First home BG test

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NancyF

NancyF

Member Since 2020
I went out yesterday and bought a glucometer, strips, lancets, treats...I'm sure you all know the drill. I was a very very bad hooman and lied to the pharmacist, saying it was for me. That way, with the purchase of 100 strips, I got the glucometer free. Anything for my Georgie!

This morning I did his first test since the vet called and said she had emergency today and would be unable to do his curve test until Monday. Argh! But it went so well! I may have poked a bit too hard with the lancet, definitely got a dirty look for it. But the blood beaded right up and it was ezpz from there. A couple of treats and some kisses on Georgie's nose, and I think I'm forgiven. This time, anyways. His AMPS was at 14.7. Not the best, but better than I had hoped :)
 
That was great considering only a few weeks since diagnos. A Congrats to a first and succesful home bg test. Now you are more in charge of it all.

Normal bg numbers, and when insulin, is between 4.5 - 6.5.
The renal threshold is at 13. Just so you know for reference.

The insulin lowers the bg and when the insulin wears off the bg will rise again.

When you don't have to work night shifts and can be home you can also do your own bg curve at home.
 
Ann & Scatcats said:
That was great considering only a few weeks since diagnos. A Congrats to a first and succesful home bg test. Now you are more in charge of it all.

Normal bg numbers, and when insulin, is between 4.5 - 6.5.
The renal threshold is at 13. Just so you know for reference.

The insulin lowers the bg and when the insulin wears off the bg will rise again.

When you don't have to work night shifts and can be home you can also do your own bg curve at home.
Click to expand...

How often do I test to do a curve? I'm off tonight and tomorrow and would prefer that Georgie have one asap rather than wait
 
We all do our best with our curves. A good one, if stamina enough and cat allows it, covers an 12 hours insulin cycle.

AM pre-shot

+ 2 hours after insulin

+ 4 hours after insulin

+ 6 hours after

+ 8 hours after

+ 10 hours after

+ 12 hours PM pre-shot
 
Ann & Scatcats said:
We all do our best with our curves. A good one, if stamina enough and cat allows it, covers an 12 hours insulin cycle.

AM pre-shot

+ 2 hours after insulin

+ 4 hours after insulin

+ 6 hours after

+ 8 hours after

+ 10 hours after

+ 12 hours PM pre-shot
Click to expand...

Oof. Every 2 hours. Georgie is going to hate me. But I'll have to do it. Thank you so much
 
It would be awesome if you did his curve yourself. Stress raises blood sugar and cats often won't eat while at the vet, so a curve you do at home will be more accurate. Georgie might not be as upset as you think, and it's great home testing practice. Don't forget you can use both ears, so one won't get too sore, and keep the low carb treats coming!
 
Juls and Billy said:
It would be awesome if you did his curve yourself. Stress raises blood sugar and cats often won't eat while at the vet, so a curve you do at home will be more accurate. Georgie might not be as upset as you think, and it's great home testing practice. Don't forget you can use both ears, so one won't get too sore, and keep the low carb treats coming!
Click to expand...

I really want to do it at home so we're both less stressed. And he's such a sweet soul, his "cat candy" should buy me some leeway lol

How often should a curve test be done?
 
Nancy, watch so he doesn't become soar. The + 6 is the very important one, in theory the insulin should have lowered the bg to it's lowest point then but every cat is unique so sometimes there is a fast early steep bg drop, and sometimes it comes later.
If Georgie thinks it becomes too much testing so soon for him, tell him it's okay.
 
Juls and Billy said:
I'm not an expert, but I have seen some people that do one a week, and some that do one every couple of weeks.
Click to expand...

That's really helpful. So much to learn. Thank you. I would be so lost without all the wonderful people on this forum. I honestly appreciate the support system I've found here
 
Ann & Scatcats said:
Nancy, watch so he doesn't become soar. The + 6 is the very important one, in theory the insulin should have lowered the bg to it's lowest point then but every cat is unique so sometimes there is a fast early steep bg drop, and sometimes it comes later.
If Georgie thinks it becomes too much testing so soon for him, tell him it's okay.
Click to expand...

