Low Reading for First Time!!!! Pretty Scared

[oreosmom]

Hi There,

Oreo had a low reading of 88 (Alpha Trak 2) and then 90 for the first time ever!!! He is on Landus. We had been giving him 3 units twice daily but last week our vet wanted to increase it. So for one week he has been on 3.5 units. Today is our "curve day". His readings were as follows: 5:00 AM: 293 (before food or insulin)
11:00 AM: 202
5:30 PM : 202 (no food yet or insulin)
10:30 PM 88-99 !!!

I gave him a can of grilled Fancy Feast Mornings. He downed the entire can! At 11:30 PM I checked again and the readings was 159. It is up to 189 at 12:30 AM..Phewww!!!!

I don't think I made a mistake giving the shot, but the syringes do not have half unit measures. Does anyone have any idea why such a drop?
Can I go to bed or do I need to test him all night? Doesnt the insulin have a high point? I gave the insulin at 6:30 PM. When does it decrease it's affect?
Do I give insulin tomorrow or call the vet at 9:00? I hope someone is reading this since I am pretty tired and scared. Thanks, Oreo's Mom
Posts: 13
Joined: Mon Apr 16, 2012 8:50 am
Location: San Diego
Member since: March 7th, 2012
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[Pam and Layla]

You might test again to make sure he isn't going too low. 88-99 is within the normal range.

If his number has leveled out or if you are still nervous, you might give him a snack before going to sleep.

Consider rethinking that half-unit increase if it is too much - but a drop like you show isn't a harsh drop.

Pam

 

[Vyktors Mum]

Using an alphatrak you need to take about 30 points off her numbers to get the figures we're used to on a human meter but at 58 that still is within the normal range of 50 to 120 (80 to 150 on the alphatrak). Half a unit is more than we'd usually increase at a time but would be done occasionally if the nadir numbers were still very high. Don't know if that's the case here with no spreadsheet to refer to. If you'd like to set one up to help people help you better here is the link to show you how http://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=50130

The start slow go low approach to using lantus practiced by the FDMB would have you decrease the dose by 0.25 units since Oreo has dropped under 90 (60 on the alphatrak). This is more difficult when you don't have syringes with half markings but not impossible. A good way to ensure you are consistent with the dose it to make a sample syringe to keep handy and compare to the dose you measure. Use coloured water or tea in the practice syringe and take your time getting that one just right. Then put it aside and use it to compare your dose to.

Congratulations on getting Oreo's BG into the normal cat range :mrgreen: the more time she spends in the normal cat range the more chance her pancreas will have to heal. It is pretty nerve wracking the first couple of times though!

For future reference, if you do get low numbers it's best to feed just a teaspoon or two at a time and recheck every half hour (more frequently if the numbers are very low). You don't want a full kitty if you need to keep feeding for a few hours to keep the numbers propped up.

 

[BJM]

What does he normally eat?
Could there be a different lot number?
Changes in lot may result in different nutient profiles.
How much did he eat? Did you observe any change in that?
If the appetite changes a lot, that can affect the resulting glucose levels.
Was there change in activity level?
Increased activity may lower glucose; decreased activity may increase it.