Sugar Pie AMPS 88

Status
Not open for further replies.

SugarpieZ

Member Since 2018
I desperately need help dosing my cat Sugar Pie. I just checked Pie's sugar at 10 a.m., and the read was 88. I fed her shortly after and now I'm going to check her sugar again. **Update: read at 11a.m. was 118** I have her following the TR Protocol. I'm wanting to know how do you determine whether or not when to give an insulin with a low number? Also my cat only weighs 5.3lbs so she's a tiny little furball....Any help with this is greatly appreciated.

Thank you!
 
Last edited:
Bumping up here. Sugar Pie is my patient, so I'm asking for help as well. :)
@Wendy&Neko, @Bobbie And Bubba, @Marje and Gracie - Can you help us out? Sugar Pie is having some nicer low numbers since starting the low carb FF, but still goes high enough that it looks like she needs insulin. However, she went hypo on her first dose of 0.5 units on 3/24. I am just making sure we are extra cautious with her.
 
I see you're shooting a small amount of insulin .25 - I see you're very new here and there isn't much history on the spreadsheet - I'm going to let the more experienced members chime in here. If it were me, I might not shoot. What is your normal shoot time? Being that it's 10am I'd say this is well past your shoot time so if this were ME, I would skip and check again at the PMPS and see where you are at.
Let's see what the group says...
 
Since FD is a recent diagnosis and there is not a lot of experience online right now, I would skip.

It looks like Sugar Pie might require micro-dosing (0.1). I'll let people with more experience with micro-dosing weigh in on this one.

The +1 118 is food influenced. Next time, if your schedule allows, do not feed. Wait 30 minutes, then test again to see if the cat is on its way up or continuing downwards. This is part of the decision-making process of shoot/don't shoot.
 
Yes her initial shot of Lantus(0.5) was on Saturday 3/24 and her numbers significantly dropped. So my vet wanted me to just continue checking her numbers but to not give her anymore insulin. Then we were going to start Pie on (0.25) on Tuesday 3/27 but her AMPS was only 159 so we decided to hold off on the insulin. Therefore there isn't a solid shoot time for her yet. Once again her number is low so I am not going to give her a morning shot.
Thanks for your input.
 
Could you put NS (no shot) or skip in the units cells of the SS for those days you did not shoot. That way we know you didn't just forget to fill them in. Sounds like she has only had two shots of insulin?

Were there any tests between that 259 yesterday and this morning's 88?
 
I desperately need help dosing my cat Sugar Pie. I just checked Pie's sugar at 10 a.m., and the read was 88.
Good morning,
could please update your SS with this info - it could be me but the SS is blank for 03/29.

It would be very informative if yo try taking in a few nightly cycle tests in - at the moment as 03/28 we are looking at a half picture taken. Makes hard to read the curve/ insulin needs accurately.

Does SP eats only wet LC now? No dry/ HC food in the picture?

ETA: do you use human or a pet specific glucometer?
 
Thank you Red&Rover for the possibility that I may need to do micro- dosing. Yes I agree and I will test Pie again soon. Exactly that's where my confusion lies: when or when not to dose.
 
Could you put NS (no shot) or skip in the units cells of the SS for those days you did not shoot. That way we know you didn't just forget to fill them in. Sounds like she has only had two shots of insulin?

Were there any tests between that 259 yesterday and this morning's 88?

I will be updating the spreadsheet soon and I will add the NS- thanks for letting me know. Correct well the AMPS I noted as a possible "fur shot". Yes there 2 more tests done last night and I will add those soon.
 
I used to note FS (fur shot) or PFS (partial fur shot) in the units cell too, to see at a glance that the dose might be off. Did you test before the shot last night? Still waiting on the SS updates. It is very important to test before every shot so you know it's safe t do so.

If you can monitor tonight, I think trying 0.1 units is a good idea. People following TR, who have experience and data to do so, will shoot an 88. But this is too early for you and Sugar Pie. Better to start at a little lower dose and gather data first.
 
I see you are using the SS for human meters but, like @Tanya and Ducia, I’d like to confirm that you are as I have run across members using the wrong SS for the meter. If you have a second, please, could you also add to your signature line the meter you are using?

Without any tests last night, we don’t know if she’s headed up at AMBG or still coming down.

