More on Merlin (continued from Merlin saga)

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Merlin is now 21.9, down from 25! But the ear prick 10 minutes later says 16.7! And the Libre one minute later says 20.8. I guess its dropping. I believe the blood more, though.
 
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upload_2022-5-20_19-43-20.jpeg

Merlin is so proud of his 18 on the “beep-beeps”
 

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Hendrick Cuddleclaw said:
Hendrick will sometimes do the same, that means you have really done a perfect job with the treats and conditioning pokey time as a happy, treat-filled time. Bravo!
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This means a lot to me coming from you, Kyle. I remember watching your video and thinking “how in the world will I ever do this with such calm and finesse?” I guess practice makes pretty good. And treats help a lot, of course.
 
Bron and Sheba (GA) said:
@Bandit's Mom would you be able to find time to add the data from yesterday’s am cycle and into the pm cycle please?. It’s in yesterday thread. There is a lot of data and you probably won’t be able to add it all. Jill is brand new to all of this and might struggle to add it correctly. Thanks.
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Finally got around to putting in the numbers for the 18th on the SS. Sorry for the delay!

Where can I find the numbers for the 19th?
 
Bandit's Mom said:
Finally got around to putting in the numbers for the 18th on the SS. Sorry for the delay!

Where can I find the numbers for the 19th?
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Thank you SOOO much, Bhooma. That’s amazing. So, the numbers for the 18th began at the second NS+2, which 5.2, was midnight. The 16.4 was at 6:25 am. After that there was a 22.8 at 7:32 and then I went to bed. John scanned at 8:54, 12:33, and 14:47, and they all read as HI on the Libre. When I got up, the Contour read 32.1 at 16:15. Then
26.2 at 18:00
25.9 at 19:30
25.3 at 20:30
21.9 at 22:00
Thank you so much, again. I look at that day on the sheet, and it all scrambles up with my emotions still.:eek:
 
Merlin’sMama said:
Thank you SOOO much, Bhooma. That’s amazing. So, the numbers for the 18th began at the second NS+2, which 5.2, was midnight. The 16.4 was at 6:25 am. After that there was a 22.8 at 7:32 and then I went to bed. John scanned at 8:54, 12:33, and 14:47, and they all read as HI on the Libre. When I got up, the Contour read 32.1 at 16:15. Then
26.2 at 18:00
25.9 at 19:30
25.3 at 20:30
21.9 at 22:00
Thank you so much, again. I look at that day on the sheet, and it all scrambles up with my emotions still.:eek:
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Oh my goodness. Me too! I'm still recovering, I think. Merlin is the BEST boy! I'm proud of all of you, and, of course, I'm waiting for those syringes to arrive.
 
Suzanne & Darcy said:
Oh my goodness. Me too! I'm still recovering, I think. Merlin is the BEST boy! I'm proud of all of you, and, of course, I'm waiting for those syringes to arrive.
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Yep. Still recovering. Have a little dread of injecting that stuff again. But I know he needs it. I’m avoiding the vet who keeps calling because I don’t know what to say. I will never go back there. But I also need to find a new vet. Have sent another email to the local cat vet who is not taking new patients begging them for an overseer for Merlin’s care. Or at least an emergency room if we ever need. Meanwhile I’m still composing my review of the bad vet. Big hugs to you.
 
So you decided to not go back there? Is it a possibility to just only use her for other non-diabetic stuff? And we can help you manage Merlin's diabetes here. Maybe just use her for prescriptions or normal stuff -- like if Merlin has a UTI or something? Of course, if you can find another vet who is decent, that would be optimal.
 
Hi Jill
What a great photo of Merlin, he looks so chilled.
Can i just give you a heads up regarding the BD u100 syringes.
Sometimes the syringes can have inaccurate markings on them making it hard to give an accurate dose.
I know that quite a few members on here including @Bandit's Mom @Wendy&Neko and a member that used to be on here called Critter Mom had problems with the markings.
This is what Critter Mom posted on one of my threads. The conversation starts from post 20
https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/help-regarding-dukes-numbers-please.243125/
When I became more aware of the sometimes huge offsets in the syringe markings, I went through a batch and found one where the zero graduation was in the right place. I then used that as a yardstick with which to check the offsets on all other syringes. Also, when I got a new box, I would inspect every syringe and try to put them into separate groups based on the degree of offset of the graduation marks. That way, I could better gauge measurement tweaks for each group, and I had the reference syringe with which to compare them. (Like you, I would have found the dosing caliper too awkward to use, and I'd have ended up having panic attacks had I tried to use one.)
Hopefully Jill the members that i have tagged can explain in more detail.
 
