Downloaded the spreadsheet but how does it work?
- Thread starter MamaP
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C
Carl & Polly & Bob (GA)
http://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=18207
Those are the instructions stickied in the Tech forum.
Once you have it set up on googledocs, you should be able to just go into it, update it as needed, and if it is saved correctly, those updates will be available to view for any of us who click on the link in your signature.
Carl
Those are the instructions stickied in the Tech forum.
Once you have it set up on googledocs, you should be able to just go into it, update it as needed, and if it is saved correctly, those updates will be available to view for any of us who click on the link in your signature.
Carl
C
Carl & Polly & Bob (GA)
It looks like you've got it working?
The higher numbers you are seeing today are most likely caused by the "lo" reading you got yesterday. We call that a "bounce". If their bodies aren't used to low numbers (normal number between 40-120 are no longer seen as "normal" to a diabetic), what can happen is that their pancreas and liver instinctively react as a self-defense mechanism to avoid going too low. They dump "sugar" for lack of a better word into the bloodstream to raise the BG levels. When that happens, you might see higher numbers for 24 hours or longer. They go away (we call that a bounce clearing) on their own, and this stops happening once the cat relearns what "normal" is. Basically, the numbers today are something we would expect to happen after a "lo" reading on a meter. They aren't due to the reduced dose this morning.
Carl
The higher numbers you are seeing today are most likely caused by the "lo" reading you got yesterday. We call that a "bounce". If their bodies aren't used to low numbers (normal number between 40-120 are no longer seen as "normal" to a diabetic), what can happen is that their pancreas and liver instinctively react as a self-defense mechanism to avoid going too low. They dump "sugar" for lack of a better word into the bloodstream to raise the BG levels. When that happens, you might see higher numbers for 24 hours or longer. They go away (we call that a bounce clearing) on their own, and this stops happening once the cat relearns what "normal" is. Basically, the numbers today are something we would expect to happen after a "lo" reading on a meter. They aren't due to the reduced dose this morning.
Carl
MamaP
Member Since 2012
Thanks Carl, I didn't know that and I was really worried. I just read about Purina DM not being recommended. I was going to start transitioning to wet food today and keep this on hand in case of future hypo attacks. I put comments in my remarks regarding food so I can keep track of the change over. Should I go ahead and transition today or wait 24 hours to let the glucose levels balance a bit before another "shake up" with the transition?
C
Carl & Polly & Bob (GA)
I echo what Dyana said. The change to lower carb food will cause lowered BG so gradual idea would be a good idea, along with a reduction in insulin. If you were able to talk to the vet about dosage today, what did he think?
Purina DM, canned at least, is not terrible carbs-wise. The issues with it are the cost (lots higher than Friskees, Fancy Feast, etc), and the ingredients aren't as good or any better than most brands you can get off the shelf at the grocery store. The canned is heavy on liver and by-products, and many cats might eat if for a few days and then refuse to eat it anymore. It only comes in one flavor, and most kitties seem to want some variety. The dry, though, is not good, just because it's dry food. I wouldn't even keep it around for "hypo" treatment. Good news is that you can bring it back to the vet. Tell him your kitty won't eat it, and they should refund your money. A better food to have around the house, in your "hypo kit", is some gravy-style Friskees or Fancy Feast canned food. Most times, people can just give a spoonful or two of the gravy to bring up the BG numbers quickly.
Dry food isn't good for any cat. Somehow, the people at Purina have convinced vets around the world that their "prescription diet" food is good stuff, because most vets send new diabetic cats home with either that, or with Hill's Science Diet (which is even worse food for diabetics). I and a lot of other people here rely on Dr. Lisa's information on Feline Nutrition heavily. Here's a link to her site: http://www.catinfo.org/?link=felinediabetes. In a perfect world, it would be a required bookmark for every vet clinic!
Carl
Purina DM, canned at least, is not terrible carbs-wise. The issues with it are the cost (lots higher than Friskees, Fancy Feast, etc), and the ingredients aren't as good or any better than most brands you can get off the shelf at the grocery store. The canned is heavy on liver and by-products, and many cats might eat if for a few days and then refuse to eat it anymore. It only comes in one flavor, and most kitties seem to want some variety. The dry, though, is not good, just because it's dry food. I wouldn't even keep it around for "hypo" treatment. Good news is that you can bring it back to the vet. Tell him your kitty won't eat it, and they should refund your money. A better food to have around the house, in your "hypo kit", is some gravy-style Friskees or Fancy Feast canned food. Most times, people can just give a spoonful or two of the gravy to bring up the BG numbers quickly.
Dry food isn't good for any cat. Somehow, the people at Purina have convinced vets around the world that their "prescription diet" food is good stuff, because most vets send new diabetic cats home with either that, or with Hill's Science Diet (which is even worse food for diabetics). I and a lot of other people here rely on Dr. Lisa's information on Feline Nutrition heavily. Here's a link to her site: http://www.catinfo.org/?link=felinediabetes. In a perfect world, it would be a required bookmark for every vet clinic!
Carl
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