New to Prozinc

Status
Not open for further replies.
Teenuh said:
Is a nadir the +2, +4 's . . .
Click to expand...
The nadir is the lowest BG level in a cycle. Each insulin type has a 'typical' action profile and there's a time when the majority of cats treated with it will reach nadir, e.g. a lot of cats on Vetsulin will nadir around the +4 mark. However, ECID and the rate at which an individual cat typically metabolises insulin will affect that particular cat's tendency to nadir at a particular point in a cycle. Saoirse metabolised insulin more quickly than a lot of cats and she had early nadirs on both Caninsulin and Lantus. Even if a given cat has a typical period when nadir normally occurs on the insulin being used the nadir time can move around. Hence home testing; you can never guarantee how low an individual cat will go on a given dose, nor when that cat will reach the nadir in any given cycle.


Mogs
.
 
It's fine! Give us all the info you want...sometimes just talking about it helps. Also, remember that your cat is more than just a number...pay attention to how she seems to feel. Is she acting like herself? She's probably good, then. :)

Here's a little something we used to have at the top of every forum. It helped me extremely to read it when I first arrived: Dear Mom

Might make you feel better! :bighug::bighug:
 
Rachel said:
It's fine! Give us all the info you want...sometimes just talking about it helps. Also, remember that your cat is more than just a number...pay attention to how she seems to feel. Is she acting like herself? She's probably good, then. :)

Here's a little something we used to have at the top of every forum. It helped me extremely to read it when I first arrived: Dear Mom

Might make you feel better! :bighug::bighug:
Click to expand...

It helps!
The dear mom is SOOOO ME! I wish they could talk.Well, I also wish I could be with her 24/7 right now.
 
Teenuh said:
I hope Djamila is OK. Haven't heard from her in awhile.
Click to expand...

Hi there! I'm fine, just busy with work, and also helicopter-parenting my own kitty these days as he's been quite ill. He's looking a bit better today though, so hooray for that!

I don't' like the device because it's harder to see where exactly I'm poking and the clicking sound is annoying. I suppose a con of just using the lancet might be that it's hard to hold onto if you have really tiny ones. Oh! Or that when Sam jumps and it flies across the room, it's harder to find....? Okay, I don't really think there is a con for just using the lancet. :)
 
Work does that sometimes. Totally understand.
I over worried. Partly because you have basically held my hand with this whole thing. Hopefully you don't find that weird.

I have used both. Hard to say what I will stick with. I tested on my bed the day she was in the 50's without a lancet--in the time of panic. Left it on my bed and forgot about it. Found it this morning.

I'm finding when I test her...after the poke the shakes her head and the blood often flies with it. Not that there is ever much, but then I have to go back and try to squeeze some blood. Suggestions?
 
Ah yes, the head shake. Sooooo frustrating! You can try holding her head a little tighter. Make sure you have everything ready so you're super fast (that comes with time). I'm not sure how to explain this exactly....I hold Sam's ear pinched between my thumb and pointer, and then use my other three fingers to keep scratching his chin - this helps to distract him from doing the shake right away, and pinching his ear helps to hold him steady.

Another thing you can try is scooping the blood onto your fingernail and testing from there. I never had much success with that, but lots of other people swear by it. I think it might depend how long your fingernails are.

Teenuh said:
Hopefully you don't find that weird.
Click to expand...

And no, that doesn't seem weird. There was a wonderful woman named Sue on here when I first started, and if she didn't respond within minutes to my posts I would worry about her. I still miss her a ton around here. (Rachel was there in those days too, but she's still here so I don't have to miss her :))
 
Teenuh said:
This is wasteful, but could I get the blood and put in on a plastic spoon then transfer?
Click to expand...

Yes, that could work. I also tried taking a plastic straw, cutting it into small segments, and then cutting the segments in half so it was a U shape instead of an O. Then I would use those to scoop the blood into the trough and test from there.
 
