Shoot if test fails?

[Molly and Sammy]

Hi all, I'm a newbie with a worry. My Sammy is recently diagnosed. I switched to low carb canned foods and started home testing before we started Lantus last Friday. Vet suggests do 1 unit once a day for a week, do a curve Sunday, and call her Monday to discuss dosage- probably 1 unit 2X a day. His numbers are still in high 350- 450 range. I have had a few times when I just can't get a blood sample to test. Not often, but it worries me. Like this morning, which is when I shoot. Yesterday's numbers were 420 and 495, so I went ahead with the shot. But what about next week, when his numbers may drop with increased dosage? Vet says don't shoot if under 250( Alpha Trak). But what if I just can't get a test? Thank you....

 

[Bobbie And Bubba]

Hi and Welcome to the L B & L forum. And I am glad that you have started to home test. It is so important to keep Sammy safe. But, it is always important to get a test before you shoot. When you say you can't get a blood sample to test , are you saying that you can't get him to bleed? If so, you can gently rub each ear for a few seconds to help with circulation or you can get a small sock and put some rice in it and tie a knot in the sock and heat it up for about 30 seconds. You just want it to be warm not hot. Put that on Sammy's ear for a 1/2 minute or so and that will also help to get him to bleed faster. After a while the kitties eats learn to bleed faster.

As far as the vet recommending 1 unit once a day, Lantus needs to be dosed twice a day, 12 hours apart. And you can do the curve yourself at home which would be better for Sammy. When our kitties are at the vets they are so stressed out and that stress causes higher numbers which then will result in the vet recommending a higher dose that might not be necessary. To do a curve, you would start with the AM pre shoot test and then test every 2 hours for 12 hours up to the PM pre shot.

Can we get you to set up a spread sheet like the rest of us are using? It will help you to keep track of his numbers and to spot patterns and trends with the dose he is getting. It also helps us help you with dosing questions. The instructions are Here and if you have any trouble setting it up just yell and someone with help you get it set up. Then you would attach it to your signature.

 

[Molly and Sammy]

Hi and Welcome to the L B & L forum. And I am glad that you have started to home test. It is so important to keep Sammy safe. But, it is always important to get a test before you shoot. When you say you can't get a blood sample to test , are you saying that you can't get him to bleed? If so, you can gently rub each ear for a few seconds to help with circulation or you can get a small sock and put some rice in it and tie a knot in the sock and heat it up for about 30 seconds. You just want it to be warm not hot. Put that on Sammy's ear for a 1/2 minute or so and that will also help to get him to bleed faster. After a while the kitties eats learn to bleed faster.

As far as the vet recommending 1 unit once a day, Lantus needs to be dosed twice a day, 12 hours apart. And you can do the curve yourself at home which would be better for Sammy. When our kitties are at the vets they are so stressed out and that stress causes higher numbers which then will result in the vet recommending a higher dose that might not be necessary. To do a curve, you would start with the AM pre shoot test and then test every 2 hours for 12 hours up to the PM pre shot.

Can we get you to set up a spread sheet like the rest of us are using? It will help you to keep track of his numbers and to spot patterns and trends with the dose he is getting. It also helps us help you with dosing questions. The instructions are Here and if you have any trouble setting it up just yell and someone with help you get it set up. Then you would attach it to your signature.

Hi, thanks for the reply. I do warm his ear, and most of the time we do fine. But once in awhile Sammy is just plain cranky, wiggling away with those strong legs and fighting the process in general. I give him treats first and after, and even sing to him - but occasionally, not often, I just can't wrangle him. Maybe I am worrying overmuch, since we have only been testing for about two and a half weeks, and he will get more used to it. On the curve, yes I will be doing that myself, and the vet says we will definitely go to 2 X a day next week. Finally, I will for sure do the spreadsheet, just been too overwhelmed with all the new stuff I hadn't gotten to it. Thanks!