Chloe2

Status
Not open for further replies.
srk4cats

srk4cats

Member Since 2017
Just tested at 366. Forgot to put the Prozinc back in the fridge this morning. It's almost used up anyway. Should I just start a new one? Oh yeah, I wanted to mention how Chico loves to play with the syringe caps (from the top). Do any of your cats like playing with them?
 
I think it might be a good idea to try the new bottle. Prozinc can survive being left out a bit, but you mentioned the bottle was a bit old anyway, right? As long as you have the new one might be a good time to switch. Just make sure you clearly label which one is which so you don't get them mixed up in the fridge.

And yes, my other cat loves batting them around. If I don't toss them right away, they're on the floor getting batted around before I get back from giving Sam his shot.
 
Actually not a bad time to switch so you can monitor when starting the new bottle. Sometimes new bottles are a bit more potent. You could put that older bottle back in the fridge and just hang on to it in case something happens and the new bottle breaks...then you'll still have some even if it's a bit older and less potent while waiting for a new one.
 
Glad to see that pre-shot was a little lower this evening! Can you remind me....are you using u40, or u100 syringes?
 
Make sure you put a note on your spreadsheet if you change to a new vial of ProZinc. That way you can see if the fresher insulin has an effect on BG.
 
Are you going to be around today to get some mid-cycle tests? It would be really helpful to see what's going on during the day today to determine if the dose needs to change again. You did a great job with that on 4/1/17!
 
Djamila said:
Are you going to be around today to get some mid-cycle tests? It would be really helpful to see what's going on during the day today to determine if the dose needs to change again. You did a great job with that on 4/1/17!
Click to expand...
No, I have to go to a conference. I'll do it tomorrow. Besides, I just started a new bottle. I'd forgotten to put the old one in the fridge several times, the latest being yesterday.
 
srk3cats said:
No, I have to go to a conference. I'll do it tomorrow. Besides, I just started a new bottle. I'd forgotten to put the old one in the fridge several times, the latest being yesterday.
Click to expand...

If there are any extra tests you can get this afternoon or this evening, it would really be helpful. As well as getting the tests tomorrow. Having the pre-shot tests is really important to keeping Chloe safe, but it's the mid-cycles that help us know if her dose needs to go up or down.
 
Nice job with the mid-cycle test! Plus a 255 at +8 indicates a really nice response to the insulin, so that's great!
 
Your evening pre-shot numbers are looking really good right now. There are only two recent mid-cycles, so it's hard to know for sure, but I think it would be good to raise the dose to 1.25u since you said you'll be able to get in a few mid-cycle tests tomorrow. What do you think? Ready to try the next step?
 
Djamila said:
Your evening pre-shot numbers are looking really good right now. There are only two recent mid-cycles, so it's hard to know for sure, but I think it would be good to raise the dose to 1.25u since you said you'll be able to get in a few mid-cycle tests tomorrow. What do you think? Ready to try the next step?
Click to expand...
Yes, I agree her dosage should be raised. She hasn't been in the blue for a long time. What damage happens when numbers are overly high for too long? Doesn't it damage her pancreas?
 
When the numbers are high for too long, cats will start to experience neuropathy - when that happens they will have difficulty walking and lose strength particularly in their back legs. They will also lose a lot of weight, drink and pee excessively. And yes, the pancreas will struggle to recover the longer they are unregulated. Cats can also experience DKA which can be deadly if not treated right away.

So yes, it's important that we keep working to find a dose for Chloe that is both safe, and that will start to bring her numbers down into a healthier range. However, the increases need to be careful because sometimes it takes a few cycles for the cat to start responding to the new dose, so if increases are too large or to fast, you can end up missing a good dose and end up giving too much insulin. And as you've seen, that can result in hypo numbers which can also be very dangerous.

It's a tricky dance to find the right dose, and even once it's found, it will still move around from time to time. That's why monitoring with the tests is so important. You're doing a great job with the pre-shot tests, and as you're able to start adding in those mid-cycles are you have the past couple of days, it will really help.

So in the morning, assuming Chloe is above 200, go ahead and give 1.25u, and then aim to get tests every 2-3 hours until the evening pre-shot test. I'm so glad you'll be able to monitor tomorrow, those numbers will help a lot.
 
Djamila said:
When the numbers are high for too long, cats will start to experience neuropathy - when that happens they will have difficulty walking and lose strength particularly in their back legs. They will also lose a lot of weight, drink and pee excessively. And yes, the pancreas will struggle to recover the longer they are unregulated. Cats can also experience DKA which can be deadly if not treated right away.

