Don't know what to think anymore

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Bobbie And Bubba

Bobbie And Bubba

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This AM, Bubba came down to 235, lower than he's been since 10.31. So I shot that at 3 units thinking that would really bring him down......nope! ( I have only shot that number with 2.2 u ) At +2.5 he's up to 381! Do you think it's a bounce and that maybe he dropped lower last night since I don't have anything after +6?
 
:D You are going to hate this, but I think it's just one number. Let's see how the rest of the cycle shakes out. His pattern is to go up after the shot (probably the food) and then drop again.

And take a moment to enjoy that lovely amps!
 
Sue and Oliver (GA) said:
:D You are going to hate this, but I think it's just one number. Let's see how the rest of the cycle shakes out. His pattern is to go up after the shot (probably the food) and then drop again.

And take a moment to enjoy that lovely amps!
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I did enjoy the lower AMPS until +2.5 ! Yes, he does go up about that time but not THAT much! lets see what happens
 
Bobbie...you're focusing on the number too much. Before you worry about the number going up, like Sue said...let's see how the cycle plays out.

Also, how is Bubba? Is he acting good? Is he doing the 5 P's? Remember, he is more than just a number. Heck, I hear he caught a mouse the other day...sounds like he is doing well!

Let's wait to worry about how he does today until after the cycle. I know it's frustrating (I KNOW...I've been there) but in the end, if Bubba is feeling better, we're still heading in the right direction.
 
Rachel said:
Bobbie...you're focusing on the number too much. Before you worry about the number going up, like Sue said...let's see how the cycle plays out.

Also, how is Bubba? Is he acting good? Is he doing the 5 P's? Remember, he is more than just a number. Heck, I hear he caught a mouse the other day...sounds like he is doing well!

Let's wait to worry about how he does today until after the cycle. I know it's frustrating (I KNOW...I've been there) but in the end, if Bubba is feeling better, we're still heading in the right direction.
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You and Sue and both right...... yes, he seems fine unless I make him stay inside like yesterday. He's doing all the 5 P's. Guess I am just mentally exhausted from this. Sorry, I needed some hand holding again.
 
We all do! Trust me, this board has talked me through some super tough times. When's the last time you took a break and did something nice for you? I think you need to at some point. You deserve it. I realize you are going to want to stay home and test Bubba today, but if he's doing all right, maybe even take a walk for 15/20 minutes?
 
Hmmmm. Puzzling to me. That's a pretty hefty dose to be giving you this sort of pattern.

I apologize for not knowing Bubba's history in detail, so bear with me. He just had surgery to remove an eye, is that right? Is he on any meds right now? When was the last time he saw the vet? Have you shared his recent numbers with the vet?

I'm not surprised to see an increase after eating. Even if a cat eats zero carbs, the food will still cause an increase because they convert fat and protein to glucose. But once the insulin onsets, the numbers should start to go down. In general, his pattern is pretty flat since his surgery, even though you have been increasing. I'm wondering if there is an unseen infection or something going on, or "post-op pain". Cats are pretty good at masking pain.

Grasping straws maybe but I'm scratching my head here.
 
Oh Bobbie - sorry for this frustration - you and I are the guardians of two cats who march to their own drumbeat and don't seem to follow rules - I understand the feeling of helplessness but I admire your courage for shooting that 3 this morning. I have full confidence that, in this case, what goes up will come down. It seems in Bubba's own time frame. Hang in there!!!
 
Carl & Polly & Bob (GA) said:
Hmmmm. Puzzling to me. That's a pretty hefty dose to be giving you this sort of pattern.

I apologize for not knowing Bubba's history in detail, so bear with me. He just had surgery to remove an eye, is that right? Is he on any meds right now? When was the last time he saw the vet? Have you shared his recent numbers with the vet?

