Did at home BG test today for the first time and I’m so proud!

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Sammi Jo and Lulu

Sammi Jo and Lulu

Member Since 2020
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Hello all,

Just wanted to say that I tested Lulu tonight for the first time and it went great! I didn’t do it until about 1 hr 45 after her 1 unit shot and it read at 60. Shamefully I must admit that I have been putting it off since buying the meter because I was so nervous, but it was so easy! Even though her latest vet numbers looked great, the thought of her being hypoglycemic without me knowing was torturing me so I finally just did it. I felt terrible doing it to her without knowing the pain myself, so I tested myself first! :joyful: (Happy to report we didn’t have to add one more diabetic to the household)

Thank you to all that you guys do here. I would be lost without you!
 

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The "take action" number on a human glucometer is 50.
How much time has passed since you last tested her.
By the way she is freaking adorable
How many hours
 
Do you have any high or medium carb food
What time did you shoot , what are your shooting times
We are all in different time zones
Example
If you shoot at 8 am and 8 pm
You test @+2 ( 2 hours after shooting insulin)
@+3. (3 hours after shooting insulin)
and so on.
 
Diane Tyler's Mom said:
Do you have any high or medium carb food
What time did you shoot , what are your shooting times
We are all in different time zones
Example
If you shoot at 8 am and 8 pm
You test @+2 ( 2 hours after shooting insulin)
@+3. (3 hours after shooting insulin)
and so on.
Click to expand...
Should I be worried that she tested at 60? It seemed like from my reading that 60 was ok, although on the lower end. Just on a hunch I was feeling like she may need a reduction in insulin.

I only have 1 kind of food at the moment, which is medium carbs I suppose. I normally feed friskies pate but all I have at the moment is Halo pate. It’s beenalmost an hour since I tested so I will test again at11:15 (3 hrs post shot)
 
Here are just a few of the high and medium carbs

Fancy Feast Gravy Lovers Gourmet Beef Feast in Gravy 20% High Carbs


Fancy Feast Gravy Lovers Gourmet Chicken Feast in Gravy. 15% Med Carbs




Fancy Feast Gravy Lovers Turkey Feast in Gravy. 15% Med Carbs


Fancy Feast Gravy Lovers Chicken and Beef Feast in Gravy 15% Med Carbs

A must to have these on hand, it's really only the Gravy that is full of the carbs if you ever need to bring up his BG up
 
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tap on your avatar where it says your name ,then hit profile page ,tap on that ,then go up to the very top, upper right hand side and tap on your name ,it will bring down a drop box, tap on signature, the signature will be under settings, tap on the signature then and you can start to add what I posted above, make sure you hit save ,
Welcome to the best place you could ever be and an awesome group of people
 
8:15 **** 1 unit of Lantus
First time testing
@+1.75 60
@+3. 62

Only has Halo Chicken pate home 4% carbs and honey
I asked her to get a +3.5 but she hasn't come back on and it's 3:00 AM by me
She's in California itself 12;00 AM by her now
I'm falling asleep , I don't think I can stay up any longer , and I don't want to leave her
by herself in case she comes back on and needs help
@Bron and Sheba (GA)
 
Diane Tyler's Mom said:
Are you there
Click to expand...
So sorry, I got ready for bed and tucked myself in! Lulu has retired to her normal spot under the bed, and at this point I will be waking up my boyfriend if I try and get her out. She is behaving fine so I feel comfortable not testing anymore this evening. I will first thing in the morning! Thank you so much for all your advice, I will start her spreadsheet and update my signature:)
 
Sammijoenglish said:
So sorry, I got ready for bed and tucked myself in! Lulu has retired to her normal spot under the bed, and at this point I will be waking up my boyfriend if I try and get her out. She is behaving fine so I feel comfortable not testing anymore this evening. I will first thing in the morning! Thank you so much for all your advice, I will start her spreadsheet and update my signature:)
Click to expand...
OK ,if you should wake up later on and she's some where else try to grab a test
All data is valuable
Good night :cat:
 
Sammijoenglish said:
View attachment 57488 Hello all,

Just wanted to say that I tested Lulu tonight for the first time and it went great! I didn’t do it until about 1 hr 45 after her 1 unit shot and it read at 60. Shamefully I must admit that I have been putting it off since buying the meter because I was so nervous, but it was so easy! Even though her latest vet numbers looked great, the thought of her being hypoglycemic without me knowing was torturing me so I finally just did it. I felt terrible doing it to her without knowing the pain myself, so I tested myself first! :joyful: (Happy to report we didn’t have to add one more diabetic to the household)

Thank you to all that you guys do here. I would be lost without you!
Click to expand...

