((((Barb)))))
I'm sis sorry I'm a day late in my wishes for Checks and I'm glad he's better today.
Our Gussie weighs 9.5 lbs now and he has severe congenital arthritis. We tried everything and the only two things that help him are weekly visits from the vet who does Reiki like work on him ...and his bupe. He's been on .1ml bupe bid for about three years. He's never groggy and I believe it still works well for him. His eyes are clear and happy and I see no evidence of pain. He has a lot of muscle wasting like you describe with Checkers but he is also in stage 2 of CKD...but very stable (anti jinx).
I know you have a plan and I think if it works for him...super. But SS Sienne said on his condo yesterday, the bupe will be fine for him long term and if it helps his QOL, then it's a good thing.
BTW, I know he got low on this dose the other day and he's been bouncing. If he doesn't clear it tonight or by the morning, I might consider another .25u increase for him. I saw your post on Rupies condo and if Checkers is not getting down enuff, it's not the type of insulin.....it's either pain or not enuff insulin.
Sending you many hugs and love from the little brown girl.....and me.