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Suzanne & Darcy said:
So you decided to not go back there? Is it a possibility to just only use her for other non-diabetic stuff? And we can help you manage Merlin's diabetes here. Maybe just use her for prescriptions or normal stuff -- like if Merlin has a UTI or something? Of course, if you can find another vet who is decent, that would be optimal.
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I just cant fathom looking her in the eye again. It was a huge mistake that she never took responsibility for. It was sloppy doctoring. And before that, sloppy supergluing of his first monitor. She took a full week to tell me his blood results, which she received the next day. She took three weeks to get the insulin and monitor. I don’t think she really cares what happens to Merlin, even though she has left a message for me to call her today. Her text the day after our saga was callous and uncaring. She gave up on finding syringes and told me to do it. I think, if anything, she is just worried about losing our business. It’s such a shame because she is five minutes from home. I just don’t think I could trust her to do the right thing anymore. She proved too many times that she is either overworked or not dedicated. If she had just expressed some kind of sympathy for what we went through, I might forgive her. But I don’t want to go back there ever again now. I understand that vets are under a lot of pressure and that saying anything that makes her look responsible for the overdose might jeapordize her business. A simple how is he doing would have gone a long way.:(
 
Teetee (UK) said:
Hi Jill
What a great photo of Merlin, he looks so chilled.
Can i just give you a heads up regarding the BD u100 syringes.
Sometimes the syringes can have inaccurate markings on them making it hard to give an accurate dose.
I know that quite a few members on here including @Bandit's Mom @Wendy&Neko and a member that used to be on here called Critter Mom had problems with the markings.
This is what Critter Mom posted on one of my threads. The conversation starts from post 20
https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/help-regarding-dukes-numbers-please.243125/
When I became more aware of the sometimes huge offsets in the syringe markings, I went through a batch and found one where the zero graduation was in the right place. I then used that as a yardstick with which to check the offsets on all other syringes. Also, when I got a new box, I would inspect every syringe and try to put them into separate groups based on the degree of offset of the graduation marks. That way, I could better gauge measurement tweaks for each group, and I had the reference syringe with which to compare them. (Like you, I would have found the dosing caliper too awkward to use, and I'd have ended up having panic attacks had I tried to use one.)
Hopefully Jill the members that i have tagged can explain in more detail.
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This scares me a lot. Maybe I will look for a different brand. I cant go through that again.
 
Merlin’sMama said:
This scares me a lot. Maybe I will look for a different brand. I cant go through that again.
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There is no need to get a different brand Jill because 90% of the syringes will be fine, i'm just saying be vigilant with them because you will find bad markings on the syringe where the plunger goes maybe 1/4 of a unit below the zero line.
Honestly don't order the Sol-vet ones they could be the same. My Prozinc ones can vary a lot, sometimes the plunger goes well below the zero line and some the plunger is a 1/4 of a unit above the zero line.
If you just get John to buy a x4 or x5 magnifying glass then check each syringe with the magnifying glass before you inject Merlin.
What i do is i always check each syringe by removing the white end cap and push the plunger all the way up to see where it's at and if it's not on the zero line i put it to one side and try another syringe, but honestly Jill don't buy any more because they might be Ok. I'm just making you aware of it that's all.
 
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There is a simple solution to faulty markings on syringes. Use digital calipers. I had in my opinion the best syringes that unfortunately were discontinued yet the markings were not good on those either . I would have been lost without my calipers once I started using them as Max needed tiny increases and decreases. I’ll link info in this in case you aren’t familiar.

BTW I could not use that vet again either. When Max blocked my vet was busy and it was an emergency so I saw someone else in the practice who pierced his bladder and didn’t tell me. He was just about 5 years old and needed surgery to repair his bladder. the next day once stabilized at an ER. He needed 24 hour care and it was touch and go for a week. I still go to that practice but everyone knows that vet can not come in contact with my cats ever.
 
tiffmaxee said:
There is a simple solution to faulty markings on syringes. Use digital calipers. I had in my opinion the best syringes that unfortunately were discontinued yet the markings were not good on those either . I would have been lost without my calipers once I started using them as Max needed tiny increases and decreases. I’ll link info in this in case you aren’t familiar.
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Hi Elise,
Good shout.
I forgot about the calipers to be honest, i did try that method but i just couldn't do it as i was just all fingers and thumbs trying to line up the calipers lol.
 
I cannot believe that something as important as syringes dispensing medication can be off in their measurements. What about when babies need medication?? This baffles and astounds me. I don’t know what to say.
 
tiffmaxee said:
There is a simple solution to faulty markings on syringes. Use digital calipers. I had in my opinion the best syringes that unfortunately were discontinued yet the markings were not good on those either . I would have been lost without my calipers once I started using them as Max needed tiny increases and decreases. I’ll link info in this in case you aren’t familiar.