Teenuh said:
I'm finding when I test her...after the poke the shakes her head and the blood often flies with it. Not that there is ever much, but then I have to go back and try to squeeze some blood. Suggestions?
Click to expand...

This is the technique I use for testing:

1. Fold sheet of kitchen paper into 4 lengthwise (ending up with a long, thin oblong).

2. Cut folded sheet into 1" strips (get about 8 or 9 strips from one folded sheet).

3. Set up all your bits for a test. Insert the test strip part-way into the meter so that the meter doesn't switch on but you'll be able to push the strip in the rest of the way using one hand only.

4. Apply very thin film of Vaseline to kitty's ear (helps blood to bead up, not wick into the fur).

5. Warm kitty's ear with your weapon of choice (e.g. rice sock, other.)

6. Place a 1" paper strip under kitty's ear for support.

7. Wrap the kitty's ear and the paper support around index finger and hold in place gently but firmly with thumb and third finger, making sure the edge of the ear is taut (but not overstretched!). Having the bit of tension there makes it easier for the lancet to break the skin surface.

8. Push test strip the rest of the way into the meter and wait for the 'ready' signal.

9. Make sure the lancet bevelled edge is facing upwards then prick the sweet spot (a bit like the action when pricking a balloon with a pin to pop it).

10. Apply test edge of strip to blood droplet. Keep a firm hold on the kitty's ear between your fingers and thumb. (This helps to keep the kitty's head still and reduces chance of 'head shakes'!)

11. When sample has been taken fold the paper strip over the edge of the ear and apply a little pressure for about 15 seconds to stem bleeding and help prevent bruising at the test site.

12. Give treats and lots of praise to the kitty. :)


Mogs
.
 
Djamila said:
Hi there! I'm fine, just busy with work, and also helicopter-parenting my own kitty these days as he's been quite ill. He's looking a bit better today though, so hooray for that!

I don't' like the device because it's harder to see where exactly I'm poking and the clicking sound is annoying. I suppose a con of just using the lancet might be that it's hard to hold onto if you have really tiny ones. Oh! Or that when Sam jumps and it flies across the room, it's harder to find....? Okay, I don't really think there is a con for just using the lancet. :)
Click to expand...
Actually I put the lancet in the trigger device and then free hand the poke. The casing of the trigger device gives me something bigger to hold.
 
I'm such a weirdo! I have a wonderful lady who house sits for me . . . well takes care of Gracie when I leave and IF she is available. Her cat also has diabetes, kidney disease and other stuff. She introduced me to the FB group and the FDMB. Anyway, I was able to get her to come over this morning to remove any food Gracie had out 2 hours prior to me getting home.

I tested and she was at 297. She is high, but oddly I was excited. Better than 400. I'm sure there will be plenty more days like that ahead though.

I have hope!
 
:bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:

I'm home on a Friday (not normal). YAY for days off too!

I had planned to take +2, +4 . . . tests again today-that obviously did not happen. Next dose isn't until tonight at about 9pm. Should I wait till shot to test again? Or would it help to see any numbers right now? I'm about 8 hrs out of 1st AM shot. Not sure what it would tell us.
 
I don't get a lot of late-cycle data, but I do grab one once in awhile because it gives you an idea of the duration of the insulin, and how fast she rises at the end of the cycle. At this point, it also gives you and Gracie another chance to practice. The more you practice, the easier this all gets.
 
Dropping in late, but glad to see everything seems to be going smoothly after the other night (well, it was night for me!)

Rachel said:
On a side note please don’t beat yourself up about giving 2 units previously! We’ve all been there and it’s natural to trust your vet. I started at 2.5 units and only changed that when I found this place.
Click to expand...

Second that. I was on 3ui, nearly did 4ui!

Teenuh said:
I'm finding when I test her...after the poke the shakes her head and the blood often flies with it. Not that there is ever much, but then I have to go back and try to squeeze some blood. Suggestions?
Click to expand...

