off insulin 6 days, today up to 156 from 90s...

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mimi1997

mimi1997

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My vet told me to stop insulin after I gave 1 units from 2 units for two times. (nov.1-pm and nov.2-am)
I have been doing some spot checks, I got 90s until this afternoon--- 156 at 3pm then 150 at 4:45pm, with a little food at 3:30pm.
I don't know what it is, I fed my cat 1/6can of BG turkey (before Grain by Merrick) at 7am and he didn't really finished it until 11am.
I didn't think he ate after that. (4hrs)

My cat Mimi ate 1/6can at 7pm.
I am thinking it is going to be above 120 after 7:30pm. I don't know what to do later... Should I wait until tomorrow morning or give him 1 unit if I see something above 120?
What if I shot him tonight and see something low tomorrow? On and off like this is not very good, right?
 
Without knowing how the cat responds I would never give one unit at a BG a little above 120. Most caretakers will not give any insulin below 150. I would start with a low dose (1/4 unit or less) if above say 180. You need data for how a cat reacts to insulin to determine the optimum dose. You do not want to overdose on insulin.
 
Is Mimi eating less than normal? Possile belly ache, maybe constipation? That could cause a rise in BGs.

I might be inclined to wait until tomorrow before deciding to give insulin, and wouldn't shoot until at least 200. See if this is a hairball, a belly ache or something causing the higher BGs.

So far things are going great, but there was a reason your cat became FD in the first place. It was just a diet change that helped reduce the blood sugar, right? Any issues with teeth? Any other type of infection going on?
 
He's eating less today. He also grooms less today, he can spent 20 min to groom in past few days but he seems sleepier today.

My vet didn't say anything about his teeth. However he's radiographs do show evdience of arthitis in his spin, a lttile asthma maybe, no treatment for arthritis nor asthma because of his diabetes.

tuckers mom said:
Is Mimi eating less than normal? Possile belly ache, maybe constipation? That could cause a rise in BGs.

I might be inclined to wait until tomorrow before deciding to give insulin, and wouldn't shoot until at least 200. See if this is a hairball, a belly ache or something causing the higher BGs.

So far things are going great, but there was a reason your cat became FD in the first place. It was just a diet change that helped reduce the blood sugar, right? Any issues with teeth? Any other type of infection going on?
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silly question: who's stinky? :oops:
sorry I have been confused after seeing people shooting "drops" even the numbers look low.

SaraJaye said:
I will repeat what I was told when Stinky's #s were coming down - don't shoot if under 170...
Click to expand...
 
Do you mean I need more BG curve as data?
I am working on not seeing my cat showing his teeth during blood test....

Larry and Kitties said:
Without knowing how the cat responds I would never give one unit at a BG a little above 120. Most caretakers will not give any insulin below 150. I would start with a low dose (1/4 unit or less) if above say 180. You need data for how a cat reacts to insulin to determine the optimum dose. You do not want to overdose on insulin.
Click to expand...
 
If the BG falls after eating, then that means the pancreas is kicking in. Usually with lantus, we dose by the nadir and not preshot for the most part and step down the dose by a 1/4 u anytime kitty goes below 50. If your kitty starts staying above 150 for a day, then I would try giving only a 1/4u and see how that helps. Do this on a day when you can be home to monitor. You really want to try to give a smidge of insulin as long as possible with this system so that the pancreas has ample time to properly heal. If your kitty occasionally gives you bips above 150 but comes right back down after eating, then I wouldn't give insulin. Just keep monitoring just in case his overall BGs start to rise on you again. You want to catch that before you start seeing outward signs of high BGs in order to protect the pancreas against damage again.
 
Stinky is the name of my cat... I think people are shooting "drops" once they've established a lot more data over weeks/ months... but I'll defer to the experts on the board to go into more detail about that....

When I was a newbie, as you are now, I was advised to not shoot if his numbers were below 170, as we were still trying to figure out his response to insulin and determining the dose. If you look at Stinky's spreadsheet, it was looking like yours when I was weaning him off insulin. So far so good, he's been off for more than a month. I hope your kitty has a similar response. I'm impressed with your diligence, keep up the good work.

mimi1997 said:
silly question: who's stinky? :oops:
sorry I have been confused after seeing people shooting "drops" even the numbers look low.

SaraJaye said:
I will repeat what I was told when Stinky's #s were coming down - don't shoot if under 170...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Oppss.... sorry~~ I kept seeing "stinky's note" here and there and sometime I am sure if I know it. It's wonderful that your Stinky is "off of juice" (if this is the right term). :)

I think my sheet is a very spotty because I haven't be able to do curve at home.
It is strange my vet never told me not to shoot under 200 or 170 in very beginning. This morning I report my vet BG numbers and asked her if I should give Mimi just .5 or .25unit, she said she doesn't want Mimi back to insulin and want me to keep diabetic diet, keep one test a week--isn't that too long? I just order 100 test strips this morning...

SaraJaye said:
Stinky is the name of my cat... I think people are shooting "drops" once they've established a lot more data over weeks/ months... but I'll defer to the experts on the board to go into more detail about that....

When I was a newbie, as you are now, I was advised to not shoot if his numbers were below 170, as we were still trying to figure out his response to insulin and determining the dose. If you look at Stinky's spreadsheet, it was looking like yours when I was weaning him off insulin. So far so good, he's been off for more than a month. I hope your kitty has a similar response. I'm impressed with your diligence, keep up the good work.

mimi1997 said:
silly question: who's stinky? :oops:
sorry I have been confused after seeing people shooting "drops" even the numbers look low.

SaraJaye said:
I will repeat what I was told when Stinky's #s were coming down - don't shoot if under 170...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Unfotunately there is no way to know. It is that awful "every cat if different" thing.

If I were you, I might consider trying some of the really low carb foods (3-5% but fish only a couple times a week). See if that makes a difference. Did you ever test to see if food brings her down? (A test before food and then 30-45 minutes after eating)

And I would continue to test in the morning and evening at least. If you start to get numbers near the 150 range consistently, it may be that you will need to give just "a splash or drop" of insulin. If you have tests to support your decision, your vet shouldn't fuss.

Vets are understandably reluctant to have you give insulins at low numbers (as are we). They don't want to be responsible for a hypo. It is a very tricky time and requires a lot of testing to make sure she is safe.
 
Mimi doesn't seem like to eat much today, 1/6 can of mixed BG turkey and m/d in the morning. Still loves treats.
I am pretty much switching different cans to keep him interested everyday, Merrick cowboy, m/d (straight m/d in first two weeks), some Friskies, few EVO ever since.... I mixed food when I found he is not interested in some cans.

My vet was very "brave" to use 2 units in the very beginning, told me to test once a week if the number is between 100-200. I tested more than once after I got more strips. (first order was lost so I waited for a long time). I asked her this morning again she still don't want me to try .5 or so....

Sue and Oliver said:
Unfotunately there is no way to know. It is that awful "every cat if different" thing.

If I were you, I might consider trying some of the really low carb foods (3-5% but fish only a couple times a week). See if that makes a difference. Did you ever test to see if food brings her down? (A test before food and then 30-45 minutes after eating)

And I would continue to test in the morning and evening at least. If you start to get numbers near the 150 range consistently, it may be that you will need to give just "a splash or drop" of insulin. If you have tests to support your decision, your vet shouldn't fuss.

Vets are understandably reluctant to have you give insulins at low numbers (as are we). They don't want to be responsible for a hypo. It is a very tricky time and requires a lot of testing to make sure she is safe.
Click to expand...
 
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