Vacation

[ppp]

so nervous about leaving Tut 5 days, starting Thursday, when he just started insulin last night. I'm wondering if it would be better to discontinue the Lantus for that period.

The only cat sitter we have who will stay overnight (which is great -- this cat has never shown his faces to anyone who can't) is gone for 12+ hours (distant retail job) (we are really out in the country)

yesterday his blood sugar was 388. Frustosomine was 466. We've been trying for a few weeks since diagnosed to see if he would go into remission from diet alone. But, this reading was a little higher than previous. He had regained about half a pound (to 13 pounds) of the five he lost over the last several months, but had started drinking more water.

I thought we'd reached an agreement with the vet that we could try a once-per-day dosing and I thought it would be 'lite' until we got back and could home-test regularly, but she put him on 3 units. (Was up half the night after I'd reviewed recommendations; even called the emergency vet ... she confirmed the dose -- sure doesn't seem in line with recommendations from this site, as well as veterinary associations' I found. He does seem fine this morning.)

I've not found anything about the effects of going off temporarily ... I'm sure it's not ideal, but better than the possibility of a 'crash' without anyone handy so much of the day...?

 

[Lisa and Witn (GA)]

As you may have alread read here, three units is a high starting dose. I would recommend that you start hometesting, today if possible, and see how Tut does at 1 unit twice a day. If he does not drop too low then it probably would be safe to keep that dose while you are gone. If you could get your sitter to also test that would be great too.

When you get back, if you think he needs a higher dose, only increase by 1/2 unit and do not increase it again for at least a week. By doing increases this way you can find the optimal dose for Tut.

 

[ppp]

As you may have alread read here, three units is a high starting dose. I would recommend that you start hometesting, today if possible, and see how Tut does at 1 unit twice a day. If he does not drop too low then it probably would be safe to keep that dose while you are gone. If you could get your sitter to also test that would be great too.

When you get back, if you think he needs a higher dose, only increase by 1/2 unit and do not increase it again for at least a week. By doing increases this way you can find the optimal dose for Tut.

Thanks very much for the advice. I had ordered an alphatrak on line (thinking i wouldn't need it immediately) but am going to Walmart today to get the Relion. one question on this. i saw a recommendation to get a #28 lancet. our walmart has 26, 30 & 33. Does it matter?

 

[Sharon14]

I agree with Lisa that 3u is too high a starting dose. I’ll also add that leaving food out while no one is there is a good idea. You may want to look into getting an auto feeder like THIS one.

 

[Lisa and Witn (GA)]

Some people find it easier to start with a larger lancet to get the blood from the ear. You will also need to find which method works best for you - free hand or using the lancet device - to poke the ear. Personally I prefer the free hand method since it gives me more control.

Before testing massage his ear towards the tip to warm it up and get the blood flowing. Some cats are not very cooperative at first. If he is that way try to get the drop of blood on your fingernail and you can test it from there. Just remember to always give Tut a low carb treat after testing even when you are not successful. Then he will begin to associate the treat with testing and begin making it easier for you.

 

[JanetNJ]

Thanks very much for the advice. I had ordered an alphatrak on line (thinking i wouldn't need it immediately) but am going to Walmart today to get the Relion. one question on this. i saw a recommendation to get a #28 lancet. our walmart has 26, 30 & 33. Does it matter?

Get the 26 gauge one

 

[ppp]

I agree with Lisa that 3u is too high a starting dose. I’ll also add that leaving food out while no one is there is a good idea. You may want to look into getting an auto feeder like THIS one.

3 other cats. he is so vulnerable to stress (which affect other health issues) reluctant to separate him. That's why I got the Zero food, which he can eat during the day -- if he really gets desperate. Nobody else likes this either. Canned food (auto, whatever) would likely be eaten by someone else.

 

[JanetNJ]

3 other cats. he is so vulnerable to stress (which affect other health issues) reluctant to separate him. That's why I got the Zero food, which he can eat during the day -- if he really gets desperate. Nobody else likes this either. Canned food (auto, whatever) would likely be eaten by someone else.

try some feliway diffusers maybe to help him not feel so stressed. It helps my cat Julie who is REALLY high strung. I thought she was going to need prozac... but feliway takes the edge off enough that she is ALMOST a normal cat. haha I can always tell when when of the diffusers run out.

 

[ppp]

post- first test on Tut (350) will have to decide whether to follow vet's instructions (3 units) or less, per advice here (and at online veterinary sites i have read).

I have read somewhere that higher, earlier doses might help remission. Anyone know of such cases?

Anyone know of cats 'crashing' on 3 units at the very beginning of insulin therapy?

 

[JanetNJ]

post- first test on Tut (350) will have to decide whether to follow vet's instructions (3 units) or less, per advice here (and at online veterinary sites i have read).

I have read somewhere that higher, earlier doses might help remission. Anyone know of such cases?

Anyone know of cats 'crashing' on 3 units at the very beginning of insulin therapy?

Many many crashes from too high of a dose. We get several a month here actually. It's safer to start lower and raise as needed.

 

[Sharon14]

Glad you’ve started testing! I second Janet, it is much safer to start with the lower dose and work up as needed. Lantus is a depot insulin, which means that it builds up in your cats system over time. So even if your cat does ok on the first high dose or two, he could crash as the depot builds.

 

[Lisa and Witn (GA)]

Many many crashes from too high of a dose. We get several a month here actually. It's safer to start lower and raise as needed.

I agree it is better to start with a lower dose. With 3 units the risk of Tut becoming hypoglycemic is much higher than with 1 unit. Hypoglycemia can be deadly. Since you are going on vacation and your sitter will be gone for hours, to me it is too much of a risk to start at the higher dose.