Preventing a big drop when unsupervised?

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SaraMV

SaraMV

Member Since 2022
I can't remember if it's better to give Medium Carb at preshot or at +1 if they nadir early? Or at both?

Starting tomorrow no one will be home during the first 4 hours of Taz's am cycle. He usually nadirs around +3, and now that we're seeing a lot more green, I want to keep him as safe as possible. I'm looking for suggestions and advice please.

We have an auto feeder that goes off at his +1. He's iffy on eating lately. Sometimes he eats really well, other times it takes him a while to finish a meal. Also, I usually give him his shot as I'm walking out the door for work. What is the lowest number on the alphatrak 2 that I should shoot if I can't monitor afterward? I shot an 80 tonight but I don't think I'd be comfortable doing that if I can't get a +1 afterward.
 
SaraMV said:
I can't remember if it's better to give Medium Carb at preshot or at +1 if they nadir early? Or at both?

Starting tomorrow no one will be home during the first 4 hours of Taz's am cycle. He usually nadirs around +3, and now that we're seeing a lot more green, I want to keep him as safe as possible. I'm looking for suggestions and advice please.

We have an auto feeder that goes off at his +1. He's iffy on eating lately. Sometimes he eats really well, other times it takes him a while to finish a meal. Also, I usually give him his shot as I'm walking out the door for work. What is the lowest number on the alphatrak 2 that I should shoot if I can't monitor afterward? I shot an 80 tonight but I don't think I'd be comfortable doing that if I can't get a +1 afterward.
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@Wendy&Neko

@Bron and Sheba (GA)
 
I can see Taz has earned a few reductions in the last month, so if he is going to continue that pattern I would be on the look out for another reduction in the next few weeks. The times he earned the reductions, they weren’t low preshots.
I think if you are not going to be there for the first four hours to monitor, I would not go any lower than you have gone already. I would also make sure he is eating a good meal. And then you could leave out a medium carb meal for +1 to keep him safe. And maybe another snack at +3 or +4.
You know him best and I think you need to be comfortable with the BG you shoot.

I see you have stopped the ondansetron, do you think he still needs some if his eating is a bit iffy?
 
Bron and Sheba (GA) said:
I see you have stopped the ondansetron, do you think he still needs some if his eating is a bit iffy?
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We have started to give him a 4th of pill twice a day. We tried stopping because he was getting an entire pill twice a day, but then he began losing more weight, and his stools changed color and consistency, which is a sign of liver issues (ondansetron can make existing issues worse). We went a couple of days without giving it and he seemed to not eat as much those days. We started giving him a 4th of pill and now his appetite is hit or miss. I seriously think he's tired of the same 4 flavors he's been eating for months and he's becoming picky on top of not feeling his best (he loves MC when he gets it). We bought several cans of nature's instinct, soulistic, tiki, and weruva, and so far he hasn't liked any of them. :banghead: I think if we offered him medium carb choices, his appetite would improve but then it defeats the purpose of trying to control his diabetes.
 
Bron and Sheba (GA) said:
I would speak to the vet about the possible side effect of the ondansetron on the liver
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The vet didn't want to prescribe the ondansetron and I had to basically plead with him in order to get it. Taz also has an enlarged heart, and I found out that Ondansetron can affect the heart too. Needless to say, Taz isn't getting it at all right now and I hope that if it did affect him negatively, that being off of it will help. :(

We're currently going through pancreatitis again, and after seeing some higher numbers yesterday, he's earned another reduction today. I'm just glad I'm home sick and was able to catch it and intervene.
 
Virginie said:
Have you ever tried cerenia with him? That could be a good alternative to ondansetron if he no longer tolerates it.
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Yes I have cerenia also. It also has a warning to use with caution with liver disease. The liver is known for healing itself, so I'm praying it's capable of that if we can just keep him off the meds long enough ti give it a chance to do so. But with liver, heart, and pancreas issues, it's a neverending battle.
 
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