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MrWorfMen's Mom said:
As long as pre-shot is high enough(over 150) then yes I would give 0.25u and grab a +2 or +3 BG test to see what Diesel is doing tonight. All you can do is eyeball the 0.25u dose half way between the 0.5u mark and the zero line on the syringe barrel. (See left picture below). You could draw up coloured water in a used syringe to what you perceive to be 0.25u and use that as a comparison. It's much more important to be consistent with dosing than precise. The point is to reduce the dose from the 0.5u to something close to 0.25u.

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what should his sugar be in the am for me to give him a dose of the same in the am? I feel like I asked this before but I can’t find it.

it just makes me nervous because after I give it I have to leave for work... should I only give the night one and then try the morning one Saturday when I am home most of the day? But if I give less Of a dose tonight will his blood be way higher after work by the time I get home..
 
I suggested a pre-shot of 150 but if you can't monitor and have little data, you could raise your no shoot BG to 200 for tomorrow. Better to be giving shots twice daily than once a day. Once a day basically sets kitty up for a roller coaster of ups and downs because the insulin shot will not last 24 hours. If you skip the shot tomorrow AM, then you can expect to see a somewhat higher BG tomorrow night.
 
For new members, just starting giving insulin, we suggest the "NO Shoot" threshold be around 250 with Lantus. You can lower that no shoot threshold with time. A lower "NO shoot" threshold like the 150 that Linda suggests, is for more experienced users. Users that have more data, knows how their cat will react, knows what hypo symptoms might look like with their cat.

Yes, Nicole, you use Lantus insulin for yourself, but it works differently for cats.

Diesel hasn't even been getting the insulin for enough time to fill up the 'Depot'. (1 shot so far. That is all.) The depot can affect the BG levels for 6 cycles. It's been one. You might want to read this post on what the depot is and what it means for your cat.

If Diesel were my cat, I would not give the insulin until you are home this weekend to monitor.

This is a marathon, not a sprint. Go too fast with that low a "No Shoot" threshold this early in the treatment, is dangerous.

Plus as I said in my previous reply, you are changing the food to low carb at the same time as you started the insulin.

The ultimate decision is in your hands.
 
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@Deb & Wink The 250 threshold for no shoot is something that I've seen suggested at times for use with a pet meter but not for a human meter. We usually say 150 to 200 for human meters. When I first started on this journey the threshold was 200 until one has some data so I am perfectly happy with a no shot limit of 200 although I think with the smaller dose of 0.25u, 150 would be Ok if Nicole can monitor tonight.
 
Hi, Can you guys check my profile and see if my spreadsheet worked and is updated... I can't seem to figure out how to write date diagnosed and Meter without getting rid of those words.. or do I just delete the code and write it myself?
 
YIPPEE! You got it! I can see the spreadsheet. Great job!

Not sure what words you are referring to? Are you getting a message your signature is too long? If so, you don't need the dose of insulin or date you started it in your signature, only the name of the insulin. Then you should be able to add date of Diagnosis and meter. You can also cut the diet info down to simply "FF wet pates" for instance. I use the "|" as a separator for the different bits of info. If you continue to have a problem, let me know.
 
MrWorfMen's Mom said:
YIPPEE! You got it! I can see the spreadsheet. Great job!

Not sure what words you are referring to? Are you getting a message your signature is too long? If so, you don't need the dose of insulin or date you started it in your signature, only the name of the insulin. Then you should be able to add date of Diagnosis and meter. You can also cut the diet info down to simply "FF wet pates" for instance. I use the "|" as a separator for the different bits of info. If you continue to have a problem, let me know.
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No on the spreadsheet in the top left hand corner.. the first boxes of info. One of my boxes just says lantus but before I wrote it said insulin: like there’s one there that says meter:
 
Oh Now I get it. I haven't used the SS since that got added but I see no reason not to just type over what's there if you can't fit what you need to type in the space after the colons.

Just noticed you have set up the International spreadsheet but I assumed you were in the US given the readings you've posted. Doesn't matter but wondering about your general location.
 
MrWorfMen's Mom said:
Oh Now I get it. I haven't used the SS since that got added but I see no reason not to just type over what's there if you can't fit what you need to type in the space after the colons.

