8/03 Zoot!'s 1st Curve AMPS 202, +2 231, +4 244, +6 238, +8 293, +10 231, PMPS 242, +2 270; AMPS 274

[Cinnie Cole]

Okay, I don't post a lot, and I am not following the either protocol because we are trying to hit a balance with our Vet's treatment. Zoot has been relatively okay. No ketones, but still having medium to high glucose in his urine. Our vet recommended doing a curve and asked if we would want to do it at home (we didn't even have to suggest it, and that is a BIG win with her!) so we said absolutely we would do it. Today was the day.

Would love your thoughts on what a curve should look like. The +8 293 seemed oddly high, but I was not able to get a retest - I am wondering if he found some food somewhere - we are pretty good at pulling everything up after meals. Anxiously waiting to do PMPS and PM+2 (Zoot! is not, I suspect).

As for the ongoing battle regarding his absolutely hating my touching his hears first two efforts were a battle; the rest have resulted in complaints but were relatively easy to do.

Fingers crossed that the rest of our testing goes well.

 

[Wendy&Neko]

Looks like essentially a flat yellow “curve”, with a small Lantus double dip at the end. A flat yellow cycle can herald a cycle with action to follow. Since the numbers above AMPS were all higher, he could be bouncing a little from however low he went last night. It likely wasn’t a dangerous low, just lower than he is used to. I see you have a test planned for tonight. That is a good idea, many cats go lower at night.

I know you aren’t following our dosing methods, but if you were, you’d be increasing to 1.25 units.

 

[Cinnie Cole]

Looks like essentially a flat yellow “curve”, with a small Lantus double dip at the end. A flat yellow cycle can herald a cycle with action to follow. Since the numbers above AMPS were all higher, he could be bouncing a little from however low he went last night. It likely wasn’t a dangerous low, just lower than he is used to. I see you have a test planned for tonight. That is a good idea, many cats go lower at night.

I know you aren’t following our dosing methods, but if you were, you’d be increasing to 1.25 units.

So thanks for the dosing info - we will see what our Dr says on Monday. Interesting at PMPS +2 he was 270 and now at AMPS he is 274. It makes me feel like he is not having any broad swings. Hope it continues.

 

[Cinnie Cole]

I know you aren’t following our dosing methods, but if you were, you’d be increasing to 1.25 units.

Another thing on dosing. It is really about 1) timing and 2) working with our vet, more than about not wanting to adapt to one of the protocols. We have had a trip planned for some time and trying to aggressively treat and regulate him at lower BG numbers right now would leave me fraught with anxiety during our time away. I know anything can happen but staying in the yellows gives me some reassurance that while not good, at least he is less likely to see a hypo or hyper episode. Aside from building trust and comfort with our vet around this disease, we have a vet tech who pet sits for us that can test and give insulin 2X a day and understands feline diabetes and lantus requirements and plus she has qualified vet resources to address any unusual situation. We want to proceed with caution until we get back and can have substantial time to monitor him when moving to a protocol.

 

[Wendy&Neko]

It’s great you have a tech who will help out when you are away.

I don't know how long until you travel, and whether you have time to experiment. but upper yellows means Zoot is spending all of his time above renal threshold. Finding a dose with just a bit of blues would give his kidneys a bit of a break, and still be safe.

 

[Margie and Jackson]

Another thing on dosing. It is really about 1) timing and 2) working with our vet, more than about not wanting to adapt to one of the protocols. We have had a trip planned for some time and trying to aggressively treat and regulate him at lower BG numbers right now would leave me fraught with anxiety during our time away. I know anything can happen but staying in the yellows gives me some reassurance that while not good, at least he is less likely to see a hypo or hyper episode. Aside from building trust and comfort with our vet around this disease, we have a vet tech who pet sits for us that can test and give insulin 2X a day and understands feline diabetes and lantus requirements and plus she has qualified vet resources to address any unusual situation. We want to proceed with caution until we get back and can have substantial time to monitor him when moving to a protocol.

You really have to be comfortable with your method, but I think one option many use is to slightly decrease the insulin when you are away. I had a long talk with my vet about an upcoming trip and she said cats “self-correct” to a degree by eating more when they hit lower numbers, so leaving out extra food during trips is another way to insure against hypo. Good luck and congratulations successfully testing Zoot!