AMP 376 +2 89 +3 183 +4 112 +5 126 +6 161 +8 220 PMP 344 +2 31 +2.2 350 +2.5 347 +4 329

[Shannon & Chewy]

I'm hoping I can get some advice on dosing. Over the past few weeks I have switched to the SLGS method. So far, Chewy has been at 2, 2.25, 2.5, 2.75, 3, 3.25. & 3.5. I'm not great about filling in the spreadsheet when I'm not doing a curve but all of his pre-shot numbers have been between 350 to 450 in the past 2 weeks. I also have calipers and a magnifying glass to keep the dosing consistent.

Today I got a few low numbers that scared me. I gave him some Hertz gravy treat after the 31 reading. I think the amount of blood I was testing for the low numbers may have been too small but the AlphaTrak 2 monitor did not give me an error. Chewy showed no hypo symptoms. In fact, he was more playful today than I've seen in months. He is eating well. His urine output is down but he is still drinking a lot.

He is a bit upset with all of the testing today and his poor ears are pincushions at this point. I plan on asking the vet about the Libre Freestyle when we see him next. I'm wondering if I should maintain his insulin dose tomorrow if his pre-shot numbers look normal or should I go back to the 3.25? His numbers were not great at the lower dose.

Thank you for your help.

 

[Bandit's Mom]

Hi Shannon, welcome to the LLB forum!

I'm linking your first post in the Main forum for continuity:
https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/9-12-new-member-introduction.268306/

Chewy has earned a reduction with that drop below 90 this morning. Going forward his dose will be 3.25U. I am assuming that the 31 you saw tonight was a bad test from not enough blood. It would be really helpful if you can fill in at least the data for October in the spreadsheet. We are very data dependent here. If you need help with that I can do it for you.

Testing gets easier with time and practice and his ears will also "learn to bleed" with time. Warming the ear and massaging it before poking helps stimulate blood flow. Also, nothing like a little bribery (treats) to make them cooperate with testing. Here's a post by another member with some home testing tips:
https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/9-9-bailey-amps-117-5-62.252712/#post-2851043

Is he still eating renal dry food? Those are vert high in carbs! What stage CKD is he at?

Many vets jump to "prescription" food even when there's really no need - both with diabetes and CKD. The only time a cat might need K/D is when they're in stage 4 or end stage CKD. Otherwise, you want to feed foods that are both low carb (for the diabetes) and low phosphorus (for the CKD). It used to be thought that a low protein diet is beneficial for cats with kidney disease but newer research shows that it's much more important to restrict phosphorus. That restricting protein at low levels of CKD just leads to muscle wasting. Look for foods with carbs under 10% and the dry matter for phosphorus under 250mg. Treating the diabetes will in turn help the kidney disease by reducing the strain on the kidneys that diabetes causes.

 

[Shannon & Chewy]

Thank you, Bhooma! Chewy's PMP was 474. I will start him back on 3.25 today. What numbers do I want to see to decide to move up again? Should I try 3.375 instead of going to 3.5 if we do decide to move? I will post Chewy's last 2 bloodwork results. The vet never labeled his stage of kidney disease. I have been researching better dry foods for him since I've never been able to feed him can exclusively. I see Wysong and Crave as options.

 

[Shannon & Chewy]

I meant AMP was 474. I added his bloodwork results to the spreadsheet. It appears Chewy's has the beginning stages of kidney disease. i have a more senior cat that was diagnosed with kidney disease in April as well. I need to get his bloodwork results to see where he stands since my 3 cats all eat together now.

 

[Bandit's Mom]

What numbers do I want to see to decide to move up again? Should I try 3.375 instead of going to 3.5 if we do decide to move?

With SLGS you hold a dose a week and then evaluate after doing a curve - unless he earns a reduction before that. A drop below 90 is a reduction.

I have been researching better dry foods for him since I've never been able to feed him can exclusively. I see Wysong and Crave as options.

Will he not eat only wet food? If not, Young Again Zero Mature is low carb and low phosphorus. Dr. Elsey's Clean protein is low carb and low phosphorus but not as low as YA. Wysong Epigen 90 is low carb, but not low phosphorus. If you can get him to ditch the dry food, you can switch to TR.

I added his bloodwork results to the spreadsheet. It appears Chewy's has the beginning stages of kidney disease. i have a more senior cat that was diagnosed with kidney disease in April as well. I need to get his bloodwork results to see where he stands since my 3 cats all eat together now.

His SDMA is 15 which is very early stage kidney disease. He does not need to be on a renal food.
http://felinecrf.org/early_detection.htm#sdma_test

Btw, a small housekeeping request. We ask members to post a new thread every day. This ensures that the thread doesn't get too long to read. Especially in time-critical situations like low numbers or a member stalling a shot.

The thread title nomenclature is:
<Date> - <Kitty's Name> - <AMPS/PMPS number and any other BG numbers you may have for the day> - <Question, if any>

Use the the '?' prefix in the thread title if you have a question, so people know that it's not just an update.

For e.g.
"? 10/18 - Henry - AMPS 285 - How much do I feed?"

We also ask that you link your previous post to the current post - just paste the URL of your previous post in the body of your current post saying "Previous Post"

 

[Shannon & Chewy]

Thanks for the recommendations and for educating me on knowing the stage of his kidney disease. I've tried to feed him wet can exclusively but him and his two siblings were not onboard. I will try Young Again Zero. Thank you for the housekeeping reminder.