Is insulin needed at this big level?

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Nan G

Member Since 2021
So I've been watching a friends cat that is diabetic. My friend does not test bg level at home but goes by the vet recommendation. I was to give him 6 units twice a day and he was eating dry food.
After a few days of observing him I realized he is acting like diabetes is uncontrolled. Peeing. 10 to 12 times a day, drinking 16 oz of water in 24 hours, constantly hungry. I found this forum which was a great help. I slowly switched him to wet food. As I did he started drinking and peeing less. Before I switched food completely I bought a test kit for sugar. His sugar was 500 while still on 6 units of insulin! I immediately took him off dry food and he went to peeing 2-3 times a day and drinking about 3oz of water a day. With no insulin his blood sugar goes tom about180 to 300. Hes been with me about 3 months now, his coat looks great and he is down to 12lbs from 16lbs. I've read that blood sugar is considered controlled in a diabetic cat if it is maintained at 120 to 300 most of the day.
I haven't been giving him insulin as his numbers have been from 187 to mostly the high 200s occasionally 300. And his water intake is normal and his peeing also normal.
My question is should I be giving him insulin still and trying to get the numbers lower even though he seems asymptomatic? My fear is making him hypoglycemic. I feel more comfortable with the numbers a little high as long as he is acting normal.
 
Hi and welcome to the forum. well done testing the BGs and switching to low carb diet.
What type of glucose meter are you using.? On a human meter the normal BGs for a cat are50 to 120. So 180 to 300 is too high. He most likely needs a much smaller dose of insulin than you were giving.
What type of insulin were you giving?


Would you be willing to set up a spreadsheet and enter the last months data into it? Then we could help you.
Also I would be testing for ketones in the urine if you have not been giving insulin and the BGs are still above normal. To do this you will need to buy a bottle of Ketostix from Walmart or a pharmacy, collect a urine sample and test following the instructions on the bottle.

HELP US HELP YOU has a link to the spreadsheet and signature plus other useful information
 
Nan G said:
So I've been watching a friends cat that is diabetic. My friend does not test bg level at home but goes by the vet recommendation. I was to give him 6 units twice a day and he was eating dry food.
After a few days of observing him I realized he is acting like diabetes is uncontrolled. Peeing. 10 to 12 times a day, drinking 16 oz of water in 24 hours, constantly hungry. I found this forum which was a great help. I slowly switched him to wet food. As I did he started drinking and peeing less. Before I switched food completely I bought a test kit for sugar. His sugar was 500 while still on 6 units of insulin! I immediately took him off dry food and he went to peeing 2-3 times a day and drinking about 3oz of water a day. With no insulin his blood sugar goes tom about180 to 300. Hes been with me about 3 months now, his coat looks great and he is down to 12lbs from 16lbs. I've read that blood sugar is considered controlled in a diabetic cat if it is maintained at 120 to 300 most of the day.
I haven't been giving him insulin as his numbers have been from 187 to mostly the high 200s occasionally 300. And his water intake is normal and his peeing also normal.
My question is should I be giving him insulin still and trying to get the numbers lower even though he seems asymptomatic? My fear is making him hypoglycemic. I feel more comfortable with the numbers a little high as long as he is acting normal.
Click to expand...

What a great friend! I'm a newbie, so just reading. Just a comment to recognize your fabulous care of your friend's kitty.
 
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Just a quick FYI, normal blood glucose levels are between 50 - 120. The range you referred to will still keep the cat at risk for kidney issues -- renal threshold is in the lower 200s.

It sounds like the kitty needs insulin but NOT 6u. That's a very large dose. You've don't a great job of reading, researching, and getting this kitty on a much more appropriate diet and it sounds like you're seeing good results. We'll be able to provide more input once you've had a chance to respond to Bron's questions.
 
Bron and Sheba (GA) said:
Hi and welcome to the forum. well done testing the BGs and switching to low carb diet.
What type of glucose meter are you using.? On a human meter the normal BGs for a cat are50 to 120. So 180 to 300 is too high. He most likely needs a much smaller dose of insulin than you were giving.
What type of insulin were you giving?


Would you be willing to set up a spreadsheet and enter the last months data into it? Then we could help you.
Also I would be testing for ketones in the urine if you have not been giving insulin and the BGs are still above normal. To do this you will need to buy a bottle of Ketostix from Walmart or a pharmacy, collect a urine sample and test following the instructions on the bottle.

HELP US HELP YOU has a link to the spreadsheet and signature plus other useful information
Click to expand...
 
Thank you for your help. I did purchase the keto strips and it tested negative. I had to order the urine sugar strips as I havent been able to find them. The spreadsheet looks a little confusing but I'm sure with some help I will be able to submit it. I'm so glad I found this site.
 
Hi Nan, Welcome to FDMB! :-)
I can set up your spreadsheet and signature. Will send you a PM with the details I need. Look for it in the Inbox at the top right corner of this page.
 
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