Re: 5/16 Ella AMPS 346 +2=369 +6=349
Hi Tamara,
I agree with Sienne: Ella needs more insulin. Since she is no longer diving and bouncing, more insulin will act to bring the whole range of numbers down. I really don't think the length of the needle on the syringe would make a difference in Ella's numbers: as long as the insulin gets injected underneath the skin, the insulin will be delivered. Have you begun to use the fresh vial of insulin? I think that it is time to start it!
As Linda says, we travel a lot with Rusty--a 6-hour trip to NY City; a 1.5 hour trip to our camp. He is not a fan of car travel, but he puts up with it. We carry the insulin in a cooler, well wrapped to protect it from getting too close to the cold block and possibly freezing. We carry a back-up meter, extra strips, etc. If you are staying in a hotel, make sure that your room has a 'fridge! (and carry a small thermometer so you can keep it next to the insulin).
If Ella isn't used to cars, it is probably best that she ride in her carrier. Rusty rides free in the car, but we always take the carrier in case of emergencies. We keep the door to his carrier open, so that he can go into the carrier to sleep, if he wants to. He likes to sit on top of the carrier and look out the window. Rusty tends to get carsick at the very beginning of a trip (nerves). We cover his area of the car (a small SUV with the back seats folded down) with newspaper, so that when he gets sick, that part of the paper can be torn off. We also take some puppy pee pads to use as vomit catchers. We carry a litterbox in the back of the car and he uses it several times on a long trip. We always have paper towels for clean-up of the contributions to the litterbox. When we make a rest stop (for the beans) we put out a small dish of food (with a lid; carried in the cooler) and pour some water, but Rusty usually ignores food and water. (Stu, our GA kitty, and Alice, Stu's predecessor, always ate and drank during a trip and rarely got carsick. ECID.)
Rusty wears a collar with our phone numbers written on it, his name, and the fact that he is diabetic.
I think that Linda's suggestions with regard to staying in the hotel are excellent. When you go out you should always put the "Do Not Disturb" sign on the door so that chambermaids won't come in (and so that Ella won't bolt).
Patti's essay on traveling/camping with a cat is a Google Doc and is terrific.
I can't think of anything more at present. Just make sure that when you arrive in Montreal you spend some time with Ella so that she gets used to her environment. Explain to her when you go out that you'll be coming back. Perhaps do a trial run (go out for 1/2 hour). Cats don't like their routines disturbed!
Have a good evening,
Ella & Rusty
I think I'm going to try the longer syringe tonight.
