4/11 Meow-Meow

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Ang

Member Since 2017
Diagnosis was last Wed with a BG of 419

First week to today of low carb diet only, with 292 calories daily.

Today Lantus arrived, appt made with Vet.

Trained how to lance and test.... at clinic BG was 241

Dinner time... pre-meal/dose BG was 184
Dosed full dose of Lantus
BG at one hour was 201

The biggest problem is I really suck at sticking him.
He is NOT happy with me. Or DH who is holding him.
Dosing is no problem, it's getting the blood to test that I clearly am not good at.

I just watched the videos.... could they make it look any easier?
 
yes. what is the full dose you are referring to?



Are you offering a treat that is diabetic friendly after each attempt? Getting a treat will help MeowMeow to learn to want to participate.

Are you hitting the sweet spot on the ears?

ear_web1_zps0bf45a17.jpg


Are you holding your syringe so that the bevel is in the right position. It hurts when it's upside down.

bevel.gif
 
Ang said:
Diagnosis was last Wed with a BG of 419

First week to today of low carb diet only, with 292 calories daily.

Today Lantus arrived, appt made with Vet.

Trained how to lance and test.... at clinic BG was 241

Dinner time... pre-meal/dose BG was 184
Dosed full dose of Lantus
BG at one hour was 201

The biggest problem is I really suck at sticking him.
He is NOT happy with me. Or DH who is holding him.
Dosing is no problem, it's getting the blood to test that I clearly am not good at.

I just watched the videos.... could they make it look any easier?
Click to expand...

Welcome!
Sticking the ear is difficult to get down to a routine. I found that If I gave TiTi a reward after each ear stick, she began to eagerly anticipate them. However, she is a very food driven kitty.

I have another cat that is impossible to medicate, so I wrap her up in a big towel, mummy/papoose style, being sure to wrap the towel very tightly around her neck and feet. Once she's immobile, I can do whatever I need to do with her. Both she and I are very much happier with this method. Any procedure I must administer, becomes much easier to achieve,. It really beats the wildly struggling kitty syndrome. No scratches, no bites.
 
The ear pricking is certainly hard, but it does get easier, first times I either didn't got any blood or pierced his ear so bad that I thought I was going to have to buy him some earrings plus I ended with seriously much more blood than needed. I too get him taco style, totally wrapped up, at first I had to get him very tight by now I think is more physiological, he feels the towel and stays still.
 
Meow's dose is 1 unit.

I can not imagine how anyone does this solo... so far we are having to wrap him in a towel, a la burrito kitty.
One mistake I was making re lancing was that I was thinking I needed more blood. This meter takes what appears to be almost no blood.
I guess that's good cause it's a very small/light stick.... but sheesh.... the first few tries last night I was holding the ear trying to massage more out and he would jerk and swoop! My finger as he jerked his ear away took up the small bead I had! ARGH!

They have me using a lance device that comes with the AlphaTrak.... I am not sure I love that thing... it makes a very audible 'snap' as you trigger it and I think that sound is making Meow 'nervous'... I know I am certainly bracing for impact as it snaps!

This a.m. post dose test was WAY better.

So his readings today were a bit nerve wracking.
Pre-Tx/meal he was at 159.
I gave him his normal meal and a 'slim' 1 unit dose.
at +1 he was 168.

I just e-mailed the tech at the clinic to see if I should retest at 2 hours [PLEASE say no!]... cause he's so low to start with?
Keeping him close to monitor him.
And yes post test he gets held and petted/scratched and told what a good kitty he is and a treat. After the first test he get breakfast as a 'treat'.

They want me to do a curve next week... I am NOT looking forward to that! But I keep telling myself that every test we do is a step towards maybe not having to tests so much. *sigh*

Other questions: Yes to sweet spot on ear.
Yes to correct angle on syringe for dosing [that's easy, I was a Vet assist WAY back when and gave IV fluids so I 'get' that part, thank goodness!] He's showing 0 displeasure with dosing, which I do quickly while he eats.
 
I guess he needs to get used to you handling his ears, most kitties don't like that at first. I do not use the lancet device ( I think most people here don't) exaclty because it does the awfull clicking noise and it startles Babu, and at least for me ( no previous medical experience ) made it much more difficult to see if I was using the right angle, I found that pricking in the 45° angle with the lancet too was better, so I hand held the lacet
 
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I had the clicking lancing device ( accu-chek) and the first time there was a startle response....
but very quickly, Shadow actually preferred the click because she knew I had done it.... usually very successfully and she would get her treat.
they can learn to think treat, with the click.
 
rhiannon and shadow (GA) said:
I had the clicking lancing device ( accu-chek) and the first time there was a startle response....
but very quickly, Shadow actually preferred the click because she knew I had done it.... usually very successfully and she would get her treat.
they can learn to think treat, with the click.
Click to expand...
:) Same with Gizmo. And the beep from the meter when it gets the blood. He knows he is done and is out of there! :cool:
 
My Vet wants me to test him at noon and 4 again, ie every 4 hours.
I guess I understand why, since he is so low, but I worry that we'll burn him out doing so much testing so early?
Or is it justified because he is so low and at risk for hypo?

