Bucky's spreadsheet
- Thread starter Mr.Wheats
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Re: Kitty health question
I'm not sure what you means by, "...what parts of them feel better?"
What we typically see once numbers are better is that pre-diabetes behaviors return. The cat may be more active, play more, etc. -- they do things that you thought were gone from their behavioral repertoire.
Some of the symptoms of diabetes also are resolving. They drink and urinate less. Their appetite is normal -- they aren't ravenous all the time.
I'm not sure what you means by, "...what parts of them feel better?"
What we typically see once numbers are better is that pre-diabetes behaviors return. The cat may be more active, play more, etc. -- they do things that you thought were gone from their behavioral repertoire.
Some of the symptoms of diabetes also are resolving. They drink and urinate less. Their appetite is normal -- they aren't ravenous all the time.
Amy & Papaya (GA)
Member Since 2012
Re: Kitty health question
My cat's blood sugar has been really hard to regulate - lots of ups and downs - but I can tell she's feeling a lot better overall, and that's partly how I gauge whether her dose needs adjusting. Before she was on insulin she was hardly wanting to eat, and she was just lying stretched out with her chin down flat, not very responsive when I petted her. Now she has a great appetite, is responsive and purry when I pet her, and alert to what's going on around her. I know when her blood sugar is in a good range even before I test sometimes because she will be rolling over on her back for tummy rubs or sleeping belly up with her feet propped up on something, which she never does when it's too high. So I'm not sure exactly what "parts" of her feel better, but it has really made an obvious difference in how she's feeling.
Headaches, blurred vision, thirstiness, difficulty concentrating, weakness or tiredness are symptoms of high blood sugar in humans, so I would imagine it could be similar in cats, if they could tell us how they felt. Papaya is definitely more impatient with blood testing on the days when her blood sugar starts off really high, more likely to take a swipe or a nip at me, so she definitely doesn't feel good when it's high.
My cat's blood sugar has been really hard to regulate - lots of ups and downs - but I can tell she's feeling a lot better overall, and that's partly how I gauge whether her dose needs adjusting. Before she was on insulin she was hardly wanting to eat, and she was just lying stretched out with her chin down flat, not very responsive when I petted her. Now she has a great appetite, is responsive and purry when I pet her, and alert to what's going on around her. I know when her blood sugar is in a good range even before I test sometimes because she will be rolling over on her back for tummy rubs or sleeping belly up with her feet propped up on something, which she never does when it's too high. So I'm not sure exactly what "parts" of her feel better, but it has really made an obvious difference in how she's feeling.
Headaches, blurred vision, thirstiness, difficulty concentrating, weakness or tiredness are symptoms of high blood sugar in humans, so I would imagine it could be similar in cats, if they could tell us how they felt. Papaya is definitely more impatient with blood testing on the days when her blood sugar starts off really high, more likely to take a swipe or a nip at me, so she definitely doesn't feel good when it's high.
Wendy&Tiggy(GA)
Member Since 2011
Re: Kitty health question
Hows he doing? Do you have any readings to share?
Wendy
Hows he doing? Do you have any readings to share?
Wendy
From the data you have, Bucky looks good. I do have a few suggestions. Please, read the Tight Regulation Protocol sticky. You've missed dose reductions. In fact, when you should have decreased, you increased. Numbers that are below 50 warrant a reduction in dose.
Lantus dosing is NOT based on the pre-shot numbers. Rather, it is based on the nadir (i.e., the lowest point in the cycle). As such, you need to get more spot checks if not during both cycles, then when you're not working. Times when you're home, before bed, when you get home, before you leave, weekends, holidays, etc. are times when you need to get more data.
Lantus works best if your dosing is consistent. I don't understand why you are making frequent adjustments to Bucky's PM dose.
If your goal is remission, I would like to encourage you to stick with the instructions in the TR Protocol. It will mean getting spot checks but I suspect you will have a much clearer idea of what is going on with Bucky's numbers.
Lantus dosing is NOT based on the pre-shot numbers. Rather, it is based on the nadir (i.e., the lowest point in the cycle). As such, you need to get more spot checks if not during both cycles, then when you're not working. Times when you're home, before bed, when you get home, before you leave, weekends, holidays, etc. are times when you need to get more data.
