Teddy's first home curve

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shawna

shawna

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Good morning all,
I'm doing Ted's first at home glucose curve testing today.
My question - since I'm doing the curve should I only feed today after am and pm shots, twelve hours apart?
I am going to be doing every two hour tests....so I wasn't sure if I could give him any other food....if that would change his numbers?
On previous days I do give him extra food because I'm worried he is losing too much. But today I am testing every two hours -- so what do I do about the food situation? And if it's fine to just feel him twice today please let me know that too.


Thank you!
 
When I used to do curves for my vet, I would fit in Teasel's lunch just after a mid day BG test so that it was 2 hours before the next curve test. You could do that more than once over the day if needed.
 
I'd say go with what Kris suggested, Teddy still needs to get the calories and the curve lets you know how the dose is doing with his diet but don't want every number food influenced :)
 
If hes still having trouble with the tramadol, ask for bupe for pain. Other than getting sleepy none of my cats have ever had trouble with bupe or lost their appetite.
 
I always just fed how I normally would... Although most days last summer were curve days because I was home. Ha
 
Getting a little low at that +4 with time to drop.... I would feed a little low carb food right now to steer it up.
 
He won't eat. He's growling at me. I called the vet.
I gave him some honey.
This is too hard and I don't even think I can do this.
I'm so sad. Can I delete this thread, I don't know where to delete it. I appreciate you all but I'm just having a mini meltdown and I just can't do it. And my sweet Theodore is always in pain. And I thought I was hopeful for a couple days and now today I just feel tired and I don't know if I can keep him alive and without pain. It's just so hard.


JanetNJ said:
Getting a little low at that +4 with time to drop.... I would feed a little low carb food right now to steer it up.
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Woah Shawna, it's okay! You CAN do this. We've all had meltdowns here, and that's what we're here for.

One step at a time...what did the vet say?
 
shawna said:
He won't eat. He's growling at me. I called the vet.
I gave him some honey.
This is too hard and I don't even think I can do this.
I'm so sad. Can I delete this thread, I don't know where to delete it. I appreciate you all but I'm just having a mini meltdown and I just can't do it. And my sweet Theodore is always in pain. And I thought I was hopeful for a couple days and now today I just feel tired and I don't know if I can keep him alive and without pain. It's just so hard.
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Hey hes going to be fine... Take it easy. If you are worked up its just gunna stress you both out.... It's OK......

He's been doing really good and is making progress.

Play some calming music... Take some deep breaths.... It's OK.
 
It's down to 43 and I've been giving him honey. Is he going to die. Should I bring him to some other vet

My vet closed at noon. She said don't let alpha tracker get below 50 or to give him sugar. I am just using people one since I know it better.
How much honey? He won't eat any food like last time this happened. i don't want him to die

Between the Metamucil and Meloxidyl and tramadol and insulin and I don't know what's wrong and he's just staring off and I don't know what to do anymore
 
shawna said:
It's down to 43 and I've been giving him honey. Is he going to die. Should I bring him to some other vet

My vet closed at noon. She said don't let alpha tracker get below 50 or to give him sugar. I am just using people one since I know it better.
How much honey? He won't eat any food like last time this happened. i don't want him to die

Between the Metamucil and Meloxidyl and tramadol and insulin and I don't know what's wrong and he's just staring off and I don't know what to do anymore
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Ok so is the 43 on the alpha track? If you have a vet open it might be a good idea. On a human meter it's just a bit low, but it's quite low on an alpha track meter. No it doesn't mean he's going to die, but at the vet they can get his numbers up quickly. Honey wears off after a short time, so every 10-15 min test and put more honey. Stay calm though so you don't freak him out
 
He is NOT going to die. Yes, that's low, but he can pull through it. How long ago did you give him honey?
 
shawna said:
He won't eat. He's growling at me. I called the vet.
I gave him some honey.
This is too hard and I don't even think I can do this.
I'm so sad. Can I delete this thread, I don't know where to delete it. I appreciate you all but I'm just having a mini meltdown and I just can't do it. And my sweet Theodore is always in pain. And I thought I was hopeful for a couple days and now today I just feel tired and I don't know if I can keep him alive and without pain. It's just so hard.
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don't delete this thread. Listen... you aren't alone at all... we are here with you, ok? You can do this... take some deep breaths, he's going to be ok. If you don't think you can handle it, put more honey in him, and bring him to a vet. They will put him on a glucose drip for a while and he'll be ok. :)
 
Yep, exactly! The honey will keep him up while you get to the vet and from there, they can handle it so you can know he is safe.
 
JanetNJ said:
Ok so is the 43 on the alpha track? If you have a vet open it might be a good idea. On a human meter it's just a bit low, but it's quite low on an alpha track meter. No it doesn't mean he's going to die, but at the vet they can get his numbers up quickly. Honey wears off after a short time, so every 10-15 min test and put more honey. Stay calm though so you don't freak him out
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No the 43 was on the human one and I'm just only using the human one for rest of time
 
shawna said:
No the 43 was on the human one and I'm just only using the human one for rest of time
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oooooh ok. well that's a lot better. hahaha still low but managable. If it was on the alphatrak it's really low. OK we'll get through it.
 
