? 5/26 Snuggie: PMPS 369; +3 188, +5 254; +9.5 247 ((AMPS 334, +5 350; +8.75 421 (up to 6u Lev)

Jay Dee

Jay Dee

Member Since 2021
Hi all, so ... i have a few questions about dose and timing - paging @Wendy&Neko @Diane Tyler's Mom @Chris & China (GA) @tiffmaxee

1) Timing - a few here have said that the early-cycle readings (+2-+3.5ish) aren't really telling me much, but for the PM cycle, that's my before-bed time based on his shot time. I'm having enough sleep issues that i don't want to set alarms for 2-3 am just to get a data point every night - absolutely i will if he's at risk, but as a routine thing, i just can't do it. so my question is - am i better with a PM+3.5 over a PM+2? I'm thinking about changing my shot time so i can get the most useful data (as well as consistent sleep barring emergencies). I do want to get the occasional PM+10, but just looking to poke the poor guy as few times as possible while still collecting useful info that will keep him safe. (Of course i'll test more frequently when we change dose - I AM a worryer).

2) Dose - i panic-posted on the sister FB group yesterday after i had a meltdown over his latest and unusual pee issues. First, i've recovered and he was back to acting normal yesterday, even jumped on my lap, jumped on the bed to snooze after his PM shot, so i'm out of crisis mode. BUT - a few folks there pointed out that he started at a very high dose of Levemir, even considering how his BGs were on ProZinc. I know everyone here on FDMB said start him out at 5 on Lev, are we still thinking he needs more? I guess if he has a UTI or other infection (he IS being treated for a URI now), that will inflate the BG numbers too. I DID increase to 6u this morning.

Thank you!
Link to yesterday: https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/thr...-5-339-now-we-are-having-pee-problems.247800/
 
1 - It's hard to tell with the data you have. It would be best if you could get +2, +3, and +7-ish data for a few cycles to see. What you're looking for is at what point his BG starts to drop in an active cycle, it just might take a couple cycles to catch an active cycle and see if it's consistent.

For awhile +3 was what I needed, then it shifted to +4...and now I have no idea.

2 - I personally think the starting dose of 5U was fine, he was very high anyway. If the dose were too high he'd have been dropping lower. And yes he needs an increase he's still pretty high.
 
FrostD said:
1 - It's hard to tell with the data you have. It would be best if you could get +2, +3, and +7-ish data for a few cycles to see. What you're looking for is at what point his BG starts to drop in an active cycle, it just might take a couple cycles to catch an active cycle and see if it's consistent.

For awhile +3 was what I needed, then it shifted to +4...and now I have no idea.

2 - I personally think the starting dose of 5U was fine, he was very high anyway. If the dose were too high he'd have been dropping lower. And yes he needs an increase he's still pretty high.
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@FrostD thank you for the insight! We just got back from the vet for the urinary issue. I upped to 6 today so will get a few tests when i can before PMPS, then def. before bed.

VET UPDATE: He very likely has a UTI; inhouse urinalysis showed white blood cells and bacteria, no crystals, and plenty of glucose. Its being sent for culture and sensitivity, in the meantime we started him on what worked before (Orbax, in same family as zenequin he said). He's supportive of keeping him on the antibiotic for 6 weeks. He also said just having glucose in the urine can lead to inflammation/irritation and the 'gotta go NOW' feeling - i have corn silk extract and marshmallow root extract on hand, as well as D-mannose. i've heard D-mannose is the only one worth using - is it OK for diabetics?
 
As late a test as you can get in the PM, the better with Levemir. The +2 or +3 didn't do much for me, though it does for folks using Lantus. I really did do a "before bed" test - brush teeth, poke cat, turn out the light. Over time I found that a AM+9, and the PMPS and the before bed test showed me enough to know if I needed to get up in the wee hours. But that's what worked for Neko, you'll have to learn what works for Snuggie by observing what happens when his numbers are better overall.

I'm glad you increased this morning. If it really was the FB group associated with FDMB telling you his dose was too high, people there are not supposed to giving dose advice. And many have no idea what they are talking about. At the time of the switch, Snuggie was lucky to see a yellow. Now it's much more common. A cat needs however much insulin they need. 5.5 units was not it, got my fingers crossed for better numbers on 6.0.

Sounds like the vet visit was well worth it. I've seen a number of people here swear by D-mannose.
 
Wendy&Neko said:
As late a test as you can get in the PM, the better with Levemir. The +2 or +3 didn't do much for me, though it does for folks using Lantus. I really did do a "before bed" test - brush teeth, poke cat, turn out the light. Over time I found that a AM+9, and the PMPS and the before bed test showed me enough to know if I needed to get up in the wee hours. But that's what worked for Neko, you'll have to learn what works for Snuggie by observing what happens when his numbers are better overall.

