2/2 Maggie PMBG 284

[cab]

Hi I am new at this, and my cat was just at 284. the complication is my mom feed my kitty an 1 1/2 ago some dry food (I haven't been able to get her off her high carb food). I use alpha trak. My vet said if her number is below 250, not to shoot. Her next shot is due now. Any thoughts? Dose is 1.0
Thanks so much,
Cecily & Maggie

 

[cab]

Actually, she could have eaten as soon as only 1 hour ago....

 

[Marje and Gracie]

Can you pin down exactly when she ate and how much? Do you have testing supplies, a hypo kit and high carb canned food with gravy (will she eat that), and are you available and able to test for many hours if necessary?

Has she had any recent infections or had ketones or DKA and are you testing ketones?

Chances are she’s just going to continue up. If it’s been an hour since she ate, if you can afford to be off schedule for an hour, don’t feed her anymore, test at +13 which should give her two hours since she last ate, and if she’s headed up, shoot 1u of insulin and take a test at +2 to see where she’s headed.

If you decide to do this, please let me know and I’ll provide you with instructions on how to get back on schedule.

The “no shoot” number here for those feeding dry food is below 200 so if she drops at the +13 test, then you all can take the night off and shoot at your regular time tomorrow or you can shoot at a different time if you wish to change her shot times.

 

[cab]

Can you pin down exactly when she ate and how much? Do you have testing supplies, a hypo kit and high carb canned food with gravy (will she eat that), and are you available and able to test for many hours if necessary?

Has she had any recent infections or had ketones or DKA and are you testing ketones?

So, my folks say it was at 5:30 (now 7:00 central), and about 1/8 cup mostly purina one (maybe a bit of purina DM in the mix). I do have testing supplies; 7 lancets and plenty of strips. I have some purina pro plan tuna w/ gravy - she usually will eat the gravy. I could do the testing, but I am still so new and it makes me sooo nervous.

No infections...she did lose her appetite in mid-December. bloodword at vet was normal, but he gave her a steroid appetite stimluant. that didn't work, and I was referred to a internal medicine specialist, he gave her metronidazole to treat possible bacterial overgrowth. that was over at beginning of Jan.
Ketones: she didn't have any with her blood work last Wednesday. no DKA. Not testing for ketones; I ordered strips but they arrive tomorrow.

Honestly, I am so nervous, I'd rather skip than take a chance. I followed Shelly & oliver's story and has be so scared!

Thanks so much for being here!

 

[cab]

But do you think it's more important to give her, her dose?

 

[Marje and Gracie]

But do you think it's more important to give her, her dose?

I can understand how Oliver’s situation scared you...it scared us all but Shelley wasn’t testing like you are. And yes, I do believe if it’s safe, you should give her insulin and I’ll help you decide.

If you can shoot late, how about testing at 7:30 and then posting here and I’ll help you decide. No more food for her until we decide, ok?

If you can please change the subject line to:
2/2 Maggie PMBG 284 stalling

that would be great. Thank you and see you in a bit.

 

[cab]

ok. will test her in a moment; when i pricked her ear- I did give her a freeze dried chicken treats- maybe 3. and this is probably horrible, but I gave her a VERY small piece of salmon (size of dime) at dinner. I'm sorry...im still so new at this, and totally forgot.
thanks,

 

[cab]

ok. I am so sorry. i am still trying; she is fighting me and I couldn't get the sample. she is so peeved, i am going to try again in a few minutes! I still don't have a good hang on this!

 

[Marje and Gracie]

ok. I am so sorry. i am still trying; she is fighting me and I couldn't get the sample. she is so peeved, i am going to try again in a few minutes! I still don't have a good hang on this!

Ok...just take a deep breath.

 

[cab]

Ok. it said 301, but it was such a battle with her! I fear the elevation could be due to the stress i just put her through. I am so sorry. I don't know what I am doing wrong! but I probably had to stick her 5 times I went through 6 lancets (how often can you re-use those?)

 

[Marje and Gracie]

Ok. it said 301, but it was such a battle with her! I fear the elevation could be due to the stress i just put her through. I am so sorry. I don't know what I am doing wrong! but I probably had to stick her 5 times I went through 6 lancets (how often can you re-use those?)

Just use them once. So you only have one lancet left? Can you get more tonight? If not, you should probably skip because you’ll need to test her at least once tonight and before her shot tomorrow.

 

[cab]

I have 2 left. I use the alpha trak, but probably could run to a walmart and get another kind. this has me so stressed. is it a great setback if I don't shoot tonight? or could i do a skinny dose? I don't understand why it would be this low, when she's been in mid 300's even this afternoon?

 

[cab]

my state of mind is a mess

 

[Marje and Gracie]

I have 2 left. I use the alpha trak, but probably could run to a walmart and get another kind. this has me so stressed. is it a great setback if I don't shoot tonight? or could i do a skinny dose? I don't understand why it would be this low, when she's been in mid 300's even this afternoon?

Just take a deep breath and try and de-stress. It’s up to you whether you want to go get lancets (you don’t need AT lancets; just the ReliOn 28g) od whether you want to skip tonight and test and shoot in the morning and then get more supplies. It’s ok if you don’t shoot tonight.

 

[cab]

Thank you soooo much... for permission( ?) to skip. I don't know if I have the mental stamina to worry about this and whether she might go low, and stress out to get the blood test; getting that sample was such a fight; so impossible for me. Tell me this gets easier My vet probably said 250 because i'm so worried about all of this. I feel so guilty about messing up; but you think this will probably be ok? This was the first day i had to go to work since i started the insulin, and I forgot to tell my mom, who lives with me, not to feed her after 4:30. Do you think this will set things back..I'm not sure if that makes sense. I'm so mad at myself right now.

