? Need some input...

[Caren and Creamsickle]

Hi. Creamsicle's bg has been basically going in the right direction aside from spikes here and there. Today though was not good and I probably made a bad call this morning. Last night and this morning, his bg was 170 then 185 this morning. I was nervous giving him the 1.75 u that he's been up to since I would not be home to monitor him today. I was afraid he might drop too low. Should I have given him his regular dose?
His +7 bg was 410 since he didn't have insulin this morning. But his PMPS was 383, then 336 after 1.75 u.

I'm confused as to why it would go down from the 410. Then only a little decrease after the insulin. Is this what is expected?

Also, the other night his PMPS was 330, gave 1.75 u and +4 was 410.
Not sure why it would go up.

Any input would be great cause we are still confused! Thanks.

 

[Mandy & Rex (GA)]

I had this happen to me earlier in the week. I had read that if you want the Kitty to trend in lower numbers that you want to shoot on the lower number. I did it twice this week and behold today Rex stayed in the blues the entire day! Before the 2 mornings of low numbers, he was in the 300's and 400's. I wasn't around to monitor the first time, but I could have left work anytime.

 

[Caren and Creamsickle]

I had this happen to me earlier in the week. I had read that if you want the Kitty to trend in lower numbers that you want to shoot on the lower number. I did it twice this week and behold today Rex stayed in the blues the entire day! Before the 2 mornings of low numbers, he was in the 300's and 400's. I wasn't around to monitor the first time, but I could have left work anytime.

Yes you're right, I probably should've given him the insulin this morning. I just don't get the inconsistencies when we are being consistent!!
Rex had a great day today! Thanks for the advice.

 

[Amy&TrixieCat]

It can be a tough call, especially when you don't have a lot of data just yet. And, safety does have to come first. Ideally you will eventually feel comfortable shooting the lower numbers, but with the 185 being the lowest PS number you've had so far coupled with not being able to monitor today, not shooting wasn't an outrageous idea. Ultimately you'll get there, though.

 

[Caren and Creamsickle]

It can be a tough call, especially when you don't have a lot of data just yet. And, safety does have to come first. Ideally you will eventually feel comfortable shooting the lower numbers, but with the 185 being the lowest PS number you've had so far coupled with not being able to monitor today, not shooting wasn't an outrageous idea. Ultimately you'll get there, though.

Thanks for the input. I would've shot this morning if I was able to stay home. I'm not used to him getting in the 100's!

 

[Kris & Teasel]

Yes you're right, I probably should've given him the insulin this morning. I just don't get the inconsistencies when we are being consistent!!
Rex had a great day today! Thanks for the advice.

Inconsistencies are part of the game and with some kitties more than others. It's still early days with Lantus. Chalk this up as an experience so next time you can try giving the dose on a number like this. You can always post right after the PS test and ask for advice.

 

[Caren and Creamsickle]

Inconsistencies are part of the game and with some kitties more than others. It's still early days with Lantus. Chalk this up as an experience so next time you can try giving the dose on a number like this. You can always post right after the PS test and ask for advice.

I guess so. I just would like it all to make sense and be consistent! Thanks

 

[Sandy and Black Kitty]

Over time you will gain experience - you will get to 'know thy cat' and that will guide your decisions with confidence.
In the meantime safety first, better a day too high than and hour too low. Think of this morning as a furshot. He will recover.

His +7 bg was 410 since he didn't have insulin this morning. But his PMPS was 383, then 336 after 1.75 u.
Also, the other night his PMPS was 330, gave 1.75 u and +4 was 410.
Not sure why it would go up.

A few important differences between Lantus and Prozinc -

Lantus is long lasting and slow acting - its not designed to shoot down high numbers fast.

Being a depot type of insulin, with each dose increase there is a period of adjustment as the depot re-calibrates to the new dose. That PMPS of 330 the other night was the first cycle of an increase so the first thing that happens is some of the insulin shot goes toward the depot filling to the new level. On the flip side because of depot action you may not see the effects of a skipped shot, a furshot or a dose reduction until the following cycle.

In terms of PS keep in mind that with Lantus you are not shooting your PS number, but rather the BG number your kitty will be at the time of onset - 2 or 3 hours down the road making it important that you get to know when onset is for your kitty.

Hang in there and hang in here. It will get easier and you and Creamsicle will soon be in the groove.

 

[DebG]

Also the carryover (insulin effects lasting pass the insulin's official duration) and overlap(the period of time when one insulin shot is diminishing and the next is taking effect).

 

[Caren and Creamsickle]

Also the carryover (insulin effects lasting pass the insulin's official duration) and overlap(the period of time when one insulin shot is diminishing and the next is taking effect).

This morning got a 186 and shot 1.75!
Thanks everyone for being so helpful. I so appreciate it!!!!

 

[Kris & Teasel]

This morning got a 186 and shot 1.75!
Thanks everyone for being so helpful. I so appreciate it!!!!

Today will be a really good data gathering exercise.

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

I've been around here a pretty long time (as has Sandy). If there is one general truism is that cats are unpredictable. As soon as you think you know what's going on with your cat's numbers, it changes. I think they do this to torture us or at the least, make sure they have our undivided attention. In other words, don't get frustrated if your cat throws you a curve ball.

I agree with @Kris & Teasel -- having shot a lower number is a great opportunity to collect data. If you look at the Shooting & Handling Low Numbers sticky, there's a section on how to become data ready. Please also remember if you're going to shoot lower numbers, it's important to have extra strips on hand along with high carb food should you need to intervene to steer the numbers. (The process of what to do if you see low numbers is in the same sticky note.)

Some of the variability you're running in to is probably due to the 1.75u dose beginning to have an effect on numbers. That's the good news. The jump back into higher numbers is what we call a "bounce." Since Creamsickle hasn't spent that much time in numbers below 200, his body isn't used to being in better numbers. As a result, if numbers drop fast, drop low, or fall into a range a kitty is no longer used to, the pancreas and liver release a stored form of glucose along with counterregulatory hormones which cause the numbers to spike back up. It can take several days for the numbers to clear.