Did you have any trouble testing yesterday as her numbers look particularly wonky to me. That +2 looks really out of place. She didn’t start a bounce, and that would be an abnormally high food spike unless you fed a bunch of dry food or gave her a ton of syrup :);).

I’d actually like to see how she does during the day before recommending you drop the dose to 0.1u. The caveat to that is if you aren’t going to test any at night, I would unequivocally drop the dose to 0.1u.
 
Good morning,
could please update your SS with this info - it could be me but the SS is blank for 03/29.

It would be very informative if yo try taking in a few nightly cycle tests in - at the moment as 03/28 we are looking at a half picture taken. Makes hard to read the curve/ insulin needs accurately.

Does SP eats only wet LC now? No dry/ HC food in the picture?

ETA: do you use human or a pet specific glucometer?
Yes I just updated the information. Yes Pie is now eating canned Fancy Feast Classics. I use the human glucometer Relion Micro, that my vet suggested I use.
 
I used to note FS (fur shot) or PFS (partial fur shot) in the units cell too, to see at a glance that the dose might be off. Did you test before the shot last night? Still waiting on the SS updates. It is very important to test before every shot so you know it's safe t do so.

If you can monitor tonight, I think trying 0.1 units is a good idea. People following TR, who have experience and data to do so, will shoot an 88. But this is too early for you and Sugar Pie. Better to start at a little lower dose and gather data first.

Okay I modified that in the spreadsheet. Yes I did-I just updated the information for last night. Yes my vet Dr. T has told me that as well.
Wow, 0.1 is such a tiny amount and seems impossible to draw from a syringe. For that minute amount, isn't there any tablet/pill to give a pet?
I understand collecting data is imperative.
 
Hey Sugar Pie and welcome to L & L . It is incredible how a lower carb diet can change things around quickly. As others have said, more night time testing is going to be really important to keep her safe. The more data you can get the better for you to see what her pattern and trends will be.

Yesterday's AM cycle does look a bit wonky . :confused: Whenever you get an out of place number, much higher or a lot lower, it's a good idea to get another test as sometimes test strips are bad.

She is a cutie pie!
 
Yes I just updated the information. Yes Pie is now eating canned Fancy Feast Classics. I use the human glucometer Relion Micro, that my vet suggested I use.
Thanks! What a lovely numbers today!
Are you able to take the +3 or +4?
It looks like she might go lower by that time.
FF Classic is good choice - and budget friendly, too.
 
Here is what 0.1 looks like. I practice with water.

upload_2018-3-29_13-23-12.png
 
I see you are using the SS for human meters but, like @Tanya and Ducia, I’d like to confirm that you are as I have run across members using the wrong SS for the meter. If you have a second, please, could you also add to your signature line the meter you are using?

Without any tests last night, we don’t know if she’s headed up at AMBG or still coming down.

Did you have any trouble testing yesterday as her numbers look particularly wonky to me. That +2 looks really out of place. She didn’t start a bounce, and that would be an abnormally high food spike unless you fed a bunch of dry food or gave her a ton of syrup :);).

I’d actually like to see how she does during the day before recommending you drop the dose to 0.1u. The caveat to that is if you aren’t going to test any at night, I would unequivocally drop the dose to 0.1u.
I see you are using the SS for human meters but, like @Tanya and Ducia, I’d like to confirm that you are as I have run across members using the wrong SS for the meter. If you have a second, please, could you also add to your signature line the meter you are using?

Without any tests last night, we don’t know if she’s headed up at AMBG or still coming down.

Did you have any trouble testing yesterday as her numbers look particularly wonky to me. That +2 looks really out of place. She didn’t start a bounce, and that would be an abnormally high food spike unless you fed a bunch of dry food or gave her a ton of syrup :);).

I’d actually like to see how she does during the day before recommending you drop the dose to 0.1u. The caveat to that is if you aren’t going to test any at night, I would unequivocally drop the dose to 0.1u.

Alright I just updated last nights information and edited the signature. I thought so too and that is why I tested her at 1:30p.m. I should also note that Sugar Pie only eats a quarter of the wet canned food when she eats. She does not devour her food but mostly just grazes her food throughout the day and night.
 
