PMPS 75 - should I be concerned?

[WileyWonderCat]

After many unsuccessful attempts at home testing the past couple of days, I was able to get Wiley's PMPS this evening and I was shocked to see it was 75. I'm not going to shoot...but am wondering if I should try to test again in a couple of hours? or? At the very least I am going to try and test him again for his AMPS. I still haven't been able to get him to allow me to test on my own. I have to have someone hold him down. This makes it very difficult for me to test him on a regular basis because my partner and I have different schedules. (Hence, no SS here).

Any guidance is appreciated! He's only been back on insulin for 2 weeks after 3 years OTJ.

 

[DebG]

Bump

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

If you haven't given any insulin tonight, you don't have to worry about a hypo, but I'd be sure to always test before shooting. If he's going back OTJ, you sure don't want to be shooting blind

Here's something I wrote up for others that needed help with testing...maybe it'll help you too!

It can be really helpful to establish a routine with testing. Pick one spot that you want your "testing spot" to be (I like the kitchen counter because it's got good light and it's at a good height....it also already blocked 2 escape routes due to the wall and the backsplash) It can be anywhere though...a rug on the floor, a table, a particular spot on the couch...wherever is good for you. Take him there as many times a day as you can and just give his ears a quick rub and then he gets a yummy (low carb) treat. Most cats aren't objecting so much with the poking..it's the fooling with their ears they don't like, but once they're desensitized to it and learn to associate a certain place with the treats, they usually start to come when they're called! Or even when they hear us opening the test kit!

You also have to remember...you're not poking him to hurt him...you're testing him to keep him safe and understand what's going on inside his body. There's just nothing better than truly understanding what's going on inside your kitty's body and with this disease, the more knowledge you have, the more power you have against it. The edges of the ears have very few pain receptors, so it really doesn't hurt them. Also, if you're nervous and tense, it's going to make your kitty nervous and tense too. As silly as it might seem, try singing! It forces you to use a different part of your brain!

It's also important to make sure his ear is warm. A small sock filled with a little rice and microwaved or a small pill bottle filled with warm water (check temp against your wrist like you would a baby bottle) works well.

When you're first starting, it's also important to use a lower gauge lancet, like 25-28 gauge. Most of the "lancet devices" come with 33 gauge lancets and they are just too tiny to start with. The bigger lancets (that are lower numbers) make a bigger "hole". As you poke more and more, the ears will grow new capillaries and will be easier and easier to get blood from...we call it "learning to bleed"

Finding the right "treat" will be a great help too! Freeze dried chicken, bonito flakes, little pieces of baked chicken...whatever low carb treat you can find that he really enjoys will help him to associate the testing with the treat! China's Achilles heel was baked chicken, so I'd bake a piece, chop it into bite sized pieces, put some in the refrigerator and freeze the rest to use as needed. It didn't take long for her to come any time I picked up the meter!

 

[WileyWonderCat]

Here's something I wrote up for others that needed help with testing...maybe it'll help you too!

Thanks Chris for all of your tips. I've certainly been trying these over the last week or so. Wiley hates sitting still when I'm trying to fuss over him and gets really wiggly and runs and hides. I'm certainly determined and try not to be stressed. I absolutely agree that home testing is key to monitoring his health. I haven't found the perfect treat for him, yet. He (typically) loves Halo's Liv a Littles Chicken and bonito flakes, but he has started refusing them intermittently. Perhaps I'll try chicken breast or deli meat next.

Persistence!

 

[Daphne]

At what stage in the blood glucose testing does he start to act up?

Chris & China's advice is spot on about getting the cat used to being tested. Following the advice with patience will almost definitely result in a cat who begins to accept having his blood glucose tested with ease. Slowly forming a positive association with the experience really does work to make the cat cooperative.

Until then, you can wrap your cat in a towel so you can force him to accept the testing. Here is one guide on how to wrap a cat in a towel.

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

I'm certainly determined and try not to be stressed

Don't forget to try singing!! It forces you to use a different part of your brain so you can't send as many "stressed out" signals.....and maybe Wiley will think you've lost your ever-loving mind and just sit there and stare at you.....LOL

I suggest the Hokey Pokey song....we even have our own version!! Cat Scratch Fever is also a good one

 

[WileyWonderCat]

His AMPS today is 182. Now what? It's been 24 hours since last dose. I fed him now but I need to go to work, so not sure if I should shoot or not. Maybe half unit? Suggestions? I won't be able to test again until this evening.

 

[WileyWonderCat]

At what stage in the blood glucose testing does he start to act up?

Usually right away. He's pretty skittish in general and only likes being touched, pet, held on his terms. Like Chris said, I don't think the actual ear prick bothers him. Rather its me trying to keep him still and fuss with his ears.

I went ahead and gave .75 dose. Or somewhere near there- it's pretty hard to tell when you get less than 1 unit. Hopefully he will be okay on that. He ate all of his breakfast and I will leave out frozen wet food ice cube.

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

Without having any more information on Wiley, it's really impossible to advise you

I am glad you gave some insulin, and hope the .75 will help bring him down as well as be a good, safe dose while you're away.

Surf safely now Wiley!

 

[Daphne]

I ended up offering my cat a high-carb treat in the beginning. I'd give him one piece of Meow Mix Tender Centers as a reward. I agree it's not the best choice, but literally 1 piece for cooperation wasn't going to do much to his blood sugar. Once cooperation was ensured, I moved on to low-carb treats.

A small amount of WHATEVER he goes bananas for is ok! The reward doesn't need to be a treat either. Anything he loves can be a reward: petting, brushing, playing, etc.

My cat Peanut sounds so much like your cat. He's not big on being touched, and unfortunately he is not very food-motivated anymore. His greatest love is the outdoors. I often reward him by opening the window for 2 minutes regardless of the weather so he can smell the outdoors.

I am really surprised that China mentioned singing because Peanut loves it when I sing. He specifically likes the Ponyo song where I say "Peanut" instead of "Ponyo." No, I don't sing well, but he still enjoys it.

Lantus is dosed based on the nadir reading, which usually (but not always) occurs at +6. You do need to test before you shoot, but getting that nadir is going to be important too. I don't feel comfortable making dosing recommendations without more readings. I'm sorry. You're probably going to want to follow the Start Low, Go Slow method.

Training him to come to a designated spot should help. I suggest continue the forcible testing as you always have and introduce the training separately. The training can go in steps: (1) train him to come to the spot, (2) add ear-touching, (3) add clicking the lancing device--without touching him with the lancing device, (4) do not have a lancet in the lancing device and click it while holding it against his ear as if you were actually testing, (5) start testing for real.

Peanut is still a sensitive cat, but he was incredibly more standoffish and skittish when he first came to us. I made some adjustments to our home and interactions with him based on Jackson Galaxy's show and books, but he also benefited from anxiety medicine.