Diane Tyler's Mom GA
Member Since 2018
By the way Wenchie such a beautiful girl, you will do fine once you get the hang of it
Dosing Advice Needed asap please!
- Thread starter Diane Engoron
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Diane Tyler's Mom GA
Member Since 2018
Don't mean to get off the subject congratulations on the baby and Buzzy sure is a handsome boy, he looks big, just like my Tyler
Diane Engoron
Member Since 2020
Good morning everyone - I want to apologize for being so frustrated last night. Once 7pm rolls around, I'm so exhausted. I'm training for the NYC Marathon to run for an animal charity as well as taking care of 4 other cats, two of which are disabled so by nightfall, I'm tired, frustrated and just want to go to bed. Honestly, I'm really not a whiny person!
Wenchie did well last night after +2 testing - she was at 115. This morning, she was at 201 pre-shot, which I feel is some progress. What worries me is her vomiting. She vomited at 5am. She can't afford to toss up any food. She was vomiting more often and now it's like every day and a half to 2 days. Any suggestions what I can do to help her with this?
I will do a retest around +2 or +3 to see what's going on with the insulin.
Wenchie did well last night after +2 testing - she was at 115. This morning, she was at 201 pre-shot, which I feel is some progress. What worries me is her vomiting. She vomited at 5am. She can't afford to toss up any food. She was vomiting more often and now it's like every day and a half to 2 days. Any suggestions what I can do to help her with this?
I will do a retest around +2 or +3 to see what's going on with the insulin.
toomanycats
Member Since 2020
When you say 5:30am, is that before or after eating while taking her insulin?
Vomiting can definitely wonk w/ numbers. Someone more advanced with it will have to give advice. My former diabetic foster became a puker and he puked alllllllllllllllllllll the time. Fortunately, he went into remission, so we didn't have to worry about insulin anymore. We put him on a twice daily antiacid, he also was on bp medication, and I had a whole routine for his vomiting episodes (we're talking non-stop for hours) that involved withholding food til it stopped, slowly reintroducing food, and Cerenia at the worst of it. We did also have to change his diet, which seemed to help for brief periods of time, but the vomiting always started back up.
Vomiting can definitely wonk w/ numbers. Someone more advanced with it will have to give advice. My former diabetic foster became a puker and he puked alllllllllllllllllllll the time. Fortunately, he went into remission, so we didn't have to worry about insulin anymore. We put him on a twice daily antiacid, he also was on bp medication, and I had a whole routine for his vomiting episodes (we're talking non-stop for hours) that involved withholding food til it stopped, slowly reintroducing food, and Cerenia at the worst of it. We did also have to change his diet, which seemed to help for brief periods of time, but the vomiting always started back up.
Diane Engoron
Member Since 2020
It’s before insulin and before eating. My husband takes the food away somewhere between 3 and 4 am (he’s not a good sleeper) and the pattern of vomiting is early morning, before testing, feeding and shot. It’s very strange as she doesn’t vomit all day long. It always seems like it’s around this same time wHen she does (now every 2 days approximately).
Wow - your poor baby! I can’t imagine that kind of vomiting.
I have thought about cerenia many times.
I am retesting her at +3 to see where she is on her 1/4 unit of lantus. I was really happy with this morning’s number. What a difference a good night of sleep makes!
Have a wonderful day and thanks for your reply!!!
Diane Engoron
Member Since 2020
Just retested at +3 and it read 66, which is low. Gave her a teaspoon of FF Beef Feast with gravy. Her AMPS was 201 and she had 1/4 unit of Lantus, which now my husband and I think should be cut down with another similar reading. I will retest this afternoon, most likely at +7 or +8. Sheesh - this is so unpredicatable!!!
Diane Engoron
Member Since 2020
Retested at +4 - 32!!!! Karo and FF Beef Feast with Gravy (high carb). Can you imagine if we followed the vet's protocol and gave her 1/2 unit of Lantus! This is happening on 1/4 unit!
We have to run out to drop off the car but coming straight back home to be with her and retest at a little more than +5
We have to run out to drop off the car but coming straight back home to be with her and retest at a little more than +5
Amy and Socks
Member Since 2019
32?! Have you retested yet? How's your kitty doing?