Hey Sugar Pie and welcome to L & L . It is incredible how a lower carb diet can change things around quickly. As others have said, more night time testing is going to be really important to keep her safe. The more data you can get the better for you to see what her pattern and trends will be.

Yesterday's AM cycle does look a bit wonky . :confused: Whenever you get an out of place number, much higher or a lot lower, it's a good idea to get another test as sometimes test strips are bad.

She is a cutie pie!

Aww Thank You and your cat is adorable as well! I know an impressive change that happened so quickly from changing her to wet canned food. Yes I understand the night testing is crucial. Exactly especially since Pie is usually nibbling on her food during the night. So, at times I don't know if I should take it away at night or not? I fell bad because the one time she looked at me she looked as if she was being punished and it broke my heart....Okay Thanks for the info I will remember that now.
 
Thanks! What a lovely numbers today!
Are you able to take the +3 or +4?
It looks like she might go lower by that time.
FF Classic is good choice - and budget friendly, too.
Welcome and Thank you for the info. Yes I thought so too. I will be testing her again in about an hour or so-I tested her right before I left.
Yes my vet Dr. T had given me information for this website and for me to go onto the Janet & Binky's food chart and suggested FF Classic. So that was extremely helpful because Pie is a finicky eater-yes thank goodness.
 
my vet Dr. T had given me information for this website and for me to go onto the Janet & Binky's food chart and suggested FF Classic
I openly admit that I envy you for having such an open-minded vet! Sincerely. Mine called the Forum "Dr. Google" and uses that name in utmost condescending tone of voice imaginable.:rolleyes:

Attached below is another good food chart compiled by Dr. Pierson - from 2017. There are other foods LC/ low Phosphorous in there - in case Miss SP changes her mind on FF.
 

Attachments

So, at times I don't know if I should take it away at night or not? I fell bad because the one time she looked at me she looked as if she was being punished and it broke my heart...
She owns you alright!:D She will not starve to death over night. It took about two weeks and my cats figured out the new feeding schedule. Diamond, my sugar kitty has no issues gobbling up his food but, the others would sometimes. Everybody seems to eat better now that they have more of a schedule.
Cat thirty (5:30 am & pm) brkfst & supper
Lunch at +6 ish am
Snack between +5 & 6 pm
Diamond has neuropathy and cannot get on the table so I do leave the food out for the others. I have a skinny senior who needs a few pounds.
Others use an auto feeder. You could try that at night. I looked at one on Amazon yesterday. I believe there are 5 rotating compartment. You could time it to move to an empty bowl at least 2 hours before shot time. Then you know she has an empty stomach. If you hold off food longer, she may eat more at shot time as well.
 
I openly admit that I envy you for having such an open-minded vet! Sincerely. Mine called the Forum "Dr. Google" and uses that name in utmost condescending tone of voice imaginable.:rolleyes:

Attached below is another good food chart compiled by Dr. Pierson - from 2017. There are other foods LC/ low Phosphorous in there - in case Miss SP changes her mind on FF.
Yes I truly feel Blessed to have my vet :)-and I should add my very new vet! Dr. T is Phenomenal and has been diligently guiding me through these untreated waters .
Okay great I will check that food chart out for Pie...ahhh yes that is why I am crossing my fingers because so far so good with the food!
 
You could try that at night. I looked at one on Amazon yesterday. I believe there are 5 rotating compartment. You could time it to move to an empty bowl at least 2 hours before shot time
That is what several do whose cats graze.
Diamond has neuropathy and cannot get on the table
Are you giving Diamond Zobaline ( B-12)

Sorry Sugar Pie for high jacking your thread. :oops:
 
Last edited:
@SugarpieZ - not sure what your name is, but would it be possible to take a test maybe an hour or two before your regular shot time and post it here? That might help us decide what to do for dose tonight.
I apologize my name is Angela. I usually do test Pie every 2-3 hours and especially before I give her a shot. However, because her numbers have been so low, Dr. T has me holding off on the insulin. So I do not have a regular shot time..
I came back home at 3:30p.m. and tested her it was: 114. Also I had noticed that while I was gone she ate the rest of her food from earlier today.
 
