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Sarah & Jackie

Sarah & Jackie

Member Since 2015
Jsckie"s #'s don't seem to be changing much. If anyone has any suggestions after looking at his profile, spreadsheet and other listed facts, We would sure appreciate any advice. I am back to my regular work schedule, and that means away from home usually from 7AM sometimes until 7PM M-F. If I need more complete Data, please tell me what and I will try to get it done ASAP. I would like to refer you to my post in the main forum, "info-is-now-in-signature-and-spreadsheet-updated-thoughts" for some of the ??? I may be blanking on now. We're both feeling a bit frustrated right now and could really use some guidance.:( Your time and thoughts are all welcome.

Thanks,
Jackie Boy and His Loving Momma, Sarah-
 
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/...ture-and-spreadsheet-updated-thoughts.137297/

Here is your thread from the main forum..above.

Hi Sarah and Jackie and welcome to the L & L forum. You will find lots of wonderful people to help you here. Everyone goes on a steep learning curve when they have a kitty diagnosed with FD but you have done the best thing possible by joining this forum. We all understand your frustration but things will get better. Ask lots of questions.:)

I noticed on Jackie's profile you said that you test the BG after breakfast. Do you still do that or have you changed the time? Here we test the blood glucose first to see it is safe to give the insulin. Then we feed the cat and then we give the insulin...all within about 10 to 15 minutes. If you feed before testing, the BG will be influenced by the food. The forum recommends you don't feed the cat for the 2 hours before AMPS and PMPS

Do you have an auto feeder to feed Jackie while you are at work? They are an excellent addition to have and means you
can plan when to feed Jackie during the day while you are away from the house.

This is usually a quiet time on the forum but in a few hours the experienced people who can give you advice on dosing etc will come online.
All the best with Jackie.
 
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Welcome, Sarah!

Have you had a chance to read through the sticky notes at the top of the board? They will give you a background on Lantus and Lev as well as information on the two options regarding the methods for adjusting dosages along with an overwhelming amount of other helpful information.

Jackie's profile notes that you are giving him benazapril and clopidigril. What kind of heart problem does Jackie have -- hypertension? Are you getting labs for his kidneys on a regular basis?

It does look like Jackie could use an increase in his dose. Dose changes are typically made in 0.25u increments so you'd want to increase to 1.25u. I'm hoping that someone suggested that you get syringes that have half unit markings which is the smallest increment that you can get. You either have to eyeball the quarter unit increments or use digital calipers to help with consistent dosing.
 
Welcome Sarah and Jackie! This is the best place in the world for sick kitties.
I don't have dosing advice but I am totally impressed with your ability to chart everything and post it so fast. :)
 
Hello and welcome from me too. Would it be possible to put a note in your spreadsheet on the days that you give prednilisone? We have had members whose kitties are on pred and it can impact the blood sugars when it is given. Neko is also on benazapril, but I don't notice it impact her numbers.
 
Hello Bron, Sienne, Linda and Wendy (and all your beautiful furbabies!

I am trying to get better about testing before meals, although my work schedule presents some challenges there.

Jack's brother Teddy was lost to us in January of 2014 very suddenly due to an enlarged heart. This after having spent in the neighborhood of $3000 in 24 hours at the outrageous Emergency Hospital in my area. Our regular Doc put Jack on the heart meds after a test for some heart enzymes(I think) after I expressed concern that Jack might also be at risk since he and Ted are littermates. After consulting with a cardiologist, she said there were 2 possible types of meds we could go with and based on my input, this is what we decided on, as I just couldn.t afford any more expensive procedures(echocardiograms, etc). He has had labs for kidneys twice (I think)since starting on them. Everything looked ok. We already knew he had HBP, from prior visits(he was going in for bioresinance for his IBD). My Doc jokingly called him "Jack, Jack, Heart Attack until I lost Ted....dy. He is EXTREMELY stressed out @ the vets ofc. She says he reminds her of someone running around, worrrying about their stocks.

I will go back and put in days with Pred when I get a chance(today being one of those). I have read the sticky notes and probably lean toward the SLGS method as I am always cautious and second guessing whether I am doing the best thing with these things, but am open to trying the TR if not seeing any changes.

His food was taken up about midnight and I will be testing momentarily, then feed and dose about 7AM.......I'm not as quick as you all yet.....Forgot to say Thank You for your continued help:p
 
The meds looked like drugs for hypertension. In particular, the ACE-inhibitors can be tough on kidneys so you're wise to keep on top of those labs. I'd also suggest two preventative measures: add as much water to Jack's food as he'll tolerate and try to keep the phosphorus levels in his food as low as possible. There are several people here who have diabetic cats with kidney disease. They will be more than willing to provide you with information on foods that are low in both carbs and phosphorus.

The amount of information that you need to deal with at the beginning can be overwhelming. It really does get easier -- I promise. Please don't hesitate to ask questions. The people here are very generous with their time and information. We've all be new at this and remember that feeling of wanting to tear our hair out or burst into tears!

FYI: the heart meds are all human meds. You may be able to source them less expensively from Canada.
 
