First Day at Home Testing

Genopher

Genopher

Member
Hi there. First day testing at home has been a success...so far. But I have no idea what I'm doing. I didn't start testing until after Stitchy has his first meal (7am) and 1 unit of Vetsulin (7:20am).I am using the ReliOn Prime tester.

10:00am: 78
12:15pm: 64
1:00pm: 78
2:55pm: 103
5:00pm: 139
6:37pm: 145

I will try to test a few more times before dinner tonight and def before his insulin shot. BUT I feel like I read somewhere...should I take away his dry kibble two hours before testing? I feed wet before shot but leave low carb dry kibble out for nibbles just in case.

My vet started him on 2units/2x's day. I could tell (without home testing) that it was too much...lethargic, hard to wake, low appetite. So I made choice to lower to 1unit/2x's day. This is my first day testing so feels good actually knowing his numbers! BUT...I wanted to start a thread now in case I am stressing later if he doesn't get high enough...but he's trending up so I am feeling good about what I've captured so far. I appreciate any thoughts, etc. as I am a newbie! TIA!
 
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You are to be congratulated for testing and getting it done so quickly and also for lowering the dose. Great job! :joyful:

The readings you took today are great but also indicate that the dose the vet prescribed was way too high. Use that instinct of yours. It will serve you well. We always say, you hold the needle so if you are uncomfortable with anything recommended, you make the choice of what to do and that includes vet suggestions and those you get from anyone here.

If Stitchy was eating dry food today even though it is a lowish carb dry food (about 14-15%), then you are going to have to be careful and lower the dose even more when taking the dry food away as an all wet diet can have a significant lowering effect on BG. I would suggest weaning Stitchy off the dry gradually so as not to cause any GI upset and also to avoid causing any very abrupt change in BG. While BG today was good and in normal range, it did go a little lower than ideal when giving Vetsulin. Ideally you don't want kitty dropping much below 90 due to the swift action of that insulin.

When testing prior to giving insulin (pre-shot), food should be removed at least 2 hours prior to that testing so that it is not a food influenced reading. Any other tests during the day/night, it doesn't matter. If BG tonight is 225 or more then I think you should decrease the dose to 0.5u given the numbers you got today and the proposed diet change.

Now to get you completely set up, can you please plot in the readings you took on the SS you set up for Stitchy. That way anyone assisting will have the necessary data to look at to give you the best advice possible.:)
 
Hi there. I tried creating a spreadsheet but it doesn't seem to be updating when I make changes on google drive. I updated my numbers above. Now is when I would normally feed and give him his shot in about 15-20 min! He is only at 145 so now I'm nervous and don't know what to do!
 
Genopher said:
Hi there. I tried creating a spreadsheet but it doesn't seem to be updating when I make changes on google drive. I updated my numbers above. Now is when I would normally feed and give him his shot in about 15-20 min! He is only at 145 so now I'm nervous and don't know what to do!
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Do not shoot if he’s only 145. Stall 30-60 min without feeding and see if it’s going up.
I would only give 0.5 units, and not unless it’s over 200. If it’s under 200 skip the shot tonight.
 
I agree with Janet. I think the diet change has obviously made a big impact already.

As for the spreadsheet, are you accessing the spreadsheet through the link in your signature or through Google drive? If you are clicking on the link in your siganture, it won't take the updates because that link is for viewing only and it doesn't "recognize" you as the owner with editing rights. You have to go to the sheet through Google drive to update it.
 
I will wait to feed and re-test in half hour. Ok, so if it's still under 200...I skip. If 200+, I'll give smallest dose I've ever given 0.5 units. So if it's still under 200, do I feed him and then no insulin tonight? I'm so nervous! I thought home testing would be good but now I'm nervous for other reasons! Thank you SO much for your quick response!
 
Correct
Genopher said:
I will wait to feed and re-test in half hour. Ok, so if it's still under 200...I skip. If 200+, I'll give smallest dose I've ever given 0.5 units. So if it's still under 200, do I feed him and then no insulin tonight? I'm so nervous! I thought home testing would be good but now I'm nervous for other reasons! Thank you SO much for your quick response!
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correct. Under 200 skip and feed. It might be a bit higher in the morning but that’s better then going too low. Over 200 just give 0.5 and feed. Aren’t you glad you didn’t shoot 2 units blindly? You probably would be rubbing honey on her gums and looking for an er vet. You’re doing awesome.
 
The first time you get lower numbers at shot time it's scary. We all remember. But your glucometer is your best friend. It tells you whether it's safe or not to shoot and gives you control to keep Stitchy safe. You are doing an absolutely stellar job so relax. Stitchy and you will both be fine. You however need some chocolate! :D
 
JanetNJ said:
Correct

correct. Under 200 skip and feed. It might be a bit higher in the morning but that’s better then going too low. Over 200 just give 0.5 and feed. Aren’t you glad you didn’t shoot 2 units blindly? You probably would be rubbing honey on her gums and looking for an er vet. You’re doing awesome.
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Yes! THANK GOD I trusted my gut and lowered him to just the 1 unit and now this may even be too much! I can't believe diet could make this much of a change so quickly though! Is that even possible?!?!
 
