Update on Nico (prev stalling thread)

Status
Not open for further replies.
BellaBlue82

BellaBlue82

Member Since 2021
Hi folks,
So Nico had his lowest number in months today! I gave him some higher carb food just to be safe, but he's been acting fine all day (luckily I've been home today.) Seeing as he was lower, I figured I'd push back his PMPS anyhow - and it's still low!! I don't want to just miss a dose completely, as I've done that before and BG shot up. Should I continue to wait and possibly give a token dose? Thoughts? Sorry for the questions, I've just never had him this low before and am being overly cautious.

PS you may see some blank spots on my SS - those are times I had to work and couldn't test.
Thanks in advance for taking a look!!
 
Update - he is coming up some, he's above 150 now. I think I'm going to feed and give .75u to be safe. I'll be home tonight so I can test and see how he does.
 
Denver said:
Yeah…. He just got a dosage change last night that was working fantastic until now :(
Click to expand...

Aw, sorry to hear that! I know what you mean, it's like you think alright now we got the right dose! And then they drop lol. And we go crazy trying to figure out what to do next.
Good luck!! Hopefully Magic evens out, and you'll get back on track. :bighug:
 
Hi! looks like you gave a token dose since he was rising - mind taking down the 911 when you get a chance?

Also, I am not experienced in prozinc at all but see Nico had a 47 today on a pet meter. Did you happen to get any additional tests? Feed higher carb food? In general, we don't want kitty hanging out in such a low number (that's pretty low for a pet meter as we want to keep them above 68).

I also see a few other times Nico dropped < 68 (i.e. where additional monitoring is needed to get kitty > 68...see 08/18, 08/20, 08/21) and a reduction wasn't taken. Per the Prozinc SLGS, you reduce by 0.25 any time kitty goes <90 on a dose. So you should have reduced from 1.25 to 1u on 08/17 with the 89 (your PM shot should have been 1u). Perhaps someone with more experience can stop by too - I see @Bron and Sheba (GA) has stopped by before, so maybe she can swing by when she's online again. I think @JanetNJ has a ton of prozinc experience too and might be able to weigh in. You definitely need to reduce for the AM shot, I just don't have any idea what dose since a number of reductions weren't taken on 1.25u.

Here's some info about lower numbers - the first link in particular talks about various stages of hypoglycemia - note that all of the referenced values are for a human meter (so Nico was quite low even if not symptomatic!).
Lastly, your SS is the template for a human meter - it would be best if you copied your data over to the template for pet meters (the lime green range is different for pet meters; for pet meters, it starts at <68) - Find the appropriate template here. If you need any help moving your data, @Bandit's Mom can help when she is back online.

Hope that helps a little bit :bighug:
 
JaxBenji said:
Hi! looks like you gave a token dose since he was rising - mind taking down the 911 when you get a chance?

Also, I am not experienced in prozinc at all but see Nico had a 47 today on a pet meter. Did you happen to get any additional tests? Feed higher carb food? In general, we don't want kitty hanging out in such a low number (that's pretty low for a pet meter as we want to keep them above 68).

I also see a few other times Nico dropped < 68 (i.e. where additional monitoring is needed to get kitty > 68...see 08/18, 08/20, 08/21) and a reduction wasn't taken. Per the Prozinc SLGS, you reduce by 0.25 any time kitty goes <90 on a dose. So you should have reduced from 1.25 to 1u on 08/17 with the 89 (your PM shot should have been 1u). Perhaps someone with more experience can stop by too - I see @Bron and Sheba (GA) has stopped by before, so maybe she can swing by when she's online again. I think @JanetNJ has a ton of prozinc experience too and might be able to weigh in. You definitely need to reduce for the AM shot, I just don't have any idea what dose since a number of reductions weren't taken on 1.25u.

Here's some info about lower numbers - the first link in particular talks about various stages of hypoglycemia - note that all of the referenced values are for a human meter (so Nico was quite low even if not symptomatic!).
Lastly, your SS is the template for a human meter - it would be best if you copied your data over to the template for pet meters (the lime green range is different for pet meters; for pet meters, it starts at <68) - Find the appropriate template here. If you need any help moving your data, @Bandit's Mom can help when she is back online.

Hope that helps a little bit :bighug:
Click to expand...

Hi there, sorry I think I'm so used to putting in 1.25 but I did take a reduction on his lower days and he shot back up. This I went back to his usual dose of 1.25. I can't get in as much testing since I work, so I try my best. Thanks for the info tho!
 
I also have a heck of a time trying to get blood samples from him too, which makes it harder when I am able to get extra tests in. He squirms a lot, and just doesn't cooperate. I try everything, rice sock, ice cube, the whole gambit... It's like his ears are sore and he doesn't want me touching them. :(. I do watch him as much as I can when I'm home and not working.
 
