Testing advice? -- tested low, +3.5 49

Status
Not open for further replies.
Patricia & Noodle

Patricia & Noodle

Member Since 2015
Hello again!

Noodle and I are finally getting into the swing of things at home (it's been almost 2 weeks). I've gotten much better with insulin injections thanks to the tips, videos, and pictures here, she has barely noticed me the past 3 days! BUT, we have not mastered home testing.

She's been stuck in prison (my small bedroom) since she got home because my roommate and her cat are in the process of moving out and her cat has been quite aggressive the past month anyways. I don't want to risk the stress on her or the chance of her getting into her civvie roommate's food.

We've tried testing once every day or two, but I've yet to be successful. She doesn't have anywhere to run, but I don't want to make her relaxation spots, like the bed, testing spots since it's stressful right now. Right now, I'm thinking putting her in a burrito is the only way I'll get it. I just hate the idea of testing being such a negative experience for her--is it that bad to try that strategy? Will giving her freeze dried chicken bribes before/during/after her test affect her values? I feel rather helpless, I can barely test myself and feel guilty doing it to her.

In other news, her bloodwork was nearly all back to normal by Monday last week! She's eating like a pro, 3x 3oz Purina proplan kitten a day (still trying to help her get more calories, don't want to change food w/o testing anyways!). We are doing 1/2 tab of Cypro in the morning just as a precaution and reevaluating at the vet Friday. AND she puked up a hair tie tonight (just looked at it for a bit and went right back to eating afterwards o_O)..... She had what looked like one in her stomach her first night in the ER 1.18, but not on the ultrasound the next day. I don't know if this is the same one or she has a new bad habit, either way I'm locking up my hair supplies! ER vet thought it was just an incidental sidebar with everything else going on (FD, ketosis, FHL), but could it being gone affect her BG? Even more of a reason for me to master testing!!!
 
Last edited by a moderator:
"Will giving her freeze dried chicken bribes before/during/after her test affect her values?"

It is very unlikely that freeze dried chicken treats (assuming no additives) will have any noticeable effect on her BG. If "before, during and after treats" are the magic that works, go for it!
 
Carl & Polly said:
"Will giving her freeze dried chicken bribes before/during/after her test affect her values?"

It is very unlikely that freeze dried chicken treats (assuming no additives) will have any noticeable effect on her BG. If "before, during and after treats" are the magic that works, go for it!
Click to expand...

I got a test from her back paw, it was 49 on a relion micro, we are at +3.5, what do I do??? I have gravy food, karo and a syringe, and HC treats.

Edit: She was hungry (as always, thanks Cypro), so I gave 1/4 can of her regular LC wet food, will test again at 10:30?
 
Last edited:
It was 1u of Lantus?
But not sure what her BG was at shot time, right?
 
Yes 1U Lantus, don't know PMPS.

After starting at vet, she hung around the 100s and would go a bit over 200 around +11-12 when her next shot was due.
 
you've earned a dose reduction with that number below 50. Next dose will be 0.75 u....

you have nothing to lose now , so you can feed.. to bump her up.
since you are having a hard time testing consistently especially.
 
I would give her a tsp of gravy food and give that 30 minutes, then test again.
 
I don't know why I didn't try her paws in the first place. :banghead:

I can order 1/2 U syringes but right now I only have 3/100 with 1U marked. Any easy way to tell .75U?

She was due for a little food anyways, I've been giving 1/2 can around 11pm before bed because of her appetite. She killed her 1/4 can so I'll give the rest? LC?
 
The food should raise her BG. You just don't want her stuffed in case you need to feed more.
 
Stuffed & not hungry has not been a problem recently. Along with being unregulated (and dipping lower than I expected), she's on 1/2 tab Cypro every morning as a precaution after FHL. She's been ravenous. Since she's finished, I'll test again in 30min, 11pm EST?
 
Protocol for dealing with low numbers (below 50 mg/dL on a human meter; below 68 mg/dL on a pet meter):
feed 1-2 teaspoons of high carb
wait 20-30 minutes
re-test
repeat as needed
Continue until a) rising, b) safely above 50 mg/dL, and c) past the probable nadir.

Full version here.
 
@BJM
BJ, can you keep an eye out? I have to get up for work in six hours.
 
I'll do my best; may need to wrangle someone from Lantus/Levemir as the sleep disorder is back now that I'm off the prednisone.
 
I posted in L & L for "eyes".

Patricia, you're doing fine with this!
 
I can be here for quite a while yet if it helps - after having to get Rosa's numbers up the last few days, I know the routine pretty well now.
 
Yes, please. Recent experience means you'll understand what she's going through!
 