MrWorfMen's Mom said:
The first time you get lower numbers at shot time it's scary. We all remember. But your glucometer is your best friend. It tells you whether it's safe or not to shoot and gives you control to keep Stitchy safe. You are doing an absolutely stellar job so relax. Stitchy and you will both be fine. You however need some chocolate! :D
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THANK YOU! I thought I needed chocolate too until I tested myself this morning and my bg was at 135 so with my luck, I may be pre-diabetic myself! YIKES!
 
Oh no on your BG. Let's hope that was just stress elevation thanks to all the stuff going on with Stitchy!

Some cats go into remission with diet change alone so extra caution is needed when making diet changes.

If BG goes up and you do give insulin tonight, test again at +2 or +3 post shot to see how Stitches is doing. If BG is the same or lower than pre-shot, then feed him to get BG up more. Your aim right now would be to get BG down but no lower than 90. Anything below 90 and you need to feed him to keep him from dropping more.
 
Genopher said:
I can't believe diet could make this much of a change so quickly though! Is that even possible?!?!
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Absolutely!! We've had quite a few cats here that only needed a diet change to get back to normal. But no matter what, you never want to feed high carb food again. Once a diabetic, always a diabetic so Stitchy will need to be on a low carb canned or raw diet the rest of his life
 
MrWorfMen's Mom said:
The first time you get lower numbers at shot time it's scary. We all remember. But your glucometer is your best friend. It tells you whether it's safe or not to shoot and gives you control to keep Stitchy safe. You are doing an absolutely stellar job so relax. Stitchy and you will both be fine. You however need some chocolate! :D
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I waited to feed him an hour and his number went even lower! It's now saying 124!! What does that mean?!?! Def skip tonight and feed him now???
 
Genopher said:
THANK YOU! I thought I needed chocolate too until I tested myself this morning and my bg was at 135 so with my luck, I may be pre-diabetic myself! YIKES!
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yes, keep an eye on your BG Gen..my hubby has to test every morning, just to see what's going on with his borderline diabetes. So, Idjit and Dad share the meter, and they are both on low carb diets. Idjit is much more compliant with the low carb/no sugar however, cause he can't go to the store and buy cookies. :confused:
 
Genopher said:
I waited to feed him an hour and his number went even lower! It's now saying 124!! What does that mean?!?! Def skip tonight and feed him now??
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Now would be a perfect time to get the dry completely out of the picture too. Since you aren't giving insulin tonight, there's no chance that he'll drop too low....and it's possible that the diet change alone will be enough for him!
 
Hi Jennifer, just came from the FB group and just wanted to say again, great job today and going with your gut! I hope Stitchy continues to eat for you and stays safe :)
 
Good morning! SO I skipped Stitchy's dose last night and then took another test an hour and a half after he ate. It was lower still at 108. I took away his food two hours before feeding this morning and I tested him before feeding...he was at 128 this morning. I have to leave for my sons conference in 40 min (7am PST) so may try and test again before I leave! I will call the vet today too! I don't know how this is possible!
 
The BG going down after his meal indicates his pancreas is working better and keeping better pace with the glucose and food in his system. Terrific news. :D
 
MrWorfMen's Mom said:
The BG going down after his meal indicates his pancreas is working better and keeping better pace with the glucose and food in his system. Terrific news. :D
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Hello again. Tested again when I got home 2.5hrs after he had eaten and he was at 88. He is drinking a lot of water which is concerning me...especially since I have taken away his dry food. I feel like he is looking for the kibble. I don't know if I should put some down for him to nibble on inbetween wet food or not? Don't know if I should call vet and let them know what I'm doing or just keep testing today? TIA!
 
That BG is absolutely the best news ever. Totally normal BG and BG down after eating. You just made my day! :joyful:

Don't go back to the kibble now. It looks like you may very well have one of those lucky kitties to go into remission with diet change only. Watch his water intake and his output and check his BG every morning and night (fasting) when you would have been giving shots to see what his readings are. If his BG stays in normal range for a period of 14 consecutive days, then you can declare him in remission. Fingers crossed! Keep us posted.

If BG starts going up again, please post for assistance.
 
JanetNJ said:
I leave wet food out during the day. Crossing fingers it’s a remission.
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I hope so! Seems like a pretty quick recovery! But I will take it!!! I've left wet food out for him and added water/stirred it but I think he is picky and only likes it fresh!
 
Genopher said:
I hope so! Seems like a pretty quick recovery! But I will take it!!! I've left wet food out for him and added water/stirred it but I think he is picky and only likes it fresh!
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You could freeze it so it defrost throughout the day, add an ice cube, or use a timed feeder.
 
Such WONDERFUL news! Please keep us updated with Stitchy’s progress :)

I think it’s so amazing you went from not being able to get Stitchy to eat to the road towards remission!!! I’m glad you listened to your gut.
 
Crista & Ming said:
Such WONDERFUL news! Please keep us updated with Stitchy’s progress :)

I think it’s so amazing you went from not being able to get Stitchy to eat to the road towards remission!!! I’m glad you listened to your gut.
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Thank you so much! It took at least 10 trips to Petco trying to find food he would eat! I am in disbelief that diet could make this big of a difference! I just tested him now (which would be preshot time) and he was at 125. Just fed him. So no insulin again tonight! =) He is such a good kitty letting me poke his ears so many times!!!
 
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