Sugar: First week SS reflections and feeding questions!

[Sugar’s Mama]

One week since diagnosis! We were so nervous for the first shots/pokes but my wife, Sugar and I are getting better. I psyched myself up many times trying to get BG readings and chickened out after not able to get large enough droplets. Practice and getting larger lancets has helped so we should have more numbers added in the coming weeks.

We are working on a feeding schedule. After experimenting with brands/flavors early in the week we are now offering a full 3oz pouch of Weruva BFF PLAY mixed with a little water each shot (half after testing, half after shot). Got a variety of the ones under 4% carbs, one is 0%. We’re also feeding bits (1/3-1/2) of a third pouch around +6’s. Last night, he was licking the plate so we gave him the rest of the pouch and he ate it all. He was skinny and 5.9 pounds when diagnosed and needs to put some weight on. He’s completely ignoring his old HC dry food that our other kitty (Spicy!) eats. My order for Dr. Elsey’s Chicken (2.53% carbs) dry food is coming today and I’m going to gradually move her over. She has no interest in wet food and I’m not ready to take on that battle. Hoping to switch her to Dr. Elsey’s in case Sugar gains interest as he is feeling better.

-How many calories/oz should we aim for daily?
-Should we use the 0% one in a strategic way or more often?
-Is there anything that could help bring him down when his numbers are high (limit snacks? Encourage exercise?)?
-Sugar’s poo is stanky!!! Will this get better or anything to add to his diet to help?
-Anything alarming on the SS?

I know that his body is learning how to process and but I feel like I’m failing when I see higher numbers. The first PS yellow square this morning made me feel like it’s working! Thank you for any advice!

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

Calories: I wouldn't worry about it right now. In fact, if Sugar's weight is low, I'd feed your kitty based on how hungry she is. With diabetes, the end product of metabolism (i.e., glucose) isn't getting into the cells. That's why cats lose weight despite being hungry all the time. As your kitty's blood glucose (BG) numbers improve, she'll gain more weight. In addition, switching your cat to a low carb diet may mean lower calories. It's fine to feed your cat when she's hungry. If her weight gets to the point that she's becoming "fluffy," start to reduce the amount of food. The Feline Nutrition site suggests: Required calories per day = [13.6 X optimal lean body weight in pounds] + 70

Carbs: A lot depends on your cat. Some cats are very carb sensitive. Try out the different foods you purchased and see how Sugar does. Just keep in mind that sometimes you need to be using a new food for a while to see how your cat adjusts.

High numbers: Unfortunately, there's not a lot you can do. There can be a variety of reasons that numbers are high. If, for example, Sugar decided to eat your other cat's dry food, you'll need to wait it out. Exercise may help but not always. Numbers can be high due to a bounce, needing more insulin, the phase of the moon (I'm really not kidding), stress, illness, etc.

Poop: I suspect that once you have your cat on a diet that's lower in carbs, this will change. You could try adding a probiotic but I would wait and see if the situation changes once you've let the diet change settle in.

Spreadsheet: I don't see anything alarming on your spreadsheet (SS). I would consider a dose increase to 1.25u.

 

[Sugar’s Mama]

Sienne - thank you so much for your reply! Very reassuring. And, hopeful that the smelly poo won’t last forever!

My vet advised doing a curve after ten days on 1 unit before changing doses. Does that sound Ok or would you really increase now?

 

[Sugar’s Mama]

Also… if/when we do need to increase, I’m currently using an insulin pen so would need to use syringes if it changes in small increments. Are there any videos or pictures of how that works? I’m not having luck searching.

 

[Sugar’s Mama]

Lowest AM and PM PS numbers today! Fingers crossed this is the start of numbers coming down!

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

I see you are using a pen to give the doses, is that correct?
We recommend increases of. 0.25 units and to do this you will need to get some syringes.
The ones you will need to buy are the U100 3/10 30 or 31 gauge 6 or 8 mm insulin with 1/2 unit markings syringes.

 

[Sugar’s Mama]

Hello! Yes, correct, we are using the pen. My plan was to do a curve on Wednesday (ten days since we started) to share those numbers and ask about increases then. Does that sound right? Or would you increase ASAP?

I read through Merlin’s ‘adventures’ this week so know how important the correct syringes are! I’ll try to get them today so I’m ready. Is there a good video or photos of how to use syringes with the pen? I’m not googling the right words to find a resource.

 

[Sugar’s Mama]

@Bron and Sheba (GA) - Hello, again. I'm looking at U100 3/10 syringes with 1/2 unit markings via Amazon (will stop by my Pharmacy on the way home to learn options there, too). Is there a brand that is more accurate with the markings? I see some that are specific for pets, is that necessary in any way? The pen makes it so easy, I'm scared to get the wrong thing!