Test result: 583

[Carla]

Greetings!

I'm new to the world of feline diabetes. I've watched what feels like dozens of YouTube videos, but that's not the same as hands-on experience, and I'm still kind of wandering around in a fog.

I have partial responsibility for, and partial access to, Delia, a 10 year old diabetic cat. Her primary caretaker, Delia's Human, is developing cognitive deficits which are complicating things. At diagnosis, the vet prescribed 3/4 can of canned DM, twice a day, and one unit of Lantus with each meal. After about a week, I found that Delia's person was giving her a full can twice a day, and 2 units of Lantus with each meal. She said that measuring one unit was too hard. I have not been able to change that. Its now about a month since diagnosis. Delia seems happy and sociable, is eating normally, peeing normally, but does sometimes have diarrhea.

Delia's Human has been very good about making sure that she's getting food and shots on schedule, everyday. Its a long complicated story, but testing has not been happening. Last night, about 5 hours after a full meal and 2 units of Lantus, I finally managed a test - 583.
Sigh .......
I think I have convinced Delia's Human to take her to the vet and ask them to keep her 'til they can get her dosage sorted out. I understand that its hard to get good readings from a stressed cat at the vet, but we're not getting good readings at Delia's house either. And just having her under observation would make me feel better.

My first thought was that the Lantus had gone bad. It may have been left out over night, once or twice, at room temperature. Would that be enough to make it go bad? Is there a way to test it, except for testing it on Delia? I'm going to try to do another glucose test tonight. I know that I had the meter coded right and the test strips are new. Is there any other mechanical thing that could throw off the reading?

Your thoughts would be appreciated. Delia is greatly loved, but her health issues have come up in a household suddenly very stressed by her person's health issues, and somehow it all feels very very complicated and frustrating.

Thanks very much.

 

[Larry and Kitties]

Welcome:
You asked:
My first thought was that the Lantus had gone bad. It may have been left out over night, once or twice, at room temperature. Would that be enough to make it go bad?
- Answer no.

The 583 could be because the dose is too high. Can't tell without a BG before the shot. Try to get a BG before a shot and then about 6 hours after the shot.
Most of use here test before each shot but if that is not going to happn then it will not happen. But you do need some before shot and about 6 hours after the shot in oder to see if the does is too high or too low.
I myself would go to one unit twice daily. One using is no harder to measure than two.

With that high BG 2 cans a day is OK unless she is gaining weight and a weight increase is not required.

You can also feed commercial, canned, low-carb food. It is lower in carbs than the DM and less expensive.. Here is listing of such foods
viewtopic.php?f=28&t=87391

 

[Carla]

Thanks very much!
I'm going to try to get more tests over the next day or so.
The part about 2 units being easier to measure than one - if you're elderly and tend to get a bit confused - well - all I can say is that Delia's person is trying hard to get this right, but there are barriers.

Do you think the diarrhea could be connected to getting too much insulin as well? Or do we need to check for pancreatitis?

 

[BJM]

Yes, the diarrhea can be too much insulin.

What about setting up an example syringe was a colored liquid in it and a stand magnifier so she can see it?

 

[Carla]

Some progress.
I figured out that when Delia's Person was drawing Lantus the into the syringe she was holding it up against a very busy background of stuff hanging on the wall, and that's why she couldn't read it clearly. Fixed that, problem solved. I'm making her sound more addled than she is.
However.
I also managed to get another blood test, right before morning injection. 12 hours after last 2 unit dose, right after a full meal: 592. That sounds pretty scarey to me. Delia then got a one unit dose. I hope to get over there at lunch time, and get another test done. I'm using an Alpha Trak 2.
Your feedback on all of this is deeply appreciated.

 

[Larry and Kitties]

Cats can tolerate a high BG, like in the 500's, for some time with no problem.
My Badger had a BG higher than 500 just last week.
The BG of 592 this morning likely shows that 2 units is not enough but I would continue with one unit for five days. Then try to get a BG before a shot then about 6 hours after the shot.
No reason to get a shot at about 6 hours today since it takes 3-5 takes for BG to stabilize after changing dose.