Kookie kitty - What should I do? updated

[Alix]

Scamp's spreadsheet looks strange to me - she keeps popping up with a really low number - seemingly out of the blue and she did it again tonight. I had run a curve on Saturday and just threw together this spreadsheet to ask opinions. I do have 3 years on a different spreadsheet (at work even!) because my vet doesn't like this google one. So if more history is needed I can add more.

I would really appreciate hearing your opinions and comments - please and thank you!!

 

[BJM]

It may be some bouncing. Bouncing is when the glucose drops quickly and/or drops to a level that is unusual for the cat. Compensatory hormones release stored glucose (glycogen) which raises the glucose back up for as much as 3 days.

When you get an unshootable number, stall 30 minutes without feeding and re-test. If rising, and you have test data mid-cycle that shows it may be safe, a reduced dose may be given when using a non-depot insulin like ProZinc.

Another option to consider is developing a sliding scale where the dose you give is adjusted based on what you know about how much you cat drops from various pre-test levels and dose combinations.

 

[Sue and Oliver (GA)]

I agree with BJ. It definitely looks like she could be bouncing from lows. It is difficult to eliminate bouncing on a steady dose, as it may be too high for a yellow pre shot and cause a low nadir. But on a red pre shot, it may be the right amount.

Not every cat responds well to a sliding scale, but if you'd like to try it, we could help you set one up. The good news is that she seems to be responding well to the insulin and a little tweaking with the dose may be all that is needed.

 

[Alix]

I think I would like to try it - I think first I want to see what happens when I stall the 30 minutes as BJM suggested - so this means waiting until I get another low number - which is actually a new thing for her although it shows up on her "new spreadsheet" twice. I have had a funny feeling about her lately and have been worried - she did go DKA three times last year and her numbers were in the teens - so I did take her to my vet's business partner (my vet was in Vegas - nice) and I had done a curve where she never got to "normal" numbers so we upped her dosage by .5 - she does react to small changes!! and she is on B12 every week. She is not drinking excessively nor is she starving but she seems to sleep 22 hours a day!! No signs of ketones when I took her in - TG!!!

thanks for the opinions - I really appreciate it - and it helps that my vet will work with me also!! (either one now!!)