was too low, now too high , how long!

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barbwhite1

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Hi, I am posted on the general health board because Prince's sugar was too low. It is early a.m. EST and now his levels are climbing. 267 at 5 a.m. I gave him 3 units of ProZinc at 4 am, his original prescription of 6 units is too high. How long does it take to kick in? Vet opens at 8 a.m.
 
His numbers usually will climb for 2 hours or so after you feed. That's normal! He'll probably be higher today since a shot was skipped but that's okay! Better too high for a day than too low for a moment. 267 isn't too bad a number. I wouldn't worry about it...you did the right thing giving less insulin. Don't panic!
 
I replied on Health too:


I am not sure what is happening (we have to get you a spreadsheet set up so we can see. We are in different time zones and countries and can't tell by your time. Until you get the spreadsheet set up, let's deal with +#s. That is, it is now +1 (1 hour since the shot) and he is 267? If he ate after the shot, it is not unusual for him to rise. And his system may still be a little wonky since the hypo.

Get a couple tests in before you have to leave so you have more data. Can you plan to shoot 12 hours after this early morning shot so you can stay on a 12/12 schedule?
 
Hi Barb -

Depending on what he's eating, I've seen my Grayson spike 30-50 points from a single 3 oz can of Fancy Feast! And when he was low, the first time I gave him gravy food, he spiked about 80 points in 15 minutes! I now give a spoonful of gravy and regular (lo-carb) FF when he goes low, which helps him come up a little smoothers.

I agree w/ Sue, 267 isn't that high for a food spike - even if your kitty stays predominantly in the blues (100s) and greens (<100).

Are you familiar with the spreadsheet Sue referred to? You can look at mine (in my signature) or others' to see. The template is set up so all you have to do is go in and fill in your test numbers. I've modified mine somewhat: I've inserted a row every day to address food & meds, and changed the tint/tone of the colors since I print hard copies for my vet and the bright colors are harsh to read.

Let us know if you need assistance.

Lu-Ann
 
Hello Lu Ann,
Thank you. This has been a rough week. I worked from home Tuesday and monitored Prince's levels. Wednesday morning was awful. I checked his glucose at 5am and it was 90. I fed him a bit of food at 6:30 and then had all in hand (coffee, tablet, more food for him, and test equipment) to sit with him on patio. Just as I opened the door he dropped to the ground and started panting wild. His whole body was shaking with every breath. His mouth was wide open and he just looked at me like 'stop it mom'. I was in touch with my vet at the moment via texting and she agreed to let me bring him in. This attack lasted about a minute. I then panicked and gave him a bit of karo syrup. He started walking away from me and the heavy panting started again lasting another 30 sec. What is this attack?? I took a short video of it and sent it to vet. I then checked his glucose and it was 286! He has been at the vets office since Wednesday where they are trying to get him balance on 1/day shot. I visited Prince yesterday at lunch and learned his glucose spiked to 586 after his dinner Thursday. I don't know what it checked before then.

Right now I am really misssing him and sure he is wondering if he will come home. He is getting fussy with them. Vet went away Wednesday and returns Monday morning. I asked they try to get him to eat M/D food again. I have a consultation appointment scheduled Tuesday at 1:30pm. I have left a message for a local pet sitter that will give shots, about visiting my cat at 4:30pm to check his sugar before before I come home at 5:30. I hope to get him back on a schedule I can manage without him having attacks.

I will print the chart, Are there any gravy foods made for diabetic cats?

Thank you, Barbara,
 
Hello Barbara so sorry your kitty is having so much trouble just want to say you have found the greatest place and sugar cat angels right here. (Just putting this out there) my vet wanted to start my cat Trey on 3 units twice a day but I came here and they said no so went back and ford to vet ...and went with FDMB they know......Got Trey off insulin in 2 months he was OTJ for 3years 8months but he is back for a bit just needed a boost...my vet told me to come back and she trust what I do :smile: Too much is not good better to go slow.....Sending your beautiful baby tons of healing green light and prayers for a full and quick recovery.....Hugsssssssssssssssss Kath
 
I hope he can get stabilized at the vet, but one shot a day is not likely to work. ProZinc lasts only 12 hours in almost every cat, so he might have reasonable numbers for 12 hours and then high for the other twelve. It makes more sense to me to reduce the dose overall and monitor carefully to see what the samller dose is doing

How about a restart? Start over at a half or one Unit every 12 hours, getting data at preshot and midcycle. If he settles in and then is running too high, increase by .25 for another few cycles.
 
