? More, Smaller Meals on Vetsulin?

[chowaniec]

Our cat is currently on 2 meals a day, followed by vetsulin, and she occasionally (1-3x a month) throws up bile before meal time because she's hungry. She's had a couple of pancreatitis flare-ups in the past - that's how we got her DX - and I've read that more, smaller meals can be easier on the pancreas. We have a timed feeder, so setting it up to do a 3rd and/or 4th meal would be a breeze, but we both work out of the house so giving her insulin more than twice a day isn't really an option. Is it okay to do more than 2 meals, but only give insulin twice a day?

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

Our cat is currently on 2 meals a day, followed by vetsulin, and she occasionally (1-3x a month) throws up bile before meal time because she's hungry. She's had a couple of pancreatitis flare-ups in the past - that's how we got her DX - and I've read that more, smaller meals can be easier on the pancreas. We have a timed feeder, so setting it up to do a 3rd and/or 4th meal would be a breeze, but we both work out of the house so giving her insulin more than twice a day isn't really an option. Is it okay to do more than 2 meals, but only give insulin twice a day?

Absolutely! Only ever give insulin twice a day, but it is fine to give a main meal before the shot and then give 2 or 3 snacks during the cycles. Whatever you give in the am cycle, give in the pm cycle as well. Only feeding twice a day is old thinking and it is much better for the pancreas to have smaller snacks throughout the day.
She is probably vomiting bile before mealtime because she has a very empty tummy.

Are you feeding the main meals and waiting 30 minutes before giving the vetsulin?
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Do you have a hypo box set up?
Are you hometesting the blood glucose levels?

 

[FrostD]

Yes BUT and this is a big BUT, with Vetsulin it will change the way her cycles go. That larger meal may be preventing a steep dive early on, so if you spread them out it may lead to a bigger drop overall...or it may not.

That said, we actually strongly stress splitting meals with Vetsulin because it helps slow those dives and give a more "gentle" curve.

Bron mentioned home testing, thats the best way to see how it affects her. Usually the main meal and meal 1-2 hr after the shot need to be largest, and sometimes even a little more carbs. Anything you give after about the 4hr mark should be very small snacks, because the insulin is wearing off.

 

[chowaniec]

Thanks! Yes, I am waiting 15-30 minutes after eating, checking levels at home and have hypo supplies. I will definitely be checking her BG on the different schedule to see how it affects her.