Hi Sarah,
Sounds like you are getting well organised. It can be hard juggling work, family and a diabetic cat. Don't worry if you are slow with the test, feed and inject routine. You will soon be an old pro at it.

A lot of us give 2 or 3 smaller meals each cycle instead of one big one as smaller meals are better for the Pancreas.
Just divide up the allocated amount of food into however many feeds you want. Feeding in the first half of the cycle is best as that is when the insulin is doing its work. For example you could feed at preshot, +2 and + 4.
Or preshot +3 and + 6
If you are not home than an auto feeder is what most of us use every day.

When you have decided which protocol you want to follow, if you could put it in your profile please, that would be helpful, so whoever is helping you with dosing advice can see which protocol you are following. If you want to change to the other protocol later that is no problem to do.
 
Hi Sarah and welcome.

I'd increase the dose if I were you, following the SLGS protocol. You're doing great with the testing. It does get a lot easier. I noticed this morning that if Nipper is sitting on my left, I can't get blood or get a test without her shaking her head and resisting. If she's on my right, we have a 95% success rate first try. We're both just so used to that routine that it seems easy, but having her on the wrong side of me reminded me how hard this used to be.

If the Lantus is doing its job and you're feeding low carb food, you may not see much fluctuation on the numbers. As you increase the dose you should start to see them move. I do know that steroids will increase the blood sugar so that would be good to note on the spreadsheet.

Good luck and give Jackie a scritch from me!
 
Bron and Sheba said:
Hi Sarah,
Sounds like you are getting well organised. It can be hard juggling work, family and a diabetic cat. Don't worry if you are slow with the test, feed and inject routine. You will soon be an old pro at it.

A lot of us give 2 or 3 smaller meals each cycle instead of one big one as smaller meals are better for the Pancreas.
Just divide up the allocated amount of food into however many feeds you want. Feeding in the first half of the cycle is best as that is when the insulin is doing its work. For example you could feed at preshot, +2 and + 4.
Or preshot +3 and + 6
If you are not home than an auto feeder is what most of us use every day.

When you have decided which protocol you want to follow, if you could put it in your profile please, that would be helpful, so whoever is helping you with dosing advice can see which protocol you are following. If you want to change to the other protocol later that is no problem to do.
Click to expand...
 
Just wanting to add a welcome! keep asking questions and we'll try to teach you what you need to know to help Jackie.

Since you're gone to work all day, probably the most informative test you can get is one right before you go to bed at night. Many cats have their lowest blood sugar at night, so that test can be very revealing. It doesn't need to be at the same time every evening. In fact, it's helpful if you move it around a little. a +3 one night, a +4 the next night (if you can.)

Lantus dosing is based upon how LOW the dose takes the cat, not on the highest numbers. So getting a pre-bed test in the evening will help us see how low the dose is taking him.
 
Hello and welcome!

I'm still new to all this as well but am slowly getting the hang of things (until kitty throws me for a loop and then I'm back to square one :joyful:). But anyways... I just wanted to pop by and say that it will get bit easier and more routine-like, and that everyone here is wonderful with support and answers for those loopy days. Best of luck to you!
 
Thank you All for your help. It truly is so much appreciated....Right now, I have a new dilemma, and think I kind of know what your response will be.... After Jack's AMPS, he had breakfast and while I was drawing up his dose, Jack's Dad decided to pick a fight, which ended with us both very angry. Consequently, I'm not even sure WHAT time he got his injection, except it was BEFORE 7:21AM, which is when I left for work. I was working on getting latest numbers up for you all to review and it took much longer to accomplish than planned....So, here's the dilemma.....It is now 8:39PM, way past dosing time, and Jack actually had a pretty nice # for once. I only have 1 test strip left, as I am waiting on control solution for Relion Back up meter, which I DO have test strips for. Do I skip the dose, give reduced dose, or test without having run a control solution test on new box of Relion strips? And if I do test with the Relion strips, how closely can I(i.e. YOU), interpret the resulting #?

Sienne and Gabby said:
try to keep the phosphorus levels in his food as low as possible.
Click to expand...
That is one of the things I haven't quite figured out yet about the food charts...I think my brain is overloaded and can"t determine how to apply it to the equation when looking at labels. Nor can I figure out how to apply the #'s from Dr.....Lisa, or Dr. Lori? when looking at freeze-dried offerings. Anybody that can explain for me?


Sienne and Gabby said:
The amount of information that you need to deal with at the beginning can be overwhelming.
Click to expand...
Amen to THAT!! Everytime I read something else, or watch another video on how to draw up the insulin, I am more and more confused....I think I have seen it done at LEAST 3 different ways and am very unsure which is actually correct. Can I get a consensus here?

"A lot of us give 2 or 3 smaller meals each cycle instead of one big one"-Yes, I AM doing that. However, I don't really know when the last was consumed in relation to my testing:[

"If you are not home than an auto feeder is what most of us use every day."-How does that work with raw food?

And now to one of my biggest issues.....My vision is getting SO bad,(which probably explains why I'm having to poke my poor boy repeatedly, at least to SOME extent-he may be forming a good drop, and between his black ears and my poor eyes, well,..................AGGGHHH!!!!!

