Just starting on home testing,need advice

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John C

John C

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Hi,
Just started my cat Nelson on ProZimc. The Vet did a curve and said to start out at 3u every 12h. I started home testing right away. I'm using the Reliom micro with code F-2 strips. Is this a good choice of glucometer?
He had normal Bg at his we'll visit back in March and only started with symtoms recently. He's about 13-15 years old and has always maintained a weight of 13-14 lbs a big cat ,not fat? I started home testing four days ago. Seven AM -7PM and mid-day nadir ie. 1PM.
Day one. 358 3u--47--146. only gave 1u at 7Pm

Day two. 321 2u--57--238 gave 2u

Day three. 233 2.5u--47--228. gave 2.5u

Day four. 219 2.5u--47---174. gave 2u

After the nadir readings I gave some food but did not retest. He seemed to be acting normal. I know I should be calling the Vet (which I plan to do tomorrow ) but would much appreciate everyones input and help.
He has been on lowcarb for two weeks. Likes fancy feast better than Purina DM.
Am I using a reliable glucometer, feeding a decent food etc.
THANKS,
John
 
Hi John and Nelson,

You are doing things right - Fancy Feast pates are fine, and much less expensive than DM.. ReliOn meters work fine.

About his numbers: he is dropping low midcycle. Generally when they are lower than 50 at nadir (5-7 hours after the shot) we say they earn a reduction. It is possible that he is bouncing from those lows to a higher number before the test. (Bouncing is when their body perceives a lower number than they are used to and releases extra glucose, raising the next number higher than "normal")

If he were mine, I'd reduce the dose a little and see if he stays a little higher at nadir and is lower for the pre shot tests.

Also, we generally suggest newbies not give insulin under 200 but stall for 20 minutes without feeding. (Food raises numbers). If he is rising (not falling) and nearer or above 200, then you can safely shoot.

We put together a protocol for ProZinc and it is in my signature in blue.
 
Welcome John and Nelson! You are off to a great start and you are in the best place to be for info and advice! There is so much to learn at the beginning, it can seem a little overwhelming, but you are home testing and recording data, so you are already doing so much to help your Nelson. I just wanted to say hello and wish you the best!
 
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, test)
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.

The nadir is the lowest glucose between shots. There is a general period when it will happen which is specific to the insulin being used and testing then helps make sure your cat doesn't go too low.

It is merely a grid for storing the info; no math required.
 
Welcome John and extra sweet Nelson! I'm thrilled to see you're already testing! You got this goin' on already. :)

Meter - that meter is great, just 'fyi' - the 'F' code on those strips change seems like by area of the country. Don't worry about trying to buy just 'F2's', the meter checks that and sets itself for the correct 'F' number.

I SO encourage you to start the spreadsheet - I used all the excuses not to start one but when I did, I was so shocked to see things I was missing by just keeping them written down. The ssheet automatically colors by the numbers entered which lets you see trends and hiccups that paper just doesn't highlight. I've had computer problems and wasn't able to get to our ssheet for weeks - it was like my arm was missing!

Don't hesitate to ask ANY questions, we love questions! If you don't understand the answer, tell us - we'll figure out another way to say it until it makes sense to you.

Welcome again!
 
Welcome John and Nelson. I was just wondering how Nelson is doing? Did you decide to lower the pre-shot doses?
 
Doing well,I think. No insulin for 3 days AM readings 120 +/~
We were at the vet today. 10AM BS 90 on my glucometer 139 on theirs. I am somewhat concerned about the accuracy of mine. It's. A relion micro from Wallmart. Any advice?
John
 
If they are using a pet glucometer, it reads differently than a human one. We don't have a exact correlation but we tell pet meter users to pay attention to an 80 for a possible hypo and tell human meter users to pay attention at 50. The other variable is that all meters are allowed by the FDA to have a variance from one reading to the next. Here is the info:

http://www.diabetesforecast.org/201...rs-2013.html?referrer=https://www.google.com/

I wouldn't worry about it. Just make sure he is moving down, not up for ranges.
 
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