I’m not a Prozinc user but Janet will be along I’m sure.
Bubba earned a reduction in dose with that 47 at +7 today. Did you test again after you got the 47.?
After getting a low number like that, always test again 20 minutes later after feeding some HC food, to see that the BG is rising. And as you gave some HC food (which was the right thing to do) you will need to keep testing to see that he remains up higher after the high carb food wears off.

I see you gave 0.75 dose. Make sure you get some tests in during the early part of the cycle:)

Also once he earns a reduction, you don’t go back up in dose unless the numbers tell you to as per the SLGS method.
 
Bron and Sheba (GA) said:
I’m not a Prozinc user but Janet will be along I’m sure.
Bubba earned a reduction in dose with that 47 at +7 today. Did you test again after you got the 47.?
After getting a low number like that, always test again 20 minutes later after feeding some HC food, to see that the BG is rising. And as you gave some HC food (which was the right thing to do) you will need to keep testing to see that he remains up higher after the high carb food wears off.

Also once he earns a reduction, you don’t go back up in dose unless the numbers tell you to as per the SLGS method.
Click to expand...

Ok, Thanks! I've not had a low number like that before but am home tonight and will be testing. I won't increase unless he goes up again.
He shot up pretty high after a few days of being lower which is why we went back up to 1.25. What throws things off for me is I'm starting to go back into the office so I'm not home to see if he drops during the day. If he increases tomorrow morning, I'll go to 1u but I'll stay there for a while and see how his cycle goes. I just didn't want to give a larger dose tonight based on how low he got.
Sorry for my hiccups, I'm still learning but appreciate everyone's help!!
 
Last edited:
Hiccups are normal as you are learning so don’t apologise.:)
Have you got a copy of the SLGS dosing method for Prozinc.?
I will post a link to it below and I would recommend you print it off so you can refer to it and follow it.
PROZINC DOSING METHODS
 
Bron and Sheba (GA) said:
Hiccups are normal as you are learning so don’t apologise.:)
Have you got a copy of the SLGS dosing method for Prozinc.?
I will post a link to it below and I would recommend you print it off so you can refer to it and follow it.
PROZINC DOSING METHODS
Click to expand...

Thanks! Yeah silly me, I was reading up on that again today. I think I will print it off. I'm curious though if I should stick to SLGS, or change up to the modified dosing method? Is there a point when one should change methods or should one typically stick to one method if the numbers we're achieving are good? Sorry, just still a lot of questions! Lol
 
Also thanks @JaxBenji for pointing out about the spreadsheet. Ugh, I think I was so frazzled when he was first diagnosed I picked up the first one I saw and went with it!! I'll work on changing that over. Hey, at least the data there.... Lol.
 
BellaBlue82 said:
Thanks! Yeah silly me, I was reading up on that again today. I think I will print it off. I'm curious though if I should stick to SLGS, or change up to the modified dosing method? Is there a point when one should change methods or should one typically stick to one method if the numbers we're achieving are good? Sorry, just still a lot of questions! Lol
Click to expand...
It depends on what you are wanting to achieve and are comfortable doing really. As long as you are not feeding dry food and are willing to test frequently, you can swap over. You need to read the two methods closely and decide. I am not familiar with Prozinc dosing methods. @JanetNJ or @Panic would be better placed to advise you.
 
BellaBlue82 said:
Hi folks,
So Nico had his lowest number in months today! I gave him some higher carb food just to be safe, but he's been acting fine all day (luckily I've been home today.) Seeing as he was lower, I figured I'd push back his PMPS anyhow - and it's still low!! I don't want to just miss a dose completely, as I've done that before and BG shot up. Should I continue to wait and possibly give a token dose? Thoughts? Sorry for the questions, I've just never had him this low before and am being overly cautious.

PS you may see some blank spots on my SS - those are times I had to work and couldn't test.
Thanks in advance for taking a look!!
Click to expand...
I like this 0.75 dose.
 
BellaBlue82 said:
I also have a heck of a time trying to get blood samples from him too, which makes it harder when I am able to get extra tests in. He squirms a lot, and just doesn't cooperate. I try everything, rice sock, ice cube, the whole gambit... It's like his ears are sore and he doesn't want me touching them. :(. I do watch him as much as I can when I'm home and not working.
Click to expand...
What size lancet are you using? If it's 30+, then switch to 26 or 28 gauge lancets.
 
JanetNJ said:
What size lancet are you using? If it's 30+, then switch to 26 or 28 gauge lancets.
Click to expand...
Hi Janet, I did recently switch to the 26 gauge auto lancets. At least with those I'm able to get a quick stick. I feel bad though, it's not so much the stick but the struggle comes afterwards when I'm trying to get the sample on the test strip. Sometimes he's fine, and sometimes he's just not having it. :( When he tossles too much I just leave him be for a while, because if I try to get another sample shortly after I end up chasing him around the house like Camptown races lol.

