Feeding question

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ssblackcat Sophia & Susan

ssblackcat Sophia & Susan

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After always getting fed free range dry food and a can of FF each evening, I now feed Sophia FF Classic twice a day (6:00am and 6:00pm) before she gets her injection. I will start home testing this weekend but my question is, do I need to be so strict about only feeding her 2 times a day? She is underweight, never been overweight. I'd like her to gain a little even. She always seems hungry a few hours before it's time to feed her. Will I be able to feed her more when I am testing her and can see what her numbers are?
 
If she is underweight, you can feed her a little more. And yes, there is a choice, depending on what works best for your cat - twice daily or several times a day. Adding some warm water and making a gravy works sometimes - not only do some cats like the texture better, but they think they are getting more to eat!

I am glad you are going to home test. Changing the food can cause the levels to dramatically drop - 100 points overnight for our Oliver. Let us know if you need help with testing. My best advice is to warm the ear more than you think it might need, and get 25-27 gauge lancets to start with.
 
Yes, test, then feed before the shot. You just don't want them to have food for two hours before the preshot test.
 
Sorry, I should have been more clear! It's been a tired day for me. :)

Yeah, you want the preshot test to not be food influenced, which is why you withhold food during that time. But then, you do feed before shooting so you can be sure they'll have food onboard with the insulin.
 
Being new to the boards, I don't know about pasting links to different forums...thanks for your help! I already gave her 2 units, like I have been since last Saturday when her vet raised it. I'm so confused about not following her directions and learning to read the BG. She seems fine. I plan on testing her later tonight if you think it's a good idea.
 
Carol & Murphy said:
@Sue and Oliver (GA) @Rachel @Robin&BB - here's a paste from the health forum - http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/...nyone-in-the-denver-area.158448/#post-1687855 - she got her first ear poke test and it was 206 @+11 - The plan was to give 2 units but we are all worried that is much too high a dose and maybe close to being a no shot
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With a low preshot for a newer diabetic and no data I would be concerned about shooting. Also she has just changed from dry food to a wet food diet so there is no way to know what effect that may be having. Hopefully one of the Prozinc people will be on soon and give their advice.
 
So you say you already gave 2 units? And the preshot was 206? Hmmm...any chance of hanging out for awhile and getting some tests in tonight? I think it would be good if you can grab some tests and make sure she isn't dropping too fast.
 
I replied on Health but it looks like you already gave 2 units? I am concerned about that dose. Do you have some honey and some high carb food if you need to bring up the levels tonight? Please get an early test - maybe in an hour after the shot to see if she is dropping too fast.
 
Sue and Oliver (GA) said:
Please get an early test - maybe in an hour after the shot to see if she is dropping too fast.
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I agree with Sue - you will definitely want to monitor her blood glucose tonight; not only will it help ensure that kitty stays in safe #s, but you'll have data that will help you in determining whether or not you'll need to reduce the dose at AMPS time.

In looking at your SS just now, I notice it has the bright red "AlphaTrak 2 pet-calibrated meter" banner across the top of this spreadsheet: But you're using a Relion human-type meter (Confirm or Micro?), isn't that correct?

If this is true, we need you to grab the FDMB template designed for the human meter instead. Please let me know ... thanks!
 
And just so you're aware: When using a human-type meter such as the Relion brand, you don't want to see your kitty drop below 50 (that number is anything "less than 69" on a pet-calibrated AlphaTrak meter) - so the difference in BG # is significant when watching for signs of hypoglycemia, which is why it's important that you're using the spreadsheet that's designed for the meter you're actually using. (This also is important so that no one who is helping you gets confused about which meter you're using.)
 
Robin&BB said:
And just so you're aware: When using a human-type meter such as the Relion brand, you don't want to see your kitty drop below 50 (that number is anything "less than 69" on a pet-calibrated AlphaTrak meter) - so the difference in BG # is significant when watching for signs of hypoglycemia, which is why it's important that you're using the spreadsheet that's designed for the meter you're actually using. (This also is important so that no one who is helping you gets confused about which meter you're using.)
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Yes! that's correct...what do I need to do?
 
Here's the link you need: US Spreadsheet Template

The other thing you need to do: Go up to the upper right on this thread, click on where your user name appears in the blue bar, then click on "Signature" in the drop down menu. Then you can follow the prompts to create your signature that will appear in every one of your posts on the forum, at the bottom of your post (like mine appears in my posts). You will put in the pertinent info: Diagnosis date, insulin type, type of food,
any other health problems, etc. AND the brand/model of your glucose meter.
 