Just wanted to say congratulations on getting your first test done(and more since). And brave to test it on yourself - I volunteered DH to be my test subject !!
Such a lovely photo of Lulu - she looks a real love !
 
Diane Tyler's Mom said:
OK ,if you should wake up later on and she's some where else try to grab a test
All data is valuable
Good night :cat:
Click to expand...
This morning after her breakfast, I tested and she read at 81. I decided not to shoot. I had to go to work so unfortunately I was unable to test through the day. I just got home and tested, and she’s still reading only at 82. Her dinner isn’t due until 7:45 so I will feed and test again in a little over an hour. It seems these numbers are pretty low?
 
1. Did you change Lulu's diet from a high to a low carb food since she was diagnosed?

2. If yes to question 1, did you change it shortly after she was diagnosed, or was it a recent change?

3. Has Lulu been on Lantus continuously since she was diagnosed in August?

(Sorry for all the questions but I need a bit of history in order to try to help you.)


Mogs
.
 
Critter Mom said:
1. Did you change Lulu's diet from a high to a low carb food since she was diagnosed?

2. If yes to question 1, did you change it shortly after she was diagnosed, or was it a recent change?

3. Has Lulu been on Lantus continuously since she was diagnosed in August?

(Sorry for all the questions but I need a bit of history in order to try to help you.)


Mogs
.
Click to expand...
Yes, I switched her to an all wet food diet, first with Halo Chicken Pate, now Friskies Pate. I changed it immediately, while allowing her to eat small amounts of dry food so her stomach wouldn’t be too upset. She hasn’t eaten dry food in at least a month. She has been on Lantus since September 2nd.
 
It's hard to give you a very solid interpretation of what might be happening with Lulu because you've only just started testing - and I'm really glad you have because of the numbers you're reporting.

First up, it is possible to keep a cat very tightly regulated - in the same normal BG range as a non-diabetic cat - using Lantus insulin but it is necessary for safety to test very regularly (AM and PM preshot tests, at least 1 mid-cycle test in each AM and PM cycle, more if a kitty is running close to the lower limit of the normal range).

Now to where Lulu is right now. All of the BG readings you have taken since starting to test are in the lower end of the normal reference range (50-120 on a human meter). We don't know how long she has been running in that range. According to the main protocol we use here, if a cat has been running in normal numbers for 7 days, we start reducing the dose.

Because we've only got a few readings to work with tonight, there's no way of knowing for certain how Lulu's responding to insulin, other than that she has been running in normal numbers since you started testing. I have to go with the data available.

The best and safest advice I can give you tonight is that you skip the dose again this evening. Lulu's running in the lower end of the normal reference range and based on my experience with Lantus I think there's too much danger that she could go too low. (FYI I asked about ketones and DKA above because it's a more straightforward matter to skip if a kitty is not ketone-prone.)

Note that Lulu's numbers will have been helped today by the Lantus depot (it builds a little 'tank' of insulin under the skin) and they may drift up in the morning after skipping the two doses today. I'd suggest testing in the morning at +11.5 and posting for advice, especially if Lulu's under 200 (our standard 'no shoot' limit for cats with very little BG data).

I'd also recommend strongly that you contact your vet tomorrow as a matter of urgency to let them know the numbers that Lulu is currently running in, let them know about the doses skipped and ask them for advice. If the vet thinks Lulu needs to continue with insulin then I again strongly recommend discussing reducing the dose - at least until you can test more and make sure Lulu's safe. (If necessary the dose can always be increased again if Lulu's numbers drift upwards.)

Finally, Lulu has been on insulin for several weeks now and she's in excellent numbers. Between the diet change and the insulin treatment I think you should also discuss with your vet the possibility that she may be either close to or already in remission, in which case the risk of hypo on the current dose would be increased.

Are you OK with these suggestions? Do you have any questions you'd like to ask about the above?


Mogs
.
 
I'm in the UK and I can't stay on any longer (nearly 4am here). The Feline Health board is fairly quiet right now. If you need urgent help and you don't get a timely answer here then try posting on the Lantus/Basaglar/Levemir board. It gets more footfall and you might find someone there to assist you.

LBL Board Index

I hope all is OK.


Mogs
.
 
