Insulin Dose Adjustment - Not Sure What to Do

[Critter Mom]

Hi all,

I'm finding it tricky with the low-carb food changeover in general. I skipped Saoirse's insulin dose this morning after her low last night.

Saoirse's appetite has been fluctuating during the day. I tested her at her scheduled feed time and she's before her scheduled feed time. Her appetite is fluctuating a little and her BG is much lower than when on the infernal Hills w/d Dry. Here are her numbers for the last 24 hours (when insulin last administered):

310 - Pre-insulin (dose = 3 IU Caninsulin)
77 - +3.5
225 - +4.75
302 - +6.5
302 - +8.25
331 - +15.25
263 - +24.25

These figures are a marked improvement on her BG range when on the Hill's w/d (300-450 mg/dL).

I spoke to my vet this afternoon after he had a look at the curve I did for the last few days. He suggested stepping Saoirse down to 2 IU, but I asked if it was ok just to give her just 1 IU tonight because I am absolutely hanging and there is no way I will stay awake tonight.

I don't want to take any risks. Thus far in her treatment, Saoirse has consistently tested negative for ketones. I am much more worried about her going low again tonight.

I don't know what to do. I am afraid to even give her the 1 IU dose of Caninsulin. My instinct is to skip tonight's dose and start her at 2 IU tomorrow when I will be fully awake and able to monitor her properly.

I would be very grateful for any thoughts and advice about how to proceed.

 

[SweetAngel]

hi, Aine,

I'm in the uk too and Angel is on Caninsulin (for the moment). I also have ptsd (and ADD) and on disability because of that.

If you have a look at Angel's spreadsheets, this seems to be pretty common with caninsulin. He started on 2, went to 3, now down to 1, all within 6 weeks. What I've done with Angel if he's been above 200 but still low-ish is to give 1 unit and then put my alarm clock on for what seems to be the lowest point (with him around +5 but looks like earlier with Saoirse) then checked if he's ok and if any worries tested him.

It sounds like the low carb diet is helping regulate her, if she's bored with the Purina DM I also give Angel the Gourmet Gold Pate or Senior Pate (all other varieties too high carb) or Bozita (available online from Zooplus)

Everyone here is so lovely and supportive and there are some amazing people in the UK who have helped me so much, maybe go to my profile, search my posts and the responses and see if any of that is helpful to you. I'd write more but been such a long day.

good luck xx oh, ps, once I get Angel back if we find we're needing to wake up and check/test around the same time, I'll PM you and if you like we can exchange numbers and I'll text or phone you when my alarm goes off.

 

[Critter Mom]

Hi Cassandra,

Thanks for replying. Sorry to hear about your PTSD/ADD. I'm not able to work, either. It's not fun. (Promise me never to mention a certain company that sponsored the Paralympics ... :evil: )

I tried to look at Angel's spreadsheet but googledocs didn't want to play. I'll try again tomorrow. Angel's one good-looking moggie! :smile:

While Saoirse was on the w/d dry, I was managing with the alarm clock and an auto feeder to ensure Saoirse had food during the night, but the uber-fast response to the low carb food really caught me on the back foot. My sleeping is bad with the PTSD normally, but it's all over the place right now and I'm so exhausted that I don't know when I'm going to pass out: there's no pattern to it.

Thanks for the tips about different foods to try. As part of the changeover, I gave Saoirse a little bit of Granatapet and some Om Nom Nom (from The Happy Kitty Company online). She wasn't impressed with the Om Nom Nom (much to my civvie puss Lúnasa's delight!). She really liked the Granatapet but unfortunately it did not seem to like her back: the pancreatitis makes things even more tricky. Maybe in time if her digestive system settles down it might agree with her better. Granatapet do a non-GMO food that I am very keen to try her on.

I'll be sure to have a look at some of your posts. Thanks so much for taking time to reply, especially when you've had a long tiring day. Blessings to you and Angel. :smile:

 

[Deb & Wink]

"Better too high for a day, than too low for a moment." That's one of our sayings here.

Yes, I think it's absolutely an option for you to skip the shot tonight. Especially since you are "running on empty". Safer for you Aine, and safer for your kitty Saoirse too.

Please take care of yourself. If you get sick, it doesn't sound like there is any one else to take care of your kitties. You need to keep yourself healthy and fit too.

Sending more hugs to you. :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG: