07/03 Kitty Boo Still running high
- Thread starter emmabirch
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MommaOfMuse
Member Since 2010
Without a lot more mid cycle tests its impossible to tell if he needs a dose increase or if he his dropping low and bouncing. With Lantus you make decisions on dose changes by the nadir or the lowest point in the cycle. Preshot numbers tell you next to nothing other than they are above your no shoot number.
Right now you don't have those data points. At the very least if he was mine I would pick a day when I can be around all day and run a full curve where you test every 2 hours before changing dose.
Mel and The Fur Gang
Right now you don't have those data points. At the very least if he was mine I would pick a day when I can be around all day and run a full curve where you test every 2 hours before changing dose.
Mel and The Fur Gang
emmabirch
Member Since 2014
thank you but he is not going low. He is staying about the recommended levels. The vet wanted him on 2 units because he is a big cat. I am at 1.5 and only a couple times he was below 200. I just spent almost $36.00 for another 100 testing strips and at 2 a day that will only last a month and half. That tells me I have to budge that expense each and every month along with the syringes since I can't use the pen needles, and those too are around $30.00 for 100...That besides his food is running me around $100.00 a month, and I am having to do without food for myself in order to have this money for him. With utilities rising, it is making it hard to just exist...not complaining because I love him so much, but I can tell his symptoms when he goes low. He is a smart kitty and he comes to me to get it checked and eat on schedule now. Only went I have to only feed him 1/2 can food because I am running low does his sugar drop to under 200.
Emma :cry:
Emma :cry:
MommaOfMuse
Member Since 2010
How do you know he isn't going low? You have no midcycle or evening tests. As far as being a big cat...well my Maxwell is a healthy 17 lbs and is OTJ and never went higher than 1u, Autumn is 14lbs she's on .5 and my Cassanova is 18lbs and on .75u.
I've seen both my insulin dependent cats drop from the 300s to nearly hypo in 6 hours before. With no outward signs.
Honestly if you can't afford to test at bare minimum of 4 times per day with a full curve once a month then it might be time to either consider a new home for him or a different insulin such as PZI or Prozinc where you can dose off the preshot readings.
Frankly without being willing to test at that bare minimum I can't help you with dosing because I'm not psychic nor am I willing to risk your cat. As always you hold the syringe so you can shoot anything you like but you do so at your own risk.
Mel and The Fur Gang
I've seen both my insulin dependent cats drop from the 300s to nearly hypo in 6 hours before. With no outward signs.
Honestly if you can't afford to test at bare minimum of 4 times per day with a full curve once a month then it might be time to either consider a new home for him or a different insulin such as PZI or Prozinc where you can dose off the preshot readings.
Frankly without being willing to test at that bare minimum I can't help you with dosing because I'm not psychic nor am I willing to risk your cat. As always you hold the syringe so you can shoot anything you like but you do so at your own risk.
Mel and The Fur Gang
BJM
Member Since 2010
You cannot adjust the dose properly with no mid-cycle tests. And you run the risk of hypo if you increase unnecessarily. A hypo and hospitalization will cost far more than a few test strips.
You might try setting up a FundRazr account or some other online fundraising to help with costs.
You might try setting up a FundRazr account or some other online fundraising to help with costs.
atajev
Member Since 2014
I know how hard the costs involved in this diagnosis can be.
But, the others are right - in order to adjust doses for this kind of insulin, you NEED to have mid-cycle tests or else you can kill your cat with a single shot. It's not forgiving.
You don't need to test mid-cycle multiple times a day every day. You just need to do it around the time you think you may need to adjust a dose. You'll need to test mid-cycle the day or two before and at least one cycle after. As long as it's looking good, then a random spot check here and there should be fine for your daily routine.
What meter are you using? You can also almost certainly find one where the strips cost less. I just bought 250 strips for my Arkray meter (it came free with the strips, too!) for $45.
But, the others are right - in order to adjust doses for this kind of insulin, you NEED to have mid-cycle tests or else you can kill your cat with a single shot. It's not forgiving.
You don't need to test mid-cycle multiple times a day every day. You just need to do it around the time you think you may need to adjust a dose. You'll need to test mid-cycle the day or two before and at least one cycle after. As long as it's looking good, then a random spot check here and there should be fine for your daily routine.
What meter are you using? You can also almost certainly find one where the strips cost less. I just bought 250 strips for my Arkray meter (it came free with the strips, too!) for $45.
emmabirch
Member Since 2014
I have the meter that the DCIN sent to me. They also sent me some strips but those ran out and I had to buy more. They are at wal-mart at $35.88 for 100. I do and pm and pm + 8 and AMPS and AMPS about 6 or 8.
I also watch him for signs of it going low. Kitty boo is real good at coming and getting me to check his BS and getting to eat. He has not had any low symptoms since he was on the 2 units where it dropped after 2 months on the 2 units.
Emma
I also watch him for signs of it going low. Kitty boo is real good at coming and getting me to check his BS and getting to eat. He has not had any low symptoms since he was on the 2 units where it dropped after 2 months on the 2 units.
Emma
terri1962
Member Since 2011
Emma,
What did you do with the Relion meter I gave to you? Those strips are fairly cheap at Walmart. Or you can go to Walmart and buy the cheapest meter they have that require the cheapest strips which are 9.00 for 50 strips which is the Relion Prime. The Relion Prime only costs 16.00 which would be a one time cost and then you could purchase 100 strips for 18.00.
Terri
What did you do with the Relion meter I gave to you? Those strips are fairly cheap at Walmart. Or you can go to Walmart and buy the cheapest meter they have that require the cheapest strips which are 9.00 for 50 strips which is the Relion Prime. The Relion Prime only costs 16.00 which would be a one time cost and then you could purchase 100 strips for 18.00.
Terri
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