Thank you all so much for being here and "paying it forward". I'm guessing I am skipping tonight's dose.
 
black ears... some use a flashlight as a base for poking... helps illuminate from under the ear.
I have a little bit one that I can hold in my mouth...if lighting is bad. (and I have a headlamp, and used to have various reading glasses0

raw food can be in a feeder too... either put it in frozen or put an ice pack under it.... or even cold icy water to help keep it cool as long as possible.

and here's someone else's list for low phosphorus.... these are a good start....

glad to see you made it over here....
 
Lori&Scout said:
I do know that steroids will increase the blood sugar so that would be good to note on the spreadsheet.
Click to expand...

Yes....my Doc had told me that long term Prednisilone use will tend to make them "want to be" Diabeticback with my last little black boy Dog(his name, not species). Thankfully with him, it never materialized. But as Jackie has basically been on it since age 1, at the lowest maintanence dose we've been able to wean him too, I always knew this day could possibly come. Just didn't realize how much harder it would be than dealing with the pills for the IBD. Fortunately, he is a very easy cat to care for in that sense. If it had been his brother, my Sweet Teddy, I would have been in trouble. He always thought we were trying to kill him when we had to give him deworming pills or anything.
 
Hi Sarah,
You said you didn't know when Jack had his last meal in relation to the testing. If you are using an auto feeder, turn the last slot on the feeder 2 hours before preshot time and make sure the compartment is empty. That way you will know he has not eating in the last 2 hours. For example if you are feeding at +2 +4 and +6 make the next one to turn at +10 and make sure it is empty.

When you are drawing up the insulin, do not shake or roll the bottle of insulin. Store it in the main part of the frig in a container, not the door. When I get out a new syringe I pull off the large white stopper at the end then gently draw the plunger in and out slightly a couple of times and give the plunger a twirl around to loosen it. This makes it slide more easily. Holding the insulin in one hand and the syringe in the other, making sure the plunger is right in so as not to introduce air into the insulin, draw back the correct amount. I use a magnifying glass to check the amount. It will take time to get it right every time but be kind to yourself :bighug:. Probably all three ways you saw were correct. . You choose the one that feels right to you. As long as you draw up the correct amount of insulin for Jack and don't contaminate the insulin, you will be fine. Don't push excess insulin back into the bottle, squirt it out gently into the sink. Sometimes I get it just right first try and sometimes I have to fiddle with it for 5 minutes so don't worry if it takes time. Just try and relax and take a few deep breaths.

If you are ever unsure if your meter is working correctly, just do a test on yourself and if it is normal, than chances are the meter is fine.

You could also try keeping the magnifying glass nearby when you test the BSL in case you need it to check. Also make sure you do it in a good light.

I use an auto feeder with raw food every day. I often put the food in frozen if I know it will unfreeze in time. You will get to know....test out at the weekends. Otherwise I put it in with a cube of frozen home made chicken broth ....no salt.

There is a lot to learn but you are doing great and asking lots of questions. That is good.
 
I bought me a pair of "granny glasses" (those "reading glasses that magnify so people with eye problems can read)....they come in different strengths, but I think I paid less than $10 for a pair that magnifies by 5....and that's really helped me in getting my doses more consistent
 
thanks for all the input friends. until yesterday, I was, in fact rolling the bottle, storing in the door, pushing air back in to the insulin, and pushing excess back in to the bottle,all without removing the needle from within the bottle. And just read the tip about working the plunger to loosen it up yesterday. In other words, doing EVERYTHING wrong. Thank you for the confirmation on the CORRECT procedure. Good Night my new friends.Got about 5 hours until my alarm goes off for work. Gotta SLEEP fast!
 
Your best, most accurate information on everything to do with a diabetic cat and especially for those using Lantus or Levemir, is going to be found here on this insulin support group's yellow stickies. Here is the one on how to take care of your insulin, and I can vouch for the video on that page since I made it several years ago. Protect your insulin - as you know it is very expensive.

My vision is fine, but even so, I bought a headlamp from REI that was rated very brightly so that I could see Punkin's skin when I wanted to shoot. A bright light (like a hiking light) makes all the difference. A flashlight from under his ear also will help you with testing. You can also stack 2 pair of reading glasses on your nose and that will help in looking at the syringe and measuring the dose.

As to your question about strips, I'd go ahead with the new bottle of strips without having the control solution and just hope they are ok. Likely they will be close enough.

Regarding his dose, I'm not suggesting you increase it now, but when you do, the protocol (both Tight Reg and SLGS) call for dose increases in 0.25u increments most of the time. I wouldn't skootch up his dose (I'm seeing the 1.1u) unless you are at the point where almost everything is in green and you're just trying to fine-tune the dose. It just doesn't work to skootch up a dose. It's like you have to "get on top" of the dose to have it work.

When you're testing again and have some mid-cycle data to be able to help evaluate the dose, post here and one of us with experience can help you evaluate what you're seeing and decide if he needs an increase. You don't want to hold on to a dose too long that isn't getting a cat into normal numbers (50-120 on a human glucometer.)
 
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