NEW MEMBER, August 29th, 2020 feeling scared

Status
Not open for further replies.
Hi Paola!

I see you're going through a bit of a baptism of fire. You're doing great. :)

Blaze and Paola said:
The plancet is 33G extra fine. He is reacting to the prick and moves quickly away...then when the blood starts coming out he won't stay still for the 5 seconds required for the machine to measure correctly.
Click to expand...

Is there anyone at home with you who could pop to a shop or pharmacy which sells diabetic supplies to pick up some 28-gauge lancets? (Sometimes labelled as 'alternate site' lancets.)

The lower the gauge the larger the diameter of the lancet and the easier it is to get a sample first go (especially in the early days).

TIP: As soon as the blood droplet appears collect it on the back of your fingernail and test it from there (make sure hands are washed before testing).

You can let Blaze wander off as soon as you've collected the sample. Takes a little pressure off! :)

.
 
Critter Mom said:
Hi Paola!

I see you're going through a bit of a baptism of fire. You're doing great. :)



Is there anyone at home with you who could pop to a shop or pharmacy which sells diabetic supplies to pick up some 28-gauge lancets? (Sometimes labelled as 'alternate site' lancets.)

The lower the gauge the larger the diameter of the lancet and the easier it is to get a sample first go (especially in the early days).

TIP: As soon as the blood droplet appears collect it on the back of your fingernail and test it from there (make sure hands are washed before testing).

You can let Blaze wander off as soon as you've collected the sample. Takes a little pressure off! :)

.
Click to expand...
This is such great info, thank you so much. I will go buy those tomorrow...I am alone now. And the finger nail tip will save me I think, that is genius. So I will wait the 5 seconds and not him. Thank you so much! I love you all
 
Shiloh & Rhonda (GA) said:
Until he learns or gets used to it, as soon as the blood appears, you can scrap it on the top of your fingernail and test it from there.
Click to expand...
This tip is great, it will help a lot, thank you Rhonda and everyone.
Would I be ok now to leave him on his own for a little bit while I shower? I have had a very eventful day and I haven't even showered yet.
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Story So Far ---------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BRIEF Hx
-------------

Dx Date: 27 Aug 2020 (Vet office BG spotcheck 25mmol/L on veterinary meter, glycosuria, PU/PD, polyphagia then inappetence, rapid weight loss - 2lb in prev 2 weeks)

Insulin: 4-5 cycles @ 2.0 IU Lantus.

Diet: Transition started 3 days ago - switch from Blue Buffalo (mixed wet/dry) to FF Patés in 25% increments.

Ketone Status: Unknown


TODAY
--------
BG Meter Type: Human (OneTouch)

AMPS - ??? (??) // DOSE: 1.0 IU Lantus // First day on 100% FF Paté

+5.25 4.1 (74) - Fed 1 tsp FF
+5.75 4.5 (81) - Fed 1 tsp FF
+7.00 5.1 (92) -

.
 
Last edited:
Paola,

Before I can say if it's safe for you to dash off to the shower, I need to be sure that all the info I have is correct.

Can you just check over the info in my previous post - particularly the amounts of food - and tell me if I've got everything right, please?

(If I have got the food amounts wrong, please can you post back the right amounts.)
.
 
Critter Mom said:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Story So Far ---------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BRIEF Hx
-------------


Dx Date: 27 Aug 2020 (BG spotcheck 25mmol/L on veterinary meter, glycosuria, PU/PD, polyphagia then inappetence, rapid weight loss - 2lb in prev 2 weeks)
Insulin: 4-5 cycles @ 2.0 Lantus.
Diet: Transitioned started 3 days ago - switch from Blue Buffalo (mixed wet/dry) to FF Patés in 25% increments.


TODAY
--------
BG Meter Type: Human (OneTouch)

AMPS - ??? (??) // DOSE: 1.0 IU Lantus // First day on 100% FF Paté

+5.25 4.1 (74) - Fed 1 tsp FF
+5.75 4.5 (81) - Fed 1 tsp FF
+7.00 5.1 (92) -

.
Click to expand...
Thank you for summarizing...that looks so complicated.
The only thing is that I only have the human meter that I bought late morning, that is why I had NO METER when I fed him this morning and that is why I put a ? there. Now I am able to measure.
The vet had me order the vet meter which has not arrived yet, supposed to get there tomorrow.
I decided to keep it and pay for it and use it only when I have to do a curve. Otherwise Blaze and I will measure with the human one
 
Critter Mom said:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Story So Far ---------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BRIEF Hx
-------------

Dx Date: 27 Aug 2020 (BG spotcheck 25mmol/L on veterinary meter, glycosuria, PU/PD, polyphagia then inappetence, rapid weight loss - 2lb in prev 2 weeks)

Insulin: 4-5 cycles @ 2.0 Lantus.

Diet: Transitioned started 3 days ago - switch from Blue Buffalo (mixed wet/dry) to FF Patés in 25% increments.


