Did a few BG testings tonight on Little Roo / pre-vet & insulin tomorrow

[LittleRoo]

When I got home from work I tested Roo's BG before her dinner at 6pm. She tested much higher than last night. Pre dinner BG test tonight 6pm = 181. Did a second test at 7pm = 174. Did a third test at 8pm = 204. Then a forth one at 9pm = 192. Was hoping for lower #'s like last night (122) but at least we're not in the upper 300's like a week ago.

Had to give Roo a rest after all that and so many pokes . What a brave and good girl she is!! (she got FF treats and multiple kisses after each one!)

I will test her again in the morning and before our mid afternoon vet appointment as well. I'll bring my numbers with me and also ask for the vet to run another blood test so we get the correct dose for the insulin (ProZinc) that he wants me to start her on - which will be her first insulin shot ever, tomorrow evening. He already suggested 1 unit to start and I just worry if Roo might need (or I could suggest) less to start, maybe a 1/2 dose? I am also nervous my vet won't like that I'm using a human meter as he suggested a pet one. I'll try and look into getting the pet one ($$!!) but would only do the curves with that one - if my vet is game and will work with me. I'm certainly willing to invest the time and energy (and love,) and to defray the costs.

I do have a few questions regarding the BG testing: Is the ear the only place to draw the blood? Is the ear the least painful as well? Man, I just hate poking her sweet little ears, even though I know it's for her own good. I assume it's also the easiest.

I also would like to ask, once I start her on the insulin, when should I start testing her and how many times? I'm home this weekend so I'll certainly be keeping an eye on her and how she reacts!

I assume when dreaded Monday comes and I have to go into work it will be: AM Test / Feed / Shoot. Then 12 hours (PM) later the same? Should I test her when I get home after 5pm too? And before bed? What is the basic/best protocol? 2 BG tests a day after feedings?

And how long should I wait after eating to shoot?

Wish us luck and once again, thank you all for the replies and info everyone writes to us!
I am so not looking forward to all this but the support here helps so much!!
Will check back in tomorrow..

xoxo Little Roo's worry-wart mom <3

 

[JanetNJ]

I agree with you that I would start at a half unit to start and if after 4-5 days it isn't enough THEN go to 1 unit. Roo is above normal but may only need a little insulin support to get down.


The alpha is a great meter but it is indeed expensive. Amazon has a good price on the starter kit, and test strips I either also get on amazon (the price fluctuates) or on Adwdiabetes.com with a $5 off coupon code.

At minimum get preshots, and I'd try to get another before bed.... On weekends to curves. Whatever data you can get is valuable.

 

[JanetNJ]

Oh, alternative site testing. A small handful of people test on the paw pads.... I've always done ears.

 

[Yong & Maury GA]

When I got home from work I tested Roo's BG before her dinner at 6pm. She tested much higher than last night. Pre dinner BG test tonight 6pm = 181. Did a second test at 7pm = 174. Did a third test at 8pm = 204. Then a forth one at 9pm = 192. Was hoping for lower #'s like last night (122) but at least we're not in the upper 300's like a week ago.

Like Janet stated, those are only slightly above normal.

He already suggested 1 unit to start and I just worry if Roo might need (or I could suggest) less to start, maybe a 1/2 dose? I am also nervous my vet won't like that I'm using a human meter as he suggested a pet one. I'll try and look into getting the pet one ($$!!) but would only do the curves with that one - if my vet is game and will work with me. I'm certainly willing to invest the time and energy (and love,) and to defray the costs.

I think 1.0U might be too much as well. I did keep my AT2 for giving curve numbers to Vet's so they don't misunderstand that there is no direct conversion from a human meter, so it's more budge manageable for curves and the occasional spot check when I get a low number on the ReliOn . If you're getting your first batch of syringes from the Vet, ask if they have one's with half unit markings, this will make those smaller doses easier to draw out. I can give you the link to the one's I used with Prozinc

I do have a few questions regarding the BG testing: Is the ear the only place to draw the blood? Is the ear the least painful as well? Man, I just hate poking her sweet little ears, even though I know it's for her own good. I assume it's also the easiest.

In my opinion the ear is the best place, but as Janet said, you can test the paw pad. I've known of 2 or 3 members on this forum doing that method. Most kitties have very few nerve endings on their ears so the majority feel nothing, especially in the "sweet spot".

