10/13 Jack 151@AMPS, 66@+5hrs, 81@+6hrs- dose question

[Jack & Mopem'sMom]

It never fails....I work 2 jobs and every Thursday I have to leave my house in the late afternoon. I'm out anywhere between 8 to10 hours after his PMPS and dose. This is almost ALWAYS the day this dang cat decides to go low. This morning he ate regular pate (I guess the planets were aligned or something...) and tanked to 66. So, following SLGS, this afternoon he gets his reduction to 5.5 units, but God only knows what he plans on eating. If he eats regular pate we may be low. If he insists on something like filets that won't be enough. Also, the venison Ziwi didn't arrive yet, so I have nothing to leave out for him other than extra pate or the Dr Elsey's kibble (which will send him about 150 points higher) when I leave.

So that's the issue. here's the question: We have been doing SLGS because he is seriously the King of the Picky Pets and I can't get him to eat the proper way for TR. However, we are at a point where I can pretty much tell what the insulin will do based on what he eats. I'm thinking of trying the TR to avoid the highs and lows we seem to get with his ridiculous eating habits. How do you guys feel about varying the insulin dose a few units based on numbers and food intake? This morning he was 151, I gave him 6 units....now he's a bit too low...I would maybe have given him 4 since he ate properly. The other night he was 443...I gave him 6 units....I could have done 7units since he ate properly, but if he hadn't eaten the pate and insisted on something like prime filets, I could have done 7.5. I know this is not the recommended protocol at all. I'm just wondering what folks think since he is such a jerk about food and I'm getting rather desperate to find a solution that will keep him steadier. I appreciate any and all feedback....thanks in advance.

Yesterday's thread: https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB...1-amps-128-3hrs-154-6hrs.269537/#post-3007808

 

[Kyle & Simon (GA)]

That sounds really frustrating Christine! I’m sorry you are dealing with that and two jobs! I think because Lantus is a Depot insulin, changing the dose based on his current food preference could be risky. Because of the Depot, the amount of insulin you give Jack will not only affect the current cycle, but subsequent cycles as well. So if you reduce the dose when he is only eating high carb foods it will drain the Depot so he may not be able to respond to the next cycle when he only wants to eat low carb foods- even if you gave him a higher dose at that time. Does that make sense? The Depot acts over multiple cycles and it’s effects are cumulative over time. Food on the other hand is short acting. It would be best to try to smooth out the cycles with food. I know how hard it is with a picky cat. Maybe just having all kinds of choices on hand?
We also recently switched from SLGS to TR, but on either protocol I think being able to manage numbers with food is going to be critical.

Wishing you good luck!

 

[Jack & Mopem'sMom]

That sounds really frustrating Christine! I’m sorry you are dealing with that and two jobs! I think because Lantus is a Depot insulin, changing the dose based on his current food preference could be risky. Because of the Depot, the amount of insulin you give Jack will not only affect the current cycle, but subsequent cycles as well. So if you reduce the dose when he is only eating high carb foods it will drain the Depot so he may not be able to respond to the next cycle when he only wants to eat low carb foods- even if you gave him a higher dose at that time. Does that make sense? The Depot acts over multiple cycles and it’s effects are cumulative over time. Food on the other hand is short acting. It would be best to try to smooth out the cycles with food. I know how hard it is with a picky cat. Maybe just having all kinds of choices on hand?
We also recently switched from SLGS to TR, but on either protocol I think being able to manage numbers with food is going to be critical.

Wishing you good luck!

Yes, the Lantus depot definitely complicates my life with him, but he does much better on it than the ProZinc. The food is a long, ongoing drama with him. Just when I think I've found something he will eat consistently, he rebels. I appreciate your input, what you say makes total sense. It's why we are stuck with SLGS at this point. Good luck with your TR transition, and thanks so much for your advice!

 

[Kyle & Simon (GA)]

I totally get it! For Simon the key was variety. He would get tired of anything after one or two days, but then like it again a few days later. I had to constantly change things up to keep him eating. He also had IBD so there weren’t a lot of foods he could eat. I hope you can figure out what works for Jack!

 

[Jack & Mopem'sMom]

I totally get it! For Simon the key was variety. He would get tired of anything after one or two days, but then like it again a few days later. I had to constantly change things up to keep him eating. He also had IBD so there weren’t a lot of foods he could eat. I hope you can figure out what works for Jack!

This sounds like what is going to end up happening with Jack regarding the food variety. Thanks again.