New Member Introduction: Kris and Owen

[Kyle & Simon (GA)]

Hello, My name is Kyle. My dear guardian angel Simon briefly had diabetes in 2020 after taking prednisolone. With the help of FDMB he quickly went into remission and I am so grateful for the help we received here, particularly from @tiffmaxee. Simon died suddenly last week at the age of 20.

My friend Kris's cat, Owen, was diagnosed on 8/9/2022 when his blood glucose was measured at 485 at the vet. Owen is a spayed male cat, approximately 10 years old. Kris brought him to the vet because of weight loss and lack of appetite. We decided to wait before starting insulin to see if switching to a low-carb diet would help, and to allow Kris time to practice testing at home prior to starting insulin. The diet change seemed to work at first, and on 8/18 his bg was 69. However, since that time his bg has climbed back into the 200 -300 range. Owen's appetite has improved over the past month, and he generally seems to be doing well. We ordered Lantus and gave him his first dose (0.5 units) today.

Kris is unable to access the FDMB so I am hoping I can post on her behalf and help Owen get OTJ.

Thanks in advance for you help!

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

Hi and welcome Kyle, Kris and Owen.
I am so sorry Simon has died. What a wonderful age to get to. Fly free Simon

Well done Kris for learning to hometest the BGs. That is great!
I see you have the spreadsheet set up and running! Wow!
That is quite a response to 0.5 units of Lantus. As Kris are doing SLGS and this is the first dose of insulin, I would reduce the dose to 0.25 units at the next dose and hold it for 5 to 7 days as long as Owen does not drop under 90 again. If that happens I would reduce the dose to 0.1 units. Post here and we will show you how to do this.
Don’t forget to test during the pm cycle as well.

Is Kris feeding a good meal before the shot and then giving snacks of low carb during the first half of the cycles?
Does she have a hypo kit set up yet?
HELP US HELP YOU has good links for new members.

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

If the BG at PMPS is below 200 I would stall, don’t feed and test again in 20minutes to see if the BG is rising.
Post and ask for assistance.

 

[Kyle & Simon (GA)]

Thank you @Bron and Sheba (GA) ! We will report back at PMPS. Should I continue to post here, or on the Lantus forum?
Thanks again for your help.

 

[Kyle & Simon (GA)]

Is Kris feeding a good meal before the shot and then giving snacks of low carb during the first half of the cycles?
Does she have a hypo kit set up yet?
HELP US HELP YOU has good links for new members.[/QUOTE]

Yes Kris is feeding prior to the shot and low carb snacks during the first part of the cycle. We have the hypo kit ready to go! Hoping we dont need it. Thanks again for your help.

 

[tiffmaxee]

Hi Kyle. That’s quite a response to a first shot. What time is insulin? Is she able to rest by herself or are you helping? So sorry Simon passed away. Your remarkable care kept him well for 20 years. That’s quite an accomplishment!

 

[Kyle & Simon (GA)]

Hi Kyle. That’s quite a response to a first shot. What time is insulin? Is she able to rest by herself or are you helping? So sorry Simon passed away. Your remarkable care kept him well for 20 years. That’s quite an accomplishment!

Thank you Elise. My heart is so broken, I am barely functioning right now. I just feel lost honestly.

PM shot time is 8 pm. Given how Owen responded to the low carb diet, with a reading of 69 at one point, I dont think he will need insulin for long. Kris has been practicing testing for almost a month and is getting really good at it (Owen too)! Im hoping it wont take long to get him OTJ.

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

Thank you @Bron and Sheba (GA) ! We will report back at PMPS. Should I continue to post here, or on the Lantus forum?
Thanks again for your help.

Seeing you are all set up and have the SS, signature and are hometesting, I think you could continue on the Lantus forum where you will get more eyes on it.

 

[Kyle & Simon (GA)]

Seeing you are all set up and have the SS, signature and are hometesting, I think you could continue on the Lantus forum where you will get more eyes on it.

Okay heading there now. We just got a PMPS of 241 so I am thinking 0.25 for tonight? I will head over to the lantus forum.

 

[Diane Tyler's Mom GA]

I'm so very sorry about your beautiful boy Simon . Fly high sweet boy ,you will be missed.
Take care of yourself Kyle , it's so nice of you to help your friend

 

[Kyle & Simon (GA)]

Thank you @Diane Tyler's Mom. I am so heartbroken. I appreciate your kind words. I am helping my friend in honor of Simon.

 

[Diane Tyler's Mom GA]

Thank you @Diane Tyler's Mom. I am so heartbroken. I appreciate your kind words. I am helping my friend in honor of Simon.

I know how you feel Kyle I had to let Tyler's brother Perry go last Oct, I still cry when I think of him. He was so special to me , had kidney disease.
I know that Simon would want you to help your friend in his honor.♥

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

Owen is possibly bouncing from the run of greens yesterday.

 

[Kyle & Simon (GA)]

I think you are right @Bron and Sheba (GA) . We probably should have started with 0.25 units? Poor Kris is pretty freaked out by these high numbers! Hopefully Owen will clear this soon. Thanks for your help!

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

Tell Kris not to be worried about the higher numbers today. Bouncing in cats is very normal and a lot of cats do it, especially newly diagnosed cats. Bounces can last from 1 to 6 cycles so tell her it’s OK. Owen will do it more than once.
It doesn’t mean he’s not getting enough insulin. Just keep doing everything that you have been doing and when the numbers start to drop just keep an eye on them.
Keep posting…….

 

[Kyle & Simon (GA)]

@Bron and Sheba (GA) - we just got 199 at +2 after pm shot. Should we be concerned about low numbers this cycle? Or is that unusual right after a bounce? I am posting in the Lantus forum as well, so I hope this isn’t getting confusing!

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

I’ll answer on the Lantus forum to keep it all together