? Need help with what I should shoot.

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GinnyBarr

GinnyBarr

Member Since 2017
My kitty hasn't had a shot since Wed. Her numbers have been generally good. She's slightly higher today, but all 3 tests were done while she had eaten already. So what number should she be over in the morning, in order for me to give half a cc?
 
linking your other post....

I see that someone has already mentioned microdosing....

one suggestion is that you could mark times of eating with a symbol like *
that helps us to see where the meals are in relation to the numbers.

a working pancreas will result in a lower number a few hours after eating.....

it seems to me that Pia is starting to go up a bit....
so imho, you should read up on the lesser doses....
it doesn't have to be perfect.... just consistent.
it helps to have syringes with half unit markings.....

I think Pia could benefit from a dose like 0.25 units....

someinsulin-1.jpg
025unit-1.jpg



on most syringes , that is only a drop or two....
but being a small animal doesn't take a lot....

this is the most likely way you will get her to a true remission status.


1 unit is obviously more than she needs.
 
oh, and to answer the question.....

probably a number above 130.... (since numbers below 120 is a non insulin number ) and then you want to make sure you are around to test and monitor.
but only if you give a microdose, not a whole unit.
 
Hi Ginny,

Here is the link to the discussion on restarting her insulin a couple of days ago. Marje and I were suggesting that you start with 0.5u (we measure in insulin units rather than cc's) and give a shot if Pia's over 150, and to post and ask for help if she's less than 150. It would've been good to have given her the shot this morning since you were home today, or even this evening - both were over 150. If you feel better starting with 0.25u, you could do that as well. We were suggesting 0.5u based upon the guidelines from Start Low Go Slow because you're not able to test as much on some days. We were also factoring in the one day that you had a midcycle test on 1.0u and she got into the 60's. That was a safe number to get to.

You might want to take a look back at the earlier link and reread those suggestions and the quote about remission. Pia's numbers are diabetic, but she might be successful getting to remission if she gets some insulin support. We know that getting a cat's blood sugar back into normal range (50-80 on a human glucometer) as quickly as possible after diagnosis increases the chances of remission. If you do want to try for remission, which I think you do, then you want to get her blood sugar into green range on the spreadsheet.

I'm guessing you might be a little bit nervous or you would've gone ahead today with a shot. Many people do feel nervous when they're starting out with this sugar dance, so you wouldn't be alone! If that's the case, I'd encourage you to open a condo (thread) when you're going to give the shot and then let people encourage and coach you throughout the day. You wouldn't be alone doing it.

Hang in there! Tomorrow is a new day. Ask more questions if you are uncertain.
 
julie & punkin (ga) said:
Hi Ginny,

Here is the link to the discussion on restarting her insulin a couple of days ago. Marje and I were suggesting that you start with 0.5u (we measure in insulin units rather than cc's) and give a shot if Pia's over 150, and to post and ask for help if she's less than 150. It would've been good to have given her the shot this morning since you were home today, or even this evening - both were over 150. If you feel better starting with 0.25u, you could do that as well. We were suggesting 0.5u based upon the guidelines from Start Low Go Slow because you're not able to test as much on some days. We were also factoring in the one day that you had a midcycle test on 1.0u and she got into the 60's. That was a safe number to get to.

You might want to take a look back at the earlier link and reread those suggestions and the quote about remission. Pia's numbers are diabetic, but she might be successful getting to remission if she gets some insulin support. We know that getting a cat's blood sugar back into normal range (50-80 on a human glucometer) as quickly as possible after diagnosis increases the chances of remission. If you do want to try for remission, which I think you do, then you want to get her blood sugar into green range on the spreadsheet.

I'm guessing you might be a little bit nervous or you would've gone ahead today with a shot. Many people do feel nervous when they're starting out with this sugar dance, so you wouldn't be alone! If that's the case, I'd encourage you to open a condo (thread) when you're going to give the shot and then let people encourage and coach you throughout the day. You wouldn't be alone doing it.

Hang in there! Tomorrow is a new day. Ask more questions if you are uncertain.
Click to expand...
Thank you. My bf is gonna monitor her today. So I'll give her a small dose of hard over 130.
 
rhiannon and shadow (GA) said:
linking your other post....

I see that someone has already mentioned microdosing....

one suggestion is that you could mark times of eating with a symbol like *
that helps us to see where the meals are in relation to the numbers.

a working pancreas will result in a lower number a few hours after eating.....

it seems to me that Pia is starting to go up a bit....
so imho, you should read up on the lesser doses....
it doesn't have to be perfect.... just consistent.
it helps to have syringes with half unit markings.....

I think Pia could benefit from a dose like 0.25 units....

someinsulin-1.jpg
025unit-1.jpg



on most syringes , that is only a drop or two....
but being a small animal doesn't take a lot....

this is the most likely way you will get her to a true remission status.


1 unit is obviously more than she needs.
Click to expand...
So she was at 201 this morning with no food. Gave her half a cc at 9. My bf is gonna test her every 3 hours.
 
julie & punkin (ga) said:
Hi Ginny,

Here is the link to the discussion on restarting her insulin a couple of days ago. Marje and I were suggesting that you start with 0.5u (we measure in insulin units rather than cc's) and give a shot if Pia's over 150, and to post and ask for help if she's less than 150. It would've been good to have given her the shot this morning since you were home today, or even this evening - both were over 150. If you feel better starting with 0.25u, you could do that as well. We were suggesting 0.5u based upon the guidelines from Start Low Go Slow because you're not able to test as much on some days. We were also factoring in the one day that you had a midcycle test on 1.0u and she got into the 60's. That was a safe number to get to.

