Magic - OTJ

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Magic Johnson

Magic Johnson

Member Since 2018
@Djamila :bighug::bighug::bighug:

I have Djamila to thank for helping me get on the right spreadsheet! I SHOULDA read the directions which clearly stated...to read the directions fully before embarking...on your spreadsheet.

It appears now that Maji did have a HYPO episode on 3.19. I was wondering why the vet seemed so concerned and the FDMB did not. NOW I understand...it was not hypo if using the human meter. Poor Maji... :( I feel so bad all day she was in this deep sleep that I had never seen before. Thankfully she came up at the end of the day.

OK I got all the data over! Maji was 104 this morning and so hungry she almost nibbled my fingers off as I gave her treats Maji looks good :) we are on our 4th day off insulin - otj testing phase. (please let me know if I am supposed to be on the OTJ thread, I don't feel we are really OTJ unless she passes the threshold of two weeks).
 
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OK Maji threw up her bkfst and these were new cans! She of course came begging for food and I wondered why and nearly stepped in it.

Gave a new bkfst. I need to get Ketone strips up at Walgreens...I have not been up yet. This may seem like a dumb question but: @Kris & Teasel Do I need to be worried about Ketones if she is not on insulin?

Secondly, she is acting great and playful...so not acting sick at all. Is it possible that she is so hungry she is eating much too fast?
She is wolfing her food down like a ...well...wolf

Should I give her smaller portions??
(hers are not huge), but she inhales her food. Could this be why she throws up...eating too much too fast?
 
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Magic Johnson said:
OK Maji threw up her bkfst and these were new cans! She of course came begging for food and I wondered why and nearly stepped in it.

Gave a new bkfst. I need to get Ketone strips up at Walgreens...I have not been up yet. This may seem like a dumb question but: @Kris & Teasel Do I need to be worried about Ketones if she is not on insulin?

Secondly, she is acting great and playful...so not acting sick at all. Is it possible that she is so hungry she is eating much too fast?
She is wolfing her food down like a ...well...wolf

Should I give her smaller portions??
(hers are not huge), but she inhales her food. Could this be why she throws up...eating too much too fast?
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Ketones aren't a worry if her numbers are low like they are. It's lack of insulin or too low a dose that can be a contributing factor in ketone development.

She could be a victim of "scarf and barf". Maybe try even smaller but more numerous meals?
 
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Kris & Teasel said:
Ketones aren't a worry if her numbers are low like they are. It's lack of insulin or too low a dose that can be a contributing factor in kketone development.

She could be a victim of "scarf and barf". Maybe try even smaller but more numerous meals?
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Thank you so very much @Kris & Teasel :)

Yea... I think you are right it’s scarf and barf happens every time she’s extraordinarily hungry. Hubby asked today “ how do you know the difference Maji acts like she’s starving all the time”. I know y’all will understand... I can just tell...I just know her actions...

I will be more careful with the feedings...THANK YOU :joyful:
 
Hooray for the spreadsheet! And don't worry, she was only a little bit hypo ;):confused::eek::D. I'm so glad that all got sorted out now!

You could also get a timed feeder to spread her meals out into smaller portions.
 
Djamila said:
Hooray for the spreadsheet! And don't worry, she was only a little bit hypo ;):confused::eek::D. I'm so glad that all got sorted out now!

You could also get a timed feeder to spread her meals out into smaller portions.
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Thank you very much Djamila!!! And for helping me feel better about the hypo incident :)
 
Kris & Teasel said:
Isn't this forum a life saver?! I remember how confused and worried I was in the early days because nothing seemed to be working and I didn't know what to do. I spent too many months, yes months, trying to make my vet's methods work to no avail ... :confused:
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@Kris & Teasel yes yes.. it really is! It really gets you up to speed quick... also just knowing someone is out there understanding is huge! The support means so much! The knowledge here is amazing and it’s really interesting to study this... you learn a lot of times (not always) that some of this could be prevented. In some cases not and genetics alone is a factor (Maji being part Siamese is a factor). If I was young again and could go back and redo I would love to have become a vet that specialized in diabetes... instead I’m in tech LOL - there is so much to learn and so much yet to learn... great peeps here!!! :bighug:
 
Dang it...I came up to type AMPS in and she got into the treat bag AGAIN, tore or bit it open...found it on the floor
...I must put these away before coming up here
I hope her numbers are not all messed up tonight :(

@Djamila OK - well, scarf and barf after "treat raid" happens again, not trying to be TMI but they came out whole...so she just ate too much AGAIN.