TODAY
--------
BG Meter Type: Human (OneTouch)

AMPS - ??? (??) // DOSE: 1.0 IU Lantus // First day on 100% FF Paté

+5.25 4.1 (74) - Fed 1 tsp FF
+5.75 4.5 (81) - Fed 1 tsp FF
+7.00 5.1 (92) -

.
Click to expand...
It is all correct, the food included. Not sure what PU/PD is, I need to go check that on the glossary...but it all looks perfect.
 
Blaze and Paola said:
Thank you for summarizing...that looks so complicated.
The only thing is that I only have the human meter that I bought late morning, that is why I had NO METER when I fed him this morning and that is why I put a ? there. Now I am able to measure.
The vet had me order the vet meter which has not arrived yet, supposed to get there tomorrow.
I decided to keep it and pay for it and use it only when I have to do a curve. Otherwise Blaze and I will measure with the human one
Click to expand...
Just FYI, using 2 different meters especially when one is human and the other is pet can get complicated. You may have a larger than usual variance 10-20% with the numbers on both. Just keep that in mind
 
Critter Mom said:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Story So Far ---------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BRIEF Hx
-------------

Dx Date: 27 Aug 2020 (Vet office BG spotcheck 25mmol/L on veterinary meter, glycosuria, PU/PD, polyphagia then inappetence, rapid weight loss - 2lb in prev 2 weeks)

Insulin: 4-5 cycles @ 2.0 Lantus.

Diet: Transitioned started 3 days ago - switch from Blue Buffalo (mixed wet/dry) to FF Patés in 25% increments.

Ketone Status: Unknown


TODAY
--------
BG Meter Type: Human (OneTouch)

AMPS - ??? (??) // DOSE: 1.0 IU Lantus // First day on 100% FF Paté

+5.25 4.1 (74) - Fed 1 tsp FF
+5.75 4.5 (81) - Fed 1 tsp FF
+7.00 5.1 (92) -

.
Click to expand...
Wait, what do you mean by 4-5 cycles @ 2.0 Lantus...what are the cycles?
 
Aleluia Grugru & Minnie said:
Just FYI, using 2 different meters especially when one is human and the other is pet can get complicated. You may have a larger than usual variance 10-20% with the numbers on both. Just keep that in mind
Click to expand...
Should I let the vet know I have a human meter at home now?
I was planning on using the alphatrak (when it comes in) just for the curve when the vet asks for it.
 
Lots of shorthand in the above, Paola. It's just a helpful summary for me to keep track of where Blaze is at, and in case another member might need to take over later. :)

Thanks for confirming all is OK. (We ask about the food so that we can better gauge how well Blaze is likely to stay up, to make sure he stays in safe numbers.)

PU/PD = Polyuria/Polydipsia - in plain parlance, peeing and drinking more than normal.
.
--------------------------------------

To be safe, I'd suggest giving Blaze a couple of teaspoons of food before you pop to the shower (and please make a note of the '+' time you give the food). I'd like to see you get a test again in about 30 minutes. Does that work for you, Paola?
.

.
 
Critter Mom said:
Lots of shorthand in the above, Paola. It's just a helpful summary for me to keep track of where Blaze is at, and in case another member might need to take over later. :)

Thanks for confirming all is OK. (We ask about the food so that we can better gauge how well Blaze is likely to stay up, to make sure he stays in safe numbers.)

PU/PD = Polyuria/Polydipsia - in plain parlance, peeing and drinking more than normal.
.
--------------------------------------

To be safe, I'd suggest giving Blaze a couple of teaspoons of food before you pop to the shower (and please make a note of the '+' time you give the food). I'd like to see you get a test again in about 30 minutes. Does that work for you, Paola?
.

.
Click to expand...
Yes it does, he is sleeping right now, gonna put the food in front of him, see what he does. Then I will quickly shower, test him and post.
 
Blaze and Paola said:
Wait, what do you mean by 4-5 cycles @ 2.0 Lantus...what are the cycles?
Click to expand...
1 cycle: Start time is when dose of insulin administered, and it runs for the 12 hours that follows.

Insulin is normally given to a cat twice a day, each dose given 12 hours apart. Therefore you have two cycles each day, an AM cycle and a PM cycle.

It wasn't clear from earlier posts exactly when Blaze started on insulin so I worked on his getting his first dose either on PM of 27 Aug or AM of 28 Aug.

At start of treatment each Lantus dose builds on the previous one, hence our need to know how many doses Blaze had before his dose this morning.

.
 
Last edited:
Critter Mom said:
1 cycle = Start time is when dose of insulin administered and the 12 hours that follows.

Insulin is normally given to a cat twice a day, each dose given 12 hours apart. Therefore you have two cycles each day, an AM cycle and a PM cycle.

It wasn't clear from earlier posts exactly when Blaze started on insulin so I worked on his getting his first dose either on PM of 27 Aug or AM of 28 Aug.

At start of treatment each Lantus dose builds on the previous one, hence our need to know how many doses Blaze had before his dose this morning.

