10/22 Buddy AMPS 132 +4 71 +5.5 174 +8 104 PMPS 139 +5 70

Sandra And Buddy (GA)

Sandra And Buddy (GA)

Member Since 2019
Yesterday

Good morning!

Hope everyone has a wonderful day! Looking to be another blue day today. Possible dose increase soon?

Increasing the dose:
  • Hold the dose for 3 - 5 days (6 - 10 consecutive cycles) if nadirs are less than 200 before increasing the dose by 0.25 unit.

Post #6 and #8 for current questions.
 
Last edited:
Yes, if you're on TR that's certainly the next step to dazzle up that SS with some of those greenies!

Whenever you're ready to do some testing...and sorta keep a close eye on him at night...they just love going low at night...That's when you may want to set the alarm to get up and test/feed him to keep him from going too low...
 
Sue and Luci said:
Yes, if you're on TR that's certainly the next step to dazzle up that SS with some of those greenies!

Whenever you're ready to do some testing...and sorta keep a close eye on him at night...they just love going low at night...That's when you may want to set the alarm to get up and test/feed him to keep him from going too low...
Click to expand...

Perfect! I will probably do that tomorrow morning. I have only gotten a few over night tests but haven't really seen him come down at night. But I will definitely get more than 1 or 2 over night when I increase. Thanks!
 
You need to have six cycles at a dose before evaluating it. I see a couple cycles at a fat 1-1.25, and then today is only the 5th cycle at 1.25 units. Patience. :) And since your nadirs are under 100, I would tend to hold the dose at least 8 units in that 6-10 range.

Since you can't leave food out at night, which is what keeps Buddy safe, I would really stress getting at least a before bed test every night. Cats are tricky, they don't like to be predictable. Always test at night. ;) There are autofeeders that work with chipped collars. Some people also have fatter or thinner cats, and it's easy to build a feeding station if the diabetic is the thinner one.
 
Wendy&Neko said:
You need to have six cycles at a dose before evaluating it. I see a couple cycles at a fat 1-1.25, and then today is only the 5th cycle at 1.25 units. Patience. :) And since your nadirs are under 100, I would tend to hold the dose at least 8 units in that 6-10 range.

Since you can't leave food out at night, which is what keeps Buddy safe, I would really stress getting at least a before bed test every night. Cats are tricky, they don't like to be predictable. Always test at night. ;) There are autofeeders that work with chipped collars. Some people also have fatter or thinner cats, and it's easy to build a feeding station if the diabetic is the thinner one.
Click to expand...

I usually do try to get a before bed number or I get up at his +3 or +4 and test. (last night was +6) But he did just have a 71 at his +4 just now :woot:

I am terrible and wanting to be over prepared for things and I know with this it changes too much to be prepared for.

I will hold off on the dose increase in the morning after this pretty green today. :)
 
I am having a hard time free hand poking for his tests. It seems to hurt him more, I tried to do it fast and went not only through his ear but also in the main vein so he bled a lot. I feel so bad, his ears are so sore. :( I think I will take tomorrow and do minimal tests and give him a break. I don't know what to do. I hate hurting him.
 
Last edited:
I have also been reading the the relion syringes are a pain to use with calipers, Which syringes should I get instead? I have been looking but there are so many. UGH! a link (amazon or other) would be wonderful.
 
Sandra And Buddy said:
I am having a hard time free hand poking for his tests. It seems to hurt him more, I tried to do it fast and went not only through his ear but also in the main vein so he bled a lot. I feel so bad, his ears are so sore. :( I think I will take tomorrow and do minimal tests and give him a break. I don't know what to do. I hate hurting him.
Click to expand...
It does get easier to test, I promise!

Personally, I use a lancing device. I couldn't control free-handing at all, and it was so much more stressful for me! If a device came with your meter, you could try that on a low depth setting. Or if you are interested, I can share an amazon link to the device I use.. I've tried a few different ones. Some cats are startled by the pop noise of the device but for Figaro it's not a major problem.
 
Figaro's Liz said:
It does get easier to test, I promise!

Personally, I use a lancing device. I couldn't control free-handing at all, and it was so much more stressful for me! If a device came with your meter, you could try that on a low depth setting. Or if you are interested, I can share an amazon link to the device I use.. I've tried a few different ones. Some cats are startled by the pop noise of the device but for Figaro it's not a major problem.
Click to expand...

