where do I go from here

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shawna

shawna

Active Member
Hello,
I'm new to this forum. My best friend, my cat Theodore, was diagnosed with diabetes about two weeks ago. He's almost 14 and he has arthrtis in one spot too.
I'm having such a hard time because it just all seems overwhelming and confusing to me!!
His blood sugar was in the high 300s and so the vet told me to do 2 units twice a day.
The after the curve they upped it to 4 units twice a day. But Theodore spazzed out all day hissing and growling and they said stress made it go up to the 400s.
So they upped the dose to the 4 twice a day.

I bought a human blood sugar meter, the ReliOn, and four hours after his increased insulin it had a reading of 66. Isn't that way too low??
My vet said I need to buy a meter for cats so I'll be getting that Monday.
I didn't give insulin this morning because he wouldn't eat much and I tested him at 81.
Tonight he can't really walk. Why can't he walk!?? He ate really well tonight.

I just don't know what to do!
Stressed and sad,
Theodore's Mom
 
Welcome, glad you were home testing to catch the 66. The "take action" number on human glucometer is 50 and on a pet meter it's 68. You don't need to buy a pet meter, but many Vet's push it because they don't understand human glucometer readings. Jumping from 2.0U to 4.0U is a huge increase! We recommend increasing by 0.25U or 0.5U. Also considering they increased it based on a curve done at the clinic where he was stressed out. Are you on Prozinc? That's where you posted this thread :) We would gladly help you out anyway we can!

If you could setup your signature with some information, it's helpful to get a glance and for those of us with bad memories: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/editing-your-signature-profile-and-preferences.130340/

We use Spreadsheets to track BG numbers, you just need a Google account: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/fdmb-spreadsheet-instructions.130337/
Ask if you need help setting it up.

And I like to give this to new members to be prepared: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/how-to-treat-hypos-they-can-kill-print-this-out.15887/
 
Welcome! We can help you get Theodore on track. I assume you posted here because you're using ProZinc?

shawna said:
I'm having such a hard time because it just all seems overwhelming and confusing to me!!
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We all know that feeling. I promise - it gets better and you'll be amazed at how competent and confident you'll feel in a couple of weeks.

shawna said:
the vet told me to do 2 units twice a day.
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This is a high starting dose. We recommend starting at 1 unit twice a day.

shawna said:
after the curve they upped it to 4 units twice a day
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This is far too much insulin and a jump up by 2 units is far too large an increase. We recommend increasing by 0.25 units at a time so you don't go right past a good dose by increasing too much.

shawna said:
But Theodore spazzed out all day hissing and growling and they said stress made it go up to the 400s.
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Was this when the curve was done at the vet's? The curve can be done by you at home with much less stress for your kitty.

shawna said:
I bought a human blood sugar meter, the ReliOn, and four hours after his increased insulin it had a reading of 66. Isn't that way too low??
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Congratulations on testing at home! It's the best thing you can do to keep Theodore safe. That is a low blood glucose number. With a human meter the "getting dangerously low" number is 50. He might have gone lower after this test so you'll need to start a structured testing routine to get the best data.

shawna said:
My vet said I need to buy a meter for cats so I'll be getting that Monday.
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Some people do this and use it only when doing a curve for the vet. The strips are too expensive to use it day to day so they have the human meter for the rest of the time.

shawna said:
I didn't give insulin this morning because he wouldn't eat much and I tested him at 81.
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This is too low for a pre injection number. He might have gone very low overnight and it's possible the problems walking are related to very low blood glucose. Did you give him insulin tonight?
 
Just to clarify...you said you didn't give insulin this morning....but did you give him insulin tonight? How many hours has it been since his last dose?
 
If he's still staggering or can't walk well I recommend testing him again as soon as you can. If his blood glucose is low you'll have to bring him up with some food, karo syrup or honey. But test first to see where he's at.
 
Yong said:
Welcome, glad you were home testing to catch the 66. The "take action" number on human glucometer is 50 and on a pet meter it's 68. You don't need to buy a pet meter, but many Vet's push it because they don't understand human glucometer readings. Jumping from 2.0U to 4.0U is a huge increase! We recommend increasing by 0.25U or 0.5U. Also considering they increased it based on a curve done at the clinic where he was stressed out. Are you on Prozinc? That's where you posted this thread :) We would gladly help you out anyway we can!

If you could setup your signature with some information, it's helpful to get a glance and for those of us with bad memories: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/editing-your-signature-profile-and-preferences.130340/

We use Spreadsheets to track BG numbers, you just need a Google account: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/fdmb-spreadsheet-instructions.130337/
Ask if you need help setting it up.