Maybe put on a pot of coffee or tea, too. You'll need to keep monitoring until at least 7 hours after the shot, possibly longer.

Pop up that link I gave you, since you're having some trouble testing. The symptoms list will help you monitor for visual clues.
 
@BJM - oh I do. It's still early here so I'm good for quite a while yet.

@Patricia & Noodle - just post up the number when you have it and we'll take it from there. I second the tea or coffee suggestion - very important when you're in for a late night.
 
rhiannon and shadow said:
how many mg on the cypro?
if she's really ravenous, you might try cutting the dose down. I give mine just a crumb.
Click to expand...
2mg before breakfast and shot. I was thinking we could cut down to maybe 1mg, but wanted to run it by her vet at her check up Friday.

@BJM I've got my Tassimo and your link at the ready! Testing was actually pretty easy once I wrapped her up and used her back foot pad instead of trying her ear yet again.
 
And from the Lantus/Levemir sticky here:
"If your cat is testing in low numbers and you are not getting a quick response to your post, there are several things you need to do. (Low numbers are under 50mg/dL or 2.8 mmol/L.)

  • Depending on how carbohydrate sensitive your cat is, feed approximately a teaspoon or less of gravy from high carb food or high carb food only.
    (If you have a cat with GI issues, using a couple of drops of syrup plus low carb food is an alternative.)
  • Test again in 15 – 20 min. Depending on the numbers, give more HC food.
  • Repeat the above steps every 15 – 20 min. until your cat tests in the 50 mg/dL (2.8 mmol/L) or above range for 2 consecutive tests. Continue to feed in small amounts to keep numbers in a safe range.
  • Test in 30 - 40 min. and repeat the test and feed process until there are 2 consecutive tests where numbers are stable or rising.
  • Test in an hour and follow the same steps.
DO NOT become complacent. If number have risen after one or two tests, it’s important to continue testing. Numbers may bobble up and down as the HC food and/or Karo wear off. DO NOT get one test where your cat has risen from low numbers into the 50s and go to sleep or leave the house. You are putting your cat in a risky situation. When in doubt, leave HC food out.

In the case of an accidental overdose or should there be symptoms of hypoglycemia, even if you have caught this in the early stages, you may need to monitor for literally 16 or more hours. Lantus and Levemir are long acting types of insulin. This means if your cat is over dose, you will need to stay alert for hours in order to closely monitor and to keep your cat safe.

Please post your numbers. Those people who are helping you will not abandon you. In fact, they are staying up with you. The experienced people will even work in shifts to make sure your cat is safe and you have the support you need. Remember to refresh your browser to see new posts and keep posting so we know all is well."
 
From experience with Rosa recently, although she's just above 50 now I'd still give just a little more gravy - just a tsp - if you use just the gravy she won't get too full if you need to get more into her later. She's probably not at nadir yet so that should help avoid her going back under 50 as she gets closer to mid-cycle. And test again in half an hour to make sure she's not dropping back...hopefully without getting bitten again!
 
Note: Gravy can wear off quickly, so feed a 1 teaspoon of the gravy plus a teaspoon of the normal food (to help maintain the glucose level)
 
Thanks, she's taking 1 tsp more now and I'll test again at 11:30.

edit: "taking 1 tsp more" = licking the plate and spoon clean. looking like 2mg of Cypro is verrryy cautious of me.
 
Alright! I tried to put some neosporin + pain relief on her little feet but she won't let me. talk about trial by fire with home testing.
 
That may be one where you put some on a cloth, then pick her up and put your hand, with the cloth, under the foot for support. (sneakily, in other words).
 
I was just typing the same thing when your reply showed up.

Patricia, you and Noodle are doing great - she's staying above 50 for now so we've just got to make sure she stays there. Testing this frequently is tough - I know that, and Rosa doesn't like the neosporin on her paws either though I insist on her having a little so you're not alone with having a battle over that one.

The cloth sounds like a good idea - I hadn't thought of that!
 
I should get a +5.5 yes?

In non-meter observations, I did notice just before that first test she is more agile than she's been since she came home. Still using an ottoman to jump on the high bed, but got up with a 1-2 bounce!
 
I believe these are the tests you've posted so far:
+3.5 ~ 49 mg/dL
+4.5 ~ 52 mg/dL
+5.0 ~ 54 mg/dL
 
OK, looking good now - she's coming back up nicely. Can you offer her some low carb food to keep her levels up. Oh, and sorry - but another test in half an hour.
 
And take a few deep breaths - I know it's scary the first time they drop low. But she's doing great and so are you.
 
Yes, a teaspoon of each.

Given the +/- 20% meter error variance, those numbers are essentially the same. You'll need to keep going at least past +7.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top