So yes, it's important that we keep working to find a dose for Chloe that is both safe, and that will start to bring her numbers down into a healthier range. However, the increases need to be careful because sometimes it takes a few cycles for the cat to start responding to the new dose, so if increases are too large or to fast, you can end up missing a good dose and end up giving too much insulin. And as you've seen, that can result in hypo numbers which can also be very dangerous.

It's a tricky dance to find the right dose, and even once it's found, it will still move around from time to time. That's why monitoring with the tests is so important. You're doing a great job with the pre-shot tests, and as you're able to start adding in those mid-cycles are you have the past couple of days, it will really help.

So in the morning, assuming Chloe is above 200, go ahead and give 1.25u, and then aim to get tests every 2-3 hours until the evening pre-shot test. I'm so glad you'll be able to monitor tomorrow, those numbers will help a lot.
Click to expand...
Isn't 1.25 the same as a fat one?
 
Well, that depends on how fat your 1u has been. Generally a fat or skinny is just on one side or other of the line, but still touching the line. It's only like a drop of insulin different.

A 1.25, you would look at the space between the 1 and 2, and then eyeball about 1/4 of the way down into that space. So there would be a tiny bit of room between the plunger and the line for the 1.

When you listed 1u on your spreadsheet, were you giving a fat 1u?
 
Djamila said:
Well, that depends on how fat your 1u has been. Generally a fat or skinny is just on one side or other of the line, but still touching the line. It's only like a drop of insulin different.

A 1.25, you would look at the space between the 1 and 2, and then eyeball about 1/4 of the way down into that space. So there would be a tiny bit of room between the plunger and the line for the 1.

When you listed 1u on your spreadsheet, were you giving a fat 1u?
Click to expand...
No, it was right on the line.
 
Djamila said:
I'm really looking forward to seeing what this dose does for Chloe today, and how low she gets during the cycle!
Click to expand...
Just did the +3 and she had 302. Going down. Let's see what the 1:00 test is. That would be her nadir, right?
 
We aren't really sure when her nadir is yet. Most cats hit nadir sometime between +5 and +7, but some hit earlier or later. If you could get a +5 and a +7 that would help to figure it out.

How is the testing going? Are you feeling good about it? Is Chloe doing alright? Ears bleeding well?
 
Djamila said:
We aren't really sure when her nadir is yet. Most cats hit nadir sometime between +5 and +7, but some hit earlier or later. If you could get a +5 and a +7 that would help to figure it out.

How is the testing going? Are you feeling good about it? Is Chloe doing alright? Ears bleeding well?
Click to expand...
The testing is much easier now. I usually get it on the first try. The warm rice sock helps. It even makes her purr.
 
Rachel said:
BEAUTIFUL!
Click to expand...
I think you spoke too soon. She's back at 296. I left some food out and I'm sure she grazed a bit, but why is there such a variance? I will stay at 1.25 for a couple more cycles, but I think her dose should be 1.5.
 
Whenever a cat's BG goes lower than they are used to, their body will release stored glucose into the blood stream. I would guess that, since you just raised the dose, the 157 may be lower than Chloe has seen in awhile. So the 296 is a pretty normal response. And she will likely give you an icky number for your PMPS, so don't be surprised.

This is what we call bouncing, and it's totally normal. If you go back to your old thread, there are a couple posts that explain more about bounces.

This is why when we raise the dose, it's so important to monitor (so you can see that low number), and also why it's so important to hold the dose steady for a while.

Chloe will need a few cycles at this dose to balance out, and then yes, you will likely need to raise it again. But it's really important to do that slowly (usually about every six cycles), and again, only during days when you can monitor. Since you can't monitor during the week, you have to hold the dose a little longer than that.
 
srk3cats said:
445. Chloe's SS has a smile. Isn't that how it should be?
Click to expand...
Yes, that's the correct shape. The goal is to slowly increase the dose so that the whole smile shape shifts downward into lower numbers. That includes the pre shots and the nadir. That's why it's so important to get these extra tests in on days off. That's the only way to be able to judge how well the dose is working.
 
Yup, that's how it should be.

So this smile shows us that she's reacting well to the insulin. It will just take some time to find the dose that will start to bring the whole smile lower, and into safer numbers. Good job today.

So for now, hold the dose and give her some time to adjust to this. Sometimes cats will get an even better reaction a few days into a dose, so keep getting mid-cycle numbers whenever you can.

You're a teacher, aren't you? Are you on spring break this week? or did you already have it?
 
Djamila said:
Yup, that's how it should be.

