Finally able to breathe again!

Status
Not open for further replies.
Suzzel & Junior

Suzzel & Junior

Member
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/overwhelmed-and-losing-it.185646
Juniors numbers stayed up during the night and we got some desperately needed rest. I still got up every 2-3 hours and checked his levels for my peace of mind and I'm happy to say he is doing better. Still laying around some and really doesn't like me when he sees I have something in my hand and come towards him but we are doing better. His numbers have been starting at pretest at midnight was 270mg-11:57am/288mg-2:06am/193mg-8:06am/ and pretest today was 245mg-11:00am. I gave him only half a unit again and hopefully he we have a better day today. He's not wanting to eat the fancy fest so I've been mixing in alittle of his science diet to get him to eat. I think we both are still exhausted from the last 2 days and I think after the next test if its still running ok I gonna try and sneak in a catnap. Hopefully later I can get his spreadsheet going. May need help though. His +2 number is now 216mg-1:10pm.
 
Looking good!!

So glad to hear you got some much needed rest too!!

Here's something I wrote up for others that needed help with testing...maybe it'll help you too!

It can be really helpful to establish a routine with testing. Pick one spot that you want your "testing spot" to be (I like the kitchen counter because it's got good light and it's at a good height....it also already blocked 2 escape routes due to the wall and the backsplash) It can be anywhere though...a rug on the floor, a table, a particular spot on the couch...wherever is good for you. Take him there as many times a day as you can and just give his ears a quick rub and then he gets a yummy (low carb) treat. Most cats aren't objecting so much with the poking..it's the fooling with their ears they don't like, but once they're desensitized to it and learn to associate a certain place with the treats, they usually start to come when they're called! Or even when they hear us opening the test kit!

You also have to remember...you're not poking him to hurt him...you're testing him to keep him safe and understand what's going on inside his body. There's just nothing better than truly understanding what's going on inside your kitty's body and with this disease, the more knowledge you have, the more power you have against it. The edges of the ears have very few pain receptors, so it really doesn't hurt them. Also, if you're nervous and tense, it's going to make your kitty nervous and tense too. As silly as it might seem, try singing! It forces you to use a different part of your brain!

It's also important to make sure his ear is warm. A small sock filled with a little rice and microwaved or a small pill bottle filled with warm water (check temp against your wrist like you would a baby bottle) works well.

When you're first starting, it's also important to use a lower gauge lancet, like 25-28 gauge. Most of the "lancet devices" come with 33 gauge lancets and they are just too tiny to start with. The bigger lancets (that are lower numbers) make a bigger "hole". As you poke more and more, the ears will grow new capillaries and will be easier and easier to get blood from...we call it "learning to bleed"

Finding the right "treat" will be a great help too! Freeze dried chicken, bonito flakes, little pieces of baked chicken...whatever low carb treat you can find that he really enjoys will help him to associate the testing with the treat! China's Achilles heel was baked chicken, so I'd bake a piece, chop it into bite sized pieces, put some in the refrigerator and freeze the rest to use as needed. It didn't take long for her to come any time I picked up the meter!
 
I am so glad you both made it through all the excitement! You did very well and definitely deserve a nap! I love having the ability to test at home because it's SUCH a weight off my mind. Anytime something seems weird, just do a test and I'll feel instantly better. As far as testing treats, I was rather shocked to find my buddy Lou was not even remotely interested in treats after getting his BGs checked. Oddly enough, Lou has this little thing he does when he's feeling nervous about something. He'll lift his head back and look back at me to see if this is okay. He did it when I would trim his nails, and I'd kiss his head and he'd seem to calm down. After a couple of times of failed treat eating after BG checks, he looked back at me and I kissed his head. Ever since, I kiss his head after every BG check and insulin shot, and he seems to appreciate that (knowing that everything is okay and mom isn't mad at him). Just thought I'd throw that out there in case you randomly have a kitty soothed by love and scritches instead of food. :cat:
 
Yes!! Everything Chris & China said and more.
Noah likes to face a certain way, have his tail over the edge of the basket, have his tail pulled, have Andy in the basket with him when it's time.
And then I sing "Hush little baby, don't say a word..."
Does it make any sense? If it works then who cares. Just don't tell your therapist.
 
Junior is doing well for him this evening. His levels were 216mg-1:01pm/225mg-7:16pm/264mg-11:08pm (PMPS). I gave him half unit @ 11:20pm. Got some much needed rest today so I'm feeling better myself. Still trying to figure out the spreadsheet. Where do i found it on the website? Im on Apple and have downloaded the apps but where do I go from there?
 
Suzzel & Junior said:
Im on Apple and have downloaded the apps but where do I go from there?
Click to expand...

Are you on a phone or computer?

If it's a phone/tablet, you have to get the Google Chrome, Google Drive and Google Sheets apps from the store

The spreadsheet is a Google Document

I really would be happy to set it up for you and send you the link (you'd still need those apps to be able to work on it though)...it only takes me about 30 seconds once I get some information from you
 
Chris & China said:
Are you on a phone or computer?

If it's a phone/tablet, you have to get the Google Chrome, Google Drive and Google Sheets apps from the store

The spreadsheet is a Google Document

I really would be happy to set it up for you and send you the link (you'd still need those apps to be able to work on it though)...it only takes me about 30 seconds once I get some information from you
Click to expand...
I'm on my phone, Apple by the way. Got the apps downloaded and I think I got it figured out. I just enter his numbers in the blocks right?
 
Chris & China said:
Right!!