I'm not surprised to see an increase after eating. Even if a cat eats zero carbs, the food will still cause an increase because they convert fat and protein to glucose. But once the insulin onsets, the numbers should start to go down. In general, his pattern is pretty flat since his surgery, even though you have been increasing. I'm wondering if there is an unseen infection or something going on, or "post-op pain". Cats are pretty good at masking pain.

Grasping straws maybe but I'm scratching my head here.
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It is a puzzle...... He saw the vet 5 days post op. The surgery to remove his eye was on 10/29. He was on pain med, buprenex for three days and hasn't been on it since 10/31 He was in the yellow zone mostly all through the surgery recovery except for a few times. I probably should have increased him during that time to help him pop into lower ranges but I thought I would wait till the cone of shame came off because I knew it was stresses him and felt like if I were getting yellows out of him then that I didn't want to raise it on artificially higher numbers. The cone came off on 11/6 and he came down and then started going back up again. I started increasing on 11/8 and the numbers are getting worse.

Here's what I can tell you about how he looks post op : no swelling or any signs of infection. The sutures are still there which are dissolvable but I can take him back to have them removed if they seem to be bothering him, which as of right now, they don't seem to be. He's eating and doing all the 5 P's and would rather be out as much as I would let him but I only give him a few hours then I go looking for him so I can test him. I haven't discussed his numbers with the vet because to tell you the truth, he isn't that knowledgeable on Feline Diabetes. He didn't even want me to be testing and his stand on diabetes is that if he can get a cat to be in the 200's on 2 units of insulin he is happy.

I am wondering if letting him hang in the yellows with the same dose of 2.2 caused him to have glucose toxicity? Sorry for writing a short novel. Any insight is very appreciated.
 
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Carol C said:
Oh Bobbie - sorry for this frustration - you and I are the guardians of two cats who march to their own drumbeat and don't seem to follow rules - I understand the feeling of helplessness but I admire your courage for shooting that 3 this morning. I have full confidence that, in this case, what goes up will come down. It seems in Bubba's own time frame. Hang in there!!!
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Thanks for you kind words,Carol. I was quite nervous shooting 3 units at that number and was prepared for a day of steering. I wouldn't let the poor guy out till I got the +2 reading and when I saw that 381, yikes! Maybe he is bouncing from last night cycle. I didn't get any more data after +6. Yes, he and Murphy have their own agenda. :banghead:
 
Hi Bobbie. I was just looking at you spreadsheet. Colin must have been talking to Bubba! Colin has been going up instead of down post shot the last couple days. Today he's a bit better, going down, not much, but I'll take it. Not sure what Bubba's up too, but I'm sure with all the brains around here you'll figure it out soon. In the meantime do like Rachel said and try to do something nice for yourself.
 
Sharon14 said:
Hi Bobbie. I was just looking at you spreadsheet. Colin must have been talking to Bubba! Colin has been going up instead of down post shot the last couple days. Today he's a bit better, going down, not much, but I'll take it. Not sure what Bubba's up too, but I'm sure with all the brains around here you'll figure it out soon. In the meantime do like Rachel said and try to do something nice for yourself.
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Thanks Sharon, I am cooking now, that's what I do when I am stressed, Roasted Chicken and Butternut Squash soup, yum! Come on over for a bowl! I need to figure it out with The Bubster WHILE I step away from it emotionally, can't help it, I am very emotional .
 
The racoons and opossums got all my apples, pears and peaches this year. My trees were full one day and the next morning, empty! So far the satsumas are ok...BTW, I'm on my way, what time is dinner?!
 
Any issues with elimination, dehydration, gingivitis, abdominal sensitivity (can you massage the tummy or does he try to bite you or get away?)
 
Sharon14 said:
So far the satsumas are ok
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What are they? Shucks about the raccoons and possums. Isn't there anything you can do to protect them? We get deer that get to our apples. We still got quite a bit despite them getting into them. Dinner about 6:30 EST. The soup can keep till you get here!
 