Fed her a zero carb food FF Fish and Shrimp feast flaked...and leaving it at that
I don't think her numbers will be affected at this point
 

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What kind of treats? If it's low/no carb, freeze dried meat it shouldn't make much difference. It's the carbs that really complicate things.
 
Djamila said:
What kind of treats? If it's low/no carb, freeze dried meat it shouldn't make much difference. It's the carbs that really complicate things.
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I am not sure of the carbs....I know that is not good, but I don't believe they are high as it is Feline Natural freeze dried beef and hoki <- just wondering if this is what made her throw up the last time?

The high end pet food store gave me several samples...the chicken and lamb one of these she LOVES. This was another sample of the same type...and with onesie twosie treats for ears...I figured I was o.k,

AFTER glucose test treat-raids...not o.k. but thanks to her gorging...she kinda took care of the problem. I need to be more diligent

I DO BELIEVE that magic is over-sensitive to carbs... the PINK in her Spreadsheet? that was when I fed her Friskies Salmon Pate...I stopped feeding her that because I believe the RICE in it was too high
I felt the carbs are too much for her system. I try and get her under 5 carbs if possible 2 is good carbs for her and a few zero carbs thrown in for good measure. She is CARB highly sensitive
 
Is it this one? https://www.k9natural.com/product/freeze-dried-beef-hoki/

You could write to the company and ask them for the carb percent. Towards the top of Dr. Lisa's chart (not the version in my signature) there is wording for how to ask for the info we need (not the guaranteed analysis numbers) so you will know if this is low enough for Maji. I'd love to hear their answer too as the ingredients look good, but the GA numbers leave a lot of room for carbs which makes me curious.
 
YEP that is the one - will do...you guys do a lot for me...
OK I checked on Lisa's list, as best as I can tell on page 21 it says FRISKIES (under the CLASSIC PATES) Salmon , 3 carbs. I felt Magic had a sort of high BG to that one as she jumped into the pinks (could be coincidence however).

@Djamila
Anyway here on this list it is listed higher: http://www.biggervet.com/cat/lowcarb/

FRISKIES class salmon pate 8 carbs.

Vet said to me to get magic 6 carbs and under. So it kinda (for me anyway) made sense that the 8 carb seemed to have affected her.

just wanted to offer this other list in case...
 
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A thing for scarf and barf you can try is raising the food dish. Some people put it on a shoebox or something like that...the position of it seems to help avoid scarf and barf.
 
:bighug: Hi guys, nothing new to report 101 PMPS, 118 AMPS, waited 20 mins before 2nd half bkfst! Forgot to raise dish..hubby thought that was a great idea!

I’m thinking that Maji is kinda sliding into remission here (scared to even say it for fear of jinxing it). As I understand it we need to go two solid weeks of good numbers. I will continue to test twice a day for the remainder of two weeks, then I will go another two weeks testing once per day. After that couple times a week - I do not want her ever going up to 411 ever again...as they say
“once a diabetic...always a diabetic “
 
Well, she threw up her food yesterday morning and so I got rid of all the surplus snacks and extras - I went with the brand new ones that I ordered that she had no problems with. The Ziwipeak Lamb & Mackerel and the Feline Natural Freeze Dried Chicken & Lamb

Stopped the Beef & Hoki, everything's great..no throwing up anymore. I think the beef and hoki just did not settle well with her even if just used as treats for testing. There is, of course, more than 1 treat with testing!!!

96 PMPS and 120 AMPS - we are on day 8 otj trial
 
Not quite up yet, but I was looking at @Kris & Teasel Teasel’s spreadsheet, while I don’t know anything about levemir insulin, it really looks like Teasel is coming down consistently and no more pinks and a lot a blues ?
 
