Newly diagnosed - glucose consistently high

Status
Not open for further replies.
RCB & Mitsu

RCB & Mitsu

Member Since 2021
My cat Mitsu was diagnosed based on symptoms and a glucose reading of 537. I've got the freestyle libre installed, and have started with 1 unit of Lantus twice a day while we figure out her curve. I'm only 18 hours into the sensor readings, but they are always above 500. No change over the past 18 hours. No change after feeding, or insulin. Is this strange?
 
Also, how long has Mitsu been on insulin? Sometimes it takes a few days for the cat's body to adjust to starting insulin or a dose change.
 
Larry and Kitties said:
Can't reay tell w/o dat IBGs taken at various time). For now please screenshots of the Libre data and post them here. Also indicate what you feed and when you feed and when you give shot.
Many of use (not me) record data in this spreadsheet.
https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/how-to-create-a-spreadsheet.241706/
https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/how-to-use-the-spreadsheet.241653/
Click to expand...

Nothing interesting to show yet - the limit in the app is 500, and every reading is at that level. Feeding & Injections don't matter much, because the reading is always at the 500 limit.
 
Welcome to FDMB.

It takes roughly a week for the Lantus depot to form. If Mitzu has been at this dose for a week, you may want to consider a dose increase. However, we are very reticent to offer any suggestions about dose without benefit of a spreadsheet. Not to contradict Larry but please do not post screen shots. Most of us do not find them overly helpful. We do find the spreadsheets to be an invaluable tool.
 
Larry and Kitties said:
Can't reay tell w/o dat IBGs taken at various time). For now please screenshots of the Libre data and post them here. Also indicate what you feed and when you feed and when you give shot.
Many of use (not me) record data in this spreadsheet.
https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/how-to-create-a-spreadsheet.241706/
https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/how-to-use-the-spreadsheet.241653/
Click to expand...
The spreadsheet is easy to set up. I just set up Charlies this week.
 
Sienne and Gabby (GA) said:
Welcome to FDMB.

It takes roughly a week for the Lantus depot to form. If Mitzu has been at this dose for a week, you may want to consider a dose increase. However, we are very reticent to offer any suggestions about dose without benefit of a spreadsheet. Not to contradict Larry but please do not post screen shots. Most of us do not find them overly helpful. We do find the spreadsheets to be an invaluable tool.
Click to expand...

Here's a SS - Not much to see, all over 500. Sensor just got installed yesterday afternoon, but have been dosing for 1 week. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1gpnZbvSABEQA-YJ8QApaytRtpHsWrlGBH6L7JEcqlTQ/edit?usp=sharing I'll add to my signature soon.
 
Welcome. Thank you for starting a spreadsheet. What are you feeding Mitsu? Is she on any medication for her allergies? Does she have intestinal issues or skin outbreaks? Do you have a meter enabling you to test by pricking the ear? Any other medical issues? I wonder if the Libre is faulty.
 
tiffmaxee said:
Welcome. Thank you for starting a spreadsheet. What are you feeding Mitsu? Is she on any medication for her allergies? Does she have intestinal issues or skin outbreaks? Do you have a meter enabling you to test by pricking the ear? Any other medical issues? I wonder if the Libre is faulty.
Click to expand...

Hello! She has unidentified allergies that cause skin problems. Been on Royal Canin Hydrolized Protein for 5-6 years, with breaks on and off to try new foods. Have started her on Royal Canin Limited Ingredient Rabbit a week ago. Too soon to tell if we can fully make the switch. I only have the Libre senor right now. I expect the readings are accurate as her blood test in the office was 574. Seems really high though, especially considering she's not feeling bad. Excessive drinking & urination, has lost a bit of weight, but otherwise her normal self.
 
RCB & Mitsu said:
Hello! She has unidentified allergies that cause skin problems. Been on Royal Canin Hydrolized Protein for 5-6 years, with breaks on and off to try new foods. Have started her on Royal Canin Limited Ingredient Rabbit a week ago. Too soon to tell if we can fully make the switch. I only have the Libre senor right now. I expect the readings are accurate as her blood test in the office was 574. Seems really high though, especially considering she's not feeling bad. Excessive drinking & urination, has lost a bit of weight, but otherwise her normal self.
Click to expand...
Are they rodent ulcers (Eosinophic granulomas). I have a cat that has that and is currently eating Venison. Allergies are the worst. It is unsalted not to budge at all after a week on lantus. One more question before giving a dosing suggestion. Is the food canned or dry?
 
tiffmaxee said:
Are they rodent ulcers (Eosinophic granulomas). I have a cat that has that and is currently eating Venison. Allergies are the worst. It is unsalted not to budge at all after a week on lantus. One more question before giving a dosing suggestion. Is the food canned or dry?
Click to expand...