Hi Shawna. I just read your notes on your spreadsheet. 97 on an alphatrak means he's still in safe numbers. Anything above 68 is fine.

You are not alone. We're going to be with you the whole way. If you take him to the vet, please let us know. If you want to get him through this at home, that's fine too.

He isn't going to die. The numbers we list as 'take action' numbers leave a safety buffer. He's still okay.
 
shawna said:
No the 43 was on the human one and I'm just only using the human one for rest of time
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That's a relief! You'll be OK. Breathe deep and gather your thoughts. We're here. Do you have an empty feeding syringe? If so, mix up a warm water slurry of a bit of HC food laced with honey and gently, slowly squeeze it into the side of his mouth. Kitty burrito and extra towels required - it can be messy.
 
I just saw your notes... 97 on an alphatrack is a safe number. he's going to be fine. I used to aim for 85-90 on alphatracks. Just give it another test when you can.
 
JanetNJ said:
Other than growling at you does he seem normal?
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Except the side effects of the tramadol that the vet said should wear off.
He only growls if I try to give him food
Right now he's just staring off.
I'll give him more honey and test him again - I'm only using the people one now - and then if it does get higher I'll bring him to an open vet.

Thanks for the help xoxoxoxox
 
You have a bottle of wine for later? Hahahaha it's really ok. he probably isn't eating because of the constipation.
 
How long has it been since he pooped? Janet may be right about the reason he isn't eating. Will he drink any water?

Shawna, you're doing great. Sending you and Teddy lots of love and reassurance! :bighug:
 
Do you have an empty feeding syringe? If so, mix up a warm water slurry of a bit of HC food laced with honey and gently, slowly squeeze it into the side of his mouth. Kitty burrito and extra towels required - it can be messy.
 
More than likely the constipation is why he isn't hungry...we wouldn't be either! You're doing wonderfully and there is tons of support for you...you aren't alone, remember that!
 
what about some kibble... will he eat that? or party mix/temptations? My cat was a little low and I gave like 5 temptations and that number was up like 70 points in 15 min. haha
 
On another note: Meloxidyl is a generic version of Metacam I see and there are safer pain meds for kitties. Tramadol is a narcotic but I don't know how often it's used in cats. Buprenorphine is much more common. All narcotics can cause constipation, hence the Metamucil. Maybe plain pumpkin would be better? Also, if you don't already do this, add warm water to every meal.

Just a few things to distract you while you wait to get the next test. ;)
 
Kris & Teasel said:
On another note: Meloxidyl is a generic version of Metacam I see and there are safer pain meds for kitties. Tramadol is a narcotic but I don't know how often it's used in cats. Buprenorphine is much more common. All narcotics can cause constipation, hence the Metamucil. Maybe plain pumpkin would be better? Also, if you don't already do this, add warm water to every meal.

Just a few things to distract you while you wait to get the next test. ;)
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Oh, isnt' Metacam the one that people say makes their cats act a bit nutty? Like yowling and pacing?
Yeah, maybe get it switched to Bupe if the vet will let you. If he's still not pooping, have the vet give him an enema.
 
JanetNJ said:
Oh, isnt' Metacam the one that people say makes their cats act a bit nutty? Like yowling and pacing?
Yeah, maybe get it switched to Bupe if the vet will let you. If he's still not pooping, have the vet give him an enema.
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Actually, that's mirtazapine, the appetite stimulant. I think metacam is hard on the kidneys.
 
I feel like I can breathe now....I am sorry I just couldn't think straight and I really panicked. Embarrassing...I wish I hadn't reacted like that but thank you for understanding. I am rereading the comments now that I can think and I am going to do the things mentioned.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
 
shawna said:
I feel like I can breathe now....I am sorry I just couldn't think straight and I really panicked. Embarrassing...I wish I hadn't reacted like that but thank you for understanding. I am rereading the comments now that I can think and I am going to do the things mentioned.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
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Don't apologize! We all know how scary this can be at times. Getting out all the anxiety is good. :) Teddy will be fine.
 
shawna said:
I feel like I can breathe now....I am sorry I just couldn't think straight and I really panicked. Embarrassing...I wish I hadn't reacted like that but thank you for understanding. I am rereading the comments now that I can think and I am going to do the things mentioned.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Click to expand...
Oh man, I've been there! No apologies or embarrassment accepted here :bighug:
 
Yes to what Kris and Barbara said! This can be a stressful process which is why this community is so incredible! We've all been there and understand!
 
You are not the first to freak out on here, and you certainly won't be the last. No worries. :)
 
shawna said:
50
I'll keep syringing food/water/honey mix...
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ok... that's better. 50 is a safe number, but because it's honey influenced, keep going a bit more. Then we will have you hold off on food/honey and see if the numbers go up on their own. once you have 3 rises that aren't food influenced we can determine he's out of the woods. You're doing awesome!
 
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