 7:30. I did let him eat though. I guess that was a mistake. The vet said I should still give him the full dose because we are trying to maintain those numbers. Not sure what to do. What do I do if the numbers are in the normal range? This is a real worry for me in the morning as I go to work. I leave food out but I don't want him to go hypo. I'll test him again in a half hour then give him a shot. If he's below 200 should I give him less than the 4 units? His numbers had obviously been high for awhile which was why he was increased to 4 on 10/16. He had been peeing a lot and inappropriately. That has cleared up as his BG has clearly come down.
 
Since you all ready fed him, when you test again his numbers will be higher most likely. As @Merlin said, he most likely needs a reduction. In the morning, if his number is lower than 200, do not feed and stall 20 minutes and retest. If the number comes up to 200 or higher, you can shoot but a reduced amount and the thought is to reduce it because it gave you an un-shootable number. If the number doesn't come up to a least 200 you should just skip the dose. It is better to be high for a day than too low for a minute. You will hear that a lot around here.
 
Thank you. I feel better knowing that. Given his numbers have gone down so much, they won't be as high as they used to be. I'm going to test him again now. If he's in the 200 range then I guess I should reduce his 4 units. How much should I give? 3 units?
 
Okay. He was at 235 and he had eaten already. I reduced his dose to 3 units. I'll test him again before I go to bed.
 
It is really hard to tell since we really don't have much of a history to look at. If you should get another number that is under 200, and if you can not stall again, I would skip. I would definitely not give him the full 4 units. Are you able to test throughout the night just in case he needs it? I am thinking that if he is over 200, then I would give a very reduced shot.
 
Don't be too surprised if the number do go back up again. It would be due to bouncing because he got a lower number than his body is use too. It causes the body to release glycogen which turns into extra sugar in the body. Some cats bounce for a cycle, some for days, some for a week. The mid-cycle test that you will get will help to know how to tweak the doses. It shows how low the insulin dose took him. I am glad you reduced, and yes before you go to bed see what he is. If he would start to drop quickly, you will want to get another test as well later in the cycle (my alarm clock is permanently set for 2 Am (usually got to pee anyway, that was probably TMI) So glad you are home testing!! Keep us posted.
 
Thank you so much for your help. I was not expecting his numbers to drop like they did when we increased his dose. Never had that happen before! I leave the house at 7:30 in the morning. I typically inject at 6 am and 6 pm so we got off a bit. I'll test him before I go to bed, at 6 am and before I inject him at 7:30. If he's aboe 200 at 6:00, I may go ahead and inject him at 6:30. I've done 11 hour intervals but nothing less than that. I prefer to inject him earlier so I can test him before I leave the house to make sure he's okay. I guess if I leave food out that will help.
 
The reason why I ask about the food is because if it has been less than two hours, that PMPS reading could be food influenced i.e. increase the number. I would suggest you taking a +2 or +2.5 test tonight as those times typically give us a good look into what the cycle could be tonight. If it is flat, increased or even a slight decrease, then tonight's cycle should be uneventful. If we see a drastic drop, then you may have to take additional tests to ensure he doesn't go below 68. Since you are using an AlphaTrak meter, if you get the number 80 and if you have not seen this low a number before, I would start giving him some low to medium carb food to increase his BG level. Have you had to do that before? Remember if you have to intervene, you only give Jack a little bit of food because you do not want to get him full just in case you have to give him higher carb food. Not saying that he is going to go real low tonight but just want to be prepared.
 
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Never had to do this before but I did buy a can of fancy feast grilled something or other that another sugar cat mom recommended to keep on hand for emergencies so I have that ready in case. I'll test him at 10 which is 2.5 hours after injection. If he's low then I'll get up and do it again later. Thanks for your help. I've never had a diabetic actually have numbers that went down! My last one had the opposite problem!
 
kozykitty said:
Never had to do this before but I did buy a can of fancy feast grilled something or other that another sugar cat mom recommended to keep on hand for emergencies so I have that ready in case. I'll test him at 10 which is 2.5 hours after injection. If he's low then I'll get up and do it again later
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Good, it sounds like you are prepared. Are you familiar with the stickie in the ProZinc forum about Hypo situations. I actually printed it off and have it inside my kitchen cabinet. Just to be prepared.
 