No ulcers. I don't have a defined name for her allergic reaction. She gets extremely irritable and itchy. She scratches herself and rubs all the fur off her face. Develops scabs on her ears and tail. She's miserable when it happens.

Dry food for now. They didn't have any wet available when I started HP years ago. Although she likes wet, she is struggling now with a feeding schedule. She's been a graze eater her whole life. Switching to 12 hour meals has her a bit stressed. I don't think I have tried bison in the past. So far she can't eat chicken, beef, duck, salmon, lamb. Since the HP food works, I think it is the animal protein she is allergic to and not other ingredients.
 
Last edited:
tiffmaxee said:
Sounds like dermatitis. My cat has had that too but not nearly as bad knock wood. Dry food is higher carb. You would need to follow our SLGS. This explains.
https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/thr...-low-go-slow-slgs-tight-regulation-tr.210110/

I tried all those as well. It could also be environmental. Has she ever been on steroids?
Click to expand...

I don't remember if we've ever done steroids. I'll have to check back with the vet we had then. I do think the rabbit food seems to going ok now. I'm going to see if there's some wet I can mix in if that would be better.
 
I've got more readings now. Seems like the food change and insulin are doing something. I'm confused about what result we really want, what would be ideal?
 
I would give the Zyrtec a try.
Could you please add to your signature, date of diagnosis, type of insulin, type of meter thanks.
Those BG numbers are still very high. I would give it another couple of days and then post and ask advice about increasing the dose.
Are you using syringes to give insulin?
Have you looked at the two dosing methods for Lantus?
DOSING METHODS

Are you testing the urine for ketones? It would be a good idea with those high BGs
You will need a bottle of Ketostix from Walmart or a pharmacy and follow the directions on the bottle to test.
 
Bron and Sheba (GA) said:
I would give the Zyrtec a try.
Could you please add to your signature, date of diagnosis, type of insulin, type of meter thanks.
Those BG numbers are still very high. I would give it another couple of days and then post and ask advice about increasing the dose.
Are you using syringes to give insulin?
Have you looked at the two dosing methods for Lantus?
DOSING METHODS

Are you testing the urine for ketones? It would be a good idea with those high BGs
You will need a bottle of Ketostix from Walmart or a pharmacy and follow the directions on the bottle to test.
Click to expand...

I'm using a pen - so I only have the option for whole units. I'm not testing for Ketones - she had a urine test recently but the vet didn't give me full results. She did find bacteria, and Mitsue got an injection of antibiotics. I could start testing for ketones. I'm reading the dosing methods now.
 
Since you are feeding dry food the method you follow will be SLGS. What antibiotic did she get? Was a culture and sensitivity run? If the shot was convenia it really is not the best for a uti. You need the right antibiotic for the type of infection she has. It’s the same as for people. The infection could explain the high numbers.

There are lots of limited ingredient rabbit canned products on the market. Check your local pet food store or chewy.com.
 
RCB & Mitsu said:
I'm using a pen - so I only have the option for whole units. I'm not testing for Ketones - she had a urine test recently but the vet didn't give me full results. She did find bacteria, and Mitsue got an injection of antibiotics. I could start testing for ketones. I'm reading the dosing methods now.
Click to expand...


You really need to get syringes with half unit markings. You can pick some up at Walmart as well. We increase mostly in .25 increments or if necessary sometimes .50 increments so as not to miss a good dose. Full unit increases can be dangerous.
 
tiffmaxee said:
Since you are feeding dry food the method you follow will be SLGS. What antibiotic did she get? Was a culture and sensitivity run? If the shot was convenia it really is not the best for a uti. You need the right antibiotic for the type of infection she has. It’s the same as for people. The infection could explain the high numbers.

There are lots of limited ingredient rabbit canned products on the market. Check your local pet food store or chewy.com.
Click to expand...

I'll try to find out the antibiotic. I didn't get a receipt from the vet on this visit and don't remember.
 
Here is a diagram of how to use the extract the insulin from the pen. Keep it in the fridge as it will last longer

upload_2021-8-28_9-42-32.jpeg
 

Attachments

  • upload_2021-8-28_9-42-32.jpeg
    upload_2021-8-28_9-42-32.jpeg
    25.3 KB · Views: 205
The vet told me to go up to 2 units. I did get syringes today so that I have the ability to do half units in the future. (thank you Bron for the pic!). I also got the ketone strips,and am waiting for the opportunity to use them.

