Intro and insulin question

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Nyx

Member Since 2014
Hello,

My cat developed diabetes about 3 years ago but only for a few months and then went into remission. Her diabetes is back and we think she has pancreatitis as well since some tests suggest it is possible but not definite.

My vet is not in today and her blood sugar is 14.4 (tested at random at 2 in the afternoon. We've been instructed to give her food within 2 hours around her insulin but she was ridiculously hungry just now and had vomited some of her food this morning. She has already had the one recommended unit of insulin today but like I said her blood sugar is 14.4 and now I've given her a teensy bit of food to tie her over till dinner. I will test her blood again but should I give her another insulin injection tonight?

Thanks for the help. I hope I was not a horrible person for giving her a little food. I'm so worried about her.
 
We need some more information before trying to give advice. What insulin is she on? What is the dosage? Is it once daily? (Insulin works best in felines when given twice daily as it only lasts 12 hours)

Lots of members here feed several small meals throughout the day (and night) thinking that it helps support the pancreas. I am wondering if you are giving Humulin N and that is why the vet wants food in her stomach 2 hours before the shot. That is a wise thing to do, but you can also feed other times. I think your having fed her is a great idea - having food onboard with insulin is wise.
 
While I put out food twice a day, it is grazed on until the next shot for the diabetic. It seems to be working fine for civvies and diabetic alike.
 
Thank yuo everyone,

She is on Lantus (Human insulin) and was on two units yesterday but instructed to start doing only one unit.

They told me to give her food then wait half an hour before I give her the insulin. The rest of the food should be given within 1-2 hours after her insulin (if she didn't finish it before the shot). This is why I am concerned about giving her food throughout the day. And also not sure if I should give her another shot tonight since her blood sugar in mid day was 14.4.
 
Lantus does best if given two shots a day, 12 hours apart. Most of us here test the blood sugar, feed and shoot insulin all within 15-20 minutes. It's OK to feed later meals, but best if they are in the first 6 hours after insulin. Some cats are grazers so people just leave food down. Mine is a hoover so she gets mini meals at set times after the main meal.
 
Thanks so much. Her blood sugar levels are still outta control especially at 1 unit per day so I finally got a hold of another vet and they told me to give her 1 unit twice daily again.
 
Can we get you started using our grid to record your glucose tests? It will help us give you better feedback. Instructions are here.

Understanding the spreadsheet/grid:

The colored headings at the top are the ranges of glucose values. They are color-coded to clue you in as to meaning.

Each day is 1 row. Each column stores different data for the day.

From left to right, you enter
the Date in the first column
the AMPS (morning pre-shot test) in the 2nd column
the Units given (turquoise column)

Then, there are 11 columns labeled +1 through +11
If you test at +5 (5 hours after the shot), you enter the test number in the +5 column
If you test at +7 (7 hours after the shot), you enter the test number in the +7 column
and so on.

Halfway across the page is the column for PMPS (evening pre-shot)
To the right is another turquoise column for Units given at the evening shot.

There is second set of columns labeled +1 through +11
If you snag a before bed test at +3, you enter the test number in the +3 column.

We separate day and night numbers like that because many cats go lower at night.

It is merely a grid for storing the info; no math required.

Once you've got that set up, edit your signature to include the link as follows:
Go to the top left of the screen.
Click on User Control Panel.
Click on Profile
Click on Edit Signature
A text box displays.
This is where you paste the link for your spreadsheet, once it is set up.
Add any other text, such as
your name, cat's name,
city and state,
date of Dx (diagnosis)
insulin
meter
any other pertinent issues like food issues, allergies, IBD, etc.
 
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