Dose and Feeding Change

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Teresa and Poopy

Teresa and Poopy

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Is there a guideline of sorts to follow regarding changing doses? I searched but couldn't find anything, like "if BGs run this or that, do this or that".

With Poopy's numbers staying in the 200's, I'm tempted to bump up his dose, but the 155 BG at +6 yesterday flags me not to jump too soon.

Suggestions or links? :smile:
 
Re: Dose Changes Guidelines?

Unfortunately, there are no hard and fast rules, Teresa. ProZinc is an Every Cat is Different insulin.

But in general, a regulated cat will be somewhere in the 250 range at preshot and in 100s or below at nadir (staying above 40). Using that scale, Poopy is nearing that goal. His preshots are in the 200-300 range but his nadirs haven't fallen below 100 on this dose. You have given him several cycles to react and his numbers are staying in the same range. I think a dose increase is a good idea. We generally suggest .25 and hope you will be around to monitor the first cycle.

Once you get used to making increases and decreases, it becomes much easier. You will notice most of the posters here say they are planning to dose X and just generally want feedback.
 
Re: Dose Changes Guidelines?

Thanks, Sue. Part of me is just wanting to make sure I'm not rushing (marathon versus sprint) but also doing what is right for Poopy. I will be home all day tomorrow (the last day of winter break for me, wahhhhh) and return to work for 3 days before having the weekend off.

Currently I'm giving Poopy 1.2u (using U40 syringes and using the plunger rubber width to guide me since I count 5 plunger rubber widths between unit markings). Do you think 1.4u would be too much? Should I try and half that for 1.3u? I'm also scared about hypo, frankly. nailbite_smile
 
Re: Dose Changes Guidelines?

It's hard with U40 syringes. You can mark the spot where you think it would be with a marker or tape and use that syringe as a guide when you pull up the odd amount.

A raise of .25 would get you to 1.4 so it should be fine, especially if you are around to monitor tomorrow and tonight. Better a change now than when you go back to work. Leaving food out for him once you are not there is a huge help. If he feels himself going low, he can eat and raise his numbers.
 
Re: Dose Changes Guidelines?

Thanks, Sue. :smile: I'll figure out the .4 spot and get it marked on my .2 syringe I have marked. :smile:
 
Re: Dose Changes and food out

Okey dokey. :smile: I'll monitor him tonight and tomorrow since I bumped up his dose to 1.4u.

Out of curiosity, regarding leaving food out during the day when I'm gone...about the +7 marker and beyond, Poopy is asking for more food. He's been consistent in this. While he was so underweight, I didn't feel guilty giving him a teaspoon more after pokey pokes the first week or so but he's really putting on some weight back on so I haven't continued this last week (giving the no carb treats instead when poked).

I feed a 13 oz. can of Special Kitty, twice a day. Poopy eats his fill, then my civvie Mia eats her fill, then Poopy snarfs a bit more - leaving a teaspoon or two leftover. If I put out more, I have no doubt he will eat whatever he can get into his gullet. I know he's getting enough to eat as he is still gaining weight. but won't added food skew his BG numbers?
 
Re: Dose Changes Guidelines?

Is there any way you can spread the.food out? Give the same amount but more than 2x?day. I give a large meal at shot.time and a smaller snack (1/2 size) around +6.

If you're not.around.maybe you can freeze a portion to thaw for.later. (Cass eats it frozen as soon as I put it out but it at least slows him down so his brother.gets some.)
 
Re: Dose Changes Guidelines?

bookw0rm said:
"...but it at least slows him down so his brother.gets some.")
Click to expand...

Cass and Poopy must be related. LOL

I will try the freezing. And I can see it now...Poopy gnawing on it for all he's worth!
 
Re: Dose Changes Guidelines?

This works great for most kitties. A cupcake pan is the exact size of a FF can and makes freezing easy.

Have to admit we tried the freezing for Oliver. He would drag the frozen food puck around the house spending hours gnawing on it, always on the carpet. We were able to spread the feeding out by using an automatic feeder.
 
Re: Dose Changes Guidelines?

Sue and Oliver (GA) said:
He would drag the frozen food puck around the house spending hours gnawing on it....
Click to expand...


OMG! I hadn't thought of that! I can see it now, the remains of the frozen puck, finally thawed, on my side of the bed. Yeck!

I may just slip on home during lunch to put some out. Thankfully, I work nearby...but usually don't take a lunch. Heck, might be a good time to get mid-range readings during the week as well! :idea:

I'll try this while I'm home tomorrow, to be sure civvie Mia is getting her share.
 
I am very uncomfortable with the change in Poopy's PMPS with adding food during the day. Especially if I am going to be trying a third and final time to "convert a vet" by showing Poopy's chart to the vet. Any ideas or suggestions? Could this be a one time thing?
 
Yes, it could be. It's just one number. The rest of the cycles look pretty good and headed in the right direction. Some cats do well with small frequent meals; some don't. Not sure yet if the more frequent feeding might have impacted the number. Maybe find a really low carb food to feed during the day - 1 or 2 % to see if it makes a difference. Any chance he got into high carb?

I noticed on the ss that the tuna has wheat as an ingredient? Have you checked its carb count?

Teresa, you have a logical safe approach to dosing him. Your vet may not be able to see that. You may have to see if you can agree to disagree. Saying that you are going slow with increases (you can plead nerves and fears) shouldn't be threatening to him. At least we can hope not. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable with the plan and that you think it is safe. And if all else fails, he doesn't have the syringe every night and morning. You decide the dose, not him. Set the next visit for a month from now? By then you should have a good handle on this sugar dance.
 
According to Binky's the carb count is 8. I picked up 6 flavors of Sophisticat today (all with lower than 8 and non-seafood) and won't be feeding Poopy the tuna as an ongoing part of his diet (Wal-Mart only carries three flavors from Binky's list in the 13 oz. cans) due to the seafood concerns.

I'll stick with the Sophisticat until the vet visit this coming Saturday (will need more insulin and syringes soon after that, if my math is right). I should then be able to put off going to the vet for a month and will have a better chance at more numbers for the spreadsheet.

And thanks about my thoughts on dosing. Just want to do right by my big guy. He is so much more affectionate and active now. cat_pet_icon

Oh! I meant to add....I moved the cat box upstairs so I could keep a better eye on it and the activities there. Seems Poopy's pee puddles reflect his BG - higher BG, bigger puddle (but no where near the size they were prior to Dx). Also have noticed much smaller feces since the switch to canned food, for both kitties.
 
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