Help! Should Iskip insulin until I call Vet tomorrow?

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Chris & China (GA) said:
You might want to consider changing your shot time to 7am (if it works for your schedule)…..that way you could test at 7am…..then feed/shoot.

As long as he's high enough to shoot, you can feed/shoot within just a minute or two of testing

It would also let you get some tests in on the PM cycle without having to stay up terribly late
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Mornings are super busy so that is why I went with 9:30 times. I will be waiting 2+ hours before testing if that is still ok.
 
Given that Stewie is a new diabetic, is recently changing diet, and has had a serious hypo, I would recommend going back to 1u and starting over. Even 2u might be too high right now, and you're still learning to test. Since there is no history of DKA, I'd give one unit and let's monitor a cycle or two. We can increase after that if needed.
 
Djamila said:
Hi there and welcome! It looks like you've had quite an adventure today!!! I'm so glad people were here to help.

I don't come out to this Main Forum very often. Most of the time I'm hiding out over in the Prozinc forum. If you'd like to post there, we would be happy to help you sort out the dosing for your kitty! I'm so glad you are changing healthy, low-carb wet food, and that you are home testing to keep Stewie safe! It's a lot to learn all at once, but it sounds like you are doing well.

I'd recommend getting our spreadsheet set up so you have somewhere to keep all of the numbers you are getting. And you'll find it an incredibly valuable tool in sorting out dosing. Here is a link to the directions for getting started. http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/fdmb-spreadsheet-instructions.130337/ If you run into any trouble just ask and someone can help you with it.

We look forward to seeing you over in Prozinc when you're ready! :)
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Thank you. I will go there tomorrow. I have been having a hard time using site. I need more practice..lol. I cant thank you all enough. I will ask for help on prolink site.
 
@Chris & China (GA), I'm just getting caught up and may have missed something in my skimming. Are you thinking 2u is better because of the initial vet numbers? or is there more to the story that I've missed?
 
@Stewie's Mom ….as you can see, we don't always agree, but in all the years I've been here, usually, dropping back too much just wastes time while you slowly go up in dose again.

Djamila said:
I'm just getting caught up and may have missed something in my skimming.
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No, nothing that I know of, but see my comment above. Now that she's testing, if 2U is too much, we're going to know soon.

Most of the time, when cats come here on high doses, dropping back too much just leads to a lot of time building back up.

I'm also thinking that she may have a hard time if she wants to continue dealing with her vet if she dropped all the way back to 1U.
 
Stewie's Mom said:
Thank you. I will go there tomorrow. I have been having a hard time using site. I need more practice..lol. I cant thank you all enough. I will ask for help on prolink site.
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Let's get your spreadsheet set up and get your numbers working first. Generally, we suggest people stay on the Health site (which has more traffic) until they at least have their spreadsheets up and a little experience......then we send people over to the insulin support group.

If you need help with your spreadsheet, I'd be happy to set it up for you. I'd just need some information from you. You can click on my name and choose "start conversation" to send me a private message
 
Looks like Stewie is in great hands. Chris helped me with Uncle from day one!!!
So happy you have the best to get you through today and set you up for what comes next.
Sending hugs to everyone :bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
Thank you so much to everyone!!! I am exhausted now and appreciate you all so much. I will get a bg tomorrow some way even though my other half wont be here to help. I will move to Prozinc forum. I will reply here in am what his numbers are. I may shoot his number at 7 tomorrow before my husband leaves and report that number. I will see how it goes. Thank you to each and every one of you again from the bottom of my heart. I sincerely appreciate all of you helping me today. As I said, Thank God for all of you. I thought it was the meter. Stewie is way more alert tonight and already begging for his 9:15 meal. I told him he has to wait. :bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
And Chris, I am so glad your mom is ok!!! I hear your the pro, so thanks for coming back here today after your own crisis!!!! Thanks for taking care of me! :bighug:
 
Chris & China (GA) said:
Let's get your spreadsheet set up and get your numbers working first. Generally, we suggest people stay on the Health site (which has more traffic) until they at least have their spreadsheets up and a little experience......then we send people over to the insulin support group.

If you need help with your spreadsheet, I'd be happy to set it up for you. I'd just need some information from you. You can click on my name and choose "start conversation" to send me a private message
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I will do that tomorrow. Thank you!
 
Stewie's Mom said:
I hear your the pro, so thanks for coming back here today after your own crisis!!!! Thanks for taking care of me!
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We all work together and you had good people here to help!

All of us came here just like you....knowing nothing, expecting our vets to do the right thing and then learning that they don't know what they're doing most of the time.

I had great people help me when I first got here.....we are all just paying the kindness that was shown to us forward to the next guy!!
 
Chris & China (GA) said:
We all work together and you had good people here to help!

All of us came here just like you....knowing nothing, expecting our vets to do the right thing and then learning that they don't know what they're doing most of the time.

