New to group looking for advice

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NikkiN

NikkiN

Member Since 2019
Hi just joined and have had wonderful help thus far. Thank you to Chris and Marie especially. Fifi (14) was diagnosed in June. Was way Overweight. Now down to 4.4 kilos. Was on 3 iu lantus twice daily and glucose remaining high. Switched food yesterday from Hills science diet dry to fancy feast pate wet and dropped insulin to 2iu and today have a reading of 6.6. Will see how she goes at meal time in a few hours and will need advice what insulin to give then. If still lower has a lower glucose level. I’m amazed that we got this reading today. Regards Nikki from Australia
 
Hey Nikki!! Glad to see you made it from the Facebook group!!

It's great that you have your spreadsheet set up, but can we get you to go ahead and do your "Signature" too? It gives us a snapshot of the important information we'll need about Fifi.

Here's how:
Click on your name in the upper right corner of this page
Click on "signature" in the menu that drops down
Type the following in the box that opens: your name and kitty's name/age/date of diabetes diagnosis/insulin you're using and dosage amount /glucose meter you're using/what (s)he eats/any other meds or health issues (s)he has and a geographic location (sometimes the country/time zone matters) Be sure to SAVE when you are finished.

Also, you're not quite using the spreadsheet right (I think)….The AMPS is the test you should get immediately before feeding and shooting in the morning. If you haven't been testing before feeding/shooting, you need to start because it's important.

Here's a post on Understanding the spreadsheet that may help.

One person I know in Australia that's usually around is @Bron and Sheba (GA) She's got lots of experience so I'm hoping she see's the tag and can watch for you when it's time for Fifi's PMPS test!
 
Chris & China (GA) said:
Hey Nikki!! Glad to see you made it from the Facebook group!!

It's great that you have your spreadsheet set up, but can we get you to go ahead and do your "Signature" too? It gives us a snapshot of the important information we'll need about Fifi.

Here's how:
Click on your name in the upper right corner of this page
Click on "signature" in the menu that drops down
Type the following in the box that opens: your name and kitty's name/age/date of diabetes diagnosis/insulin you're using and dosage amount /glucose meter you're using/what (s)he eats/any other meds or health issues (s)he has and a geographic location (sometimes the country/time zone matters) Be sure to SAVE when you are finished.

Also, you're not quite using the spreadsheet right (I think)….The AMPS is the test you should get immediately before feeding and shooting in the morning. If you haven't been testing before feeding/shooting, you need to start because it's important.

Here's a post on Understanding the spreadsheet that may help.

One person I know in Australia that's usually around is @Bron and Sheba (GA) She's got lots of experience so I'm hoping she see's the tag and can watch for you when it's time for Fifi's PMPS test!
Click to expand...
Thanks Chris I’m starting to get the spreadsheet. I’ll do the pm one tonight. I haven’t tested and given insulin at the same time. I have tested at other times. I’ll start that this pm
 
Hi and welcome Nikki and Fifi. I'm sure Bron will be able to give you a helping hand and it sounds like you have already been helped a lot on the FB page. Good deal!
 
Hi Nikki and Fifi and welcome to the forum!!
Great to see another Aussie face!:)
I see you are in Brisbane so you are one hour behind me aren't you because you don't have daylight savings. I'm in Sydney.

I'm going to give you a couple of links that you might find helpful. You might like to print them off as I'm sure you will need to look back at things as you go along.

http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/new-how-you-can-help-us-help-you.216696/

http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/information-for-aussie-feline-diabetic-caregivers.217781/

And I can see that @Red & Rover (GA) has given you the Australian food list.

I am usually around in the afternoon/evenings, our time.
I will watch out for you when you post the PMPS.
See you then:D
Bron
 
Thank you, Bron, her level later this afternoon was 12 so it has risen. She is due to eat and have insulin at 6.30 pm (7.30pm your time). I am going to check her insulin first and she will get 1.5 cans of fancy feast pate and I'm guessing I'll give her 2iu as this is the lowest we have been so far since changing diet last 24 hours.
 
