Nico 2.0 | Feline Diabetes Message Board - FDMB

Nico 2.0

Tyleete

Member since 2025
Hello again!
I was asked to make another thread and to just attach the last to it.
So welcome to Nico 2.0
Questions I so have.
We changed him up to half a unit more just Friday evening. From 1 to 1.5 units twice a day.
His numbers are still very high. If it is going to help, would it be instant or will it take time to show? How long do I wait with numbers still so high? I just feel so disappointed after his numbers are still what I call devastating.
And I'm looking at replacing my boy's pet test meter by Advocate, with a Relion. But they're configured to humans. So how do I make that work for knowing what's good and bad?
I think that's it. Going to sleep with another 500's night. Another pic of my little man for the new thread. Thanks again to all that have helped so much.❤️
Intro Nico pt.1
 

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What type of testing am I suppose to do tomorrow?
I know to test before he eats & gets his insulin both times. Should I be testing at any other time? :(
 
Do they normally feel hot? He hasn't had a fever any of the times he's been in, but for the last couple of months he's been sleeping on the house's vents and the hard floor in the bedroom.
I mean, he spends time up with me in bed, and also in other cubbies. But my old guy that passed from bone marrow cancer did this right at the end. And so it makes me so nervous when I see him do it.😬
 

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I don't want to give my opinion as I am not familiar with Prozinc, so can't give any dosing advice.
I know if this was my cat I'd be giving more insulin, until Nico is getting better numbers.
@Suzanne & Darcy is the expert, who you'll get great advice from.

You're doing great with testing so far! Be sure to get a test or two in in the PM, as kitties can go lower at night.

With Prozinc, the onset, when insulin starts being effective is 2 hours after the shot. But I have limited knowlodge and just wanted to give you a response and some encouragement!
 
I don't want to give my opinion as I am not familiar with Prozinc, so can't give any dosing advice.
I know if this was my cat I'd be giving more insulin, until Nico is getting better numbers.
@Suzanne & Darcy is the expert, who you'll get great advice from.

You're doing great with testing so far! Be sure to get a test or two in in the PM, as kitties can go lower at night.

With Prozinc, the onset, when insulin starts being effective is 2 hours after the shot. But I have limited knowlodge and just wanted to give you a response and some encouragement!
Thanks!
Suzanne was the one to suggest just going up to the 1.5. But we'll see if she thinks different after yet another 600+ night. I think she said it can take a few days? It's all very confusing to me still. He keeps losing weight. It just sucks. I can't imagine how he feels. :(
 
Hello again!
I was asked to make another thread and to just attach the last to it.
So welcome to Nico 2.0
Questions I so have.
We changed him up to half a unit more just Friday evening. From 1 to 1.5 units twice a day.
His numbers are still very high. If it is going to help, would it be instant or will it take time to show? How long do I wait with numbers still so high? I just feel so disappointed after his numbers are still what I call devastating.
And I'm looking at replacing my boy's pet test meter by Advocate, with a Relion. But they're configured to humans. So how do I make that work for knowing what's good and bad?
I think that's it. Going to sleep with another 500's night. Another pic of my little man for the new thread. Thanks again to all that have helped so much.❤️
Intro Nico pt.1
He is so cute!
 
Okay. Nico is being stubborn! I understand that.

Question: where is the curve data from the other day? Didn’t you test every two hours. I don’t see it on the spreadsheet.
 
It was the 17th. I had been on the phone to the vet when she'd said to stop with the curve after I'd done the preshot test and the +2, +4, & +6 with disastrous results.
Said to increase and wait to try again. :(
That I wouldn't get any better readings at a +8 and above.
Today was awful because at his +5 reading was seemingly pointless after the 'HI' reading to me to do both 4 & 6, so went with your 5 idea from other day. Luckily I had 2 testers, because 1 died on me and so I had to stab him again. And again when the strip said not enough blood, and gave an error code. And again because the strip was in too long with no result before I could give his ear another prick. I hate this system and will be picking up a Relion to compare it tomorrow.
Told him I wouldn't stab him again tonight, because what's the use with those numbers. There is NO chance of him going hypo.😑
 
I’m so sorry. I can see how upset you are. He’s likely been diabetic for quite a while and we cannot get immediate control (unfortunately). Did you get a ketone test today?
 
