Bronx's dad (GA)
Member Since 2016
Hoping that R kicks in soon! Not happy about this 452 at +2. Fed Instict food at AMPS instead of Ziwipeak, but they both have about the same carb %?
Last edited:
1/8 Bronx AMPS 410, +2=452
- Thread starter Bronx's dad (GA)
- Start date
- Status
Jill & Alex (GA)
Member Since 2009
I know it's hard, but try not to stress about the +2 number. At that range, the numbers are virtually the same. We *could* be looking at a bounce from those yellows yesterday. If that's the case, the R could help keep him flatter than if he didn't get it. However, there's a whole lot of cycle left. It's too early for conjecture. Let's see what happens as the cycle plays out...
Doodles & Karen
Member Since 2015
Wrong way Bronx. Hope he turns it around soon. Doubtful it's the food change this morning although it is good to take notes.
Jill & Alex (GA)
Member Since 2009
About the food change this morning...
Yes, the food change can make a difference. Did it today? Who knows! There could be several different reasons for what we're seeing. We may understand more once the cycle is completed... and then again, we may not. It might be one of those instances where all we can do is blame the absorption rate of the insulin... which can differ from day to day.
Just sharing an observation made with my own cat...
I have no idea why, but feeding foods with an equal amount of carbs may have varied results with some cats. It did with Alex, but I always chalked it up to her being extremely carb sensitive. Another thing I noticed with her was it took about 2 weeks for her system to adjust to a new food change. For instance, when I initially introduced raw her BGs went up. It took close to two weeks for her BG numbers to settle down to where I had expected them to be after eating raw. I found the same with several canned food flavors/varieties. I never could explain why... it was just an observation. It did teach me not to give up on a low carb food option until I gave her body a chance to adjust.
I'll be away from the computer most of the day, but will check back with you later.
Hoping his numbers start coming down...
Yes, the food change can make a difference. Did it today? Who knows! There could be several different reasons for what we're seeing. We may understand more once the cycle is completed... and then again, we may not. It might be one of those instances where all we can do is blame the absorption rate of the insulin... which can differ from day to day.
Just sharing an observation made with my own cat...
I have no idea why, but feeding foods with an equal amount of carbs may have varied results with some cats. It did with Alex, but I always chalked it up to her being extremely carb sensitive. Another thing I noticed with her was it took about 2 weeks for her system to adjust to a new food change. For instance, when I initially introduced raw her BGs went up. It took close to two weeks for her BG numbers to settle down to where I had expected them to be after eating raw. I found the same with several canned food flavors/varieties. I never could explain why... it was just an observation. It did teach me not to give up on a low carb food option until I gave her body a chance to adjust.
I'll be away from the computer most of the day, but will check back with you later.
Hoping his numbers start coming down...
Bronx's dad (GA)
Member Since 2016
I have fed him Instict in the past with the Ziwipeak and never noticed any difference between the two since he just stayed high and flat no matter what he ate. I have read here that someone else noticed their cat jump in points after Instinct, maybe it has to do with the glycemic index of the carbs? But even after Bronx's diabetes dx, and the switch from his life-long Wellness Core grain-free wet food, I did not see any difference in BG #'s switching to lower carb wet stuff. I am sure his Acromegaly has a lot to do with it. To keep all variables as low as possible and try to duplicate yesterday's yellows, I will stick with the Ziwipeak at the next AMPS feeding tomorrow.
Doodles & Karen
Member Since 2015
Instinct has peas....I despise peas in cat food. ZP is the best quality wet food IMO. Wellness Core is still LC and the Tiki is also a good option. Like Jill mentioned, taking food notes does help. Looks like he's on the move...hope you see some yellow later today.
Bronx's dad (GA)
Member Since 2016
Yep, peas in Instinct, pick em out when I see them whole. I will not get that food anymore and stick with Ziwi & Tiki. Peas are not a low-carb veggie. Seems R did nothing like it did yesterday or maybe it's holding down a 24hr bounce? Will prob do 8.5 Lev & no R tonight, 8.5 & 1uR tomorrow morn if his AMPS come in above 400 (will be home all day to monitor), and then maybe go up to 9u Lev at PMPS. All signs are pointing that Bronx will eventually be in double-digits with the Lev.
Doodles & Karen
Member Since 2015
I think you can save a few pokes this afternoon and grab a test in a few hours then at PMPS. He's not going any where fast today.
Bronx's dad (GA)
Member Since 2016
Yes, actually started with the right ear for the first time yesterday, his left ear is beat up. When I look at it in bright light, see a lot of red blotches just under the skin.
Doodles & Karen
Member Since 2015
Capillaries will build up in the testing area making it super easy to get a sample. Most of us use Neosporin gel with pain relief on their ears.
Bobbie And Bubba
Member Since 2015
Peas and carrots in the food makes me crazy too and I pick them out also.
The carb response is enough to make you nuts. When I first started feeding raw( I feed raw and Nature's Variety) to Bubba I was surprised that it didn't make a difference for a while also.
Hope you see some movement down in numbers.
The carb response is enough to make you nuts. When I first started feeding raw( I feed raw and Nature's Variety) to Bubba I was surprised that it didn't make a difference for a while also.
Hope you see some movement down in numbers.