Just noticed you have set up the International spreadsheet but I assumed you were in the US given the readings you've posted. Doesn't matter but wondering about your general location.
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Yah I did it on purpose to actually learn about them lol I’m in Canada so for myself I use the other one.
 
Oh Dahh! You're in my favourite part of the country. How did I forget that!? :rolleyes: Is your meter a US meter or are you converting the readings? If you are converting them, you don't have to. The spreadsheet does that automatically. You can just use the World sheet, input your readings in mmol and the US sheet will automatically populate with the converted number. Occasionally you might have to colour code manually or do a conversion but we'll cross that bridge if and when it happens.
 
MrWorfMen's Mom said:
Oh Dahh! You're in my favourite part of the country. How did I forget that!? :rolleyes: Is your meter a US meter or are you converting the readings? If you are converting them, you don't have to. The spreadsheet does that automatically. You can just use the World sheet, input your readings in mmol and the US sheet will automatically populate with the converted number. Occasionally you might have to colour code manually or do a conversion but we'll cross that bridge if and when it happens.
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Ohh! Hahah I hate technology. I’ll deff look at it again when I get a chance. My computer sucks and it doesn’t allow me to do much on my phone.
 
Deb & Wink said:
You'll find those 1/2 Unit markings with the 3/10 cc syringes nice to have for adjusting in 0.25 and 0.5 U increments.

Lantus insulin has a depot effect in cats. Takes several days to build up. With a food change at the same time, those BG numbers may drop like a rock.

Got your hypo toolkit ready?
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I’m looking at what you said here again and thinking about it. He won’t eat any of his other food. Should I be giving him some higher carb food or more food so that his numbers don’t drop when this happens?
 
He needs to eat something if his BG numbers start to drop really low. What do you have available?

Some Fancy Feast Gravy Lovers (FFGL) is a high carb food, a nice one to have in your hypo toolkit. You would only give tiny amounts of food to bring the BG levels back up. Squeeze the gravy out of that can of FFGL food, about a teaspoon of the gravy would be a good amount. If you don't have any cans of the higher carb food to feed, you can make your own gravy from a little flour, water and butter. Alternatively you could add a drop of your pancake syrup on top of 1/2 t to 1 teaspoon of his Fancy Feast food. The sugars wear off fast, so you'd need to keep testing and feed little bits of food to prop up the numbers again. You don't want to give Diesel too much food, so that he gets full and won't eat anymore.

Here is the Sticky on How to Treat Hypos, with more info.
 
I can't stay up late at night, already a couple of hours past my normal bedtime.

If you have issues with suspected hypo symptoms and need help, Change the title of your thread and put the 911 icon on the top left.
 
Deb & Wink said:
He needs to eat something if his BG numbers start to drop really low. What do you have available?

Some Fancy Feast Gravy Lovers (FFGL) is a high carb food, a nice one to have in your hypo toolkit. You would only give tiny amounts of food to bring the BG levels back up. Squeeze the gravy out of that can of FFGL food, about a teaspoon of the gravy would be a good amount. If you don't have any cans of the higher carb food to feed, you can make your own gravy from a little flour, water and butter. Alternatively you could add a drop of your pancake syrup on top of 1/2 t to 1 teaspoon of his Fancy Feast food. The sugars wear off fast, so you'd need to keep testing and feed little bits of food to prop up the numbers again. You don't want to give Diesel too much food, so that he gets full and won't eat anymore.

Here is the Sticky on How to Treat Hypos, with more info.
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I bought 2 cans of high carb food today with gravy and a huge bottle of corn syrup haha I’m sure the bottle will last a decade lol

but because I am doing insulin and the food change at the same time I’m worried his numbers will drop when it all kicks in
 
He was 8.3 about + 2 later and now this morning he is 19.4 (349) I have never given him his insulin in the am before but I leave in an hour so not sure if I should give him 0.25 or not.
 
That was a huge drop from Preshot to +3 last night. When you get a drop like that you need to test again as Diesal probably dropped a lot further. And is bouncing this morning.
Will he eat well this morning for you?
Can you leave a good amount of food out for him to graze on during the day?
If yes to both those questions I would give him the insulin (0.25)

can you get home at all to test during the day?
 