Even since switching to 2 units, she's still above 500 consistently. I don't understand why it isn't working.

Is it infection? If the antibiotic injection isn't working, I'll need to get her on something else. It doesn't seem like she has a UTI. The vet said there was bacteria in her urine, but not a UTI. I don't know what that indicates. Mitsu isn't in pain urinating, and isn't going frequently. When she goes, it's just a huge amount.

I'm also supposed to board her next weekend. It will be at the vet, but I'm worried about it. She's never done this before. I think it is going to be very stressful for her.
 
Would you be able to pick up a glucometer and try testing with something other than the Libre? While it's certainly possible that the numbers are accurate, it's also possible that there's something wrong with the sensor or how the data is being read.

How was your cat's urine tested? Did the vet insert a needle into Mitsu's bladder? If not, there's no way to know if the bacteria is from a
non-sterile collection. Usually, bacteria in a urine sample is indicative of a UTI.

Also, if the vet gave an injection of Convenia, it's not an antibiotic that is effective for UTIs. It's only indication is for skin infections. Once you have a sterile urine sample, the bacteria is identified by a process called a "culture and sensitivity" (C & S). The bacteria is allowed to grow, is identified, and then the antibiotic is selected based on what the bacteria is.
 
Sienne and Gabby (GA) said:
Would you be able to pick up a glucometer and try testing with something other than the Libre? While it's certainly possible that the numbers are accurate, it's also possible that there's something wrong with the sensor or how the data is being read.

How was your cat's urine tested? Did the vet insert a needle into Mitsu's bladder? If not, there's no way to know if the bacteria is from a
non-sterile collection. Usually, bacteria in a urine sample is indicative of a UTI.

Also, if the vet gave an injection of Convenia, it's not an antibiotic that is effective for UTIs. It's only indication is for skin infections. Once you have a sterile urine sample, the bacteria is identified by a process called a "culture and sensitivity" (C & S). The bacteria is allowed to grow, is identified, and then the antibiotic is selected based on what the bacteria is.
Click to expand...

I'll try to get one today and test.

The vet tried to get the urine that way, but couldn't. So she gave me non absorbent litter (sand?) To use. I put a new liner in her litter box with the litter, and then had a pool of urine that I collected from.
 
My concern would be that the urine collection wasn't sterile. You have no idea whether the antibiotic is appropriate let alone whether there is a UTI. One other bit of information -- gingivitis is not uncommon in cats. The inflammation is something that is often a culprit for throwing a diabetic cat out of remission. It can be hard to check a cat's teeth. Do you recall if your vet tried to check Mitsu's teeth?
 
Sienne and Gabby (GA) said:
My concern would be that the urine collection wasn't sterile. You have no idea whether the antibiotic is appropriate let alone whether there is a UTI. One other bit of information -- gingivitis is not uncommon in cats. The inflammation is something that is often a culprit for throwing a diabetic cat out of remission. It can be hard to check a cat's teeth. Do you recall if your vet tried to check Mitsu's teeth?
Click to expand...

She did. Gingivitis wasn't mentioned, but she said one of Mitsu's teeth had a lot of plaque and might be painful when eating. Do you think that might have something to do with it?

Mitsu also has a big belly. I assume it's her bladder, because she drinks so much water, but only urinates once or twice a day. Makes sense to me, thought I would mention it.
 
Plaque is causing an inflammation (gingivitis) which is why the vet thought she may have pain when eating. Pain can also cause BG numbers to be elevated. Your kitty needs her teeth cleaned!
 
Some vets won't do a dental procedure until a cat is regulated. Don't ask me why since the inflammation can get in the way of the cat becoming regulated. If that's your vet's position, there are veterinary dentists who are, obviously, specialists and more skilled at dental work. I would suggest talking to your vet and raise the possibility that Mitsu's teeth are contributing to the high numbers.
 
Sienne and Gabby (GA) said:
Some vets won't do a dental procedure until a cat is regulated. Don't ask me why since the inflammation can get in the way of the cat becoming regulated. If that's your vet's position, there are veterinary dentists who are, obviously, specialists and more skilled at dental work. I would suggest talking to your vet and raise the possibility that Mitsu's teeth are contributing to the high numbers.
Click to expand...

I will thank you.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top