Ok, it's my second condo of the day. I decided to try and start my condos with the AMPS number, and today that number was with my new ReliOn Meter. Seems like a good place to start over. The thing was I had been a little discombobulated because my AM number doesn't really come til mid day for me.
Good P's all around today. Queenie is really diggin' the little extra canned chicken I've been offering.
Also, I think I may have had a fur shot or two in the past without realizing it. I noticed (with saline) that when I shoot if I pull the needle out too quick the liquid squeezes back out. Or at least I think I saw that happen. So I am making more of an effort to hold the needle firmly in place for just a few seconds. Does this make any sense?
Yes it makes sense! Most of us hold the needle in for a few seconds to make sure it's all in
I'd plan on getting a +3 or +4....that's quite a drop between AMPS and +2 and a lot of times, that can be an early warning that they're going to drop quite a lot during that cycle
Thanks Chris, I was on my way into the house when I saw your message, she's at 121 and seems fine. I just gave here some DM dry. Any other suggestions? She had dropped to 118 on the 12th using the AT Meter.
We really don't suggest using dry food ....not only does it take too long to get into the bloodstream (IF you need to bring their BG up), it can take several days to get back out.
121 is a great number, so I wouldn't have given anything....We don't intervene with high carb until they drop below 50, and then we usually use the gravy part from a "gravy lovers" type of food (since the gravy is where most of the carbs are)...and most cats LOVE it!
We want Queenie spending as much time as possible in normal numbers...that's 50-120 on the human meters....during that time, the pancreas can heal!
I'd still plan on getting a +5...but the kibble will probably put the brakes on things
Oh dear! I am such a rookie! arrrgh! I put out a question this morning about using Agave nectar. Haven't gotten any replies on it. Any thoughts on using it? and... I realize that would have been drastic and would not have given it without some input. I was just curious. 16 grams of carbs, 60 calroes per teaspoon. It's a natural low glycemic sweetener.
You mean using it to get her BG up when she drops too low? I wouldn't because although it's a "sweetener", it doesn't act the same way as Karo, honey or maple syrup does.
When a cat drops too low, we want to know that what we're doing will bring them back up ...Agave is "supposed" to be better for diabetics because it doesn't spike the BG the way simple sugars do.
Usually, we'll suggest using the gravy first ( if you have it) and saving karo, honey or syrup for when they're either super low (like 30's) or the gravy just isn't doing the job
OK thanks. Can you keep an eye on me for the next couple hours? she just gave me a 73 at +7. If not is there anyone else who can hold my hand for a few hours? She's seems subdued but I would not say distressed.
I'll try to keep an eye out for you, but don't forget, if you need eyes immediately, there's always the 911
Don't freak out if she drops below 50...just give her some gravy (teaspoon or 2), or a little low carb food with a few drops of karo, syrup or honey and then retest in 20-30 minutes
Time to hop on your surfboard Queenie and surf that pretty green number!
How about giving her a couple of tsp of her regular low carb food. Ideally you want her to surf those healing greens as long as possible, without going too low. The low carb food can help get her surfing.
I'd test again somewhere between 1/2 hour to an hour from now. She's probably subdued because she's not used to these normal numbers. That will change as she spends more time in green. The first few times Neko went green, she hid under the bed.
I know you leave food down for Queenie all the time and that she's used to being free fed, but you might want to TRY to schedule her meals instead, like maybe feeding every 3 hours
The reason is because if she does drop low, you want her to be willing to eat...and if she's free feeding, she may not want to eat when you need her to
Thanks Chris & Wendy! I feel much better with you guys looking over my shoulder. Giving her a little DM right now. Wishing I had not given the kibble. but I know it's a process and I'm in the middle of it.
She's pretty much always willing to have a snack, and I do leave her with an empty bowl several times a day. Trying to give her snacks and graze more than free feed actually. I do want her to eat on demand
Don't feel bad...when China first dropped below 50, I remembered that I'd been told to give her some Karo, honey or syrup....but nobody had said how much....so I poured about a cup full of maple syrup into a bowl and gave it to her (I was shocked that she liked it!)
Needless to say, her blood glucose number went up...and up.....and up....LOL
Now I try to always tell people that it's a drop or two at a time!
You're doing great, Chris. It takes a while to get the hang of things - in the meantime everyone just bumbles on! Once you've been through things a few times it becomes routine, but seeing lower numbers the first few times is unnerving for most people. The great thing with Feline Diabetes, is you pretty much always get another chance to do things differently. Once you've had low numbers, you'll get them again and can try something else.
I see your +7.5/112 - looks like she's come up some. Is that the latest test?
Phew! 112 at + 7.25 is the latest test. She's had a couple snacks and is just hangin right now. I could not have a better patient! It amazes me that she has moved right in with the rest of the crew and just is so ho hum about them. Could be she'll be a little more fussy once she feels better. Mom says she has always been very laid back.
Go ahead and edit your subject line (use Thread Tools on the upper right side of your post) to include any recent tests. That way folks can watch for you and see if you need help just by glancing at the main page. You get the most eyes on you that way!
Thanks so much @julie & punkin (ga) , I had forgotten to edit the subject line. I appreciate all the hand holding tonight. I am also still learning to use the tools of the forum and sometimes I get a bit distracted with all the other critters here. Not to mention working for a living!
So here's a question.....if I have an hour or so before the shot is due how bad is it to give a pure protein treat, like a piece of canned or freeze dried chicken? And is Tuna considered a no no?
Kinda thought so. She'll hold on for another 30 minutes.... thanks again for the hand holding today. I will be out tomorrow for several hours after her injection. I'll get up in 2 hours to check her +2 but won't be able to do it tomorrow after the AM shot. Cross your fingers for us.
She's bounced, Chris. I doubt that's just from you giving her a few crunchies earlier. I wouldn't bother getting up tonight to check at +2 unless it's really easy and you want to. She may be high for as long as 3 days now - take a look at the second post here in this thread for an explanation of bouncing.
the only good thing about a bounce is that you can take a break and save your strips. I'd still get preshots and at least one mid-cycle test in - we have no idea how long she'll bounce at this point. She may not last 3 days - it depends on how unaccustomed her body has become to normal numbers. She may clear the bounce earlier - we don't know.
