BG >300

[axelrod0214]

Monty was started on Vetsulin yesterday, 1 unit twice a day...yet his BG still hasn't gotten below 300...is this normal? I'm feeding him twice a day FF Classics low carb when he gets his med...any suggestions before I lug him back to the vet for another visit...should I give it a few more days?

 

[Brashworks]

Hi - are you saying hasn't gone below 300 at all? Or do you mean just at pre-shot reading (ideally 2-4 hours without food)?

Put another way, do you get any readings at +3 to +6 after his shot?

It would help clarify a bit. His BG may be lower at these times and it's important to understand how low he goes on his current 1.0 unit.

 

[Brashworks]

And yes, if it's only been a day, I'd say give it a few to let his body adjust to the new diet and insulin.

Keeping track of his readings in the spreadsheet available here is very helpful, both to you and your vet.

 

[axelrod0214]

Hi - are you saying hasn't gone below 300 at all? Or do you mean just at pre-shot reading (ideally 2-4 hours without food)?

Put another way, do you get any readings at +3 to +6 after his shot?

It would help clarify a bit.

No it hasn't gone below 300 at all since I started the med...last night was his first dose...before dose it was 347...30min after dose and feeding it was 500...another hr it came back down to 363....this morning at 0700am it was 340...after dose and feed it went up to 427...I don't understand.

 

[axelrod0214]

No it hasn't gone below 300 at all since I started the med...last night was his first dose...before dose it was 347...30min after dose and feeding it was 500...another hr it came back down to 363....this morning at 0700am it was 340...after dose and feed it went up to 427...I don't understand.

And yes, if it's only been a day, I'd say give it a few to let his body adjust to the new diet and insulin.

Keeping track of his readings in the spreadsheet available here is very helpful, both to you and your vet.

Can you give me a link to the spread sheet

 

[Shiloh & Rhonda (GA)]

http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/...te-a-ss-and-link-it-in-your-signature.130337/

 

[Brashworks]

Ah, that is frustrating! But a reading at 30 minutes and 1 hour might not tell you everything - he could be getting into better numbers in hours past that - Vetsulin usually has its highest effectiveness around +4 to +6 hours.

If you would like to set up the spreadsheet, the instructions are here - looks a little daunting but you'll get on to it in no time I'm sure.

If you need any help, just let me know.

 

[Brashworks]

No it hasn't gone below 300 at all since I started the med...last night was his first dose...before dose it was 347...30min after dose and feeding it was 500...another hr it came back down to 363....this morning at 0700am it was 340...after dose and feed it went up to 427...I don't understand

I'm going to suggest that the food is making his BG spike but the insulin is still working for him. If he fell nearly 140 (from 500 to 363) in +1.5 then the insulin is definitely having an effect. Let his body figure out what to do with the insulin it hasn't had for a while. Someone here said "insulin is not a magic bullet" - this whole diabetes ride has certainly taught me patience!

If his first dose was yesterday, give him a week to adjust and see if it would be possible to do a glucose curve on him (test at shot, then every 2 hours for 12 hours - sounds like a lot but it's not too bad!). Here is a link to a "curve generator" you can do at home and print out to give to your vet. Saves a LOT of money.

PS Don't worry about all the vet info and stuff at that site. They don't save anything personal on there - just put in whatever, it won't make a difference. The only important bit is the readings.

 

[BJM]

Vetsulin often has its peak effect/lowest glucose (nadir) around +3 to +4 hours post shot. The pre-shot levels are most likely to reflect when the Vetsulin has completely worn off and should not be used as the sole indicator for dose adjustments.
Here is our Vetsulin/Caninsulin Guide.

 

[Brashworks]

Vetsulin has its peak effect/lowest glucose (nadir) around +3 to +4 hours post shot.

I've seen Genghis' nadir at +3 but I've also seen it at +6 and it definitely wears off before 12 hours.

@axelrod0214 - I think you should take some readings at +3 and also +4 and +6 for a while to see just when the peak time is and just how low Monty goes. In other words, don't think the +3 or +4 reading is necessarily the "lowest" he will go on his current dose.

 

[BJM]

Clarification: As a mix of 2 insulins with different durations, Vetsulin can have 2 peak periods. with the first around +3 to +4 hours post-shot and the second may be closer to the +6. It'll depend on how your cat reacts to the components. This mix is why you must roll the insulin before giving - it helps ensure a proper distribution of the 2 insulin types is given.

 

[axelrod0214]

I've seen Genghis' nadir at +3 but I've also seen it at +6 and it definitely wears off before 12 hours.

@axelrod0214 - I think you should take some readings at +3 and also +4 and +6 for a while to see just when the peak time is and just how low Monty goes. In other words, don't think the +3 or +4 reading is necessarily the "lowest" he will go on his current dose.

Just checked it...he's at 276! It's coming down...thanks guys...I've had him only two days so my nerves are pretty shot...thanks for answering all my questions

 

[axelrod0214]

Clarification: As a mix of 2 insulins with different durations, Vetsulin can have 2 peak periods. with the first around +3 to +4 hours post-shot and the second may be closer to the +6. It'll depend on how your cat reacts to the components. This mix is why you must roll the insulin before giving - it helps ensure a proper distribution of the 2 insulin types is given.

Thankyou, I will do that.