Lantus works best if your dosing is consistent. I don't understand why you are making frequent adjustments to Bucky's PM dose.
If your goal is remission, I would like to encourage you to stick with the instructions in the TR Protocol. It will mean getting spot checks but I suspect you will have a much clearer idea of what is going on with Bucky's numbers.
Mr.Wheats
Member Since 2010
Thank you. I have been listening to someone who has dealt with many
cats on lantus and helped them to remission but some things he says I question. My vet told me to give him 2 units 2x daily after I had shown him on my spread sheet that 1.5 was putting him in the low range so I didn't know if I could trust his word. That's why I'm on here looking for input. I feel like Bucky is hopefully getting close to remission. I appreciate any help you all can give. Thanks!!
cats on lantus and helped them to remission but some things he says I question. My vet told me to give him 2 units 2x daily after I had shown him on my spread sheet that 1.5 was putting him in the low range so I didn't know if I could trust his word. That's why I'm on here looking for input. I feel like Bucky is hopefully getting close to remission. I appreciate any help you all can give. Thanks!!
If the person who is advising you charges for that advice, I think I know to whom you are referring. I think you will get better advice here. We've help hundreds of cats to remission.
Since you've missed dose reductions, I would drop the dose to either 0.5u or what we term either a skinny 0.75 or a fat 0.5u -- a dose that's in between 0.5 and 0.75u. However, please get PM tests and spot checks.
I really need to see the numbers. I'm very uncomfortable providing any feedback about dose without more spot checks in order to know where Bucky's numbers are at nadir.
John --
Let me see if I can round someone up to give you a hand with the SS. Having it set up as a Google document that's in your signature will make life much easier.
Let me see if I can round someone up to give you a hand with the SS. Having it set up as a Google document that's in your signature will make life much easier.
Hi John
Welcome to Lantus Land.....home for tons of great info about managing FD with Lantus or Levemir using the TR Protocol. Also home to a community of very caring and devoted members who will help you and Bucky in your journey.
Sienne asked me to help you with your SS but I'm a West Coaster just starting the day and it looks like you have it all sorted out. great job!
Lets see how Bucky does today. I saw you just reduced him to .5u last night and he gave you a 43 this morning. The TR protocol has us reducing when a newly diagnosed kitty goes below 50. However, because of the cumulative nature of Lantus as a depot insulin, a higher dose can affect six subsequent cycles. Therefore, you don't want to give too many reductions too close together. The numbers you saw last night and today could still be from the .75u dose.
I would recommend you continue to test until you see him staying up without food. It would also be helpful if you got a +11 test and posted for help so we can see if we still think its depot or if he needs a reduction.
Glad you found us! You're doing great with him.
Welcome to Lantus Land.....home for tons of great info about managing FD with Lantus or Levemir using the TR Protocol. Also home to a community of very caring and devoted members who will help you and Bucky in your journey.
Sienne asked me to help you with your SS but I'm a West Coaster just starting the day and it looks like you have it all sorted out. great job!
Lets see how Bucky does today. I saw you just reduced him to .5u last night and he gave you a 43 this morning. The TR protocol has us reducing when a newly diagnosed kitty goes below 50. However, because of the cumulative nature of Lantus as a depot insulin, a higher dose can affect six subsequent cycles. Therefore, you don't want to give too many reductions too close together. The numbers you saw last night and today could still be from the .75u dose.
I would recommend you continue to test until you see him staying up without food. It would also be helpful if you got a +11 test and posted for help so we can see if we still think its depot or if he needs a reduction.
Glad you found us! You're doing great with him.
Wendy&Tiggy(GA)
Member Since 2011
Sorry nobody responded in time. We dont recommend preloading syringes because the insulin reacts to the syringe lubricant. One off wont kill him but i wouldnt do it long term.
Good luck on the 0.5.. another drop under 50 and its down to 0.25!
Wendy
Good luck on the 0.5.. another drop under 50 and its down to 0.25!
Wendy
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