? The Mystery of Hunter's ' beetus

H

HuntersMum

Member Since 2019
hi everyone!

Coming here for some guidance.

Hunter is my 'beetus boy. Diagnosed early December 2018.


He has been on Lantus, and while I started with the AlphaTrac meter, I have since switched to the Relion Prime. My vet is irritated that I don't use the AT meter, even though I have tried to explain that the human meter just uses a different scale.

She also suggested today that I "test less often" which I will NOT do. He gets tested several times a day and I have caught a few potential hypos this way. I am confused as to why she would ever suggest this.

Anyhoo - here is his spreadsheet.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1UrmiW1jbo-hV7VYfWuViIQZ62mD4gtLdV68Xo6HYL0s/edit?usp=sharing

He has been tricky with late nadirs and I have been struggling with finding the right dose. You will see on March 27 I went ahead and was brave and gave him his 3u pm dose in spite of a pre shot reading of about 125 and he plummeted to 65 in two hours. So now I am gun shy. And he has had a few recent bounces, too. Not sure if his body is ready for those green numbers?

Any advice most welcome. Thank you so so much!

I should add he eats only Friskies pates with water added.
 
Hello and welcome. It'll help us if you put a few things in your signature, including date of diagnosis, any other medical conditions, the link to the spreadsheet, type of insulin and meter used. What date did you switch from the AT to the human meter? It might be helpful to us to make the switch date larger and bold in the spreadsheet. I missed it the first time. Plus you used the AT sometimes after the switch. Our "take action" number where we feed high carbs is different for the AT and the human meter. For example, a 59 is safe on the Prime, but means give high carbs on the AT.

Make sure you read all the yellow starred Sticky Notes on the top of this forum. Of special interest is the one on dosing methods. We use one of two dosing methods here, the Tight Regulation protocol or the Start Low Go Slow method. People pick one or the other, according to what suits their life style. Our dosing suggestion will also vary based on which dosing method you would like to use. Putting either TR or SLGS in your signature will help us help you. The dosing methods will give you guidelines. For example, we shoot the same dose AM and PM, unless a reduction is earned or an increase is needed. The dosing methods also tell you what size of increase is needed, and when.

One thing to note, cats are notorius for going lower at night. Both our dosing methods use the low points, or nadirs for a dose to determine how to change a dose. So, those night time tests are quite important. On 3/27, I see no tests after that 65. It's likely he went a lot lower after that and would have earned what we call a reduction in dose. If the +2 test of any given cycle is quite a bit lower than the preshot, then you should be prepared to monitor for longer in that cycle.

Keep asking questions, we love to help here. I would start with picking a dosing method, and a dose. You have four cycles in a row of 3.5 units, so that's a good one to start with. After six cycles at this dose if you are following TR or 14 cycles if you are following SLGS, you evaluate the dose. Unless, of course a reduction is earned before that time is up.
 
HuntersMum said:
Not sure if his body is ready for those green numbers?
Click to expand...
Those "Green Numbers" are what will heal his body! Your vet was probably trained in using an older insulin (I read they get about 12 hours training in Diabetes)
The people here that can advise you have been doing this for many years "EVERY DAY" If you listen to their advice they can help you to help Hunter.

It would be helpful if you would provide more information about Hunter. How old is he? Does he have any medical conditions besides Diabetes?Did he previously eat dry food?

It's really great you have his SS(spreadsheet) & you're home testing. Before anyone can advise you they'll check his SS to see what his BG is doing at what time of day.
Think of the SS like a puzzle. Try to gradually fill in the blank spaces.You're doing really good testing during the day now try to get some tests in at night between +5 to +8

Kitties BG usually goes the lowest at night. When you have time read the information in the sticky notes. You'll need to pick a method you feel is best for you to follow. Either SLGS or TR.
The more you know about the insulin & how it works the easier it will be.

Everyone here wants to help you to help Hunter! Ask lots of Questions. And most of all take a deep breath & be Patient. There's a Lot to learn.

Kristina tagged the best people to help you. They'll get back to you when they have time. In the mean time READ as much as you can.

Best of Luck to you & Hunter:):bighug: EASY NOPE.jpg You can do this ! You have a Great start already!:D


OOPS! I was writing & didn't see Wendy's Post!
 
I’m hoping you see Wendy’s post and respond to her questions. It looks like you are trending in the right direction.
 
HuntersMum, you are in the right place to get the information you need. Here is how to make the signature that you have been asked for.
Setting up your signature (light grey text under a post). Here's how:
click on your name in the upper right corner of this page
click on "signature" in the menu that drops down
type the following in the box that opens: kitty's name/age/date of diabetes diagnosis/insulin you're using and dosage amount /glucose meter you're using/what (s)he eats/any other meds or health issues (s)he has. You can add your name, and a geographic location (sometimes the time zone matters) Be sure to SAVE when you are finished.
Then you can link the spreadsheet into the signature and Hunter's info will be right there every time you post.
 
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