.
Click to expand...
I now understand, and yes the very first dose was given on the morning of August 28th.
Aug 28: am 1 unit/pm 2 units
Aug: 29th: am 2 units/pm 2 units (then i started to talk to all of you and got better guidance)
Today: am 1 unit (will not go back to 2 units)
 
Hope you feel a little more refreshed now, Paola. :)

8.3 is fine and safe.

Could you let me know the following please, Paola:

* '+' time and amount of food given before you went to shower.

* '+' time of the 8.3 reading.

.
 
Blaze and Paola said:
Yes it does, he is sleeping right now, gonna put the food in front of him, see what he does. Then I will quickly shower, test him and post.
Click to expand...
Critter Mom said:
Hope you feel a little more refreshed now, Paola. :)

8.3 is fine and safe.

Could you let me know the following please, Paola:

* '+' time and amount of food given before you went to shower.

* '+' time of the 8.3 reading.

.
Click to expand...

Time of 8.3 reading: 3:38 pm
Amount of food 2 teaspoon of FF pate at 3:05 PM
 
Erm ... not exactly, Paola! :D

The starting dose you were given was on the high side compared to what the SLGS dosing protocol would recommend. But that's OK, we are where we are now and we'll take it from here. All is good.

If this was a kitty with more data I'd say you were good for now, but because you've just started testing I'd like you to get a +9 test (16:30 your time) to check how well Blaze's BG levels are holding up.

Please don't give any more food for the time being.

When you reply can you tell me which time zone you're in, please.

.
 
Am I
Critter Mom said:
Erm ... not exactly, Paola! :D

The starting dose you were given was on the high side compared to what the SLGS dosing protocol would recommend. But that's OK, we are where we are now and we'll take it from here. All is good.

If this was a kitty with more data I'd say you were good for now, but because you've just started testing I'd like you to get a +9 test (16:30 your time) to check how well Blaze's BG levels are holding up.

Please don't give any more food for the time being.

When you reply can you tell me which time zone you're in, please.

.
Click to expand...
Perfect, I will test him at 4:30 PM. Ok, I like the SLSG way better now that I am starting to understand a little more and I honestly would like to shoot this vet right now o_O. I had to change vet as well and she is brand new to us.
I am in Ontario, Canada, EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME
 
tiffmaxee said:
Just have one question. Am I correct that your tests today were with a human meter? If so take action number is 50 rather than 68 which is a good thing with the numbers you got.
Click to expand...
Yes you are correct, it is a human meter. When I completed my signature, I wasn't clear. It's all new to me and I am sorry. The reason why I had written Alphtrak on there was because the vet made me order that. I haven't received it yet. After talking to all of you here, I decided to take action in my own hands and go get a human meter and test right away instead of waiting for the other one and blindly give insulin like she basically told me to do.
 
You would be surprised how often this has happened. My vet had ne Er used a human meter but was fine with me using one. I’m sure he nearly had a heart attack at first when he saw some of Max’s low numbers because human meters read lower than the AT. I like that because I feel they aren’t in hypo territory as often it works provided you follow the guidelines. Correction from me though. Since you will follow SLGS you would reduce whenever there’s a reading under 90. The 50 is with TR. You dint need to remember all this right now. As long as you post someone will help you.
 
@tiffmaxee -

Yes, Elise. It's a human meter in use today.

(Paola had an an Alphatrak on order from the vets but it won't be in till tomorrow so - thankfully - she went out and got a human meter so that she could start testing straight away.)

I'd welcome your view on dosing for Blaze dosing for this evening because even with the reduction from 2IU (4 cycles) to 1IU for this AM cycle, per SLGS the lowest BG today was 74mg/dL, ergo a dose reduction was earned this cycle. This is his first full day on FF. Yesterday he still had 25% of his old diet which was a mix of Blue Buffalo wet and dry. (I'm also wondering whether Blaze might have a trampoline somewhere in the garage too.)

I'll update the summary and post it after Paola provides the +9 BG test. Would you be able to take a butchers at them round that time?


Mogs
.
 
Critter Mom said:
@tiffmaxee -

Yes, Elise. It's a human meter in use today.

(Paola had an an Alphatrak on order from the vets but it won't be in till tomorrow so - thankfully - she went out and got a human meter so that she could start testing straight away.)

I'd welcome your view on dosing for Blaze dosing for this evening because even with the reduction from 2IU (4 cycles) to 1IU for this AM cycle, per SLGS the lowest BG today was 74mg/dL, ergo a dose reduction was earned this cycle. This is his first full day on FF. Yesterday he still had 25% of his old diet which was a mix of Blue Buffalo wet and dry. (I'm also wondering whether Blaze might have a trampoline somewhere in the garage too.)

I'll update the summary and post it after Paola provides the +9 BG test. Would you be able to take a butchers at them round that time?


Mogs
.
Click to expand...
The test is 9.8...should I worry? It's rising. Sorry it took me longer.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top