02/26 Dax AMPS 268 PMPS 230

[Kaitlyn]

I had dropped him down to 1.75 units last night as he is now mostly on wet food with no kibble. He did fluctuate a bit and I stayed up to keep an eye on him. He weighs about 8 lbs currently and has an okay body score since putting him on wet food. So my question is I know it's advised to start at 1 unit but my vet had told me to start at 2. Is it safe for me to drop his dose down this morning to 1.5 u? I work 8 hour days so I will not be home to monitor him closely.

 

[Bobbie And Bubba]

Good Morning Kaitlyn, here is yesterday's thread. We link the previous one so people can see what has transpired and follow along.

http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/...124-pmps-304-3-160-4-124.211186/#post-2342050

In that post Wendy had mentioned to you to reduce his dose to 1.75. The reason the 1 unit was mentioned was that she was correcting me when I said most kitties are started at 1 unit to 1.5 units. Because there was dry food in the picture, you would need to follow SLGS and the starting dose for that is 1 unit. After no more dry food then you can follow TR.

It looks like the 1.75 unit took him down to 79 last night. With SLGS 90 would be a reduction. If there will be no more dry food, you could hold this dose. But if he is eating any dry you would give him a reduction down to 1.5 .

He bounced last night which is to be expected for going to a green number.

 

[Kaitlyn]

Good Morning Kaitlyn, here is yesterday's thread. We link the previous one so people can see what has transpired and follow along.

http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/...124-pmps-304-3-160-4-124.211186/#post-2342050

In that post Wendy had mentioned to you to reduce his dose to 1.75. The reason the 1 unit was mentioned was that she was correcting me when I said most kitties are started at 1 unit to 1.5 units. Because there was dry food in the picture, you would need to follow SLGS and the starting dose for that is 1 unit. After no more dry food then you can follow TR.

It looks like the 1.75 unit took him down to 79 last night. With SLGS 90 would be a reduction. If there will be no more dry food, you could hold this dose. But if he is eating any dry you would give him a reduction down to 1.5 .

He bounced last night which is to be expected for going to a green number.

Thank you, I will keep him at 1.75 and monitor him for a bit again tonight.

 

[Kaitlyn]

Does anyone know of a numbing cream? He is starting to be annoyed with the poking and prodding so if I can I would like to make it more comfortable for him. But I'm having a hard time finding a safe option in Canada.

 

[Bobbie And Bubba]

Does anyone know of a numbing cream? He is starting to be annoyed with the poking and prodding so if I can I would like to make it more comfortable for him. But I'm having a hard time finding a safe option in Canada.

Here is the states we use Neosporin with pain reliever for the numbing effect. If you can't get that in Canada, try a salve or gel from that has calendula in it . I use calendula gel on Bubba and it's very healing . Are you rotating ears and the spot on the ear?

Did you get any more test in last night after the PMPS? There isn't anything on the SS.

 

[Kaitlyn]

No i didnt as he was grumpy each time I tried and I did not want to push him. so I will grab it again this morning and go to shoppers and look for a cream to make his ear feel a bit better. I do rotate ears and such but hes still a bit of a grumpy old man lol

 

[nslade001]

Hi, I'm in Canada and also have a grumpy-eared cat. I didn't know ears could move so fast! I use polysporin heal-fast 3 antibiotics+pain relief. She's much better since I started using it. Also helped with the little bumps I was getting on her ears. Another hint: I alternate ears each test, and which part of ear on ear each poke. There are spots which are more sensitive, for willow it's the tip of her left ear.
with love, Nikki

 

[Kaitlyn]

Hi, I'm in Canada and also have a grumpy-eared cat. I didn't know ears could move so fast! I use polysporin heal-fast 3 antibiotics+pain relief. She's much better since I started using it. Also helped with the little bumps I was getting on her ears. Another hint: I alternate ears each test, and which part of ear on ear each poke. There are spots which are more sensitive, for willow it's the tip of her left ear.
with love, Nikki

Awesome I will look into grabbing some polysporin! I just feel so bad as he waggles his little ear and then it turns into a blood bath, and if I try to hold onto it for a long period he gets grouchy.

 

[nslade001]

Question: Could you be hitting the vein? Because usually you don't get the bloodbath scenario unless you hit the vein, which is also more painful. Aim along the edge of the ear outside the vein if you can; the blood drops are smaller so don't flick so badly, and stop bleeding easier so you don't have to hold as firmly or long.

Also, I don't know if you use the lancet device or go free hand, but for Willow the lancet device is much faster and preferable. I fold a bit of gauze to put under the ear and hold the lancet to the top and prick, use the gauze to hold a few moments, and treat. I know many prefer to go free hand, but I found I had to manipulate the ear too much for her to handle.
If you're using the lancet, you press gently but not too firmly...I pressed too firmly at first and bruised her. There's a bit of a learning curve (for both of you) but you get there
With love, Nikki

 

[Kaitlyn]

Question: Could you be hitting the vein? Because usually you don't get the bloodbath scenario unless you hit the vein, which is also more painful. Aim along the edge of the ear outside the vein if you can; the blood drops are smaller so don't flick so badly, and stop bleeding easier so you don't have to hold as firmly or long.

Also, I don't know if you use the lancet device or go free hand, but for Willow the lancet device is much faster and preferable. I fold a bit of gauze to put under the ear and hold the lancet to the top and prick, use the gauze to hold a few moments, and treat. I know many prefer to go free hand, but I found I had to manipulate the ear too much for her to handle.
If you're using the lancet, you press gently but not too firmly...I pressed too firmly at first and bruised her. There's a bit of a learning curve (for both of you) but you get there
With love, Nikki

I did hit the vein a few nights ago as he moved his ear. So i think that made him hold a grudge. I have been using a cotton ball to stop the bleeding and poke his ear. I do freehand as the clicking noise sketched him out and he did not enjoy it. It is for sure a learning curve. I hope I will get there eventually

 

[Bobbie And Bubba]

I agree with Nikki, about accidently hitting the vein. Been there done that. Here is what helped me to not hit the vein, turn the ear over and poke on the inside of the ear. You can see where the vein is so much better and since I have been doing that it is better.

Please don't forget to test in the PM as most kitties go lower in that cycle. We have to figure out if the 1.75 is a good dose and how low it is taking him. Remember, the pokes are for their own good. Safety first. They are so forgiving..... It is a learning curve and you will get there. We all did. I would rather have Bubba temporarily upset than in a hypo situation.

But give yourself a big hug. You found this forum to help you and Dax and you switched to a Low carb wet diet are home testing.

Is the dry food still out of the picture? If so, that will change the dosing guidelines.

 

[Kaitlyn]

I agree with Nikki, about accidently hitting the vein. Been there done that. Here is what helped me to not hit the vein, turn the ear over and poke on the inside of the ear. You can see where the vein is so much better and since I have been doing that it is better.

Please don't forget to test in the PM as most kitties go lower in that cycle. We have to figure out if the 1.75 is a good dose and how low it is taking him. Remember, the pokes are for their own good. Safety first. They are so forgiving..... It is a learning curve and you will get there. We all did. I would rather have Bubba temporarily upset than in a hypo situation.

But give yourself a big hug. You found this forum to help you and Dax and you switched to a Low carb wet diet are home testing.

Is the dry food still out of the picture? If so, that will change the dosing guidelines.

I will try the inside of the ear! I picked up the polysporin, so hopefully that does help. Dry food is out of the picture. I will be updating my signature when i arrive home. His last 3 meals have been all canned food