Seb-Amps:318-+5@59-+6@124

Yukimoro17

Member Since 2021
My cat just got his insulin increased to 2 units. He started at 1 but his vet increased it over time. He is eating great but i am worried about his numbers being all over the place and especially today when i tested him mid day. Is his number too low? He does seem to be going higher but i don't know if tonight i should give him his full dose.
 
It works, I can see it! :)

I don't give dosing advice because I'm too new but hopefully someone more experienced will come on by soon. Since you're following SLGS you would reduce the dose tonight to 1.75 units because of that 59 you got today, but I'll let a senior member confirm. I'm not sure where you are located--when is your next shot time?

From the Dosing Methods sticky for SLGS:
  • If nadirs are more than 150 mg/dl (8.3 mmol/L), increase the dose by 0.25 unit
  • If nadirs are between 90 (5 mmol/L) and 149 mg/dl (8.2 mmol/L), maintain the same dose
  • If nadirs are below 90 mg/dl (5mmol/L), decrease the dose by 0.25 unit
I see your vet probably advised you to go increase by .5 units, but here we increase or decrease by .25 units just so we make sure we don't miss the "right" dose of insulin for the kitty. His numbers are all over the place right now because he's unregulated but hopefully you'll hit the right dose and he will get more used to being in low numbers.

It would also help us out a lot if you could fill out your signature with the info below:
  • Caregiver & kitty's name (optional)
  • DX: date
  • Name of insulin (do not include dose or date insulin started)
  • 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)
  • Spreadsheet link on the last line by itself (for quick access) in the format “XXXX's Spreadsheet” (where XXXX is your kitty’s name)
Lots of information to take in, so please feel free to ask questions!


 
It works, I can see it! :)

I don't give dosing advice because I'm too new but hopefully someone more experienced will come on by soon. Since you're following SLGS you would reduce the dose tonight to 1.75 units because of that 59 you got today, but I'll let a senior member confirm. I'm not sure where you are located--when is your next shot time?

From the Dosing Methods sticky for SLGS:
  • If nadirs are more than 150 mg/dl (8.3 mmol/L), increase the dose by 0.25 unit
  • If nadirs are between 90 (5 mmol/L) and 149 mg/dl (8.2 mmol/L), maintain the same dose
  • If nadirs are below 90 mg/dl (5mmol/L), decrease the dose by 0.25 unit
I see your vet probably advised you to go increase by .5 units, but here we increase or decrease by .25 units just so we make sure we don't miss the "right" dose of insulin for the kitty. His numbers are all over the place right now because he's unregulated but hopefully you'll hit the right dose and he will get more used to being in low numbers.

It would also help us out a lot if you could fill out your signature with the info below:

  • Caregiver & kitty's name (optional)
  • DX: date
  • Name of insulin (do not include dose or date insulin started)
  • 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)
  • Spreadsheet link on the last line by itself (for quick access) in the format “XXXX's Spreadsheet” (where XXXX is your kitty’s name)
Lots of information to take in, so please feel free to ask questions!

Thank you so much for the advise. So, even if his numbers are in the 300s by the time is have to shoot him i should just adjust it? my vet basically just said to add more when 2 weeks pass. I just started him on 2 units and his numbers where low but i've never had this low :nailbiting: Can you explain the doses and the numbers for like... a 7 year old? i honestly don't know if i am doing it right. also i live in Missouri, USA. i give his insulin at around 10:15pm-10:20, because sometimes he does not let me shoot him. i let him calm down then i try again. it's a struggle :(
 
Aww, I'm sorry it's hard. My cat's been getting insulin for 6 months now and she still sometimes runs from the shot. Most of us here usually try to give them the shot while they are eating. It's basically test-feed-shoot all within 10-15 minutes. The feeding keeps them busy and then they don't notice the shot. :cat::rolleyes:

I know a lot of vets will advise to change doses based on the numbers you get before each shot, but here we are focused on how low the dose takes the cat, ie, the nadir, which is essentially the 59 you got today, so it was really good that you came here for help! :) By focusing on the nadir, we keep the cat as safe as possible. Under SLGS, you reduce by .25 units anytime the cat goes below 90, and we increase every 7 days after doing a curve. Please read this, as it will help to clarify things (hopefully!): https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB...-low-go-slow-slgs-tight-regulation-tr.210110/

It would also be good if you could get some tests at night. If it works with your schedule, you might want to think about moving Sebastian's shot time earlier so that you can get some before bed tests. Many cats go low at night and this will be another way you keep them safe from going too low as you can intervene with food. You're feeding low carb food, which is great, but you might want to get some medium carb (10-14% carb) and high carb (15-20%) to feed in case he goes too low. Here's info on how to deal with low numbers: https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/dont-panic-or-how-to-handle-low-numbers.210109/
 
I agree with Katherine. That 59 means his dose is too high for someone following SLGS, so you should reduce to 1.75 units.
 
