9/4 Casey AMPS 416, +3.5 309, +6 317, PMPS 314

[my Casey bear]

Yesterday's Condo

Hello everyone.

There are things that don't really add up. confused_cat

I will start w/Casey's BG readings. They have seemed to have been peculiar as of lately...basicly started when I opened this batch of test strips. I thought this mornings reading was extremely high so I retested her, wound up doing so a couple times...you will see why. These were the readings in order of being taken 416, 444, 382 all taken within 5 minutes. I don't even know which # to put as her AMPS...or if any is even accurate.

Another thing that got my attention is that Casey has gotten sick 3 days in a row, all the times were late in the shot cycle. Yesterday was literally while I was prepping for her test/feed/shoot and she was not given any food past +6, yet...like the other times...it was cat food color. Her getting sick, by itself, the past 2 day did not really alarm me because it included hairballs. This morning the was no hairball, but what looked like a whole peice of baby shrimp. I usually cut up her food because she inhails it, but a while back I did not to to see if her needing to really chew her food would slow things down. (apparently not) :?: Is she not digesting her food that her vomit is still cat food color...not to mention the whole peice I saw this morning?

The last oddity I am bringing up is re: Casey's shots. She used to take the shots like a champ, but lately she has been fighting me tooth & nail about it. It started Fri morning (the first day of the getting sick) and still refused to sit still for her shot, not to mention hissing, etc. And after today's AM shot I petted her like usual and did not feel any moisture, but my fingers smelt like meds. (possible fur shot??)

:?: Anyway, do you thing these all have something to do with one issue or seperate coincidental issues?

Any imput would be apperiated!! And thank you all in advance.

Hope everyone is having a great holiday weekend!

 

[Jessica & Boo Radley]

Re: 9/4 Casey Wide range in AMPS reading...Bad strips??

These were the readings in order of being taken 416, 444, 382 all taken within 5 minutes. I don't even know which # to put as her AMPS...or if any is even accurate.

There can be a 20% variance on tests, so all three of these numbers fit into that range. For your own piece of mind, log in the 416 as your AMPS.

Another thing that got my attention is that Casey has gotten sick 3 days in a row, all the times were late in the shot cycle. Yesterday was literally while I was prepping for her test/feed/shoot and she was not given any food past +6, yet...like the other times...it was cat food color. Her getting sick, by itself, the past 2 day did not really alarm me because it included hairballs. This morning the was no hairball, but what looked like a whole peice of baby shrimp. I usually cut up her food because she inhails it, but a while back I did not to to see if her needing to really chew her food would slow things down. (apparently not) :?: Is she not digesting her food that her vomit is still cat food color...not to mention the whole peice I saw this morning?

Her bgs have looked great - test for Ketones just to make sure (someone's cat yesterday was in DKA with perfectly normal bgs). Is there anything else medically going on? Any conditions, medicines, etc? The throwing up hairballs in and of itself is not unusual.....but add that to suddenly being irritable makes me think Casey's not feeling well because of something????

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

Re: 9/4 Casey Wide range in AMPS reading...Bad strips??

I'd echo what Jessica said. That 416, with a meter variance of 20% could produce numbers in the range of 375 to 457. So the readings that you got are in that range.

I would keep an eye on Casey. If she's eating, it's less of a concern and the puking may have been hairball related. If this persists over several more days or the vomiting increases in frequency, you'll want to get her in to see the vet. There are possibilities the involve gastric motility that would need to be checked out. Again, I agree with Jessica that the behavior change around shots may be telling you that something is "off" with Casey.

If you're not feeding past +6 and this is a change from what was Casey's normal routine, she may get a bit of an acid stomach and throw up. Providing a small amount of food later in the cycle (e.g., +8 or +9) may help.

One other possibility is that Casey may find that the Lantus stings. While this isn't usually an issue for cats on a small dose of Lantus, every cat is different. Lantus is acidic and can sting. Casey may find that Levemir is easier for her to tolerate.

 

[Jessica & Boo Radley]

Re: 9/4 Casey Wide range in AMPS reading...Bad strips??

One other possibility is that Casey may find that the Lantus stings. While this isn't usually an issue for cats on a small dose of Lantus, every cat is different. Lantus is acidic and can sting. Casey may find that Levemir is easier for her to tolerate.

Sienne makes a great point here. A tip with Lantus - draw it up about 30 mins to an hour before shooting. Room temp helps to alleviate the sting if that's what's going on.

 

[my Casey bear]

Re: 9/4 Casey AMPS 416, +3.5 309

Thank you Jessica and Sienne!

Ok...that is a 20%...not 20 point difference

As far as eating, she has been wanting to eat all the time, so I knew her #'s were up, just didn't think it was that high. I will have to go get some ketone strips and something to collect it in when I run errands today.

I agree that the getting sick with hairballs was not abnormal, but the food color so long after eating started me thinking, then getting sick this morning w/o hairball and with peices of food she ate a day or 2 ago kinda raise a flag that something might be up. :idea: :?: Hmmm, if she got into a cut rose (Fri. morning...when all this started) could that have caused all this?

As for her shots, I load the syringe about 20 min. prior to shoot time. Besides that, she resists even before I try to inject the Lantus.

Once again, thanks for the tips and advice!!

 

[Michelle and Mannie (GA)]

Re: 9/4 Casey AMPS 416, +3.5 309

Hi Roberta - FWIW, I agree with the others. I'd watch her and see if the vomiting persists. It could just be hairball related.

Looks like Casey is ion her way to better numbers this morning. Go Casey!

Have a great day guys!