Jeter's first blood test by me!

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postalbunny

postalbunny

Member Since 2016
Okay we finally got some blood out of that sweet kitty ear with a reading of 69. I've been reading trying to figure out if this is good or bad but am not sure. It was taken immediately after he ate and before his shot of Novolin (1 unit). I know he needs more tests for a curve but feel like he isn't doing really well- still peeing a lot and drinking a lot of water. Any comments?
 
Are you sure about that reading? Can you do another test with another strip? That's a pretty low (non-diabetic, even) number, it doesn't seem consistent with the clinical signs (drinking and peeing).

Have you given the shot yet? If not, I would hold off until I got another reading. If you have given the shot, then definitely get another reading now to make sure you know what the insulin is working on.
 
It's very good that you got that test. Per Nan and Amber's recommendation if you haven't given the Novolin yet then hold off for now.

Please can you get another blood test and post the result.

If you have already given the Novolin then you will need to keep monitoring for several hours to make sure Jeter stays safe because if the 69 is a genuine result then that's a very low number for a preshot.

Please can you post straight away with the type of meter you're using (human or pet meter?).


Mogs
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Thanks, guys-- I'm a newbie and was just hunting around to try to figure out how to 'tag' more experienced members to follow up on this, but you stepped right in before I could!
 
@postalbunny -

Make sure you have all your hypo supplies handy. If you're using a pet meter that 69 reading is just one point above the nominal hypo threshold. Even if it's on a human meter, it's still concerningly low.

If that 69 is a valid reading and you have already given insulin then for safety it is CRITICAL for you to test every 30 minutes for the time being because Novolin can drop blood glucose levels very hard and very fast and Jeter was already low at preshot.

FDMB HYPO GUIDE - http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/how-to-treat-hypos-they-can-kill-print-this-out.15887/


Chris will keep an eye on the two of you and help you but you need to keep posting on this thread and checking for replies and guidance. Crossing fingers and paws for you both to have a safe night.


Mogs
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Wow just got back online.. I did give Jeter his shot because I wasn't sure what to do. He has been napping but seemed ok while I was trimming the knots off his stomach. Ill try the blood test again
 
You shot when he was at 69?

You're going to need to keep a VERY close eye on him and test frequently tonight until we know for sure he's out of danger
 
Using a human meter Relion. My first reading for him- the vet has been telling me to give him one unit every 12 hours and he'd be fine..
 
At the beginning, before you have a good sense of where a dose will take him, the recommendation is not to shoot under 200.

I'm hoping some of the more experienced folks return soon to offer guidance, but here's what I know:

1) with the insulin on board and such low numbers, you need to monitor very closely until the numbers start going up.
2) hold off on feeding a ton of food right now, you may need to keep feeding to keep the numbers up
3) if you do give food, with a number like 26 I think you should be giving high-carb food-- gravy from the Fancy Feast gravy lovers is a favorite, but another option is to put a bit of honey or Karo syrup on the usual low-carb food.
4) in a pinch, a bit of honey/Karo on the gums (it will absorb in, he doesn't have to swallow) will quickly (though briefly) bring numbers up.

More in a bit.
 
26 is WAY too low

You need to give him some high carb food like the Gravy from a Fancy Feast gravy lovers and I'd add a few drops of Karo, honey or syrup to that

A couple of teaspoons of just the "gravy" part and a few drops of Karo/honey/syrup....we don't want him to fill up on food because you're going to need to keep him interested in eating

Retest in 20 minutes
 
Chris and China are here, yay! I'll step back to let the more experienced folks guide you so that you don't have too many conflicting pieces of advice coming at you at once.

Follow their lead, they know what they are doing and have guided many through the same process over the years...
 
@postalbunny .....if you haven't tested again yet, please update

We really need to get him at least above 50 but even then, we'll need to keep testing for awhile since we don't have any data on how he responds
 
OK....you can't relax yet but I'm glad to see he's over 50

Is he a "big eater"? If you put food down, will he eat forever or does he "fill up" and stop eating? If he's a good eater, I'd give him a teaspoon or two of food now

You need to test again in 30 minutes....he could very easily come back down again
 
Great! Going in the right direction!

As Chris & China said, you're going to need to keep monitoring and feeding some high-carb food for a while longer to make sure this increase "sticks", but this is encouraging so far.

How is Jeter feeling now? And how are you so far?
 
Nan & Amber said:
Great! Going in the right direction!

As Chris & China said, you're going to need to keep monitoring and feeding some high-carb food for a while longer to make sure this increase "sticks", but this is encouraging so far.

How is Jeter feeling now? And how are you so far?
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He seems a little better..I'm kicking myself
 
My first was over Labor day weekend. Had just found this site. Spent 2 days reading everything to decide if it was legit. After all there are a lot of nuts out there.

Decided it was. Introduced myself. Wham Smokey was hypo and I didn't know it. Had nothing in the house. Wasn't monitoring cuz I was told it wasn't necessary.

It was a long long anxious night.
 
postalbunny said:
He seems a little better..I'm kicking myself
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Please don't feel bad....the reason we're all here helping you is because when we were in the same place, someone here reached out to us and helped us.

Vets don't know much about treating feline diabetes and treat most of their cat patients like they would treat a small dog and cats are totally different. The Novolin you're using is a much better dog insulin than it is a cat one. Cat's metabolism is faster, so having a hard hitting insulin like Novolin tends to hit them hard and fast and then wear off long before it's time for the next shot. Lantus, Levemir and ProZinc are much better for cats.

I'll be checking in on you but I'm glad Woodsywife is here to watch over you too! I'm fighting a bad cold and my own kitty is running a little low tonight

By the way....Congratulations on your first test!! Welcome to the Vampire Club!!
vampire smiley.jpg
 
Woodsywife said:
My first was over Labor day weekend. Had just found this site. Spent 2 days reading everything to decide if it was legit. After all there are a lot of nuts out there.

Decided it was. Introduced myself. Wham Smokey was hypo and I didn't know it. Had nothing in the house. Wasn't monitoring cuz I was told it wasn't necessary.

It was a long long anxious night.
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I remember that!
Chris & China said:
I'll be checking in on you but I'm glad Woodsywife is here to watch over you too! I'm fighting a bad cold and my own kitty is running a little low tonight
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I'll be around for a while, too, if somebody needs a break for a bit. Chris, hope China comes up okay and you feel better soon!
 
I would do one more test in an hour. If he is the same or better, I think your safe for the night.

Is he hungry? Or is it time for a meal?
 
Woodsywife said:
Brigit, can you tell me a little about Jeter? How old is he, when was he diagnosed? Is he a big kitty?
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Jeter is about 13. He was diagnosed in February and did fine for a while but I'm thinking I may need to switch insulin. He had lost weight both pre and post diagnosis and last I checked weighs 8 pounds. Pretty skinny and hasn't been grooming himself much.( though never did enough)
 
postalbunny said:
Another test now at 86. Should I continue with food and testing?
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No more food for now....you will want to test every 3o minutes for at least 1 hour from the last time he got any food....and then test at least once more an hour later than that....so you're testing for at least 2 hours from the last food so you know for sure he's up and going to stay up without you having to continue to intervene with food or Karo
 
How many hours ago did he get his shot? I would suggest getting at least one more test, as Woodsywife says. When was the last time you gave him food?
 
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