BJM said:
Any issues with elimination, dehydration, gingivitis, abdominal sensitivity (can you massage the tummy or does he try to bite you or get away?)
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Elimination is good, peeing and pooping daily, doesn't seem dehydrated, just got a cleaning and lost 2 teeth Sept 17th, and I just massaged his belly and he let me. Stumped!
 
Bobbie, when you ordered your control solution from Relion, how long did it take you to get it? I ordered on Oct 31, and haven't received it. Didn't know if I should call again...
 
Many diabetics have a low level of chronic pancreatitis which can cause ongoing deterioration of the islet and/or enzyme-producing cells, thus requiring increasing insulin doses and/or enzyme supplementation.
Watch for feces that are a lighter/pasty color, largish, and really, really stinky - that's a sign of possible lack of enzymes aka exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. It can also be a sign of SIBO - small intestine bacterial overgrowth.
 
BJM said:
Many diabetics have a low level of chronic pancreatitis which can cause ongoing deterioration of the islet and/or enzyme-producing cells, thus requiring increasing insulin doses and/or enzyme supplementation.
Watch for feces that are a lighter/pasty color, largish, and really, really stinky - that's a sign of possible lack of enzymes aka exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. It can also be a sign of SIBO - small intestine bacterial overgrowth.
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Thanks for that info. So far so good. His movements are normal color, dark brown and formed nicely. I all ready give him digestive enzymes daily. This is good info to have
 
BJM said:
Many diabetics have a low level of chronic pancreatitis which can cause ongoing deterioration of the islet and/or enzyme-producing cells, thus requiring increasing insulin doses and/or enzyme supplementation.
Watch for feces that are a lighter/pasty color, largish, and really, really stinky - that's a sign of possible lack of enzymes aka exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. It can also be a sign of SIBO - small intestine bacterial overgrowth.
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I would say that I've been noticing all these signs in Murphy the past week or so
 
Well, this was his worst cycle ever. He started off promising at 235 this AM and then just hung in the 300's all day. Could it be a bounce from a lower PM cycle? I am so stumped......
 
Carol C said:
Oh Bobbie - sorry for this frustration - you and I are the guardians of two cats who march to their own drumbeat and don't seem to follow rules - I understand the feeling of helplessness but I admire your courage for shooting that 3 this morning. I have full confidence that, in this case, what goes up will come down. It seems in Bubba's own time frame. Hang in there!!!
Click to expand...

Add me to the drum line. See how the day goes and tomorrow it might catch up to him. That what Smokey does.
 
Bobbie And Bubba said:
And could he be reacting to me raising him the 8th, the 9th and the 10th?
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I don't see that as likely. You got a lot of tests those 3 days and nights, and there are no low numbers evident.
 
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You already gave 3u tonight, right? Wait and see if it does anything this cycle. You don't have to test like a whirling dervish tonight, but a +4 or +5 might reveal something.
 
woodsywife said:
Add me to the drum line. See how the day goes and tomorrow it might catch up to him. That what Smokey does.
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Paula, I am dreaming of a time when all our cats are OTJ and we can all meet up somewhere exciting and lick our wounds from this war on Diabetes. We deserve it!
 
image.jpeg
A friend found this for me at the beginning of this sugar dance with Ben.
 
Carol C said:
what kind of enzymes are you supposed to give
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The enzymes I use are from a company called Naturvet. They are digestive enzymes with probiotics. Prior to giving them to Bubba, I noticed his poop being tannish in color and larger, but no foul smell. My homeoopath told me to start him on it. His poop was darker in probably 2-3 days later. And he is got more regular. I get them from Chewy.com
 
Colin's poop has been like that. I figured it was from all the antibiotics he's been on. I started him on probiotics, I don't think it has enzymes though.
 
I was wondering if I gave too much probiotic that caused his diarrhea today - his poop has definitely been lighter in color the past few days - could also be the change in diet - anyway, I looked at the ingredients in the soft chews, and it has tapioca starch and "potato products" _ I don't think that is good for a sugar cat
 
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