Dehydration = high BGs?

[Nancy&Pepper (GA)]

I've been giving Pepper SubQ fluids twice a week and I ran out of the fluids just as my sister came to visit from out of town about a week and a half ago. In the meantime, I was advised by my vet to increase Pepper's dose, but his BGs actually seemed to go up. I finally got some more fluids yesterday and gave it to him this morning. I was wondering if dehydration is a possible explanation for the BG numbers?

 

[BJM]

I can think of a way it would. If you have the same amount of glucose in a smaller volume of liquid, the concentration would be higher.

 

[Blue]

Giving fluids can result in lower BG, so I would imagine that if you stop the fluids, you may see higher BG numbers.

 

[Elizabeth and Bertie]

Hello Nancy,

(((Hugs))) to you. Sounds like things are (to say the least) challenging for you at the moment. I've not done SubQ's myself but have heard from others' experience that this is a pretty tough call. You must be really dedicated to your kitty to be doing this. Bless you, for that!

Yes, absolutely makes sense that an element of dehydration would result in higher BG's.

I do hope things resolve soon.

Big hug to you from the UK,

Elizabeth x

 

[Nancy&Pepper (GA)]

Thanks, everybody. I'm hoping that Pepper's BGs go down now that I've started fluids. It's so helpful to be able to post questions and get feedback. Thanks.

 

[Carl & Polly & Bob (GA)]

I gave a lot of sub-q fluids to Bob while he was on insulin and afterwards. I saw a reduction in his numbers in the cycle or two after fluids had been given. I would think that dehydration would cause an increase in BGs. It was obvious when Bob was "dry" that he felt discomfort or pain, and that can raise numbers.

Carl

 

[Nancy&Pepper (GA)]

What did you base your dosing on? The cycles when he's lower because he had fluids recently, or the cycles when he's higher because he hasn't had fluids for a while?

 

[Carl & Polly & Bob (GA)]

I didn't use lantus, but rather pzi, so this wouldn't apply for you. I took his numbers at face value, and dosed on a scale depending on what his preshot number was. As I said, that won't work with Lantus. Lantus requires consistency of dosage based on nadir numbers. I adjusted dose almost every shot.
Sorry, that doesn't really help you, does it?
Carl

 

[Nancy&Pepper (GA)]

I'm new to Lantus and still learning, so I was curious about that. Thanks anyway.

 

[BJM]

What did you base your dosing on? The cycles when he's lower because he had fluids recently, or the cycles when he's higher because he hasn't had fluids for a while?

Given the current spreadsheet, the lows are still way above 200; as long as his appetite and drinking stable, I'd continue with the 1.5 units.

Also, please go to the Lantus forum and read the Tight Regulation protocol carefully. Share it with you vet, too. With the nadir values you are getting, it can be safe to increase the dose following the protocol guidelines. The concern is that high glucose levels may lead to ketoacidosis, an expensive condition to treat, requiring inpatient care.