Glucose levels over 500

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Nada

Member Since 2018
My cat, Farafiro was diagnosed with diabetes about a month ago and started with a 2 unit lantus. Don't know his exact age bu he's older than 7. His BGLs were very random and could be anywhere from 150 to over 500. I just got a home monitoring device recently, and his levels are alwayes high, so we increased his dose to 3 units twice daily 2 days ago but still he never gets below 340. Most of the time he's even over 600. He's Constantly dehydrated and keeps losing weight.
I don't know if I'm not giving him his shot correctly. I usually shoot it in his scruff and watched many videos. I wait about 30 seconds before removing the pen but I see about four drops coming out after removing it, is that normal? Could anything be wrong with the pen? I inject it right after getting it out of the fridge.
 
Welcome to the Lantus & Lev group.

It sounds like you're using the actual pen with a needle tip. If that's the case, most of us use a syringe, rather than the pen itself. (You draw the insulin out of the pen just like it was a bottle of insulin. There's a rubber stopper at the top of the pen and a syringe works very well.) The reason for using a syringe is that the pen only dispenses in one full unit amounts. Once you have a chance to read the sticky notes at the top of the board, you'll see the we generally change doses in 0.25u amounts. The pens were developed for human use and humans need much larger doses than our cats. It's very easy to miss what would be a good dose for your cat if you are increasing the dose in 1.0u increments. Unfortunately, too much insulin can end up looking like too little insulin.

Since you've just started home monitoring, you will want to set up a spreadsheet. This will allow you to track Farafiro's progress and will allow us to give you a hand when you have questions. (We tend to be very data driving so we like to see your kitty's BG numbers, too.) The instructions for setting up a spreadsheet and attaching it to your signature are in this link.

One other possibility is that Farafiro is "bouncing." His numbers may have dropped into a lower range than he's used to which would cause his system to overreact and "bounce" back up into high numbers. You can't really know if this is the case unless you're testing.

What are you feeding your cat? If you've not already seen information on Lisa Pierson, DVM's site on feline nutrition, she discusses the importance of a low carbohydrate diet, especially for diabetic cats. We can help you to figure out food issues if you've not already transitioned your cat to a low carb, canned food diet.

If you're comfortable letting us know what city/state your in, there may be a member in your vicinity. They could help with showing you how to shoot. Also, didn't your vet show you? FWIW, I never kept the syringe in place after giving an injection. It shouldn't make a difference unless the needle tip on your pen is a wider gauge.

I would encourage you to look over the sticky notes. There's a huge volume of information there -- well, an overwhelming amount of information -- but it will help you to become familiar with how to best manage your cat's diabetes.

Please ask questions. The people here are very generous with their time and information. We're here to help.
 
Thank you so much for the information. The vet did show me how to shoot him and I did it in front of him. But nothing comes out after removing the pen, I'm wondering if it's because the pen has had the time to worm up a bit. It would be better to get a special syringe but the only one I know is the 100 unit syringe. Can you post a picture please and can I find it at the pharmacy? I'm going to read all the info I can and fill the spreadsheet.
Farafiron is also anemic and I'm feeding him meat, liver and chicken.

I live in Egypt so I don't think I'd find anyone near by
 

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Nada said:
My cat, Farafiro was diagnosed with diabetes about a month ago and started with a 2 unit lantus. Don't know his exact age bu he's older than 7. His BGLs were very random and could be anywhere from 150 to over 500. I just got a home monitoring device recently, and his levels are alwayes high, so we increased his dose to 3 units twice daily 2 days ago but still he never gets below 340. Most of the time he's even over 600. He's Constantly dehydrated and keeps losing weight.
I don't know if I'm not giving him his shot correctly. I usually shoot it in his scruff and watched many videos. I wait about 30 seconds before removing the pen but I see about four drops coming out after removing it, is that normal? Could anything be wrong with the pen? I inject it right after getting it out of the fridge.
Click to expand...

Given the hunger, the high numbers, and the continuing increase in insulin needs, I'm thinking this might be a high dose cat, so I'm tagging @Wendy&Neko .
Welcome.
 
Hello and welcome Nada. Have you asked at the pharmacy for insulin syringes that are used for children? They are usually smaller, 30 unit syringes. BD Microfine are one such brand. If you can't find them there, you might be able to order on line or get them imported. In Canada I used the BD Ultrafine II 3/10cc syringes. In the Sticky Note here on the Tight Regulation Protocol, there is a document attached called Management of Diabetic Cats. Inside it are pictures of the syringes.

Too early yet to say if your kitty has a high dose condition. Unregulated cats will be very hungry.
 
I think the problem was with the pen. All I could find in the pharmacy was the 50 unit syringe. I just gave him his 3 unit dose using that syringe and his levels droped from higher than the meter could read to 514 after an hour and a half. I'm optimistic and hoping that by morning I'll be able to get back to the 2 unit dose since the problem was obviously with the pen.

THANK YOU for the help, I was worried sick about him not getting better.
 
This is what a U100 insulin syringe looks like:
MW253-Terumo-U100-insulin-syringe-and-needle-1ml-27g-x-13mm__39989_std.jpg


If you Google U100 insulin syringe you'll be able to see bigger pictures. You want to see if you can find syringes that are marked in half unit increments. Not all of the syringes that we list in the sticky note on syringes are available internationally.
 
I was finally able to find the syringe and went back to the 2 unit dose and his levels went back under control. It gets to 170 in +6 and up to 400 in +11, give or take..

It's okay to get that high right?

Thank you guys so much ❤ I would have never thought to use a syringe on my own. Even the vet didn't know about it when I asked. I have no idea why the pen doesn't work with me.
 
Ideally you'd want him to not go back that high afterwards, with Lantus we can aim for rather "flat" curves. But it's possible that 400 is a bounce from the lower number.

If you have a moment you might want to set up a spreadsheet to write down your BG measurements in. The spreadsheet is designed so it can be shared with everyone and included in your signature. This will help people on the board help you. There is also a tab in the spreadsheet for lab results. Instructions: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/fdmb-spreadsheet-instructions.130337/ -- send me a private message (click on my name and choose "start conversation") if you need help with that.
 
Stephanie & Quintus said:
Ideally you'd want him to not go back that high afterwards, with Lantus we can aim for rather "flat" curves. But it's possible that 400 is a bounce from the lower number.

If you have a moment you might want to set up a spreadsheet to write down your BG measurements in. The spreadsheet is designed so it can be shared with everyone and included in your signature. This will help people on the board help you. There is also a tab in the spreadsheet for lab results. Instructions: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/fdmb-spreadsheet-instructions.130337/ -- send me a private message (click on my name and choose "start conversation") if you need help with that.
Click to expand...
I started the spreadsheet yesterday and am going to share it as well. Thank you ^^
 
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