Back to the basics and increase dosage question

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Stacym20

Stacym20

Member Since 2014
I have been over thinking everything thanks to all the variables. I want to start my thinking over from scratch. If this, then that etc... The numbers look like Bud needs more insulin. It looks like ProZinc at one unit was working for him at one time, and now it isn't. Could this logically happen that a cat that was once doing well on one unit need an increase back to a dose that was once considered too high (low nadirs, long duration)? Or is it more likely that a change of insulin would be a better way to go?
 
When there is a sudden need to increase dose, look for infection (bladder, respiratory, GI) or inflammation (ex pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel disease, etc.) Both can raise glucose levels.
And use the insulin protocol for guidelines of how to safely adjust the dose.
Also, dose increases for some insulins may provoke "New Dose Wonkiness" where the glucose paradoxically increases for several days after a dose increase.
 
There's no outward signs of any infection but I just made an appointment with the vet for Saturday morning. So I'm thinking she's not going to be thrilled with the fact that I have been changing his dose as I feel has been needed. I want to show her the spreadsheet though. Guess I just tell her the truth? I was thinking about ordering a new ProZinc too to see if maybe that wasn't the issue even though this vial is only 3 months old.
 
I know how you feel about making changes independent of your vet's advice. I've been doing similar things, but yes, it's definitely best to tell your vet honestly what you've been doing, because that's the only way they are able to help if they need to (doing the things you can't, if required).

We've shown our spreadsheet to our vet, detailing dose, food eaten, water consumed, urine glucose results, weight records, and such. They were very impressed and much more open to any changes or suggestions we had about how best to treat Dweezil's Diabetes after that.
 
I have been posting on the ProZinc forum and yes, @Sue and Oliver (GA) has been a wonderful help. I was just wondering in general if this could happen that a cat would need dose increases that had been previously earning reductions. I think that if someone came along and said "oh, that totally happened to my cat" somehow that would make me feel better as I don't think I have seen this situation on the board before.
 
Oh, that totally happened to my cat. :p

Mikey has been diabetic for 2.5 years, so we've seen our fair share of ups and downs in the dosing department. Right now, in fact, he's on a skinny 1.75u and getting the same numbers he got last September when he was on 1.5.

Insulin is a hormone, not a medication, so there are a bazillion other factors that can cause fluctuations from eating habits to the weather to seasons to moon cycles.... I give Mikey a +/- .5u dose fluctuation, so as long as he's between 1-2u, I'm not too worried. If he goes over 2u, then I'll start worrying about something else going on. If he ever drops below 1u, then I know he's not eating (he's a Type 1 with very little hope of remission). I sometimes have to remind myself that Mikey needs as much insulin as he needs, not as much as I think he should need.
 
Here's an example of Mikey's fluctuations and he's pretty well-regulated for the most part:
Jun-Jul: ~1.5u
Jul-Aug: ~1.25u
Aug-Sept: ~1.5u
Sept-Oct: ~1.25u
Oct-Jan: ~1.5u
Jan-XXX: ~1.75u
 
LOL @KPassa !! Thank you!!! I do feel much better now!! I know I am so frustrated because I at one time had a dose that was working and felt like we were well on our way to regulation, and then... not so much... It's like insulin isn't doing much of anything for him right now so I feel like I'm starting all over.
 
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