P.S. And WELCOME to our little "club" - the one that no one really wants to join!;) What is your first name ... & is kitty Sophia Maria?
(Bat-Bat says hello, too ... gee, they could be twins.)
 
Robin&BB said:
P.S. And WELCOME to our little "club" - the one that no one really wants to join!;) What is your first name ... & is kitty Sophia Maria?
(Bat-Bat says hello, too ... gee, they could be twins.)
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I'm Susan and kitty is Sophia Maria. Bat Bat could be my Spooky's twin. He was Sophie's 18 year old brother who crossed the rainbow bridge a few years ago.
 
ssblackcat said:
OK, I created a new SS for human meter. Again, thank you, everyone!!
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You're welcome, Susan!

Please test her BG again at +3 and post that number for us, because she has already started dropping at +2, so we're going to want to make sure she's not a "fast diver..."
 
A few notes about steering, just in case you end up doing that tonight later: It's a bit of a balancing act. You won't really need to start doing that unless she's closing in on that "50" number; you reserve the higher carb and Karo for if/when kitty is BELOW that #. I have found that you can usually steer out & raise the # back up to safer range with the usual low-carb food if you catch kitty around the 60-ish mark, with about 0.75 oz of food. Two things you don't want to do when you see low #s:
1) Don't panic.
2) Don't overfeed, as you may need to do several steering "sessions" during the period that you'll be monitoring and raising BG #s.

As regards to this being a balancing act, over-reacting with too much honey or Karo (or giving when it's not really needed yet) or going for super high-carbs when you're not really quite in a danger zone can result in kitty spiking much higher numbers later that are related to overdoing the carbs. Here's the link to the sheet on hypos : How to treat HYPOS - THEY CAN KILL! Print this Out!!
Don't let it scare you or anything; it's good to read through it and post on your fridge should you ever need it. Knowledge is power.:)
 
Robin&BB said:
As regards to this being a balancing act, over-reacting with too much honey or Karo (or giving when it's not really needed yet) or going for super high-carbs when you're not really quite in a danger zone can result in kitty spiking much higher numbers later that are related to overdoing the carbs.
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The reason I say this is that I've only had to steer Bat-Bat, like ... maybe more times than I care to count.:p
 
Robin&BB said:
A few notes about steering, just in case you end up doing that tonight later: It's a bit of a balancing act. You won't really need to start doing that unless she's closing in on that "50" number; you reserve the higher carb and Karo for if/when kitty is BELOW that #. I have found that you can usually steer out & raise the # back up to safer range with the usual low-carb food if you catch kitty around the 60-ish mark, with about 0.75 oz of food. Two things you don't want to do when you see low #s:
1) Don't panic.
2) Don't overfeed, as you may need to do several steering "sessions" during the period that you'll be monitoring and raising BG #s.

As regards to this being a balancing act, over-reacting with too much honey or Karo (or giving when it's not really needed yet) or going for super high-carbs when you're not really quite in a danger zone can result in kitty spiking much higher numbers later that are related to overdoing the carbs. Here's the link to the sheet on hypos : How to treat HYPOS - THEY CAN KILL! Print this Out!!
Don't let it scare you or anything; it's good to read through it and post on your fridge should you ever need it. Knowledge is power.:)
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When you say that "50" number, are you referring to the actual numbers in the 50s on the meter? I'm just wondering why it's in quotations. I have been reading everything and at this point, I think I understand and then find out something like I'm using the wrong worksheet :facepalm:
 
ssblackcat said:
I'm just wondering why it's in quotations.
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Oh, that was just for emphasis, Susan.
(I was "quoting" what appears on the respective spreadsheets; I'm a writer, so I just love using punctuation.:p)
ssblackcat said:
I have been reading everything and at this point, I think I understand and then find out something like I'm using the wrong worksheet :facepalm:
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Oh, just ask @Sue and Oliver (GA) how many mistakes I made when I first joined FDMB. Heck, none of us are perfect, Susan - and this little "sugar dance" that we all do is very bewildering in the beginning no matter who you are, so take heart: We've all been right where you are at this very moment, so we're all very sympathetic and we care a great deal about how this goes for you and your sweet kitty.:bighug: (Is that +3 coming up soon? Just nagging ...;))
 
Robin&BB said:
A few notes about steering, just in case you end up doing that tonight later: It's a bit of a balancing act. You won't really need to start doing that unless she's closing in on that "50" number; you reserve the higher carb and Karo for if/when kitty is BELOW that #. I have found that you can usually steer out & raise the # back up to safer range with the usual low-carb food if you catch kitty around the 60-ish mark, with about 0.75 oz of food. Two things you don't want to do when you see low #s:
1) Don't panic.
2) Don't overfeed, as you may need to do several steering "sessions" during the period that you'll be monitoring and raising BG #s.

