4/16 AM update

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Mandy and Bradley

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Bradley was at 133 last night before I went to bed, (after getting the 155 earlier that night on my previous post). I left wet food out for him but didn't give any insulin.

He was 116 this AM when I woke up. He just ate after testing, so I am going to test him in an hour or two to see what happens.
 
I like these numbers under 1120, Mandy! He is certainly bringing himself down.

If you are going to try a drop at some point, during the day when you will be around is certainly the safest time.
 
I think I'm getting confused as to when I would even do a drop. I wouldn't do a drop at a number like 116, would I? I think I'd be too nervous to try that since he brings himself down on his own. Is a drop necessary for anything under 150, as long as he brings himself down? You guys are teaching me so much!

Edited to add:

After posting the above, I just tested him 2 hours after eating and it was 172. My plan is to do no insulin and I'm going to test in another hour as it seemed the other day, it took three hours to come down from the food spike, so maybe he will be in normal range again in another hour. I guess if in another hour, it is higher or same range as 170, then I would do a drop of insulin, right:?:
 
:thumbup Great numbers, Mandy! I find it confusing too. I think the idea is that a drop of insulin may help to keep him here, but 116 is within the normal range (altho if you consider the possible 20% variance, I guess you could question it)so you can go either way. If you are more comfortable waiting , that is fine. A few more tests should make it clearer where he is heading. But do celebrate these numbers!
 
judy and squamee(GA) said:
:thumbup Great numbers, Mandy! I find it confusing too. I think the idea is that a drop of insulin may help to keep him here, but 116 is within the normal range (altho if you consider the possible 20% variance, I guess you could question it)so you can go either way. If you are more comfortable waiting , that is fine. A few more tests should make it clearer where he is heading. But do celebrate these numbers!
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Thank you, Judy! But I'm not sure if you saw my edit to my post...He seems to be at 172 now two hours after eating, but I think it may be part of the whole food-spike thing. Yesterday, it seemed it took him three hours after eating to get back to normal range without the insulin. I'm going to give him one more hour and see what happens and then make the call about the insulin. Or I could be completely wrong in my thinking and perhaps I should give him insulin at this point?? Oy vey, Brad! What are you doing to me :-|
 
I wish there were hard and fast rules for this, Mandy. I would suggest you set a number (150 might be a possibility or 170) When he gets to that number, give some insulin. The amount you will have to experiment with. At first, you might try the drop of insulin. If that doesn't seem to get him into double digits, the next time, try a little more.

You are hoping his body will continue to bring itself down. But in some cases, a little insulin will get him into those greens and his body will start feeling comfortable there. (oh, that sounds so unscientific)
 
Sue and Oliver (GA) said:
I wish there were hard and fast rules for this, Mandy. I would suggest you set a number (150 might be a possibility or 170) When he gets to that number, give some insulin. The amount you will have to experiment with. At first, you might try the drop of insulin. If that doesn't seem to get him into double digits, the next time, try a little more.

You are hoping his body will continue to bring itself down. But in some cases, a little insulin will get him into those greens and his body will start feeling comfortable there. (oh, that sounds so unscientific)
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Thanks Sue. I just retested and it's at 153. I'm going to try a drop of insulin and see what happens. I'll keep you posted.
 
When doing an otj trial you want to see your kitty go down after eating because that means the pancreas has kicked in appropriately. I would suggest doing as needed dosing for your baby. I would go with anything over 150 gets a drop and just monitor like heck. It may be that he needs just this last little bit of support to solidly go otj. Right now he is still going into boarderline diabetic numbers.
 
Very nice! I agree to set a level - 150, 180, something like that - and give a drop above that. Definitely no drop on 116 unless if has been an extended time since the last shot and you are seeing a return of symptoms.

I like your idea of testing a while after eating and see if he has brought the #s down on his own. If he hasn't, or if it's not enough, then a drop makes sense.

Overall I don't think you need to be scared of giving a small dose. The hypo risk is low IMO, and if he is not in green #s, a little support to get there is a good thing.

I think it is fairly common when they are borderline going OTJ that they will run a little higher for a few days, and then sometimes with one or more extra shots, sometimes w/o it, they will drop down into the greens and then spend more time there on their own. He may just need a little help getting there.
 
Thanks guys! This is all so encouraging, and makes complete sense. I'm going to stick with the 150 to 180 range for a drop of insulin. I gave him a drop earlier this morning when he was at 153, and so far, so good. Just tested him at 6+ and is at 112. Looking forward to see what tonight's PMPS brings.
 
Go Bradley! Like Judy said, celebrate the great numbers as you work toward OTJ. I'm not aware of anything scientific, but like Kelly and Joanna mentioned for some kitties one more dose of insulin that gets them in the greens is often all they need to stay there. Other kitties like to flirt with the numbers for a little longer before going OTJ. Every cat is different. I'm so happy Bradley is doing so well.
 
Another thing that sometimes helps. If you have a kitty flirting with remission, you can be especially mindful of carbs. Pick foods he will eat that have the lowest carb count (but seafood only once or twice a week.) If the food is bringing up the numbers at all, it could make a difference.
 
Sue and Oliver (GA) said:
Another thing that sometimes helps. If you have a kitty flirting with remission, you can be especially mindful of carbs. Pick foods he will eat that have the lowest carb count (but seafood only once or twice a week.) If the food is bringing up the numbers at all, it could make a difference.
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Great point! I have to go check out the carb situation for each food. I just went to the store today and bought all different kinds of the Classic, so I'll have to go back and look at the food threads on this site so I can figure out which ones have the lowest carbs. Why seafood only once a week?
 
Here's the food chart to compare carbs: Janet and Binky’s chart The thinking is that seafood has phosphorous and mercury, and just as with humans, it is better to have it only a few times a week, not daily. Seafood does have some of the lowest carb flavors, but there are other choices at the same levels.
 
Michelle & Prudence said:
Hi, Just checking in. I was wondering if you received my last message? Looks like Bradley is coming down on his own :thumbup
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Hi Michelle,

Yes, I did get your message. Thank you so much for the info. Bradley has been looking good so far, both yesterday and today! He was in the 80s most of the day yesterday, and again today as well. I'm cheering him on! flip_cat

I could have never gotten him to this point if it wasn't for all of you. I know he may go up and down and may need insulin here and there, but I always think if I had not found this site and had continued going to the vet, he would have been in bad shape with his sugar so unregulated. I owe it all to you girls!
 
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