? Devo is staying under 200, usually around 135 (XPost from Main Health Forum)

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ItsMeAngie

ItsMeAngie

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I've been reading various threads today and realize that I'm probably not taking care of Devo appropriately.

I have not been giving insulin to Devo for the past two weeks because I'd read (not in these forums) that shooting when under 200 was a bad idea. Only one morning was he over 200 (223) and I saw that my son had left the kibble bowl out. I decided to not shoot because I wanted to see if he could adjust on his own. He was 130 that night.

This morning was his highest read at 170 and couldn't find evidence of forgotten kibble.

I read in the forums today that it's best to wean a cat off of the insulin - his most recent doses were less than 1.o, usually .5.

I had moved to testing just in the mornings, but will test again tonight. If he's above 100 should I give him .5? I'm really scared of doing so because he went hypo once and it freaked me out. But if he's doing what I've coined a "slow burn" and his numbers need to be lower I'll put my big girl panties on.

(It was suggested I post this here. Note: Just completed Devo's spreadsheet.)

ETA: Devo is eating very well.
 
Hi Angie,

Our normal range for remission, using a human meter, is 2weeks, off insulin, staying between 40-120 with the majority of the time in double digits. So Devo is in nice regulated numbers, but not in remission ranges consistently.

The first question is how often you can test. I'd suggest getting some mid cycle numbers to see how low he goes 5-7 hours after a shot, or if no shot, in the middle of the cycle. Based on those numbers, you can decide what to do. And pick an approach based on your schedule and availability to monitor.

I have definitely seen some cats just gradually drop into remission numbers. But more often, they need a little insulin, strategically given, to get them OTJ and keep them there. Sometimes it means planning to be around for the cycle and shooting under 200, ready to bring up a low number with food. Sometimes people chase the number - testing until he hits your target shot number and giving a tiny dose. We can help you through the process, once you decide what you want to do.
 
I was thinking that he needed a 'boost' to get to more desirable numbers, but wasn't sure what those numbers were.

I can test him again 5-7 hours later now that he lets me test him. I doubt it matters, but I have to test via a paw pad.

Moving him to pate seems to be the biggest affect and now that I've been able to move a very stubborn cat to pate (as of this morning) I suspect his numbers will only get better.

I suspect I need better syringes. The ones I currently have only mark at whole units.

Thanks!
 
Yes, the pate food can drop his numbers. Was he on higher carb or dry before? ( the answer might help you figure out how aggressive to be or not to be).

Lots of people here use 0.5 unit U100 needles and the conversion chart. It lets you dose as little as 0.2 or even 0.1. But the conversion chart is necessary as you are giving U40 insulin with U100 needles. ( I am assuming you are using U40 ProZinc?)

Here is the chart

http://www.felinediabetes.com/insulin-conversions.htm
 
Sue and Oliver (GA) said:
Yes, the pate food can drop his numbers. Was he on higher carb or dry before? ( the answer might help you figure out how aggressive to be or not to be).

Lots of people here use 0.5 unit U100 needles and the conversion chart. It lets you dose as little as 0.2 or even 0.1. But the conversion chart is necessary as you are giving U40 insulin with U100 needles. ( I am assuming you are using U40 ProZinc?)

Here is the chart

http://www.felinediabetes.com/insulin-conversions.htm
Click to expand...

Devo was eating Blue kibble prior to diagnosis. Only soft after, except when he pulled a ninja and found the kibble bowl of the other cats prior to it getting put up.

We lost the two fosters yesterday. They were actually my son's and he decided to give them back to his ex-girlfriend. So while I'm happy they are safe and healthy, I'm devastated. Really loved those two guys.

That said, my plans for testing haven't gone well. But I realized that Devo has been eating even prior to his AMPS. That would make his numbers higher, correct? I was putting out food to last the night and hubs said he saw Devo eating at 5 am this morning. I usually test at 7am.
 
Have not seen the food chart; thank you! He's mostly eating Friskies seafood varieties. Occasionally Turkey & Giblets, but he doesn't care much for it.

Devo's numbers, when I was able to mid-cycle, were pretty darn good (double digits.) He hasn't had insulin since 11/18, and that was less than .5 (having to eyeball it since I don't have better syringes.)

Once a cat starts eating, how long until a test is skewed?
 
We are just guessing that the food increases the levels after 20 minutes or so. It most likely varies per cat, but that is the number we decided on as an average. Double digits at mid cycle are good. Is he between 40 and 120 consistently?

The seafood varieties are among the lowest carb. However, we do suggest not feeding them every day as the mercury content can add up. Maybe the food chart will give you new flavors he might like?
 
His numbers have all been double-digits for the last three days. Now that Bandit, Devo's brother, is eating pate Devo isn't sneaking into the kibble.

I had read the same thing about mercury. We just recently moved to the seafood diet because to entice Bandit, Mariner's catch or some such, that finally worked. Devo will eat other pates, so I'll be adding them back with the hope that Bandit will eat them now that he's eating pate.
 
I've added other Friskies pates back into their diets and Devo's numbers are still doing great. I've been sick so haven't had luck in getting many mid-cycle numbers, but am pretty excited at what I'm seeing.

Spreadsheet is updated.
 
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