Like Jill says, changes can take time to be seen. With Neko, I even found some of the meds that got added to her regime would impact her blood sugar at first, then over a week or two her body learned how to deal with them. One thing Neko taught me is patience, and going slowly with the changes. I see that in addition to starting Lev in the new year, you've added 4 new supplements and a new food. Cats don't seem to react instantly to changes. It's best to try one for a week or two, then add the next. Otherwise you don't know which one worked. Changing hormones (insulin) can take even longer for their bodies to learn to adjust to.
The other interesting thing about some acrocats, is that their pancreas's can be working better than other diabetic cats. It's the IGF-1 competing with the naturally occuring and injected insulin that is causing the higher blood sugar. So what does this mean? It adds an element of randomness because you don't know when their pancreas will kick in. Although Neko was quite sensitive to higher carb food (normally her HC was 16%), almost any % low carb food was fine for her. I didn't notice much difference in her numbers if she was eating very low % raw or 8% carbs canned food.
The other interesting thing about some acrocats, is that their pancreas's can be working better than other diabetic cats. It's the IGF-1 competing with the naturally occuring and injected insulin that is causing the higher blood sugar. So what does this mean? It adds an element of randomness because you don't know when their pancreas will kick in. Although Neko was quite sensitive to higher carb food (normally her HC was 16%), almost any % low carb food was fine for her. I didn't notice much difference in her numbers if she was eating very low % raw or 8% carbs canned food.
Remember, with Levemir the onset is typically +4 or later. What you are seeing at +2 is just the natural end of the cycle so I would expect the numbers to be elevated. Another fun fact with some acrocats, but not all of them, their nadir and onsets can be a little later.
Jill & Alex (GA)
Member Since 2009
Just want to throw another consideration into the mix that probably won't matter a whole lot on this Lev dose, but would like you to tuck it away for future reference, especially since most of us aren't awake yet when it's your AM shot time...
Tonight will be the 5th Lev cycle at 8.5 units and tomorrow morning will be the 6th Lev cycle. "If" a particular dose is going to provide much movement, you'll most likely see that movement in the 5th or 6th cycle. The reason I bring that up now is it's a consideration to weigh when deciding not only whether or not you want to give R in either or both of these cycles, but it also might influence the size of the R dose. If you have any inkling that his numbers might be ready move, you may want to skip or reduce the R dose.
My gut tells me Bronx is not quite at a dose where you'd have to worry about it yet, but wanted to make sure you're aware of the possibilities. We've all been surprised by BG numbers that were lower than expected at one time or another.
Bronx's dad (GA)
Member Since 2016
His SpecFPL came back at 8 which I will add to my signature. I was told that is not too high and he is not showing signs on pancreatitis except the laying down more than normal after eating. I have not done an ultrasound. What was Neko's SpecFPL? Other acrocats have normal or high SpecFPL? What does SpecFPL actually mean? I was also told that # may come down when his BG #s come down.
I was hoping the R onset would've started at +2, seems R didn't do much at all this cycle unless it held down a bounce.
Bronx's dad (GA)
Member Since 2016
"If" a particular dose is going to provide much movement, you'll most likely see that movement in the 5th or 6th cycle.
My gut tells me Bronx is not quite at a dose where you'd have to worry about it yet, but wanted to make sure you're aware of the possibilities. We've all been surprised by BG numbers that were lower than expected at one time or another.
Thanks, that is good to know, especially when I get closer to the right dose.
Last edited:
Neko only once got her SpecfPL tested, and it was over 14. She was exhibiting signs of pancreatitis or something else at the time. It was shortly before she got her IBD/lymphoma diagnosis. I have seen other acros with higher SpecfPL, but also when having pancreatitis. It's not part of the normal senior blood panel so I don't know what's "normal". I haven't seen high SpecfPL listed as one of the blood test values that are typically out of normal for acros.
Jill & Alex (GA)
Member Since 2009
Holding down the bounce was what I was thinking.
Saw the 408 @ +10.5, 1u R given. Not sure if you gave the 8.5u Lev dose at the same time or forgot to fill in the PMPS or didn't test @ PMPS time.
418 @ R +3.5
Hoping to see some yellow once the Lev kicks in...
Bronx's dad (GA)
Member Since 2016
No PMPS taken because he ate when R was given. He gets super hungry 1hr before PMPS so I figure better # to see what is going on with BG before he eats. Also eats at PMPS with Lev shot. He is always eating it seems since he is unregulated so I try to give him smaller portions throughout the day with a lot of water added. Eats about 12-16oz of wet food every day.
Jill & Alex (GA)
Member Since 2009
Thanks for explaining.
Although, it's also good to know about how much of a food spike he gets after eating.
Eating 12 - 16 oz. of wet food per day at this stage of treatment doesn't sound unreasonable...
Although, it's also good to know about how much of a food spike he gets after eating.
Eating 12 - 16 oz. of wet food per day at this stage of treatment doesn't sound unreasonable...
Bronx's dad (GA)
Member Since 2016
Almost seems that yellow string was a fluke. Back to mainly all reds after 2 cycles of 1u R. If he is over 400 at AMPS, should I try an increase in R or keep R at 1 and go up to 9u of Lev or try 8.5 & 1 again? I will be home to monitor.
Bronx is bouncing from the yellow streak, which is new to him. Bounces can take 6 cycles to resolve, so don't let those high numbers bother you until those 6 cycles are over. But having said that, 8.5 units doesn't look like it's the right dose, even though you haven't held the six cycles yet. I think you can increase either AM or PM, but maybe not give R the same cycle as the increase.
Jill & Alex (GA)
Member Since 2009
I agree with Wendy.
- Status