Magic Johnson said:
Not quite up yet, but I was looking at @Kris & Teasel Teasel’s spreadsheet, while I don’t know anything about levemir insulin, it really looks like Teasel is coming down consistently and no more pinks and a lot a blues ?
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He did about the same on Lantus but didn’t feel great on it. His numbers now are good by Teasel standards but would horrify many who want the kitty to have tightly controlled BG. He’s an extremely bouncy cat and I’ve been working at this over 2 years.
 
Rachel said:
Magic is looking good with those pretty blues and greens too!
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Thank you Rachel :). I gave a little more of the carb food (low carb fancy feast) than I normally do last night ...I’m kinda curious how (when I get up) how Maji will test out

She’s sitting on the corner of my bed waiting...soon she will start pushing me for food - then it will be testing-time! :)
 
ya know...as much as I try so hard to be good at this testing with these teeny tiny cat ears that are black...and yes I poke all along where there is no nerves...sometimes it barely barely barely starts to just a teeny bleed and I think ok I think I can get that...I NEVER CAN and waste a strip. Finally if I am having a hard time...and Maji is starting to get where she's DONE. I just prick closer to the vein area...I know that seems harsh but one prick and it's done and over.

I think I may have to go that route instead of the very edges as her ears are somethin' else to get to bleed. Nevertheless, for me I enjoy taking care of her and this is part of it. AMPS 112 and with a little extra carb food to boot!!!
 
Magic Johnson said:
ya know...as much as I try so hard to be good at this testing with these teeny tiny cat ears that are black...and yes I poke all along where there is no nerves...sometimes it barely barely barely starts to just a teeny bleed and I think ok I think I can get that...I NEVER CAN and waste a strip. Finally if I am having a hard time...and Maji is starting to get where she's DONE. I just prick closer to the vein area...I know that seems harsh but one prick and it's done and over.

I think I may have to go that route instead of the very edges as her ears are somethin' else to get to bleed. Nevertheless, for me I enjoy taking care of her and this is part of it. AMPS 112 and with a little extra carb food to boot!!!
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You have to do what works. Have you tried warming her ear before poking?
 
yep...my rice ball thing and it seems to help...perhaps I have not been doing this long enough for the capillaries to increase? Either way...I'm doing it.

Heck Ima buy a meter and do myself as well...hubby also. I think it is awesome to know your blood glucose it is so indicative of other ailments and things.

A guy at work much younger than me told me that he has diabetes and just (came down with it - not a proper term I forgot how he said it).

He takes a pill now and is on a special diet (rabbit-food he calls it). But he had no idea...a little tired...eyes did not seem to be working as well and thirsty more than usual...no idea and wham...they told him.
 
Magic Johnson said:
yep...my rice ball thing and it seems to help...perhaps I have not been doing this long enough for the capillaries to increase? Either way...I'm doing it.

Heck Ima buy a meter and do myself as well...hubby also. I think it is awesome to know your blood glucose it is so indicative of other ailments and things.

A guy at work much younger than me told me that he has diabetes and just (came down with it - not a proper term I forgot how he said it).

He takes a pill now and is on a special diet (rabbit-food he calls it). But he had no idea...a little tired...eyes did not seem to be working as well and thirsty more than usual...no idea and wham...they told him.
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Diabetes is a very serious disease and I think some humans don't appreciate that. Some think I'll just take a pill and I'll be OK or give myself a little shot of insulin and all will be well. So many complications can arise. :(
 
Baby’s left ear just won’t work very well! I heat & rub until I’m gonna rub her bald. I inevitability end up ruining a strip. That poor right ear gets the business.. lol. I do keep at that left ear though.
 
You gotta figure out what works for you both! Warming the ear should help but also just time...they need tome for capillaries to increase so it bleeds easily. I often did 2 pricks right next to each other...and also put some neosporin gel on first so the blood would bead up and not soak into fur!
 
And adding extra water to the food. The better hydrated they are, the better they bleed! Sam's left ear bleeds better than his right ear. But it also might be the angle - it's easier for me to get the left ear, so if he's being wiggly, that one gets hit a little more often.
 
