9/3 Smudge AMPS 300, +2.5 314, +5.5 330, PMPS 344, +2 230
- Thread starter allicatmeow
- Start date
allicatmeow
Member Since 2023
+2.5 @ 314
Blood ketone meter given 3 errors today. No reading yet.
Blood ketone meter given 3 errors today. No reading yet.
Hendrick Cuddleclaw
Member Since 2022
yeah that ketone meter needs a good sized droplet in my experience
I wonder if this is a bounce today from an unseen night-time low (Cats very often go lower during the night cycle) or the 4U depot really was still lingering and this is what 2U actually looks like. Darn sugar dance really keeps you on your toes
I wonder if this is a bounce today from an unseen night-time low (Cats very often go lower during the night cycle) or the 4U depot really was still lingering and this is what 2U actually looks like. Darn sugar dance really keeps you on your toes
allicatmeow
Member Since 2023
I am also wondering. He's hovering pretty steady here.
330 @ 5.5
0.4 ketones, still good.
Hendrick Cuddleclaw
Member Since 2022
Are you starting TR now? Certainly doing enough BG testing! TR is more aggressive but also is better with DKA in the mix.
allicatmeow
Member Since 2023
I'm honestly trying to get a handle of what 2U is doing, but if you and the experts here feel TR is possible, I am willing!
I do want to switch to Relion at some point for TR since these strips are so pricey. There's an issue with the Bluetooth on my AT3, so they sent me a free bottle of strips, while they escalate it, which helps my pocket.
Hendrick Cuddleclaw
Member Since 2022
That's fine because if you consider 2U his real starting dose, TR says hold it for 5-7 days. Here is the copy/paste from the sticky. But as Smudge's situation is a little unique it's possible one of the experts here will need to weigh in.
General Guidelines:
- Hold the initial starting dose for 5 - 7 days (10 - 14 consecutive cycles) unless the numbers tell you otherwise. Kitties experiencing high flat curves or prone to ketones may want to increase the starting dose after 3 days (6 consecutive cycles).
- Each subsequent dose is held for a minimum of 3 days (6 consecutive cycles) unless kitty earns a reduction (See: Reducing the dose...).
- Adjustments to dose are based on nadirs with only some consideration given to preshot numbers.
- Hold the dose for 3 - 5 days (6 - 10 consecutive cycles) if nadirs are less than 200 before increasing the dose by 0.25 unit.
- if your cat is new to numbers under 200, it is recommended to hold the dose for at least 8-10 cycles before increasing.
- when your cat starts to see nadirs under 100, hold the dose for at least 10 cycles before increasing.
- Increase by 0.25 unit after 3 days (6 consecutive cycles) if nadirs are greater than 200, but less than 300.
- Increase by 0.5 unit after 3 days (6 consecutive cycles) if nadirs are greater than 300
allicatmeow
Member Since 2023
I definitely want guidance on the "prone to ketones" part, since we know he was DKA (or possibly just ketones in urine like @JL and Chip said, since we didn't get in depth electrolyte, etc testing).
Smudge is 344 @ PMPS.
He didn't eat much at all today except a small breakfast and his many poke treats (Purebites Freeze Dried Chicken per your recommendation, he goes bananas for it!), not sure why other than maybe sick of the DM all day every day. I am giving him FF Chicken Pate now and he gobbled probably 2/3 of one can right up, so he has enough for his shot. I'll probably leave him the same overnight.
Little stinker got his cone off while I was gone and rubbed his wound a bit, but no major damage luckily.
JL and Chip
Member Since 2009
Very important is that he eat with ketones/DKA in his recent past — so keep encouraging fluids and food. Many cats get tired of the DM so FF is fine. Just make sure he eats.
How is he acting?
On my way out the door; will be back later.
How is he acting?
On my way out the door; will be back later.
2 units was not his real starting dose. He started on 4 units - which was obviously too much. You will probably not be holding this dose for 5-7 days. That is only for cats first starting insulin when following TR, and not those coming out of DKA. The nice blues numbers you saw yesterday could have been influenced by the 4 unit depot. Let's see how he does tonight - he is bouncing from those blues. If he continues to trend up, or if ketones start to rise, we'll be thinking increase in dose.
We are looking to see if his ketones numbers are trending up or too high for you to manage him at home. Any cat recently DKA is considered prone to ketones.