Hmm good point and I'm still inexperienced at the poking. Could I start with a test every 3 hours for his first one?
 
NancyF said:
So much to learn. Thank you. I would be so lost without all the wonderful people on this forum. I honestly appreciate the support system I've found here
Click to expand...
This forum is a life saver, but none of the great information and support does anything without you! Georgie is in good hands. You are awesome for taking such good care of him!
 
Juls and Billy said:
This forum is a life saver, but none of the great information and support does anything without you! Georgie is in good hands. You are awesome for taking such good care of him!
Click to expand...

Thank you. I'm trying. I never realized there was so much to learn! But Georgie is my baby and I will take care of him for as long as he's with me
 
You might be surprised with how easy the mid-day tests are. My cat is EXTREMELY difficult to pin down for his AM and PM tests, but that's because he wants to EAT and not be held still for even a second. Anything in between those times? He could not care less. :)
 
SullivansDad said:
You might be surprised with how easy the mid-day tests are. My cat is EXTREMELY difficult to pin down for his AM and PM tests, but that's because he wants to EAT and not be held still for even a second. Anything in between those times? He could not care less. :)
Click to expand...

That's sounds like Georgie. He doesn't want his insulin, he wants his food! He usually gives up after a few minutes once he realizes he won't get food until after his insulin. Sneaky bugger lol
 
I and my Simba did a lot of testing in the beginning to find out when his insulin's onset time was and also what onset time his food had. We ended up with a pretty good image, then I laxed on that and we kept track of the insulin and bg's to avoid hypos.

Take your and Georgie's time. It will work out.
 
Ann & Scatcats said:
Just checking in, Nancy, with how your first bg testing and bg curve tests are going. How is Georgie taking it so far? Give him hugs from me, tell him he is a hero :bighug:
Click to expand...

Georgie vomited two hours after his insulin, so I took a reading and his BG was down. He loves his treats, but hasn't much appetite for his wet food. But he's alert and cuddly, not hiding away, so I'm wondering if it's not a reaction to his insulin. But otherwise, he's taking the poking fairly well
 
Good job Nancy! Good job Georgie! A blue 6!!!!! Way to go!

OTJ day 6 blue 6.png

Caninsulin often has a shorter duration in cats. If possible, and Georgie allows you to test, try to get a +10 and a +11. Those tests later in the 12 hour dosing cycle can tell us a lot.

NOT today. Some other time, when you aren't already poking him so much for the curve tests. NOT today. Another time.
 

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Deb & Wink said:
Good job Nancy! Good job Georgie! A blue 6!!!!! Way to go!

View attachment 51263

Caninsulin often has a shorter duration in cats. If possible, and Georgie allows you to test, try to get a +10 and a +11. Those tests later in the 12 hour dosing cycle can tell us a lot.

NOT today. Some other time, when you aren't already poking him so much for the curve tests. NOT today. Another time.
Click to expand...

Thank you. I will do that. I'll be sure to test again before his pm shot though and I'll set an alarm for another +6 test.
 
This is really weird. I can see some numbers on your SS but only on the world tab.

Sending out a tag for @Chris & China (GA) (who has a stomach bug) and @Marje and Gracie (who is dealing with a family emergency) to see if either of them can fix the SS and see what the problem is.

You can also send them a PM (start a conversation) asking them for help.

How to Start a Conversation with another member (or members)
If you want to have a private conversation with another member (or members), you can do it two ways:

Inbox menu
  1. Hover over the Inbox menu at the top right of any page. Click the link that says “Start a Conversation”.
  2. Add participants by typing their usernames – matching names will auto-populate as you type.
  3. Create a conversation title (subject line) and your message. You’ll have access to the same tools as you have when creating posts. You can give conversation participants the ability to invite others, if that’s something you want (will be unchecked by default).
From a thread
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To follow existing conversations, check your Inbox.

