Dealing with HYPO for the 1st time

[Tanya and Ducia]

Major Hypo event:
10 am BG 26 gave some honey on the gums
10: 10am min Bg is 76 more honey.
10:19am min BG is 63 called the clinic unable to bring immediately as told
about 10-12 ml CN slurry via etube + more honey on the gum
10:37 BG 60 more honey
Can I dilute 1/2 spoon honey with 1/2 cup of water and flush down the etube?
11:12am BG 145

 

[billysmom (GA)]

It looks like you've gotten her numbers up. Good job! It would be helpful if you put some info into your signature such as type of insulin and what glucometer you are using. This will help anyone that is helping you. You can edit it by going to your account (the tab with your name at the top) and then click signature to add the info.

 

[Tanya and Ducia]

It looks like you've gotten her numbers up. Good job! It would be helpful if you put some info into your signature such as type of insulin and what glucometer you are using. This will help anyone that is helping you. You can edit it by going to your account (the tab with your name at the top) and then click signature.

I was planning on doing the sig all day long but it seems it's never a dull moment here.
I am concerned that I could have gotten a contaminated sample as the honey all over includ her ears. SHe looks better thou. Will retest 12 - 12:10pm.

 

[Dusty Bones]

Stay calm, sounds like she's coming up, hope someone more qualified than me chimes in!

 

[Nan & Amber (GA)]

You're doing great.

I don't know about the honey in the etube, hold off on that.

Tagging @Bobbie And Bubba for help on the hypo.

 

[Glennie]

Good job, Tanya! You found the right place! They'll help you.

 

[Nan & Amber (GA)]

I think you should have gotten some Lantus by now, right? How long has it been since the shot, and how many units?

 

[Nan & Amber (GA)]

The 145 is a nice number, she's coming up. I would hold off on any more honey for a little while until we figure out exactly where we are with the insulin's activity.

How has the feeding been going in general?

 

[Bobbie And Bubba]

Your last number of 145 is good. I would hold off now on food and as Nan said, let's see if Ducia can hold the numbers up

Can you advise , are you using a human meter and how long after the injection did you get the 26 number?

 

[Nan & Amber (GA)]

I'm also going to tag some more longtime members who might just be online right now based on forum post timestamps, @Amy&TrixieCat , @Tricia Cinco(GA) & Harvey , @Melissa & Tarragon . If any of you are around, any advice appreciated!

I think Ducia is safe at the moment, but waiting for some more details to get a full sense of the situation. What we know right now:

Ducia is a very recently-diagnosed diabetic, was in extreme crisis over the weekend with DKA, possible pancreatitis, etc. Her mom Tanya was attempting home care, but Ducia ended up getting some much-needed veterinary care, including a feeding tube. DCIN has been working to get her some Lantus quickly to replace the Vetsulin she had been using over the weekend, and I think that's where we are now.

Lots of details in this weekend thread: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/...-force-feeding-advice-urgently-needed.173823/

Today:

dose ????
shot time ???
10 am BG 26 gave some honey on the gums
10: 10am min Bg is 76 more honey
10:19am min BG is 63 called the clinic unable to bring immediately as told
about 10-12 ml CN slurry via etube + more honey on the gum
10:37 BG 60 more honey
11:12am BG 145

 

[Nan & Amber (GA)]

Thanks for answering the call (again!) Bobbie!

 

[Bobbie And Bubba]

Depending on where in the cycle the hypo occurred will help us to guide you. How many hours after the injection and how many units of insulin and was it Vetsulin?

 

[Nan & Amber (GA)]

Can you advise , are you using a human meter and how long after the injection did you get the 26 number?

Should be a human meter (Relion).

 

[Tanya and Ducia]

Your last number of 145 is good. I would hold off now on food and as Nan said, let's see if Ducia can hold the numbers up

Can you advise , are you using a human meter and how long after the injection did you get the 26 number?

using human

Depending on where in the cycle the hypo occurred will help us to guide you. How many hours after the injection and how many units of insulin and was it Vetsulin?

BG 26 after 4 hours after 1 unit Lantus
sorry I am not tech savvy, must posting wrongly again

 

[Bobbie And Bubba]

I think you are out of the woods but hold off food and honey for 30 from the last test and see where the number is and post.

