Peabody AMPS 160 fed, +1 177 do I shoot? Blue numbers scare me

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Peabody's mom Dorene

Peabody's mom Dorene

Member Since 2020
AMPS was 160, rechecked a few minutes later 176. Fed 3/4 can FF chicken pate. No insulin given. Rechecked BG +1 after first check 177. Do I give AM dose? We are an hour past our normal shot time.

Blue PS numbers scare me especially when giving 3 units. This is so confusing and overwhelming. I'm down to 5 test strips until they arrive today (as email says they're in the truck for delivery).
 
Dorene --

If I may, I'd like to make several suggestions.

First, compared to the shorter acting types of insulin, Lantus is much gentler. Also, while it may sound completely counterintuitive, once you get more comfortable with shooting lower numbers, you'll see a lovely flat cycle. Ideally, you'll want to work your way down to shooting blue and eventually green numbers. But, take it step-by-step.

With any pre-shot, you really want to have supplies on hand. Just like getting a surprise at pre-shot time, cats can drop into low numbers at any time. You need to keep a supply of strips on hand.. As Mogs noted, one of the drawbacks of using an AT meter is that you can't walk into a pharmacy and buy strips. It's a major reason for using a human meter -- well that and the cost of strips is far less with a human meter.

I would also urge you to get PM tests. Many cats experience lower numbers during the evening cycle. You don't want to miss lower numbers that would warrant a dose reduction and without testing, you can't keep Peabody safe. In addition, without the PM tests, you are missing half of your data.

Finally, you may want to consider posting on the Lantus board. There is a great deal of expertise on that board. There are also the sticky notes at the top of the board that will assist you with dosing -- there are 2 methods -- as well as provide you with a great deal of information about using Lantus.

I am also going to remove the 911 from your subject line. We "save" the 911 for dire medical emergencies.
 
Sienne and Gabby (GA) said:
Dorene --

If I may, I'd like to make several suggestions.

First, compared to the shorter acting types of insulin, Lantus is much gentler. Also, while it may sound completely counterintuitive, once you get more comfortable with shooting lower numbers, you'll see a lovely flat cycle. Ideally, you'll want to work your way down to shooting blue and eventually green numbers. But, take it step-by-step.

With any pre-shot, you really want to have supplies on hand. Just like getting a surprise at pre-shot time, cats can drop into low numbers at any time. You need to keep a supply of strips on hand.. As Mogs noted, one of the drawbacks of using an AT meter is that you can't walk into a pharmacy and buy strips. It's a major reason for using a human meter -- well that and the cost of strips is far less with a human meter.

I would also urge you to get PM tests. Many cats experience lower numbers during the evening cycle. You don't want to miss lower numbers that would warrant a dose reduction and without testing, you can't keep Peabody safe. In addition, without the PM tests, you are missing half of your data.

Finally, you may want to consider posting on the Lantus board. There is a great deal of expertise on that board. There are also the sticky notes at the top of the board that will assist you with dosing -- there are 2 methods -- as well as provide you with a great deal of information about using Lantus.

I am also going to remove the 911 from your subject line. We "save" the 911 for dire medical emergencies.
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Thank you. I will will take a more in depth look at the sticky notes on the Lantus board and get more testing in the PM going forward (which others have also suggested). It's not that I don't have the time to test, I just feel bad poking Peabody so much, but it is for his safety.
 
I think if we ever surveyed members and asked how their cats responded to pokes, you'd be surprised. Providing you give treats when you poke (whether it's a successful test or not), your cat will not only associate testing with treats but also with feeling better. They really do seem to catch on that we're not testing to torture them but to help get their diabetes -- which makes them feel lousy -- under control.

I was a testaholic (look at Gabby's SS to see what I mean). She never gave me a hard time -- she never growled, swatted, ran, etc. She was a bit confused at first but that was about it. She was also quite food motivated so treats after tests and meals after a shot helped. But more than that, she knew I was helping her to feel better and it had an exceptional influence on the bond between us. So many of our cats purr when it's test time or run to their spot for a test. Vets will often tell people that testing will ruin your relationship with your cat. It's just the opposite. (See Gabby's Legacy in my signature -- post #7)
 
Sienne and Gabby (GA) said:
Vets will often tell people that testing will ruin your relationship with your cat.
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Having personally witnessed how cack-handed some vets and techs can be when it comes to testing technique, if they believe that cats have just as bad a time of it when tested at home then their reasoning, though based on a flawed assumption, is somewhat understandable. :D


Mogs
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I want to back up what Sienne said about shooting lower numbers and getting a flat cycle. I was terrified at first too, but with the guidance of folks on the Lantus forum I started giving Minnie her full dose in numbers in the 100s and even as low as 90s. I’d test her +2,+4,+6 and she’d just surf in the blue numbers all day never really crashing super low as I was afraid of. Baby steps, but it’s definitely worth it to see them in good renal range numbers all day. Of course big disclaimer is your cat must be eating so you can’t control the dips. I wouldn’t recommend this if you’re cat is not eating for some reason :bighug:
 
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