I was using one but thought maybe it was the cause of bruising and soreness so I wanted to try without it. I am just not very good at it I guess. I have an accucheck, a diathrive and then a Alphatrack but will be sending that back. He doesn't seem to mind the noise. I would love to see which device you use. thank youl
 
Sandra And Buddy said:
I have also been reading the the relion syringes are a pain to use with calipers, Which syringes should I get instead? I have been looking but there are so many. UGH! a link (amazon or other) would be wonderful.
Click to expand...

I use Relion syringes with my Harbor Freight Calipers - no issues.... Stick with the Relion syringes - when Marje looked at my syringe she found them to be as accurate or more so than others...she was surprised and pleased about that. I get Relion syringes at Walmart.
 
Sandra And Buddy said:
@Sue and Luci Are these ones ok? They are the cheapest ones or should I get some better ones?

https://www.harborfreight.com/6-in-composite-digital-caliper-63586.html

Hmm, They don't say if they are locking.

There is also these.

https://www.harborfreight.com/4-in-digital-caliper-63710.html
Click to expand...

I ordered these: https://www.harborfreight.com/4-in-digital-caliper-63710.html

It has the little lock on the top ...you'll want to lock it between settings..wouldn't want to reset every time you draw up a dose.
 
Sue and Luci said:
I use Relion syringes with my Harbor Freight Calipers - no issues.... Stick with the Relion syringes - when Marje looked at my syringe she found them to be as accurate or more so than others...she was surprised and pleased about that. I get Relion syringes at Walmart.
Click to expand...

That's What I am using I think it was one of your threads I was reading. the little hub on them will throw me off. Did you ever decide if you measure above or elow the hub? Is there any preference on the harbor freight caliper? I was thinking about the 4" ones.
 
Sandra And Buddy said:
I was using one but thought maybe it was the cause of bruising and soreness so I wanted to try without it. I am just not very good at it I guess. I have an accucheck, a diathrive and then a Alphatrack but will be sending that back. He doesn't seem to mind the noise. I would love to see which device you use. thank youl
Click to expand...

I free hand the lancet - always resting her ear on a warm rice filled baby sock - she seems to like that sock on the ear thing...and it allows me to just touch that lancet to her ear without pushing all the way through -most times - I got a little wild with the lancet and stuck myself in the thumb tonight as I was positioning the lancet above her ear - have you seen the picture of the kitty ear - with the area visible that you're supposed to poke?
 
Sue and Luci said:
I free hand the lancet - always resting her ear on a warm rice filled baby sock - she seems to like that sock on the ear thing...and it allows me to just touch that lancet to her ear without pushing all the way through -most times - I got a little wild with the lancet and stuck myself in the thumb tonight as I was positioning the lancet above her ear - have you seen the picture of the kitty ear - with the area visible that you're supposed to poke?
Click to expand...

Oh yes I have looked at pictures and watched videos, all that fun stuff. I use either a rice sock or a cotton pad behind his ear. he just cries more when I free hand. I think its slower so he feels it more or something maybe? His poor ears are so red, I do compress and use neosporin with pain relief. I even shaved them so I could see better. (black hair).
 
Sandra And Buddy said:
That's What I am using I think it was one of your threads I was reading. the little hub on them will throw me off. Did you ever decide if you measure above or elow the hub? Is there any preference on the harbor freight caliper? I was thinking about the 4" ones.
Click to expand...

@Marje and Gracie helped me because I was measuring above the hub - incorrectly. So she can help you too. You're supposed to put the uppermost tooth of the calipers just under that little hub - you'll be able to see the inside of the barrel of the syringe if you look thru the calipers teeth...

I've tagged her, I'm sure she'll have some tips to share with you.
 
Sandra And Buddy said:
Oh yes I have looked at pictures and watched videos, all that fun stuff. I use either a rice sock or a cotton pad behind his ear. he just cries more when I free hand. I think its slower so he feels it more or something maybe? His poor ears are so red, I do compress and use neosporin with pain relief. I even shaved them so I could see better. (black hair).
Click to expand...

