? 12/8 Ducky AMPS 161 +5 106 - should I give PM shot w/o BG?

fenderrae

fenderrae

Member Since 2021
So I planned to give Ducky her first dose this morning. Her preshot number was 161, is it okay to give her the shot? My vet said over 150 is okay but I’m a little nervous, should I just give a small dose? Thanks!!
 
Hi, I don't see any data in your spreadsheet after 12/6? Do you have syringes to give doses less than 1U? If you give some insuin, will you be able you get tests during the day to see how she is faring?

I see your Signature says "currently transitioning to all wet food". Is she still eating high carb dry food? When did you start making the transition?

Previous posts on the Main/Health forum:
https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/urine-test-showing-ketones-but-no-glucose.256367/
https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/having-a-hard-time-w-testing.255856/
 
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Sorry fixed the spreadsheet, She's been on 95% wet food the past 5 days I would say, was just sprinkling a little bit of dry food to get her to eat the wet food and have decreased that every day. Been a gradual process over the last 3 weeks.

I have to go into work today so won't be able to do testing, however I'm going to stop by on my lunch break to check on her. I only have regular unit syringes right now, should I just try to eye a .25 dose?
 
Yes, you could start with a 0.25U dose and see how she does on it. A test in the middle of the cycle (between +4 and +6) would be good!

Do you have an autofeeder or can you leave out food for her to eat between the shot and lunch?
How long before you have to leave for work?
 
I leave for work around 8:15, maybe I’ll leave out some wet food? I will come back around 12:30 and feed her again on my lunch break.
 
Okay thanks. I gave her .25 at least what looked to be around that number! She jumped a little when I pushed the plunger so not sure how much she actually got. So nervous I did something wrong.. :arghh:
 
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It's okay. It's a steep learning curve for both you and Ducky. With time she will get used to the routine of testing and shooting :-)
Bribes in the form of treats also help!
 
She twitches a little when I pet the injection site, is that normal? I made sure to raise up her skin and try to inject into the "tent" but am paranoid I got a vessel or muscle or something and her BG will drop too quickly, sigh... I know I am going to be paranoid about hypo for the rest of the day, bleh!
 
Got super paranoid about the twitching and did another BG reading... 236. Guess it's not hypo and maybe she's just not used to the insulin? She initially was breathing a little louder than usual for a moment so I'm kind of worried, maybe I'm over checking. Is it normal for cats to seem a little off after their first does of insulin? Got permission to work from home today so I can keep an eye on her.
 
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Lantus usually takes 2 hours to start working. For some cats it can be a little early (1 or 1.5 hours after the injection) and for some a little later.
Relax, I doubt it is the insulin. :-)
 
Welcome to LLB. I’m glad your food switch is going well and you gave a successful first shot. Even if you did get a vein it won’t hurt.
Here’s your last post from main/health I think. We link threads for continuity.

https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/having-a-hard-time-w-testing.255856/#post-2887057

If you have any questions you can ask here as well as on main but just continue on this thread. Here it’s one condo per day. Just add the question mark prefix to call attention. Keep asking as there’s a lot to learn.

Treats will be your best friend if you can find a special one that is really liked. Give one after every dose and ear prick. Some people shoot while their cat is eating. For me I did everything in the bathroom sink so Max knew everywhere else he was safe.
 
tiffmaxee said:
Welcome to LLB. I’m glad your food switch is going well and you gave a successful first shot. Even if you did get a vein it won’t hurt.
Here’s your last post from main/health I think. We link threads for continuity.
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Thank you! I was worried the needle would hurt her but she didn't seem to notice at all until I pushed the plunger and she jumped a little. She seemed a little dazed after but her BG was okay so I'm guessing she's just adjusting. So nerve-wracking, thankful to everyone for their support :bighug:
 
So after 20 minutes of trying to chase Ducky around the apartment to take her BG level, I had to give up and am giving her food. Really nervous about giving insulin without having a reading, it seems like she's only amenable to it if she's lying down and comfortable already. I knew it was going too well to be true :arghh: Not sure if I should administer or not.
 
fenderrae said:
So after 20 minutes of trying to chase Ducky around the apartment to take her BG level, I had to give up and am giving her food. Really nervous about giving insulin without having a reading, it seems like she's only amenable to it if she's lying down and comfortable already. I knew it was going too well to be true :arghh: Not sure if I should administer or not.
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You need to use treats and treats and treats....I think all of us use the freeze dried pure protein like purebites...so no high carbs...
 
Tried to pick her up while she was eating but she raced under the bed and now won't come up. Feel like crying, so frustrating!! I think I will have to test her PM shot earlier in the day when she's not up and about even though it's not ideal. And of course, supposed to be giving the 2nd shot now :'(
 
Given her numbers and it being your first day I would skip. Have you thought about gett8ng a Libre put on while you are learning to test?
 
tiffmaxee said:
Given her numbers and it being your first day I would skip. Have you thought about gett8ng a Libre put on while you are learning to test?
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I have really been thinking about it and my vet said she would write an rx for it, Ducky is so finicky that I wonder if it would really bother her or that she'd try to scratch it off... she's also terrified of vet visits and sometimes gets an upset stomach after she goes. But it would be amazing if it worked out! If another "today" happens I will probably give it a try!! Feel terrible that I'm stressing her out so much.
 
Keep massaging her ears when she’s sitting with you to get her used to them being touched. You might need the Libre or else keep trying to test without insulin until she realizes it’s not so bad. I think I told you I tested Max in the bathroom sink. You might try picking a spot where you can close the door and she can’t get away. Then give a treat before and after you prick. I did start out not testiness as I feared Max would hide from me all the time. My vet had me go to his office fir a test a few times a week around +5-7. Not ideal but it worked. The depot will take 5-7 days to build so it’s an option. Now that I see what can happen I feel crazy to have been so reluctant to test.
 
fenderrae said:
I have really been thinking about it and my vet said she would write an rx for it, Ducky is so finicky that I wonder if it would really bother her or that she'd try to scratch it off... she's also terrified of vet visits and sometimes gets an upset stomach after she goes. But it would be amazing if it worked out! If another "today" happens I will probably give it a try!! Feel terrible that I'm stressing her out so much.
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Tiffmaxee has been helping me as well and she has an amazing amount of expertise ( and has helped when ive been too chicken to do something)! Youll get there! I also wrote myself a note and put it by my diabetes supplies. The note helped me not get frazzled.
 
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