? High BG Readings

[bxkitty]

Hi everyone.
I just had a question about Sophia's readings for today...I tested her this morning and she was in the 500s range, so I gave her the 1 unit of insulin (that's what she's been prescribed so far). I wasn't home earlier today, so I couldn't test her again later on to see how her numbers were reading. I just tested her again a few minutes ago since her shot/food schedule is soon, and she is still in the 500s (higher than this morning). I plan on giving her 1 unit again.

I've had her current insulin bottle since late September that she was diagnosed. Could this mean that I may have to pick up a new prescription bottle or that my vet might end up prescribing a higher dosage?...I know nothing can be said for sure before I test her again in a few hours, but I was wondering, in your experiences, what I could potentially expect the reason to be. (My vet's office doesn't open until 8am, and the vet doesn't seem to get in until about 10am...)

Thanks in advance for any and all feedback!

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

1 unit may be too much insulin for her

It looks like she was getting too low on the 1U dose earlier and then "bouncing".

Bouncing is when they 1. go too low, 2. go down too fast or 3. go into numbers their body just isn't used to anymore (or any combination of all 3)

The liver releases stored sugars and hormones to bring the blood glucose back up quickly.

It's really impossible to know for sure though since you haven't been testing enough or have been skipping shots so often.

With Lantus, the dose is determined by how LOW it takes them, so it's really important to get tests in between the shots.

With her in the 500's, I'd go ahead and give the 1U again tonight and make sure to get at least 1 more test before you go to bed tonight....preferably 2 tests

Then tomorrow get the Pre-shot test and if at all possible, at least 1 more test somewhere mid-cycle (like 5-7 hours after the shot)

With a little more testing, we should be able to help you figure out what's going on with your extra-sweet girl!

 

[bxkitty]

@Chris & China Yeah, my vet's office told me to hold off on insulin if she's under 150 (which I hadn't known about initially), and I saw people on here suggest holding out until she's over 200. I work during the week and have only been able to try for curves during the night. I know I should do another one soon, but I'm waiting on more strips to come in the mail since I'm running low. But I'll definitely test her again at +3 tonight, and I can def test tmr morning, otherwise I can't try to test her again until I'm home from work tomorrow.

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

I'm waiting on more strips to come in the mail since I'm running low.

You might want to consider using a meter that you can easily get strips for. Most of us use human meters so we can grab strips when we need them

my vet's office told me to hold off on insulin if she's under 150 (which I hadn't known about initially), and I saw people on here suggest holding out until she's over 200

Actually, with Lantus, we want to learn to shoot lower and lower numbers. Those of us with enough data and experience will shoot anything over 50 (on a human meter) 68 on a pet meter.

Of course you don't start doing that....but once you've learned to home test and are a little more comfortable with it (and have at least a little mid-cycle data), 150 is actually a pretty safe number to shoot.

 

[Wendy&Neko]

Welcome to you and sweet Sophia. Love that name.

You might want to invest in a backup meter that has strips that are easy to get. Cats are notorious for picking the worst time to go low. Your hypo kit should include a spare box of test strips.

Those mid cycle tests are very important. We dose based on how low the dose take the cat. I have seen a cat start out in black, dive down to low green mid cycle, and back up to red or black at the next shot time.