Hello I’m a Newbie!

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xefthimiax

xefthimiax

Member Since 2019
Hi everyone. I’m so glad I found you all. Today is day one with Ganon on insulin (Prozinc). A little over a week ago, I noticed him drinking and urinating almost twice as much as usual, some testing later, and here we are. All of his other numbers are great. Although he’s a big boy. 19 lbs.
I am not even sure his fist dose went into his skin this morning. Ridiculous. Haha. I’m a mess.
Anyway he used to nibbling dry food all day. His whole 12 year life. He loves wet food thankfully, so he’s taking to it without issue. I was overwhelmed at the vet and purchased a bag of Royal Canin dry food like a dope, but realized that it’s probably best for him to go on a wet food diet instead. So I have given him Nutrish and some Sheba pate.
I guess I’m just saying hi. And help. I also purchased a glucometer (Alphatrak2). I was in the middle of practicing taking his blood by his ear. I couldn’t go through it. Ugh.
Anyway, hi.
Effie
 
Hi Effie and Ganon. I'm also glad you have found the board so that you can learn more about feline diabetes and treatment. Right now, know that you are doing the best you can. Going forward you will find the information and support that you need here. I know you feel overwhelmed and like a mess right now, but that's going to change as you learn more and find answers to your questions.
To start with, create your signature so that Ganon's information is displayed when you post. Here's a link that explains how to make the signature and fill in profile information: SIGNATURE Be sure to let us know where in the world you are, as supplies and food can be different in other countries, or if in the U.S., even in different states.
I'm so glad you have already begun home testing, it's the best tool you have to keep Ganon safe and to track how the diet change and insulin are affecting him. We use a spreadsheet here to record that testing data and the insulin shots, this is linked to the signature and is extremely helpful to members to make recommendations, if needed. Here are the INSTRUCTIONS, and how to understand the GRID. If you have any problems with setting up the spreadsheet, holler, we have members who can help, or set it up for you.
The home testing is a learned process and not many of us were adept at first, so don't despair! My DH and I double teamed and it was like a Laurel and Hardy movie at first. Practice and patience. We can help you become more proficient.
Check out the FAQs forum HERE to start learning more now, and post in the Main Health forum so that more members can meet you and Ganon, and can help answer questions or concerns.
Best wishes going forward :cat:
 
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Hey there. So day one. Just wet food. Took his levels after 30 minutes of eating then 1 unit of Prozinc. He’s at 103. Seems low especially because it’s his first day? I’m paranoid that he’s going to go too low since Prozinc acts for several hours. Can someone please give me peace of mind?
 
Hi Effie, I hope you are still around.

I am a little concerned too but need more info. What time zone are you in and when did you give the shot?

And is this the order that you used:
- feed
- 30mins later, tested and got a 103
- right after you tested, you injected 1 unit prozinc

Please confirm and we'll go from there with immediate needs and then we need to back up to some basics. But first things first.
 
Sandi & Whisper said:
Hi Effie, I hope you are still around.

I am a little concerned too but need more info. What time zone are you in and when did you give the shot?

And is this the order that you used:
- feed
- 30mins later, tested and got a 103
- right after you tested, you injected 1 unit prozinc

Please confirm and we'll go from there with immediate needs and then we need to back up to some basics. But first things first.
Click to expand...

Hi there!
I am in Illinois(Central Time) I fed him at 7pm. Gave him 1 unit shortly after he ate. At 7:30 he tested 103.
Is normal range is 80-120?
 
Ok so I was wrong about when I took his test. It was 9:30. Not 7:30. Anyway he isn’t agreeing to another test right now. The first one took a lot for both of us. He seems totally normal though and playing with catnip toys.
 
Effie, I am tagging @Chris & China (GA), experienced member to help out with this question. Try, if you can, to get a test as soon as you can so that you can see if he's going too low. Do you have some Karo syrup, honey or some high carb gravy type food on hand in case you need to bring him up?
 
I'm not sure what to suggest without getting another test. To put things in perspective, there are a couple of things that you did that make me concerned for what could be happening right now.

