Nadirs last couple of days over 200

Mimis mom

Mimis mom

Member Since 2019
I was reading all about the dosing methods and was wondering if I should increase by .25 considering I haven't seen any numbers below 200 in a few days. I know it says to hold for a week but with her recent DKA i get nervous Im not giving her enough insulin.
Also measuring .25 is very hard- it might be just slightly off some times- maybe closer to 1 unit sometimes, or closer to 1.5 others.
 
Rosa --

The only way I feel comfortable answering your question is if I know what dosing method your planning on following. The length of time your cat spends at a given dose is different depending on whether you're following Tight Regulation (TR) or Start Low Go Slow (SLGS). There's no information either in your signature or on your spreadsheet indicating which approach you're using.

If you don't think you can consistently measure a dose, many of us use digital calipers to make sure we're dosing a consistent amount. It's also easier if you have syringes that are marked in half unit increments.
 
Sienne and Gabby (GA) said:
Rosa --

The only way I feel comfortable answering your question is if I know what dosing method your planning on following. The length of time your cat spends at a given dose is different depending on whether you're following Tight Regulation (TR) or Start Low Go Slow (SLGS). There's no information either in your signature or on your spreadsheet indicating which approach you're using.

If you don't think you can consistently measure a dose, many of us use digital calipers to make sure we're dosing a consistent amount. It's also easier if you have syringes that are marked in half unit increments.
Click to expand...
I do have half unit syringes but its still challenging to see in between that. thats why I said sometimes it could be closer to .5 or sometimes closer to 1.

I don't know which one to follow? How do I decide?
 
The decision is a personal one. There are definite differences between methods. TR is more aggressive -- doses are evaluated every 3 - 5 days and reductions occur when numbers drop below 50 (on a human meter; 68 on a pet meter). You're encouraged to test more frequently given the aggressive nature of the method. There is also more published research on this approach. Your cat must be on a low carb, canned food diet or you are precluded from using TR.

SLGS was developed here. Like TR, it has a good track record for getting cats into remission. With SLGS, doses are evaluated on a weekly basis and the point where you decrease the dose is 90 on a human meter.

When I joined the board, TR was the prevailing method on this board since TR was relatively new and had the research to back it up. I liked the method and the science behind it. But, it is more "rule". based. You have more flexibility with SLGS.
 
Sienne and Gabby (GA) said:
The decision is a personal one. There are definite differences between methods. TR is more aggressive -- doses are evaluated every 3 - 5 days and reductions occur when numbers drop below 50 (on a human meter; 68 on a pet meter). You're encouraged to test more frequently given the aggressive nature of the method. There is also more published research on this approach. Your cat must be on a low carb, canned food diet or you are precluded from using TR.

SLGS was developed here. Like TR, it has a good track record for getting cats into remission. With SLGS, doses are evaluated on a weekly basis and the point where you decrease the dose is 90 on a human meter.

When I joined the board, TR was the prevailing method on this board since TR was relatively new and had the research to back it up. I liked the method and the science behind it. But, it is more "rule". based. You have more flexibility with SLGS.
Click to expand...
I don't want my kitty to go DKA again, so whatever you think would be the best to avoid that I will trust your advice! My brain is so exhausted over this.. :(
 
I also read that kitties on Lantus should be using a human meter- is that true? should I go back to the human one?

The Reli-on one is SOOOO much cheaper than the ALphatrak2 but I did just spend 100$ on it... :(

Why do you guys like human meters better and is the animal specific meter just marketing?
 
Again, it's a matter of choice. The pet meters are calibrated to be reasonably compatible with a serum chemistry analyzer -- the method that a vet's in-house lab or the lab where blood is sent out to use. A human meter is calibrated a bit differently and the numbers run a little lower than a pet meter.

Vet's like pet specific meters because they are used to looking at numbers from a lab. Many of the people here like human meters because the strips are so much less expensive.