Diane Tyler's Mom GA
Member Since 2018
Thank God you tested him when you did, good job with the HC and Karo
Please let us know
Diane Engoron
Member Since 2020
I know!!!! I retested at +7 and she is at 122. Now I realize just how important it is to retest when we get a low number. And thankfully I'm not following the Vet's protocol of 1/2 unit twice a day - could you imagine if I gave her 1/2 unit this morning????
Diane Engoron
Member Since 2020
I keep two bottles of Karo and a ton of carb canned & dry food in the house. She's back up now. It will be interesting at PMPS to see what's what.
Is it anyway possible that she could finally be making her own insulin? My husband asked me that and I don't know the answer. I'm just happy we're home with her and can watch her.
This disease sucks!!!!
Deb & Wink
Member Since 2013
No apologies needed here. Ever. Sheesh, you were simply trying to help your Wenchie. We all understood.
Or not home testing.
FYI for NEXT TIME
Change the title on your post when you get low numbers like that 32!!!! Late to do that now.
Do you know how to do that?
Put the 32 BG reading in your post, put the 911 prefix on your post and scream for help. Just like calling 911 for your local emergency services.
Don't need to do that now. But looking at the titles of posts helps us to prioritize who needs help faster.
Yup, we could imagine what would happen if you were giving the vet recommended dose.
Or not home testing.
FYI for NEXT TIME
Change the title on your post when you get low numbers like that 32!!!! Late to do that now.
Do you know how to do that?
Put the 32 BG reading in your post, put the 911 prefix on your post and scream for help. Just like calling 911 for your local emergency services.
Don't need to do that now. But looking at the titles of posts helps us to prioritize who needs help faster.
JL and Chip
Member Since 2009
Are you still using an AlphaTrak meter? The 32 is even more worrisome if so.
What syringes are you using?
Please keep monitoring. Karo wears off quickly.
What syringes are you using?
Please keep monitoring. Karo wears off quickly.
Diane Engoron
Member Since 2020
Will do! I’m being optimistic when I say I hope I will never have to post this again! Thank you!
Deb & Wink
Member Since 2013
Is she keeping the food down?
Diane Engoron
Member Since 2020
Yes still using the Alphatrak. And I’m still monitoring. Just on my iPad right now as my husband is on the desktop. She’s absolutely fine. Eating, purring, sitting on my lap. Very scary but thankful I knew what to do right away.
i am using BD Insulin Syringes, 31 gauge, 6mm length.
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Diane Engoron
Member Since 2020
Yes. She threw up a little liquid about 5 am/5:30 am. But typically she does not vomit during the day at all. Always early in the morning.
Diane Tyler's Mom GA
Member Since 2018
Yes it would be interesting to see what tonight brings, only a suggestion you might want to change your signature to read that you are giving 0.25 of lantus twice a day, only if you want to so members can take a quick look at it
Diane Engoron
Member Since 2020
Gotcha! Will do!
toomanycats
Member Since 2020
Oh gosh I'm sorry I wasn't following this closer, although you're in some good hands here of course. So glad you caught it testing! It can get kinda addictive, to be honest.
Diane Engoron
Member Since 2020
No problem! Thankfully we're OK. But things can change in a blink of an eye!!
JL and Chip
Member Since 2009
A half unit is a very reasonable starting dose, but I too had a diabetic who was very sensitive to insulin and would show large drops in BG on very small doses. That’s why it’s so important to home test. Kudos for educating yourself and knowing exactly what to do when the BG went so low.
Has anyone asked or verified that you’re drawing insulin to the correct spot on the syringe? I mention that only out of an abundance of caution as we’ve had members inadvertently give 2.5 units rather than 0.25 by misinterpreting the syringe markings. It should be just barely past the very first line (zero line) on the syringe.
Has anyone asked or verified that you’re drawing insulin to the correct spot on the syringe? I mention that only out of an abundance of caution as we’ve had members inadvertently give 2.5 units rather than 0.25 by misinterpreting the syringe markings. It should be just barely past the very first line (zero line) on the syringe.