You can change the settings for who can start a Conversation with you by going to your profile and then "Privacy" and scroll down to the "People Who May..." section.
 
You might also want to change the title on your post to say something like "Problem with SS Need Help. First curve"
and put the ? prefix on your post.

Chris and Marje are the only 2 people I know that fix spreadsheets.

If you are entering information on the "world" tab, the US tab should auto-populate.
 
The spreadsheet has been really weird. I actually have had to empty the text box before I can enter any values. I'm not doing this on a computer but on an android phone
 
NancyF said:
The spreadsheet has been really weird. I actually have had to empty the text box before I can enter any values. I'm not doing this on a computer but on an android phone
Click to expand...
You’ve somehow deleted all the formatting on the US SS and that’s why there are no values there. If you can PM me, I can get editing rights and fix it. It’s an easy fix for me to do even remotely.
 
You can also send them a PM (start a conversation) asking them for help.

How to Start a Conversation with another member (or members)
If you want to have a private conversation with another member (or members), you can do it two ways:

Inbox menu
  1. Hover over the Inbox menu at the top right of any page. Click the link that says “Start a Conversation”.
  2. Add participants by typing their usernames – matching names will auto-populate as you type.
  3. Create a conversation title (subject line) and your message. You’ll have access to the same tools as you have when creating posts. You can give conversation participants the ability to invite others, if that’s something you want (will be unchecked by default).
From a thread
  1. Click on a user’s name within any thread.
  2. On the resulting profile pop-up, click on “Start a Conversation”.
To follow existing conversations, check your Inbox.

You can change the settings for who can start a Conversation with you by going to your profile and then "Privacy" and scroll down to the "People Who May..." section.
 
Deb & Wink said:
You can also send them a PM (start a conversation) asking them for help.

How to Start a Conversation with another member (or members)
If you want to have a private conversation with another member (or members), you can do it two ways:

Inbox menu
  1. Hover over the Inbox menu at the top right of any page. Click the link that says “Start a Conversation”.
  2. Add participants by typing their usernames – matching names will auto-populate as you type.
  3. Create a conversation title (subject line) and your message. You’ll have access to the same tools as you have when creating posts. You can give conversation participants the ability to invite others, if that’s something you want (will be unchecked by default).
From a thread
  1. Click on a user’s name within any thread.
  2. On the resulting profile pop-up, click on “Start a Conversation”.
To follow existing conversations, check your Inbox.

You can change the settings for who can start a Conversation with you by going to your profile and then "Privacy" and scroll down to the "People Who May..." section.
Click to expand...

Thank you :)
 
Deb & Wink said:
This is really weird. I can see some numbers on your SS but only on the world tab.

Sending out a tag for @Chris & China (GA) (who has a stomach bug) and @Marje and Gracie (who is dealing with a family emergency) to see if either of them can fix the SS and see what the problem is.

You can also send them a PM (start a conversation) asking them for help.

How to Start a Conversation with another member (or members)
If you want to have a private conversation with another member (or members), you can do it two ways:

Inbox menu
  1. Hover over the Inbox menu at the top right of any page. Click the link that says “Start a Conversation”.
  2. Add participants by typing their usernames – matching names will auto-populate as you type.
  3. Create a conversation title (subject line) and your message. You’ll have access to the same tools as you have when creating posts. You can give conversation participants the ability to invite others, if that’s something you want (will be unchecked by default).
From a thread
  1. Click on a user’s name within any thread.
  2. On the resulting profile pop-up, click on “Start a Conversation”.
To follow existing conversations, check your Inbox.

You can change the settings for who can start a Conversation with you by going to your profile and then "Privacy" and scroll down to the "People Who May..." section.
Click to expand...

No idea what I did to the spreadsheet, but thankfully it's fixed :)
 
You only need to enter your test data on the "world" tab. The US tab will auto-populate.
Marje fixed it for you. Whatever it was.

Thanks Marje!!
 
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