You might want to take a look back at the earlier link and reread those suggestions and the quote about remission. Pia's numbers are diabetic, but she might be successful getting to remission if she gets some insulin support. We know that getting a cat's blood sugar back into normal range (50-80 on a human glucometer) as quickly as possible after diagnosis increases the chances of remission. If you do want to try for remission, which I think you do, then you want to get her blood sugar into green range on the spreadsheet.

I'm guessing you might be a little bit nervous or you would've gone ahead today with a shot. Many people do feel nervous when they're starting out with this sugar dance, so you wouldn't be alone! If that's the case, I'd encourage you to open a condo (thread) when you're going to give the shot and then let people encourage and coach you throughout the day. You wouldn't be alone doing it.

Hang in there! Tomorrow is a new day. Ask more questions if you are uncertain.
Click to expand...
She was at 201. Gave half a cc. Hopefullythat's enough.
 
the dose is based on how low she can go.... not the higher numbers. It's hard not to think that way but it's how this insulin works.

the number going up could be because of new dose wonkiness

don't react to the higher number.... 1/2 a unit is good for now to see how she responds.
 
Nan & Amber said:
Yup, definitely time to get started back on the insulin this morning! She'll come back down, don't worry.

Any word on the +3?
Click to expand...
My bf can't get the blood. He's trying, but she keeps moving and he can't get it on the strip. He's gonna try at +6.
 
Ha! They do like to show who's boss, don't they?

One trick he might try is to get the drop on the end of a fingernail or something else non-porous (but not fussy like a strip)-- then she can run off if she wants and you'll still have the drop to work with.
 
Nan & Amber said:
Ha! They do like to show who's boss, don't they?

One trick he might try is to get the drop on the end of a fingernail or something else non-porous (but not fussy like a strip)-- then she can run off if she wants and you'll still have the drop to work with.
Click to expand...
Ty. He got a +6 of 128.
 
Yes, stick with 0.5U. With Lantus, you need to give a dose some time (a few days) to settle in because of the depot. With the curve, 2hr intervals is the official recommendation, and I think some early tests would definitely be good, but you can adjust depending on how it is going. All data is good data!

In addition to a curve, you might be able to get some spot checks during the night time cycle, even just a +2 or +3 before going to bed is good. Those can be really helpful, especially because some cats go lower at night than during the day.
 
Nan & Amber said:
Yes, stick with 0.5U. With Lantus, you need to give a dose some time (a few days) to settle in because of the depot. With the curve, 2hr intervals is the official recommendation, and I think some early tests would definitely be good, but you can adjust depending on how it is going. All data is good data!

In addition to a curve, you might be able to get some spot checks during the night time cycle, even just a +2 or +3 before going to bed is good. Those can be really helpful, especially because some cats go lower at night than during the day.
Click to expand...
Ok. I didn't know that. I will try tonight. Ty.
 
Nan & Amber said:
Yes, stick with 0.5U. With Lantus, you need to give a dose some time (a few days) to settle in because of the depot. With the curve, 2hr intervals is the official recommendation, and I think some early tests would definitely be good, but you can adjust depending on how it is going. All data is good data!

In addition to a curve, you might be able to get some spot checks during the night time cycle, even just a +2 or +3 before going to bed is good. Those can be really helpful, especially because some cats go lower at night than during the day.
Click to expand...
Did a +3. She was 110 :)
 
Give her a snack-- a tsp or two of her regular low-carb food. What we'd like is for her to stay at this level ("surf"), and giving her a little food for the insulin to work on may help with that.

You're right that she's getting close to the "too low" level (50 on a human meter), but right now she's in excellent numbers. Make sure you have your high-carb food and karo syrup ready, just in case she makes a dive for it. I would also test sooner than +6 if you can. Again, she's doing fantastic right now, though!
 
The other thing I'd suggest is to change the subject line of the thread to include the recent BG numbers or (better) start a new thread for today (see the format used by most people on this forum-- date, name of cat, then BG numbers and/or any current questions in the subject line), so that people know to be checking in frequently. I've been trying to keep an eye on Pia, but I'm at work and about to go to a meeting that may last hours :eek:, so I can't really be counted on today.
 
Nan & Amber said:
The other thing I'd suggest is to change the subject line of the thread to include the recent BG numbers or (better) start a new thread for today (see the format used by most people on this forum-- date, name of cat, then BG numbers and/or any current questions in the subject line), so that people know to be checking in frequently. I've been trying to keep an eye on Pia, but I'm at work and about to go to a meeting that may last hours :eek:, so I can't really be counted on today.
Click to expand...
You've been amazing. You always answer. I appreciate it. I have her dry kibble ready if I need it and she's grazing on wet all day.
 
Nan & Amber said:
The other thing I'd suggest is to change the subject line of the thread to include the recent BG numbers or (better) start a new thread for today (see the format used by most people on this forum-- date, name of cat, then BG numbers and/or any current questions in the subject line), so that people know to be checking in frequently. I've been trying to keep an eye on Pia, but I'm at work and about to go to a meeting that may last hours :eek:, so I can't really be counted on today.
Click to expand...
+5 is 81 :)
 
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