So this smile shows us that she's reacting well to the insulin. It will just take some time to find the dose that will start to bring the whole smile lower, and into safer numbers. Good job today.

So for now, hold the dose and give her some time to adjust to this. Sometimes cats will get an even better reaction a few days into a dose, so keep getting mid-cycle numbers whenever you can.

You're a teacher, aren't you? Are you on spring break this week? or did you already have it?
Click to expand...
I have tomorrow off and also Friday. Friday would be a good day to increase the dose to 1.5.
 
As of now, that seems like a good plan. Please do try to get tests when you can during the week so that you can be sure the increase on Friday is the best idea. A lot can change in a week.

I'll be gone hiking all week, but there are lots of other great people here who can give you advice as the week goes. Have a great week!
 
Djamila said:
As of now, that seems like a good plan. Please do try to get tests when you can during the week so that you can be sure the increase on Friday is the best idea. A lot can change in a week.

I'll be gone hiking all week, but there are lots of other great people here who can give you advice as the week goes. Have a great week!
Click to expand...
Have a good time hiking and thanks for all your help.
Roberta
 
Definitely keep posting here and one of us will jump in and help you out when you need some advice or support. Getting in as many test you can between shots will show how she's adjusting to the dose. Can never have too much data on your spreadsheet!
 
So you're off today? It would be great if you could get a mid cycle number today as well and then continue to get what you can throughout the week before Friday. :)
 
DAMNDAMNDAMN!!!!! I went to my pottery class and lost track of time. Didn't get home until after 8 pm and realized I'd forgotten my purse at the studio. So no shot for Chloe tonight and no food. I'm afraid to do her blood test, so I'll just wait until tomorrow.
omg. my professor just called and said he found it. whew. Uh oh- Chloe is on the arm of my chair. I feel so guilty. Should I feed her?
 
Why aren't you feeding her? You can skip the shot but still feed her. She'll be a bit higher for her next test but that's expected.
 
srk3cats said:
So no shot for Chloe tonight and no food. I'm afraid to do her blood test, so I'll just wait until tomorrow.
Uh oh- Chloe is on the arm of my chair. I feel so guilty. Should I feed her?
Click to expand...
I'm imagining what would happen if I didn't feed Frank. 1, he would sing the song of his people alllllll night or 2. He would eat me in my sleep.
Please feed Chloe, so she doesn't nibble on your face when you're sleeping. ;)
 
Frank's Mom said:
I'm imagining what would happen if I didn't feed Frank. 1, he would sing the song of his people alllllll night or 2. He would eat me in my sleep.
Please feed Chloe, so she doesn't nibble on your face when you're sleeping. ;)
Click to expand...
I fed her. Her appetite doesn't seem so good, but maybe it's because I ran out of Fancy Feast.
 
srk3cats said:
I fed her. Her appetite doesn't seem so good, but maybe it's because I ran out of Fancy Feast.
Click to expand...
204 is a great preshot with food and no shot. Did she eat the whole 3oz listed on the spreadsheet? If not maybe note how much she ate and what kind. Sometimes a sudden change of food can upset their belly. Did she eat any this morning?
 
I would leave food out for her if you're not going to be home so she doesn't go too low. Are you able to get a test in today or not?
 
StephG said:
I would leave food out for her if you're not going to be home so she doesn't go too low. Are you able to get a test in today or not?
Click to expand...
She did eat breakfast, but when I got home a half hour ago, she tested at 30. She refused to eat that sardine wet food even with bonito flakes on top. Then I gave her the Nutro soft loaf duck and she dug in. I also put honey on her gums. I will test again in a few minutes.
 
srk3cats said:
She did eat breakfast, but when I got home a half hour ago, she tested at 30. She refused to eat that sardine wet food even with bonito flakes on top. Then I gave her the Nutro soft loaf duck and she dug in. I also put honey on her gums. I will test again in a few minutes.
Click to expand...
woah.
You did good with the honey. Test in 20 minutes to see if she's going up.
Do you have high carb gravy type food? Or high carb anything? She needs a small bite like a teaspoon of it to help bring up her numbers. 30 is very low and honey will help her spike for a few minutes but it doesn't last too long.
 
No shot tonight. And I suggest reducing in the morning. She will most likely bounce but she will be sensitive to the insulin after this hypo.
Please post her numbers once you test again. I'll be here waiting to see what they are. Please give High carb food you can mix some honey in food if you don't have high carb. At this point feed her what she will eat.
If she's not eating keep going with the honey. If you can't get her numbers going up soon she might need to go to the ER vet.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top