Critter Mom said:
It's hard to give you a very solid interpretation of what might be happening with Lulu because you've only just started testing - and I'm really glad you have because of the numbers you're reporting.

First up, it is possible to keep a cat very tightly regulated - in the same normal BG range as a non-diabetic cat - using Lantus insulin but it is necessary for safety to test very regularly (AM and PM preshot tests, at least 1 mid-cycle test in each AM and PM cycle, more if a kitty is running close to the lower limit of the normal range).

Now to where Lulu is right now. All of the BG readings you have taken since starting to test are in the lower end of the normal reference range (50-120 on a human meter). We don't know how long she has been running in that range. According to the main protocol we use here, if a cat has been running in normal numbers for 7 days, we start reducing the dose.

Because we've only got a few readings to work with tonight, there's no way of knowing for certain how Lulu's responding to insulin, other than that she has been running in normal numbers since you started testing. I have to go with the data available.

The best and safest advice I can give you tonight is that you skip the dose again this evening. Lulu's running in the lower end of the normal reference range and based on my experience with Lantus I think there's too much danger that she could go too low. (FYI I asked about ketones and DKA above because it's a more straightforward matter to skip if a kitty is not ketone-prone.)

Note that Lulu's numbers will have been helped today by the Lantus depot (it builds a little 'tank' of insulin under the skin) and they may drift up in the morning after skipping the two doses today. I'd suggest testing in the morning at +11.5 and posting for advice, especially if Lulu's under 200 (our standard 'no shoot' limit for cats with very little BG data).

I'd also recommend strongly that you contact your vet tomorrow as a matter of urgency to let them know the numbers that Lulu is currently running in, let them know about the doses skipped and ask them for advice. If the vet thinks Lulu needs to continue with insulin then I again strongly recommend discussing reducing the dose - at least until you can test more and make sure Lulu's safe. (If necessary the dose can always be increased again if Lulu's numbers drift upwards.)

Finally, Lulu has been on insulin for several weeks now and she's in excellent numbers. Between the diet change and the insulin treatment I think you should also discuss with your vet the possibility that she may be either close to or already in remission, in which case the risk of hypo on the current dose would be increased.

Are you OK with these suggestions? Do you have any questions you'd like to ask about the above?


Mogs
.
Click to expand...
That’s all excellent advice! Thank you so much. I definitely feel more comfortable not giving her the shot tonight, I will still test just to see where she is at. I will notate the numbers and call the vet tomorrow. At the very least it seems this may warrant a decrease in dosage.

I can’t tell you how much I appreciate all of this. I’m so new to all of this and it’s all so confusing at times so this really helps!
 
Critter Mom said:
It's hard to give you a very solid interpretation of what might be happening with Lulu because you've only just started testing - and I'm really glad you have because of the numbers you're reporting.

First up, it is possible to keep a cat very tightly regulated - in the same normal BG range as a non-diabetic cat - using Lantus insulin but it is necessary for safety to test very regularly (AM and PM preshot tests, at least 1 mid-cycle test in each AM and PM cycle, more if a kitty is running close to the lower limit of the normal range).

Now to where Lulu is right now. All of the BG readings you have taken since starting to test are in the lower end of the normal reference range (50-120 on a human meter). We don't know how long she has been running in that range. According to the main protocol we use here, if a cat has been running in normal numbers for 7 days, we start reducing the dose.

Because we've only got a few readings to work with tonight, there's no way of knowing for certain how Lulu's responding to insulin, other than that she has been running in normal numbers since you started testing. I have to go with the data available.

The best and safest advice I can give you tonight is that you skip the dose again this evening. Lulu's running in the lower end of the normal reference range and based on my experience with Lantus I think there's too much danger that she could go too low. (FYI I asked about ketones and DKA above because it's a more straightforward matter to skip if a kitty is not ketone-prone.)

Note that Lulu's numbers will have been helped today by the Lantus depot (it builds a little 'tank' of insulin under the skin) and they may drift up in the morning after skipping the two doses today. I'd suggest testing in the morning at +11.5 and posting for advice, especially if Lulu's under 200 (our standard 'no shoot' limit for cats with very little BG data).

I'd also recommend strongly that you contact your vet tomorrow as a matter of urgency to let them know the numbers that Lulu is currently running in, let them know about the doses skipped and ask them for advice. If the vet thinks Lulu needs to continue with insulin then I again strongly recommend discussing reducing the dose - at least until you can test more and make sure Lulu's safe. (If necessary the dose can always be increased again if Lulu's numbers drift upwards.)

