Ketones here then gone, anyone have an explanation?

[Christianna]

A strange situation occurred with Noodle this morning. Shortly before his morning shot I was able to catch him peeing and did a ketone test. It came up with small ketones. I ran it again immediately with a different bottle of test sticks--same result. Six hours after his insulin shot, I got another urine sample and ran ketone test again, twice. The results came up negative. We are seeing the vet tomorrow but in the meantime, can anyone explain to me what might be happening? Otherwise he seems to feel great but the intermittent ketones bother me. Thanks for any help.

Christi

 

[BJM]

Remember that urine contains what has happened in the past several hours, not what is currently happening. And remember that the insulin takes effect and works on the glucose in a smile shape - lowest glucose level is at the peak of insulin activity. Thus, when you tested him the first time, it covered the period when the insulin was wearing off. When you tested him the 2nd time, it was after the insulin was beginning to take effect.

And push fluids; those help clear ketones.

 

[Christianna]

Thanks, BJM! That makes perfect sense. I wondered if when the insulin was most effective it would affect the ketones but couldn't wrap my head around how. I'm so glad for your explanation that even I can understand ;-)

Christi

 

[BJM]

Since you've seen ketones, check your insulin protocol for dose adjustments. In the Lantus Tight Regulation forum, if you can test 3-4 times across the day, you can be quite aggressive adjusting dose. You are testing enough to follow that for at least a bit, then resume more relaxed adjusting.