How long for changes in diet to reflect in glucose level?

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Paige & Wesson

Paige & Wesson

Member Since 2021
My cat, Wesson, was diagnosed a few weeks ago. He has been on urinary Hill's CD or Royal Canin SO for years due to a bout with crystals. He was eating canned and dry prescription diet. After reading about all the carbs in these foods, I switched him to Tiki Cat and Fancy Feast Classic Pate. I am just starting to get more comfortable with the testing (have only done it 3 times so far during these past few weeks). I have taken these all about the same time with no food for 4-5 hours before.

Test 1 - 587 (reading at vet after morning meal)
Test 2 - 537
Test 3 - 436
Test 4 - 399

I realize he is still very high but my question is, does it take more time to see results from the food change? He is dropping with each test. Should I wait a bit longer to see if it keeps dropping or start with the insulin right away?
 
Please start a spreadsheet and add a signature. In order t understand what is happening we need to see a minimum of two test each day. It’s important to rest before every shot. Those tests need to be before eating so they aren’t food influenced so we need you to pick up food 2hours before insulin. We need to know how low a dose is taking your cat. That usually happens 4-6 hours after the shot but can occur earlier or later.
Are you using a human or pet meter? Which insulin?
 
tiffmaxee said:
Please start a spreadsheet and add a signature. In order t understand what is happening we need to see a minimum of two test each day. It’s important to rest before every shot. Those tests need to be before eating so they aren’t food influenced so we need you to pick up food 2hours before insulin. We need to know how low a dose is taking your cat. That usually happens 4-6 hours after the shot but can occur earlier or later.
Are you using a human or pet meter? Which insulin?
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I have not started insulin yet. Wanted to switch over the food before beginning insulin. We are at 2 weeks with canned food only. Is that a sufficient amount of time to see the changes due to diet?

Vet prescribed Lantus 2 units 2x a day and I'm using a Relion Premier Compact.
 
Sorry I misunderstood. That us too high a starting dose unless he’s a huge cat. How much does he weigh?

I think he’s high enough to start insulin since he’s been on low carb for two weeks. We use two dosing methods and which you choose would determine the starting dose. With SLGS and eating low carb wet only the starting dose would be .50. With TR it depends on his weight but most start with 1.0.
 
tiffmaxee said:
Sorry I misunderstood. That us too high a starting dose unless he’s a huge cat. How much does he weigh?

I think he’s high enough to start insulin since he’s been on low carb for two weeks. We use two dosing methods and which you choose would determine the starting dose. With SLGS and eating low carb wet only the starting dose would be .50. With TR it depends on his weight but most start with 1.0.
Click to expand...
He is 17 lbs.
 
Paige Bily said:
He is 17 lbs.
Click to expand...
Your vet is correct for his weight with TR that would be the dose. You will need to monitor and test frequently the first few days. So if you need to get more comfortable with testing best to hold off a little longer. Do you have middle and high carb food, Karo or honey and lots of test strips?
 
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Welcome
Here is a link helping us to help you link. If you noticed, our members have some basic information about their cat's in their signature. This helps us to not pester you by asking the same questions (your cat's name, insulin type, date of diagnosis, etc.) repeatedly. We also have a link to our spreadsheet in our signature. We are very numbers driven. The spreadsheet is a record of your cat's progress. By linking it in your signature, we can follow along and provide feedback should you need the help.

If you need help with setting up the spreadsheet just ask, we have a member here that would be glad to do it for you :cat:
 
As Elise mentioned here is the link so you can read all about Lantus
Read all the yellow sticky's
Also you should buy the U-100 syringes with half unit markings, we adjust the doses by 0.25 units at a time
 
I agree with Elise that I would not leave it much longer without starting insulin with those BG numbers.
If you want to wait longer you need to be testing the urine for ketones, because cats who have diabetes who are not getting insulin can develop ketones in the urine which can lead on the DKA which is a much more serious illness and is preventable by testing the urine. You need a bottle of Ketostix from Walmart or a pharmacy. Only about $10. Follow instructions on the bottle. If there are any ketones present, you need to start the insulin.
Even after starting the insulin I would test for ketones a couple of times a week until your kitty is regulated.
 
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