Going away for the weekend...what to know

[Howiesmom]

I have a chance to get away for the weekend and I’m going to do it! Luckily Howie can stay in lodging at my vet clinic but it still makes me nervous as they don’t have overnight staff and they close Saturday at noon and I can’t pick him up until Sunday night (someone will just come in to feed him Sat night and Sun AM). I will write the Book of Howie on everything I do for him, but am nervous because they won’t test him besides PS times unless they’re around. He’s recently been hovering in greens including some overnight (high dose kittie with acromegaly and IAA). The lowest I’ve tested him is 69. Are there any recommendations that I should consider doing to prepare for his adventure away from mommie and to tell the lodging staff? I’ve been holding his dose as he is doing good but am not sure where he’ll be on Friday when I leave. Even if he needs a dose increase, should I hold off? I feel better having him stay in the lodge rather than a critter sitter I don’t know coming into my house.

 

[Wendy&Neko]

Do you know if the vet's clinic will be shooting him 12 hours apart? Do you know if he'll eat well there? I would lower the dose, and lower the dose a couple cycles before hand to drain the depot. Definitely don't increase. You can increase to your regular dose when you get back. The larger depot will help him stay out of horrible numbers. A dose where he's not seeing greens is safer. And it's only a couple days so somewhat higher numbers would be Ok.

Do they know what his dose is? I'm a little worried the dose may freak them out and they may try to "correct" your mistakes. Maybe include pics of sample syringes filled with coloured liquid?

 

[Howiesmom]

Do you know if the vet's clinic will be shooting him 12 hours apart? Do you know if he'll eat well there? I would lower the dose, and lower the dose a couple cycles before hand to drain the depot. Definitely don't increase. You can increase to your regular dose when you get back. The larger depot will help him stay out of horrible numbers. A dose where he's not seeing greens is safer. And it's only a couple days so somewhat higher numbers would be Ok.

Do they know what his dose is? I'm a little worried the dose may freak them out and they may try to "correct" your mistakes. Maybe include pics of sample syringes filled with coloured liquid?

Yes, I've already talked to my vet about the schedule he is on for eating/insulin so I believe they will be keeping as close to that schedule as possible. I've kept him at the 55 units well past the 10 cycles you and I had discussed previously as he's still in blues and greens (I'm not complaining!!). Should I lower back down to 50 units where he was at prior or maybe just down to 53? Given all the visits and communications with the vet, I doubt his staff will try and correct anything!!! I'm going to confirm, but I think the vet techs are some of the lodging staff. So I'm incredibly hopeful that they are used to medicine administration. This is why I'm more comfortable than a critter sitter coming into my home! Thanks for the suggestions!!

 

[Wendy&Neko]

Maybe back to 50, it's a major line on the syringe.

 

[Howiesmom]

Maybe back to 50, it's a major line on the syringe.

Hi Wendy, before making the final dosing decision, can you check his SS and see if you think he would be safe staying at 55 units while at the lodge (I hate to backtrack progress!). The lowest he’s been is 69 several days ago and his #s seem stable even in overnights. I’m assuming with stress of not being at home, his #s will naturally go up a bit anyway (?). I’ll certainly decrease to 50 if you think that would be the best overall plan.

 

[JL and Chip]

I won’t weigh in on dosing, but for what it’s worth, I wouldn’t count on stress to keep BG numbers higher. Some cats like to go lower when stressed. Tubby’s BG always tanked when we went on long road trips to the university vet clinic, and Chip’s tanked whenever he got a bath. Just something to keep in mind if this is your first time boarding.

 

[Howiesmom]

I won’t weigh in on dosing, but for what it’s worth, I wouldn’t count on stress to keep BG numbers higher. Some cats like to go lower when stressed. Tubby’s BG always tanked when we went on long road trips to the university vet clinic, and Chip’s tanked whenever he got a bath. Just something to keep in mind if this is your first time boarding.

Thank you so much!! That is helpful to keep in mind. His BG goes up when he goes for short visits to the vet, but yes, we don't know what he'll do with a couple night visit. THANK YOU!!!

 

[Wendy&Neko]

He won't be monitored for a day and a half with no one there, you don't know if he'll eat at a strange place, plus don't know what his BG will do there. Plus we don't know low he's going in the wee hours of the night. You also don't know for sure that they'll be good about shooting 12 hours apart. We seen enough stories of good intentions gone wrong. I would reduce. It's only a couple days and you'll have a better time away if you know for sure he's safe. They bounce back quickly enough.

 

[JL and Chip]

Maybe include pics of sample syringes filled with coloured liquid?

I agree completely. In addition, I’d leave the actual syringes along with the insulin. No need to worry about someone grabbing the wrong syringe with potentially catastrophic results (has happened unfortunately).

 

[Howiesmom]

He won't be monitored for a day and a half with no one there, you don't know if he'll eat at a strange place, plus don't know what his BG will do there. Plus we don't know low he's going in the wee hours of the night. You also don't know for sure that they'll be good about shooting 12 hours apart. We seen enough stories of good intentions gone wrong. I would reduce. It's only a couple days and you'll have a better time away if you know for sure he's safe. They bounce back quickly enough.

Thank you for that! Yes, I want to enjoy this time away. I will plan to decrease his dose starting tomorrow. 2 lowered doses before I take him late AM on Friday should be enough to drain the depot, or should I start tonight? When he got a fur shot last week, I didn’t see much of an impact as I thought I would. This is all still such a mystery!
I’m also not sending any R with him. I don’t want to attempt to explain all of that too. I wrote a 6 page BOOK OF HOWIE last night for his short visit!

UPDATE: I gave him 55 units tonight and will start 50 units tomorrow to drain the depot. By the time he goes to the lodge he’ll be on cycle 3 of the lower dose on Friday AM. Fingers crossed he’s good! Thanks for all the help!

 

[Wendy&Neko]

Sounds like a good plan. You could start lowering 3-4 cycles before hand, to really drain the depot.

 

[Howiesmom]

Sounds like a good plan. You could start lowering 3-4 cycles before hand, to really drain the depot.

Of course he threw me for a loop tonight and his nadir was at +15 (69). So I’m giving him MC food for his mini meals to get through the night. Not sure what else to do. This hasn’t happened where his PM +3 is lower than anything else during the day!