? Insulin working durning the day but not overnight?

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Valerie & Fred

Valerie & Fred

Member Since 2023
Hi guys my kitty was diagnosed a couple months ago with diabetes and we’re still having difficulty getting his sugar under control. He’s on 3 units of lantis twice a day. For some reason I can’t figure out, his insulin works during the day (he’ll usually get into the 100’s) but at night he’ll get his shot and he never seems to go below 300. Any idea why this might be happening? We have him on a freestyle Libre 3 at the recommendation from the vet so we’re able to see what’s going on at all times. Still a little confused about all this stuff so I’m new to this board.

For more info: he’s currently eating tiki cat aloha friends (so no carbs) 3x a day
3 units @ 10am and 10pm right after he eats.
I posted a photo of his curve below.
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I think what you are seeing during the PM cycle is a bounce. His body is not used to the lower but very safe numbers and it reacts by releasing glycogen stored in the liver. A better explanation here:

Many new members ask what the difference is, then, between chronic Somogyi rebound and what we call “bouncing” in the FDMB.​

Bouncing, as we use the term in the FDMB, is the increase in the BG due to a fast drop of the BG (this does not have to be a fast drop from high to low numbers) or a drop to a lower BG than the cat’s body is accustomed. This also does not have to be a drop to a hypoglycemic BG. Many cats will bounce, initially, when the BG drops, for example, from 300 to 150 over the course of a cycle. The cat’s body has become accustomed to higher BGs and the BG of 150, in this example, causes the liver to release counterregulatory hormones and glucagon to raise the BG back to what it deems a “safer” BG.​

If a CG is unsure of what constitutes bouncing or any other pattern of low BGs followed by high BGs or vice versa, please ask on the appropriate forum so experienced members may accurately interpret the BGs and spreadsheet.​
 
And a further explanation:

  • Bouncing - Bouncing is simply a natural reaction to what the cat's system perceives as a BG value that is "too low". "Too low" is relative. If a cat is used to BGs in the 200's, 300's, or higher for a long time, then even a BG that drops to 150 can trigger a "bounce". Bouncing can also be triggered if the blood glucose drops too low and/or too fast.The pancreas, then the liver, release glucogon, glycogen and counter-regulatory hormones. The end result is a dumping of "sugar" into the bloodstream to save the cat from going hypoglycemic from a perceived low. The action is often referred to as "liver panic" or "panicky liver". *Usually*, a bounce will clear kitty's system within 3 days (6 cycles
How else can we help? There is a treasure trove of information and experienced people here. You've come to the right place.
 
Welcome to the FDMB. in order to get an idea of what’s going on we need you to start a spreadsheet. We have someone here that can help set it up or you can do it yourself. I’m not a tech person so took the help. I. Guessing you have a Libre in your cat. That’s fine but more expensive than testing yourself with an ear prick. It’s good to have a meter and test strips in hand in case the Libre malfunctions, stops working, or falls off. It would also help to add a signature so we dint keep asking the same questions over and over again.

How was your cat diagnosed? Did the vet mention DKA or ketones were present? You don’t need O carb food. Most feed about 6% but up to 9% is considered low carb. You want to have some high carb food should the bg drop low and honey or Karo on hand as well.

We use 2 methods of dosing here which you can read about in the lantus forum.

Kelly explained tge likely cause of the numbers you see. Keep asking questions.
 
Thank you guys, sorry for the late reply. Wouldn’t have thought the night time thing could be a bounce but it makes sense! Huh. So confused why it’s happening every night though any idea how this can be fixed? I feel like this happens even when he doesn’t get very low too like yesterday he went down to about 260 at the lowest during the day and still bounced apparently last night. It acts like it wants to start coming down it’ll get to like 350 and go right back up. Our vet is stumped to say the least, she’s getting in contact with an internist because she doesn’t know what else to do atm.

Also food, had a hard time finding him a wet food he likes he HATES friskies pates which is why he ended up on tiki cat.

Vet checked his ketones the appointment before last and she said that was good!
I do also have a regular monitor to use on him when he doesn’t have his lebre on or when he gets low enough for me to start to worry (always double check with an ear prick)
I’m gonna try and get him a spreadsheet set up thanks for the advise, I appreciate any!!
 
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We have a member that can get you set up with a spreadsheet really quickly. Let her do it. That’s the only way we can help figure out what’s happening. @Bandit's Mom. With h bg that high please get some keto sticks and test urine fur ketones daily.
 
That would be awesome thank you!

any lower cost brand recommendations on ketone sticks? Gonna order some right now, also do these need to be animal specific?
 
Human ones are fine. Unless you get a meter like the ones that measure bg. That are not any pet specific ones.
 
Valeriemichellee said:
any lower cost brand recommendations on ketone sticks? Gonna order some right now, also do these need to be animal specific?
Click to expand...
if you're in the US, you can get these from Walmart. Or any human ones like Elise said.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/ReliOn-Ketone-Test-Strips-50-Count/33574014

I can help set up your spreadsheet. Will send you a PM with the details I need. Look for it in the Inbox at the top right corner of this page.

Here's a detailed document on the Libre written by an FDMB member:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/...f13UiOiEM-6MsrFNpR9ztaPawF6dLk2b906QZ6VP6/pub
 
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