So glad that you are home testing...that is half the battle. I am so glad that you are seeing better numbers, that is a good thing, right? Jack is lucky to have you!
 
Thank you all for your help. You have no idea how reassuring it is. But then again--maybe you do since you were all newbies at one time too. I'll keep you all posted and I'm sure I'll have more questions.
 
kozykitty said:
Thank you all for your help. You have no idea how reassuring it is. But then again--maybe you do since you were all newbies at one time too. I'll keep you all posted and I'm sure I'll have more questions.
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Oh, I sure do know, and I still am in awe of all the help I receive here. Here's to a good night, with good safe numbers for all!
 
Please ask away! That's what we are here for. We're all just paying it forward for the help we received when we were scared newbies (and trust me...I was terrified!).

Sounds like Jack may need a dose reduction. Would you be able/willing to get a spreadsheet set up soon? I ask because that's how everyone in this forum is used to looking at numbers...we are able to use that to really be effective when helping out. It doesn't require math...just data entry. And it will give us an "at a glance" look at how Jack is doing.

I'm really not sure how to advise you on dosing since we just don't have the data to tell you what we would do at this point. I do think 4 units is probably too much. I'm not sure what to say for a dose though...maybe 2 units if he is over 200 at test time? Mid cycle numbers would help (when you can get them...I know how work can make that tough). That way we can see how low the insulin took him...that gives us info we can use for the next time he hits the same preshot number. :)

You're doing great! Jack is super lucky to have you.
 
I just set up a spreadsheet a little while ago. I followed the directions for sharing it at the spreadsheet link. It is titled Jack--spreadsheet using alpha trak. There are just a few numbers in it--just the tests I've done starting this morning. I have it open on my laptop so I'll fill it in with each test. I'll test him again in about 45 minutes which will be 2.5 hours after the last one.
 
Funny thing --he had been on 3 units for a long time and his sugar was clearly high even though I wasn't testing. He was peeing like a fiend. Just increased it on the 16th of this month so the numbers are coming down. Anyway--I gave him 3 units tonight. If he's below 200 in the morning I'll test again. If he stays low, I'll skip his shot as I'll be at work all day.
 
So we can see your spreadsheet, you will need to set up your signature information. This where you will have a link to your spreadsheet so we all can see it. Thanks for setting it up. Also, you may have already done this but you can pull up the history on your meter so you can backfill your spreadsheet with data.

Editing your Signature

In the upper right corner of the screen, within the dark blue bar, you will see ID, Inbox, and Alerts

Click on your ID.

On the left, under Settings, Click on Signature.
This is where you will put information that helps us give you feedback. You are limited to 2 hard returns, so separate pieces by | or -.
This is where you paste the link for your spreadsheet, once it is set up.
Add any other text, such as
your name | cat's name | date of Dx (diagnosis) | insulin | meter
general location (city and state/province)
any other pertinent issues like if there are any food issues, history of DKA, hepatic lipidosis, pancreatitis, allergies, IBD, etc.
Click the Save Changes button at the bottom.

Always click the Save Changes button at the bottom when you have changed anything.
 
Great job Vicki and boy that was a quick set up of the spreadsheet and signature. So much better especially since I am one of those visual kinds. Looks like a pretty uneventful night is in your future and nice to see the yellows even. So when you get time, it would be great to get some mid-cycle tests (nadir). The pre-shot and nadir helps us determine the dose for Prozinc. I know that you mentioned that on the weekends, you can get a few extra tests. Also, if you happen to have to get up in the middle of the night, maybe you can take that opportunity to get a mid-cycle test too. Holler if you have any questions.
 
