How long before you saw an improvement?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Ideally, you poke just enough to get blood, but I pierce is ears fairly often. It doesn't seem to make much difference to him either way. It's a good idea to put a little cotton ball or cotton cosmetic square on the opposite side of his ear in case you do go through to protect yourself. I wouldn't worry about going through for awhile. Right now just get comfortable with testing, you can refine your aim as time goes on.
 
You might try doing a test or two on yourself this afternoon so that you are confident with how the meter works, and getting it all managed before you try it on your cat. Just remember that while it does hurt our fingers, most cats aren't hurt at all by the testing, so don't let how it feels to you make you worry about how it will feel to your kitty.

I usually insert the strip part way - not enough to set off the meter, just enough so I can push it in with one hand while I'm holding Sam's ear with the other hand. Then I poke his ear and get the bead of blood, then push in the strip and put it up to the blood.

If Sam's getting wiggly, I'll scoop the blood onto my fingernail so he can be free, and then test from there.
 
I'm going to the ballet tonight, so I'll be gone during your test/shoot time. Hopefully some others will be around for you, and if not, you can post on the main forum. There are always people out there who can help!
 
Oops, one more thing: If you can, warm up his ear before you test. Some people put a little uncooked rise in the toe of a small sock, and then heat it in the microwave and hold it up to his ear. Other people just make sure their own hands are nice and warm first, and then rub their cats ear. Just something to get the blood flowing in their ears more. If I don't do that first, I can't get any blood at all from Sam. We do live in a colder climate, and I keep the house a bit cool, so if you're someplace warm this may be less important.
 
Some people do put a dab of vaseline or neosporin on to make the blood bead up. I did with the neosporin and found the beading very helpful.

I should be around at 7:30...I'm in Central Time also, so I'll try to look in on you around then.

Until then, I do agree with Djamila about testing yourself first to make sure you know how it works. Then maybe try to get a look at his ears with a flashlight to see where the sweet spot is. And watch a few videos about testing. All that really helped me! And most of all, try not to be stressed! It's not the end of the world and if you can't get it the first time, walk away for a few minutes and then try again. It's tough, but you both get used to it pretty fast.
 
If I test myself will I mess up the meter? Like with setting day time etc? Is it necessary to set all of this before every test or can I just bypass it.

Thank you!! I still can't believe what a great site this is with such great people!
 
Stressedcatmom said:
If I test myself will I mess up the meter? Like with setting day time etc? Is it necessary to set all of this before every test or can I just bypass it.

Thank you!! I still can't believe what a great site this is with such great people!
Click to expand...
No, you won't mess up the meter by testing yourself. It might not give an accurate reading of your human BG, that's all. All the meter settings stay where you set them as you use the meter - no need to reset. The only exception is the cat code number. Always check the cat code when you open a new vial because it might be different from the previous vial's. you'd have to put the new code into the meter.

Your kitty is a very handsome boy! :)
 
Love his expression in that picture lol. Also, just another input, I "freehand" poke but I do hold the lancet with the device, just don't use the click feature :). Setting the time and date might be helpful until you get your spreadsheet up and going, so you have another record of date and time.
 
Kris & Teasel said:
No, you won't mess up the meter by testing yourself. It might not give an accurate reading of your human BG, that's all. All the meter settings stay where you set them as you use the meter - no need to reset. The only exception is the cat code number. Always check the cat code when you open a new vial because it might be different from the previous vial's. you'd have to put the new code into the meter.

Thank you. So I'm confused. Do we have to set the date and stuff every time we test?

Your kitty is a very handsome boy! :)
Click to expand...
 
Kris & Teasel said:
No, you won't mess up the meter by testing yourself. It might not give an accurate reading of your human BG, that's all. All the meter settings stay where you set them as you use the meter - no need to reset. The only exception is the cat code number. Always check the cat code when you open a new vial because it might be different from the previous vial's. you'd have to put the new code into the meter.

Your kitty is a very handsome boy! :)
Click to expand...
Thank you :)
 
Rachel said:
Some people do put a dab of vaseline or neosporin on to make the blood bead up. I did with the neosporin and found the beading very helpful.

I should be around at 7:30...I'm in Central Time also, so I'll try to look in on you around then.

Until then, I do agree with Djamila about testing yourself first to make sure you know how it works. Then maybe try to get a look at his ears with a flashlight to see where the sweet spot is. And watch a few videos about testing. All that really helped me! And most of all, try not to be stressed! It's not the end of the world and if you can't get it the first time, walk away for a few minutes and then try again. It's tough, but you both get used to it pretty fast.
Click to expand...