Veronica, thanks for the suggestions. Wish I had thought of that last week when we were waiting to get the Lantus.... I did and do hold him often so he's used to that.
 
rhiannon and shadow (GA) said:
yes. what is the full dose you are referring to?



Are you offering a treat that is diabetic friendly after each attempt? Getting a treat will help MeowMeow to learn to want to participate.

Are you hitting the sweet spot on the ears?

ear_web1_zps0bf45a17.jpg


Are you holding your syringe so that the bevel is in the right position. It hurts when it's upside down.

bevel.gif
Click to expand...
Could you advise, her vein runs right on the edge
 

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At 2pm he was 182, I used a lancet without the clicker device= better.
Alas then my meter did something weird. It seems like every time I test something else 'goes wrong'.
 
Ang said:
At 2pm he was 182, I used a lancet without the clicker device= better.
Alas then my meter did something weird. It seems like every time I test something else 'goes wrong'.
Click to expand...
You are doing great Ang. Keep at it I promise you it does get better. I have been here since Jan and by first of Feb phoebe hears the zipper on the meter and come to where ever we are. She gets extra scratches under the chin and some lc food. She Did Not want those tests at first, it was like trying to ride a bucking bronco. Hugs you will get it.
 
Ang said:
At 2pm he was 182, I used a lancet without the clicker device= better.
Alas then my meter did something weird. It seems like every time I test something else 'goes wrong'.
Click to expand...
Good to hear you are getting the hang of it. I think we all struggled a bit at first. Every cat is different and some take quicker then others, part of the trick is finding what reward works for your cat. Once mine learned food came after ear pokies he beats me to the testing site when it is time(food motivated cat).

I have had my share of meter errors as well, either the strip didn't register right or I didn't get quite enough blood. Don't let it get to you, we've ALL done it too.

Looks like the food change alone had a very positive impact on his BG numbers. Your vet sounds very good for feline diabetes, lots of us have vets who discourage home testing or using human insulin.

You are off to a great start home testing already and finding this board. Everyone here has helped tremendously in my journey so far.
 
Tonight I tested him on my own without a holder ie my husband.
Before meal, I put a small spoonful of food in bowl on counter and let him eat while I pricked ear. He is very motivated for dinner when he hears the dogs getting fed, so I used that motivation.
Then later he seemed lethargic, so I just sat on him, and did it. He squirmed a bit, but I've ridden worse [Phoebes]. I definitely prefer not using the plastic thing to put the lancet in, doing it myself is WAY easier, I feel like it's gentler and as others noted I can get a better angle on it.
pre dinner he was 203, 241 at +1

I was just reading up on the 2010 AAHA protocol on Diabetes Tx in dogs/cats... interesting and got some relief on hypo. It appears if he's likely to go it's at 6 or 8 hours post.

Did I mention he slept ALL night on my bed with me last night? I guess I prefer that so I can check on him even if I freak out each time he moves.
 
Famous last words.
This a.m. he was not feeling it.
I tried testing on my own by giving him a small spoonful of his breakfast to eat while I tested- FAIL.
So I had to get hubby to assist cause there he was gobbling down food before I could test. GREEEAAAAAT IDEA Ang. :banghead:

Hubby then decided to do the 2 hour post check solo, and got it done.
But then left for VA to see his family. So, I am on my own. Good times.
SO glad I did not decide to go back to school for Vet Tech this Fall. Animal Care is not my forte after all.

I am frustrated with Meows numbers, and confused.
he is being tested at 12 hours for his pre-breakfast/pre-amdose number.
If it is under 150 I do not treat [it has not gone there] if it is over 150 I do treat.
So far in the a.m. he is in the mid to upper 150s [155, 159].

Why then 12 hours later, at the pre-dinner/pre-pmdose, is he in the 200s?
Does it have to do with cortisol or other hormones that may drop at night?
He sleeps most of the night right next to me, it's not like he's in the basement pumping weights to work off the sugar.... Just do not get it.
 
At the risk repeating what others have said, you really need to have a LOT of patience when dealing with FD, its going to take time but as you slowly begin to see them feel better and act as their old selves it all becomes worthwhile.

Don't beat yourself to0 much about not being able to test every time, it's not easy, even for trained professionals, my vet who is a really good vet still can't test Babu on his ear, when he tests him he has to draw blood from the vein, it does takes practice, but it gets easier with time, it think because you get the hang of it and mostly because they understand that you are doing it to help them and start cooperating.