NikkiN said:
Thank you, Bron, her level later this afternoon was 12 so it has risen. She is due to eat and have insulin at 6.30 pm (7.30pm your time). I am going to check her insulin first and she will get 1.5 cans of fancy feast pate and I'm guessing I'll give her 2iu as this is the lowest we have been so far since changing diet last 24 hours.
Click to expand...

Can you add all your Blood glucose levels into the SS. That would be a great help.
Make sure you put them into the world SS not the US one.

Are you able to test tonight?
Do you have plenty of test strips?
And some high carb food and honey if needed?
As there is no data yet it is hard to say what you should give tonight.

Can you test again at 6.30pm your time and we can see if it's still going up.
I'll watch for your post
Bron
 
Bron and Sheba (GA) said:
Can you add all your Blood glucose levels into the SS. That would be a great help.
Make sure you put them into the world SS not the US one.

Are you able to test tonight?
Do you have plenty of test strips?
And some high carb food and honey if needed?
As there is no data yet it is hard to say what you should give tonight.

Can you test again at 6.30pm your time and we can see if it's still going up.
I'll watch for your post
Bron
Click to expand...
I need to change the spreadsheet link. It hasn't copied correctly. I'll try now and her data should be there. Yes I have a new glucometer and strips today. All set to go.
 
Nikki, can you go to the US SS and the first number you have put in on the first day is 11.8.
That number should be in the world SS. If you can change that when you have time that would be good , thanks.
 
Yes I can check tonight, do you recommend hourly?
Thanks so much for being here tonight. I have to go now and cook my family dinner :)
 
No you don't need hourly tests
A +2 and +4 would be good and let's see what it is then. If you post them I will watch for them.
If she is dropping we can get more.
Is that ok with you?

The remarks column can be used to put in information such as what you feed and when, how Fifi is, any urine tests, any litter box problems etc.
We always look at the signature and the SS when we help you so all information is good.

I'll see you in 2 hours.
 
Ok great thank you. Just to clarify I do one in 2 hours at 8.30 pm and another at 10.30pm? I've been up since 4.30 am so I won't be able to do later than that. :)
 
One more thing Nikki
How often are you feeding Fifi?
We recommend that you give her a good meal before the shot and then a couple of other small meals during the first half of the cycle (up to around +6) for bothe the am and the pm cycles.
If you are not going to be home some of these times, a timed feeder is great investment.
I had this one for Sheba
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/AUTO-Do...a=0&pg=2047675&_trksid=p2047675.c100008.m2219
 
She is getting fed twice daily as per vets advice with insulin. When she is well which she seems to be, she is a good eater and will anything I give her. She is looking for food all day and always has, hence her reason for getting diabetes in the first place from being obese.
 
NikkiN said:
Ok great thank you. Just to clarify I do one in 2 hours at 8.30 pm and another at 10.30pm? I've been up since 4.30 am so I won't be able to do later than that. :)
Click to expand...
Yes those are the two times.
If she is dropping low at +4 you may need to set the alarm to test later to keep her safe. But let's see how she goes.
You are doing very well!
 
NikkiN said:
She is getting fed twice daily as per vets advice with insulin. When she is well which she seems to be, she is a good eater and will anything I give her. She is looking for food all day and always has, hence her reason for getting diabetes in the first place from being obese.
Click to expand...
It is better for a diabetic cat to have smaller meals more often....less stress on the pancreas.
You don't need to give extra food. Just divide the morning's food up into say half at shot time then 1/4 at +2 and 1/4 at +5?
This also is good because she is getting some food when the insulin is at its strongest.
Unregulated diabetic cats are hungry because they are unable to absorb all the nutrients in the food, so she will be genuinely hungry.

It is old school thinking to only feed twice a day. That was for the older insulins.
 