I'm going in!
 
When you're done, push a closed lancet all the way into the lancet device and you'll feel a trigger set. Push the button, that's the click feature. If I set the trigger, I click it before I poke kitty so the lancet is just being held with my device.
 
He's at 346. I'm shaking. I did it freehand and he meowed when I pricked him. Then it was a bit of the struggle to get the blood to the meter.
 
At least I feel more comfortable knowing the insulin is helping him, and that he really does need it. I wonder if I poked too hard?
 
Yong said:
When you're done, push a closed lancet all the way into the lancet device and you'll feel a trigger set. Push the button, that's the click feature. If I set the trigger, I click it before I poke kitty so the lancet is just being held with my device.
Click to expand...
Does using the lancet help from over-poking? I forgot the neosporin. I'm going to run out and get some tonight.
 
GREAT JOB!!!! You did it!!! It's terrifying the first time, but you see that it isn't nearly as scary as you think. It'll get better each time too. Gypsy always meowed when I pricked her ear, but she never tried to run...she knew a treat was coming. I think it was her reminding me to give it.

I used the lancet device to hold the lancet, but never to prick...just to make it easier for me to freehand. :)

You got blood...I wouldn't worry about poking too hard. You'll get more used to it, but he really is fine. Did you give him a yummy treat after? Don't forget a treat for yourself too...you deserve a glass of wine!
 
I need 2000 glasses of wine! I gave him his wet food dinner immediately. Now the insulin.

Thank you Rachel and thanks to you all for being here for me!

Jen
 
Yes you did great, Jen!
Maury still meows when I poke most of the time but he stays put like Gypsy did for that treat :).

Poking just how you did is probably the best way to not over-poke. Even on the lowest setting, I thought it would go too far in his ear. Never tried poking via click lol.
 
He's been on insulin like a week and he's at 346. Which is still high. He averaged in the upper 600's at the vet with the fluctocamene or whatever test. I hope the vet doesn't up his insulin.
 
The fructosamine is just an average of his glucose over the last several weeks...it's really not all that helpful. 346 is high, but not bad...remember that if the vet ups his insulin, you don't have to go with it. You can make decisions based on your tests at home. We'll be glad to help with that.
 
His glucose test at the vet was like 575, so he's gone down. I just hope he keeps going down...but not too far of course.
 
Someone mentioned it to me. I hate spreadsheets, but I'll try to set that up tomorrow. I'm going to head out in a bit for said wine.
 
lol. We have people here that can set it up for you. All you would have to do is enter numbers in proper place. Enjoy the wine :)
 
Stressedcatmom said:
Someone mentioned it to me. I hate spreadsheets, but I'll try to set that up tomorrow. I'm going to head out in a bit for said wine.
Click to expand...
Congrats on your first in home test! It gets easier! Frank is now at the point that he knows what's going to happen, but stays put with a bribe of dry kibble during the test. Then immediately after I give him is wet food (when testing right before his shot) and follow the test up with insulin. I don't know how your meter compares to mine, but we still get high numbers, even after increasing the dose on Friday. I know...I'm ready for numbers to drop right away, too. But think of how long some of these members have been here, and they're still working on getting it managed.
Wine tonight for sure! I haven't had a drink since Franks diagnosis....but I am tonight!
 
Jen! Great job!!! Congratulations on getting your first test done! I hope you enjoyed the rest of your evening!
 
Djamila said:
Jen! Great job!!! Congratulations on getting your first test done! I hope you enjoyed the rest of your evening!
Click to expand...

Thank you. I actually stayed in (sans wine) and tested him again just now because I got scared. I had a minor freak out in the main health forum but he's at 243 +4.5. Crisis averted (I think)
 
Lol...I just went and peeked. That was a pretty mild freak out! In answer to your question, ideally you're looking for blue and green numbers in the middle of the cycle. I just realized that won't make sense until you have a spreadsheet....Blue numbers are between 100-199, and green numbers are 50-99 for a human meter. (Sorry, I'm not sure on the alphatrak since I don't have one - but it's on the spreadsheet) Getting to those numbers takes some time, so try to be patient. It's often said here that this is a marathon, not a sprint. I have to remind myself of that almost every day.

Most of the time if you test before +2, the number will be higher than the pre-shot because food makes the number go up. Because of that, I don't test before +2, and usually not before +3, but there are lots of people who do test even in those first hours. Just know if you do, and get a higher number, that that's normal. Generally cats on prozinc hit the nadir (lowest point) somewhere between +4 and +6, so you tested at a great time tonight. It will take a little while to figure out when Yoshi hits nadir - it's possible to be earlier or later than that, but for now you can guess sometime in that range.

