1st insulin shot this morn, BG is 40 right now?!

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Critter Mom said:
Any chance of a role call of members who can continue to watch over Sashi and his mama, please?

My health's even dodgier than usual so I'm really struggling here and I don't think I'll be able to go the full distance.

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I can check in while I'm baking in the kitchen. I will be on a doggy laptop (the ghjkl and spacebar don't work). If people don't mind some garbled or roundabout phrasing, or give me a couple of minutes to cut and paste … I can possibly be around later this evening, depending on my own health and when/if I take my meds.
 
You all are just as wonderful as my mom said this board would be. :bighug: He's at 109 right now. Has had nothing since the last check, so this isn't from recent honey. I'm going to zip to the convenience store at the service station to grab those Friskies cans--neighbor will watch him--and see if they have any other high carb stuff. Should I do more honey for him right now anyway, or see if he'll eat anything right now? Of the things I currently have on hand.

Friend made up the gravy with butter earlier as suggested by @sophie. He didn't want any then, but he might at some point?
 
Encouraging number. I think we are at +8 now. Hopefully the cat's faster metabolism will have the Novolin petering out soon and that along with Sashi's natural defenses will keep him coasting at a reasonable number. Deep breathes and keep testing. He needs to be able to hold a good number on his own without any food or karo for at least three readings before we call all clear.
 
Sashi's Mama said:
Friend made up the gravy with butter earlier as suggested by @sophie. He didn't want any then, but he might at some point?
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It might be worth also making up another batch of cooked flour and water without the fat added. At the moment because he doesn't have much appetite the flour/water/butter mix might perhaps be a little bit too filling.

Your friend is being marvellous, too! :bighug:

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MrWorfMen's Mom said:
Encouraging number. I think we are at +8 now. Hopefully the cat's faster metabolism will have the Novolin petering out soon and that along with Sashi's natural defenses will keep him coasting at a reasonable number. Deep breathes and keep testing. He needs to be able to hold a good number on his own without any food or karo for at least three readings before we call all clear.
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Oh, posted before the page refreshed and I saw this. So test again in 30 min, no food or anything between now and then?

The 109 is +7.75, the 199 is +8.5.
 
Critter Mom said:
It might be worth also making up another batch of cooked flour and water without the fat added. At the moment because he doesn't have much appetite the flour/water/butter mix might perhaps be a little bit too filling.

Your friend is being marvellous, too! :bighug:

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She's fabulous. We're neighbors and friends, and watch one another's animals all the time. I've very grateful for her steady presence and willingness to help! And having everyone here be so available and present--this has been incredibly helpful. Thank you all again so very much.
 
199 YEAH!. My spidey sense says things are looking up and you may be out of the woods but I think I would hold off on the food for the moment and test again in 30 minutes. Is Sashi asking for food or is this just usual dinner hour?
 
Chris & China said:
No food now and I think you're probably going to be fine to wait an hour before the next test

Take a break and give your neighbor a nice hug for hanging with you during this stressful time!!
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She got several hugs! She's been there for me before with other animal crises--it's been a tough year for me--and she's just wonderful. :)

Beth 73 said:
I know it's hard...I live in rural area of SW Missouri and ER vet is 45 minutes away...it can be a very desperate feeling....you have hung in there magnificently :bighug::):bighug::)
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Thank you! I've had unfortunate practice before. We have to be pretty danged self-reliant out here due to our remote location. Doesn't keep me from feeling crazy worried at times like this, though.
 
TOTALLY understand....we love living in the country but everything is all right til it's not:nailbiting:.....just can add another layer of panic if we let it....again, you have done wonderful and Sashi has too :bighug:
 
Chris & China said:
I'd think he'd be pretty full at this point, but if it's a normal feeding time, you could give him a little snack of low carb food now
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Oh, good, because I went over to snuggle him, and he started purring--first time in a few hours!--and is now definitely asking for food. Will give him a bit. How much is a little snack?
 
So if my reading and time computations are correct, Sashi last had food/karo at about 4pm your time and you are just approaching 6pm there now. Is that correct? If so then he's about two hours past food influence (barring the kibble which is probably still a little active) so it looks like he is holding at this point which is great!
 
MrWorfMen's Mom said:
So if my reading and time computations are correct, Sashi last had food/karo at about 4pm your time and you are just approaching 6pm there now. Is that correct? If so then he's about two hours past food influence (barring the kibble which is probably still a little active) so it looks like he is holding at this point which is great!
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Yes, he last had honey almost exactly two hours ago. We just went outside--they're indoor/outdoor but I closed the outer door, but he gave the litter box a disdainful glance and asked to go outside instead--where he did his biz with me watching over him, then he sharpened his claws on his favorite piece of wood before trotting back inside when I called to him. Will give him a small amount of food now. I feel so relieved. When should I test next, considering I'm giving him a bite to eat now?
 
He seemed to be speeding upward between +7.75 and +8.5 so any major insulin effects seem to be diminishing at this point in time. If he eats a small snack now, I'd retest in a couple of hours and see where he is and if he's still holding or higher, one final test before you hit the sack for the night. Definitely NO insulin tonight.
 
