New Member, March 14, 2023, low blood glucose question

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Chrisa Hotchkiss

Chrisa Hotchkiss

Member Since 2023
Hello.

I'm Chrisa, and my 15-year-old cat is Jackson. He's had diabetes for just over 3 years. He went into remission once, but it's been a while. His sugar has always been tricky to regulate. I haven't had a chance to post his numbers on the spreadsheet yet because I'm a bit overwhelmed by all the info--though extremely appreciative! I don't live in the US, so I think I will need to convert his numbers so they make sense to folks. I've lost track of where the details are about how to do that. In the meantime, here is my question:

When his blood glucose falls in the low range in the morning (3.9 or 5.7, for example, which I realize may not make sense to you), I haven't been giving him insulin with his breakfast. I skip the morning dose altogether. Then when I test later in the day to make sure I should be giving him his evening insulin, his blood glucose is really high (25.7 today). So my question is, should I be giving him insulin with his morning meal even when it's that low?

All the details about his diet, type of insulin, etc. are in my profile. Thanks!
 
There is a World version of the spreadsheet, details here How to Create a Spreadsheet:
In that spreadsheet, you can enter the numbers you are used to, and it will automatically convert to the US versions. Note, there is also a World version of the spreadsheet for people using the AT meter, that's the one you want.

3.9 (70) on at AT is way too low for your kitty, especially since he's eating dry food. You need to reduce the dose to 1.75 units, if you are giving 2 units as per your signature. You need to use U-100 1/2 unit marked syringes in order to measure smaller doses, if you aren't already. If you lower the dose so it doesn't take him so low, it should help get rid of those low numbers before the shot (what we call preshot). With dry food in the picture, and using at AT, you've never shoot if his numbers are below 5.0 (90). One thing you can do, if you can monitor, is stall or wait without feeding for 20 minutes and see if he comes up to a shootable number. Also, if you ever see him go below 5.0 (90) again, that means to reduce the dose by another 0.25 units.
 
Wendy&Neko said:
There is a World version of the spreadsheet, details here How to Create a Spreadsheet:
In that spreadsheet, you can enter the numbers you are used to, and it will automatically convert to the US versions. Note, there is also a World version of the spreadsheet for people using the AT meter, that's the one you want.

3.9 (70) on at AT is way too low for your kitty, especially since he's eating dry food. You need to reduce the dose to 1.75 units, if you are giving 2 units as per your signature. You need to use U-100 1/2 unit marked syringes in order to measure smaller doses, if you aren't already. If you lower the dose so it doesn't take him so low, it should help get rid of those low numbers before the shot (what we call preshot). With dry food in the picture, and using at AT, you've never shoot if his numbers are below 5.0 (90). One thing you can do, if you can monitor, is stall or wait without feeding for 20 minutes and see if he comes up to a shootable number. Also, if you ever see him go below 5.0 (90) again, that means to reduce the dose by another 0.25 units.
Click to expand...

Thank you! I am using an insulin pen and will have to switch to syringes to access those .25 doses. I have a cold, so I won't be able to get to the vet for a few days. I am thinking 1IU might be best until I can make the switch. I know it's better for his numbers to be too high than too low. I will also fill out the spreadsheet soon.
 
The syringes you need are the U100, 3/10ml, 30 or 31 gauge, 6 or 8 mm insulin syringes with 1/2 unit markings.
I doubt the vet will have the ones with the 1/2 unit markings on them. There are several brands you can get. I liked the BD brand.
Which counrty do you live in? Some countries dont have the 1/2 unit markings.
If you are using a pen you can continue to use the cartridge in the pen to draw out the insulin. I would keep the insulin in the fridge. It will last longer.
Here is a diagram on how to draw up the insulin using the pen and a syringe.
upload_2023-3-15_13-39-7.jpeg
 

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Thank you! I'm in Canada. I'm pretty sure my vet said if I switch to syringe I will have more control over the dosage, e.g., .25 of a change. I probably should have made this switch a while ago, but I'm nervous about learning a new method. I'm a single mum cat owner going through a divorce. Lots on my plate, but he is worth it. I'll get there...
 
I am in Canada too. Walk into any people pharmacy, ask for the BD Ultrafine II syringes, purple and yellow box. That's what you want.

And yes, lower the dose for now, until you can get syringes.

How much of the Hills dry food is he getting now?
 
Wendy&Neko said:
I am in Canada too. Walk into any people pharmacy, ask for the BD Ultrafine II syringes, purple and yellow box. That's what you want.

And yes, lower the dose for now, until you can get syringes.

How much of the Hills dry food is he getting now?
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Thanks! I'm on Vancouver Island. We don't have any People Pharmacies. Shoppers Drug Mart, London Drug, Rexall, Save-on-Foods, and some other ones I can't think of. I feed him only 25 g of dry a day. I am trying to wean him off, but I don't have a good handle on how much food he should be getting based on his weight. He also adores crunchies, and part of our play is him chasing crunchies just before meals. I can't get him interested in much else in terms of play. He is extremely food-motivated, though. He loves the Fancy Feast pate I started giving him. Eventually, I will wean him off the Purina DM pate, which he is sick of anyway, but again, I don't have a good sense of how much kcals he should be getting a day. I think there is some kind of fact sheet about this but I'm not sure where to find it on the site. Honestly, I am feeling pretty overwhelmed.
 
Chrisa Hotchkiss said:
Thanks! I'm on Vancouver Island.
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Hi Chrisa and Jackson. Do you have a London Drugs within reasonable distance? (Campbell River, Naniamo, or Victoria) ? They carry the BD U100 brand syringes with the half units Bron mentioned in above posts. My vet (I'm in Alberta) carries a different brand of syringes (EliMedical) but are same, with 1/2 unit markings. (I did like the BD brand better ), might be worth calling around
 
The amount of calories he needs depends on how you find his overall weight to be currently. Is he at ideal weight or does he need to lose weight, or gain weight? This info page can help provide some guidelines on determining how many calories to feed.

https://www.petplace.com/article/cats/pet-health/how-to-calculate-your-cats-daily-calorie-intake/

and a picture of body condition score. https://vet.osu.edu/vmc/sites/default/files/images/Body condition score chart cats_0.pdf

you can also refer to this page for more info:

https://catinfo.org/feline-obesity-an-epidemic-of-fat-cats/#Is_Your_Cat_Overweight
 
Christie & Maverick said:
The amount of calories he needs depends on how you find his overall weight to be currently. Is he at ideal weight or does he need to lose weight, or gain weight? This info page can help provide some guidelines on determining how many calories to feed.

https://www.petplace.com/article/cats/pet-health/how-to-calculate-your-cats-daily-calorie-intake/

and a picture of body condition score. https://vet.osu.edu/vmc/sites/default/files/images/Body condition score chart cats_0.pdf

you can also refer to this page for more info:

https://catinfo.org/feline-obesity-an-epidemic-of-fat-cats/#Is_Your_Cat_Overweight
Click to expand...
@Christie & Maverick don't mean to hijack this post but can you take a look at my boys post & give me those links please.
@Chrisa Hotchkiss I hope you can get your baby back in remission & back on track :)
 
By "people pharmacies", I meant one that serves humans. Safeway pharmacy was the cheapest in my part of the lower Mainland, with Superstore and Costco a close second.

For crunchies, try freeze dried, air dried, or dehydrated all meat treats. All are low carb and cats seem to love them. Purebites chicken is sometimes referred to as kitty crack. You can get more economical packages in the dog section. Same product, larger bags.
 
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