So if you cannot test him any more tonight then we can’t increase insulin. We will need to increase when you can get a few tests. Tomorrow? Since you have done a very good job of getting some tests with the 1.5 dose and he has been on it for 4 cycles now, we can fast track his dose this time. I would go ahead with the increase to 2 units now that you have documented that he isn’t having a strong reaction to the 1.5 units.
 
Not yet. I'm going to take the lids off all the litter boxes before I feed him his food tonight and try to get a sample like I did last time.
I just hate doing this to him.
And he first started acting out of sorts all the way back in March of this year. We thought it was because he'd just lost his 3rd and final brother in the last 7mo and was depressed. She gave exams and a thyroid test. Nothing showed up. Till October, when he'd lost an additional 2lbs. So yeah, it's probably been a long time.
Am I to stay at the 1.5? If so, for how long if his numbers don't improve? If the 1.5 was good, would we see results right away or does it take a while?
Thanks.
 
When you do the increase to 2 units, please get a +4 and +6 test. Okay?

I feel your frustration. With my cat having a high dose condition that made him insulin resistant, I spent a long time say “the insulin is doing nothing for him… nothing!” I was really upset. So I am not unsympathetic about this at all!

We will help him into healthier numbers!
 
So if you cannot test him any more tonight then we can’t increase insulin. We will need to increase when you can get a few tests. Tomorrow? Since you have done a very good job of getting some tests with the 1.5 dose and he has been on it for 4 cycles now, we can fast track his dose this time. I would go ahead with the increase to 2 units now that you have documented that he isn’t having a strong reaction to the 1.5 units.
Sorry I'm always writing a resound at the same time it seems.
If I were to increase it tonight, how much testing would I have to do? I just beat him up so bad earlier, I feel miserable. But I don't want him feeling bad any longer than he has to either.
 
Not yet. I'm going to take the lids off all the litter boxes before I feed him his food tonight and try to get a sample like I did last time.
I just hate doing this to him.
And he first started acting out of sorts all the way back in March of this year. We thought it was because he'd just lost his 3rd and final brother in the last 7mo and was depressed. She gave exams and a thyroid test. Nothing showed up. Till October, when he'd lost an additional 2lbs. So yeah, it's probably been a long time.
Am I to stay at the 1.5? If so, for how long if his numbers don't improve? If the 1.5 was good, would we see results right away or does it take a while?
Thanks.
This makes me sad. You really have been through so much this past year with your cats! I am so sorry. And it sounds like you have your hands full still caring for cats with health conditions. I have been going through a ton of stuff with my cats recently too and sympathize. Serious (and weird) health conditions…. But that’s for another day. Right now I want to focus on Nico.
 
When you do the increase to 2 units, please get a +4 and +6 test. Okay?

I feel your frustration. With my cat having a high dose condition that made him insulin resistant, I spent a long time say “the insulin is doing nothing for him… nothing!” I was really upset. So I am not unsympathetic about this at all!