But when I tried your link, it said the file had been deleted or the URL was wrong

I think you might have not gotten the entire link "pasted" into your signature

Good job on filling out your signature too!!
Click to expand...
Ok I think I fixed it. Can you check again and let me know, please. Thank you.
 
If you want to "name" it (like "Junior's Spreadsheet"), open your signature box again

Type in "Junior's spreadsheet"

Highlight those words like you were going to copy/paste them

Once highlighted, go to the icon along the top that looks like a single link in a chain (or a paperclip) and click there....a new box will pop up for you to enter the actual link.....then click "insert"
 
Chris & China said:
If you want to "name" it (like "Junior's Spreadsheet"), open your signature box again

Type in "Junior's spreadsheet"

Highlight those words like you were going to copy/paste them

Once highlighted, go to the icon along the top that looks like a single link in a chain (or a paperclip) and click there....a new box will pop up for you to enter the actual link.....then click "insert"
Click to expand...
Ok hold on and I'll try it.
 
This is moving through, so if you lose me, that's why

I live in a rural area and it doesn't take much to knock our power out

upload_2017-10-22_1-2-18.png
 
Chris & China said:
Right.....you don't need to put a specific time since it doesn't matter here

Your AMPS and my AMPS are at different times of the day....and it doesn't matter.....what matters is how each cat reacts in the hours after the shot....the "+" cells
Click to expand...
Thank you for the advice and the help with getting this up and going. Can you check again make sure I didn't screw it up. Please and thank you!
 
I know wet food is best for Junior and he is eating it but i also have 4 other cats and need a dry food that I can use and not worry about him getting into it between his wet food feeding.
 
Suzzel & Junior said:
I know wet food is best for Junior and he is eating it but i also have 4 other cats and need a dry food that I can use and not worry about him getting into it between his wet food feeding.
Click to expand...
Young again zero carb food is diabetic friendly. They will send you a free sample of the Young Again food if you ask. Youngagainpetfood.com

Dr elsley's clean protein chicken flavor is also ok at 5% carb.
 
Thank you! I know it's not ideal for him but my girls gotta eat too. LOL. I'd just feel better if it was something safe for him since he likes to nibble once in awhile.
 
Suzzel & Junior said:
Ok I finally have all his levels entered in his spreadsheet and I hope I didn't screw it up to bad
Click to expand...

You did fine, but I have a couple of recommendations.

There's no need for you to put the time into the cell too. As I said the other night, it doesn't matter to us. What matters is how long it's been since the shot.

Doesn't matter if you shoot at 6am or 11am....what matters is how quickly the insulin starts to "kick in"....is it usually +2 or +3? At what point do you usually hit the nadir? At what point does the insulin start to wear off?

You can put the times in if you really want to, but it adds extra work for you. If you just enter the test number, the cells will color code themselves without you having to do those extra steps every time.

Also, if you get a blue number, it's important to change the "text" color to white (if you're going to color code them yourself)....the default colors are blue/white, but when you enter "extra" information (like the time) and have to color code it yourself, the text defaults to black which is hard to read against the blue background.

In the U column, 1/2 unit is usually put as .5 or .50

On 10/20, since all those tests were taken within a minute or two of each other, you could just "average" them instead of listing all 3 in the same cell.

There will be times you need to enter more than 1 test result in the same cell....like when they're too low and you're testing every 20-30 minutes. In those cases, just put something like "38 @ +4, 48 @ +4.5"

Each 15 minutes is a quarter hour, so you can use times like 4.25, 4.5, 4.75 if you do tests other than "on the hour" exactly
 
Red & Rover (GA) said:
Out of curiosity and now that everything has slowed down, what signs of hypo was Junior initially showing?
Click to expand...

Sleeping a lot, no interest in anything (water, food, toys, the other cats) just laying around. When I would stand him up he'd just lay back down. Looked out of it, couldn't jump on table or sink.
 
Juniors numbers have been higher today, I think he's snuck some of my other cats dry food, but he's a little more active today than he's been for a couple days. He still isn't very active yet, still wanting to sleep some, but he's able to jump on the table and sink, like he's not as week as he was. He's also starting to dragging his favorite blanket back through the house again. What would be recommended, up his insulin to a full 1 unit or shut up the other cats at night cause he sleeps with me? I'm scared to up it but I don't want it go too high either.
 
Have you considered switching all your cats to low carb canned and ditching the dry completely?

They'd be a lot healthier, as well as reducing their chances of developing diabetes.

As long as there's dry food in the house, Junior will find a way to get into it (they all do!)

I'd hold the .5 dose for at least 2 more cycles.....need to give his body enough time to really show us what he can do

When do you expect the new syringes with half unit markings to arrive?
 
Chris & China said:
Have you considered switching all your cats to low carb canned and ditching the dry completely?

They'd be a lot healthier, as well as reducing their chances of developing diabetes.

As long as there's dry food in the house, Junior will find a way to get into it (they all do!)

I'd hold the .5 dose for at least 2 more cycles.....need to give his body enough time to really show us what he can do

When do you expect the new syringes with half unit markings to arrive?
Click to expand...

Well for the syringes, I placed my order Friday night and still haven't got a confirmation yet, I'm hoping I will tomorrow though. I even paid for the 2-3 shipping. Thanks for the input on the insulin. As for the 4 other cats, only 3 of them will eat wet food and 1 of those 3 always get really bad diarrhea when ever she eats it. The 4the little furball will absolutely have nothing to do with wet food. I've tried every since she was a kitten, she's a real handful too.
 
I've looked up and been reading about the young again & dr elseys food that I've seen mentioned on here and was thinking about possibly trying to atleast mix that in with some wet for the others , so that way if he did get into it it wouldn't skyrocket his sugar.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top