He's now at 294 (he had a snack of about 1/8 ts of low-carb wet about 30 min ago), +9.5. He hasn't had much to drink since the late morning, but his overall behavior now is quite normal. Should I or should I not worry about the lack of water intake for right now?

jayla-n-Drevon said:
Holy cannoli....you need calgon to take you away!
what a stressful day!
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Yep! Am ready for a calm evening, most definitely!
 
So pleased and relieved to see Sashi in much safer numbers. (I did pass out after my last post but Lúnasa just woke me looking for food.)

Thank you to everyone who came to help and support Sashi and his mama today.

:bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:

@Sashi's Mama - Thank goodness you were all geared up for home testing today. I'm so sorry you had such a baptism of fire but you played an absolute blinder getting Sashi through this and Sashi himself has been a real trouper! Huge props and thanks to your dear friend, too.

NB: Sashi may be more sensitive to insulin after the low numbers earlier today. I suggest you be cautious and conservative in approach to dosing. Be sure to post here to ask for help when you need it.

Fingers and paws crossed for continuing safe numbers and for all to go well for the rest of the day.

:bighug::bighug::bighug:


Mogs
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Sashi's Mama said:
Should I or should I not worry about the lack of water intake for right now?
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I wouldn't worry about it.....nothing about today has been normal!!!

Time for an adult beverage (or 2) and a quiet evening!!.....Looks like Sashi's liver has truly kicked into gear!!! He'll probably continue to go up for awhile, but don't worry about it....Bounces can take up to 6 cycles to clear
 
Critter Mom said:
So pleased and relieved to see Sashi in much safer numbers. (I did pass out after my last post but Lúnasa just woke me looking for food.)

Thank you to everyone who came to help and support Sashi and his mama today.

:bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:

@Sashi's Mama - Thank goodness you were all geared up for home testing today. I'm so sorry you had such a baptism of fire but you played an absolute blinder getting Sashi through this and Sashi himself has been a real trouper! Huge props and thanks to your dear friend, too.

NB: Sashi may be more sensitive to insulin after the low numbers earlier today. I suggest you be cautious and conservative in approach to dosing. Be sure to post here to ask for help when you need it.

Fingers and paws crossed for continuing safe numbers and for all to go well for the rest of the day.

:bighug::bighug::bighug:


Mogs
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Thank you so very much for all your help! And I love the name Lúnasa.

Today was definitely a baptism by fire. I'll be quite happy to not have something like this again! Will see what his morning numbers look like and will quit likely ask questions as to amount to give him. Perhaps an actual 1U might be a good start. :rolleyes: Maybe even less than that? Will ask here in the am.
 
Chris & China said:
I wouldn't worry about it.....nothing about today has been normal!!!

Time for an adult beverage (or 2) and a quiet evening!!.....Looks like Sashi's liver has truly kicked into gear!!! He'll probably continue to go up for awhile, but don't worry about it....Bounces can take up to 6 cycles to clear
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Ok, thanks, I won't worry too much, then, about the water right now. Glad his liver seems to be working as it should! Am about to settle in with my own dinner and some sort of calming tea. Will check his level once more before I go to bed.
 
Sashi's Mama said:
Thank you so very much for all your help! And I love the name Lúnasa.
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You're more than welcome. I am eternally grateful to the members who helped me through lows with my Saoirse (and at other times). I have much to pay forward. :)

Lúnasa was born in August, hence the name. Glad you like it. :)


Mogs
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Sashi is definitely safe tonight. He is beautiful. In the morning you might want to test 30 minutes early and post for dose advice if your concerned.

Well done you are now a member of the vampire club. You friend was truly wonderful.
 
So glad Sashi and you made it through the day. You (and your neighbour) did a grand job.

Don't be surprised if you get a high number tomorrow morning. Sashi had a lot of honey and carbs today. Add to that the high insulin, and the liver might decide to kick into overdrive, dumping a large amount of glucose (glycogen) into the mix. It's called a bounce. The numbers will come down.

If you plan to shoot at 9 a.m. tomorrow morning your time, don't feed after 7 a.m. You don't want to base the dose on a food influenced number. And do post in the morning (or any time) asking for help with the dosing.
 
For Novolin N, wait 30-40 minutes after giving the preshot meal before giving any insulin so as to allow time for the food to get into the system before the insulin dose starts to kick in. This particular insulin can lower BG a good deal very in the cycle.


Mogs
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Just checking in to see how Sashi is (didn't get any alerts since I checked the last time....strange?) So glad to see Sashi is out of the woods. Quite the day you've had and so early in your journey. You did a wonderful job today and should be very proud of yourself for catching that low reading and keeping a cool head thru this very scary day. You deserve a gold star!
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Thank you, @Critter Mom and @MrWorfMen's Mom. I'm prepared to see a high number in the morning. Will post what it is and get input on what dosage to give him.

