My Spreadsheet so far....

[Judy and Hershey]

Hi everyone, I was wondering if I could get your advice based on 4 readings. I still cannot understand when Hershey's blood sugar is getting better. I know at about +6 after a shot is the nadir, which should be his lowest, and his readings will be highest after he eats. So what do the readings mean at about +11?

Since Aug 9 I have reduced his does from 2.0 to 1.5 because I had a messed up weekend. I got caught in traffic on Sat afternoon (state fair) and was 2 hours late on his shot. So I had to adjust all the times on the weekend to accommodate this as well as his dose, so I just kept that the 1.5 unit dose. So when I took his reading today it was +11 and 3 hours after eating an hour before his pm shot is due (anytime now). Should I continue on this dose and see if I can get a nadir on the weekend?

Still struggling with this concept. Hershey hates the whole procedure. He comes willingly but once we start trying to gently poke his ear, he get a little irritated. He doesn't bite, he just tries to get away. Luckily the meter doesn't take much blood. Still trying to find the sweet spot, when I prick between the vessel and the outside of the ear, I get nothing.....oh dear. His shot is in 1/2 hour, I think I should shoot either 1.5 or go down to 1.0?

His diet is exclusively fancy feast low carb, he gets a little dry EVO which he still enjoys. He pees less, but still more than my other cat, although she is quite petite, he drinks a lot less, and he has gained a little weight. He is active and happy!

Thanks! PS All 4 readings are on the spreadsheet.

Judy
Hershey's Spreadsheet

 

[Sue and Oliver (GA)]

Hi Judy,

There is no way of knowing what is going on yet. You really need to get a test before each shot, so you know the dose you are planning on is safe. And then that nadir range - somewhere 5 -7 hours after the shot, to see how well your dose worked and how low it took him. The good news is that 200s are generally nice ranges especially late in the cycle.

Do you sure give him a treat every time you test? Find a treat he loves and save it just for the test. Also, are you using 25-27 gauge lancets? They work much better in the beginning; the 30-31 gauge work fine for humans but don't make enough of a hole for cats. Are you heating his ear? That makes a big difference in the beginning, until the capillaries fatten up and "learn" to bleed.

 

[Judy and Hershey]

Hi Judy,

There is no way of knowing what is going on yet. You really need to get a test before each shot, so you know the dose you are planning on is safe. And then that nadir range - somewhere 5 -7 hours after the shot, to see how well your dose worked and how low it took him. The good news is that 200s are generally nice ranges especially late in the cycle.

Do you sure give him a treat every time you test? Find a treat he loves and save it just for the test. Also, are you using 25-27 gauge lancets? They work much better in the beginning; the 30-31 gauge work fine for humans but don't make enough of a hole for cats. Are you heating his ear? That makes a big difference in the beginning, until the capillaries fatten up and "learn" to bleed.

Hi Sue, I am just now sure if I should shoot 1.5 tonight, or possibly lower to 1.0 or 1.25? Time for his shot now....

 

[Judy and Hershey]

Hi Sue, I am just now sure if I should shoot 1.5 tonight, or possibly lower to 1.0 or 1.25? Time for his shot now....

Yes he gets treats, and his favorite cat grass. Yes sing 26 lancets. Today he was sitting in the sun before his test so his ears were already hot. He bleeds but I wasn't sure if I need to hit the vein because I read that hurts them, or the spot in between....

 

[Sue and Oliver (GA)]

Can you get a test before the shot and before he eats? That would give me some kind of reference.

 

[Sue and Oliver (GA)]

You are aiming for the little capillaries that run off the vein to the edge of the ear. You want to be in the part of the ear above the fold.

 

[Sue and Oliver (GA)]

Here's a picture of the sweet spot

http://s106.photobucket.com/user/chupie_2006/media/testingear/sweetspot.jpg.html

 

[Judy and Hershey]

Hi I just tested him 1 hour ago, and he has eaten since. So tonight I will go to 1.0 and see how he does. He needs his shot now. Thanks.

 

[Sue and Oliver (GA)]

So, he was 202 2 hours ago, before eating? Then I would think your 1.5 should be okay, but I would plan to get a before bed test and see how he is doing.

 

[Judy and Hershey]

Hi yes, he was 202 at + 11 hours and he had not eaten 2 hours prior this evening. I gave him 1.25 tonight and will try and do a test at breakfast. It's always a challenge in the morning. I already get up at 4:00 a.m. Eventually I'm sure he will be more cooperative with the pokes and it will be quick, but now it takes me about 15-20 min to get him to enjoy the ear piercing. I will take note of the link you sent me on the ear. Appreciated!!