? Dosing Advice Needed

bxkitty

bxkitty

Member Since 2018
Hi Everyone,
I need help figuring out 'acceptable' GB levels for my cat. I mislabled my previous post and trying to make sure it doesn't get lost in the shuffle.

Here it also is for easier access:

bxkitty said:
Hi everyone!
I'm sure there's a few different time zones on here (I'm EST myself), so I'll understand if it takes some time for someone to see this and give advice :)

I finally managed to try a glucose curve tonight. I only started trying to test a few short days ago. Sophia's numbers were in the double digits (nothing crazy low according to my AlphaTrak manual). On my way home from work, I called the vet's office to give them her numbers and ask about what they would mean for her insulin intake. The girl I spoke with was super nice and everything, but she made me realize there was stuff I didn't know because I had never asked or never even thought to ask. What I mean is, shouldn't the doctor assume (or try and remember) that you may still be new to diabetic cat life, despite all the research you can do yourself online, and tell you everything you should know before you suddenly realize you need info on another thing?

Anyways, here's my main question to ask:
My vet's office said that if Sophia's levels are >150, I should give her the insulin, 100-150 is the 'okay' range, and <100, do NOT give insulin.
Those of you who have used AlphaTrak for monitoring, would you say these numbers given to me are true or are the numbers in the AlphaTrak monitor (<65 = too low; >250 = too high) a better number guide to follow? (I tried looking up levels online and got different acceptable GB level ranges a lot of the time).

Here's Sophia's readings from tonight:
x4nhuc.png


P.s. I was never asked or told them which glucometer I was using. Idk if they made an assumption on their endor if these were overall general numbers to go by.
Click to expand...
 
Using an Alpha Trak meter, that 65 yesterday would mean she needs a reduction in dose. Do you have the syringes with 1/2 unit marks?
 
What's "safe" depends on a few factors. First, you need to have sufficient data to have a handle on how your kitty responds to insulin. Based on the information on your spreadsheet, you haven't had a chance to collect all that much data yet.

Second, how low you shoot once you have the data, depends on which approach to dosing you're using. With Tight Regulation (TR), you typically shoot lower numbers (e.g., I would shoot anything over 50 on a human meter). Start Low Go Slow (SLGS) uses a higher point although we often encourage people to shoot progressively lower once they are data ready.

The challenge with Sophia is that she's in great numbers already!

As Dyana noted, you will want to reduce Sophia's dose to 0.75u given that she dropped below 61 (65 is the point for a reduction using TR with an AlphaTrack meter).

Most vets get very nervous with our shooting low. This is likely the case because the majority of caregivers do not home test or are not confident with regard to steering lower numbers with food. In order to shoot low, you need a couple of essentials -- high carb food, extra strips, and the ability to be home to monitor your cat. (See the Shooting & Managing Low Numbers sticky.) However, as a cat's cycles flatten out, typically shooting low with Lantus, keeps the cycle flat. There are exceptions, though, so it's not safe to shoot a low number and leave your kitty unattended.
 
@Dyana I only have whole unit syringes :\ However, I'm choosing to try and watch her levels, especially before eating and judging then if I should give her a shot or not for that part of the day.

@Sienne and Gabby (GA) Woah. I'll have to read up more about the shooting techniques you mention. I tried glimpsing at it, and it's a lot of info to take in at once. Since I'm the only one managing Sophia's treatment, I make sure to not do too much if I know I'm not going to be home to really look after her. I also feel like her dosage may need to be adjusted based on the advice I've been given, but I don't have 1/2 unit syringes and wouldn't feel comfortable adjusting dosage without consulting my vet first.
 
imho, you need to get comfortable with adjusting dose.... Insulin needs do not stay constant. They can go up or down depending on several other factors. Remember, you are the one that is with her each day and know if she is eating properly and behaving normally. The vet just looks at numbers and there have been many examples where a vet sees a high number and raises the dose when it should not have happened.
 
@rhiannon and shadow (GA) You make good points. And yeah, I agree with you in terms of getting comfortable with adjusting the dose. It's just that the more info I get, the little bit more overwhelmed I feel and just need a bit of time to adjust, you know? And I appreciate your advice :)
 
There's no rush. Read and ask questions. We want you to understand why we're suggesting what we're suggesting so you do feel comfortable. The point that I started trusting the feedback here was when it was a Saturday evening and Gabby's numbers were dropping. I needed information fast and the response here was quicker than what I would have gotten anywhere else. If you feel like someone is "telling" you what to do and you don't understand why, ask for an explanation. No one will be offended. There are some very experienced people here and some who have much less experience. If you find that someone has a good grasp on your cat's situation, it's fine to tag the person or send a private message. We typically will respond to a private message in your thread so everyone has access to the information.

It will not be unusual if you find there's a discrepancy between what we say versus some of the information you hear from your vet. Vets get surprisingly little information about diabetes during their training and that information extends across species. It's also surprising at this point that many vets treat Lantus like previous generations of insulin. It's very different type of insulin from a pharmacological perspective.

 
I tried seeing about getting insulin syringes with 1/2 units on them, but I can't seem to find a pharmacy near by that has them...but I found this on Chewy and since I'm so green when it comes to medical stuff & supplies, does anyone know if this might work for me?

https://www.chewy.com/insulin-syringesneedles-u-100-29/dp/173572

So far I've been skipping Sophia's AM shot because of her numbers, but then have given it to her in the PM - again because of her numbers - and I'm thinking maybe she would do well with getting a .5unit instead of the 1unit dosage she's getting now? I mean, isn't it good to be consistent with dosing (AM & PM shots daily) that helps cats get closer to potentially reaching remission? (again; still trying to learn how all this stuff is supposed to work or hopefully pan out)
 
@Manu & Porto Yeah, I can't quite tell from the picture myself, so I figured I'd ask. But thank you for that link! If I really can't find any .5unit marked ones locally, being able to use what I have def helps. So thank you for the link! :)
 
bxkitty said:
I tried seeing about getting insulin syringes with 1/2 units on them, but I can't seem to find a pharmacy near by that has them...but I found this on Chewy and since I'm so green when it comes to medical stuff & supplies, does anyone know if this might work for me?
Click to expand...

They don't say they have half unit markings

All these syringes have half unit markings (very important when you're doing microdosing) and are the correct syringes for U100 insulin and are available from ADW online:
UtiCare
Monoject
Carepoint
Sure Comfort
B/D

They're also available at WalMart if you have one near you. Their Relion brand 3/10ml, 31 gauge, 6mm insulin syringes come with half unit markings and are only $12.58 for a box of 100 (although a lot of them don't realize they DO come with half unit markings!)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top