? NEED HELP WITH DOSING

[CindyJ]

Baxter was diagnosed on March 7, 2017. As you can see from my spreadsheet, his blood sugars are still very high after 2 months. He has been on Lantus BID the whole time. Once he was up to 4 units (per my vet, but was started at 2 units BID when diagnosed), it was suggested here to start him back at 2 units BID and gradually increase by .5 units every 3 days if no improvement. Should I continue on that path??? So frustrating. He is on very low carb canned food (Purina Proplan grain-free). Should I be changing to another type of insulin?? Thanks for all your help and feedback! I know I need to get more +6 tests and evening tests.
Cindy

 

[DebG]

Cindy I am sorry Baxters numbers are so high. Is it possible Baxter has another health issue? Have you checked for ketones? If not please do on a regular basis when the numbers are this high. I don't know anything about Purina foods but I am wondering if a food change might help. I feed homemade raw. A lot of cats are fed Fancy Feast Classic or Friskies. The data is so important as Baxter could be dropping low at night and bouncing during the day. Please at least get a +2 or +3 reading at night and if the numbers appear to be dropping get a +6 or +7 that way you will know what he's doing at night.I know how frustrating all this can be. It takes a ton of patience and sometimes trying different things. You need to find the magic dose and make sure there isn't anything else causing the numbers to be high like his teeth or an infection.
As far as changing insulin Lantus is a great insulin unless he gets to be a high dose kitty then Levemir is better.
We usually say keep them on the same insulin for 6 months.

 

[rhiannon and shadow (GA)]

Yes continue on the path you are on.

Double check your canned food.... you didn't mention which variety but some of them are above 10%
http://catinfo.org/docs/CatFoodProteinFatCarbPhosphorusChart.pdf

since you just increased recently, try to get some pm tests tonight.
Don't just assume that he isn't having some better action in the pm cycle.... You need that data to see what's happening.....
most cats go lower in the pm cycle than they do the am cycle.
If he is, and you see it, you might feel less frustrated.

If you have a hard time getting up, drink a big glass of water so you have to ..... and have your strips/monitor handy so you can grab a quick test
and jump back in bed.

 

[CindyJ]

Cindy I am sorry Baxters numbers are so high. Is it possible Baxter has another health issue? Have you checked for ketones? If not please do on a regular basis when the numbers are this high. I don't know anything about Purina foods but I am wondering if a food change might help. I feed homemade raw. A lot of cats are fed Fancy Feast Classic or Friskies. The data is so important as Baxter could be dropping low at night and bouncing during the day. Please at least get a +2 or +3 reading at night and if the numbers appear to be dropping get a +6 or +7 that way you will know what he's doing at night.I know how frustrating all this can be. It takes a ton of patience and sometimes trying different things. You need to find the magic dose and make sure there isn't anything else causing the numbers to be high like his teeth or an infection.
As far as changing insulin Lantus is a great insulin unless he gets to be a high dose kitty then Levemir is better.
We usually say keep them on the same insulin for 6 months.

Thank You! Great advice. I am testing for ketones and thankfully so far he is negative. I did look up the varieties of ProPlan that I feed him and they are 4% or less carb. I will try and get some PM tests. And no problem with me having to get up during the night to use the washroom! LOL That's a great idea to test then. Thank you. Cindy

 

[CindyJ]

Cindy I am sorry Baxters numbers are so high. Is it possible Baxter has another health issue? Have you checked for ketones? If not please do on a regular basis when the numbers are this high. I don't know anything about Purina foods but I am wondering if a food change might help. I feed homemade raw. A lot of cats are fed Fancy Feast Classic or Friskies. The data is so important as Baxter could be dropping low at night and bouncing during the day. Please at least get a +2 or +3 reading at night and if the numbers appear to be dropping get a +6 or +7 that way you will know what he's doing at night.I know how frustrating all this can be. It takes a ton of patience and sometimes trying different things. You need to find the magic dose and make sure there isn't anything else causing the numbers to be high like his teeth or an infection.
As far as changing insulin Lantus is a great insulin unless he gets to be a high dose kitty then Levemir is better.
We usually say keep them on the same insulin for 6 months.

Thank you so much for your feedback! He had a CBC and urinalysis -- no infection. He was also tested for pancreatitis -- negative.