1st home test today...still have questions?!?

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JinaONeill

JinaONeill

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Hi All,

I purchased the Relion Confirm today and decided to test it out when I got home. I'm still unsure of all the acronyms but the I tested her about 5.5/6 hrs after her shot this morning.

I had to swaddle her in a blanket to keep her still. She was upset and I was super nervous.

The 1st prick was perfect but dummy me forgot the strip has to be in the monitor. 2nd attempt a little too much blood but she read 64.

Not sure if it was a false reading cause I had a bit too much blood on the strip, on the blanket and my hands.

Does 64 sound normal? And should I test again before dinner?
 
Jina a 64 on a human meter is good. Did you test her before her morning insulin? I cant see your ss. I test before am & pm insulin. Also its good to get a +1 and or +2 to see how low kitty might drop and how fast. On a human meter you want to keep Lily above 50. If you get a chance look at some of the kitties SS that will give you an idea of how much to test. If your not testing in between the shots you won't know when Lily nadiars or needs help with food to stay in safe numbers
 
Jina, well done for getting that first test! Yay! :bighug:
It soon gets a lot easier, honestly...

Are you using a 'human' meter or an Alphatrak?

Eliz
 
DebG said:
Jina a 64 on a human meter is good. Did you test her before her morning insulin? I cant see your ss. I test before am & pm insulin. Also its good to get a +1 and or +2 to see how low kitty might drop and how fast. On a human meter you want to keep Lily above 50. If you get a chance look at some of the kitties SS that will give you an idea of how much to test. If your not testing in between the shots you won't know when Lily nadiars or needs help with food to stay in safe numbers
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Hi Deb, no morning test as I just purchased. Her initial level at Vet on 8/7 was 300 then 285 at follow up Vet visit on 8/11. So below 50 is danger zone?
 
Hi Jina! 64 isn't a bad number...especially if it's the lowest part of the cycle. Too little blood can cause false readings...I don't think too much blood would. However, if she was mine, I think I'd get another test...maybe in 45 min/1 hour? Just to be sure she isn't dropping further...on a human meter hypo range starts at 50, so since she's close, I'd want to watch the numbers. I know that's not the easiest thing since you just started testing...also, just keep an eye on her and watch for any signs she's gone lower. This is NOT meant to cause you concern....she's fine now, but I just like to be overly cautious usually. :)

Did you give a treat? Treats for testing are a must! I had to kitty burrito my cat for the first week or so while I "trained" her (but I was also lucky because Gypsy liked being wrapped up in a towel...I think it made her feel "safe" so she didn't fight it).
 
Rachel said:
Hi Jina! 64 isn't a bad number...especially if it's the lowest part of the cycle. Too little blood can cause false readings...I don't think too much blood would. However, if she was mine, I think I'd get another test...maybe in 45 min/1 hour? Just to be sure she isn't dropping further...on a human meter hypo range starts at 50, so since she's close, I'd want to watch the numbers. I know that's not the easiest thing since you just started testing...also, just keep an eye on her and watch for any signs she's gone lower. This is NOT meant to cause you concern....she's fine now, but I just like to be overly cautious usually. :)

Did you give a treat? Treats for testing are a must! I had to kitty burrito my cat for the first week or so while I "trained" her (but I was also lucky because Gypsy liked being wrapped up in a towel...I think it made her feel "safe" so she didn't fight it).
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Hi Rachel, thank you. Is there a post or article that explains the numbers in more detail?

I tried to treat. But she just wanted out her burrito ASAP. I did put them in her bowl.
 
Hmmmm...I'm not sure we have a post regarding numbers at this time. I can tell you that on a human meter below 50 is hypo range. Regulation numbers are 200s preshot and double digit numbers above 50 at nadir (mid cycle). What kind of questions do you have about numbers? We'd be happy to help!
 
Rachel said:
Hmmmm...I'm not sure we have a post regarding numbers at this time. I can tell you that on a human meter below 50 is hypo range. Regulation numbers are 200s preshot and double digit numbers above 50 at nadir (mid cycle). What kind of questions do you have about numbers? We'd be happy to help!
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I think you summed it up. Also I read if she's below 200 at shot time do not inject?
 
Yep! For now, while you're new at it, we suggest no shot under 200. If she's close to 200 at shot time, stall 20 minutes WITHOUT FEEDING and retest to see if she comes up to 200.