Finally, Lulu has been on insulin for several weeks now and she's in excellent numbers. Between the diet change and the insulin treatment I think you should also discuss with your vet the possibility that she may be either close to or already in remission, in which case the risk of hypo on the current dose would be increased.

Are you OK with these suggestions? Do you have any questions you'd like to ask about the above?


Mogs
.
Click to expand...
This morning, about 20 minutes after her breakfast, Lulu measured at 92, which was the same as she was last night before I went to bed. I’m still not going to shoot.
 
92 is still well into the normal reference range. The Lantus depot is still in play and may continue to exert some effect for the next 4 cycles (even if no insulin is given during that period), but that's a really good BG level after 2 skipped doses. Again I recommend you put in a call to your vet today about how low Lulu's numbers have been and how good they still are after skipping two doses.

Please keep testing even when you're not giving insulin so that you can track whether numbers stay at their current level or whether they start to make a steady trend upwards. It would be helpful to you to do some tests after a 2 hour fast, feed, and then test +1 and +2 hours after Lulu has eaten to see whether she is producing enough insulin to pull down numbers after her grub.

While Lulu's status is not clear and while you're needing to skip doses it is recommended as a normal safety precaution to check daily for urine ketones. If you don't already have some at home you can pick them up at Walmarts or pharmacies.

Tips for collecting urine samples


Mogs
.
 
  • Please set your signature up tomorrow
  • It would be helpful if you can set up your signature
  • On the left, under Settings, Click on Signature. This is where you will put information that helps us give you feedback.
    • There is a limit of two lines which may include two links; you may separate pieces with commas, dashes, | etc. This is where you paste the link for your spreadsheet, once it is set up.
    • Add any other text, such as
    • Caregiver & kitty's name (optional)
    • DX: Date
    • Name of Insulin
    • Name of your meter
    • Diet: "LC wet" or "dry food" or "combo"
    • Dosing: TR or SLGS or Custom (if applicable)
    • DKA or other recent health issue (if applicable)
    • Acro, IAA, or Cushings (if applicable)
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tap on your avatar where it says your name ,then hit profile page ,tap on that ,then go up to the very top, upper right hand side and tap on your name ,it will bring down a drop box, tap on signature, the signature will be under settings, tap on the signature then and you can start to add what I posted above, make sure you hit save ,
Welcome to the best place you could ever be and an awesome group of people
 
Critter Mom said:
92 is still well into the normal reference range. The Lantus depot is still in play and may continue to exert some effect for the next 4 cycles (even if no insulin is given during that period), but that's a really good BG level after 2 skipped doses. Again I recommend you put in a call to your vet today about how low Lulu's numbers have been and how good they still are after skipping two doses.

Please keep testing even when you're not giving insulin so that you can track whether numbers stay at their current level or whether they start to make a steady trend upwards. It would be helpful to you to do some tests after a 2 hour fast, feed, and then test +1 and +2 hours after Lulu has eaten to see whether she is producing enough insulin to pull down numbers after her grub.

While Lulu's status is not clear and while you're needing to skip doses it is recommended as a normal safety precaution to check daily for urine ketones. If you don't already have some at home you can pick them up at Walmarts or pharmacies.

Tips for collecting urine samples


Mogs
.
Click to expand...
I talked to the vet yesterday, he was slightly concerned that I was using a human meter, but said that the numbers were low enough that even on a pet meter he would be confident that they would be normal. Yesterday evening after her dinner she read at 92 once again. I did not shoot. This morning after her breakfast she read at 82. Still no insulin. I ordered an AlphaTrak meter just to ease my worry of my current meter being inaccurate. She’s been in great spirits with a great appetite.

Tuesday morning she’s going in for a teeth cleaning. The vet said he’s check her bg while she was there. He agreed that no insulin should be administered until her readings were at least 130.
 
Hi Sammijoe,

Glad you've been able to speak with your vet. Lulu's numbers are great thus far. Best of all is to hear how well she's feeing! :)

FYI, the normal range for feline BG levels as measured on a pet meter is 50-120mg/dL Per my vet's advice, the range on the Alphatrak is 70-150mg/dL.

It's possible that after the tooth cleaning Lulu's numbers might get even better. (Gum inflammation can elevate BG levels.) Be interesting to see what her readings are once she recovers from the procedure.


Mogs
.
 
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