Diane Engoron
Member Since 2020
Thanks for your response - I had a tutorial at my vet and I was adamant at making sure I was measuring correctly. When I draw the insulin, I then have my husband check the syringe before shooting. It's so nerve wracking!
Julia & Bandit (GA)
Member Since 2009
This is a great point, it's a bit uncommon (but not unheard of) for a cat to drop that low on .25 units of Lantus. With that 33 on the Alphatrak, I would lower the dose to .1 units if you were shooting a true .25 units. Here's a couple pictures of what .25 and .1 units look like. They're very small!
Don't get freaked out if Wenchies BG is high tonight. Often times you'll see high numbers a cycle or two after a hypoglycemic incident.
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Diane Engoron
Member Since 2020
Thank you for this pic! Now I know I’m right on target.
Her BG was 282 tonight so we shot a .10. I am thinking she is extremely sensitive to Lantus or the drug just works really well.
I will be retesting tonight just to double check.
Julia & Bandit (GA)
Member Since 2009
Exactly what I would do! With Lantus, it's great to get at least 1 mid-cycle test, but perhaps one or two more if you're able. We do the preshots to make sure it's safe to give insulin, but the mid-cycle numbers really tell us how the insulin is working to lower her blood sugar. It's very hard to find the right dose with Lantus without a daily mid-cycle test(s).
I would hold the .1 units for 3 days (as long as she doesn't drop too low again) and see what happens! It's very possible some of those high preshot numbers you've been seeing the past few weeks are because she was dropping too low mid-cycle (because we generally see high numbers after a cat drops low).
This is great news--it's very possible she's going into remission quickly. Some cats do that after a diet change and/or a cleared infection and don't need insulin long.
I see that you're feeding the YA dry in addition to the canned food--just a word of caution, the YA dry can cause BG spikes in some diabetic cats. The starch used to bind the food is low carb, but not low glycemic, and some cats are sensitive to that more than the carb content. I could feed Bandit a lower glycemic canned food with 8-10% carbs with no affect on his BG, but his BG would spike after a handful of the YA zero. Just want to mention that in case you see some wonkiness in numbers after the .1 unit dose settles--if that happens, I would pull all the dry and see what happens before you raise the dose back up.
Good luck!
Diane Engoron
Member Since 2020
Wow - thank you for your detailed response!!! It's funny, when I got the samples of YA, she went nuts. Now, I put it down next to her wet food and she doesn't touch it much. We're pulling it from her diet for at least the next week to see if it makes a difference. My other cats love it - which is good because I bought a 25 pound bag! Live and learn. The good thing is she LOVES all the wet food. I bought just about every FF pate brand (only one seafood and she gets that on Sunday mornings only) plus some Purina One and Pro Plan. I'm hoping that this radical change in diet is starting to kick in. My husband even said I wonder if she's starting to make her own insulin. Time will tell. I'm retesting her at +2 (in 45 minutes). She's acting normally right now - she opened one of the cabinets and is sitting on my dish towels, which she always used to do. I take that as a good sign.
I will definitely hold her to the .1 unit for at least 3 days depending on her BG number. I'm thankful I found this group because I really don't feel like my Vet knows enough about this disease. I like her but, like anything else, always do your own research. I guarantee if I hadn't found this group we would have lost her by now.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!!
Diane Engoron
Member Since 2020
As you said, she did have a bounce tonight - 387 at +2. She was really feisty and didn't want to be tested but we won this battle. She seems like she's feeling good tonight and happily eating her FF. I will be really interested in tomorrow morning's number.
I'm off to bed - night night! Thank you for all your help!!!
Diane Tyler's Mom GA
Member Since 2018
Hi Diane from one Diane to another, that's exactly what Tyler is on 0.10 units
Can't wait to see how you girl does on that dose
Diane Engoron
Member Since 2020
Me too. I think that's exactly enough for her. Just tested her and we did see a bounce from today's hypo event but she's feeling good and feisty, happily eating her FF. I can go to bed feeling somewhat relieved.
Thank you for checking in!!!! You guys are all so incredible! Night night!
Diane Tyler's Mom GA
Member Since 2018
You are doing great, and so cute she opened one of the cabinets and sitting on the dish towels, she's such a beautiful cat, sleep well
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