Should I give a small dose

[dirtybirdsoaps]

Hidey's been off insulin for almost a month now but is slower rising, which Im sure is due to that bad tooth. He goes in for his dental on Thursday, and Im hoping that lowers his numbers back down. Ive tested for ketones a few times and theyve been negative. Should I give him a small dose to lower him back down or keep holding out to see if the dental works?

 

[Sue and Oliver (GA)]

He is sneaking back up. Do you have U100 needles and the conversion chart? You could give him a tiny dose, like .2, IF you can monitor, to see if that helps him stay lower until the dental.

 

[dirtybirdsoaps]

Yup have the needles and the chart, unfortunately tomorrow I have to work all day and wouldnt be able to keep an eye on him. Should I just cross my fingers and give him as little carbs as possible? Im so nervous about all this, and I really do think the rise in numbers is his teeth but I dont want to cause harm because of my neglect, inexperience. I also worry about him having a huge spike from stress when I take him into the vet and that causing problems.

 

[Sue and Oliver (GA)]

I wouldn't do it unless you are home to monitor. His pancreas does seem to be helping out, bringing him down midcycle. If you add even a tiny bit of insulin to bring him down a little further, I think you should be around, just in case.

 

[Elizabeth and Bertie]

I wouldn't do it unless you are home to monitor. His pancreas does seem to be helping out, bringing him down midcycle. If you add even a tiny bit of insulin to bring him down a little further, I think you should be around, just in case.

Ditto to what Sue said.
Shooting (even very low) doses at these numbers is new territory for you, and for safety's sake should only be done if you can monitor.

Good luck for the dental on Thursday.
And there's every chance that it may bring those numbers back down.
Keeping fingers and paws crossed for you!

 

[dirtybirdsoaps]

Thank you, I'll hold off on the shot. He goes in tomorrow morning. I figure for the first day or so his BG may be a bit higher when he gets home from the vet. I have a list now, thanks to everyone on here, for the medication no-no list. Assuming his BG is high tomorrow night, should I give him a small dose even though it will most likely be due to stress? Also, if so, will insulin have any type of negative effect with any antibiotics, pain killers, or coming off the anesthesia? Thank you again for dealing with me and my 50 million questions.

 

[BJM]

Insulin may not affect those other drugs.

That said, however, anesthesia may alter glucose levels temporarily; you may want the vet to check a few times during the dental. Pain is stressful and may elevate glucose levels.

Antibiotics are notorious for causing GI upset, which may alter glucose levels from vomiting, diarrhea, or inappetance. (Gracie got sick after just a couple doses of Clavamox.) You may want to pick up some probiotic - Forti Flora, Intelliflora (Amazon), or 1-2 teaspoons of plain yogurt with active cultures if he is not dairy-sensitive. The probiotic is given a couple hours after the antibiotic, so it doesn't get wiped out by the antibiotic.