Hi and welcome.....you can also try FF Pate food, it has the lowest carbs and most of us here use it. I also might suggest giving her 1/8 can, or a tsp for between feeding times. My Guys graze too, and I know when I’m testing so if they want for,they get a tsp and then are content for a couple hrs. I do the same during the evening after dinner,then remove the food in time for testign 2hrs later. At night, they get a snack....and as mentioned they won’t starve but will try to get a way with their schedule, not yours.
You’re in great hands with the suggestions in dosing so I won’t add anything.
 
She owns you alright!:D She will not starve to death over night. It took about two weeks and my cats figured out the new feeding schedule. Diamond, my sugar kitty has no issues gobbling up his food but, the others would sometimes. Everybody seems to eat better now that they have more of a schedule.
Cat thirty (5:30 am & pm) brkfst & supper
Lunch at +6 ish am
Snack between +5 & 6 pm
Diamond has neuropathy and cannot get on the table so I do leave the food out for the others. I have a skinny senior who needs a few pounds.
Others use an auto feeder. You could try that at night. I looked at one on Amazon yesterday. I believe there are 5 rotating compartment. You could time it to move to an empty bowl at least 2 hours before shot time. Then you know she has an empty stomach. If you hold off food longer, she may eat more at shot time as well.
Thank you for the information. Yes Sugar Pie does own me :smuggrin:. I know and I will probably start putting up her dish at night. My cat is usually a night owl and her eating habits vary, so this is all quite challenging for the both of us. Yet she really doesn't devour her food she just nibbles at it and then will walk away to her water fountain. Then she might go back to the food but not always. I've tried that as well holding off the food until test/shot time and she eats about the same amount.
 
Hi and welcome.....you can also try FF Pate food, it has the lowest carbs and most of us here use it. I also might suggest giving her 1/8 can, or a tsp for between feeding times. My Guys graze too, and I know when I’m testing so if they want for,they get a tsp and then are content for a couple hrs. I do the same during the evening after dinner,then remove the food in time for testign 2hrs later. At night, they get a snack....and as mentioned they won’t starve but will try to get a way with their schedule, not yours.
You’re in great hands with the suggestions in dosing so I won’t add anything.
Hello and Thank you! I have fed Pie some of those as well. I try to incorporate the seafood flavors because they have the highest protein and low carb. However, sometimes Pie gets picky so I try to switch up the flavors. She usually only eats about an 1/8th of a can...I guess it just depends on the flavor. What types of snacks do you give?
 
Wow, 0.1 is such a tiny amount and seems impossible to draw from a syringe. For that minute amount, isn't there any tablet/pill to give a pet? .
Unfortunately, there isn’t. At one time, pills, like glipizide, were tried for FD and the long term effects were that the beta cells could not regenerate.

Do your best to estimate from the figure but what is most important is consistency on your end from shot to shot at a specific dose and not that it looks exactly like the picture.

Thank you for the +17 (which is correctly recorded in the a.m. +5 column for today) test. We speak in hours since the last shot (because we are in different time zones) so, as Wendy suggested, a +22 test (which would be ten hours from the 88 this morning) would be super helpful.

And if we need to test, then we test first and then feed if food is needed.

A little bit of housekeeping, too, if you don’t mind :). When we don’t shoot, we show it in the subject line as AMBG if it’s in the morning or PMBG for the evening. If you have AMPS or PMPS, that indicates you shot as the BG would be the preshot number. If you don’t shoot, the AM or PM BG (blood glucose) lets us know quickly that you skipped. Isn’t all this learning fun :woot::woot::woot: :p

Thanks, too, for editing the signature to include the meter. :smuggrin:
 
Last edited:
Thank you for the +17 (which is correctly recorded in the a.m. +5 column for today) test. We speak in hours since the last shot (because we are in different time zones) so, as Wendy suggested, a +22 test (which would be ten hours from the 88 this morning) would be super helpful.

A little bit of housekeeping, too, if you don’t mind :). When we don’t shoot, we show it in the subject line as AMBG if it’s in the morning or PMBG for the evening. If you have AMPS or PMPS, that indicates you shot as the BG would be the preshot number. If you don’t shoot, the AM or PM blood glucose let’s us know quickly that you skipped. Isn’t all this learning fun :woot::woot::woot: :p

Thanks, too, for editing the signature to include the meter. :smuggrin:
You are welcome. Uhh yess I'm starting to understand the + designated for hours and Dr. T also explained that to me.

