Rupert's spreadsheet

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Laura13

Laura13

Member Since 2014
Hi everyone

We have been testing Rupert morning and night since the beginning of the month. I am pleased to say we are all getting used to it and it's not so much trouble anymore. I don't have problems getting blood now. It's still a two person job but we've learned not to stress if he's being difficult and just come back later if we have to. Rupert is loving the treats he gets afterwards too. The downside of all of this is he wakes me up every morning because he's hungry, I don't think I will ever sleep in again :lol:

Anyway, I'm just looking for some feedback, would someone be able to look at my spreadsheet and let me know if we're on the right track? I'm in Australia so I use the world mmol/L tab.

Thanks!
 
Hi, and welcome to the forum....

I can't really comment on the numbers as I'm pretty new at all this myself...but aren't you testing before and after each shot - ie AMPS (am preshot) and PMPS )pm preshot)? That is really important, even if its the only tests you do.

The testing will definitely get easier.

Juliet and Silver
 
I honestly had no idea what AMPS and PMPS stood for until then. We test, give insulin and feed him and do the same 12 hours later. Is that wrong?
 
Good morning,

Firstly, congrats on getting the testing going so well. That is awesome. Also, I see you are feeding a good low carb, again, good work.

However, there are a few issues that I see that are keeping you from getting more success. Firstly, I see you changing doses all the time. I suspect you are reacting to your test number immediately before shot time and adjusting up or down based on it. That is not how Lantus works. It is a "depot" insulin, which means it builds up in the system over time, and diminishes the same way.

Please read this post thoroughly, it should help :
http://www.felinediabetes.com/start-low-go-slow.htm

Some of your test numbers are extremely low... that 2.0 you had on Nov 20 was potentially fatal. If Rupert were in my care, I would drop him right back to 1 unit every 12 hours. This is the usual starting point for a newly diagnosed sugar cat.

Get a test AT LEAST before you shoot, and again about 6 hours or so afterwards. Those midcycle tests are key, as they tell you how low the cat is going when the insuiln is at its peak action (known as the "nadir"). Keep him on 1 unit for at least a week if you can, and then we can re-evaluate him for adjustments.

A question though... what is Rupert's weight? Age? Any other health issues? (perhaps add the answers to these questions to your signature line for easy reference.


Dont worry, we will get you through this.

Linda
 
no that's right Laura. You usually want to make sure they have no food for 2 hours before you do the test. The only other thing you will want to do is get some readings in the mid cyle as dosing changes are based on the lowest point in the cycle. anywhere from 4 hours to 8 hours after you give the insulin. You also want to keep the dose consistent. It looks to me like your dose is too high as evidenced by you having to skip shots and the fact the he went so low (36). I am sure the more experience will recommend you start will a lower consistent dose maybe 1 unit twice a day and he definitely needs to be reduced with that very low preshot number. I will find the link for the dosing protocol and post it on your condo here.
 
Laura13 said:
I honestly had no idea what AMPS and PMPS stood for until then. We test, give insulin and feed him and do the same 12 hours later. Is that wrong?
Click to expand...

No, that's perfectly correct. I think I was confused by your spreadsheet but now you said you didnt know what AMPS and PMPS is, it makes total sense.
 
Gave Rupert 1 unit this morning but I don't understand how that is enough when his levels are so high? I will do 1 unit for a week though and read that thread and see how he goes.

Rupert is 2 years old (on my signature) and 6kg (will add that) and he has no other health problems.

What do you do when you go away? We will be going away for a few days in January. We have someone come and feed the cats and dog here and she's a vet nurse so is comfortable giving him insulin but testing him is a two person job so it'll be pretty impossible for her to do it. It's just under 2 months away so I'm hoping it will be under control by then but I just want to know if we should be checking them in to the cattery at the vet and have them do it instead? Obviously I would rather keep them home.
 
I think if she's a vet nurse she might be able to test him on her own. Why not invite her over before you go to have a trial run?
 
Laura13 said:
Gave Rupert 1 unit this morning but I don't understand how that is enough when his levels are so high? I will do 1 unit for a week though and read that thread and see how he goes.
Click to expand...

because too much insulin shows in blood glucose numbers the same as too little insulin. since you are only testing at preshot, you really have no idea how low he is going. those high numbers are probably his liver trying to compensate for too low blood sugar (bouncing). and the fact that he had those really low preshot numbers shows he needs a dose decrease. he may even need lower. he may be going very low which is very dangerous so def read the protocol above and i would keep the low dose .if u can get some spot checks mid cycle or do a curve on your day off, that would help see what he is doing
 
Ok we've done 1 unit morning and night for a week now and his levels are slowly dropping. What now? Stay at one unit or slightly increase?
 
Hi Laura
Is it possible for you to update his spreadsheet with the latest numbers so we can have a look before advising
If you can't do that, then maybe just make a list here with the dates and the numbers and times?
Thanks so much.
Nadine
 
Nadine, look at the World tab on Laura's spreadsheet for up to date numbers.

Laura, lets see if we cant get your situation fine tuned a bit. Firstly, your preshot test should be literally that.... just before you shoot. So right at the 12 hour mark, you test first. Then if it is a number you feel comfortable shooting at, the next step is to feed. This is because you never want to give insulin to a cat who refuses to eat, and doesn't have food on board when that insulin hits. Then you shoot. Many people actually give the shot to the cat while they are eating, and they hardly notice. All of this happens within a few minutes.

Now, as for your increase dose question. Yes, Rupert looks good as far was we can see on this dose, however, we are missing key data. It is really really important that you get a mid cycle test. That would be at +6 or so. This will be the nadir, being the lowest point in the cycle. Before we get too excited raising the dose, we need to know it is safe to do so.

Then, if and when we raise, it will be by very very little..,,, only .25 of a unit. And then we give it time, and lots of tests, to evaluate the results.

But first, your mission, is to get those mid cycle tests. And I hate to say it, but the middle of the night one is a really good one to get. Do you get up in the night to pee? Can you grab a quick test when you get up? Many cats drop a lot lower at night than they do in the day for some unknown reason.

You are doing great Laura. Keep up the good work. I am sure Rupert is rewarding you with head butts and purrs every day.
 
Hey Laura, go have a look at my spreadsheet for Sammy. I added a line at the top with the actual times I shot and tested. Perhaps reading that might help this all make a bit more sense to you.
 
Hi Linda

I have updated Rupert's spreadsheet to include the times. It makes sense to me so I hope it does for others too.

Testing during the night is not really an option :-/ I don't usually get up and testing him is usually a two person job so I would need to get my boyfriend up too. We are far too sleepy to be playing with needles at that time! I will make sure we test during the day on weekends and try to do a curve one day too.

After I test him I give him a treat, then insulin, then his meal. By that point he is trying to pull the can out of my hand :)

I hope we are on the right track anyway. I am so impatient to get into remission!
 
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