Many of us give our cats food all day long (except for the two hours before a shot). If Yoshi seems hungry, it's fine to give him more food as long as it's low-carb. Especially before they're regulated, many kitties need some extra food, so unless Yoshi is overweight, you can generally feed as much as he wants.
 
Djamila said:
Lol...I just went and peeked. That was a pretty mild freak out! In answer to your question, ideally you're looking for blue and green numbers in the middle of the cycle. I just realized that won't make sense until you have a spreadsheet....Blue numbers are between 100-199, and green numbers are 50-99 for a human meter. (Sorry, I'm not sure on the alphatrak since I don't have one - but it's on the spreadsheet) Getting to those numbers takes some time, so try to be patient. It's often said here that this is a marathon, not a sprint. I have to remind myself of that almost every day.

Most of the time if you test before +2, the number will be higher than the pre-shot because food makes the number go up. Because of that, I don't test before +2, and usually not before +3, but there are lots of people who do test even in those first hours. Just know if you do, and get a higher number, that that's normal. Generally cats on prozinc hit the nadir (lowest point) somewhere between +4 and +6, so you tested at a great time tonight. It will take a little while to figure out when Yoshi hits nadir - it's possible to be earlier or later than that, but for now you can guess sometime in that range.

Many of us give our cats food all day long (except for the two hours before a shot). If Yoshi seems hungry, it's fine to give him more food as long as it's low-carb. Especially before they're regulated, many kitties need some extra food, so unless Yoshi is overweight, you can generally feed as much as he wants.
Click to expand...

Thank you. It was more of a freak out in my flooded head. He was hugging the meter and I thought it was a sign he was low. The vet wants him to lose two pounds, so he's on 3 cans of FF per day. I think he's at 15 now and she wants him at 12 or 13.

So nadir is the lowest and then the glucose rises after that? Is that kind of when the shot starts to wear off, after the nadir?
 

Attachments

  • IMG_6543.JPG
    IMG_6543.JPG
    63.9 KB · Views: 234
  • IMG_6543.JPG
    IMG_6543.JPG
    63.9 KB · Views: 218
Stressedcatmom said:
So nadir is the lowest and then the glucose rises after that? Is that kind of when the shot starts to wear off, after the nadir?
Click to expand...

Hmm...I've always thought about it as the dose starting to slowly wear off, but I'm not sure if that's physiologically correct or not. Hopefully someone with more expertise on the science of this can weigh in on that. Typically, if you test throughout the cycle, the numbers should make sort of a smile shaped curve - higher number at pre-shot, slowly reducing until the nadir, and then slowly rising until the next pre-shot. Of course, there are many many variations in that, with some cats hitting nadir early or late, and some cats dropping or rising sharply at different times...but the smile-shaped curve is the most 'normal' pattern.
 
Prozinc nadir usually hits between +5 to +7. I know it's not much different than what Djamila said ;) but if you test at +4 and then +5 is lower, it's still normal. The green for pet meter is 68 - 99, so just the lower ends change @Djamila . I looked at the template lol
 
There's no rush. I'm writing things down and I didn't test yesterday because I didn't have the neosporin. I'm at work now and I always worry about him while I'm gone since I can't leave food down because he's on his diet.
 
Stressedcatmom said:
There's no rush. I'm writing things down and I didn't test yesterday because I didn't have the neosporin. I'm at work now and I always worry about him while I'm gone since I can't leave food down because he's on his diet.
Click to expand...
I can't recall - is Yoshi an only cat? If so you could break his daily food ration into multiple small meals that you put into an automatic feeder. That way he could have regular snacks without eating more than his weight loss ration.
 
Kris & Teasel said:
I can't recall - is Yoshi an only cat? If so you could break his daily food ration into multiple small meals that you put into an automatic feeder. That way he could have regular snacks without eating more than his weight loss ration.
Click to expand...
No, I have another. His name is Seine. My concern is I won't know who eats what... I read somewhere that you can freeze the food and it will thaw as the day goes. Seems like a good idea. I put a can in the freezer last night and, of course forgot about it when I left this am.
 
Stressedcatmom said:
No, I have another. His name is Seine. My concern is I won't know who eats what... I read somewhere that you can freeze the food and it will thaw as the day goes. Seems like a good idea. I put a can in the freezer last night and, of course forgot about it when I left this am.
Click to expand...
Yes, people do freeze portions. And you're right - unless they each have their own microchipped feeder you won 't know who ate what.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top