First ProZinc curve complete...

Status
Not open for further replies.
kds0200

kds0200

Member
Hello again! So as Bailey's SS shows, we did our first curve on ProZinc today. Only been on it since Thursday night but he's been very patient with me about home testing and I want to get as much data as I can. Planning to give his little paw a rest for a while now though (only doing pre shot testing for at least a few days).

I've been reading this about glucose curves today and it's been very informative, but I'm still working out in my head what all these numbers mean. Looking at the SS today's were such a rainbow color wise, and such a smile shape wise, which looks like a good thing to me. It gives me a clearer picture of how the insulin is working in him at least. I'm hoping with continued insulin and just a few more diet tweaks that we can get this thing under better control.

I've ordered a PetSafe timed feeder (should be here on Wednesday) and am planning to use that to space out some small meals between his 7am/7pm feeding times. I'd also like to still be able to leave down a bit of dry for him to munch on (I know, I know, dry is terrible...) and the Young Again Zero Carb dry should be here tomorrow. I feel like we're moving in the right direction...

Then again I could be all wrong. Mostly right now I'm curious to see what you more experienced beans think of the curve! And what it might mean for Bailey going forward (recommendations? does my food plan of smaller meals throughout the day sound right? etc). Thanks all, as always!
 
It is a smile curve and the nadir came at the right time (not real early or real late). I do think he bounced a little bit at the end. I would give him a few cycles on this dose and see if he gradually drops a little lower (which he has room to do - a nadir in double digits would be lovely.). It will be great to get rid of the high carb dry and give the lower carb. And even then, just a little? Sometimes small frequent meals are helpful so that will be a good idea to try also. You might also put a snack in the feeder for the night cycle, fixing the feeder so it moves to a blank space 2 hours before the preshot.

I'd say he is doing real well this early in the sugar dance. The insulin is taking him down and a good part of his cycle is below the renal threshold (250 and under) the range where we think the pancreas can heal. You are both doing great, Mom. :-D
 
Wow! What a number this AM!! Generally, if you get below 200 you want to stall without feeding. Food raises the numbers on its own. You want to see the number rising without the influence of food. I'd stall about 20 min and don't feed then retest. :-D

I think a reduced dose was a good idea with that number. You're doing a great job!
 
Thanks for the tip about the food, Rachel! I posted in the general health forum this morning after that weird AMPS because I wasn't sure what to do. I'm still trying to understand how the low carb food is working in all this. Bailey hadn't eaten all night (still waiting on our timed feeder and new zero carb dry) so he was acting just ravenous this morning. He used to free feed so I'm hoping to get him back to that eventually, and I imagine the timed feeder will help quite a bit. Going to test again soon and see how he's doing.

I'm feeling increasingly like I'm turning a bit nuts over all this, reading so much and testing and making graphs and stuff. Bailey just kinda looks at me sometimes like, "Geez, lady, calm down. You used to be so cool, quit poking and prodding me!" haha I guess I'm still feeling like the more I know, the better I could do right for him.

So thanks for your encouragement too! :-D
 
Posting in health was perfect! There are more eyes there so most emergencies are handled more quickly that way.

The timed feeder should help. My little ones all free feed wet food now. I add tons of water (too many UTIs before I did that!) and leave it out til night time. I really want a timed feeder to help with morning feedings around here...keep it more consistent. Allow me to sleep some too!!! :lol: One day.

You're so right. The more you know, the more you can do for him. Don't make yourself crazy over it though! It honestly got so routine for me that after my baby girl went to the bridge, I was lost. I couldn't figure out what to do with shot times and testing not ruling my life! Sometimes I still head for the kitchen to test when I remember I don't have to. Muscle memory rules me still!! Remember to take time for yourself to relax and do fun things. Bailey is in excellent hands. :-D
 
Yes, free feeding on wet food sounds great but teaching Bailey to do so is another matter. As soon as he hears a can open he comes running and then plants himself in front of his bowl until it's been licked clean. Today I'm going to feed small meals while I'm home (I have to go teach a class from 2-4 but I may try to leave a little down before then and see if he might pace himself.

I've always been hesitant to leave wet food out but I do feel better if I add water to keep it more moist. Bailey seems to like it with more water too. Is it okay to leave it covered at room temperature between feedings or do you keep it in the fridge and reheat?

You're such a good cat mom, Rachel! I'm sure your civvies appreciate all your expertise, whether they know it or not ;-)
 
Haha I see! For whatever reason, mine are fine with eating part of it and then coming back later. They never eat it all at once (nor do they eat at the same time even with three bowls! They have an order they always follow. It's hilarious!). I think smaller meals with the timed feeder would help then. Smaller meals throughout the day are better for the pancreas anyway. I couldn't do that since I had 4 at the time and I wasn't about to invest in 4 timed feeders...and didn't want to leave just a bit out so that only one ate it. But the timed feeder would probably be great for you. As his numbers come down, his appetite will likely decrease as well. Right now, the appetite is probably increased due to diabetes.

Interesting question. I usually leave the can in the fridge, covered, and then reheat at meal time. I use warm water in the food to help it mix better, so that is usually sufficient to reheat it. I do that since I just assumed it was better (and we have had awful flies here this year. It's been a nightmare). With the heat we get in AL, I figured keeping the food in the fridge was best. Might want to ask on the health forum and see what others say. I think a lot of people have leftovers at meal time.

Thanks Kellie! That's so sweet of you to say! All my kitties live the diabetic life style in terms of food and it sure has changed them! They've got more energy and less weight :lol: I'm only this knowledgeable due to this forum, I will say. I'm grateful for the opportunity to pay it forward! The help I got from everyone here made the difference!
 
[quoteI'm feeling increasingly like I'm turning a bit nuts over all this, reading so much and testing and making graphs and stuff. Bailey just kinda looks at me sometimes like, "Geez, lady, calm down. You used to be so cool, quit poking and prodding me!" haha I guess I'm still feeling like the more I know, the better I could do right for him.][/quote]

LOL. Yes, It is such a sharp learning curve in the beginning. Have you seen this? It might give you a smile:


http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=33671
 
Haha, yes, Sue! I first read it a week or so ago and find myself revisiting it every few days. Good advice that doesn't have to do with dosing and feeding and such is also very appreciated ;-)

And thanks again for all your help too! Your response to my AM post was just enough info to help me have a plan and stay cool, exactly what we needed before my first cup of coffee could kick in! lol
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top