That being said I still think twice before doing it so hang in there
 
I lost a horse last year because I didn't know enough.
It was horrific.
Sunday is his birthday, he would have been 21, and Sat is the anniversary of losing my first horse whom I had for 23 years, or half my life.
This is just a very bad time for me to be having to do this, and I have very real awareness that I know just enough to get us all in deep doo-doo.
 
Ang said:
I lost a horse last year because I didn't know enough.
It was horrific.
Sunday is his birthday, he would have been 21, and Sat is the anniversary of losing my first horse whom I had for 23 years, or half my life.
This is just a very bad time for me to be having to do this, and I have very real awareness that I know just enough to get us all in deep doo-doo.
Click to expand...

There's a lot of people with a lot of experience and knowledge here to help you, you are not alone. Ask as much as you need this is a great place and they are all great I'm sure someone will answer

I'm far from an expert but for what I've seen specially at the beginning AM cycle tends to be different from PM, try getting some mid cycle tests:nailbiting:, I know not an easy request but helpful in uderstanding what's going on with him
 
They say around here, it's a marathon not a sprint. :) so sorry for the loss of your horse. That's hard. You will get this. Use your patience with horses with meow meow. The pay off is huge. :bighug:
 
It would be so much easier if he would just let me do it ... my old eyes have a hard time seeing with glasses or without unless I am at perfect distance... so if he held still...

ANYWAY.... got it done locked in the bathroom tonight where he can not get too far away, with small portion of dinner that did not distract anyone but the JRT with the odor... and he kept tugging away, but with using just a lancet I can get a nice small prick and tiny dot of blood that is enough.
OY!

And we got a 113... so now my question is... since he was under 150 so not given insulin... do I test him towards the approach of the 12 hour post meal time as his meal starts to drop off ?? Or just let it go until the am pre-dose test?
He's not at risk for hypo cause he had dinner, and is untreated, right?
 
Last edited:
Ang said:
It would be so much easier if he would just let me do it ... my old eyes have a hard time seeing with glasses or without unless I am at perfect distance... so if he held still...

ANYWAY.... got oit done locked in the bathroom tonight where he can not get too far away, with small portion of dinner that did not distract anyone but the JRT with the odor... and he kept tugging away, but with using just a lancet I can get a nice small prick and tiny dot of blood that is enough.
OY!

And we got a 113... so now my question is... since he was under 150 so not given insulin... do I test him towards the approach of the 12 hour post meal time?? Or just let it go until the am pre-dose test?
He's not at risk for hypo cause he had dinner, and is untreated, right?
Click to expand...
Is this your evening pre shot test? If so, no insulin tonight for sure. You don't have enough data yet to know his responses and no spreadsheet for us to look at. I suggest you read the dosing stickies at the top of the Lantus forum main page. You need to decide whether you'll follow TR or SLGS as your dosing routine. If you could set up a spreadsheet like we use here it would be so much easier to see what's going on and give advice. The instructions are in the yellow stickies in the "Suggestions, Tech Support ... " section at the top on the page listing all forums.
 
Kris & Teasel said:
Is this your evening pre shot test? If so, no insulin tonight for sure. You don't have enough data yet to know his responses and no spreadsheet for us to look at. I suggest you read the dosing stickies at the top of the Lantus forum main page. You need to decide whether you'll follow TR or SLGS as your dosing routine. If you could set up a spreadsheet like we use here it would be so much easier to see what's going on and give advice. The instructions are in the yellow stickies in the "Suggestions, Tech Support ... " section at the top on the page listing all forums.
Click to expand...

He gets tested then dosed w/1 unit [if over 150], then tested again at an hour or two post dose.
Twice a day. 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
It is my understanding that this is the SLGS protocol, but more importantly it is what my Vet is telling me to do.
AS you can see if you scroll up, I have only been treating/testing since Tuesday night.... there really isn't a lot of data or a trend to really see.

OK, guess I will try to check in early, early a.m. to see if there's an answer... cause if I am supposed to check him sometime in the middle of the 12 hours between the p.m. and a.m. that would be... when?

TIA
 
Last edited:
Ang said:
He gets tested then dosed w/1 unit [if over 150], then tested again at an hour or two post dose.
Twice a day. 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
It is my understanding that this is the SLGS protocol, but more importantly it is what my Vet is telling me to do.
AS you can see if you scroll up, I have only been treating/testing since Tuesday night.... there really isn't a lot of data or a trend to really see.

OK, guess I will try to check in early, early a.m. to see if there's an answer... cause if I am supposed to check him sometime in the middle of the 12 hours between the p.m. and a.m. that would be... when?

TIA
Click to expand...

If you did not shoot at PM is true you have less risk but since Lantus is a long acting insulin and in some kitties it could have some effects even after the 12 hours of his AM shoot, at this point you don't really know so it would be good if you could test him an hour or two after the regular shooting time, that way you can see if he is on his way up or not if he is already on his way up is still useful information for next time and if not then you can monitor him a little more.

Also it will help the really experienced people here if they could see your spreadsheet so I would recommend you set it up
 
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