First, we don't suggest giving insulin at all (when you are just starting out), if the value right before the shot, and without eating, is less than 200. You didn't test before eating (eating usually makes the number go up), and you didn't test right before the shot. You know that 2-2.5 hours after the shot he was 103. So backtracking, I could *guess* that Ganon was probably less than 200 at shot time and without food, but we can't know.

Second, Prozinc usually does not reach its maximum effectiveness (meaning lowest blood sugar) until somewhere between 4-7 hours after the shot. When exactly that occurs is different for each cat and can also vary from day to day. So we don't know when Ganon should hit his lowest point since he is so new. You are now about 2 hours after the 103, and more like 4 hours after the shot, so his blood sugar could be much lower than that 103 already, and for a couple of hours beyond now.

Do you have any "gravy lovers" wet food, karo syrup or maple syrup on hand? Do you have plenty of test strips? If you test anywhere less than 65 or if Ganon is acting "off" then you may need to intervene. I highly encourage you to try another test, and also have this link handy: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/how-to-treat-hypos-they-can-kill-print-this-out.15887/ Since you are using an Alphatrak meter, anywhere you see "50" for you it is really 65 because the Alphatrak reads higher than the human meters.

*** Only later, but probably before the morning shot, should you concentrate on these: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/...prozinc-pzi-insulin-for-diabetic-cats.164995/ and http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/protocol-for-prozinc-pzi.165103/ They will talk about how you should test/feed/shoot, in that order, and the levels at which you should or should not give insulin.
 
Sandi & Whisper said:
I'm not sure what to suggest without getting another test. To put things in perspective, there are a couple of things that you did that make me concerned for what could be happening right now.

First, we don't suggest giving insulin at all (when you are just starting out), if the value right before the shot, and without eating, is less than 200. You didn't test before eating (eating usually makes the number go up), and you didn't test right before the shot. You know that 2-2.5 hours after the shot he was 103. So backtracking, I could *guess* that Ganon was probably less than 200 at shot time and without food, but we can't know.

Second, Prozinc usually does not reach its maximum effectiveness (meaning lowest blood sugar) until somewhere between 4-7 hours after the shot. When exactly that occurs is different for each cat and can also vary from day to day. So we don't know when Ganon should hit his lowest point since he is so new. You are now about 2 hours after the 103, and more like 4 hours after the shot, so his blood sugar could be much lower than that 103 already, and for a couple of hours beyond now.

Do you have any "gravy lovers" wet food, karo syrup or maple syrup on hand? Do you have plenty of test strips? If you test anywhere less than 65 or if Ganon is acting "off" then you may need to intervene. I highly encourage you to try another test, and also have this link handy: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/how-to-treat-hypos-they-can-kill-print-this-out.15887/ Since you are using an Alphatrak meter, anywhere you see "50" for you it is really 65 because the Alphatrak reads higher than the human meters.

*** Only later, but probably before the morning shot, should you concentrate on these: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/...prozinc-pzi-insulin-for-diabetic-cats.164995/ and http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/protocol-for-prozinc-pzi.165103/ They will talk about how you should test/feed/shoot, in that order, and the levels at which you should or should not give insulin.
Click to expand...
Thank you Sandi, I didn't see you on and was a little worried. :bighug:
 
I just tested him and he was at 71. He’s getting some dry kibble mixed with Nutrish. So. No insulin tomorrow. The doc never told me to test. I tested because that’s what human do. Right? Ugh. I’m so sad.
 
Good job! Can you please mix like a 1/2 tsp of honey or something in with the Nutrish or another wet food? It will hit the bloodstream faster. Like I said, he could still drop for a little while.
 
The doc loaded me with all these meds and high carb food. Ganon basically free feeds. Now I’m changing his entire diet, when he eats and pumping him full of insulin. What the heck?!
 
Don't be sad or upset with yourself Effie. You are doing the exact right thing by testing, it's critical for his well being. Read the links that Sandi gave you, the information you need is here. The low carb food is going to lower his BG, and you now have the tools to safeguard Ganon.
 