Thanks for checking in, I'm glad I went with the .75. So far so good with that dose this morning too!
 
BellaBlue82 said:
Hi Janet, I did recently switch to the 26 gauge auto lancets. At least with those I'm able to get a quick stick. I feel bad though, it's not so much the stick but the struggle comes afterwards when I'm trying to get the sample on the test strip. Sometimes he's fine, and sometimes he's just not having it. :( When he tossles too much I just leave him be for a while, because if I try to get another sample shortly after I end up chasing him around the house like Camptown races lol.

Thanks for checking in, I'm glad I went with the .75. So far so good with that dose this morning too!
Click to expand...
One thing you can do is scrape the drop onto the back of your nail and test from there so you can let him go quicker. If you aren't already, give a treat at tedt time so he starts associating the test with a treat.
 
JanetNJ said:
One thing you can do is scrape the drop onto the back of your nail and test from there so you can let him go quicker. If you aren't already, give a treat at test time so he starts associating the test with a treat.
Click to expand...
Thanks Janet! Yes, he does get a post test treat, but I'll try getting the blood drop into my nail so I'm not holding him longer than needed. Any little bit helps!
 
Hi all,
Just a quick update. Nico is doing good so far on the 0.75 dose. I'm pleasantly surprised! I didn't think he'd ever go below 1 unit, but here we are. He's still hovering in the 100s (from PS to Nadir) but I'm taking it as a good sign that he's leveled out even more. Fingers crossed the numbers continue to decrease.
Thank you everyone!!! :bighug:
 
Hi folks,
So it looks like Nico earned another reduction. Unfortunately this is hard for me to catch since I've been going back into the office, but I caught him before going too low today. I have to leave for a meeting in an hour but fed him higher carb food and will recheck him before I leave and also when I get home.

The one thing I'm amazed by, is that we are reducing so quickly once we hit that magic number. Since I'm so new, are any of the veterans here able to calm my nerves and let me know if this is normal or not? Lol. I mean I would be ecstatic if we hit remission at some point! :joyful:

Again, thank you so much to this wonderful community!!
 
Hi! Nico is looking really good of late. Sometimes, it's like cats flip a switch and start racing down the dosing ladder! So yes, what you're seeing is normal for some cats.
Congrats on yet another reduction! :-)

Do you think you can get one test per cycle in addition to the preshot tests? It need not be mid-cycle since I know you have to go into work. But say a +2 or +3 before you go out the door and similarly, a test before bed?
 
Bandit's Mom said:
Hi! Nico is looking really good of late. Sometimes, it's like cats flip a switch and start racing down the dosing ladder! So yes, what you're seeing is normal for some cats.
Congrats on yet another reduction! :)

Do you think you can get one test per cycle in addition to the preshot tests? It need not be mid-cycle since I know you have to go into work. But say a +2 or +3 before you go out the door and similarly, a test before bed?
Click to expand...

Thanks so much for the reassurance!! :D

Unfortunately about the additional tests, Nico's on a 5am/5pm schedule because I have to be out the door at 6. I start at 7 AM and it takes me an hour to get to work.... Not ideal, I know. Will a test before I get out the door help, even if it's +1?? Honestly I wish I could work from home full time... Partially for this cute guy.;)
 
BellaBlue82 said:
Unfortunately about the additional tests, Nico's on a 5am/5pm schedule because I have to be out the door at 6. I start at 7 AM and it takes me an hour to get to work.... Not ideal, I know. Will a test before I get out the door help, even if it's +1?? Honestly I wish I could work from home full time... Partially for this cute guy.;)
Click to expand...
You're doing the best you can! :bighug: Maybe you could grab that +1 on days he starts out lower.

Btw, could you change the title on this thread (reads like you are stalling!) or start a new one next time? Thanks :-)
 
BellaBlue82 said:
Hi folks,
So it looks like Nico earned another reduction. Unfortunately this is hard for me to catch since I've been going back into the office, but I caught him before going too low today. I have to leave for a meeting in an hour but fed him higher carb food and will recheck him before I leave and also when I get home.

The one thing I'm amazed by, is that we are reducing so quickly once we hit that magic number. Since I'm so new, are any of the veterans here able to calm my nerves and let me know if this is normal or not? Lol. I mean I would be ecstatic if we hit remission at some point! :joyful:

Again, thank you so much to this wonderful community!!
Click to expand...
When my cat finally found her breakthrough dose, which was 3 units, she was in remission a month later. So lots of reductions in a short period of time.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top