? 03/25 Tigger AMPS 430 +3 364 PMPS 362 +3 451 +5 461 [Increase Dose or Try Different Insulin?]

Tigger Mom

Tigger Mom

Member Since 2023
Hello fellow kitty moms/dads:

Tigger has been on glargine insulin, 1 unit twice/day for the past week. Before that, he was on 1 unit once/day for a week. As you can see from his spreadsheet, his glucose levels aren't trending lower on average. Sometimes his glucose level even shoots up after taking the shot. Tigger had been showing lower numbers even before he started his insulin journey.

Do you think I should continue to increase the dosage, or given the data, should we try a different insulin?

Thanks,
Cindy
 
One week is not nearly enough time to judge an insulin. I would not count the once a day week as lantus doesn’t work well when dosed like that. It takes the depot 5-7 days to build and in cats is a 12 hour insulin.

Can you get at least 2 tests each cycle? If you can I would switch to TR so you can increase faster at least until you start to see better bg. I just saw your first post. Too bad you can’t try out Bexacat but lantus is a really good insulin for most cats.

It’s good you went up to 1.5.

Would you tell us more about Tigger? How old is he? Any other health issues? How was he diagnosed?
 
Tigger's known to be about 7 years old. He is a Savannah-mix, so weighs about 23 pounds. He got diagnosed early January 2023. I consulted my vet pretty extensively about starting insulin because I am away from home 10+ hours and his GC levels were in the low 300s (sometimes in the mid-200s). After starting glargine, the ranges are higher - the reason for soliciting feedback here. My vet also agreed that I should go up to 2 units which I started this morning. Just super paranoid about Hypo... Tigger doesn't have any other health issues. Thanks for the reply.

Re Bexacat, not sure why they put out PRs everywhere since it is not available for sale yet.
 
You need to stay with the 1.5 unit dose for at least 3 days, six cycles. Lantus is a depot style insulin, so it takes time to see what a dose can do. We say that Lantus teaches patience.

You say you went up to 2 units - but your spreadsheet is not up to date. Please make sure it has the latest data when you have a dosing question. We are very data focused here, and want to make suggestions we know are safe.

The reason Tigger's numbers might seem higher is that he's getting into lower numbers his body is not used to. We call it bouncing. Almost alll newly diagnosed cats do it, and seem even not so newly diagnosed. Here is the definition:
Bouncing is simply a natural reaction to what the cat's system perceives as a BG value that is "too low". "Too low" is relative. If a cat is used to BGs in the 200's, 300's, or higher for a long time, then even a BG that drops to 150 can trigger a "bounce". Bouncing can also be triggered if the blood glucose drops too low and/or too fast.The pancreas, then the liver, release glucogon, glycogen and counter-regulatory hormones. The end result is a dumping of "sugar" into the bloodstream to save the cat from going hypoglycemic from a perceived low. The action is often referred to as "liver panic" or "panicky liver". *Usually*, a bounce will clear kitty's system within 3 days (6 cycles).

The definition is from the New to the Group Sticky Note. I recommend you read all those Sticky Notes at the top of this forum. I still reread them occasionally. Lots of good info in there.
 
Came back down to 1.5 after reading your reply. Will be on this til the weekend to see progress. Then go up to 2 units. Gracias!
 
Hi Cindy
I saw your post looking for a vet in Chicago.
I happened to look at your spreadsheet to see how Tiger was coming along
What dosing method are you following TR or SLGS?
I see you are using the Alpha Trak Pet Meter
I see that Tiger BG was 64 on 4-24-2023 at PMPS , you should have reduced his next dose on 4-25-2023 in the morning AMPS . There were 2 others times his BG was 67
If you are following TR dosing method it would be
Tight Regulation:
- Reductions are below 68 on an AlphaTrak. So any time you see under 68, next shot is reduce by 0.25U.

We usually only reduce by 0.25 units at a time. I see you are adjusting the doses by half units. Maybe you were told to do this I don't know
I was just concerned about Tigger, I hope you don't mind
If you are not sure what dose to give I would post and ask for advice
We always adjust the dose by how low Tiggers BG is dropping , not by the AMPS or PMPS number. Did you do any more tests yesterday 4-29 after you gave him his insulin in the AM
I would have gotten a few test in this morning 4-30 after you gave him his insulin.
You should try and stay with the same shooting times everyday. I was looking at your AM shooting times :cat:
@Tigger and mom

If you are following the SLGS Method using the Alpha Trak
If the BG falls under 90 you reduce the dose

On 4-28 you said in the remarks section of your spreadsheet
Gave 2.0 units at AM+1.0 mark you needed to note that in the unit cell (square) you should have tested after that at least one more time
I see you have that noted a few times in your remarks sections for other dates

4-24
Gave 1.5 units at PM+4 mark

4-22
Gave 2.0 units at AM+0.5 mark
You need to note these in the cell units
 
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Unless you test a mini if two times every cycle you need to follow SLGS.Even if you were following TR a reduction was earned with the BG under 68 more than once. What you are seeing is bounces from the lows. That causes the BG to spike. Please do not increase.
 
tiffmaxee said:
Unless you test a mini if two times every cycle you need to follow SLGS.Even if you were following TR a reduction was earned with the BG under 68 more than once. What you are seeing is bounces from the lows. That causes the BG to spike. Please do not increase.
Click to expand...
Hi Elise I hope someone would come along
Was I correct in saying if you are following TR using the Alpha Trak and the BG falls under 68 you reduce

If following SLGS with the Alpha Trak do you reduce if the BG falls under 90
Just wanted to book mark this for future reference
@tiffmaxee
 
Hi. Yes, you are correct. :) She’s not testing enough for TR and not following either method. @Tigger Mom Who is guiding your dosing? He’s a large cat so might need more insulin than many cats being a Savannah mix but we need to get you on a consistent dosing method.
 
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