Have you tried anything like these? https://www.amazon.com/Headband-Mag...aded/dp/B07PZ6BB9Z/?tag=felinediabetesfdmb-20

We have the same problem here - DH has a hard time seeing as Luci's ears are black and the blood is dark red - he uses these to poke her ears...I think it gets better over time...she does have a sensitive spot on her right ear - I have to be careful to try to poke above that...when I avoid that tender area, she's fine...but I can tell you she lets me know if I forget and poke that little sore area...I'm hoping that's because I poked there a time or three too many - hope to give her some time to heal in that spot...
 
Sue and Luci said:
@Marje and Gracie helped me because I was measuring above the hub - incorrectly. So she can help you too. You're supposed to put the uppermost tooth of the calipers just under that little hub - you'll be able to see the inside of the barrel of the syringe if you look thru the calipers teeth...

I've tagged her, I'm sure she'll have some tips to share with you.
Click to expand...

Thank you, I will be picking up calipers tomorrow.

Sue and Luci said:
Have you tried anything like these? https://www.amazon.com/Headband-Mag...ifying glass with light&qid=1571784044&sr=8-9
Click to expand...

I think you actually showed them to me the other day. I will probably pick them up too!

Thank you so much for always helping me, Today was just a rough day, so many disappointments and another day of information overload and no one in my life at this point can relate. I am kind of on my own. Very frustrating.
 
Sandra And Buddy said:
I was using one but thought maybe it was the cause of bruising and soreness so I wanted to try without it. I am just not very good at it I guess. I have an accucheck, a diathrive and then a Alphatrack but will be sending that back. He doesn't seem to mind the noise. I would love to see which device you use. thank youl
Click to expand...
This is the device I found recently and like quite a bit: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07P4612JM/
The trigger button is a little sensitive but once I got used to it, it's no problem. The tip is clear so you can sort of see where the needle will go. I use depth setting #2 unless I'm having trouble getting his ears warm, then I use #3. I haven't had an issue with the needle going all the way through the ear lately, though that used to happen... don't feel too bad if it happens sometimes. Oh, and I put a cotton pad behind his ear every time, to help support it.

What gauge lancets are you using? I started with 28g and now use 30g. Maybe a thinner gauge would help, as long as you don't have trouble getting enough blood.

One other thing... Figaro was really irritated by neosporin for some reason so I use a product called Vetericyn, a minor disinfectant, applied with a qtip--he doesn't seem to mind it once we get over the "what is that ting you putting by my ear!?" moment :rolleyes: https://www.amazon.com/Vetericyn-Plus-Animal-Wound-Spray/dp/B06WP7LGPT?tag=felinediabetesfdmb-20
 
Sandra And Buddy said:
another day of information overload and no one in my life at this point can relate. I am kind of on my own. Very frustrating.
Click to expand...

I can sure relate! I remember feeling the same way in the beginning...it was like drinking water from a firehose! I was overwhelmed and didn't have a lot of time (I was working all day) and then trying to figure out how not to kill my cat ... after a while it will all come together, I promise. Just take it a little at a time. Try to get your tools in order (calipers, headlamps and goggles, etc.) I never did ask you what size lancets you're using? I use the tiniest ones - 31 gauge - also from Walmart. So the holes are the tiniest possible.

I know it all seems like so much on your plate...I remember thinking that I wasn't going to be able to do this at all..but somehow we muddled through...and yes I made mistakes along the way...who wouldn't this was all new to me! But you can do this...and with all the help here on the forum - you are not alone - by any means. Tomorrow is a new day. Learn one thing today...one thing tomorrow...soon you'll be giving advice and helping others ... :bighug::bighug:
 
Sandra And Buddy said:
I have both and have used both, At this point I find no difference but I guess that is because I don't really know what I am looking for.
Click to expand...
If you get enough of a blood drop no matter the gauge, maybe stick with the smaller gauge (i.e. higher number - 31 is a thinner needle, 2 is a larger needle and therefore could cause more discomfort) and see if it helps.

As Sue said... you are not alone and you are not the only one who has struggled... I cried every day for the first couple months after Fig was diagnosed. It's very very hard and believe me, we sympathize AND empathize. I'm so sorry that you are having a bad day today. It will get better!:)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top