As regards to this being a balancing act, over-reacting with too much honey or Karo (or giving when it's not really needed yet) or going for super high-carbs when you're not really quite in a danger zone can result in kitty spiking much higher numbers later that are related to overdoing the carbs. Here's the link to the sheet on hypos : How to treat HYPOS - THEY CAN KILL! Print this Out!!
Don't let it scare you or anything; it's good to read through it and post on your fridge should you ever need it. Knowledge is power.:)
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Sophie is being so perfectly cat-like
Robin&BB said:
Oh, that was just for emphasis, Susan.
(I was "quoting" what appears on the respective spreadsheets; I'm a writer, so I just love using punctuation.:p) Oh, just ask @Sue and Oliver (GA) how many mistakes I made when I first joined FDMB. Heck, none of us are perfect, Susan - and this little "sugar dance" that we all do is very bewildering in the beginning no matter who you are, so take heart: We've all been right where you are at this very moment, so we're all very sympathetic and we care a great deal about how this goes for you and your sweet kitty.:bighug: (Is that +3 coming up soon? Just nagging ...;))
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Yep, it's coming up soon. She's laying here so happy and calm next to me....sigh...
 
Let's slow that drop down just a wee bit - which low-carb food are you using? (need to know the can size)
 
Here's why I want to slow down her drop now: That 106 may be a drop of more than 50% of her pre-shot#; since we only have the +11 to go by, we'll use that BG result as the pre-shot # this time around ... I would prefer you give her about 0.75 oz. of her usual food now, and then check her in about 30 minutes to see if that brings her up just a little bit. Which type(s) of canned do you have on hand? Brand & formula, please.
 
ssblackcat said:
She is acting starved right now.Fancy Feast Classic Chicken Feast 3 oz.
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It is typical for them to behave like they're starving until you have the diabetes well-controlled; that'll come later.

Please feed her 1/4 can of the FF now; then test in 30 minutes, ok?
 
Robin&BB said:
Here's why I want to slow down her drop now: That 106 may be a drop of more than 50% of her pre-shot#; since we only have the +11 to go by, we'll use that BG result as the pre-shot # this time around ... I would prefer you give her about 0.75 oz. of her usual food now, and then check her in about 30 minutes to see if that brings her up just a little bit. Which type(s) of canned do you have on hand? Brand & formula, please.
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I have the prescription Hills that the vet sold me the first day and I have some FF gravy
 
ssblackcat said:
I have the prescription Hills that the vet sold me the first day and I have some FF gravy
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Let's reserve the higher-carb/gravy-type foods for after we've seen where she is with the Fancy Feast when you test 30 minutes after feeding that, ok?*

*As 106 is not anywhere near a worry-spot. But we do want to help prevent her from bouncing later.
 
Just an FYI: Bouncing can occur if a kitty's BG level during the cycle drops more than 50% of the AMPS or PMPS BG # (this is why we test right before every dose, and we avoid feeding anything in the 2-hour window prior to dose time, unless you're dealing with active hypo-event during those hours). When a cat bounces, this means that the blood glucose will spike due to the pancreas perceiving a BG# that is much lower than kitty's body is, as yet, accustomed to (because of having diabetes); the body kind of "panics" and produces extra glucose if the # drops too low, so this is why I'm having you give a little of her regular low-carb FF now ... we're trying to keep her body from over-reacting to a dropping BG #.
 
And just to clarify: A 106 BG on a human meter is just fine; however, because she dropped 57 points in roughly (correct me if I'm wrong here) about 1.5 hrs from the last test, we want to slow that drop down, keep her a little more even.

Does that make sense?
 
You're doing great with this, Susan. And I'll stick around with you tonight (Ha, I may be steering my Bat-Bat tonight, too - in fact, I have to check her BG# right now.:rolleyes:I'll be back...)
 
And ... I just had to feed Bat-Bat 0.75 oz FF turkey with giblets because she just tested at 64 @ +3.:banghead: (Just increased her dose a little bit tonight.)
So I will be checking her BG # not long after you check Sophia's! Pretty crazy coincidence, huh?
 
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