I tried to go back into the thread and edit the subject line but I couldn't figure out how. Otherwise I would have changed
the subject to what you just explained to me.

Alright I was going to test her at 6:30 p.m., because the last time I texted her was at 3:30 p.m. So should I still test her at 6:30p.m. or just wait and tester at 8 p.m. (the 10 hour mark)?

Omgggg..there is just so much to learn about FD and I'm so grateful for this board!!! :cat:
 
Hi there. If you don't mind, I've been looking at Sugarpie's spreadsheet and have a few questions.
  • Has Sugarpie ever thrown ketones?
  • Was a fructosamine done at diagnosis or was she diagnosed based on a single blood test?
  • Was her food changed to a low carb diet since diagnosis?
 
Hi there. If you don't mind, I've been looking at Sugarpie's spreadsheet and have a few questions.
  • Has Sugarpie ever thrown ketones?
  • Was a fructosamine done at diagnosis or was she diagnosed on the basis of a single blood test?
  • Was her food changed to a low carb diet since diagnosis?
Hello there! No I don't mind at all-Thank you for inquiries.

Unfortunately I don't know about the ketones.

I also do not know if a fructosamine was done at diagnosis, I just know that there was a blood test done.

Yes when I called the vet to get Pie's results, Dr. T informed me that Sugar Pie was diagnosed with diabetes. The first thing I needed to do was to switch her to a low carb high protein diet. I did this immediately after I our conversation.
 
If nothing was said about ketones, chances are it wasn't a problem.
Thanks for your responses! Every bit of information helps to fill in the puzzle.
 
If nothing was said about ketones, chances are it wasn't a problem.
Thanks for your responses! Every bit of information helps to fill in the puzzle.
Yeah I don't think so, but I was in total shock when Dr. T have me the news....

Thank you for your help :). Yes that's a great way to describe all of this- a puzzle.
 
Hello and Thank you! I have fed Pie some of those as well. I try to incorporate the seafood flavors because they have the highest protein and low carb. However, sometimes Pie gets picky so I try to switch up the flavors. She usually only eats about an 1/8th of a can...I guess it just depends on the flavor. What types of snacks do you give?

I’m not sure where you are located but in USA you can get Pure Bites 100% freeze dried chicken, 1ingredient only and no carbs, lots of protein. They sell at Pet Smart and buy the dog ones as they are half the price and you just need to cut up the bigger pieces for Pie.....same as cat product just cheaper. The other one I buy here in Canada is Crump Naturals, same 100% freeze dried chicken but less expensive and my Guys like them better. They go nuts for these and very healthy. Stay away from the sugar and gravy coated Temptations or any other cat treat loaded with carbs.
 
You are welcome. Uhh yess I'm starting to understand the + designated for hours and Dr. T also explained that to me.

I tried to go back into the thread and edit the subject line but I couldn't figure out how. Otherwise I would have changed
the subject to what you just explained to me.

Alright I was going to test her at 6:30 p.m., because the last time I texted her was at 3:30 p.m. So should I still test her at 6:30p.m. or just wait and tester at 8 p.m. (the 10 hour mark)?

Omgggg..there is just so much to learn about FD and I'm so grateful for this board!!! :cat:

Okay I just tested Pie at 8:00p.m. and the read was 139. Also I wanted to mention that I fed her dinner at 5:30p.m.
 
Unfortunately, there isn’t. At one time, pills, like glipizide, were tried for FD and the long term effects were that the beta cells could not regenerate.

Do your best to estimate from the figure but what is most important is consistency on your end from shot to shot at a specific dose and not that it looks exactly like the picture.

Thank you for the +17 (which is correctly recorded in the a.m. +5 column for today) test. We speak in hours since the last shot (because we are in different time zones) so, as Wendy suggested, a +22 test (which would be ten hours from the 88 this morning) would be super helpful.

And if we need to test, then we test first and then feed if food is needed.