We will help him into healthier numbers!
Ok , so I'll have to wait till tomorrow then, as I give him his shots at 7:30. I really don't want to be up at 1:30am.😅
So do I do the pretest shot before his am feeding in the morning? Since I know it won't be anything less than 409, but probably between 500-600? I know the need for the tests, but that one right before I change his dose seems a bit of painful, uselessness to me.
Thanks
 
This makes me sad. You really have been through so much this past year with your cats! I am so sorry. And it sounds like you have your hands full still caring for cats with health conditions. I have been going through a ton of stuff with my cats recently too and sympathize. Serious (and weird) health conditions…. But that’s for another day. Right now I want to focus on Nico.
I actually lost 4 seniors in that 7mo time frame. 2 were favorites. Bone marrow cancer, blood clot, skin cancer (on top of her HT and well managed of 4yrs scl gi), and congestive heart failure. It's been an AWFUL year.
I was hoping for just a little down time. :(
 
So do I do the pretest shot before his am feeding in the morning? Since I know it won't be anything less than 409, but probably between 500-600? I know the need for the tests, but that one right before I change his dose seems a bit of painful, uselessness to me.
Well we can’t know what the insulin is doing for him unless we know what his starting point is. We need to know how much the drop is.
 
I give him his shots at 7:30. I really don't want to be up at 1:30am.😅
Understood. And many cats drop into lower numbers at night. He is so high right now that “lower” probably doesn’t mean much. When he is in good numbers though, I can’t always promise you a night of uninterrupted sleep! 😉
 
Okay. So we have a plan. Increase to 2 units tomorrow morning, test at preshot and +4 and +6, give food during the cycle as previously discussed and …. Possibly switch to the ReliOn meter?
 
Okay. So we have a plan. Increase to 2 units tomorrow morning, test at preshot and +4 and +6, give food during the cycle as previously discussed and …. Possibly switch to the ReliOn meter?
I got this!
Maybe. I'll start tomorrow then. Feed at +2, 4, & 6, right?
I'm going to send my husband out to get the meter as I'll be at home tending to Nico. It's a 25min drive into town each way. We live in the woods/boondocks.
Thank you
 
Ok, so is it ok to wait for morning? Or will I be causing him further harm by waiting? That way I can do the pre testing as well as the 4 & 6?
It sounds like both of you deserve a peaceful evening! I think it will be okay to wait until tomorrow morning, although I understand how anxious you are to see better numbers. I will also be so excited to see them!
 
I got this!
Maybe. I'll start tomorrow then. Feed at +2, 4, & 6, right?
I'm going to send my husband out to get the meter as I'll be at home tending to Nico. It's a 25min drive into town each way. We live in the woods/boondocks.
Thank you
Yep. And just make sure he knows exactly what to buy when he gets there 🙂 or prepurchase the stuff and have it ready at the store to pick up.
 
Oh! Why is it there numbers tend to be lower in the night? I was just wondering.
It’s just a phenomenon that we see in many, but not all cats. We will see if Nico is one of them. I am sure it has something to do with their circadian rhythm. And for some cats, not eating at night contributes to this.
 
It’s just a phenomenon that we see in many, but not all cats. We will see if Nico is one of them. I am sure it has something to do with their circadian rhythm. And for some cats, not eating at night contributes to this.
So the eating does raise the numbers, which is why the vets still believe that regular feeding is bad throughout the day? And why it's not great to feed past the +6?
 
Not eating anything definitely causes blood sugar to go down (to a point) but that is not really healthy. Feeding low carb food should not raise BG in a significant way, especially when there’s insulin on board acting to lower BG — so just like in a non-diabetic cat, first you eat food and your blood glucose goes up (a small amount with low carb food and a lot more with high carb food) then the pancreas produces insulin to drive the glucose into the cells and out of the bloodstream. The thing about not feeding after nadir is because you want to feed most of the food when the insulin is acting pretty strongly.
 
Not eating anything definitely causes blood sugar to go down (to a point) but that is not really healthy. Feeding low carb food should not raise BG in a significant way, especially when there’s insulin on board acting to lower BG — so just like in a non-diabetic cat, first you eat food and your blood glucose goes up (a small amount with low carb food and a lot more with high carb food) then the pancreas produces insulin to drive the glucose into the cells and out of the bloodstream. The thing about not feeding after nadir is because you want to feed most of the food when the insulin is acting pretty strongly.
Gotcha. And thanks for the explanation
 
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