? Should I move shot up or push back? And first day of testing with new meter

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Jenny and Grady

Jenny and Grady

Member Since 2016
Hello -

No one can be at home tomorrow night at 6:30 when Grady normally gets his shot. Am I better off giving it 1 hour early or 2 hours late?

Also, I have done testing a couple of times today. If anyone wants to take a look and let me know their thoughts, I would appreciate it. It seems very "flat" to me so I don't know what that means. This is my first day with the human glucometer.

My vet wants me to increase to 3.5 units in AM and stay at 3 in PM. She is very pleased with the curve we did Saturday (although I question the numbers based on what I saw today...maybe I goofed up somehow on Saturday).

Thanks
Jenny
 
Here is your previous post: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/glucose-curve.170950/#post-1865909 We include those links so people can go back and see the history.

Great job with the first curve. Maybe get a test tonight before bed too. A lot of cats go lower at night. Yes he does look flat. But it's early days yet with the data, so hard to make many conclusions. Keep gathering data for a few more days and maybe we'll have a better idea what to do. We decide what to do with a dose based on how low it takes the kitty. And you can't always tell that from one cycle.

On this forum, we find that it's best to give the same dose in the AM and PM. Since Lantus is a depot insulin, it helps to have consistent dosing. The idea of shooting a different dose at night vs. the daytime is more something you'd do for the older insulins.
 
I agree with Wendy same dose both AM & PM.
Flat cycles can sometimes mean movement (lower numbers) on the next cycle. When you do 1 before or late shots it acts like an increase or decrease it is better to give less insulin and leave out plenty of food while your away. Best to keep kitty safe.
Please make sure your getting plenty of tests in the cycles that way you learn what Bg's are doing in each cycle. your kitty.
Are you following one of the protocols SLGS or TR?
 
Fishfriendz said:
No one can be at home tomorrow night at 6:30 when Grady normally gets his shot. Am I better off giving it 1 hour early or 2 hours late?
Click to expand...

I remember seeing an experienced member say recently that if the BG was high it was OK to shoot an hour early. I don't remember which member it was. But if it were my cat in that situation I would test an hour before preshot, and if BG was pinks or higher I would shoot then and shoot on schedule in the morning.

If you give it two hours late then your am shot would need to be at least 1.5 hours late.
 
  • TR is the correct abbreviation used globally for the method known as Tight Regulation. Other abbreviations are incorrect and may not be recognized by the veterinary community.
  • KNOW THY CAT. Shooting early or late is a practice best reserved for those who have a full understanding of the insulin used and it's effects on their kitty.
    • Because of the cumulative nature of Lantus and Levemir, please be aware: Shooting an hour or two early *could* act like a slight dose increase. Shooting an hour or two late *could* act like a slight dose reduction. How your cat will react has a lot to do with what kitty is doing that day. For instance, if a bounce is breaking shooting early probably isn't the best idea because you'll have a little extra action on the dose from both the early shot and the bounce breaking simultaneously. The next shot is due 12 hours after the time of the early or late shot if you're shooting twice a day. Oftentimes the effects of an early or late shot will not be seen until the next cycle. Please monitor carefully when shooting early. Ask for guidance if you're unsure.
  • A "cycle" refers to the period of time between shots. There are 2 cycles in one day when shooting twice a day.
  • Sometimes a dose will need to be "fine tuned" by adding some "fat" or "skinny-ing up" the dose. However, we strongly suggest caregivers do not skinny kitty's dose after a drop into the 20s or 30s. Instead, take the full reduction.
  • The "best" insulin is the insulin that works for YOUR cat. Switch to another insulin if you're not seeing favorable results within 6 months to a year. A different insulin could be better suited to your kitty.
 
Hey there Grady's number are in the pinks so I would say that you could probably shoot an hour earlier IF you can monitor by the + 3 or so

As far as your vet wanting you to shoot different units AM and PM that is not a good idea. Lantus needs consistency and there is a protocol for Lantus that we follow here to a great result. If you need the protocol link, please let us know and someone will post it.
 
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Thanks for the responses. I agree about consistency. I don't think I will increase until I have tested with the new meter and recorded the data for a few days. I like the idea of the 3.25 for both am and pm but will see if a clearer picture emerges.

Should I do a smaller dose if I give him the shot early? I can check him at 3+. But then I want to get back on schedule the next morning. His am shot will be 13 hours after his last one but I don't really think I can get around that.

I have no idea what protocol to follow. Honestly I am just trying to figure out how to navigate all of this. I read the info on both the TR and SLGS but am not really sure what to do beyond trying to start testing regularly now and record the information. Everyone has been super helpful and I am open to ideas/suggestions. I do know I have to have some flexibility with giving the shots (within reason) because we have crazy schedules and it will not always be possible to give the shots exactly 12 hours apart. Hopefully I will get more comfortable with all of this and figure out game plans for busy days before our schedules really ramp up in March.
 
Fishfriendz said:
Thanks for the responses. I agree about consistency. I don't think I will increase until I have tested with the new meter and recorded the data for a few days. I like the idea of the 3.25 for both am and pm but will see if a clearer picture emerges.

Should I do a smaller dose if I give him the shot early? I can check him at 3+. But then I want to get back on schedule the next morning. His am shot will be 13 hours after his last one but I don't really think I can get around that.

I have no idea what protocol to follow. Honestly I am just trying to figure out how to navigate all of this. I read the info on both the TR and SLGS but am not really sure what to do beyond trying to start testing regularly now and record the information. Everyone has been super helpful and I am open to ideas/suggestions. I do know I have to have some flexibility with giving the shots (within reason) because we have crazy schedules and it will not always be possible to give the shots exactly 12 hours apart. Hopefully I will get more comfortable with all of this and figure out game plans for busy days before our schedules really ramp up in March.
Click to expand...
Because he is in the Pink range I think if you shoot an hour early you should be okay as long as you can test at +3 . And you could probably shoot the same units . Do you have data from the time your joined this forum ? If so, could you please post it to the SS as it is good data for us .

What was the units that he was started on and how much does he weigh?

As far as protocol to follow, are you available during the day to test? And can you get some test during the PM cycle to help fill in the missing data? Most cats go lower during the PM cycle so it is good info to get.

And if his shot this next morning is 13 hours later, it is what it is, not optimum but we all have to deal with what our lives throw us. He might be a bit higher.

And did I say Welcome to the best place that you never wanted to be.
 
Thanks Bobbie. I only have data from 3 curves I have done using the vet glucogauge. I started a new spreadsheet once I switched meters. Today was my first day of using the human meter and testing before his am insulin, etc. I just tested him at 2+ his pm shot and he was at 316 so still pretty flat. I will do my best to get more data over the next few days, including pm cycle testing if I can.

We started at 1 unit and then increased to 2 and 3 per our vet when she saw the curve results. He weighs about 13 lbs we think but need to weigh him again.
 
It's a good idea to get a baby scale for weighing if you don't already have one. There are some for about $40 on Amazon, the Salter which I havev and the Healthometer .
It looks exactly the same.
We increase in .25 increments so as not to miss the right dose. Too much insulin can look the same as too little when testing. If you can't monitor closely I feel SLGS is the way to go. Max was a bouncy kitty and could have gone hypo when the bounces cleared had I not been able to be home to monitor him until he was at a safe BG. But read the two protocols and decide your comfort level. You can always start with one and change to the other at any time.
 
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