? 2/26 TAZ, AMPS-425, +6-456, PMPS-181, +1-161, +2-120, +3-108, +4-117, +5-131

SaraMV

SaraMV

Member Since 2022
Edited to add - Taz has dropped a lot since his +6. Do I stay at the increase and just watch closely through the night? Or do I do a lower dose since he nadir-ed late and I don't know how much he's dropping?

Taz has been in the reds since yesterday. I increased his dosage to 1.5 yesterday morning and it didn't phase his numbers at all. He just had a bunch of bloodwork done at the vet's, including a urinalysis and pancreatic lipase. We'll get the results on Monday or Tuesday. We're still scheduled for a dental on the 7th, but a lot will depend on how Taz is feeling then and what his bloodwork shows. The vet thinks a lot will change after the dental is done.

The vet wasn't crazy about me increasing his dose. I wouldn't have told him but he asked me. Now my husband is wanting to decrease the dose because the vet scared him.

https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/2-25-taz-amps-350-4-364-7-412-pmps-427-5-429.259884/
 
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Makes no sense to decrease. It will take at least 6 cycles to see what the increase does for his BG maybe longer.
 
What tests exactly were run? I hope SpecfPL. Lipase is not a good test for cats to determine if pancreatitis..
 
tiffmaxee said:
What tests exactly were run? I hope SpecfPL. Lipase is not a good test for cats to determine if pancreatitis..
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I'm not entirely sure. I know most of the bloodwork was for pre-surgery. He also wanted a fructosamine test, which we haven't done the past 3 visits, so I was a bit curious to see what one would tell us. When I get home, I'll look at the receipt to see what it says.
 
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tiffmaxee said:
What tests exactly were run? I hope SpecfPL. Lipase is not a good test for cats to determine if pancreatitis..
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The receipt lists a senior profile, fructosamine, and Spec fPL.

Should I be scared for what happens when his red numbers break? I'm starting to freak out a little bit because they're so steady.
 
Sandy and Black Kitty said:
no need to be scared. :cool:
Make sure you have plenty of test strips, Some HC food and Karo syrup or honey. Also, print the info on handling low numbers and keep it handy.
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Ok, thank you. The vet today was talking about bounces and how they can go really low when they come out of them. I don't know if Taz is bouncing, but with increasing his insulin, I don't know how he's going to respond if/ when his numbers comes down.
 
SaraMV said:
The receipt lists a senior profile, fructosamine, and Spec fPL.

Should I be scared for what happens when his red numbers break? I'm starting to freak out a little bit because they're so steady.
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That’s the correct test for pancreatitis. :)
 
SaraMV said:
Ok, thank you. The vet today was talking about bounces and how they can go really low when they come out of them. I don't know if Taz is bouncing, but with increasing his insulin, I don't know how he's going to respond if/ when his numbers comes down.
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No one knows, including his vet. Staying on course and being prepared for anything is the best strategy. you have all the tools to keep him safe at your disposal.

I'm glad the dental is scheduled. That can really change the picture. It was the key to my Black Kitty going into remission.
 
SaraMV said:
Since he dropped from the 400s down to 181, in your experience, will that also cause another bounce?
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It is very possible. Henis also not used to seeing lower numbers on a regular so that in itself can cause a bounce.

SaraMV said:
I really hope that we see a change in his numbers afterward. ❤
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He is already seeing change and doing so much better! You're doing a great job!

Just make sure to get a +1 that will tell you if he got a food bump from his preshot meal at all. Then I would definitely give a small amount of food and test again at +2.

As long as you test and keep that eye on him he will be fine :bighug:
 
Rainbow Conti said:
Just make sure to get a +1 that will tell you if he got a food bump from his preshot meal at all. Then I would definitely give a small amount of food and test again at +2.

As long as you test and keep that eye on him he will be fine :bighug:
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If his +1 is higher than his PMPS, do you think it will be an active cycle? And if it is higher from a food bump, do I still need to give a +1 snack? I plan on sleeping on the couch tonight, so I can test him every couple of hours if needed.
 
SaraMV said:
If his +1 is higher than his PMPS, do you think it will be an active cycle? And if it is higher from a food bump, do I still need to give a +1 snack? I plan on sleeping on the couch tonight, so I can test him every couple of hours if needed.
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The +1 is really just to see of he gets a food bump so it should be close to his preshot number or as bit higher. The +2 is usually a good indication of how active the cycle will be. Small drop at +2 a slower less active cucle... larger drop a more active cycle
 
If you look at my ss you ca see what I mean...cycles we had a big drop 50 pts or more at +2 he dropped lower faster.. smaller drop 30 pts or less he didnt move as much or as fast
 
Rainbow Conti said:
The +1 is really just to see of he gets a food bump so it should be close to his preshot number or as bit higher. The +2 is usually a good indication of how active the cycle will be. Small drop at +2 a slower less active cucle... larger drop a more active cycle
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Thank you so much for the help! I really appreciate it. I've always gone off of his +2 for how active his cycle will be, so I wasn't really sure what the +1 was for. I wasn't expecting his number to be so low so fast. I expected maybe low 300s before I saw anything in the 100s, so this caught me by surprise.

No food bump at his +1.
 
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SaraMV said:
I gave him a little spoonful of low carb at his +1 and +2, and I got the higher carb food down in case. He's currently at 120 at +2.
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Ok he is looking good so far. What percentage carbs do you have? I tried to drive from your ss his approximate nadir. I'm thinking it happens sometime around +4 to +5?
 
