Stupid question about BG level

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Red'sMomHeather

Red'sMomHeather

Member Since 2015
Still new at all this so this is probably a stupid question BUT I had a hypo scare last week with Red having seizures so now I'm paranoid (see:even more paranoid).

Haven't been able to start home testing yet. His last BG test at the vets was Monday and was 2.3 so vet had me not give PM dose but I was unsure of insulin doses for the next day and etc. Should have called but didn't so he hasn't had insulin since Monday morning. Tuesday, and Wednesday he are the right amount (through syringe feeding) but today he was being extra finicky and hasn't eaten nearly enough (half a can vs 1.5 that the vet says he needs).
So - my question is, even without the insulin is there any way his BG could get too low? I'm sure the answer is no but clearly not sure since I'm asking. Thanks.

Paranoid Mama
 
without the insulin on board, the answer is no.

I have seen a reference once to a rare condition related to low bg , but it was rare.


a hypo or near hypo can make them oversensitive to insulin so you do want to be conservative..
 
Heather, what type of insulin?
And your question isn't a "stupid" one. :)
 
I was feeding all three cats (only one sugar baby) royal canin adult light (which I'm thinking isn't a good choice anymore and will change) plus some friskies pate at "dinner."
Since Red's diagnosis he's been eating small amounts of medi cal diabetic dry food. I started with the purina DM wet food and now have been feeding medi-cal recovery. There were two other kinds from the vet but I only had one can of each to try and don't remember the types.
Any food I give he'll eat a couple bites and then leave it alone. I figured I wasn't giving him enough time to eat so today being my day off I left the food down for hours and he didn't eat it making me syringe feed him once again.
 
He's on caninsulin. Went from 1-3 units while at the vets during his initial 3 day stay then down to 2 units BID after his hypo scare.
 
OK then I agree with what Rhiannon said. These lows wouldn't be due to insulin three days after his last dose. If it was a depot type insulin like Lantus or Levemir, it might have some effect though not very much.
 
Oh sorry I don't actually know his BG is low. It was low when tested Monday 6+ after last meal and 3 units insulin.
I can't imagine it's low now. I'm honestly just paranoid. Stress level/anxiety are through the roof. I panic when I can't find him. I know I need to relax but also work harder at getting him to eat, getting a glucometer, getting him regulated so that I actually can relax. :/
 
What were his numbers like on diagnosis? He may have shot up into very high levels, combined with lack of food this can lead to a very serious condition called DKA. The sooner you are able to get a glucometer and start testing the better. You really want to know what's going on in there. In the meantime are you able to pick up some keto-diasticks from the chemist . You can use those to test for ketones in his urine (also provides a glucose indication). Ketones are the culprits that indicate DKA
 
One of the best tools you can have in helping you get rid of the stress and paranoid feelings is a glucometer and learning to test him at home. Because you will know within seconds if he is starting to go low and can step in to help him come back up safely.

My little girl Autumn can go as low as 1.5 without ever showing me by my just watching her behavior that she is hypoglycemic. Not all cats will display outward signs of being low. But because I can test her, I can catch her and help her out of a dangerous situation, long before she goes into seizures.

And home testing can be a little tricky to learn, but once you find your groove it gets as routine as brushing your teeth or making your bed in the morning. And no, Red isn't going to hate you for it, in fact he may thank you for saving his life if he gets in trouble again.

Mel and The Fur Gang
 
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