I had great people help me when I first got here.....we are all just paying the kindness that was shown to us forward to the next guy!!
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That's exactly right. I have been assisted by and learned from all who have helped me along the way. Still learning too, so I can try to be there for others.
 
Looks like Stewie has started to "bounce" from last night low numbers. (refer to post #43 from Chris)
It would be good to get a +2 test in to see what influence this mornings dose will have.
 
Barbara & Uncle (GA) said:
Looks like Stewie has started to "bounce" from last night low numbers. (refer to post #43 from Chris)
It would be good to get a +2 test in to see what influence this mornings dose will have.
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I have a worker coming to fix something in my house so Stewie will likely hide as he is skittish due to his previous living conditions. I am having a real hard time with getting the strip into the meter so my husband has been doing that part and getting the blood onto the strip. I'm just the poker..lol. I may try later today as he just finished his 2nd meal of the day. I am going to practice getting the strip in and out of the meter. Maybe I have a defective meter? My husband said it has given him trouble also but he seems to be getting it in the meter fine now. I am awaiting my vet to call me back. I put a call in to her this am. Thanks for your helpful advise. :)
 
Stewie's Mom said:
Tired. Not much sleep as worried last night but he came at me meowing for food as soon as he saw me this am. I was real happy! Thanks for asking!
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I was a TOTAL stress ball in the beginning. Everything was completely new and I just felt super clumsy, awkward and scared all at once. It did become second nature after a while, but the beginning was pretty rough. Glad you have a co-pilot :bighug:
It maybe that meter really is a lemon. I didn't use the Relion Confirm so not sure if there are any tips or tricks to it being easier to get the strip in. That's great idea you have to practice!!!
 
Here's a follow up today so far: I spoke with Stewie's doctor and explained all that happened over the last 24 hours. She concurred with the no insulin and going back to 2 units 2x per day. I am going to call in the numbers to her office every day and we are going to talk again on Friday. She would also like me to get a bg during the +6 after insulin. I tried 2x and was successful with obtaining blood but I couldn't get the strip in correctly each time. I was frustrated and called the ReliOn customer service and they were useless except to tell me not to use device on a cat (haha whatever) and that I need to put strip all the way in first. Well if I do that, I am scared it will time out on me. Stewie is very frustrated with me so I gave him food and now he is pouting under my bed. He got so upset when I tried picking him up to feed him (after our 2 failed attempts), that peed while I was picking him up. I am gonna wait till 7pm for his next bg when my husband gets home and try for a mid cycle again tomorrow. I dont want to stress Stewie any further today.
 
I'm glad your vet is on board with dropping the dose and testing......that is a real plus. It sounds like she is willing to learn along with you about FD, which is great.
In regard to the strip in the meter. I always used to put the strip in first, then prick Sheba's ear then put the blood on the strip. I found I had plenty of time to do it that way. Try putting the strip in and timing how long you have before it times out.
Initially I had my DH do the strip bit but it soon became impractical to try and wait for him so I bit the bullet and tried it on my own and was fine after a few stumbles.
I used to kneel back on my heels and put Sheba between my knees gently so she was secure. I had everything on the floor in front of me and when I was ready I put in the strip, then pricked the ear and collected the blood. I used to give her a tiny treat as I was doing it so she was distracted and didn't notice me doing it.
 
Bron and Sheba said:
I'm glad your vet is on board with dropping the dose and testing......that is a real plus. It sounds like she is willing to learn along with you about FD, which is great.
In regard to the strip in the meter. I always used to put the strip in first, then prick Sheba's ear then put the blood on the strip. I found I had plenty of time to do it that way. Try putting the strip in and timing how long you have before it times out.
Initially I had my DH do the strip bit but it soon became impractical to try and wait for him so I bit the bullet and tried it on my own and was fine after a few stumbles.
I used to kneel back on my heels and put Sheba between my knees gently so she was secure. I had everything on the floor in front of me and when I was ready I put in the strip, then pricked the ear and collected the blood. I used to give her a tiny treat as I was doing it so she was distracted and didn't notice me doing it.
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Those are great tips. I will try those out. I will time out meter so I know how long I have. I decided today that I will have to have the stip in before getting the blood on my own tomorrow or I will have the same problem as today. I do Stewies injections and blood draws while he is on the couch with me. So far he is ok with that. He was real mad at me for 3 hours before coming out to eat again around 4. So I decided to re earn his trust and he sat with me after the 4 o'clock feeding. He will get a bg at 7:00 PM tonight so I will have 2 in at least for today. My vet is so sweet. She is willing to work on this and we have agreed on a report system daily. Thank you for checking back in and your sage advise. I appreciate it very much!
 
Chris & China (GA) said:
You can also put the strip partially into the meter (without "activating" it) do your poke and then quickly push it the rest of the way in and test.

