help again

Status
Not open for further replies.
L

leann_sweeney

Member
You guys helped me before so here I am again. Okay, my Agatha, diagnosed several months ago is now off grain. She's had two episodes of hypoglycemia, one a collapse, one with a BS of 33. The vet took her off all insulin for a week (she had the 33 four hours after 1/2 unit of Lantus after being off insulin for a full day). I have been doing fasting blood sugars for the last 5 days and they range between 200-280. This morning was 240. She goes to the vet for THEIR fasting BS tomorrow. I am worried and frustrated. She is eating food with less than 10 grams of carbs. She is a skinny little baby now, still at less than 5 pounds. Even though she's 12, she was like a frisky kitten before all this started and it is breaking my heart. If she goes back on insulin I will be afraid to leave the house. Has anyone been through this? Does she need more time off insulin? :?:

Thanks for your help,
Leann
 
Why are you doing fasting tests only ? Why not see how she is under normal circumstances?

And why aren't you giving her insulin if she goes over 200? is there some history behind that?
 
If you have half-unit syringes, why not try measuring .25 units since .5 is too much for her. I have a cat (OTJ now) that couldn't handle Lantus no matter how tiny of an amt. I gave. Changed insulins (PZI) and he was much better on it at .25 units. Just something to consider.

Dale
PS: I read your book "The Cat, The Quilt and the Corpse" and really enjoyed it. What a twist the ending was; didn't expect it.
 
The vet took her off all insulin after she had the second hypoglycemic collapse. Wanted her off for a week and then they want to do their own fasting tests (guess mine aren't good enough). So, I wanted to go in with a history of what her recent fasting sugars are. They gave me nothing about diet and want everything done there. But I have spent about $2000 in the last few months on two sick cats. I cannot afford to spend a hundred bucks a week at the vet. Plus, because of the stress of going to the vet, I think my sugar tests are more accurate. I know this is a tricky illness to manage (I'm an RN) and because I have some tricky illnesses myself (chronic Lyme, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, multiple chemical sensitivities) the stress of worrying about my cats is really making me worse, too. Unfortunately, Aggie continues with UTIs plus she has heart disease (is on Atenolol). The UTIs are like catch 22. The fact that no grain has put her in the 200s rather than the 400s like before seems like progress, but the Lantus might be too strong. Protamine zinc might be the right thing--and a lot cheaper since it's "old school."

I appreciate the help. I guess I just needed to vent where people understand. I will go to the vet tomorrow, but I will be better armed with questions. And I will have 6 other fasting blood sugars to measure against theirs. Going at 10 in the morning doesn't seem like the best time. It might give her a false low. So I will make sure she eats about 10 tonight. Even people shouldn't fast for more than 12 hours. Sigh. Thanks everyone. And for those of you who have read my cat mysteries--thanks! You can bet there will be a diabetic cat in the book I am about to start!! :YMSIGH:

Leann
 
By having her run over 200 for days in a row is not good for her; if she's prone to UTIs the higher blood glucose levels will make her more prone. Having her fast makes absolutely no sense to me either. It sounds to me like she needs a sniff of insulin and I'd suggest sticking with lantus as it is not a 'strong' insulin. The only other option for insulins might be PZI only because it doesnt typically last as long in a cat.
 
She was on the lantus and that's what took her down twice. The last time after a 1/2 unit. The UTIs can't stop because she's spilling sugar but when we try to stop her from spilling sugar she crashes. It's a dilemma. I did find an open container of cat treats (which I usually keep in a sealed container--but my oldest cat is a real smart one. I see her pawprints all over that one!) My oldest cat is healthy as can be at 15--runs all over the place, perfect, clean teeth, so I don't want to change her diet. I'm beginning to wonder if my diabetic kitty been sneaking them at night. Maybe her insulin will be lower in the morning now that I've found that little problem. I know those are very high carb.

Thanks again.
Leann
 
Since you are an RN and familiar with diabetes management, you might be better off using a shorter acting insulin. The main difference between feline diabetes and human is that cats metabolize insulin a lot faster. Maybe your vet could help you come up with an insulin scale. It seems rather absurd someone can be licensed to treat their human patients diabetes or does their own Diabetes management but a vet doesn''t think they could treat their cat.

The twice a day treatment model advocated by the insulin groups here appears to work well for at a lot of people. However, you need to do what is best for your kitty.

Where are your books avaliable? I always like reading kitty inspired stories! Jan and Nomad
 
If she's going hypo on Lantus I certainly would NOT opt for a shorter-acting insulin.

My Charlie was very sensitive to insulin and I had to "microdose" him. Sometimes he was getting a "fat zero" for a dose and yet for him it would have a considerable effect. I bought 1/2U marked syringes and it wasn't too difficult to eyeball 0.25U or less. It sounds like your cat needs SOME insulin but perhaps only a tiny amount.

Also, you're using U-100 syringes, correct? (Just wanted to make sure you hadn't inadvertently gotten your hands on U-40 syringes)
 
Yes, I am using the syringes that have the 1/2 unit marked. Strange, but the vet was surprised that I found them. That did not fill me with confidence! LOL. Today, making sure no open treats were lying around during the night, her blood sugar was 229. She's consistent, so I think a microdose is what she needs--so THANK YOU. My husband is a chemical engineer and he told me at his plant they have syringes with microdoses marked. But they don't use needles for their use--to add tiny amounts of a chemical to measure something. (It's all rocket science to me--don't quite understand). But he might be able to bring some home and I can see if I can put an insulin syringe on them. It will be interesting what the vet says. I am also taking my own glucometer and making them check it against their test so there is no question that I am getting accurate blood sugars. nailbite_smile

You guys are so knowledgeable and I am so glad one of my readers led me here. THANK YOU!!!

Leann
 
Margherita did very well on NPH insulin (also known as Humulin N, Novolin N, Novolin NPH, NPH Lletin II, and isophane insulin)... Just a thought. I was able to micro dose her when we were heading towards remission with no problem. :mrgreen:

I have heard of others that have had regulation issues with Lantus. However, I cannot really speak to it, since Margherita never was on it.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top