This has been so hard, I can't tell you how much I appreciate you helping me and being so supportive. I also have been so depressed/stressed because I can't find a low carb food she'll eat. She hasn't been eating all that great since whatever happened to her in Dec. I tried to at least switch her to the purina dm, but she just really didn't take to it.

Finally, sorry for the long time to respond. I am having computer issues (on top of everything else) in that my keyboard isn't responding properly so it's taking me forever to get something typed. It literally has taken me these 15-20 minutes to get this out.

 

[cab]

ps...I only used the lancets once...even if i thought i didn't get a successful prick or thought i brushed the needle...so I've gone through them fast, but didn't know if I was being overly cautious.
This is such a wonderful group and thanks for being here for guidance and support.

 

[Marje and Gracie]

Do you think this will set things back

No, I don’t. Everyone has to skip at some time or another. Sometimes, it’s because of an accidental fur shot because we never shoot again if we think we didn’t get the insulin in for any reason. Don’t feel guilty. The early days are hard, yes, because you are worried and stressed; she’s trying to get used to being tested; the learning curve is steep, etc. In a month, you will be surprised at how much you’ve learned.

I saw that you were steered towards this insulin support group but, in reality, it’s advanced and we recommend new members post in Main Health until they get the basics down. This post on Hometesting Tips might help you with the testing.

I also wonder if you want to think about getting a human meter as the strips are much less expensive than the AT and easier to get. Many members use the ReliOn Prime or Premier. You’ll save a ton of money.

ps...I only used the lancets once...even if i thought i didn't get a successful prick or thought i brushed the needle...so I've gone through them fast, but didn't know if I was being overly cautious.
This is such a wonderful group and thanks for being here for guidance and support.

No you aren’t being overly cautious by using the lancets only once. They start to degrade after one use which makes it more uncomfortable for the kitty.

This is such a wonderful group and thanks for being here for guidance and support

You’re welcome. It is a great resource and got us through 5.5 years of dealing with FD. There isn’t anything you will come across that hasn’t been experienced by someone here. The more you can post and ask questions, the better off you and Maggie will be. There is a ton of info in the Stickys at the top of the LBL insulin support group.

On feeding, I’d allow her to have what she’s used to eating, at first. Then very, very slowly transition her using these suggestions. They are very good and applicable for even transitioning from dry to canned. You just have to be sure to go slow so the elimination of the dry is very gradual or else the BG will come down way too fast.

It might be best to go back to Main Health and post a thread with “New member needs help testing” there and see if they can help you with extra tips. Once you are testing and have the food sorted out where she’s at least eating well, then you can head back to this group. Feel free to tag me if you are getting responses by typing @Marje and Gracie. I’m also going to tag @Critter Mom because she’s one of our best for helping new members so she can look out for you.

Give her lots of cuddles, try to get rest, and start again tomorrow.

 

[cab]

I saw that you were steered towards this insulin support group but, in reality, it’s advanced and we recommend new members post in Main Health until they get the basics down. This post on Hometesting Tips might help you with the testing.


You’re welcome. It is a great resource and got us through 5.5 years of dealing with FD. There isn’t anything you will come across that hasn’t been experienced by someone here. The more you can post and ask questions, the better off you and Maggie will be. There is a ton of info in the Stickys at the top of the LBL insulin support group.

On feeding, I’d allow her to have what she’s used to eating, at first. Then very, very slowly transition her using these suggestions. They are very good and applicable for even transitioning from dry to canned. You just have to be sure to go slow so the elimination of the dry is very gradual or else the BG will come down way too fast.

Once you are testing and have the food sorted out where she’s at least eating well, then you can head back to this group. Feel free to tag me if you are getting responses by typing @Marje and Gracie. I’m also going to tag @Critter Mom because she’s one of our best for helping new members so she can look out for you.

Give her lots of cuddles, try to get rest, and start again tomorrow.[/QUOTE]

Again, thank you!
As to posting, ...i'll be sure to post to the main forum for now. I probably will be taking much advantage of the forums for help and advice! I've read some of the Stickys; It's been a bit overwhelming as there is so much to learn and understand but I am grateful to have a place for information and knowledge!

And thank you for sharing the testing tips. I did watch a video, and received some helpful advice in response to a post I put on the main page about testing.. but guess i'm still just too nervous, hesitate and it makes things worse.

I'll try to get some rest...and start anew tomorrow. Have a good rest of your evening!

 

[cab]

So, final comment; I tried to quote parts of your last post; looks like I didn't do that right. I'll see if I can find a sticky on how to do that properly!
Good night!

 

[Marje and Gracie]

I probably will be taking much advantage of the forums for help and advice! I've read some of the Stickys; It's been a bit overwhelming as there is so much to learn and understand but I am grateful to have a place for information and knowledge!

You’re welcome! The more you can post with questions, the more members can support you and help you learn. The Health Index, especially the FAQ, is a great resource.

So, final comment; I tried to quote parts of your last post; looks like I didn't do that right. I'll see if I can find a sticky on how to do that properly!
Good night!

I don’t think there is a sticky. If you want to quote all of it, just click “reply”. If you want to break it apart and quote sections, just highlight the section and “reply” should come up that you can click. It will put it in the text box and after you respond, make sure your cursor is in the text box and then follow the same procedure.

good night!
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