And I like to give this to new members to be prepared: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/how-to-treat-hypos-they-can-kill-print-this-out.15887/
Click to expand...



Thank you so much!!! Yes he is on prozinc. I'll go try to set up the signature now. Thanks so much for the information! I'm so worried I'm going to do something wrong. The vet said his next curve might be best done at home so on Monday I need to ask them how to do it. I'm so glad I found this board. I don't know why my cat can't seem to walk tonight, that is what made me get so upset and scared!
 
shawna said:
Thank you so much!!! Yes he is on prozinc. I'll go try to set up the signature now. Thanks so much for the information! I'm so worried I'm going to do something wrong. The vet said his next curve might be best done at home so on Monday I need to ask them how to do it. I'm so glad I found this board. I don't know why my cat can't seem to walk tonight, that is what made me get so upset and scared!
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Ask anything you want about curves, testing, etc. here. We can help! :)
 
shawna said:
Thank you so much!!! Yes he is on prozinc. I'll go try to set up the signature now. Thanks so much for the information! I'm so worried I'm going to do something wrong. The vet said his next curve might be best done at home so on Monday I need to ask them how to do it. I'm so glad I found this board. I don't know why my cat can't seem to walk tonight, that is what made me get so upset and scared!
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A curve is just taking a reading every 2 hours or so for 12 hours to see what's happening. 4 units on a cat just diagnosed is nuts. Most start at 1 unit. Please don't do more than 2 without frequently testing.
 
I hope I am replying in the correct spot. Thank you to everyone who wrote, I sincerely appreciate it, with all my heart.
I gave him the upped dosage of 4 units last night and that's when it dropped so low. So this morning when I didn't give him any insulin he was at 81. So I didn't give him anything and tonight I didn't know what to do because the test said 92, so I fed him and gave him 2 units. (The vet said to go down to 3 units but I'm scared) and I probably shouldn't have given him any insulin again tonight?? But I just don't know what I am doing very much!!
I tried to test him again tonight but he tried to bite me, which he would never bite me! So I just need to figure out how I'm going to draw a dot of blood without making him angry.
 
You shoot two units at 91? How long ago? You should not have given anything.... I'm actually quite concerned. We usually advise no shots under 200 in the beginning. Please try to get another test.
 
If you have to burrito him to get more tests tonight, please do so. Shooting 2.0U on the 92 could send him into Hypo. What time was his shot given? and What time zone are you in? Do you have high carb gravy food, karo, honey, lots of testing strips? Sorry, I don't mean to try and scare you more but definitely do not shoot under 200 right now.
 
shawna said:
I hope I am replying in the correct spot. Thank you to everyone who wrote, I sincerely appreciate it, with all my heart.
I gave him the upped dosage of 4 units last night and that's when it dropped so low. So this morning when I didn't give him any insulin he was at 81. So I didn't give him anything and tonight I didn't know what to do because the test said 92, so I fed him and gave him 2 units. (The vet said to go down to 3 units but I'm scared) and I probably shouldn't have given him any insulin again tonight?? But I just don't know what I am doing very much!!
I tried to test him again tonight but he tried to bite me, which he would never bite me! So I just need to figure out how I'm going to draw a dot of blood without making him angry.
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If you can't get a test you can play it safe and feed him a little extra without the test until you can get a test. I would try your best to get the test because 2 units on a 92 reading is A LOT. It's not recommended to shoot under 200 when you're first starting out.
I would feed him 1 tsp of food every half hour until you can get a test. Get the honey/syrup/karo ready too. You might need it.
Stress can increase his numbers and his numbers probably need to go up at this point so don't worry too much about stressing him out. Try until you get the test.
Keep in mind once you feed him the number will be food influenced within 20 minutes so keep testing until he's at a safe number without food for 3 tests.

The hypo link was shared above. Please read through that. It will help you get through this and so will the members on the forum.
 
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JanetNJ said:
You shoot two units at 91? How long ago? You should not have given anything.... I'm actually quite concerned. We usually advise no shots under 200 in the beginning. Please try to get another test.
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I didn't know I feel so bad now. My vet told me to not do a reading with a human one but to just watch his behavior. I gave him the 2 units at 5pm. See I've been trying to read online about when to give insulin and I just wasn't sure what to do. Oh this is awful. I'll do a test right now.
 
When you test his ear, don't aim for the vein.... It hurts more. Aim for the area just outside of it.


