? Is a sharp drop in BG after just 1 week normal?

[LeotheCat]

Hi all! We're new here. Leo is a 15ish?-year-old cat who was just diagnosed with diabetes last week. He's a big guy - currently 16 pounds, was 18 last year. I took him to the vet because he was drinking and urinating a ton over the past couple of months. His appetite had also decreased a bit, which was abnormal for him.

At the first vet visit last week, he had a blood glucose reading of 600, and his urine glucose reading was 4+. The vet said this meant he is diabetic. She put him on ProZinc insulin - 2 units twice/day. She also said to change his diet from free-feeding kibble to 1/2 can of Purina ProPlan DM wet food pate twice per day. (She also gave him an injection of an antibiotic while he was there, because she thought he might have a UTI.)

We went in for a glucose curve today, and his blood glucose readings raged from 140-39 throughout the day. I feel like 39 is extremely low, right? I've been watching him like a hawk for signs of low blood sugar over the past week, and never saw anything abnormal (he sleeps most of the time, which is normal for him, I think due to his age). The vet said to decrease his insulin to 1 unit twice per day and follow up with another glucose curve next week. It seems weird to me that his glucose would drop so sharply, but I'm obviously not a veterinarian. So I'm just curious - is this normal?

Thanks!

 

[Chris and Checkers]

When you switch to a low carb diet you can get quite a dramatic drop. Especially, if you move from kibble to low carb wet.

I am glad your vet recommended reducing his insulin dose. Are you hometesting his blood glucose yourself? It is highly recommended. I am glad you didn't see any signs of low blood sugar, here is a handy link for identifying and dealing with hypoglycemia. http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/how-to-treat-hypos-they-can-kill-print-this-out.15887/

Perhaps someone with more experience can help you with dosing advice etc, I am still pretty new here.

You also may find more info on Prozinc here https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/forums/prozinc-pzi.24/

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

Hi and welcome to you and Leo to the forum.
I unit of Prozinc is the normal starting dose. 2 units is too much.

I would recommend you look into home testing the blood glucose. It is not hard and it will keep Leo safe and save you a lot of money at the vet. Once you are home testing you don’t need to go to the vet for any curves at all.
I’m not sure where you live but if it’s in the US you can buy a ReliOn Premier classic for $9 and 100 test strips for $17.88. When you buy the lancets, ask for 26 or 28 gauge. We recommend you test before every insulin dose to make sure it is safe to give the shot. Then test during the cycle to see how low the dose is taking Leo.

HERE is a link to home testing hints

HELP US HELP YOU has links to how to set up a spreadsheet, your signature and a hypo kit.

PROZINC BASICS LINK

PROZINC DOSING METHODS

Keep asking questions, we are happy to help you.

Here is where you draw the blood.

 

[April & Quincy]

She also said to change his diet from free-feeding kibble to 1/2 can of Purina ProPlan DM wet food pate twice per day.

You do NOT need to only feed twice per day and you certainly don't need the Purina ProPlan DM. That's what my vet sold me as well but the good members here said there is no benefit to it. I'll let other members chime in but it is possible the wet food you were feeding before the DM was good enough!! (Fancy Feast, Friskies, Tiki Cat, etc.)

 

[LeotheCat]

Thank you so much for all the helpful information! I'll look into all of this.