7/21 Kiwi AMPS 411, +2 284, +3 271, +6 402. help?

[Kiwi F]

http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=100405&p=1072117#p1072117

Today has been a weird day. Kiwi's AMPS was 411, +2 was 284, +3 was 271, and +6 was 402. I would think this is a bounce from yesterday's greens, but he has never had this high of a number in the middle of a day before. He's also acting a little psycho...trying to chew through canned goods, trying to eat boxes. He puts his head down and charges like a bull. He's sniffing the floor as if it leads to a food pile. Should I be concerned about this behavior? He's freaking me out. Any suggestions???

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

i'd give him some food! FWIW, Gabby is hungry when her numbers are high. If you look at the numbers, Kiwi dropped 140 points in 3 hours. That may be contributing to the high at +6.

 

[Kiwi F]

LOL. I DID feed him, but he didn't stop until a little while ago. I think he finally wore himself out and needed a nap. In the past weeks, I've realized that he's actually stronger than I am (disturbing realization)! Especially when he's in "bull-stance", with his head down, like a ramming pole. I don't know whether to laugh or cry some days. But I love him (even when he seems possessed).

So he can bounce the next day (and stay that way for days) after dropping severely in one shot (like when he hits his blues/greens, after days of high numbers), AND he can bounce within a few hours from a less dramatic, yet quick drop (does that clear faster?). AND, if his numbers are high (and not really dipping much), he probably needs a dose increase because that is NOT a bounce (which hasn't been as obvious to me as it feels like it should be). Am I finally getting it? Is bouncing as bad for him as having consistently high numbers from upping his dose slower? Just wondering.

Some of you probably feel like you've repeated yourself and your advice. Thank you for being patient. He went OTJ so fast last time that there is a lot I never dealt with. But also, I have a problem with my memory (combined with lack of sleep...bad combo). I swear I'm trying. Thank you for not giving up on me. Have a great day everyone!!

 

[Deb & Wink]

Some of you probably feel like you've repeated yourself and your advice.

Nope, don't feel that way at all. Ask as many times as you need to. Sometimes we will say something a different way and the :idea: will turn on.

Sometimes, we don't phrase it very well. Sometimes you haven't learned something yet because we never mentioned it. :shock:

Am I finally getting it?

Yes, you certainly are. Go Kiwi and Kim!!! :RAHCAT

Is bouncing as bad for him as having consistently high numbers from upping his dose slower?

IMHO, No bouncing is not as bad as him having consistently high numbers. The numbers over renal threshold do damage over the long term. Keeping Kiwi in the lower numbers, even with a subsequent bounce, will allow his pancreas time to heal. That is our goal, a healing pancreas so Kiwi starts to produce his own insulin.

Thank you for not giving up on me

We'll never give up on you and Kiwi. Ever. Not ever. No way. Not our style. Not what this board is about. OK?

A little bull headed is he? Can we borrow him sometimes when we need that ramming pole? ;-)

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

Yup -- you're getting it. Bounces can happen from drops into low numbers, fast drops, or even from drops into numbers Kiwi isn't used to.

 

[Kiwi F]

We'll never give up on you and Kiwi. Ever. Not ever. No way. Not our style. Not what this board is about. OK?

Thanks, guys... that's good to hear. dancing_cat

Maybe I should make a video of Kiwi as a ramming rod. Think it would go viral? Or him somewhat successfully opening a #10 can of dried chicken?! Or pushing me off my own dinner plate and starting to chow. I'd say he was in desperate need of behavioral classes, except it did start when his diabetes did. Plus, he can still be his sweet old self that invited himself to live with me 13 (14?) years ago.

You know what else? Although he hates his shots, he shows up for his ear poke EVERY SINGLE TIME... now he even starts trotting (his giant paws with big thumbs make him thump when he runs) when he hears the zipper in his test kit open. Every single time. It is such a blessing because I'm not sure I could do this if not for that. I can't out-run him...not even close (although watching me roll behind him with my walker might be good for a laugh!!). Plus, with me hooked to my IV so often, I have to pull it off and carry it with me if I have to 'run' around the house! (maybe I SHOULD start recording this stuff!! :lol: ) I am so unbelievably lucky that he cooperates like that. From his spreadsheet, you'd see that his ears must hurt...quite a bit. He's smart. He even knows he needs to come to me (rather than hiding) when he needs help....he usually lies at the foot of the bed when he doesn't feel well. AND, many years ago, when he got hit by a car, he walked home! He was quite badly injured, but he made it all the way to our front door! He's the toughest cat I've ever met.

He also used to nuzzle everyone who came over. He doesn't do that anymore... he's gotten a little grumpy in his old age. But he's earned it.

I LOVE KIWI. :RAHCAT :RAHCAT dancing_cat dancing_cat :RAHCAT :RAHCAT cat_pet_icon

 

[rhiannon and shadow (GA)]

I'd say he was in desperate need of behavioral classes, except it did start when his diabetes did.

He just sounds hungry to me....
and doesn't want no for an answer.... ;-)

When his numbers are all below 150, he'll stop being so hungry.... ( at least that's when I noticed the insatiable hunger stopping)

 

[Deb & Wink]

Maybe I should make a video of Kiwi as a ramming rod. Think it would go viral? Or him somewhat successfully opening a #10 can of dried chicken?! Or pushing me off my own dinner plate and starting to chow. I'd say he was in desperate need of behavioral classes, except it did start when his diabetes did. Plus, he can still be his sweet old self that invited himself to live with me 13 (14?) years ago.

You know what else? Although he hates his shots, he shows up for his ear poke EVERY SINGLE TIME... now he even starts trotting (his giant paws with big thumbs make him thump when he runs) when he hears the zipper in his test kit open. Every single time. It is such a blessing because I'm not sure I could do this if not for that. I can't out-run him...not even close (although watching me roll behind him with my walker might be good for a laugh!!). Plus, with me hooked to my IV so often, I have to pull it off and carry it with me if I have to 'run' around the house! (maybe I SHOULD start recording this stuff!! :lol: ) I am so unbelievably lucky that he cooperates like that.

Oh my! You had me laughing hysterically reading this! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Yes please, we'd love to see some videos. But the pictures flashing through my head as I read this were a pretty good substitute. :razz:

Isn't it so nice when they learn to come running for their test because of the sound of the zipper or the meter beeping when you turn it on.

Carl & Bob just did a test the other day. After 1 year. Bob came running like a bat out of nowhere to get that test and his fresh shrimp treat. Still OTJ after two years. It was very gratifying to read that post from Carl. Bob - TWO years sugarfree

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

I'm guessing you give Kiwi a treat after his tests. Have you given any thought to giving him treats after a shot? Maybe he'd be less grumpy about the process.

I have a feeling that stubborn kitty loves you a lot.

 

[Kiwi F]

He usually gets dried chicken after an ear poke (I say usually because my other two cats have caught on and I have a riot on my hands if they all show up). He ALWAYS gets his treat after a shot...but I guess its just not worth it to him.