Skipper 12/26/13

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skippersmom

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Well, Skipper was 442 this morning and I gave him 1.5 units and he was 472 tonight and I gave 1.5 units. The vet said to keep it between 1.5 & 2.5. So if it is in the 400's again tomorrow morning I might try 2.0 units. I'm a little worried. How long can he go with these high numbers? I am going to the store tomorrow to get lower carb food under 6% Fancy Feast Classics. I've been doing the Friskies Pate chicken & giblets which is 8%. I switched all the cats to the soft food. They seem to like it but then I just found one of the healthy ones puking under the Christmas tree. He has never had soft food until now. He is 3. Could it be too rich for his stomach?
Well, I am chugging along but am worried.... :(
 
Your healthy one (civie...as we call them) may have liked the food too much and did a "scarf and barf".....ate too much too fast. :roll:
That can happen sometimes...just keep any eye out to see how that kitteh reacts with next feeding.

Can you get any tests in between AMPS and PMPS? It would sure help to see how the ProZinc is working. :smile:
 
One of the reasons to get midcycle numbers is to help you see what is really happening. Is he flat and high through the cycle? If so, he needs a small increase. If he drops down 50% (or more) the insulin is working okay and he is bouncing up from the lower numbers. And some cats bounce awhile until their bodies start using the insulin effectively. Some cats will just bounce more if you increase, from higher highs to lower lows.

The other factor is the food. Most cats take a week or more to react to the food and then start down. If you increase too fast, you may hit a day when the food decreases his needs at the same tine as the insulin, and he drops lower than you want.

Those red numbers are scary, but if they are balanced by better midcycle numbers, then you need to be patient. This is a marathon, not a sprint. He didn't become diabetic in a weeek. He won't be cured in a week. :mrgreen:

If he were mine, I'd get those midcycle numbers whenever possible - even if I have to get up at night. I'd give each dose a few cycles and study my data to see what is happening. And because he had DKA, I'd add ketone testing daily. You get the ketone strips that human diabetics use and stick them in his urine stream. If this isn't something he'll allow, we have other suggestions.

With your civie, some cats do have trouble adjusting to the wet food. You could feed him separately if possible, mixing a little wet with a little of his old food and slowly increasing the ratio of the wet. Or try a probiotic - lots of people here like FortiFlora. Many cats seem to have trouble with beef flavors so maybe be sure he gets the poultry.

Hang in there. This is a process that takes some time.
 
If there is scarf 'n' barf, one trick is to spread the food thinly across a platter so its harder to get a lot in one bite and the eating is slowed.

Another trick is to freeze part of it and let it be nibbled as it thaws.

There are some tips on urine testing in my signature link Secondary Monitoring Tools. Also monitor dehydration, food and water consumption, and breath odor. DKA happens with not enough insulin, not enough food, and very often, infection.
 
One of my civvies (Woody) has always eaten too fast so I have to spread his food out thinly in the bowl so he has to work a bit to eat it or else it comes out within 15 min just like it went in....
 
Thank you everyone. I stuck with the 1.5 units and he was 384 this morning. I'm feeling a little more confident because 2 mornings ago he was at 548. I'm still not very confident in sticking his ear. I'm going to give it a few days before I start 4x a day testing. I know it is needed.
He is also on Amoxicillan and baytrill that I have to stuff down his throat. Just a lot of stuff coming at him. I think the insulin shot itself is probably the easiest part!
I'm headed out today for more syringes and some lower carb food.
So glad I found this message board!
Thanks!!!
 
If pilling is difficult, get an oral syringe, put the pill in it, cut up into small pieces. Draw in a small bit of water, shake until dissolved. Give by squirting into the side and back of the mouth.

Many antibiotics may be done this way; check with your vet in uncertain.
 
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