Data/ballpark ideas on effect of carbs on BG after low BG incident

Mnm

Mnm

Member Since 2020
Hi-

Marco had a low BG incident last night; as a result, I gave him high carb food throughout the night to increase his BG and get him through the low BG.

I realize this is a loaded question as it depends on many factors (how much food, carb content, how many carbs were used to get through the crisis, etc). All the same, is there a "rule of thumb", thoughts, "typical findings", other, regarding how long the effect of the high carb meals (used to get through the crisis) effects the cat's BG for the next few cycles. Is it hours, days, other? Any thoughts or rules of thumb?

Just looking to gain knowledge as I gauge Marco's numbers after going through our low BG and high carb feeding cycle.

Thank you and all the best-

Wendy
 
Hi Wendy. Whenever Max dropped under 50 I would give a little, maybe a teaspoon, hc food or gravy and test again in 20-30 minutes. I would continue that way until he was over 50at which point I would try a little Mc and continue to retest every 20-30 until he was high 50’s-60’s. Then I not feed and recheck in 30 to see he was was cruising. Once cruising above 50 I would not feed and check in a hour and repeat in another hour. If good I’d stop. If I doubt pos and ask for help. I couldn’t see a condo from last night. If there is one it’s best to link to this one.

I found it and see you did post. You did a good job. Only suggestion I have is when you update numbers say what you fed. It helps with later situations. Max gave me lots of OTJ parties which I hated because often nobody was on the board to talk it over.

http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/...40-2nd-below-40-in-1-day.227808/#post-2551535
 
Last edited:
tiffmaxee said:
Hi Wendy. Whenever Max dropped under 50 I would give a little, maybe a teaspoon, hc food or gravy and test again in 20-30 minutes. I would continue that way until he was over 50at which point I would try a little Mc and continue to retest every 20-30 until he was high 50’s-60’s. Then I not feed and recheck in 30 to see he was was cruising. Once cruising above 50 I would not feed and check in a hour and repeat in another hour. If good I’d stop. If I doubt pos and ask for help. I couldn’t see a condo from last night. If there is one it’s best to link to this one.

I found it and see you did post. You did a good job. Only suggestion I have is when you update numbers say what you fed. It helps with later situations. Max gave me lots of OTJ parties which I hated because often nobody was on the board to talk it over.

http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/...40-2nd-below-40-in-1-day.227808/#post-2551535
Click to expand...

Thank you
 
High carb wet food (if that's what you gave) typically lasts around a couple hours. Dry food lasts longer. Low numybers can also cause a bounce, which can last up to six cycles.
Bouncing - Bouncing is simply a natural reaction to what the cat's system perceives as a BG value that is "too low". "Too low" is relative. If a cat is used to BGs in the 200's, 300's, or higher for a long time, then even a BG that drops to 150 can trigger a "bounce". Bouncing can also be triggered if the blood glucose drops too low and/or too fast.The pancreas, then the liver, release glucogon, glycogen and counter-regulatory hormones. The end result is a dumping of "sugar" into the bloodstream to save the cat from going hypoglycemic from a perceived low. The action is often referred to as "liver panic" or "panicky liver". *Usually*, a bounce will clear kitty's system within 3 days (6 cycles).

More info on the Sticky Note on Handling Low Numbers.
 
Wendy&Neko said:
High carb wet food (if that's what you gave) typically lasts around a couple hours. Dry food lasts longer. Low numybers can also cause a bounce, which can last up to six cycles.
Bouncing - Bouncing is simply a natural reaction to what the cat's system perceives as a BG value that is "too low". "Too low" is relative. If a cat is used to BGs in the 200's, 300's, or higher for a long time, then even a BG that drops to 150 can trigger a "bounce". Bouncing can also be triggered if the blood glucose drops too low and/or too fast.The pancreas, then the liver, release glucogon, glycogen and counter-regulatory hormones. The end result is a dumping of "sugar" into the bloodstream to save the cat from going hypoglycemic from a perceived low. The action is often referred to as "liver panic" or "panicky liver". *Usually*, a bounce will clear kitty's system within 3 days (6 cycles).

More info on the Sticky Note on Handling Low Numbers.
Click to expand...
Thank you.
 
Just as you surmised, there's a lot of nuance that goes on with steering low numbers. Much of what you do depends on your cat and where you are in the cycle. If you look at Gabby's SS, you'll see she was one of those kitties who had a very early nadir. I front loaded her food (i.e., she was fed at PS, +1 and +2). This helped to prevent too rapid of a drop. When I would try to steer with LC vs HC also depended on what her numbers told me.

One caveat -- after it became apparent that Gabby was not going to go into remission and even before because she could bounce to the moon, I worked at trying to give her as much insulin as possible and tried to prevent a dose reduction. My point is that in looking at her spreadsheet, there may be points where the strategy I was using isn't obvious.
 
Hi Sienne-

Thank you for your input. I'm learning first hand more and more, "know your cat". It got real scary there a few times when he just started to drop like a rocket. Good, all the same scary... when you don't know what's going on and the best course of action. The good news is through it all, I learned more about Marco and am making more informed decisions.

Really appreciate your words, your information, and the community.

Wendy and Marco
 
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