 

[Nan & Amber (GA)]

You're doing great!

One more question: did you get a BG number before you shot, and if so, what was it?

 

[Bobbie And Bubba]

I just want to make sure about the syringes you are using. Do they have an orange cap?

And tonight, depending on the number you get at shot time, you might be skipping the shot. And when you resume giving insulin, definitely take a reduction to 1/2 unit.

 

[Tricia Cinco(GA) & Harvey]

sorry I am not tech savvy, must posting wrongly again

You're doing fine.

I'm on my way out the door, but you're in good hands and I'll check back in about 45 minutes.

When you got that 26, did you retest to make sure it was accurate? We do recommend that, anytime you get a number that surprises you, high or low, you retest immediately to make sure it wasn't a bad reading - compromised blood, bad strip, etc.

Also, how was Ducia acting at the time? Did she seem to be feeling okay? Was she really hungry, confused, etc.? We don't like to see numbers in the 20s and they are a definite call for action, but they don't always mean there is an actual hypo going on....yet. You did a great job getting her up to safety and posting for help. I'm sure your heart was pounding. I know the couple of times I got numbers in the twenties my hands were shaking so hard I could hardly type, let alone test.

This also means Ducia gets a .25 unit dose reduction. Congratulations

One last note: Please take the 911 down when you have the chance. You have eyes on you now and the crisis has thankfully passed.

 

[Tanya and Ducia]

You're doing great!

One more question: did you get a BG number before you shot, and if so, what was it?

6am BG 272, 20ml CN slurry ate on her own, ETube all the meds, then Lantis 1u shot.

 

[Bobbie And Bubba]

6am BG 272, 20ml CN slurry ate on her own, ETube all the meds, then Lantis 1u shot.

Wow that was a big drop.

 

[Bobbie And Bubba]

@Nan & Amber , are you okay to stay with Tanya? . I need to get my mom some lunch.

 

[Nan & Amber (GA)]

@Nan & Amber , are you okay to stay with Tanya? . I need to get my mom some lunch.

Yep, I'm here and can stay at least another hour or two.

I just want to make sure about the syringes you are using. Do they have an orange cap?

I'm also wondering about the syringes, given that you were using Vetsulin (which uses a different size syringe) this weekend. Something else that is very common on the first dose or two is to mistake the scale on the syringe-- one unit is a very small amount, and it just "seems wrong", so sometimes people think that they are supposed to draw up to the 10 mark. Here's a picture of typical syringe markings on the proper (U-100) syringes:

One unit, on the right-hand scale, is just to the very first short line from the top (the longer line at the very top is zero). Does that look right?

 

[Tanya and Ducia]

You're doing fine.

I'm on my way out the door, but you're in good hands and I'll check back in about 45 minutes.

When you got that 26, did you retest to make sure it was accurate? We do recommend that, anytime you get a number that surprises you, high or low, you retest immediately to make sure it wasn't a bad reading - compromised blood, bad strip, etc.

Also, how was Ducia acting at the time? Did she seem to be feeling okay? Was she really hungry, confused, etc.? We don't like to see numbers in the 20s and they are a definite call for action, but they don't always mean there is an actual hypo going on....yet. You did a great job getting her up to safety and posting for help. I'm sure your heart was pounding. I know the couple of times I got numbers in the twenties my hands were shaking so hard I could hardly type, let alone test.

This also means Ducia gets a .25 unit dose reduction. Congratulations

One last note: Please take the 911 down when you have the chance. You have eyes on you now and the crisis has thankfully passed.

 

[Tanya and Ducia]

I must be doing something wrong read BG 484, moment later 43, moment later 33
put some honey on
letragic, diluted pupil

 

[Squalliesmom]

Can you test again? When you say she got honey all over her, does this mean the blood sample you're testing may be contaminated with honey?

EDIT: If necessary, take a washcloth with warm water and wipe down her ears to remove any honey.