I see the +2 is 261 down from 319.
A drop at +2 usually means an active cycle.
You will need to test at +4 and may need to test again after that.
I'm not going to be awake at your +4 so I will try and find someone who can advise you if you need to test agsin after that.
Do you have some higher carb food if needed?
 
Bron and Sheba (GA) said:
One more thing Nikki
How often are you feeding Fifi?
We recommend that you give her a good meal before the shot and then a couple of other small meals during the first half of the cycle (up to around +6) for bothe the am and the pm cycles.
If you are not going to be home some of these times, a timed feeder is great investment.
I had this one for Sheba
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/AUTO-Dog-Pet-Feeder-Dispenser-Food-Bowl-Cat-6-Meal-Automatic-Program-Digital-LCD/111237001846?_trkparms=aid=333200&algo=COMP.MBE&ao=1&asc=59972&meid=f9dd6a733e4946b58a01c12f45c9d03d&pid=100008&rk=2&rkt=12&sd=274031797355&itm=111237001846&pmt=1&noa=0&pg=2047675&_trksid=p2047675.c100008.m2219
Click to expand...
I had a look at the feeder it looks great. It says dry food only though? Had you used wet food with it?
 
Bron and Sheba (GA) said:
I see the +2 is 261 down from 319.
A drop at +2 usually means an active cycle.
You will need to test at +4 and may need to test again after that.
I'm not going to be awake at your +4 so I will try and find someone who can advise you if you need to test agsin after that.
Do you have some higher carb food if needed?
Click to expand...
Yes I do have higher carb food. How low before giving that do you let it go? I will have to set the alarm for +4 myself as it’s been an extremely long day and have a huge work day tomorrow.
 
NikkiN said:
Yes I do have higher carb food. How low before giving that do you let it go? I will have to set the alarm for +4 myself as it’s been an extremely long day and have a huge work day tomorrow.
Click to expand...
We don't usually give high carb food until the number drops under 50, but if she was dropping fast we could give her some food to slow her down. Someone would help you with that.
You can always change the subject line and add a ? Or say help if you are concerned

So post the +4 BG and I will try and have someone watching for you.
 
Hi Nikki and welcome to the best place you never wanted to be!

as Bron said the +2 being lower than the pre shot number can indicate an active cycle. She is nice and safe right now but if you could get another test in around +4 that would be good just to make sure she doesn’t drop too low. I know you are have been up a long time...this feline diabetic stuff isn’t for sissies LOL :)
 
Bobbie And Bubba said:
Hi Nikki and welcome to the best place you never wanted to be!

as Bron said the +2 being lower than the pre shot number can indicate an active cycle. She is nice and safe right now but if you could get another test in around +4 that would be good just to make sure she doesn’t drop too low. I know you are have been up a long time...this feline diabetic stuff isn’t for sissies LOL :)
Click to expand...
Thank you. I’ll post one In Half an hour and then I’m off to get some before getting my daughter off early in morning
 
Hi Nikki
Well done getting the preshot BG this morning
With that 22 (400) this morning it looks like a bounce from a low number last night.
If you get a drop from 17.7 (319) to 6.5 (117) in 4 hours, you really need to test again to make sure Fifi is safe, because that is a substantial drop that early in the cycle.
If that happens again, give Fifi some food to see if we can slow down the drop. If the low carb food does not slow it down, we can try some medium Carb food.
We want to try and stop the bouncing by slowing down any big drops. Does that make sense?