Many cats get tired of DM, not sure why vets suggest it. Any food will do, preferably low carb. At this point, he just needs to eat something. And more than he normally would before diabetes. You can also sprinkle freeze dried meat treats on food, that sometimes helps get them to eat.
How has his activity level been today? He drinking plenty of fluids?
Hmm, JL and I posted at the same time.
Please continue to test ketones every day. Thank you for entering the results in the Remarks section, so we don't have to keep bugging you about testing them. Umm, perhaps enter the 0.4 for today in there.
We are looking to see if his ketones numbers are trending up or too high for you to manage him at home. Any cat recently DKA is considered prone to ketones.Many cats get tired of DM, not sure why vets suggest it. Any food will do, preferably low carb. At this point, he just needs to eat something. And more than he normally would before diabetes. You can also sprinkle freeze dried meat treats on food, that sometimes helps get them to eat.
How has his activity level been today? He drinking plenty of fluids?
Hmm, JL and I posted at the same time.
allicatmeow
Member Since 2023
It seems as if he's tired of it like you said. He drank well out of his bowl today. He just finished the 1 can of the FF I gave for dinner and is giving himself his post-meal bath (he loves cone off time to bathe, he's a very clean cat).
He is happy and talkative. Super lovey and snuggly. Even rolled on the floor and lifted his leg to give me his belly for rubs. A very good day all around minus the not eating well earlier.
allicatmeow
Member Since 2023
I think I answered everything you and JL asked in my response to him! Haha.2 units was not his real starting dose. He started on 4 units - which was obviously too much. You will probably not be holding this dose for 5-7 days. That is only for cats first starting insulin when following TR, and not those coming out of DKA. The nice blues numbers you saw yesterday could have been influenced by the 4 unit depot. Let's see how he does tonight - he is bouncing from those blues. If he continues to trend up, or if ketones start to rise, we'll be thinking increase in dose.
Please continue to test ketones every day. Thank you for entering the results in the Remarks section, so we don't have to keep bugging you about testing them. Umm, perhaps enter the 0.4 for today in there.
Many cats get tired of DM, not sure why vets suggest it. Any food will do, preferably low carb. At this point, he just needs to eat something. And more than he normally would before diabetes. You can also sprinkle freeze dried meat treats on food, that sometimes helps get them to eat.
How has his activity level been today? He drinking plenty of fluids?
Hmm, JL and I posted at the same time.
Thank you for the dose clarification. I was wondering if this was a bounce from the blues, I've been reading through a lot of posts in this forum, trying to find ones with a similar pattern as Smudge's pattern is today.
Reading spreadsheets, especially of newly diagnosed cats, or the parts back in the beginning of others, is a great way to learn. You will find that ECID, every cat is different, to some extent. Unfortunately, bouncing is a common factor. 
JL and Chip
Member Since 2009
Wendy already covered what I was thinking. I’ll peek back in at the +2.
Give Smudge an ear rub for me— he sounds like a sweetie and an absolute trouper.
I’ll peek back in at the +2.Give Smudge an ear rub for me— he sounds like a sweetie and an absolute trouper.
allicatmeow
Member Since 2023
He's SUCH a trooper! He snuggled right up to me for a quick nap before another FF snack. Such a sweet boy.Wendy already covered what I was thinking.
Give Smudge an ear rub for me— he sounds like a sweetie and an absolute trouper.
230 @ +2
Hendrick Cuddleclaw
Member Since 2022
that's a pretty good drop from the pre-shot number. Any chance you can get another test in a hour or 2?
JL and Chip
Member Since 2009
PMPS 344 dropping to a +2 of 230 signals this might be an active cycle. If this is a bounce-breaking cycle, there can be quite a bit of downward force on the numbers. I’d get another test in tonight if you can. The goal is to “find the lows” — not only so you can intervene if needed, but also because the lows will guide you on dosing decisions.
I see Kyle posted while I was typing.
allicatmeow
Member Since 2023
PMPS 344 dropping to a +2 of 230 signals this might be an active cycle. If this is a bounce-breaking cycle, there can be quite a bit of downward force on the numbers. I’d get another test in tonight if you can. The goal is to “find the lows” — not only so you can intervene if needed, but also because the lows will guide you on dosing decisions.
I see Kyle posted while I was typing.
I will try... Sleep deprived lately with the stress of him and my CKD cat makes both my falling asleep and my sleeping through alarms unpredictable...