 

[Tanya and Ducia]

12:23 pm 29

 

[Squalliesmom]

She is still dropping, keep giving her honey. Do you have any high carb food that you can give her. I think she may need veterinary intervention at this point. If she is lethargic, with dilated pupils, I would take her to the vet. Do you have anyone who can go with you, in case Ducia needs to be given more honey on the way there?

 

[Nan & Amber (GA)]

I'm extremely concerned about the direction this is going. Is it possible to take her to a vet at this point?

Definitely give her a bit of honey.

I'd also like to get some real food into her. If she will eat on her own, can you give her either some high-carb food (with gravy), or else whatever food you have on hand with a little bit of honey in it? Not too much, try giving her a teaspoon or two.

 

[Tanya and Ducia]

my meter must be wrong
484 - 43-33-29 What is it ?!

 

[Nan & Amber (GA)]

my meter must be wrong
484 - 43-33-29 What is it ?!

I think the low numbers are probably right, but there's always a possibility of an error or a bad battery. Can you test yourself to see if you get a number that makes sense?

 

[Tanya and Ducia]

she is 29 at 12:23pm, severely lethatgic
cannot go to vet until after 5 - no car
what to do and to expect

 

[Squalliesmom]

my meter must be wrong
484 - 43-33-29 What is it ?!

Tanya, since the high number is the one that is the farthest out, I think we have to assume that the low numbers are the correct ones. Can you take Ducia to the vet?

 

[Squalliesmom]

Is there a friend or family member who can take you to the vet? Taxi, if necessary?

 

[Tanya and Ducia]

may get transport to vet in hour she looks very bad more honey to the gums

 

[Squalliesmom]

When was the last time you gave her honey?

 

[billysmom (GA)]

When you go to the vet, take the syringes and meds if they are handy. Take honey with you.

 

[Tanya and Ducia]

Tanya, since the high number is the one that is the farthest out, I think we have to assume that the low numbers are the correct ones. Can you take Ducia to the vet?

maybe in an hour, we own only one car and my husband works

 

[Tanya and Ducia]

When was the last time you gave her honey?

some improvement she is bad not not swallowing honey, it almost drips out of her mouth now 12:40PM

 

[Tanya and Ducia]

When was the last time you gave her honey?

3 min ago and several times with minutes interval before that

 

[Bobbie And Bubba]

Until you can get her to the vet, keep giving her food with honey mixed in it. If she will not eat for you , put a glob of honey on your finger and swab her gums with it.

 

[Nan & Amber (GA)]

We are now at about +6.5, for anyone following along. Last test was 29.

 

[Bobbie And Bubba]

Put some honey on your finger then and swab her gums with it. Swipe across her gums with the honey.

 

[billysmom (GA)]

And take meter and strips.

 

[Tanya and Ducia]

Until you can get her to the vet, keep giving her food with honey mixed in it. If she will not eat for you , put a glob of honey on your finger and swab her gums with it.

I was swabing gums repetedly 6-8-9 times, put on her toung a little to
Some fo10 ml slurry went in thru etube at about 10:20am

 

[Squalliesmom]

Tanya, I think it's important that Ducia gets to the vet ASAP. Isn't there a neighbor, friend, family member, anyone who can take you sooner than an hour from now?

Take honey with you.

Yes, you may need to give more honey on the way there.

Can you please test her again?

 

[Tanya and Ducia]

12:44pm BG42
yoweles lethargic

 

[Nan & Amber (GA)]

Some fo10 ml slurry went in thru etube at about 10:20am

Not sure what this is?

I agree that the very best thing to do would be to go to a vet now-- this is urgent. I don't know why her numbers are so low at this point, but she is in very dangerous territory.

 

[Nan & Amber (GA)]

12:44pm BG42
yoweles lethargic

Less lethargic? Or yowling and lethargic?

 

[Bobbie And Bubba]

I agree, please see if you can get someone to take you to the vet and like everyone said, take the honey with you so you can keep giving it to her as needed. Take the syringes you are using to confirm they are the correct ones and that you are clear about the dose.

 

[Tanya and Ducia]

I will be rubbing in honey every 7 min
she does not react
meowed twice
immobile
I may be able to get her to vet in an hour
what the vet can do for her and what to expect
honestly please
I can barely draw any blood at all
Is it a plan?