OZZIE - LATEST DATA AND VET DOSES

[lauren77]

Just wanted to post over here to give you the latest...I know it's Lantus but any help is much appreciated about his BG tests and SS woes...

Hi all - the latest regarding Ozzie is he's holding is own and eating and finally drinking water by himself. Got a little worried there about his fluid intake, even though I souped up his ff plates of food three times a day.
I stayed up all night b/c after the vet recommended 1/2 a unit I thought it was important to get the data and watch the little guy's condition.
6:45pm - 401bg
then after the shot only 1/2 a unit of lantus
12am 407
2am 418
3am - I didn't test but he went to the bathroom and I put the duo strip under him - neg ketones - 500/dark green color/1/2 it says
Let him rest for 3 hours and at 6:30 - he was 448
Shot him an hour later as per vet the night before 2.50 units and gave him FF gourmet grill w/ water
9:30am 380bg
11:45am 325bg ---
12:15pm --- fed him 1 can of ff oceanfish w/ water
2:00pm 383 went up again!

spoke to the vet at lunchtime - the regular vet in ER who brought him thru this and he said that he wants the number of the 6pm test to determine his dose. He thinks that he may have been on too much at 3.50 units and the mild case of pancreatitis could have caused his body not to use the insulin correctly. He is thinking 1 unit tonight if he is 350 and over at 6pm. So maybe 1 1/2 in the am and then 1 1/2 in the PM....I don't know whether that is enough - every vet that ever meets him, says what a big guy he is - his musculature - he is usually 14 lbs but now down to 13+ after this bout of DKA. How does he go from a healthy, no problem at 3.50 units twice a day to ketones stage from the mild inflammation from pancreatitis is that possible this has caused all of this.
He says he needs to be on baytril and as I put in the earlier post the liquid as I said last nite he was gagging on, me too it was vile and so I have to run out to his local vet = he will be his local vet until we leave Brooklyn and get the tablet form of it.
The testing is hard - easier for his paw. I mutilate his ears b/c first they aren't used to it and I keep missing the "sweet spot" and so three pokes and I use that word w/ liberty more like stabbing him, 3 pokes is the limit. I swear it's just hard - I warm up his little ears and think okay - put a little pressure on the spot and then poke him, I get a little drop, keep trying and either he winces or moves or it runs a little and his hair catches it so off to the poking I go again. So after numerous tries I just head down to his paw. I have to squeeze that to and I hear him sigh and then his tail starts whacking back and forth on the chair - so now we're in trouble and he's had enough and he's telling me so!
But right now I have to be grateful I'm getting it eventually from his paws.
The vet said today he is a tricky guy now so getting the units sorted quickly is kinda of important but I just am thinking once I go back to working - right now I am interviewing so I can happily do this --- how do you guys do it and hold down your jobs and take care of your families and your other pets? HOW?
Sienne and the experts mentioned the same dose at am and pm and I asked the vet about this - he said this is true and ideal but b/c he's a tricky guy at present to try and get the overall dose for a 24 hour period minus all possible variables is their goal. Then once he gets those low numbers the 200's and late 100's then we're looking at the right dose.

Thank you so much for all your wonderful advice and words of encouragement and the help you have sent via DCIN and Venita, I am so grateful and Ozzie sends a big kiss and hug to all you wonderful people.
I am going on now to try and sort out the ss - b/c I know it's easier to follow the data on those - just w/ phone interviews, looking online, pc running slow etc...well you guys know what it's like...BLOODY HARD IS WHAT IT IS...but the alternative is my little Ozzie could die without carrying on with this and I couldn't live w/ myself if that happened...

love and kind regards to all - Lauren and Ozzie

 

[Sue and Oliver (GA)]

Lauren, can I help you with the spreadsheet? Send me a pm.

 

[Vicky & Gandalf (GA) & Murrlin]

Hi Lauren,
Although I don't use Lantus, I'm really confused by this regimen. You were told to give only .5U/half a unit at 6:45PM or was the .5U in addition to an earlier dose because you said this

then after the shot only 1/2 a unit of lantus

.

Unlike Prozinc/PZI, it is not recommended to use a sliding scale with Lantus or Levemir. They simply don't work well that way, Sienne is right and I'm sorry to say that apparently we are going to disagree with the vet on this one, even though he agreed that Lantus needs to be the same dose AM/PM. I know Ozzie is just getting past DKA, but not giving him enough insulin at the right times is a recipe for disaster. Waiting an hour later than 12 hrs since the previous shot is also not good, although that was probably because of the time change??

If he is not getting enough insulin, over time that in itself could be enough to trigger the ketones, then if there is an infection and maybe he doesn't feel good, so he doesn't eat as much as he was, it could all lead to the DKA. That's why I'm concerned about you're stating only half a unit. That is clearly not enough, unless vet told you to give him that as a booster of sorts.

BTW, the fancy Feast Gourmet "grilled" foods are 18% carbs and should only be given to diabetics when they are running low. Please stick with the "classic" flavors - not grilled, not flaked, not shredded or anything oddball. If he ate "grilled" type Fancy Feast that is why his BGs stayed up.

I know others will chime in soon - we all want to help Ozzie! I hope you get some success soon for him. Yes, it is very hard to manage everything, but it's harder when they are so sick. Once things settle down it will be easier, even if you have a job.

 

[lauren77]

I know girls that I think is what happened - 1/2 unit was not enough but I think they are worried about sending him the other way but you know he's been home almost 2 days and still no bowel movement so I'm wondering if the food intake and the insulin is what sent him down so low.

If you're confused Vicky I'm doubly confused. I spoke to him tonight and he had 1 1/2 for the shot.
He has been high all day and the food has been totally kept to FF low car souped up w/ water.
The 5.10pm bg - 442 spoke to vet suggested 1 1/2 units
I tested 8.30pm bg - 401 so will continue to test again.
I don't understand it nor profess to so I'll just try and gather as much info from you guys here on the board.
Right now the latest is --- testing periodically thru night and call before shot in the morning his feeling is 2 units am tomorrow and 2 units in the eve...but who knows w/ tricky dicky here....thank you for your input!
Sue I would love some help about the SS do I add the colors as I go along or take over a live one and just add my data????

 

[Sheila & Beau GA & Jeddie GA]

Lauren, it does get easier! First, you will be more sure of yourself and second he will get used to it.

Are you giving treats after each test/testing attempt? That is important in getting them to look forward to tests - yes, they do! Beau would jump up on the table and purr. I give boiled chicken. Cut up a chicken breast and boil it in plain water for about 5 mins - let cool. then freeze small containers with the broth. I use 4 oz plastic containers. You can use one up in a few days and take another from the freezer.

Also, I found that there was only one type of lancet that worked really well. All others made Beau's ear feel like shoe leather. The only brand I use is BD Ultra Fine II 30 gauge.

You are doing great!