10/2 - Lantus - Flash - Test Number - HI(600+)?

[Flash's human]

Ok, a little concerned my ReliOn Prime meter gave me a HI on tonight's blood test which was after a bit of dry food eaten which I realize is basically sugar. ECID, however I've never seen his blood get a HI before which according to the glucometer booklet, it registers readings between 20 and 600, so it can't even display his actual number! So, I really feel I should raise his insulin from 4 to at least 5 UI now. Maybe he gained more weight than I thought and is really pushing 15-16 lbs now, but I didn't realize that kind of weight gain would require THAT much more insulin. A rule of thumb for human diabetics is to take more insulin if their blood sugar is high, right? So, wouldn't that same thinking work for cats?

 

[Penelope and Mačka]

Macka has had HI many, many times, and it was always because he was bouncing. Another factor would be if you feed your cat after +6, because the insulin effect is decreasing at that point.
I would also cut completely the dry food, before increasing. I wouldn't think it has anything to do with his weight.

Regarding the increase, the protocol says to increase in 0.25 increments. An increase of 1 unit is way too much. And that would be after 6 cycles, if you follow TR and 7 days if you follow SLGS.
So you would increase to 4.25 in minimum 2 days, if you test a few times during the day/night to see how low Flash goes. You would also need to get pre-shots numbers, to make sure your kitty is safe to receive insulin!

You can read about the protocols here: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/...-low-go-slow-slgs-tight-regulation-tr.210110/

 

[Red & Rover (GA)]

A rule of thumb for human diabetics is to take more insulin if their blood sugar is high, right? So, wouldn't that same thinking work for cats?

No. The dosing for cats is based on how low (the nadir) the insulin takes them. You just have to ride out the highs. Tonight's high is likely higher than it should be because of the kibble.

 

[tiffmaxee]

Hi. I just see two tests. When did he start back in insulin and how long has it been? Which protocol are you following?

 

[Flash's human]

Hi. I just see two tests. When did he start back in insulin and how long has it been? Which protocol are you following?

Hi, he's taken insulin since March, however I just started testing against the advice of my vet since I couldn't afford to keep taking him there. I don't know enough about this to say what protocol, what does that mean?

 

[Flash's human]

Thanks for reassuring me it's normal to see those highs, I'll consider it a 600 regarding the chart then. Hopefully, I can do more tests tomorrow. I can't imagine taking dry food away, be even more depressed than he is now.

 

[Idjit's mom]

We don't want Flash depressed, and you might find something that really tickles his fancy. Getting his BG regulated (or back into remission, crossed paws) is going to go a long way to making him feel better and frisky again and "flashing" around.

http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/transitioning-your-cat-from-dry-to-wet-food.956/

There are lower carb dry foods too, but wet is best for the moisture they need.
You can read about that here:
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/...r-more-than-just-carbohydrate-content.175004/
and when you have time, visit www.catinfo.org. Dr Pierson DVM has experience with feline nutrition.

 

[Flash's human]

We don't want Flash depressed, and you might find something that really tickles his fancy. Getting his BG regulated (or back into remission, crossed paws) is going to go a long way to making him feel better and frisky again and "flashing" around.

http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/transitioning-your-cat-from-dry-to-wet-food.956/

There are lower carb dry foods too, but wet is best for the moisture they need.
You can read about that here:
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/...r-more-than-just-carbohydrate-content.175004/
and when you have time, visit www.catinfo.org. Dr Pierson DVM has experience with feline nutrition.

You mentioned remission as a possibility, is it more likely to happen again since he experienced it before?

 

[Idjit's mom]

I don't have any facts on that, I wish I could assure you. It does happen, but I don't know statistics, if there are any. I will hold the hope though, and even if not, regulation will make him feel better. You are doing the best you know how to do, and learning more every day. One step, one day at a time. You have good resources, experience, knowledge and support here.

 

[tiffmaxee]

You mentioned remission as a possibility, is it more likely to happen again since he experienced it before?

It’s definitely possible! We have cats that have been in remission three and four times!

If you are feeding any dry food you would follow SLGS. Read the yellow sticky at the top of this forum. You will increase or decrease in .25 increments after a weekly curve.