Bron and Sheba (GA) said:
That was a huge drop from Preshot to +3 last night. When you get a drop like that you need to test again as Diesal probably dropped a lot further. And is bouncing this morning.
Will he eat well this morning for you?
Can you leave a good amount of food out for him to graze on during the day?
If yes to both those questions I would give him the insulin (0.25)

can you get home at all to test during the day?
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Yesterday I gave 0.5 and in the morning his blood was 6.2.. then 9 hours later when I got home it was 16.

I meant to test but my alarm didn’t go off :/

he’s hungry right now but I didn’t give him his food yet. And no I can’t get home to be able to make it back to work :(
 
349 is plenty high enough to give the insulin. Just make sure he eats well and leave plenty of food out for him during the day. Do you have some food that’s a bit higher in carbs you can leave out? As he likes to drop.
 
Bron and Sheba (GA) said:
349 is plenty high enough to give the insulin. Just make sure he eats well and leave plenty of food out for him during the day. Do you have some food that’s a bit higher in carbs you can leave out? As he likes to drop.
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I have one that is 13g in carbs... or I have his Iams but not sure the carbs in that.
 
Nicole & Diesel said:
No it wasn’t. He hasn’t eaten yet. Barfing isn’t too unusual for him but it normally was when he would eat hard food he’d eat it too fast. He didn’t have hard. I wonder if it’s the change to the new type of food
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Possibly, but if he eats fast, that can make him sick. I have a bolter and I slow him down by putting the food on a large plate.
 
Nicole & Diesel said:
Good idea!

I’m going to try to come home at noon and check on him if I can. Depends what time I can get out for lunch. That’ll be about +5
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That’s a really good plan. If you can get some mid cycles tests in we can see how low the dose is taking him. I suspect he dropped lower last night and that’s why he is high ( bouncing) this morning. He may be still be high at +5 or he might decide it is time to drop again. I’ll be very interested to see what it is.
 
Nicole & Diesel said:
I haven’t had a chance to update because I have been at work.

His last test and needle was at 650 this am and that test was at noon
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Kind of a catch-22. You can't update the SS from work and it's hard for us to tell if that was an ok reading for +5. Don't know what the Pre-shot BG was or how much insulin you gave this morning. Were you able to leave a bit of food for him before you went back to work?

p.s. I know how hard it is to keep up to date. I was on a 3 hour call this morning, not able to check the FDMB to see how people were doing that I keep an eye on.
 
Deb & Wink said:
Kind of a catch-22. You can't update the SS from work and it's hard for us to tell if that was an ok reading for +5. Don't know what the Pre-shot BG was or how much insulin you gave this morning. Were you able to leave a bit of food for him before you went back to work?

p.s. I know how hard it is to keep up to date. I was on a 3 hour call this morning, not able to check the FDMB to see how people were doing that I keep an eye on.
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Ok I just updated it.
I left a bit of food but it didn’t look like he touched much of it, even if any at all.
 
Should have said that temporarily at least, if you can't update your SS for some reason, it's ok to put some of that info directly in the post.

If Diesel ever has low numbers and you are asking for assistance, having the data updated in the SS let's us know what is going on. For instance, if you think your cat may be headed <100 mg/dl (<5.5 mmol), towards lows you haven't seen before and need some guidance. Might not be anyone signed on the message board that is familiar with Diesel and what is going on. When you need immediate help, it takes a lot of time to go back and read through previous posts.

Must have been a senior moment on my part to forget to mention putting info in the thread (post).:rolleyes:

That drop from pre-shot to +5 is still safe. If you are not home to monitor, leaving out a little bit of food can help, because many cats will go eat if they feel their BG's dropping lower than they are used to. I'd expect a bit of a bounce at the PM pre-shot BG test.

We don't know when Diesel nadir's yet (lowest BG reading in cycle), since this is so new, 3 days, and that will take time to learn. The depot is still filling. Let's see what the weekend brings. I'm sure you have grocery shopping, laundry and all that other fun stuff to do also. Maybe taking kids to piano practice, or sports events.

The first couple of weeks are tough. It get's easier as time goes on, really it does.

