2/12 Lolly OTJ Trial Day 12 AMBG/134, +5.5/56, +10.5/65 , PMBG/92

[Martha and Lolly (GA)]

2/11 Lolly OTJ Day 11 AMBG/132, +1/78, +5/50, PMBG/89

Lolly was more snuggly today, but she's started hissing at the Pride more than ever. Makes me wonder if she's feeling OK? Otherwise she seems fine.

I've been nervous about all those high AMBGs. Today she hit 134. I did some extra testing, it always goes down. I plan to do a curve this weekend, see if I can catch when that rise starts. Should we celebrate Sunday, in case? Does everyone think these numbers are good, that it's just the Dawn effect?

I've looked at other OTJ charts, and they seem more consistently low.

I can't find the link to the OTJ instructions, can someone give me the link? Thanks!

(I'll post the PMBG later, wanted to get this up for comments.)

 

[Vyktors Mum]

Relax, numbers are fine and Vyktor has already sent his party tux out for dry cleaning - he knows about this OTJ stuff so take his word for it

 

[Marje and Gracie]

Here they are:

Start the trial on the next green pre shot.

• If he/she is green at your normal test times, no need to test further until the next "PS" time; just feed small meals and go about your day. If he/she is blue at your normal "PS", feed a small meal and test again after about 3 or 4 hours. If his/her number is lower 3-4 hours after a meal, then the pancreas is working!

• Post every day so we can monitor your progress and see if any tweaks are needed. He/she may have a sporadic blue number. Don't panic but post before you decide whether to shoot so we can have a discussion.

• After 14 days of no insulin, we have a party!!

Sometimes the trial doesn't work the first time and we have to give a little more support in the form of resuming insulin. It's not the end of the world if that happens; we just give him/her the support needed. Our goal is a strong remission and it's better to take our time to get that than to rush into remission just to have it fail later on.

Good luck with the trial!!!

Once he/she is through the trial successfully, you enter a new phase. Your cat is still diabetic but has now become diet-controlled. Continue feeding low carb food in the manner successful for your kitty. If you decide to change his/her feeding schedule, let your meter be your guide to the best times to feed. Avoid medications with sugar in them and steroid medications unless they are medically essential. Continue testing blood glucose weekly for the first month and then monthly forever. It's a good idea to weigh him/her monthly. Weight should remain stable. If he/she seems "off" or sick, or is showing signs of diabetes (excessive drinking, eating, urinating, weight loss), test his/her blood glucose right away. Keep the teeth and gums clean and healthy; dental issues can bring a cat out of remission. If you see rising blood glucose numbers, it's time for a visit to the vet!

Those two higher AMBGs don't worry me. You can try and feed her a little at about +9 (if you really want to get up early but it's not required) just to see if the AMBG comes down. But what we want to see, we are seeing....she's coming down after you feed her. I think she's fine.

I posted Gracie's Stinkeye pic to our condo today.

 

[julie & punkin (ga)]

Sometimes OTJ trials can be a bit bumpy - but I agree with Marje, I don't think there's any reason to worry about those couple morning tests.

Congrats on making it to day 12!!!!

 

[Melanie and Smokey]

Congrats on Day 12!

My Chris liked to throw out those higher numbers on us. We found that feeding times absolutely made a difference to him. We haven't been able to get him less than 6 times a day. He did stop creeping into those blues on us after the trial until a couple out of the blue lately. They DO make a person more nervous but when you see Lolly getting that low during the cycle you know her pancreas is doing what it needs to.

 

[Martha and Lolly (GA)]

PMBG/92, +2pm/65.

Thank you every one for your reassurances. When I talked to my vet, she really hedged, making sure we understood that this could be a very temporary remission. I always understood what "remission" means, but it was a bit of a downer.

I'm sure glad that her test ends on the 14th and not Friday the you-know-what.