BTW I could not use that vet again either. When Max blocked my vet was busy and it was an emergency so I saw someone else in the practice who pierced his bladder and didn’t tell me. He was just about 5 years old and needed surgery to repair his bladder. the next day once stabilized at an ER. He needed 24 hour care and it was touch and go for a week. I still go to that practice but everyone knows that vet can not come in contact with my cats ever.
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How awful. I’m so sorry you had to go through that. I’m glad that vet (and everyone there) knows how you feel! Sadly, the vet that overdosed Merlin is the only one at the practice. She doesn’t even have a vet tech. No wonder she makes mistakes.
 
it seems that pretty much any brand of syringes can have lousy markings to be honest, but maybe some brands more than others?

thankfully it seems to be that the slight discrepancies do not cause a huge issue for the most part, with plenty of cats still doing great on insulin, getting well regulated and even OTJ like Kloey recently.
 
Merlin’sMama said:
I cannot believe that something as important as syringes dispensing medication can be off in their measurements. What about when babies need medication?? This baffles and astounds me. I don’t know what to say.
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I read somewhere on the forum just today that explains about the inaccuracy on the syringes when used on humans as it's only a small amount for them whereas in cats a little is a lot.
Ah found it, actually @tiffmaxee posted it, i knew i'd seen it somewhere.
https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB...g-syringes-are-different.248663/#post-2804765
 
Like Tee said, I found some BD syringes were off, in that the zero line was a little higher up the barrel. Just look before you load, and set those ones aside. Typically it would be not random ones but an off bag of 10. I did eventually switch to using calipers too, and the problem went away. I also used the BD Ultrafine, not Microfine, so your mileage may vary. On top of this, some cats are more sensitive to smaller changes than others. People did fine just eyeballing before we started using calipers.

Babies are on higher doses, it's unfortunately just a cat issue.

As for the vet, I wouldn't toss her right away, at least until you find a replacement vet. My vet started us on Caninsulin so I was shopping around too. I had dealt with her for years so did trust her other knowledge, she just wasn't up to what I needed on diabetes. So part way though my searching for another vet I found one that had a diabetic cat, believed in home testing and used Lantus. I was about to switch (other cat went there), when I found out her cat had hypoed and died. So I went back to the original vet, and used FDMB to help me learn to manage the diabetes. She eventually learned along with me when the acromegaly diagnosis came along, and was great at handling the day to day stuff and CKD.
 
Merlin’sMama said:
I just cant fathom looking her in the eye again. It was a huge mistake that she never took responsibility for. It was sloppy doctoring. And before that, sloppy supergluing of his first monitor. She took a full week to tell me his blood results, which she received the next day. She took three weeks to get the insulin and monitor. I don’t think she really cares what happens to Merlin, even though she has left a message for me to call her today. Her text the day after our saga was callous and uncaring. She gave up on finding syringes and told me to do it. I think, if anything, she is just worried about losing our business. It’s such a shame because she is five minutes from home. I just don’t think I could trust her to do the right thing anymore. She proved too many times that she is either overworked or not dedicated. If she had just expressed some kind of sympathy for what we went through, I might forgive her. But I don’t want to go back there ever again now. I understand that vets are under a lot of pressure and that saying anything that makes her look responsible for the overdose might jeapordize her business. A simple how is he doing would have gone a long way.:(
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Yes. I agree and understand. I just wasn’t sure what your vet options are where you live. I actually can’t understand her reluctance to take responsibility or at least say that she’s sorry or SOMETHING. She nearly killed Merlin. :bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
I am wondering, once Merlin is on Lantus should I post mostly on there, and not on here? I actually didn’t realize it was a separate place until today. I guess my epic saga should have been on there instead of here?
 
We suggest that people start on the Feline Health forum and wait until you are set up with the spreadsheet etc. before posting on the Lantus forum. But looks like you would be ready to post over there once you get those syringes.
 
Is there any reason Merlin might be eating less today? He’s gotten picky again and only licks the food off without eating the meat. He doesn’t like any of the pates he was devouring last week. I wonder if this is because he had to eat so much of them on his crisis night. I guess I will be cat food shopping again this week, but the choices are not that great in the stores here.
 
Have you been able to get a ketones test on him lately?

As for posting on the Lantus forum, you will find a lot of the same peeps over there!
 
I also just had the panicky thought that our first dose we want to give in the morning, possibly Tuesday, or Wednesday, but none of you will be awake, and I wanted to show you the full syringe before shooting…
 
Merlin’sMama said:
I also just had the panicky thought that our first dose we want to give in the morning, possibly Tuesday, or Wednesday, but none of you will be awake, and I wanted to show you the full syringe before shooting…
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I will set an alarm and wake up. I need to know what time. Or you know that Bron may be “on duty”. There’s no way we are going to leave you alone!
 
Suzanne & Darcy said:
I will set an alarm and wake up. I need to know what time. Or you know that Bron may be “on duty”. There’s no way we are going to leave you alone!
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Oh thank you thank you. I will let you know when the syringes arrive and the date is set. I just remembered we may be setting up a visit with a new vet early this week too, if we can get in. OK I gotta sleep now! You are wonderful. XJ
 
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