Does Diesel have any other roommates?
 
I will definitely try to be better at putting in the info. I figured out how to do it on my phone, so I should be a little quicker.

Wondering if I should still continue with the 0.25 units for now...

No other pets in the household. I don't think he could handle not being the center of attention hahah I do have a toddler bouncing around which he seems to tolerate pretty well.
 
Nicole & Diesel said:
I will definitely try to be better at putting in the info. I figured out how to do it on my phone, so I should be a little quicker.

Wondering if I should still continue with the 0.25 units for now...

No other pets in the household. I don't think he could handle not being the center of attention hahah I do have a toddler bouncing around which he seems to tolerate pretty well.
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Son or daughter? Good thing that Diesel is ok with an active youngun' in the house.

As far as the 0.25 dose goes, let's see what the PM pre-shot is. For now, you do not want to increase. Too early in this process to want to do that increase. Hard to see the future. I've never been good at that, but 0.25 U for tonight will likely be ok.

You must be exhausted. Please push back at us if we are ever asking for too much, and say "Not now please". We understand that life is busy and with children, it's even busier.

We trying to help you keep Diesel safe.

Right now, I only have 1 cat. Thought of getting another but my civie Dancer enjoys being the center of attention too, plus she has really come out of her shell as the only cat now. But if one of the neighborhood outdoor cats comes up on my deck, watch out! She'll try to attack through the glass slider.
 
Deb & Wink said:
Son or daughter? Good thing that Diesel is ok with an active youngun' in the house.

As far as the 0.25 dose goes, let's see what the PM pre-shot is. For now, you do not want to increase. Too early in this process to want to do that increase. Hard to see the future. I've never been good at that, but 0.25 U for tonight will likely be ok.

You must be exhausted. Please push back at us if we are ever asking for too much, and say "Not now please". We understand that life is busy and with children, it's even busier.

We trying to help you keep Diesel safe.

Right now, I only have 1 cat. Thought of getting another but my civie Dancer enjoys being the center of attention too, plus she has really come out of her shell as the only cat now. But if one of the neighborhood outdoor cats comes up on my deck, watch out! She'll try to attack through the glass slider.
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I have a son. He’s pretty good at leaving the cat alone. He understands what being sick means so we just say Diesel is sick and he leaves him alone.

what do you all do when you have to go away somewhere and you’re not going to be home? Do you ask someone to come take blood and shots?
 
Nicole & Diesel said:
I have a son. He’s pretty good at leaving the cat alone. He understands what being sick means so we just say Diesel is sick and he leaves him alone.

what do you all do when you have to go away somewhere and you’re not going to be home? Do you ask someone to come take blood and shots?
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1. Find a catssitter experienced with feline diabetes. Check references carefully.
2. Sometimes there is a vet tech in one of the local vet offices that is willing to make a little money on the side.
3. Put a post in Feline Health asking if anyone knows of someone in your area that is experienced with caring for diabetic cats.
4. Hope you have time before your vacation to get your cat better regulated.
5. Teach family members to help out.
6. Find if there is an adult neighbor that can help or is willing to learn.
7. Some people haven't taken vacations in years. Doesn't work for everyone, but does work for some.
8. Ask all your coworkers, friends, family, if they know someone, that knows someone. In other words, network among your contacts.
9. Board your cat.
10. Reduce the insulin dose for someone unfamiliar with your cat in case they are not able or willing to do the BG tests or your cat is uncooperative.
11. There is a facebook closed group, owned by the same person that owns this message board. Feline Diabetes. You can ask over there for a recommendation to see if anyone knows someone in Nova Scotia. Under the file section there, there is a file called 'Willing to help a Newbie?' I looked and did not find anyone over your way. If you decide to join, let them know you are already posting on the FDMB message board and being helped. Lots of inexperienced people over there, but Chris Ronkowski (Chris & China on the message board) is a moderator. So is Karen Nicholson (a moderator) but don't know her FDMB user name. Those 2 are very knowledgeable.

You get 50+ people piling on your threads in the Facebook group, all saying the same thing and often not answering your question.

That's all I can think of off the top of my head.
 
