New member--Now shared spreadsheed. Thin cat won't eat much, and glucose numbers high

Felicity

Felicity

Member Since 2026
It's heartwarming to see these forums with people helping each other so much! 😊
I've been studying info here and elsewhere to try to help my newly diagnosed cat. I live pretty far from a vet and have found far more info online. At diagnostic appt, vet didn't tell me critically useful info, like that glargine has better success rate and can be purchased very cheaply at Costco. Also was going to have be just give Copper 1U insulin doses and come back in a month.
I've been feeding & giving insulin injection & Ondansetron powder for nausea twice/day every 10-14 hours. First 2 weeks after diagnosis, I was feeding Copper 2/3 of his diet as dry food, and 1/3 as wet via a combination ofa canned Friskies pate and some canned chicken (that does have salt but I knew would help lower carbs), whole egg powder,, along with 10 Friskies treats.
In recent days I've been revising to 1/3 or less canned chicken, 2/3 or more Friskies pate or Wilderness pate, whole egg powder and a few treats of cooked hamburger or pure chicken.
He'll only eaten about 1/4 cup total at each of his 2 meals daily. Giving 1.5 dissolving Ondansetron has really helped, at least. He continued with a lot of thirst his first couple weeks, but it's getting much better the last few days.

I've started spot-checking blood sugar and am concerned how much human glucometer is showing high readings. His spreadsheet is linked, including his initial blood tests. I'm working at being informed and monitoring him enough to gradually increase his insulin to good base dose.
Right now, I think taking advantage of every chance to get more nutrition into him is high priority. Can I do minor 0.25 U to 0.5 U dose adjustments for meals when he eats more or less? I think it's beyond reasonable expectations to plan as though he'll eat a consistent amount each meal at this time.
I also have spare Mirtazapine at home, and could consider trying that if it's going to be wise.
I would greatly appreciate any experienced analysis of his situation. Thank you!
 
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Hello and welcome.

I'm not able to open your spreadsheet. It says I need access. You need to share it with those that have the link. I can't comment on blood sugar numbers until I see what data you've been getting at home. Good for you on doing the home testing.

How many mg of ondansetron are you giving with each dose? And how much does he weigh? Is he showing signs of nausea? Does he have any other medical conditions? If he's underweight you can also look at feeding higher fat foods like kitten food. Once he's better regulated he will be able to process his food and start gaining weight again.

One last question, are you home testing him for ketones? With high numbers and not much appetite it's a good thing to test for regularly. You can buy Ketostix or other brand for testing his urine stream. Tips to catch and test a urine sample
 
@Wendy&Neko My biggest apologies that I didn't have that sharing setting correct! It is now, I believe.
Copper's Spreadsheet

I also transcribed blood tests onto the Labs tab.

I haven't done a whole lot of blood testing--mostly before meals. I will work on doing more toward getting a more complete curve. I don't know his nadir, because the only test I did in that approximate time was after flawed injections the previous insulin dose.

Ondansetron dissolve-in-mouth type 1 to 1.5 mg. For first week or so, I was having him mostly swallow a chunk, but have learned more & now crushing into powder. 15-25 mins before each meal.

Roughly 9.25 lbs on 6/26. 11 lbs in 2024.
Occasionally eats cat grass, but likely for hairballs & wanting general fiber. Has thrown up 1-2 times in last 2 months. I think he has nausea, based on that Ondansetron helps willingness to eat.

I'll look at adding more fat.

I will buy Ketostix promptly!

Now that I know it can be bought cheaply, I'm thinking I should really change him to glargine.

Thank you for any further tips you might be able to give after viewing his spreadsheet!
 
I've been raising levels over shorter intervals than generally recommended, I know. But he's been lethargic and underweight enough, I've been trying to get nutrition into him as soon as possible and minimizing possible ketoacidosis. He was also drinking a lot the first couple weeks. I've been trying to dose as carefully as I can figure based on pre-meal readings.
 
@Tim & Pookey @Wendy&Neko
The blood glucose values on the spreadsheet are the values I've copied directly from Glucocard Vital human meter.
Is there a chart or explanation where I can find out what the cat-level equivalents are?
Should I be converting my human meter readings to cat-equivalent levels before recording them?
Do the levels Copper's been having seem very serious when converted to cat equivalents? Is it reasonable for me to keep carefully raising dose rather than taking to vet?
I'll begin testing for ketones within next couple days.
 
Here is the link to your other post here, with some of your questions answered: How convert blood glucose readings on human meter Glucocard Vital to cat equivalents?

We change doses based on how low the dose takes the cat, not the preshot values. Getting more tests 3-6 hours after the shot will be helpful. Stick with human meter numbers.

For a 9.25 lb cat, you can easily give 2 mg ondansetron (even up to 4) and give it 3-4 times a day.
 
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