Aww, I'm sorry it's hard. My cat's been getting insulin for 6 months now and she still sometimes runs from the shot. Most of us here usually try to give them the shot while they are eating. It's basically test-feed-shoot all within 10-15 minutes. The feeding keeps them busy and then they don't notice the shot. :cat::rolleyes:

I know a lot of vets will advise to change doses based on the numbers you get before each shot, but here we are focused on how low the dose takes the cat, ie, the nadir, which is essentially the 59 you got today, so it was really good that you came here for help! :) By focusing on the nadir, we keep the cat as safe as possible. Under SLGS, you reduce by .25 units anytime the cat goes below 90, and we increase every 7 days after doing a curve. Please read this, as it will help to clarify things (hopefully!): https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB...-low-go-slow-slgs-tight-regulation-tr.210110/

It would also be good if you could get some tests at night. If it works with your schedule, you might want to think about moving Sebastian's shot time earlier so that you can get some before bed tests. Many cats go low at night and this will be another way you keep them safe from going too low as you can intervene with food. You're feeding low carb food, which is great, but you might want to get some medium carb (10-14% carb) and high carb (15-20%) to feed in case he goes too low. Here's info on how to deal with low numbers: https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/dont-panic-or-how-to-handle-low-numbers.210109/
I read the article. it did help a lot! The good thing is that my cat lets me test him often now. i will go back to 1.5 units as i was doing. his numbers became better around that area. i gave him some high carb food when i tested him earlier with the low number. i could not test him again but i did his pre shoot test and it was at a high 499. i have been trying to get his shooting time more early but i don't want to go too fast. it used to be at 11 :facepalm: my vet started him at that time so i had to follow up with that. I been trying to understand the way i can shoot him earlier. if you have some tips please let me know :DAlso to clarify so i know i got this. i have had him on 1.5 and his number have been way better. i should keep that number for at least 7 days. but if its too low i can go back to 1, right? like adjust as i go. i was checking out you kittys chart. is he in remission yet? i also saw that you are testing more that i usually do. Does it matter if i only test from one ear? He gives really good drops there. I does not hurt him right? Also, i saw your feeding weruva food and supplements. Do you think thats what has your kitty in really good numbers? Also, do you have like a tutorial of what you feed him? i wanted to start him on tiki cat food but i can not find a website that sells big amounts. individual cans can go pretty high and i have 3 cats :nailbiting: it can get pricey. For now i have him on Friskies pate but i think a better diet can help him more. Did you notice a change in his numbers with better food? Oh also, what kind of syringes do you have? i dont have the half markings. i just kinda guess on what half is.o_O Thank you for the tips and the links. i really appreciate it. I been struggling with what my vet says and what this awesome page says. She's not a bad vet she just don't really know a lot of info on diabetes. Thank you again :cat:
 
Hi there Yukimoro!

Regarding moving the shot time, you can shift it in 15 minute increments every day until you get to the hour you wish to do it. So if your shot time is 10:15 right now and you want to move it to 8:30, you can do this:

Day 1 10:15 AM/10:00 PM
Day 2 10:00 AM/9:45 PM
Day 3 9:45 AM/9:30 PM
Day 4 9:30 AM/9:15 PM
Day 5 9:15 AM/9:00 PM
Day 6 9:00 AM/8:45 PM
Day 7 8:45 AM/8:30 AM

Keep him on the 1.75 unit dose for 7 days and then post again here to ask for dosing advice. You should get syringes with half unit markings to make it easier to dose in .25 unit increments. Many people here use the following for Lantus (you might need a prescription from your vet to buy these depending on the state you live in):

https://www.amazon.com/BD-Ultrafine...ings/dp/B07C96LS75/?tag=felinediabetesfdmb-20
https://www.adwdiabetes.com/product...00-syringes-half-unit-31g-5-16in-3-10cc-100ct
https://www.totaldiabetessupply.com...es-1-2-unit-31-gauge-3-10-cc-5-16-inch-100-bx

You can find lots of really helpful info on fine dosing with this sticky: https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB...info-proper-handling-drawing-fine-dosing.151/

Lots of cats have gone into remission eating Friskies and Fancy Feast, so if that's easier on your budget and your cats like it, I would stick with it. :D I was feeding Weruva to my Ruby because she has early stages of kidney disease and Weruva has foods that are lower in phosphorus which is better for her, but I would not say that it was the reason she has become well regulated. Keeping her on a purely wet, low carb diet is what changed everything. I now feed her mostly homemade raw food to address some tummy issues and that has no carbs. Wellness Complete Health is another brand that sells low carb pates in 12 oz cans that have good ingredients and is easier on the wallet. :)

Finally, please start a new thread for today and update us with Sebastian's numbers. Hope this has all been helpful!
 
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