Binnie 4 hr glucose 76!

[PatinToronto]

Hi everyone,
I'm new to the site. I'm doing Binnie's first glucose curve, and I feel awful as I had no idea how he plummeted post-insulin. The 4 hr is now 76 and I'm not sure how to proceed: feed him? (Binnie votes yes) recheck in an hour? carry on with the 2 hour schedule?
Any/all advice appreciated.

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

I'd suggest a teaspoon or two of Binnie's usual low carb food and test in 30 min.

 

[PatinToronto]

OK tnx

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

I want to make an observation and I don't mean to scold.

What you're seeing today has probably occurred in the past. Pre-shot numbers do not tell you much about how low a dose of insulin takes your cat's blood glucose numbers. Binnie is getting a substantial dose of insulin.. If you have been (or the vet has been) making dose adjustments based on the pre-shot numbers, especially with increases of 1.0u, it is very risky. Lantus dosing (well, all insulin dosing) is based on how low the dose takes the numbers. As a result, you need to get spot checks so you know how low numbers are dropping. I'm really glad your got that +4 test.

Most cat's nadir (low point in the cycle) on Lantus is somewhere between +4 and +8. However, this is not always the case and nadirs can and do move around. For example, my cat had an early nadir. Her low point was typically around +3, except when it wasn't.

Since you've decided to follow SLGS, you will want to reduce Binnie's dose to 4.75u.

I'm also linking a post from the Lantus board on how to manage low numbers. It's helpful to bookmark or print out the instructions so you don't have to go digging for the information.

I'd also like to suggest that you consider posting on the Lantus board. There's a great deal of information and expertise there and everyone is using the same type of insulin.

 

[PatinToronto]

Yes, I realize that now. I will continue to monitor his sugar over the day. I have never made spontaneous adjustments without speaking to my vet's office first - although sometimes I think it's the office staff, rather than the vet, directing me.

After a little food and 30 min recheck he's up to 94.

I was on the Lantus site, but it was suggested I post here. I'll go back there. It's all a learning curve.
Thanks.

 

[Marje and Gracie]

I want to make an observation and I don't mean to scold.

What you're seeing today has probably occurred in the past. Pre-shot numbers do not tell you much about how low a dose of insulin takes your cat's blood glucose numbers. Binnie is getting a substantial dose of insulin.. If you have been (or the vet has been) making dose adjustments based on the pre-shot numbers, especially with increases of 1.0u, it is very risky. Lantus dosing (well, all insulin dosing) is based on how low the dose takes the numbers. As a result, you need to get spot checks so you know how low numbers are dropping. I'm really glad your got that +4 test.

Most cat's nadir (low point in the cycle) on Lantus is somewhere between +4 and +8. However, this is not always the case and nadirs can and do move around. For example, my cat had an early nadir. Her low point was typically around +3, except when it wasn't.

Since you've decided to follow SLGS, you will want to reduce Binnie's dose to 4.75u.

I'm also linking a post from the Lantus board on how to manage low numbers. It's helpful to bookmark or print out the instructions so you don't have to go digging for the information.

I'd also like to suggest that you consider posting on the Lantus board. There's a great deal of information and expertise there and everyone is using the same type of insulin.

I’ll raise my hand that I suggested she post on Main Health because she and Binnie are new here. She isn’t new to FD but new to testing and dosing the way we do and new to SLGS (which she has to do as Binnie is still getting some dry food).

I was on the Lantus site, but it was suggested I post here. I'll go back there. It's all a learning curve.

Yes, it is and it isn’t your fault. We do ask that all new members start on Main Health for a bit even if they are used to dealing with FD. Starting on Main Health helps them be sure they understand all the basics on feeding (we recommend feeding more than just twice a day) and also how to use the board as it has its own learning curve . In your case, you don’t need to be in Main Health long but just know that there is more advanced dosing on the Lantus board and we have very different ways of posting.

As has been mentioned, we don’t increase the dose so quickly. The fastest way to get a kitty back into remission (after the boxes on food changes, dental health, etc have been checked to be sure there are no reasons like that), is to not sit on a dose that isn’t working for more than a few days. However, because Binnie is getting even just a tiny bit of dry, you will have to use SLGS. If there is any way you can get him off the dry and give him perhaps a freeze dried low carb treat instead, you could possibly do Tight Regulation where dose increases, although small, can be done more often.

For right now, the more data you can get, the better as it’s possible he is overdosed since the dose was taken up so much each time and relatively quickly based on little to no data (not your fault). Testing enables us to help you determine if the dose is too much and when to decrease it.