Just checked him now--last check before bed--and he's at 335. Has eaten his regular food (at about 6:40pm), had his usual robust appetite, and finally drank water about 10 minutes ago. We both feel much better!! :) Thank you again to all for the much-needed advice and handholding as I stumbled through this.
 
Also realize that often human meters register levels that are lower than they are in reality since the meters are calibrated on human blood, not cat blood. When my relion micro meter says 40 or 50 his "real" (vet lab test) is around 70 or 85. So what I did was bring my meter to the vet every time and compared my reading with the lab reading (and later left it with him and he made me a chart against each cat that came into his office whose blood he tested - had to pay for that). What I found was that the differences were fairly significant and were not linear (there was more difference the higher his glucose was). I had called the vet day 2 when my cat's reading was 50 via my meter (by lab he had been in the 450 range when he was diagnosed). Went to the vet and he measured 87 with his lab, and 81 with his expensive cat specific meter. So there will be some variation.

Also be aware that these meters are generally off + or - (with respect to doing a bunch of tests in a row within a short period of time) about 10% meaning the real value could be 10% higher or lower than what you got (so total 20% off). Also using too small a drop of blood gives you a reading that is too low. If strips are expired that affects the accuracy of the readings. If the meter or strip are not room temperature the reading is less accurate... So using a meter isn't an exact science but does give you a ball park reading which is useful.

What I would suggest is each time your vet draws your cat's blood also test it with your meter. Then you can compare your meter reading with the vet lab value and start to get some idea of how the two compare. What we had discovered with that 50 reading (and doing multiple comparisons) is that likely it isn't until my meter reads about 25 or so that my cat is in trouble. When he really was hypoglycemic (and just starting out that way - happened to catch it early) the meter read 16. I took a reading multiple times. When he seemed completely recovered I took it again and the meter read 30. I had given him some honey and then some high protein food (actually baby food - chicken and broth which I initially gave him a bit with a syringe and then he finally started to lick it up) since protein takes longer to digest and helps his glucose stay up.

Also, as a side note, a really stressed cat at the vet can have a high reading. Today one of my cats was having a cow about being at the vet, hissing, growling, swiping at people (usually she is laid back and would go home with anyone)... and her glucose was 256. Vet told me to use my meter to test her tonight before he risked his life and limb again trying to get a urine sample to see if she was spilling sugar. I waited until this evening to test is and it was 52 by the meter - likely around 75-80ish in actuality. So she is likely not diabetic, just really stressed out. While that doesn't affect your situation with a lower reading, it was interesting to me that this happens.
 
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kidsandliz said:
be aware that these meters are generally off + or - (with respect to doing a bunch of tests in a row within a short period of time) about 10% meaning the real value could be 10% higher or lower than what you got.
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In Canada human meters must produce readings within 15% of the lab values and in the US within 20%. I am not sure what the regulations are in the UK or elsewhere but they are likely the same as I don't believe there is any meter available anywhere that can reproduce lab values to within 10% yet. Hopefully one day there will be.

kidsandliz said:
What we had discovered with that 50 reading (and doing multiple comparisons) is that likely it isn't until my meter reads about 25 or so that my cat is in trouble.
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The 50 reading on a human meter is the warning number at which one must be vigilant and intervene to avoid having the cat's BG go any lower. That 50 is considered to be the equivalent of 68 on a pet meter which reads animal blood like lab values (within 20%). You should base your actions on the type of meter you are using and NOT try to make a guess of what that human meter reading means in terms of animal lab results. To do so could have devastating results. With insulin on board, you do not want kitty to be on the brink of a hypo episode so these reference numbers have a little bit of wiggle room built in.

A reading of 40 or even slightly lower on a human meter may be normal for a non-diabetic cat but is not a safe number for a cat on insulin. Your cat may not have shown outward symptoms of hypoglycemia at a reading of 25 but that doesn't mean the cat is not hypoglycemic or in serious danger of it. Some cats do not display symptoms and suddenly go into seizures. Every cat is different.

So if you are using a human meter, you may want to do a comparison with the lab values to get a feel for how your readings and lab values will compare going forward when you have blood drawn but on a daily care basis, the safest thing to do is to use the human reference reading of 50 as your cue that action and close monitoring is needed to keep kitty safe.
 
Red & Rover (GA) said:
If you plan to shoot at 9 a.m. tomorrow morning your time, don't feed after 7 a.m. You don't want to base the dose on a food influenced number. And do post in the morning (or any time) asking for help with the dosing.
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Critter Mom said:
For Novolin N, wait 30-40 minutes after giving the preshot meal before giving any insulin so as to allow time for the food to get into the system before the insulin dose starts to kick in. This particular insulin can lower BG a good deal very in the cycle.
Mogs
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I'm a little confused about both the quoted posts above. Should I feed him two hours before his insulin, or only 30-40 min before? Haven't done AM pretest quite yet, will in a few minutes.

Critter Mom said:
@Sashi's Mama -

Sending :bighug::bighug::bighug: for you and special scritches for brave little Sashi.

I'm laying odds you're feeling wiped out after yesterday's events. Very, very well done keeping Sashi safe. :cat:


Mogs
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Thank you!
 
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