Hi Nicole, I see you managed to get home and test Diesel. That was very useful information to get that mid cycle test.
I would stay with the 0.25 units, unless the Preshot is too low, in which case stall don’t feed and ask for help, and keep testing during the cycles whenever you can.
 
Bron and Sheba (GA) said:
Hi Nicole, I see you managed to get home and test Diesel. That was very useful information to get that mid cycle test.
I would stay with the 0.25 units, unless the Preshot is too low, in which case stall don’t feed and ask for help, and keep testing during the cycles whenever you can.
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His sugar is now 16.9 before his shot
 
It is now been +5 and Diesel went from 16.9 before his shot to 5.9. I’m going to set an alarm and check again in the middle of the night.
 
Hi, not sure what to do. Diesel was 14 this am and I gave him his 0.25 and he ate. Now at +3 he’s 15.. Maybe I didn’t properly give the needle?! :/
 
You may have given Diesel what we call a 'Fur Shot'. Never give more insulin because you can never be sure how much if any insulin got into your cat. Wait until the next 12 hour cycle to give more insulin "Better safe than sorry".

Good job last night Nichole! You must be exhausted, especially with a toddler to take care of too.

If you are able to get another test in at around +5 to +7 this AM that would be great, if you are around to do that.

Low blue BG readings, but still safe numbers. No need to steer with food. If you did happen to give Diesel some food last night would you note that on the SS when you get a chance.

Depot is still filling, so keeping a closer eye on Diesel and asking for a few more tests is what we are likely to do.

The first couple of weeks are the most difficult. Hang in there! Like having a new baby and waking up at all hours to take care of their needs.
 
Deb & Wink said:
You may have given Diesel what we call a 'Fur Shot'. Never give more insulin because you can never be sure how much if any insulin got into your cat. Wait until the next 12 hour cycle to give more insulin "Better safe than sorry".

Good job last night Nichole! You must be exhausted, especially with a toddler to take care of too.

If you are able to get another test in at around +5 to +7 this AM that would be great, if you are around to do that.

Low blue BG readings, but still safe numbers. No need to steer with food. If you did happen to give Diesel some food last night would you note that on the SS when you get a chance.

Depot is still filling, so keeping a closer eye on Diesel and asking for a few more tests is what we are likely to do.

The first couple of weeks are the most difficult. Hang in there! Like having a new baby and waking up at all hours to take care of their needs.
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Yea I read about a fur shot on here so I knew not to give him any more incase.

my toddler was actually at my parents’ house last night so it was a little bit easier. I’ll be exhausted tomorrow because we’re on our way to get him now.

I gave him some food because he was starving last night (may have been cause we are usually sleeping but we were up late last night so he was up and about too) but I gave him some food that only had 1g of carb in it. What type of treats do you use that would have no carbs in it that I could give him when his blood is high if he’s starving? I’ve attached a picture where I searched a link on here and got these but just want your opinion.
 

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Nicole & Diesel said:
I gave him some food because he was starving last night (may have been cause we are usually sleeping but we were up late last night so he was up and about too) but I gave him some food that only had 1g of carb in it. What type of treats do you use that would have no carbs in it that I could give him when his blood is high if he’s starving? I’ve attached a picture where I searched a link on here and got these but just want your opinion.
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Just note the 'snack' on the SS, with + time if you remember, over in the remarks column.

Those Pure Bites wet treats would be great! Didn't even know they made those.

Really, any kind of pure protein/meat would be good. Any kind of cooked or raw meat or fish (yuck - hate sushi myself). Cook up some plain chicken and cut into small pieces and freeze some for later. Some people like the freeze dried treats but they can cause constipation if a cat is fed too many. Bonito (tuna) flakes. Purebites, Halo Liv-a-little freeze dried. Stella & Chewy and Primal make a freeze dried raw food. Bits of cheese or egg if Diesel likes that. Even a teaspoon or two of his regular Fancy Feast would be ok, just not the whole can later in the cycle (after +7 or so).

Lots of choices. What can I say? Information overload yet?:p

Sometimes we have trained our cats to expect food at a certain time. I know my little girl kitty Dancer is so used to an afternoon snack, that she'll come begging with her little squeaky meow. Sometimes she gets petting, play time or I just chat with her instead of food.
 
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