Vicki, if you have been injectingat the same spot for several years, it might be that the insulin isn't absorbing as well as it was. (Some people think it is wise to change the sides of the flank or the shoulder to help with absorption. It's one of those ECID things. Works for some, not for others.). Anyway, that plus your increase could be why he is now dropping for preshots. Also, we have certainly had cats who were diabetic for several years and finally started to respond better.

One thing to watch is the darn bouncing. If their body perceives a lower than normal number, it panics and releases extra glucose. So you get an "artificial" bounce to a higher number. Then, if you give more insulin in the bounced number, it can cause a roller coaster of highs and lows. That's why we love tests 5-7 hours after the shot. It can show you how low the insulin is taking him. Not only will that help you see the bouncing scenario but it will give you good information on how well your dose is working.

The gravy foods are great for your hypo kit. Sometimes just a teaspoon of the gravy will bring a lowering number up, without giving him a lot of high carb food that could impact his whole next cycle.

Glad to have you join our little group. If you ever have an emergency like a very low number, post here and on Health. The people using ProZinc post here but there are more general eyes on Health.
 
I tested him 2.5 hours after his shot last night and his BG was 238. This morning, I tested him with no food at 11 hours and it was 355. I had gotten off schedule so I went ahead and injected him with 4 units since his count had gone up. This way I can test him in an hour before I leave for work. We were away this past weekend and I know he was really upset because he had to be shut in a room alone so the sitter could get to him. I wonder if that made his numbers bounce.
 
Can you leave some food for him today in case he goes too low since you shot 4 units? Whenever you can't monitor it is always best to be conservative with your dose.
 
I never give actual dosing advice, but as said above, you should consider increasing and decreasing by .25 or at least .50, 1 unit either way can easily be too much. Because of the way ProZinc works, you don't want to change the dose everytime, unless the number is considerable lower, as it takes a couple/few days for the cats body to learn to work with each particular dose.
 
Okay. This increasing and decreasing thing is new to me. The vet said last night that I should keep him at 4. I always leave food out. They get canned food when I shoot him and they don't eat it all right away. I also leave a little dry out. His BG was 328 1 hour after shot.
 
Hey, Vicki, the unfortunate thing is most vets don't have enough experience with Feline Diabetes as most people will choose to euthanize their animals when giving this DX. The people here are so knowledgeable and experienced with FD and can really help you with the dosing because Jack is getting too much insulin. Also, you will want to get him off the dry food because it is way too high in carbs and is contributing to keeping his numbers high. It can cause his Blood Glucose (BG) to be as much as 100 points higher. Having said that, when you remove it from his diet and give only wet food no higher than 10 % carbs, you will need to do it at a time when you are home all day, maybe a weekend, so you can monitor him every few hours so he won't go too low. And then, he might need another dose reduction. I am linking a food chart so that you can make sure what you are giving falls below 10% carbs. foodchart

Glad you got his SS up and going because that will really help the people here to guide you with his doing. Perhaps you can post this evening after you get his PMPS to see what the dose should be and take it from there. I know you want to listen to your vet as we have all struggled with that. Had I listened to my vet, Bubba would probably be dead right now because he did not want me to learn to home test until he was regulated. Well guess what? He is still not regulated and had I not listened to my inner voice that said, "Don't give insulin unless you know what the number is because a human would never do that" and learn to test, my Bubba would probably be dead because 3-4 times all ready he was at a too low of a number to shoot and I had to skip the dose. WE say around here "It is better to be too high for a day than too low for a minute.

We are so glad you are here and there is so much knowledge here to help you and Jack. :cat:
 
I pretty well versed in the food dept. We had another diabetic cat years ago which is actually when I joined this site. I've been checking the food lists for years. The challenge for me is that I have another cat with allergies who can't eat poultry which is Jack's preference. Since he was shut in a room by himself this past weekend when we were away, I had the sitter give him poultry. It is lower in carbs than the rabbit I give them so I wonder if that caused his numbers to go down. Jack has intestinal upsets if he eats too much fish so I have to watch that. I use the calculator at balanceit.com to put the nutritional info in. It calculates the percentage of carbs. Really helpful site. I give them wet food twice a day and leave some dry out when I go to work. They tend to graze the wet food all day. When I'm home, I skip the dry as I can monitor them better.