I'm going to be honest here.... I don't think your vet knows how to dose. You may want to seek a second opinion.
IMG_3612.JPG
 
That's what I needed to know - so if his test on a human meter is under 200 does that mean I do not give him any insulin????
 
It's okay...we're going to talk you through this, and we'll stay with you. As soon as you get the test, post the number.
 
shawna said:
I didn't know I feel so bad now. My vet told me to not do a reading with a human one but to just watch his behavior. I gave him the 2 units at 5pm. See I've been trying to read online about when to give insulin and I just wasn't sure what to do. Oh this is awful. I'll do a test right now.
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You can test with a human meter.... Most here do. Under 50 is the time to be very concerned with a human meter. How long ago was the shot?
 
How many hours ago was the 2 units given? We need to know where he is in the cycle (the 12 hours after a dose is given) to assess what might happen next. Please post with a new test result ASAP.
 
shawna said:
That's what I needed to know - so if his test on a human meter is under 200 does that mean I do not give him any insulin????
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Eventually with more data we would recommend shooting lower, but for the time being Anything under 200 either don't shoot.
 
shawna said:
That's what I needed to know - so if his test on a human meter is under 200 does that mean I do not give him any insulin????
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If you are ever unsure about what's safe to dose you can reach out on here.... Someone is usually around as it's a very active forum full of experienced people who have lived with this for a while. We are always happy to help.
 
To all the old folks on here - I'm afraid we're going to overwhelm Shawna with needing to wade through our cross-posts of basically the same information being shouted at her all at once.

I'm going to step back and continue to monitor the thread, but I think it would be best if just one of us walks her through this as timing may be critical on this one. Whoever wants to take the lead, just know that I'm here, and if it gets too late in your time zone, I can step back in.
 
You'll need to
shawna said:
I have honey. How much do I give him? I just gave him more cat food and he is eating it so fast.
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If you have high carb food give him that with a bit of honey in it.... But not enough to make him full... Just a spoonful or two. as you will probably be steering the numbers up for a couple of hours.
 
I'm so glad you were able to get that last test. Unfortunately you are going to want to test every 20 min for awhile. Once the numbers are safe we want to see 3 rising numbers that are not food influenced to say for sure he's safe.



You may want to put on a pot of coffee. Lol


Listen don't panic.... You aren't alone.
 
JanetNJ said:
I'm so glad you were able to get that last test. Unfortunately you are going to want to test every 20 min for awhile. Once the numbers are safe we want to see 3 rising numbers that are not food influenced to say for sure he's safe.



You may want to put on a pot of coffee. Lol


Listen don't panic.... You aren't alone.
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Ok the pot of coffee comment made me smile. You guys are the absolute best. Ok I'm trying to be more calm now....this gets so upsetting especially since I don't feel confident with the numbers and what to do, etc. yet.

He ate some food and Licked a couple drops of honey. I set my phone timer for 20 minutes to test again.

Thank you....
 
shawna said:
Ok the pot of coffee comment made me smile. You guys are the absolute best. Ok I'm trying to be more calm now....this gets so upsetting especially since I don't feel confident with the numbers and what to do, etc. yet.

He ate some food and Licked a couple drops of honey. I set my phone timer for 20 minutes to test again.

Thank you....
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In a few months you'll be talking a new set of new people off the cliff.... Just watch. Most of us have been there, and most of us had no f'ing clue what we were doing in the beginning.

You're testing right out of the gate which is better than I was. I didn't start until 6 weeks after diagnosis.
 
Should be due for the next test about now. How is he acting? Let us know immediately if he seems wobbly or disoriented.
 
JanetNJ said:
Should be due for the next test about now. How is he acting? Let us know immediately if he seems wobbly or disoriented.
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I think I posted in the wrong place, but it went up to 81, is that good for twenty minutes?? Do I give him more food?
 
shawna said:
I think I posted in the wrong place, but it went up to 81, is that good for twenty minutes?? Do I give him more food?
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Let's wait and see without food and see what it is. In 20 min test again. If it goes down do the food and honey again.
 
That 81 is still influenced by the food you have him before.... He should be hitting the peek of the insulin around midnight, but I'm glad he's over 50. Please keep monitoring. I know it's late but he could still drop.

You are doing awesome by the way.
 
Tomorrow morning don't be surprised if the number is on the high side. Cats usually bounce high after going too low. It's the body's way of protecting itself.
 
shawna said:
Ok oh goodness thank you. I'll check in twenty minutes. I hope you know I'm forever grateful for your help and everyone's help. This is so scary.
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Well thank goodness you test.... Could have been bad if you weren't! Well done!
 
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