Trying not to panic- need advice?

[AmyB]

So I'm still working on getting Salem regulated and after visiting the vet on Monday we bumped up his dosage from 2U of Prozinc to 2.5, which I started this morning. I got an AlphaTrak meter just so I can have more accurate readings while I'm getting him regulated.

So this morning I gave him a can and a half of FF LC which he ate okay and then I ended up taking a nap during which time a cat threw up everywhere (I have two) so I have no idea which one did. I ended up opening another can of food for them just in case and he ate some of that and I've been testing him every hour just to be safe (see spreadsheet 2). I'm trying not to panic bc his numbers are falling pretty quickly and I still don't know when his nadir is, but I'm thinking it's later. I'm thinking this is going to end up being his dose or maybe 2.25.

How much food do I need to make sure he eats in the morning to be okay? I give them a can and a half each and they don't normally finish it all at once so I either leave it out or stick it in the fridge and put it back out after a couple of hours. I try to make sure he eats most of a can before I give him his insulin though. I just don't know how much he needs to have to be safe.

Update: Just tested him at 6.5 and he's up to 110 so that's better. I'm going to do a full curve tomorrow I think.

 

[Idjit's mom]

Amy, just seeing this.

And, don't panic. Salem is not in any danger, he's just showing you his stuff. Are you using the AT2 to test right now, or the ReliOn? In any case, that 89 is fine, not close to "take action" number for either meter.

 

[AmyB]

Hi,

I'm currently using the AT2 because it gives more accurate readings since he's not regulated yet. Once he gets regulated I'll go back to the ReliOn to keep an eye on him. If the numbers are just from the dosage then that's good I think? I was just panicky bc of the vomit and if it was him it would have brought his BG down. I'm just not sure how low he's supposed to get for him to be "regulated". The vet was saying he'd been in the 200s or 300s pre-shot then hopefully get into the 100s to be regulated.

 

[Sarah&Soph]

This is from one of the stickies:

• Not treated - blood glucose typically above 300 mg/dl (16.7 mmol/L), poor clinical signs
• Treated, but not regulated - often above 300 (16.7) and rarely near 100 (5.6), poor clinical signs
• Regulated - generally below 300 (16.7) with glucose nadir near 100 (5.6), good clinical signs, no hypoglycemia
• Well regulated - generally below 200-250 (11.1-13.9) and often near 100 (5.6), no hypoglycemia
• Tightly regulated - generally below 150 (8.3) and usually in the 60-120 (3.3-6.7) range, no hypoglycemia, still receiving insulin
• Normalized - 60-120 (3.3-6.7) except perhaps directly after meals -- usually not receiving insulin

However, I think these numbers are based off using a human meter. As for the meters, you don’t have to wait until he’s regulated to switch to the ReliOn, it works just the same regardless and is just as accurate. The AlphaTrak is also fine, just pricey!

 

[Idjit's mom]

Ok, I was just doing a little checking to see if you have been on the Prozinc forum at all..and you have. Good. I am not a Prozinc user, nor am I experienced with dosing. But, just in my opinion, yes if the numbers are just from the dose, it's good.

It's very easy to get a little panicky and afraid when you are new and this is all "greek" to you. Read over those stickies in the Prozinc forum, and you are going to be much more comfortable as time goes on.

You know that 68 is the number assigned to the AT2, to "take action" and intervene to prevent much lower numbers and a possible hypo. You are doing well, looks like Salem is doing well too. It can take a long time, or a short time to regulate or even move into remission. ECID...every cat is different. Keep in touch with the experienced Prozinc members. You are doing well!

 

[AmyB]

Yeah I got the AlphaTrak mainly bc the vet said I could use it and just call him with the results rather than having to take Salem up to the vet every week, which will save me a ton in vet visits and stress. The vet is using the AT2 to test him every week so I might as well do it myself.

And thanks lol I'm trying to stay on top of everything. The vet was impressed that I'm doing all of this since apparently most people don't want to. He also got an ultrasound the other day and apparently has thickening on his intestinal lining which the vet thinks is some intestinal disease but the rest of his organs look good at least. I'm just extra panicky bc I live by myself and don't have anyone to keep an eye on him during the day on some days. The vet told me it's not likely he'll be hypoglycemic though unless I accidentally give him too much of a dose or he doesn't eat enough? He said most of the hypo cats he sees have been getting low for a while and their owners don't test them. I'm not sure how true that is necessarily but I just worry bc I can't test him all the time to make sure he's not going too low.