Morning BG spike...

[skippersmom]

Does anyone have any information on helping reduce the morning BG spike? Skipper was 548 at the vet yesterday morning and 447 at home this morning. That's a little better. Should I get him up at night and feed him?
Thanks

 

[BJM]

Try feeding mini-meals.

Also, glucose may be 100 - 180 mg/dL higher at the vet.

 

[Sue and Oliver (GA)]

It is also possible that she went down lower than she is used to last night and this am she bounced back up. If the body experiences a lower level than it has become used to, it releases extra glucose and the level bounces up, higher than expected.

The more data you get, the better you will be able to figure out what is going on. Early days yet..

 

[skippersmom]

I know I need to do the mid test (+6) to really figure out what is going on but fir the next few days I am just going to test morning and night. The last two did not go well. He was mad and growling and I was in tears. As I get better at it we will pick up the mid test again.

 

[BJM]

It helps to give a treat after testing, and go with a '3 tries and stop' rule.

You also may give treats when doing related behaviors - ex. Rub the ears while petting him & give a treat. This helps shape and reinforce the desired behavior for testing.

A dab of Neosporin with pain relief may be applied to the ear a few minutes before testing and wiped off well to test. It helps reduce the annoyance of testing and helps the blood bead up.

In an urgent situation, such as low numbers, you can aim directly for the vein. Just be prepared for a gusher, get some on a clean fingernail, and blot before he shakes it off his ear.