New Member - To Shoot or Not to Shoot?

[Kilikina]

Hi, everyone! I've been lurking here, and learning so much; I figured it was about time say hello. My sugar boy, Emile, was diagnosed on 5/18. He was started on Vetsulin the next day (I plan on switching to Lantus or maybe Prozinc when this vial of insulin is finished). He was also put on Hills W/D. I'm gradually switching him over to Fancy Feast.

My vet is a huge proponent of home testing and I've been doing it right from the start. I was using AlphaTrak and today I switched to Relion. I used the human meter spread sheet since I was going to switch to Relion as soon as it was delivered to me. If you need me to put the AlphaTrak stats on a separate pet spreadsheet, I can do that.

Emile's BG numbers were high the first few days. They fluctuated, balanced out and then started trending down. I skipped dosing when his BG was too low, per my vet. I've skipped four in a row now and I'm hoping I did the right thing. My thinking that is it's better to err on the side of caution and have his numbers go up because I can always give him his insulin if need be. My vet's office is closed for the weekend, so I can't ask him about it and July 4th is one of the busiest times for both human and animal ERs. I dread having the thought of taking him to there. I guess what I need to know is if the numbers remain this way should I continue skipping his shot? Or maybe shoot low? I only have U40 syringes and I could try to go a little less than .5.

 

[Diane Tyler's Mom GA]

We can't see your spreadsheet

You have to give us permission to see it. Go to the top right where it says "Share"...click and a new box will come up. At the bottom right of that box, click on "Advanced".....then choose "Anybody with the link can view" and save.

 

[Kilikina]

D'oh! Sorry about that! It should be viewable now.

 

[Dyana]

I don't have experience with Vetsulin dosing, but he's looking good right now

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

If you would like more information about using Vetsulin, although you're doing a great job and Emile's numbers look great, this is the link to the Vetsulin forum.

Is there any relevant history to how Emile developed diabetes? For example, was he prescribed steroids? Did he have a bout of pancreatitis?

 

[Kilikina]

If you would like more information about using Vetsulin, although you're doing a great job and Emile's numbers look great, this is the link to the Vetsulin forum.

Is there any relevant history to how Emile developed diabetes? For example, was he prescribed steroids? Did he have a bout of pancreatitis?

Thanks! I've been reading the Vetsulin forum and I definitely have some concerns. I'm keeping him on it for now. He's got a little over half a bottle left. When he's finished with it, I'll probably switch. I'm still researching which human insulin is best for him.
Emile is going to be 13 this month and is in good health. He has a ridiculously hearty appetite and that's where his problems lie. Last July, when he had his checkup, everything looked good. He was overweight at 17 lbs and the vet said he needed to get that down to 10-11 lbs or else he was in danger of diabetes. I put him on a diet and it seemed to be going well. In April my husband remarked that he was looking thin. I agreed, but then realized he was looking too thin. I upped the amount of food I was feeding him and it looked like he gained a bit back, although it wasn't much. I made an appointment with the vet and that's when we found out he was diabetic. He got started on insulin and I got started researching all I could on the subject, which brought me here and I haven't left!

Emile had his yearly checkup last week and everything looks really good. His glucose levels have gone way down and his kidney function is excellent. The vet tech gave me all the information, including his BG numbers, but in my excitement I forgot to write them down. She's going to email them to me when she gets the chance.