BG 196, THEN 414?

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anwahs23

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Yesterday my cats BG (tested at home) was 196. Today it is 414. I'm new to this. Is this normal for a diabetic cat?

Thank You.
 
Hi. I don't have any advice because I'm far too new with kitties and diabetes, but surely someone will be along shortly to give some opinions and advice. In the meantime, if you could post more information it would be very helpful for them. Things like what type of insulin, how much and how often it is given, what kitty is eating and when s/he last ate, and if there are any other health issues involved. There are surely other things they might need to know but that would be a good start. Best wishes - you'll be in good hands here soon!
 
My cat is newly diagnosed, on lantis 1unit every 12 hours. He's eating 2-3 medallions of raw food with a grain free kibble in between to snack on.

Yesterday his b/g read 196 at home and today its 414. He's eating, but is a little wobbly and not moving around much. Its been 10 hours since the insulin. Do I have to wait the full 12 hours or should I give him the unit now?

Thank You!
 
Both reading were taken at home?
What time of the day was each taken, and in relation that that time, when did he eat last, or get insulin last?

It is "normal" for BG to range from that low to that high over the course of the day when you are first getting tests. But other things can cause the odd readings. It can be as simple as a meter error or a strip that wasn't good.

Please post more details?

Carl
 
Thank You, Carl.

Both readings were at home and approximately 24 hours apart. (I am lucky to even get ONE reading a day as my cat does not like it.) The high bg that he just received was about an hour ago. His last "meal" was around 9AM this morning (It's 7:30pm now). He has been nibbling in kibble, but the last raw food was earlier this morning.

I am feeding him again and will give him the insulin an hour early (Is this usually okay?)

Thank You!!!
 
There are a lot of things that could cause this. It could be 'normal' for an unregulated diabetic cat but every cat is different (ECID). During a recent 'bounce', KT went from 154 to 435 within a few hours. We're still trying to get him regulated so every time he goes into the low numbers, his liver dumps glucose into the blood as it's not used to being down there. That's the body's natural defense...

Hugs!
 
I am not experienced with Lantus, but I know that I have read here many time that you need to be as close to 12 hours apart with the shots as possible. I have seen people say that the most you should ever be early or late is by about 15 minutes. Hope a lantus user will see this soon....

Carl
 
Thank You for the words of advise. I can only get his b/g once a day (if I'm lucky), but I will give the Lantus every 12 hours exactly not eleven or thirteen hours. I will keep with the raw food and high protein dry food in between his raw food meals.

This disease is so difficult and I want Kalvins golden years to be happy and pain free. His health and happiness is what matters.
 
Shawna,
Is Kalvin still having problems with IBD? Is he on other meds besides just getting the Lantus twice a day? I remember that when you came here, you said that he had been on prednisone, but the vet told you to stop that right?
He has to have that high protein dry food because of the IBD, right?

In the past couple of weeks, have his BG numbers been all over the place like these recent numbers, or have then been more consistent?

I'm sorry you are having such a hard time lately, but please keep asking for help when you need it, okay? We all want you and your little baby to do well!

Carl
 
Carl - We were using the Prednisone to treat his IBD. His sensitivity to the Pred caused the diabetes. We stopped all treatment/drugs for IBD. I am hoping and praying the raw food/no grain diet will naturally help his IBD. We are no longer treating it with medication.

He is only on the Lantus. He does also take "Florti-Flora" powder, which is a probiotic powder I sprinkle on his raw food. This helps "naturally" for any diarreah/gassy tummy issues that are IBD related. He does not have to have dry food. I learned here and by doing a TON of research that the raw food and/or high protein/no grain diet helps diabetes and also can help IBD patients.

Thank You for understanding and your patience. I'm sure everyone feels the same way at first. It's terrifying and I just want to ensure Kalvins quality of life, health, and happiness out weighs the bad days we have. Thank You!!!!
 
OK, he doesn't need dry food? But is he eating any dry food?
If so, what brand?

Carl
 
I'm feeding him raw food twice a day (before the insulin.)

He is eating the no grain/high protein dry kibble (He won't eat wet food.) The brand is natures variety instinct. He eats (nibbles) throughout the day in between the raw food feedings.

Do you have suggestions of recommended no grain high protein food that are recommended for diabetic cats if this food is not good? He is taking to the raw food and I know that is good for him. (however he will only eat the chicken.)
 
Shawna,
The dry food you are using is one of the lowest carb dry foods available. It is listed on Binky's list at 7% carbs, which is okay from a carb standpoint for a diabetic cat. There are other reasons why long term you may want to remove it from the menu, but for now, it is okay as long as he isn't eating a ton of it. The most important thing is that he will eat it, because when you are using insulin, eating is very important.

And yes, I know this can be scary, terrifying, overwhelming, all of that. It won't be that way forever. And the more you post and ask questions, the more you'll realize that you are not alone in this. We've all been in the exact same place you are, and we all want to help.

Carl
 
I use Lantus. I actually love it- it is very predictable once you are experienced using it.

I dont really have enough information to tell you what is happening with your cat or how much to give him. I also dont know how long you have been doing this and if you found his basic dose. Yes, he can be 196 and then 400 12 hours later.

Yes, I have shot 2 hours early- but keep in mind that you're overlapping and be careful. Don't give him extra because he is high, and the next shot you will probably have to give him less******* Read below.

With Lantus, I always consider how much Ive given him in a day. If his doseage is 2 units twice a day, I (for the most part) dont exceed 4 units in a 24 hr period, no matter what his number is at the moment. I also keep a close eye on how much he has had over the course of a few days-and pull back a little on 1 or 2 of his shots. This keeps my cat even. You have to find the pattern with your cat. It takes time. I have given slightly more in a 24 hr period when my cats numbers were creeping up, and then pulled back the next day. I wont tell you to do this though. You have to learn what works CAREFULLY. The best way to think of it is: Lantus is ALWAYS working, even 12 hours later.

PS My cat wobbles sometimes too...and not because his sugar is low.
 
How is his appetite? I am concerned that an unregulated cat is not getting more to eat than twice daily (their body can't process the food properly with all that sugar in their blood stream) and also concerned that you mention he's "wobbly and not moving around much."

That could indicate something else is going on. Do you have ketone test strips? Please test his urine for ketones ASAP. You can get ketone test strips at any pharmacy over the counter. We can help you with tips for how to catch urine.

Food is a factor in ketones - if they are not getting enough food, have an infection and unregulated diabetes, the risk for ketones gets higher.

Please keep us updated.
 
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