I'm glad you increased this morning. If it really was the FB group associated with FDMB telling you his dose was too high, people there are not supposed to giving dose advice. And many have no idea what they are talking about. At the time of the switch, Snuggie was lucky to see a yellow. Now it's much more common. A cat needs however much insulin they need. 5.5 units was not it, got my fingers crossed for better numbers on 6.0.

Sounds like the vet visit was well worth it. I've seen a number of people here swear by D-mannose.
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Thank you! I could hug you right now :-)

ok I’ll add d-mannose to his daily mix of supplements slathered in food lol!

sounds like we will stick with current shot time for now until we see how things shake out esp once he starts getting better numbers. I can start getting PM+10 a few days a week. Now that we can do the ear (if he’s not being wiggly) it’s much less of an ordeal :-)

yes it was the sister FB page, not the “other” one. I think folks were just trying to be helpful during my panic attack, but I trust the advice here above all. :-)
 
Glad to hear you caught the infection! Hopefully, his numbers will begin to settle down as that gets treated. I used to use D-mannose ALL the time....come to think of it, I'm not sure why I stopped! I guess I was plying them with too many other supplements. ;-) I mainly used it as a "just in case", because I've long fed them a homemade raw diet. I now use Duralactin, which is (supposedly) a very good anti-inflammatory. I first used it on my Sadie, who had radiation for nasal lymphoma and thus has chronic rhinitis. She also had arthritis and tendonitis. It worked wonders for her, so I started throwing it in for Fred, in hopes of keeping his pancreas in line, and any other just general inflammation he might have. So far, so good!

Hope Snuggie is feeling better.
 
Purrberry said:
Glad to hear you caught the infection! Hopefully, his numbers will begin to settle down as that gets treated. I used to use D-mannose ALL the time....come to think of it, I'm not sure why I stopped! I guess I was plying them with too many other supplements. ;-) I mainly used it as a "just in case", because I've long fed them a homemade raw diet. I now use Duralactin, which is (supposedly) a very good anti-inflammatory. I first used it on my Sadie, who had radiation for nasal lymphoma and thus has chronic rhinitis. She also had arthritis and tendonitis. It worked wonders for her, so I started throwing it in for Fred, in hopes of keeping his pancreas in line, and any other just general inflammation he might have. So far, so good!

Hope Snuggie is feeling better.
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Thank you!! I’m new to the world of anti inflammatories - tell me more about the new one you’re using?

when is your big dinner out? We are going out this evening but between BG tests and insulin shots LOL - provided his +9 is ok.
 
I used Duralactin for Neko's arthritis - it did seem to help her some, more than just plain fish oil. You can't give it if a cat's calcium numbers are high, or if they have a dairy sensitivity. Best check with the vet on the calcium level.
 
Wendy&Neko said:
You can't give it if a cat's calcium numbers are high, or if they have a dairy sensitivity.
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I did know about the dairy sensitivity, so I started Fred out slowly. But I had not heard that about the calcium levels. Fred had idiopathic high calcium a few years ago, so it's good to know that's something to watch.

Jay Dee said:
tell me more about the new one you’re using?
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Here is a link from the manufacturer's website: https://www.duralactin.com/feline-products/

And from Chewy: https://www.chewy.com/duralactin-feline-capsules-cat/dp/110917

Dinner out is tonight! I have about 8 billion instructions taped around the house for the poor petsitter. And I've apologized in advance to my husband for having the phone on the table during the visit. ;-)

Enjoy YOUR dinner!!
 
Thanks ladies!!

Dinner was awesome. I tested before we left - first I saw 42 and was like - Crap Here’s the Hypo. Then I saw the 1 - so we were at 421. Sigh - but hopefully as the respiratory infection and UTI are treated that will go down.

@Purrberry i completely understand all the notes everywhere (I’m prepping my own - pet sitter interviews are next week) and I hope all went well for your dinner trial run!!
 
What a nice positive post today, glad to read it! Glad to hear dinner was a success. To add to the sentiments (nothing constructive, mind you) Minnie LOVED ORBAX! If I could have it turned into treats, I would.
 
Liz & Minnie said:
What a nice positive post today, glad to read it! Glad to hear dinner was a success. To add to the sentiments (nothing constructive, mind you) Minnie LOVED ORBAX! If I could have it turned into treats, I would.
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Haha really? Snuggie doesn’t have an issue with it but I mix it in one of his two non-phosphorus-binder meals where he gets like 3 other things. Did she like it just plain? I can’t syringe it into his mouth - we did that with gabapentin to relax them when we moved and he found his way under the mattress (despite the wooden hotel mattress box it was on) to hide, he hated it so bad.
 
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