Nice to hear your vet agrees with our approach! (so far anyway!)
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That is where I was getting the problem. I put it in partially, got the blood on the strip, then had trouble putting it in the rest of the way both times I tried today. Then I called ReliOn and the lady was zero help and crabby..lol. I will just get completely prepared, ready, put the strip all the way in and hope for the best tomorrow at +6 after the first injection. My vet is real nice and easy to talk with. She said she would like him on the 2 units for a week before doing more changes but I will be letting you guys know how things go till I get the hang of this and more comfortable. I trust your guidance completely. Tonight will be 2 units injection again as long is he is at least 200. He bounced this am just like you said would happen. :)
Thank you very much for your help and advise!
 
Okay! Yay I did the BG by myself. Finally! Stewie's BG was 394 at 7:14 pm. It was 420 this am. He is eating now and I will give his injection of 2 units when he finishes his dinner. Thank you everyone for all the great advice! The meter actually gives you 2 minutes from the time you push the strip in so I had plenty of time. I will start getting all this in a SS tomorrow. Yay!!!! :)
 
Congratulations!! You're now an official member of the Vampire Club!!
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Thanks. Stewie coming down slowly but surely. 376 this am. Will try for +6. I will call all this into my vet as well. Thanks everyone. I wont keep bugging you guys unless something goes awry. I will keep to the 2 units unless redirected. I will move to the Prozinc thread and start my SS. Thank you Chris. :) for setting it up.
 
Hi., I'm back. I just did Stewies bg and its 116. Not sure if I should skip insulin of 2 units or what to do. I wasn't able to get a test today. Help???
 
Ok, I went back through the previous posts and now I remember no insulin if under 200. I will forgo and recheck his bg at 930 pm which is 2 hours after he just ate. This bouncing is nerve wracking. It's ok that this is happening? Worried :(
 
Hey, catch me up a bit. When in the cycle did you test and get the 116 reading?
Also how long until the his scheduled PM test/feed/ MAYBE shoot (if 200 or over)
 
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Thank you for your help. He had his 2 units of insulin 13+ hours ago. He finished eating at 730pm mountain time. I am going to get his bg again at 9:40 PM mountain time so I give him a good 2 hours since he finished eating. I didn't give his scheduled insulin at 7:30pm. I will wait till tomorrow I guess? What if its over 200 at 9:30 +
Is this normal for the this type 9f of bounce I was to expect? Thank you so much.
 
Okay, please forgive me, I'm a bit tired and I don't want to miss something.
Let me know if this is correct:

You tested Stewie this morning and gave him 2u of insulin
There were no other tests during the day
You tested at what would have been his scheduled PM shot time tonight
You got the 116 reading and skipped the shot
 
Yes. That is correct. I tried for a +6 test and he hid from me as he was on to me so I didn't want to stress him. He peed on me yesterday when he stressed out. He is skittish due to his prior living conditions. I have had him 3+ years and I still have to tread lightly with him.
 
You did the right thing by skipping if he was only at 116 at PMPS time

As you get more experience and learn more about how Stewie reacts, you may slowly start shooting lower Pre-shot numbers, but it's too early for that now.

The bouncing is aggravating, but normal.....Hopefully as he spends more time in better numbers, he won't bounce as high and won't bounce as long

You're doing great!!

How's Stewie feeling?
 
Stewie's Mom ID said:
Yes. That is correct. I tried for a +6 test and he hid from me as he was on to me so I didn't want to stress him. He peed on me yesterday when he stressed out. He is skittish due to his prior living conditions. I have had him 3+ years and I still have to tread lightly with him.
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Oh poor baby. Hopefully he will get more used the testing. Positive reinforcement really helps.
It's good that you skipped. If you get a reading of over 200 tonight and want to give insulin, you will have to continue on with the 12 hour interval from that time
As you know, all food should be withheld for 2 hours before the Test/Feed/Shoot time
 
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Thank you so much. He is begging to eat again currently and acting ok. I am going to attempt another bg in about 25 mins. Want to get a good 2+ hours post feeding. Should I just get through the night no matter his reading if its higher. I currently put him on the 7am/7pm plan as you suggested. If he is still running low, I was gonna give him some Turkey shreds with his final meal of the night.
 
Barbara & Uncle (GA) said:
Oh poor baby. Hopefully he will get more used the testing. Positive reinforcement really helps.
It's good that you skipped. If you get a reading of over 200 tonight and want to give insulin, you will have to continue on with the 12 hour interval from that time
As you know, all food should have been withheld for 2 hours before the Test/Feed/Shoot time
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Yes, his food was withheld for 3 hours before I gave him the bg at 7pm tonight. I fed him a bit after that as he was hiding and I didn't do the insulin.
 
Stewie's Mom ID said:
Should I just get through the night no matter his reading if its higher.
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Unless you want to change his shot schedule, just consider tonight a "furshot" and start over in the morning

There's no chance he'll go too low since he didn't get any insulin tonight, but if you can get a test or two in, it's always good data to have. Helps you to learn what happens when you skip a shot
 
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