So, I'm a bit of a "minimal procedure" person when I test. Maybe it's because I'm lucky to have a very complacent cat. I don't heat the ear, don't put anything on it, poke with a needle and not a lancet (the vet just gives me a pile of small needles). I gently take Quintus's head and ear (when he's lying down, which he often is), poke, and indeed, to prevent the head shake, continue holding his head and ear base while my thumb rubs his chin (my other fingers kind of rub too, like "no no I'm not holding your head, look, I'm giving you a nice scratchie!"). Then I wipe off the blood drop with a tissue when I'm done. I didn't do that at the beginning and he ended up with crusty ear tips!
Speed is important, and that can only come with practice (if you need, you could imagine practicing "make-believe": set your things out, including the cat, and do everything but don't really poke, don't really put the strip in the meter, just "pretend". It will make you go through the routine more smoothly).

Teenuh said:
I have a wonderful lady who house sits for me . . . well takes care of Gracie when I leave and IF she is available. Her cat also has diabetes, kidney disease and other stuff. She introduced me to the FB group and the FDMB. Anyway, I was able to get her to come over this morning to remove any food Gracie had out 2 hours prior to me getting home.
Click to expand...

That is great!
 
I'm just venting this morning.
Gracie was such a brat. Didn't want to be tested. Even with extra loves and chin rubs.
It was like she knew I had to leave for work. After I said forget it...she literally jumped off the counter to go lay down. When I was grabbing my bag she had her had her front legs crossed kind of like . . . who is the boss kind of thing.
 
Alright. NS and test this AM. I just tested. She’s at 110(human meter).

I’m really hoping I can do another test in two hours.
Crossing my fingers I don’t get called back in.
 
Laptop is updating, as soon as it’s finished I’m going to update. :cat:

She was 166 last night.

OK. technically not the same number but in the hundreds. I guess I just expected to see more fluctuation.
 
She's looking really good! 110 today without a shot this morning...that's a really good number!
 
Teenuh said:
Laptop is updating, as soon as it’s finished I’m going to update. :cat:

She was 166 last night.

OK. technically not the same number but in the hundreds. I guess I just expected to see more fluctuation.
Click to expand...

Ah, okay....I thought I was missing a number somewhere. It's pretty exciting seeing her come down so fast. Do you feed her treats? If so, what are you using for treats these days?
 
Djamila said:
Keep an eye out for floaties in the bottle. If you see white clumps floating around it's gone bad. As long as it's uniform it's still fine. And don't shake it - not even gently. Just roll it until the clear and cloudy are mixed together. And store it in the middle of the fridge, not in the door where it bounces around more.

And I agree about not spending the day poking her. But do spend the day putting her in the testing place, rubbing her ears/scratching her head/telling her how pretty she is, etc. and give her a treat. Do it like every hour or two. The more you do it, the better it will go when you do need to test her again. (hint hint - tonight ;))
Click to expand...
Whew! What a relief. I dropped the bottle once, too. That was several weeks ago, so I think it's still working.
 
Djamila said:
Ah, okay....I thought I was missing a number somewhere. It's pretty exciting seeing her come down so fast. Do you feed her treats? If so, what are you using for treats these days?
Click to expand...

It is. I keep thinking something is wrong, as they were (well a few tests were in the 400's and 300's). So, I'm thinking the numbers have to be wrong. A little paranoid I guess.

No treats right now. I only fed her, as she didn't appear to each much of what I left over this morning. It's been the same flavor for a few days and I figured she was over it. So, I just changed flavors of the FF pate.
 
If you caught the diabetes early, cats can sometimes heal super quickly. It's too early to know what exactly Gracie has in mind, but she sure had a good cycle today!
 
That would be amazing. My guess is that with diabetes is that there are good BS days and bad days.

The real test will be this next week when I'm home less and busier. :nailbiting:

On Wednesday I'll be home enough that I can do 6-7 hours worth of testing. If you suggest the testing times (+1,+2, +4 . . . ) then I can add reminders in my phone.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top