Starting Home Testing (is there a conversion from human tracker #s to cat?)

[Jasper_n_Bean's_Mom]

Hello (again)

Jasper has been on 1.5 units of glargine 2x a day (though lantus is what the pharmacy gave me, and it was much cheaper).

As before, he is not lethargic nor vomiting (yay). He is so very skinny. Vet says he is 4-5 lbs under weight and peeing a ton (still). Shocking he is still very active, stairs, plays a bit, jumps up on stand to watch birds and squirrels.

Tried Alpha tracker and was a huge fail. Reading were all over the place within the same hour. So I returned.

I get a ReliOn tomorrow with strips and lancets.

Is there a conversion from human glucometer to cat #s so I can share with my vet? So we are on the same page?

Jasper is so perplexing. His last 2 curves (I forgot to get the #s for this group) were:
on 1 unit 2x a day curve was in range all day at the vet (surprised as he HATES the carrier and being confined, but loves the vet and techs). Dose kept as is, curve 3 weeks later. For that one (no change in food) his #s pulled high the whole day +300 so upped to 1.5 units 2x a day. Well, 2 weeks in and he is losing a bit more weight and still peeing/drinking a ton.

Jasper was awful with the alpha trak it was a legit fight I am hopeful with practice it will get better as the vet has no trouble.

Anyway, thanks in advance!!

Jasper and Bean's Momma.

 

[Bandit's Mom]

Is there a conversion from human glucometer to cat #s so I can share with my vet? So we are on the same page?

There is no conversion between a human and pet meter. Human meters read lower than pet meters (difference is not so much in lower/normal numbers but can be in 100s of points at high numbers). The normal range with a human meter is 50-100 mg/dl and 68-120/140 mg/dl with a pet meter.

Many vets insist on a pet meter, but are happy to use the Libre which is a very expensive, human CGM on cats!

Jasper is so perplexing. His last 2 curves (I forgot to get the #s for this group) were:
on 1 unit 2x a day curve was in range all day at the vet (surprised as he HATES the carrier and being confined, but loves the vet and techs). Dose kept as is, curve 3 weeks later. For that one (no change in food) his #s pulled high the whole day +300 so upped to 1.5 units 2x a day. Well, 2 weeks in and he is losing a bit more weight and still peeing/drinking a ton.

If you set up a spreadsheet and record his numbers, we would better equipped to help you with dosing and interpreting his numbers. We are very data-driven here. I can set it up for you, if you'd like

We don't hold doses longer than a week unless the numbers aren't where you want them. Things change pretty quickly in feline diabetes and a dose that was good one week can become too muuch or too little in the next week!

Here's our sticky on Lantus dosing methods:
Dosing Methods: Start Low, Go Slow (SLGS) & Tight Regulation (TR)


ETA: It's good that you are going to start home testing. You will get more accurate data - tests done at the vet can be significantly elevated due to stress. Also, a curve once a week or every few weeks does not give you an accurate picture of how a cat is doing on a dose. Without enough tests to see how low a dose is taking him, too much insulin can actually look like too little insulin! What happens when the dose is too high is the cat's body fights to stay alive. The insulin may be trying to drive the blood glucose down too low and the pancreas will release stored hormones and sugars to bring it back up fast so too much insulin can actually look like it's not enough!

 

[Jasper_n_Bean's_Mom]

Thank you SOOO much! I would very much love help with starting a spreadsheet for Jasper! Supplies were delivered (yay!) and I was able to obtain a blood sample from his ear without too much fighting from him. It was soooo high 571. He had finished his 3/4 can Purina DM select cuts (with his cosequin sprinkled on top) about 30 mins prior, maybe 40 by the time I got the reading.

I did give him his 2 units. He had some water and now is just chilling on the bathroom counter near the water fountain (note it is fairly warm and humid in the house post storm).

Anything I can do to get Jasper as regulated and well as can be would be amazing.

This diabetes journey with him has been such a struggle and it has only been 5 months, feeling so defeated and like everything is making him worse. I imagine his Hyperthyroidism only complicates this more.

I appreciate the help, so very much!