Caregivers whose cats are on Lantus can use whatever meter they want. The TR Protocol was developed using human meters since when the research was published, pet specific meters were less available. Thus, the numbers that are discussed in TR are based on human meter readings. However, if you read the fine print in the protocol, they note that the cut point for a dose reduction using a pet meter is 68.

As for what dosing method I would choose, I like TR. But, that's me. I'm a data hog. (Look at Gabby's SS and you'll understand what I mean.)
 
Sienne and Gabby (GA) said:
Again, it's a matter of choice. The pet meters are calibrated to be reasonably compatible with a serum chemistry analyzer -- the method that a vet's in-house lab or the lab where blood is sent out to use. A human meter is calibrated a bit differently and the numbers run a little lower than a pet meter.

Vet's like pet specific meters because they are used to looking at numbers from a lab. Many of the people here like human meters because the strips are so much less expensive.

Caregivers whose cats are on Lantus can use whatever meter they want. The TR Protocol was developed using human meters since when the research was published, pet specific meters were less available. Thus, the numbers that are discussed in TR are based on human meter readings. However, if you read the fine print in the protocol, they note that the cut point for a dose reduction using a pet meter is 68.

As for what dosing method I would choose, I like TR. But, that's me. I'm a data hog. (Look at Gabby's SS and you'll understand what I mean.)
Click to expand...

I think I might do the TR too.... I also think Iam going to get the Reli-on meter. do you think its a good meter even with the price being so cheap?
I don't really know exactly what it means to be a TR protocol, would you be able to give me the short version of exactly what it is? its just going off recording numbers as opposed to the low and slow which is - what again? I Know theres a page to read it, but I just want a short version of it because I tend to over think things.
 
I also have been trying to retain things everyone is saying. its a lot so far and before I had zero clue what diabetes was. - I do know the 68 on the pet one and the 50 on the human..

Do you think based on her numbers using the TR method, I might be looking at an increase soon? Im just so scared shell go DKA again.. and yes I have been testing her ketones- its just unclear if its negative or trace.. i think its negative because when I tested mine it looked similar. the shades are too close to each other.
 
and as far as choice goes- I am too indecisive to know which is better- Id rather just follow what works for other sugar babies.. :)
 
Sienne and Gabby (GA) said:
Rosa --

The only way I feel comfortable answering your question is if I know what dosing method your planning on following. The length of time your cat spends at a given dose is different depending on whether you're following Tight Regulation (TR) or Start Low Go Slow (SLGS). There's no information either in your signature or on your spreadsheet indicating which approach you're using.

If you don't think you can consistently measure a dose, many of us use digital calipers to make sure we're dosing a consistent amount. It's also easier if you have syringes that are marked in half unit increments.
Click to expand...
oh! so how do those digital calibers work?? I mean how do I measure insulin with them?
 
Sienne and Gabby (GA) said:
The decision is a personal one. There are definite differences between methods. TR is more aggressive -- doses are evaluated every 3 - 5 days and reductions occur when numbers drop below 50 (on a human meter; 68 on a pet meter). You're encouraged to test more frequently given the aggressive nature of the method. There is also more published research on this approach. Your cat must be on a low carb, canned food diet or you are precluded from using TR.

SLGS was developed here. Like TR, it has a good track record for getting cats into remission. With SLGS, doses are evaluated on a weekly basis and the point where you decrease the dose is 90 on a human meter.

When I joined the board, TR was the prevailing method on this board since TR was relatively new and had the research to back it up. I liked the method and the science behind it. But, it is more "rule". based. You have more flexibility with SLGS.
Click to expand...

