Treats during curve?

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MellieAndMe

MellieAndMe

Member Since 2023
I joined the forum almost two months ago and it has been such a fantastic resource that I haven't had to ask for advice...until now.

I am doing a curve today for the first time and I haven't been able to find any info re: giving food other than regular morning and evening meals.

Mellie only cooperates when getting blood samples because she's finally associated testing with a yummy freeze-dried treat afterward.

Can I give her treats after I test every two hours or do I need to withhold food except for her regular meals?

Thanks in advance for your help!
 
You can absolutely give Millie treats. The freeze dried treats are generally zero carbs.

Also, an FYI... Most members feed their cats several small meals throughout the cycle. For example, I fed my diabetic at shot time, +1, +2 and sometimes +3. If I was doing a curve, I fed her on the same schedule. It's not necessary to feed your cat only twice a day.

While you didn't ask, I'm also going to weigh in on Mellie's spreadsheet. First, please get at least one test during the PM cycle. We typically recommend a "before bed" test every night. Many cats experience lower numbers during the PM cycle. As a result, if you don't test, you could miss a dose reduction, miss dangerously low numbers, and you're missing half of your data.

I'd also encourage you to read over the information in the sticky note on dosing methods at the top of the Lantus forum. Depending on which of the two methods you opt to follow, if your cat isn't in normal numbers, you want to increase the dose either every 3 days (Tight Regulation) or at the end of a week (Start Low Go Slow). It looks like Millie needs a dose increase.

I'd also suggest you think about posting on the Lantus board. You've mastered the basics re. what to feed your cat, testing, etc. There's a great deal of expertise on the Lantus board and you may find posting there very helpful.
 
Sienne and Gabby (GA) said:
You can absolutely give Millie treats. The freeze dried treats are generally zero carbs.

Also, an FYI... Most members feed their cats several small meals throughout the cycle. For example, I fed my diabetic at shot time, +1, +2 and sometimes +3. If I was doing a curve, I fed her on the same schedule. It's not necessary to feed your cat only twice a day.

While you didn't ask, I'm also going to weigh in on Mellie's spreadsheet. First, please get at least one test during the PM cycle. We typically recommend a "before bed" test every night. Many cats experience lower numbers during the PM cycle. As a result, if you don't test, you could miss a dose reduction, miss dangerously low numbers, and you're missing half of your data.

I'd also encourage you to read over the information in the sticky note on dosing methods at the top of the Lantus forum. Depending on which of the two methods you opt to follow, if your cat isn't in normal numbers, you want to increase the dose either every 3 days (Tight Regulation) or at the end of a week (Start Low Go Slow). It looks like Millie needs a dose increase.

I'd also suggest you think about posting on the Lantus board. You've mastered the basics re. what to feed your cat, testing, etc. There's a great deal of expertise on the Lantus board and you may find posting there very helpful.
Click to expand...

I really appreciate your info/advice/guidance - thank you! I will definitely start feeding her smaller meals more often and will test during the PM cycle. I did read about feeding more often and it should have occurred to me to test in the PM cycle. Until recently I was so overwhelmed that I'd been hesitant to change the regular routine too much.

I agree that a dose increase is needed - I've shared Mellie's spreadsheet with her vet and have been following her advice re: when to increase the dose. She advised me to do the curve and then we'll increase the dose 1/2 unit. I'm feeling much more comfortable with all of this now, though so I think I'm about ready to follow one of the dosing methods here.

Thanks again for your help!
 
Just an fyi, we make dose adjustments by 1/4 units not 1/2 or 1, with a few exceptions. Read up on the dosing methods and you’ll see. That way we don’t speed past the ideal dose.

feeding more times a day is easier on their pancreas and also helps avoid big sugar spikes.

thank you for having your signature and spreadsheet setup!
 
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Ale & Bobo & Minnie (GA) said:
Just an fyi, we make dose adjustments by 1/4 units not 1/2 or 1, with a few exceptions. Read up on the dosing methods and you’ll see. That way we don’t speed past the ideal dose.

feeding more times a day is easier on their pancreas and also helps avoid bug sugar spikes.

thank you for having your signature and spreadsheet setup!
Click to expand...

Makes perfect sense - thank you!
 
If you don't have the U-100 syringes with the half unit markings since we adjust the doses by 0.25 units at a time
  • U-100 3/10cc syringes with half unit markings are the best to use for drawing Lantus, Levemir, or the Biosimilars from vials, cartridges, and pens.
  • BD Ultra-Fine, CarePoint Vet, Monoject, GNP, UltiCare Vet Rx, Sure Comfort, and ReliOn are just some of the brands available with half unit markings.

  • I would suggest the sure comfort or the UltiCare Vet RX or if you have a Walmart by you
  • You can get the syringes with half unit markings at a Walmart. Their ReliOn Brand syringes of 0.3 cc (30 unit) capacity come with half unit markings. Cost $12.58 for a box of 100
    This is what the packaging looks like: either box is fine
    They won't say it half unit on the box but the are . open then and look before you leave the store, can't be ordered on line , need to go into the store
    :




    upload_2021-9-5_23-18-9-jpeg.62508



    Or ADW diabetes call them and tell them what you want and they will contact your vet to fax over a script , ask your vet for refills so give your vet a heads up, either one of these are fine
    https://www.adwdiabetes.com/product/1316/surecomfort-u100-syringes-half-unit-31g-3-10cc-5-16in-100ct

    https://www.adwdiabetes.com/product/5739/ulticare-u100-vet-rx-half-unit-syringes-31g-3-10cc-60ct

    Here is a coupon if you get them from ADW diabetes
    adw-coupon-dia10.jpg

    10% off your next order!

Or you can get them from Amazon and won't need a vet's prescription
https://www.amazon.com/UltiCare-31-Gauge-Veterinary-Insulin-Syringes/dp/B009LTE0DO
 
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Thank you, Diane!
Actually, when I first joined FDMB, I found one of your posts in response to a new member, so I went right to Walmart to fill Mellie's prescription and get the recommended meter, syringes, and test strips. It's also because of you that I had her vet change the prescription from Vetsulin to the generic Lantus. Thanks to you and many others here, I feel well-prepared and have saved a lot of money, too!
 
MellieAndMe said:
Thank you, Diane!
Actually, when I first joined FDMB, I found one of your posts in response to a new member, so I went right to Walmart to fill Mellie's prescription and get the recommended meter, syringes, and test strips. It's also because of you that I had her vet change the prescription from Vetsulin to the generic Lantus. Thanks to you and many others here, I feel well-prepared and have saved a lot of money, too!
Click to expand...
That's great Barbara :cat:
 
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