5/11 Rex AMPG 69, +18 53, +19 61, +22 67, PMPS 59, +2 49, +3 46, +4 55

Status
Not open for further replies.
I'm not sure what you mean by hypo. I have seen people here say their cat went hypo because it got a green. Is there a certain number that means hypo to you? Me personally, I guess would call a number in the low 30s (on a human meter) being dangerously close to hypo.
 
Dyana said:
I'm not sure what you mean by hypo. I have seen people here say their cat went hypo because it got a green. Is there a certain number that means hypo to you? Me personally, I guess would call a number in the low 30s (on a human meter) being dangerously close to hypo.
Click to expand...
Ok, my mistake. I assumed anything under 50 on a human meter means hypo. If hypo is low 30's, then what is high 30's and 40's?
 
Mandy & Rex said:
Ok, my mistake. I assumed anything under 50 on a human meter means hypo. If hypo is low 30's, then what is high 30's and 40's?
Click to expand...
No, anything under 50 means take action. Most cats aren't really in a hypo situation until they are 40 or lower, although ECID and they can certainly have symptoms at higher numbers. 49 is usually fairly safe, but it's way early for that nonsense. I'd say give him some HC.
 
Taking from the stickie How to Treat Hypos.


This document was written for those using a meter calibrated for humans when measuring their kitty's blood glucose. However, users of the AlphaTrak brand blood glucose meter using AlphaTrak brand test strips in their meter please note:2008 Abbott AlphaTrak User Manual Page 4
  • Hypoglycemia/Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) levels are: Below 65 mg/dL (3.6 mmol/L) for adult cats and dogs.
 
Bobbie And Bubba said:
Taking from the stickie How to Treat Hypos.


This document was written for those using a meter calibrated for humans when measuring their kitty's blood glucose. However, users of the AlphaTrak brand blood glucose meter using AlphaTrak brand test strips in their meter please note:2008 Abbott AlphaTrak User Manual Page 4



    • Hypoglycemia/Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) levels are: Below 65 mg/dL (3.6 mmol/L) for adult cats and dogs.
Click to expand...
Absolutely, technically correct. But as I say, we generally don't use that term unless there are symptoms.
 
With Bubba, there were a few times he was just under 50 and he was dazed, agitated and uncoordinated. And then there are cats in the 30's like Rex that have no symptoms at all.
 
Bobbie And Bubba said:
With Bubba, there were a few times he was just under 50 and he was dazed, agitated and uncoordinated. And then there are cats in the 30's like Rex that have no symptoms at all.
Click to expand...
As I said, ECID, and I've heard of other cats with symptoms at numbers higher than that. I've also had vets tell me a cat was in hypo under 100 on a human meter (really???). I think that's why we tend to use that word when there are symptoms - it's a scary word. Both Cinco and Harvey hit the upper 20s with no symptoms. You'd better believe I carbed them up, though!

Bobbie And Bubba said:
Well, academics aside, Rex could have gotten a drop in and if he didn't, he sure is making a point.
Click to expand...
Yeah, forget the semantics. This cat is SO done with insulin!
 
Mandy,

Since it's apparent you're going to start a trial in the morning, here are the instructions:

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!

Congratulations!
 
Thanks Tricia for the instructions. After the successful trial, you test weekly then monthly. Is there a specific time or day or should it be random? Is it just one test that day?
 
Some of us test-a-holics continued to test twice a day AM and PM . I just started NOT testing every day but every few days so I am recovering nicely from my OCD and testing. :rolleyes:

In the beginning, I would test at the AM and PM and like the instructions said if you get a blue number then test 3 hours later and if they pancreas is doing it's job, the number will come down to under 100.

I am just now starting to get random test in the middle of the cycle 3 -4 hours after food. It's probably a good idea to get test at different times.
 
Mandy & Rex said:
Thanks Tricia for the instructions. After the successful trial, you test weekly then monthly. Is there a specific time or day or should it be random? Is it just one test that day?
Click to expand...
It really depends on your schedule. For people that work away from home, they usually find it easiest to test in the morning before work. Even some that don't have to leave in the morning do it because it's a habit.

One thing I will recommend is never get complacent. Remember, even when he's off insulin, Rex is still diabetic, so you want to continue to feed low carb foods and avoid forbidden treats. Keep your eyes peeled for any sign of rising BGs (eating or drinking more that usual, peeing more, etc.), so you can nip it in the bud. When Cinco went OTJ, I got lazy after a few months and didn't test, so I missed the opportunity to catch it early when he fell out of remission. Learn from my mistake.

Bobbie And Bubba said:
Some of us test-a-holics continued to test twice a day AM and PM . I just started NOT testing every day but every few days so I am recovering nicely from my OCD and testing.
Click to expand...
We have had to almost stage interventions with Bobbie on testing, but Bubba did have a nasty habit of falling out of remission, so you can't really blame her for giving in to her addiction. :p
 
Last edited:
I wouldn't give more than a tsp of HC along with some LC. He didn't get a shot this morning and got a wee bit of insulin tonight. You'll need to test more tonight though. Congrats on the trial.

BTW, there are cats who test in the 40's during their trial. If no insulin is given there's no need for HC food during the trial.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top