Mostly, with numbers, we're just looking for patterns. That's why the SS will be helpful. We can look it over pretty easily and see what kind of patterns emerge. That helps us determine a dose. :)
 
Rachel said:
Yep! For now, while you're new at it, we suggest no shot under 200. If she's close to 200 at shot time, stall 20 minutes WITHOUT FEEDING and retest to see if she comes up to 200.

Mostly, with numbers, we're just looking for patterns. That's why the SS will be helpful. We can look it over pretty easily and see what kind of patterns emerge. That helps us determine a dose. :)
Click to expand...

Just tested and she's was 111. No insulin?
 
Yes, you need to skip. An unshootable preshot means the dose is too high. Tomorrow morning you are likely to get a high preshot, but I would still reduce, so you are not in the same situation tomorrow night. Two shootable numbers every 12 hours is ideal.
 
Sue and Oliver (GA) said:
Yes, you need to skip. An unshootable preshot means the dose is too high. Tomorrow morning you are likely to get a high preshot, but I would still reduce, so you are not in the same situation tomorrow night. Two shootable numbers every 12 hours is ideal.
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Do you recommend .5? She's been getting 1 u. Since I am using the u400 meddles. What's the best way to gauge a lower dose?
 
Sue and Oliver (GA) said:
She isn't getting two? When did you reduce? (Update your spreadsheet when you can)
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Sorry, I haven't been at my computer. But she started with 2 units on Thursday evening. Took her down to 1 on Friday morning. And has been on 1 ever since. Except no shot given tonight. So if I reduce im wondering if it should be down to .5.
 
You just have to eyeball it. If you want it fairly consistent, you can use colored water and a syringe and get it just where you think 0.5 should be. Then mark with a permanent marker or tape and use that syringe as a sample each time.
 
Lily was at 185 this morning before breakfast. I fed her and gave a small dose. I'm just unsure if she keeps testing low do I continue to not give her any insulin? Also, she growls and crys everytime I prick her ear, is that normal? (I thought they didn't feel it?
 
Let's see how the dose today works. Watch that she doesn't drop below 50.

We consider a cat in remission when they range from 40 - 120 off insulin for 14 days. She is higher than that, but not by much. But she is early to insulin and responding well. If you recently changed to low carb food, you might stop insulin and see if the food change brings her levels down. If she has been on low carb for awhile, it seems less likely that she will drop on her own. She may need a little insulin to support her pancreas until it can work on its own.

There is a way to give drops of insulin. That might be an option.
 
We've had a few folks give drops of insulin for a bit until remission kicks in. Sometimes that's needed to just help kick start the pancreas. :)

Gypsy used to sometimes make a really annoyed noise when I pricked her ear...I don't think it hurts them really, but they feel some pressure, which might be uncomfortable. I also think Gypsy didn't like being restrained while I did it...or maybe it was the ring of cats who sat in front of us watching testing time!! :rolleyes: They all knew free treats were given out...

Do you use neosporin? A bit of the gel (not the cream) with pain relief might help...it's supposed to help it heal, and it might help her feel it less?
 
Sue and Oliver (GA) said:
Let's see how the dose today works. Watch that she doesn't drop below 50.

We consider a cat in remission when they range from 40 - 120 off insulin for 14 days. She is higher than that, but not by much. But she is early to insulin and responding well. If you recently changed to low carb food, you might stop insulin and see if the food change brings her levels down. If she has been on low carb for awhile, it seems less likely that she will drop on her own. She may need a little insulin to support her pancreas until it can work on its own.

There is a way to give drops of insulin. That might be an option.
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She has been on low carb food since Tuesday, almost 7 days.

I tested her a short while ago at 11am and she was at 89. We are keeping an eye on her as she seems quiet today.

I'm hoping we can do this with just food.

Will update her SS later today.
 
Rachel said:
We've had a few folks give drops of insulin for a bit until remission kicks in. Sometimes that's needed to just help kick start the pancreas. :)

Gypsy used to sometimes make a really annoyed noise when I pricked her ear...I don't think it hurts them really, but they feel some pressure, which might be uncomfortable. I also think Gypsy didn't like being restrained while I did it...or maybe it was the ring of cats who sat in front of us watching testing time!! :rolleyes: They all knew free treats were given out...

Do you use neosporin? A bit of the gel (not the cream) with pain relief might help...it's supposed to help it heal, and it might help her feel it less?
Click to expand...

Hi Rachel, how do I drop insulin? Also, my feline diabetes coach :-) told me about noesporin last night. I will pick up some gel. I put some cream on today.
 
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