Home Testing and Curve?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Gracie'smom

Gracie'smom

Member Since 2014
Hi I'm new here. My Graice was diagnosed in early July when I took her to the vet for vomiting. She has been on 2 units of pronzinc twice a day. She had initially improved but she is eating less, gaining weight and her urine output has increased over the last week.

Gracie's blood level has been tested at the vet twice since starting prozinc, about six hours after an injection and she has been in the 250's. I am planning to purchase a Relion home testing kit and would appreciate explicit instructions on how to test her levels and do a curve. I have absolutely no knowledge of diabetic equipment or testing so I would be really grateful for basic guidance.
 
That is not a good sign. Diabetic cats not well controlled urinate more.
A curve at home should provide some insight of what is happening.
 
For a curve, test every 2-3 hours during a day(or night) Here is a protocol for ProZinc that we put together:

http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=109077

We generally say a cat is regulated if they are in the lower 200s at preshot and double digits at nadir (5-7 hours after the shot = lowest point of the cycle) but not below 40, which is approaching hypo territory. Regulation is the first goal; then you can start fine tuning the dose.
 
Urinating more frequently with less volume - suggests bladder infection; watch for signs of urinating only a few drops at a time, sometimes with blood.

Urinating more frequently with the same or more volume - suggests uncontrolled diabetes and/OR hyperthyroidism
 
Sue and Oliver (GA) said:
For a curve, test every 2-3 hours during a day(or night) Here is a protocol for ProZinc that we put together:

http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=109077

We generally say a cat is regulated if they are in the lower 200s at preshot and double digits at nadir (5-7 hours after the shot = lowest point of the cycle) but not below 40, which is approaching hypo territory. Regulation is the first goal; then you can start fine tuning the dose.
Click to expand...

My vet told me she is supposed to be in the 120's I guess either at the time they checked her (6 hours after insulin or always.) So once they are "regulated" is the goal getting them to a non diabetic level? I guess I'm wondering if the insulin impact possible remission or if it just keeps them "managed" and diet is the only hope for remission.
 
Some cats with low-carb diet and insulin can go into remission and no longer require insulin.
The goal with insulin is to get BG as low as possible at the maximum effect of the insulin but not below about 70.
 
Usually insulin and low carb food are the needed combination. Some lucky cats respond right away to a change of diet only, but that is less common. If you get her into regulated numbers, then you start getting her into lower (but safe) ranges, testing often and manipulating dosage. We generally consider a cat in remission if they range between 40-120 off insulin for 2 weeks.

How did the curve go?
 
Regulation is when they are safe numbers, under the renal threshold where we think the pancreas can heal (under 250-270). We consider a cat in remission if they are in the 40-120 range for 2 weeks, without insulin.
 
Sue and Oliver (GA) said:
Usually insulin and low carb food are the needed combination. Some lucky cats respond right away to a change of diet only, but that is less common. If you get her into regulated numbers, then you start getting her into lower (but safe) ranges, testing often and manipulating dosage. We generally consider a cat in remission if they range between 40-120 off insulin for 2 weeks.

How did the curve go?
Click to expand...

I still haven't done the curve. I got all the supplies, at least I think they are right, there was a Relion prime and ultra so I just picked one and the pharmacist tried to help me guess what gauge lancets to get. I haven't done the curve because it seems really daunting. I'm really overwhelmed with my own health problems right now and having a hard time because frankly I'm all alone in the world. It's just me and gracie and we are both really sick. I am worried about her as she is drinking a lot again and seems ravenous. If someone could point me to basic 101 curve instructions that would be great. I really need from the beginning step by step simple instructions. I haven't even tried to do a reading yet and I'm really nervous. My cat is huge and I know it's going to be a big challenge trying to get sample from her.
 
Let's start with getting one test in. I'd decide where you want to test - on a counter, a towel, a bed and take her there. Play with her ears, lots of praise and then a low carb treat that she loves (my guys are PureBites fans but a plain chicken breast cooked without spices and then cut up into tiny pieces works too). Then let her go..after a few times of that, add heating her ear. (sock filled with raw rice, knotted, and warmed in microwave or a pill bottle filled with very warm water.). Warm her ear, treat, lots of priase and release. Finally, add the poke. If you get blood the first time (lots of us didn't) put it on your fingernail and test from there.


Try the lancets and meter on yourself to be confident about how it works.

If you have trouble, come on with a new thread and ask for help. We all have tricks that helped. Mine are warming the ear enough and using the larger size lancet.

Once you feel confident about getting blood and a level, then we'll talk about a curve. Baby steps, baby steps. :-D
 
So I was getting ready to try this out and the instructions with the meter are saying I need a lancet device? Is there a way to do this with out it. I was instructed here to get the meter, lancets and test strips.

Thanks for your assistance above, however what I need are the technical instructions. I do not know how to draw the blood or test the blood.
 
I didn't exactly mean "draw" blood. So you just poke their ear directly with the lancet? I got a little bit of blood on the test strip, but the meter didn't do anything. It has what looks like an image of a test strip on the screen and and arrow flashing pointing right.
 
What kind of meter? They are all different so you need to read the directions first. You poke the lancet into the end of your finger or the ear of the cat and get a drop of blood. Turn the meter on, stick the strip in, and put the end into the drop of blood.

Did that link I gave you help?
 
Relion prime. That's what I did. Perhaps there wasn't enough blood? I tried poking myself several times and it didn't create any blood. I saw some blood in her ear though. Not sure if there is a particular way I'm supposed to be inserting the lancet.
 
I doesn't work on me, but I'll try that spot on Gracie tomorrow if I can. Now I see why the vet charges so much to do a curve. Just getting one reading is completely overwhelming.
 
Once you get it down, it really will become easier. Do you know a human diabetic who might give you a hands on lesson?

The problem with vet curves is that most cats are stressed at the vet, and stress raises bg levels. Then doses based on those numbers can be too high once the cat gets home and relaxes.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top