? Could you check our SS?

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Callie & Patches

Callie & Patches

Member Since 2016
Callie's numbers are confusing to me. She gets a lot of low numbers and I feel like I should lower her dose. Every time I go lower than 4.5, her numbers go up too much. Should I buy somore syringes with more markings so I can give 4.25? I would sure like some advice from some of you more experienced people. I want to give Callie the best care possible

One thing I don't understand is why she has such low PS numbers if Vetsulin only works 8-10 hours.
 
Any chance you can get some mid cycle numbers today? How far into the cycle are you today? You are getting some green numbers which is great but you don't want to see the low point too early in the cycle which happens if the dose is a bit high, as she is recovering her numbers should drop overall, and I would try to hold doses for a bit longer to see if you get some consistency in her pre-shot numbers. You should be seeing her low point around +6. In some cats the vetsulin runs out of steam around 8 hours, in others it lasts longer. Yellow pre-shot numbers are fine at this stage of the game so don't get too hung up on the actual numbers as the meters have a variance in the readings.
 
Vetsulin is an intermediate-lasting, porcine insulin, comprised of two parts, 35% amorphous and 65% crystalline zinc insulin. Most Vetsulin users will see a drop, sometimes quite a steep drop, around the +4-6 hour mark, and then a second, smaller, gentler drop around +7-9 hrs. That early drop can be scary, I know! Some cats (mine included) will get the full 12 hours of benefits from it, but others have noticed a decline in effectiveness before a full 12 hr cycle ends. I always had fairly good luck with Vetsulin, but it's not for everybody.

Did Callie start out at 5.5 units? That's a whopping big dose to start with. Was she maybe on another insulin prior to starting Vetsulin?
 
She started at 1.5. She got a UTI and then her numbers shot up. We had a couple of 600's. The vet said to go to as high as 6. I didn't. I didn't think it was a good idea when her numbers started going as she recovered from the UTI.
 
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donnalea said:
She started at 1.5. She got a UTI and then her numbers shot up. We had a couple of 600's. The vet said to go to as high as 6. I didn't. I didn't think it was a good idea when her numbers started going as she recovered from the UTI.
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I got my numbers mixed up. The 287 was at +4. She is at 293 at +5. I have updated my SS.
 
My suspicion is that her dose is too high - what does Callie weigh? Can you carry on testing today?
 
Alexi said:
My suspicion is that her dose is too high - what does Callie weigh? Can you carry on testing today?
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I have wondered about that. I took copies of my notes to the vet. We have been playing phone tag. In chasing her high numbers from the UTI, could we have missed her best dose?
 
donnalea said:
I have wondered about that. I took copies of my notes to the vet. We have been playing phone tag. In chasing her high numbers from the UTI, could we have missed her best dose?
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That is very possible - the normal start dose is usually 0.5 to 1 unit twice daily per kg of ideal weight (so she is around 4kg in weight), and then adjusted according to the nadir (lowest number in a cycle). So she is still having quite big doses, considering her UTI is now properly treated and she is on low carb food she may well need dose reductions now. It will involve quite a bit of monitoring to work out what to do but she may be bouncing today.
 
She is 298 at +8. I will anything for my furbabies. I'm retired, I can set the alarm during the night. The only time I'm not here is when I have a Dr. appointment in town,25 miles away. I know it will take time to lower her dose.
 
I am wondering if I made a furshot this morning. I thought I felt a bit of moisture after her shot. Maybe that caused some of todays problems. But I have still been worrying about some of her low PS numbers. The 1 AM low numbers are what scares me the most.
 
On the 17th you gave 2.5 units and the numbers were fine, it is very tempting when numbers are heading up to chase them up with the insulin dose, but this can cause bouncing into high numbers which does take time to settle and is a sign the dose is too high. I think the 4 units may be the problem today.
 
So should I lower the dose slowly? A few days at each level, or as much as a week? I don't want to do anything that will cause her problems.
 
Alexi said:
On the 17th you gave 2.5 units and the numbers were fine, it is very tempting when numbers are heading up to chase them up with the insulin dose, but this can cause bouncing into high numbers which does take time to settle and is a sign the dose is too high. I think the 4 units may be the problem today.
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I gave her the 2.5 because of her low numbers. I didn't want her to go without any insulin. I feel like I'm wlking a tightrope.
 
When using Vetsulin you have to take pre-shot numbers into account before you administer insulin. You need to know approximately when in the cycle, and how much, your cat's BG will drop. If you have a lower than usual pre-shot number, you would need to adjust your dose downward, as well, otherwise you risk possible hypoglycemia.
 
Squalliesmom said:
When using Vetsulin you have to take pre-shot numbers into account before you administer insulin. You need to know approximately when in the cycle, and how much, your cat's BG will drop. If you have a lower than usual pre-shot number, you would need to adjust your dose downward, as well, otherwise you risk possible hypoglycemia.
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That's what I have been trying to do. I thinllk I need time to figure it out. So far no Hypo.
 
donnalea said:
That's what I have been trying to do. I thinllk I need time to figure it out. So far no Hypo.
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Great! You're on the right track! It takes a little while to get it all sorted out, but you'll be an old hand before you know it. :) If you are unsure of a dose, just post for help, someone will be on board who can help you. My cat Squallie had already had two hypos with Vetsulin in the time your Callie has been on it, so you're already ahead of the game! :):):)
 
It does take time to work it out, don't worry about that higher number tonight, it was to be expected. It can take time to settle after a bounce, around 5 cycles, it is a good idea to get a before bed test to check she is dropping and how fast. You should be looking for blue numbers mid cycle.
 
I usually test at bedtime, +2, and at +5,that is 1AM. If Callie's numbers are at all questionable. I am getting to the point where I am waking up before the alarm goes off.
 
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