Calley is throwing up

[Kris10mo]

Ok. I think I have figured out that I am now giving too much insulin. Since I have been rolling the bottle and she is actually getting well mixed insulin, I don't think she needs 8 units. She has been projectile vomiting around four hours after each injection. I do not know her BG levels as I do not have supplies to test at home. I will be going to Walmart today to see if I can afford to buy home supplies.

I will call the vet tomorrow to see what to do. Should I be starting over a one unit/2x daily to see what level keeps her regulated or should I just gradually reduce the amount I am giving her? I gave her 5 units this morning and she still vomited.

I know this is just a guessing game without testing her....but I'm hoping for any sort of information will help me to know how much to give Calley until I talk to the Vet tomorrow.

Besides the vomiting....she seems fine. Still eating, still drinking, still more alert, still using the box.

I see the light at the end of the tunnel....as long as we get the insulin numbers solved.

Kristin and Calley

 

[MollynSkooter]

Unfortunately I am too new myself to give advice on dosing, but I will say in the long run the home testing will be more cost effective....

I spent about $75 initially for home testing stuff...the machine was about $15, I got the 100 pack of test strips for $36, lancets about $4..then got the walmart neosporian with pain med, pair of socks and rice...

With all the other costs recently incurred with this new diagnosis, I didnt think I could do it. The vet office charges $22 per test, so the home testing for me ended up paying for itself within a few days and the stress it has saved him is priceless.

I got the ReliOn micro bc it takes less blood...I think the test strips are a little bit more, but well worth it when comparing the amount of blood needed.

Wishing you the best of luck and if you find a way to get the home testing stuff...know that it will more than pay for itself sooner than you think...

 

[SweetAngel]

Kristen, is there any way you can talk to a 24 hour vet and ask for advice? I've put the 911 icon by my post hoping someone on this board can advise you too, as I don't have the experience.

But 8 units seems a lot, and interesting she is throwing up at what would be her lowest bg level. Wish I could be of more help x

 

[BJM]

Humulin is very harsh and only works for 6-8 hours per dose in the cat. How about cutting it down to 1-2 units and testing for urine ketones.

And I would drop the dose considerably until you are home testing and checking for urine ketones.

 

[Kris10mo]

Is it safe to reduce the amount of insulin that dramatically? Would it make Calley sick?

Will her begging for food constantly slow down/stop once her diabetes is regulated? Is that a sign she is feeling better?

She is not drinking near what she was and is only peeing maybe twice/day now.

I just gave her her evening dose and I cut it back to 4 units. I will watch her carefully at around the 4 hour mark.

We will go see the vet tomorrow for more instructions.

Thanks
Kristin and Calley

 

[BJM]

1) You're saying she is vomiting.
2) She is on a very high dose.
3) You are not testing her at home.
4) She is already sick.

The vomiting could be signs of hypoglycemia, or excessively low blood sugar. Hypoglycemia can kill quickly. Compensatory hormones will kick in to release stored glycogen which is converted to glucose ... but at some point, you use up the stored glycogen, and then she can't compensate ... and could die.

It is really important to find some ways to test her glucose and ketone levels. Urine test strips - KetoStix (ketones only) or KetoDiaStix (both ketones and glucose) - will show if there are ketones in the urine since the previous void. Ketones form when fat is broken down for calories because the insulin is insufficient. Too many may indicate diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) a potentially fatal, expensive to treat complication of diabetes.

We say "better too high for a day than too low for a moment."