I also would like to ask, once I start her on the insulin, when should I start testing her and how many times? I'm home this weekend so I'll certainly be keeping an eye on her and how she reacts!

Good idea to start while you're home! Also like Janet stated, minimum is AMPS/PMPS these are morning and evening pre shot numbers taken about 10 - 15 minutes before shot time with no food eaten 2 hours prior. This can be more difficult if you're at work or sound asleep of course. Can help with that later. Since you're home on weekends, try to get some tests between +4 and +7 (4-7 hours after shot was given) as this is Prozinc's usual nadir time (peak insulin action, lowest BG reading for cycle, a cycle is 12 hours).

Then 12 hours (PM) later the same? Should I test her when I get home after 5pm too? And before bed? What is the basic/best protocol? 2 BG tests a day after feedings?

Kind of covered this above but for testing when you get home, what time will her shot times be? If it's 06:00/18:00 I wouldn't bother. I haven't tested after +10 but that may just be me . In addition to minimum AMPS and PMPS during the work week, I do advocate that before bed test. It's usually between +2 and +4 from PM shot time. I can't go to bed without a before bed test on my boy .

And how long should I wait after eating to shoot?

Prozinc has a slower onset so as long as she's taken a few bites of her meal, you can give the shot while she's distracted by her head in the food bowl. Should she not be too interested in food, gives you a PS (Preshot) BG of her current numbers, and you have to go to work, I would probably skip the shot to be safe. We like to say better too high for a day than too low for a minute

Last thing, when you get back you should setup a thread for Little Roo over on Prozinc forum
Good luck to you guys! We'll be here to help how we can

 

[LittleRoo]

I agree with you that I would start at a half unit to start and if after 4-5 days it isn't enough THEN go to 1 unit. Roo is above normal but may only need a little insulin support to get down.


The alpha is a great meter but it is indeed expensive. Amazon has a good price on the starter kit, and test strips I either also get on amazon (the price fluctuates) or on Adwdiabetes.com with a $5 off coupon code.

At minimum get preshots, and I'd try to get another before bed.... On weekends to curves. Whatever data you can get is valuable.

Thank you! Great advice! I will def suggest starting 1/2 unit and see what happens in 5 days. Def going to get a pet meter - thanks for the tips!!

 

[LittleRoo]

Like Janet stated, those are only slightly above normal.

Prozinc has a slower onset so as long as she's taken a few bites of her meal, you can give the shot while she's distracted by her head in the food bowl. Should she not be too interested in food, gives you a PS (Preshot) BG of her current numbers, and you have to go to work, I would probably skip the shot to be safe. We like to say better too high for a day than too low for a minute

What do you mean by skipping the shot to be safe? If her AMBG level is very high?

I'm thinking the routine Monday thru Friday will roughly be:
8:40am AMBG test.
8:45am FOOD.
9:00am SHOOT ProZinc.

{Go to WORK.}

5pm - 6pm (est) PMBG TEST / FOOD.

8:40pm PMBG test.
8:45pm Food.
9:00pm SHOOT ProZinc.
11:00pm PMBG test.
{SLEEP}
And start all over again.
(maybe some additional BG testing)

Weekends I'll def try doing curves!

Thank you for all the great advice too! I have so many notes from everyone already!!

Off to the 2pm vet appointment. Will update later!! <3

 

[Yong & Maury GA]

Skip the shot if you have to work, she's not interested in eating, and / or her BG is 200 or less. Since you wouldn't be home to monitor her

 

[LittleRoo]

Skip the shot if you have to work, she's not interested in eating, and / or her BG is 200 or less. Since you wouldn't be home to monitor her

Was told I have to shoot her twice a day and I do have to work come Monday. I can monitor her tonight and tomorrow for now and see how she does luckily. I mean if her numbers are really low, right: then I won't shoot. And as long as she eats (which she never passes up lol!) - that's very important too. The Vet told me 1 unit ProZinc every 12 hours and will see how she is in 2 weeks and whether or not we can adjust. I will order a pet Alphatrak meter tonight - use that for curves on weekends (and if and when needed) and use the Relion mostly for the weekday monitoring. The vet also tested her BG at 2:45pm and it was high = 313. We practiced the needle shots as well: 29 gauge needle 12.7mm length and I think those will be easier than the BG's tests in the ear actually!! I'll give Roo her first insulin shoot tonight at 9pm. Oh joy! Here's hoping we get those numbers down nice and slow, nice and safe!