Amount of insulin. Question from newbie

[Kathy and Mr. B.E.]

Hello,

I just posted an introduction that included my question, but I think I'm also to put it in this main area.

My cat has been on ProZinc for 2 weeks now. I was directed to feed half a can of food and give 2 units of ProZinc twice a day. I thought I'd be OK doing this until I could learn to monitor the BG and try to switch to low carb food. The first 5 days went fine. He ate the 1/2 can, I gave the insulin, I hoped all was well. Then he didn’t want to eat as much. I’ve been giving just a little under 2 units of insulin since last weekend, but I realize that’s not a proportionate amount less insulin to correspond to less food, so maybe I'm giving too much insulin. He's eating about 1/3 can instead of ½ can.

I’ve finally managed to do a few BG tests this week, still very nervous, but he’s letting me do it. I tested the past 3 evenings before feeding and giving insulin and the numbers ranged 211-217. Today I’m home sick and tested 6 hours after his insulin this morning. I expected I would see a low number, but it was 284. (I should say about 3 hours after he ate he seemed to want food so I gave a snack, just a couple teaspoons of food. I don’t know if that had much affect on the BG.) I tested again 2 hours later—8 since insulin this morning and it was 253. (These tests are with a human glucometer.)

I’m afraid I’m giving too much insulin and maybe this is “bouncing,” I’m thinking I should back down to 1 or 1 ½ units for safety until I get more comfortable at testing and since I’m normally not home during the day. Does this seem reasonable?

Thanks,

Kathy (& Mr. Big Eyes)

 

[Tanya and Ducia]

Hi Kathy and Mr. BE

Welcome!
I am not familiar with Prozinc at all.
But:
if you can create a new thread in the Prozinc Forum you'd get some tips and opinions for sure from people who actually use the Prozinc.
Cross post this post to the new thread on the Prozinc forum.

In the body of the post put Mr. BE history of tests that you have taken, the insulin doses given and the food he eats - dry, wet, LC/HC, how much how often. We use spreadsheets for such info keeping. If there are medication involved maybe lists them too. When listing the BG test results it is better to use how many hours since the injection the test was taken, not actual time. People here are from around the world and it is easier to read the info if it goes like that : AM PS (preshot) BG xx, +2 BG XX (2 hours after the injection), +7 XX (7 hours after the injection).

When you create your threat put in the Title line something like "05/03 Mr.B E last B reading XX dose advise for a newbie" - you can find better wordings of course; make sure you have the question mark as the prefix to your title - this way ppl will know an answer is needed.

I hope it is not too confusing and helpful.

Best of luck to you and Mr. BE (love that name!)

 

[Djamila]

Hi Kathy, and welcome!

For prozinc specific advice, it's best to post to the prozinc forum: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/forums/prozinc-pzi.24/

I agree with you that it looks like your dose is too high based on the numbers you've shared. Tanya gave you some good advice about how to get our attention over in the prozinc forum.

Was 2u your starting dose from the vet? We usually suggest starting at 1 unit, and definitely home testing, so great job with that! Come on over and introduce yourself to the prozinc forum. We have had lots of new people in the past week, so you'll have good company!!!

 

[Kris & Teasel]

I was directed to feed half a can of food and give 2 units of ProZinc twice a day.

Many vets tell you to feed only twice a day but most of us don't do that. We feed several meals a day and some people use automated feeders to give small snacks overnight as well.

I realize that’s not a proportionate amount less insulin to correspond to less food, so maybe I'm giving too much insulin.

The insulin dose is determined more by the blood glucose level than the amount of food eaten. That's why testing is so important, especially AM and PM before you feed and give insulin ((no food at least 2 hours before these key tests).

before feeding and giving insulin and the numbers ranged 211-217.

These are very good pre shot numbers. The 284 and 253 could be bounce numbers but more data is needed to know for sure.

I’m thinking I should back down to 1 or 1 ½ units

The usual starting dose is 1 unit twice a day. How was the 2 u dose arrived at? If it was based on BG testing at the vet's office it could be too high a dose. The stress of a vet visit can cause elevated BG.

I suggest you start on a structured testing routine. Don't worry if you can't get all these tests right away, View this as practice for now. Here's the routine:

1. test AM and PM before feeding and shooting (no food 2 hours before) to see if the dose is safe to give
2. at least one other test near the middle of the cycle or just before your bedtime
3. extra tests on days off.

 

[JanetNJ]

It couldn't hurt to lower the dose a few days and see what happens.

 

[Kathy and Mr. B.E.]

Was 2u your starting dose from the vet? We usually suggest starting at 1 unit, and definitely home testing, so great job with that! Come on over and introduce yourself to the prozinc forum. We have had lots of new people in the past week, so you'll have good company!!!

I've also posted in the ProZinc forum after reading Tanya's message. Yes, the 2u was advised by the vet who kept him only parts of two days and he was probably under distress. I thought I'd read that 1 unit is good for starting. (I've read so much here the past few weeks I'm having trouble keeping it all straight)

Thanks!

 

[Kathy and Mr. B.E.]

if you can create a new thread in the Prozinc Forum you'd get some tips and opinions for sure from people who actually use the Prozinc.
I hope it is not too confusing and helpful.

Thanks! I think I understood and have posted in the Prozinc Forum.