For tonight, as I mentioned, we aren't out of the woods as you are awfully close to the 65 number that we don't like to see when using an alphatrak. I'll stay with you until my head hits the keyboard or someone else from a different timezone comes to relieve me. Ideally from http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/how-to-treat-hypos-they-can-kill-print-this-out.15887/ what we would like to see is two rising numbers WITHOUT having any food in between. So a recap in Central time:

7-7:30pm: feed an shoot 1U Prozinc, no BG taken
9:30pm: 103 [Edit to add...We call this +2, which just means 2 hours after the shot]
midnight: 71 (fed dry kibble mixed with Nutrish & karo) [Edit to add: At +4.5]

Can you test again at 12:40am CT [ETA: At about +5] about a half hour from now? But if he happens to vomit or show symptoms, test again right away.
 
I’m trying to keep it together. But I am absolutely freaking out. I am not a calm person at all. I have been watching him like a hawk all day. I didn’t even think to test this morning or before eating. The doc never told me to test. He’s been my cat for 12 years. I feel like I have no idea what to do now.
 
You are welcome, Effie, and many thanks Lou and Barbara, I've just had a really long day today.

So this is where we are:

PS: fed and shot 1U Prozinc, no BG taken (about 7:30pm CT)
+2: 103 (9:30pm CT)
+4.5: Alphatrak 71 (fed dry kibble mixed with Nutrish & karo) (midnight CT)
+5.25ish: <awaiting result>

I'll leave it to Barbara to kind of guide you on what should happen for the morning shot, and then tomorrow we can get you on track in general but I don't want to distract too much right now. Take a breath, we'll get you there. I promise. :bighug:

Good night all.
 
I read/reading it all. We just tested. And we’re more at +4.5 but he’s up to 129 now. Are we out of the woods?
 
Sandi said: Second, Prozinc usually does not reach its maximum effectiveness (meaning lowest blood sugar) until somewhere between 4-7 hours after the shot. When exactly that occurs is different for each cat and can also vary from day to day. So we don't know when Ganon should hit his lowest point since he is so new.
 
xefthimiax said:
I read/reading it all. We just tested. And we’re more at +4.5 but he’s up to 129 now. Are we out of the woods?
Click to expand...
Hi there, I'm glad to see that Ganon's numbers have come up. We need to make sure his numbers stay up on their own without the influence of any high carb food or honey before you can get some sleep. We're here to help you though, so take a deep breath.
 
PS: fed and shot 1U Prozinc, no BG taken (about 7:30pm CT)
+2: 103 (9:30pm CT)
+4.5: Alphatrak 71 (fed dry kibble mixed with Nutrish & karo) (midnight CT)
+5.25ish: <awaiting result>
I think the 129 was at the +5.25 almost 30 minutes ago
 
Idjit's mom said:
PS: fed and shot 1U Prozinc, no BG taken (about 7:30pm CT)
+2: 103 (9:30pm CT)
+4.5: Alphatrak 71 (fed dry kibble mixed with Nutrish & karo) (midnight CT)
+5.25ish: <awaiting result>
I think the 129 was at the +5.25 almost 30 minutes ago
Click to expand...
Thanks, and glad you're staying up with me and Ganon's mom. I was up until 2:30 last night on the board helping someone whose cat dropped low (he's fine) and I'm pretty tired.
I could use an extra set of eyes
 
I'll be right here, I cranked the heat back up...it's 14 degrees here, colder than a witch's behind outside and still dropping. We got the arctic blast and I really am very tired of this! :eek:
 
Idjit's mom said:
I'll be right here, I cranked the heat back up...it's 14 degrees here, colder than a witch's behind outside and still dropping. We got the arctic blast and I really am very tired of this! :eek:
Click to expand...
We've got 6" of snow here in Seattle and parts of Washington, the Governor has declared a state of emergency o_O
I love it -of course only because it's novel and very beautiful. Also very quiet. Not many people are out and about on the roads.
14 degrees is not something I would like to get used to. We're pretty spoiled up here in the Maritime Pacific North West
 
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