A little bit of housekeeping, too, if you don’t mind :). When we don’t shoot, we show it in the subject line as AMBG if it’s in the morning or PMBG for the evening. If you have AMPS or PMPS, that indicates you shot as the BG would be the preshot number. If you don’t shoot, the AM or PM BG (blood glucose) lets us know quickly that you skipped. Isn’t all this learning fun :woot::woot::woot: :p

Thanks, too, for editing the signature to include the meter. :smuggrin:
Okay I just tested Pie at 8:00p.m. and the read was 139. Also I wanted to mentionthat I fed her dinner at 5:30p.m.

Should I give her insulin and if so what time? She didn't get any insulin this morning so I don't have a regular shot time...
 
Last edited:
I’m not sure where you are located but in USA you can get Pure Bites 100% freeze dried chicken, 1ingredient only and no carbs, lots of protein. They sell at Pet Smart and buy the dog ones as they are half the price and you just need to cut up the bigger pieces for Pie.....same as cat product just cheaper. The other one I buy here in Canada is Crump Naturals, same 100% freeze dried chicken but less expensive and my Guys like them better. They go nuts for these and very healthy. Stay away from the sugar and gravy coated Temptations or any other cat treat loaded with carbs.
Alright perfect I will have to go to Petsmart and buy her some of those treats! Thanks for the tidbit about buying the dog treats because half the price ;). Hopefully Sugar Pie will go nuts for them too!
 
They also come in liver, but my guys don’t like them and not sure being an “organ” meat if there are any carbs, but there is cholesterol. Don’t worry, they will learn where they are kept and walk right to the drawer each time.
 
Might i ask what's your plan for tonight with the dose?
Honestly I don't have a plan...I would greatly appreciate any advice on this since I did not give her any insulin this morning. Therefore I do not have a regular shot time and I have no idea where to go from here.
 
They also come in liver, but my guys don’t like them and not sure being an “organ” meat if there are any carbs, but there is cholesterol. Don’t worry, they will learn where they are kept and walk right to the drawer each time.
Hmmm... I'm sure I will probably stick to the other flavors because they sound like the better choice.
 
Okay I just tested Pie at 8:00p.m. and the read was 139. Also I wanted to mentionthat I fed her dinner at 5:30p.m.

Should I give her insulin and if so what time? She didn't get any insulin this morning so I don't have a regular shot time...
What would you like your regular shot time to be going forward? While you decide, I’ll look at her SS and be right back.
 
What would you like your regular shot time to be going forward? While you decide, I’ll look at her SS and be right back.
Going forward I would like to eventually have her regular shot time at 7a.m. However almost everytime I go to test her the read is somewhat low and Dr.T advises me to hold off on the insulin....

Okay great Thanks for taking the time to look at her SS :)
 
We can work her shot time back to 7 a.m. from now which is 8:30 p.m.

My suggestion is to shoot 0.1u as long as you will be there to test, you have all the supplies (plenty of strips, HC food or honey/karo) and you are able to test for as long as she might need it tonight.

We would start with a +1 and a +2. I’ll be around to watch and walk you through. Usually, we teach you to shoot lower gradually and members with data will shoot every number above 50 with a full dose provided they have supplies and can test. But....we don’t expect you to jump into doing that quickly. Keep in mind that the way lantus works when the kitty is at a good dose is it allows numbers to stay fairly flat. We have to see if this dose will work for her. She might drop a little tonight, though.

ETA: Hold off just a second on the shot, OK? I’m discussing something with another member. I’ll BRB.
 
We can work her shot time back to 7 a.m. from now which is 8:30 p.m.

My suggestion is to shoot 0.1u as long as you will be there to test, you have all the supplies (plenty of strips, HC food or honey/karo) and you are able to test for as long as she might need it tonight.

We would start with a +1 and a +2. I’ll be around to watch and walk you through. Usually, we teach you to shoot lower gradually and members with data will shoot every number above 50 with a full dose provided they have supplies and can test. But....we don’t expect you to jump into doing that quickly. Keep in mind that the way lantus works when the kitty is at a good dose is it allows numbers to stay fairly flat. We have to see if this dose will work for her. She might drop a little tonight, though.

ETA: Hold off just a second on the shot, OK? I’m discussing something with another member. I’ll BRB.
That is my dilemma because I'm not going to be back here until late tonight. I would rather wait and if doable give her her shot at either 8 or 9a.m. tomorrow morning.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top