My cat eats zero carbs..

she's on a raw diet that has Turkey, turkey liver, turkey heart, goat’s milk, water, herring oil, d-alpha tocopherol (a natural source of Vitamin E) - I alternate between the turkey and the rabbit.
would the goats milk be a carb?
I also give them some canned food too - here are the ingredients in that one (from website) ..Turkey, Turkey Liver, Turkey Broth, Turkey Hearts, Brewers Dried Yeast, Guar Gum, Cassia Gum, Vitamins (Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphos-phate, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement), Potassium Chloride, Salt, Minerals (Zinc Sulfate, Zinc Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Iron Proteinate, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Calcium Carbonate, Sodium Selenite, Potassium Iodide, Cobalt Proteinate), Choline Chloride, Taurine.
is the brewers yeast a carb? I know Ive seen things like peas, and carrots in other canned food options, which is funny because thats what Ive always fed both of them- high quality canned with maybe 5 percent vegetables and somehow she still got diabetes :( I guess she can't have ANY carbs. Maybe its her breed? Norwegian forest cat?

should I list these ingredients on my profile somewhere?
 
Last edited:
You don’t need to list the ingredients anywhere. You could list the brand, as you have done already. People can then go look up the ingredients.

In post #2, Sienne listed a link to a post on digital calipers. That post also includes a video.

The answer to the increase question depends on dosing method being used. It’s a personal choice, based on your lifestyle and goals for Mimi. We cannot pick that for you.
 
Wendy&Neko said:
You don’t need to list the ingredients anywhere. You could list the brand, as you have done already. People can then go look up the ingredients.

In post #2, Sienne listed a link to a post on digital calipers. That post also includes a video.

The answer to the increase question depends on dosing method being used. It’s a personal choice, based on your lifestyle and goals for Mimi. We cannot pick that for you.
Click to expand...


would you say that food has any carbs in it? Ill click the link again, I didn't notice a video but maybe I missed it.
 
her numbers are still high- over 300- could it be because Im feeding her more often? Sometimes I wonder if I injected her correctly. I pinch the skin on the side of her abdomen and put the needle in- I see it go in because the fur is white there and I inject and hold it there for a few seconds after. When I See high numbers i start to doubt myself... Im a neurotic mess..
 
Mimis mom said:
her numbers are still high- over 300- could it be because Im feeding her more often? Sometimes I wonder if I injected her correctly. I pinch the skin on the side of her abdomen and put the needle in- I see it go in because the fur is white there and I inject and hold it there for a few seconds after. When I See high numbers i start to doubt myself... Im a neurotic mess..
Click to expand...
It sounds as if you are injecting the insulin correctly Rosa.
Mimi needs to eat so don't feed her less please.
She may need more insulin but you need to decide what method you are going to use (TR or SLGS) and that will decide what we suggest to do with the dose of insulin.

I think it would be easier to read your SS if you took the orange colour out of the SS.. it is great you are putting in when you feed, but the orange colour is very distracting when reading the SS. Would you mind doing that please? Thanks Rosa!
Keep trying to get at least one test in during each cycle so we can see how low Mimi is going.
And keep testing the urine for ketones each day.....very important!
 
I didn't list the "how to" link in my previous post. I linked where you can buy the calipers. If Rosa was interested in using the calipers, we can provide a link for how to use them.

There are a number of locations where you can give an injection. Some cats have better insulin absorption depending on where you place the shot. Of course, it may also be a matter of your cat's preference. Gabby was fine with shots in the scruff. She was not very happy with my giving her a shot in her flank.

Rosa -- if I could offer an observation. You will make yourself crazy if you assume you need to master every single detail of diabetes management overnight. I've been on this board for 10 years (I can't believe it's that long, either!) and I'm always learning. I came here with a basic knowledge of diabetes in humans, which helped, but my knowledge and experience with Gabby further expanded my knowledge. We probably start throwing questions at new members a bit too rapidly. The basics involve getting a SS started, feeding your cat an appropriate diet, and mastering the art of testing and injecting. Deciding on a dosing method is also an important decision. You have the added issue of ketones but once you know to test for them and not to skip shots, you're OK. The rest of the information you can work at in a more leisurely fashion.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top