Also finding out the nadir (lowest point) in the cycle is important as that shows how well the insulin is working and the nadir determines the dose.
When you have time, can you look at the two dosing methods please at the top of the Lantus and Levemir page and see if you want to do the TR....tight regulation, or theSLGS (start low go slow) method.
Here is the link to the page
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/forums/lantus-basaglar-glargine-and-levemir-detemir.9/

Do you have any medium and high carb food at home.?
You will find out the medium and high carb foods if you look in Lisa Piersons chart...the link is attached to the links I sent you yesterday.
It's really important you set up a hypo kit which includes honey and high and medium Carb food in case of low numbers
 
Bron and Sheba (GA) said:
Hi Nikki
Well done getting the preshot BG this morning
With that 22 (400) this morning it looks like a bounce from a low number last night.
If you get a drop from 17.7 (319) to 6.5 (117) in 4 hours, you really need to test again to make sure Fifi is safe, because that is a substantial drop that early in the cycle.
If that happens again, give Fifi some food to see if we can slow down the drop. If the low carb food does not slow it down, we can try some medium Carb food.
We want to try and stop the bouncing by slowing down any big drops. Does that make sense?

Also finding out the nadir (lowest point) in the cycle is important as that shows how well the insulin is working and the nadir determines the dose.
When you have time, can you look at the two dosing methods please at the top of the Lantus and Levemir page and see if you want to do the TR....tight regulation, or theSLGS (start low go slow) method.
Here is the link to the page
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/forums/lantus-basaglar-glargine-and-levemir-detemir.9/

Do you have any medium and high carb food at home.?
You will find out the medium and high carb foods if you look in Lisa Piersons chart...the link is attached to the links I sent you yesterday.
It's really important you set up a hypo kit which includes honey and high and medium Carb food in case of low numbers
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info. I’m at work today but I’m home now and check her level. I’ll then back an within 3 hours again. Doing the best I can.
 
NikkiN said:
Thanks for the info. I’m at work today but I’m home now and check her level. I’ll then back an within 3 hours again. Doing the best I can.
Click to expand...
Hi Nikki
That was good you were able to get home to test the BG level. Fifi is certainly responding well to the insulin.
Did you give her some food after you tested and got the 7 (126) at +5?
 
Bron and Sheba (GA) said:
Hi Nikki
That was good you were able to get home to test the BG level. Fifi is certainly responding well to the insulin.
Did you give her some food after you tested and got the 7 (126) at +5?
Click to expand...
Hi had a visit to vets this afternoon. Checking urine etc. no ketones and no cytsitis etc. so sticking to food change and dropping insulin to 1ui and keeping check for a few days and will report back to vets. Vets happy with food change
 
NikkiN said:
Hi had a visit to vets this afternoon. Checking urine etc. no ketones and no cytsitis etc. so sticking to food change and dropping insulin to 1ui and keeping check for a few days and will report back to vets. Vets happy with food change
Click to expand...
Thanks for the update.:)
Why did he drop down to 1 unit?
 
Do you mean change over from dry high carb food to low carb canned?

If so, you certainly have to be careful that the BGs don’t drop too far with the change of food over to low carb.
We usually suggest doing the change over slowly and monitoring the BG levels closely so that any change in dose that is needed is caught early. And we change the dose as needed then, not before.

I guess your vet did it the other way round.

We don’t usually go all the way back and start again because in most cases you will need to increase the dose. Luckily Fifi was only on 2 units so not a huge drop back down.

I’m glad your vet realised the BG would drop with the withdrawal of the dry food. Not all vets do.
And it’s great he is happy with you home testing.
 
Yes they have wanted me to monitor at home from the beginning. I was very unsure about her food being a weight reduction food but the vet I was seeing suggested to stick with it. It was good for diabetes. When I changed my self and saw the drop I went straight to them and said look at the difference with the food change. It was a different vet at the same clinic who I see for my dogs. She had more urine tests etc and he was happy the change in food. He wants me to stick with for now and monitor over next few days and then take in her levels etc. so far they are a little all over the place but definitely a lot lower than a few weeks back they had started to think she was insulin resistant which clearly she is not. This cat has had 1000 lives. She has had 3 paralysis ticks in her lifetime as well. Thankfully not one for 7 years. They were all on upper nth shore Sydney.
 
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