Rainbow Conti said:
Ok he is looking good so far. What percentage carbs do you have? I tried to drive from your ss his approximate nadir. I'm thinking it happens sometime around +4 to +5?
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We have some whiskas gravy meals, friskies lil soups, temptation treats, friskies prime fillets (14%), and friskies chicken garden (not sure on the % on this exact flavor but most of them on the chart are 25%).

He was nadiring around +3, but a few days ago, it was closer to +7.
 
SaraMV said:
We have some whiskas gravy meals, friskies lil soups, temptation treats, friskies prime fillets (14%), and friskies chicken garden (not sure on the % on this exact flavor but most of them are 25%).
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I doubt the need for the 25% arises at all. Check at +3...how long till that now? Not sure what time zone your in to know
 
Rainbow Conti said:
I doubt the need for the 25% arises at all. Check at +3...how long till that now? Not sure what time zone your in to know
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I'm in southern California, PST. We have 35 minutes until +3. I really appreciate your help. This is the first bounce I've seen action like this and it's a bit scary. I don't know how you all manage those low numbers.
 
Sounds good...so since this seems to be a bounce break he may nadir closer to +7. With bounce breaks they tend to nadir later before coming up.

Depending on his +3 you might give a little mc instead of LC. I am reminding myself that you are using an AT...so your numbers are slightly different than that of a human meter. We want to keep him between 68 and 120 I believe. Not lower than 68 I know for sure.
 
Rainbow Conti said:
Sounds good...so since this seems to be a bounce break he may nadir closer to +7. With bounce breaks they tend to nadir later before coming up.

Depending on his +3 you might give a little mc instead of LC. I am reminding myself that you are using an AT...so your numbers are slightly different than that of a human meter. We want to keep him between 68 and 120 I believe. Not lower than 68 I know for sure.
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At what number should I start feeding high carb? I haven't had to switch between low, medium, and high before.
 
SaraMV said:
At what number should I start feeding high carb? I haven't had to switch between low, medium, and high before.
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I wouldnt worry about high carb unless he is dipping to the low 70s. That's why I mentioned some medium carb might fit the bill at +3.

What percentage do you normally feed what is you LC percentage?
 
SaraMV said:
I really appreciate you staying up with me to help me through this. I watch your posts quite a bit with your little guy. I don't know how you do it. Anything green scares me.
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It used to scare me too it's normal to be scared. Just don't let the fear control you.

Now I stress when he is more blue than green LOL. You'll get there those healthy healing greens are so addictive.
 
SaraMV said:
How do they ever break the bouncing cycle? It seems like it's one continuous loop of highs and lows. :(
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Eventually their bodies get more used to the low numbers and they bounce less often or as high. LM still bounces it may not look like a bounce cause its blues but it is. His bounces more often than not are caused by steep drops. He likes to plunge around +2.

That's why I almost always feed at +1 a higher carb small snack. I feed his numbers down generally from +1 all the way to +3 or 4. Depending on how he is dropping. It's a learning process to how you kitty reacts to food and insulin. It's never perfect and it never stays the same LOL. Sometimes I feed a higher carb and it wasn't necessary sometimes it isnt enough. Kind of have to learn to ride the coaster with them I guess.

I tend to test quite a lot...the fear of not knowing is what causes that. I may not need to test as much but i do because i need to know...
 
SaraMV said:
He's enjoying the new food. If he countries to drop each hour, do I continue to feed medium carb snacks each time?
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You may be able to get away with LC snacks or even nothing at all. I'm hoping at the +4 he will be more flat. Meaning not much movement at all.

Yep LM loves it when he gets the top shelf stuff too LOL
 
Looks like he is doing really well give just a little LC if he needs any more snacks. I'd get a test in a couple hours just to be safe make sure it's not the food keeping him higher. But he looks to be good for the night. Get some rest.
 
Rainbow Conti said:
Looks like he is doing really well give just a little LC if he needs any more snacks. I'd get a test in a couple hours just to be safe make sure it's not the food keeping him higher. But he looks to be good for the night. Get some rest.
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Thank you for checking up on us. I'm getting ready to get a +5. If it isn't any lower than his +4, then I'm going to get some sleep. It's almost 1:30am here and I'm usually in bed around 9pm. I'm going to be dragging tomorrow.
 
Sandy and Black Kitty said:
Nice blue surf there :cool:
Notes on your ss with what numbers were fed along with amounts and carb percentages will help you and those helping you safely navigate future uncharted territory.
Good job!
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That's a good idea. I think I did it correctly. :)

Rainbow Conti said:
Dont forget to post his numbers today. It's good to get in habit of posting every day even if you dont need any help. He looks good this morning
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I really really appreciate you keeping me level headed last night. I was ready to start giving high carb if he went below 100 because I didn't know when that would be necessary and didn't want him to fall too low. I was getting really tired and having a hard time focusing (making a pot of strong coffee now. Lol) I've read the tagged post above about what to do with lower numbers several times but when you start panicking, all reason goes out the door. I now have it saved and will be putting it in his binder.
 
SaraMV said:
That's a good idea. I think I did it correctly. :)



I really really appreciate you keeping me level headed last night. I was ready to start giving high carb if he went below 100 because I didn't know when that would be necessary and didn't want him to fall too low. I was getting really tired and having a hard time focusing (making a pot of strong coffee now. Lol) I've read the tagged post above about what to do with lower numbers several times but when you start panicking, all reason goes out the door. I now have it saved and will be putting it in his binder.
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Look at those pretty blues! And a yellow for the AMPS!
 
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