I lost my last diabetic in 2008 but I've always followed the same food protocol for all my cats because it's healthier for them. I'm just sorry that the Stella and Chewy freeze dried raw all has poultry or I'd leave some of that out.
 
HI Vicki! Thank you so much for getting your SS up. Like Cindi, I'm a visual person...and we are all used to seeing the info in that format so it will really help us all!

I'm so sorry to hear you lost your last diabetic baby. I know how rough that is.

Yep the lower carb food could have caused his numbers to go down. My little one couldn't tolerate carbs well...she was even more sensitive than some cats.

Can I ask (just for my own info) what kind of dry you feed?

I'm so glad that you're here!
 
Jack was originally on Instinct Raw Boost Chicken which had the lowest carbs of all that I could find. He can't eat a lot of fish because it causes intestinal upset. I literally spent a day on petfooddirect.com looking at the nutritional info and plugging it into the calculator on balanceit.com to get the carb calorie percentage. The Instinct was great until Luna, my young female, developed horrible allergies to poultry so I had to switch. At the time, there was little that didn't have some kind of chicken or chicken meal in it so I switched to Instinct Rabbit Raw Boost. It had higher carbs even though it was grain free 95% meat. A few months ago, Orijens came out with a red meat one called Regional which has wild boar, bison, lamb. The carb percentage on that one was much lower than the Instinct Rabbit and it is pretty much in the range of the Instinct Chicken in terms of carbs. They had a small 1 pound sample bag that I was able to purchase to try it out. It's quite expensive--a 15 lb. bag is in the $70 range. Of course the expense is relative when you consider what the wrong food will do! I try to just leave them some dry when I'm out so for 3 cats, one bag lasts a good while.
 
Hi Vicki, it's not unusual that after they eat and you retest you would get a higher number such as the 426 @ +1. The higher numbers this morning are no doubt from bouncing from last night's lower numbers. When you shoot higher into the bounce like you did this morning with 4 units, you cause more bouncing. Bouncing is the hardest part of this sugar dance to understand for all of us. So, next time he gets a lower number like last night and you see the higher AM number you won't need to be as alarmed and remember not to shoot a higher dose or you will get more bouncing, higher numbers and it just continues. It can take some cats a day, three days, a week to clear the bounce. Why don't you post before you shoot tonight and let the experienced peeps here help you with the dose?
 
I'll do that. What's baffling to me are the lower numbers. He had been on 3 units and (before I started testing) his BG was clearly high as he was peeing bucketloads! The vet increased the dose to 4 and he's clearly doing better. Those numbers below 200 are what concerned me. Last night, he was below 200 at +11 hours then was 233 at 12 hours so I went down to 3.5 units. This morning he was at 346 at shot time. The last two days have been similar during the day--below 200 at +11 then over at shot time without food. I'll test him when I get home which will be at +11 or shot time and give a shout! Thanks again for all your help.
 
Can't help but love those blues and yellows though! Bobbie is completely right that the +1 typically shoots up as it takes a few hours for the insulin to take in effect or is it affect??? I can never remember. Anyway, that is why the +2/+2.5 is the more telling hour to test to see how the cycle is going to react to the insulin. Awesome, awesome job in testing and can you already start seeing the pattern at least for the pre-shot tests? I can't wait till this weekend to see what the nadir (mid-cycle) test will show. I think that will tell us a lot. Keep up the good "detective" work. Hopefully with time, you will figure out Jack!
 
Thanks. I've been testing him 2 - 3 hours after his pm shot which helps some. This weekend, I'll be able to test 2 - 3 hours after the am shot as well plus mid cycle. He's very cooperative--particularly when he get's a little treat.
 
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