First Test Result

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miso00

miso00

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Hi All,

Jennifer here, fostering Mikey with DCIN. I have had him since Sunday night. He was given to me on M/D wet prescription food (3 cans per day), dry food throughout the day and 3 units of insulin twice a day. I have been giving him 1/4 can M/D wet mixed with 1/4 can Friskies pate 4 times a day. HE HAS NOT HAD DRY FOOD since he's been here. I have been giving him 1.5 units of Lantus twice a day. I was finally able to test him for the first time tonight ( he ate at 6:30pm and I tested him at 8:30pm) His number was 371.

Any advice as to how to get the number down?
 
Hi Jennifer,
Unfortunately, as we say a lot here "this is a marathon, not a sprint". There aren't any really safe and quick steps to get that BG down.
How long has Mikey been on insulin?
You should hold that dose for at least a few days, and just keep recording the numbers. Test before every shot, and if at all possible, get a test in at the mid-way point between shots. We refer to that as +6 (six hours after the shot). With Lantus, the optimal dose is determined by not only those pre-shot tests, but just as (if not more) importantly, on what the +6, or nadir, reading is.
I will try to see if someone with a lot more lantus experience than I have (which is "none") can come over and advise.

Carl
 
Lantus dosing is based on the LOWEST number in the cycle (the nadir), wherever it may fall, with only some consideration given to what the preshot number is. Since each cat is different, their nadirs fall at different times which is why it's very important to get different spot checks. You could get a +2, +4, and +6 one cycle and a +3, +5, +7 the next cycle. Also, make sure to test before shooting and BEFORE FEEDING. It's okay for the cat to eat while you shoot (which is what I do), but don't let 15 minutes or more go by because the number will be food influenced and it won't be an accurate reading. Good job on taking away the dry food and reducing the insulin dose!!! If you have any questions about Lantus, check out the Lantus portion of this board and read all the stickies attached to it. The information is invaluable and the people there are so willing and eager to help!! Good luck!
 
Welcome to the Vampire Club Jennifer! Check your pm's becuase Marjorie is going to pm you to help you set up a spread sheet. One number all by itself does'nt tell us much. The spread sheet will help to see the pattern.
Lori
 
Oh, Jennifer,
I didn't notice this the first time I read your post.... You said the test was taken 2 hours after eating? That means that the BG number is higher because of the "boost" from eating. If you had taken that test just before he ate, the number would most likely have been lower than 371. So, not as "high" as you might think.

Carl
 
You might consider ditching the M/D - there are numerous over the counter low carb foods which are much less expensive.

Take a look at Binky's Page and read about the old and new canned food lists.

Some cats are extremely sensitive to carbs; you'll observe some wild fluctuations day to day if you don't keep the carb level consistent at each feeding.
 
Carl- yes I realize it was pretty soon after he ate but I had just got the testing kit a few hours before. I was anxious to see how he would react to being tested. He was a trooper. He really is a great cat. I tested him this morning prior to giving him food/insulin and it was 280. I spoke to Jenn w/DCIN and she also said it being so soon after he ate might effect it.

BJM- I was afraid to switch him completely off M/D and dry food for fear of digestive issues. He seems to be ok so I will probably stop giving him the M/D.
 
Marjorie has sent a pm to you and will walk you thru a ss set up. you can call her. do you see the private message up above.
then i would know everything at a glance.....and....so would you!
 
Hi Jennifer,

It's me, Jennifer from DCIN, just stopping in to say hi. Thank you for posting here and getting the advice of so many who are better able to give you the support you need for Mikey. While I use Lantus for Kiki, most of my experience has been with other types of insulin and kitties with different issues.

As Mikey gets more comfortable with you and the lower carb food takes its affect you should start seeing lower numbers and people here can guide you through those changes.

Looking forward to seeing wonderful things with sweet Mikey :)
 
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