Djamila said:
And adding extra water to the food. The better hydrated they are, the better they bleed! Sam's left ear bleeds better than his right ear. But it also might be the angle - it's easier for me to get the left ear, so if he's being wiggly, that one gets hit a little more often.
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yeah...mine starts to wiggle when I'm taking too long AND the treats ain't comin' fast enuff :cat: yep water is crucial with Maji. I had NO IDEA in the past that she was constantly constipated.
I always commented that her previous belly was like a hard basketball. Once we did got her off the dry food (2 years ago) and gave her a glycerin baby suppository thing...I highly recommend...AND consistently more water...no problems after :) and never had to do the glycerin thingy again...not yet anyway
 
...one more update: since I got rid of the old treats the BEEF & HOKI treat and only feeding the ZiwiPeak lamb & mackerel and the Feline Natural chicken & lamb both air or freeze dried (treats-only)
ALL throwing up has stopped in the A.M.

That is the only thing I changed - and she was throwing up every morning for a little while.

Not saying anything is wrong with beef & hoki...and Maji liked those too...but she can't handle it for some reason.
 
Everyone has their things! Elektra can’t handle bonito flakes. Vomits every time...the other 2 are fine but she can’t even get a little of it so I stopped using them.
 
I have recently introduced ( maybe not slow enough) dr elseys chicken clean protein dry as her treat. Gives her some diapoo but first thing she’s actually wanted since the temptations days! Wouldn’t ya know... what to do, just a few at a time. Easy does it...
 
PMPS 153 I was surprized at that one, she was getting awfully irritated with me trying to get blood out of her ear. Not sure if that had any bearing AND I was a 1/2 hour earlier than normal...again...not sure without insulin if that matters.

Hoping it is down tomorrow and just an anomaly <crossing fingers>
 
Magic Johnson said:
PMPS 153 I was surprized at that one, she was getting awfully irritated with me trying to get blood out of her ear. Not sure if that had any bearing AND I was a 1/2 hour earlier than normal...again...not sure without insulin if that matters.

Hoping it is down tomorrow and just an anomaly <crossing fingers>
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Smokey has had a couple days that are higher than I would like. 150’s, 130’s. So I don’t think one high reading is anything to worry about. It could be a one time thing. I’ve been paying more attention to his litter box and I’ve noticed a definite link so I don’t worry. If there’s no poo it’s going to be a little higher. One day he threw up and I got a high number that day too. I just test some other time during the day on those days to make sure it’s settled down and so far the high numbers are short lived.
 
Smokey and Jessica said:
Smokey has had a couple days that are higher than I would like. 150’s, 130’s. So I don’t think one high reading is anything to worry about. It could be a one time thing. I’ve been paying more attention to his litter box and I’ve noticed a definite link so I don’t worry. If there’s no poo it’s going to be a little higher. One day he threw up and I got a high number that day too. I just test some other time during the day on those days to make sure it’s settled down and so far the high numbers are short lived.
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I did not know that - I went and checked litter boxes and nothing. Hubby said he cleaned litter boxes 2:30pm today - he cleans them once per day - so ima check tomorrow morning !

Thank you so VERY MUCH for writing in and giving me something to think about - other than worrying...

:bighug:
 
Magic Johnson said:
...Praise the Lawd! AMPS 104 - AND we had a good sized poop in the kitty box this morning.

I feel like we won lotto or somethin' LOL
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Awesome!!!
It’s so weird how much poo effects numbers. One of these days I need to start keeping track of which food I give. I keep a box of ff seafood and ff beef and poultry open and just randomly grab a can so he has veriety. There’s some combination that has made him go twice and one of those days I got a 59! I haven’t been able to repeat it, but we’re still going.
 
Smokey and Jessica said:
Awesome!!!
It’s so weird how much poo effects numbers. One of these days I need to start keeping track of which food I give. I keep a box of ff seafood and ff beef and poultry open and just randomly grab a can so he has veriety. There’s some combination that has made him go twice and one of those days I got a 59! I haven’t been able to repeat it, but we’re still going.
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Lemme know if you get that one figured out! I would be seriously interested in knowing...
 
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