Princes' sugar spiked at the vet too. Saturday morning the 2nd vet in office checked his body and xrayed to find two very large masses in his mid area that were not felt the week prior. The vet started speaking of removal but when I spoke up, he realized I didn't want to put Prince more than he needed to. He is 15.5 yrs and they think the lumps are contributing to his varied glucose levels. Add he is also a high level diabetic. They also said the duration of seizures or attacks is more like a brain tumor than diabetes attack. So he is home now. I can't the afford money to explore and try to repair, nor can I get time off work to do this. He has lived a very spoiled life and he is worn from all of the medical stuff.

I am giving him 4units at 5:30 am and 5:30pm. He is hungry at noon and near midnight too so I am feeding him. He will take his insulin but won't tolerate an ear prick now (I tried once). It is tiring me out (he was on a 7am/7 pm schedule and I slept 10pm-6am). So far this weekend he has spent most of it on our patio with a serene pond water view. When he decides to stop eating he will be done, that is unless I find him having attacks and just plain miserable all day. Right now he is only wanting Facy Feast. Won't touch dry food or even his favored tuna fish! It was too suggested I stop providing insulin but I can't take that route.

Please pray this goes smoothly. As fast as the lumps came on and glucose is crazy, I hope this is short and quick for both of us.
 
Princes' sugar spiked at the vet too. Saturday morning the 2nd vet in office checked his body and xrayed to find two very large masses in his mid area that were not felt the week prior. The vet started speaking of removal but when I spoke up, he realized I didn't want to put Prince more than he needed to. He is 15.5 yrs and they think the lumps are contributing to his varied glucose levels. Add he is also a high level diabetic. They also said the duration of seizures or attacks is more like a brain tumor than diabetes attack. So he is home now. I can't the afford money to explore and try to repair, nor can I get time off work to do this. He has lived a very spoiled life and he is worn from all of the medical stuff.

I am giving him 4units at 5:30 am and 5:30pm. He is hungry at noon and near midnight too so I am feeding him. He will take his insulin but won't tolerate an ear prick now (I tried once). It is tiring me out (he was on a 7am/7 pm schedule and I slept 10pm-6am). So far this weekend he has spent most of it on our patio with a serene pond water view. When he decides to stop eating he will be done, that is unless I find him having attacks and just plain miserable all day. Right now he is only wanting Facy Feast. Won't touch dry food or even his favored tuna fish! It was too suggested I stop providing insulin but I can't take that route.

Please pray this goes smoothly. As fast as the lumps came on and glucose is crazy, I hope this is short and quick for both of us.
 
Oh Barbara, I am so sorry to hear this. I think you have a perfect idea, to make Prince's days full of pets and purrs and food he likes and lots of love. It is so hard to lose them, and we are never ready. But I like to think of it from their point of view. They have had a glorious life, filled with love and food and a warm lovely place to live. What more could a cat ask for?

I think your idea not to stop insulin is very wise. They literally starve to death if they are diabetic and don't get insulin, because their bodies can't process the food efficiently.

((hugs))
 
Barbara I am so so sorry. Giving him lots of love until he is ready to go and then providing release is the best gift you can give now. Prince has been so lucky to have you!
 
Thank you to all. I brought Prince home, gave him some pain meds on his last couple of days. The first day he was at least so free of pain he was like a kitten again I spent the whole day with him as if it were a special day. By 5/20 he was done with everything, shots, medicine, food and just wanted to be left alone, and so I made a vet appointment so he would not suffer any longer. I could not stand the thought of a tragic death for him, rather one crossing the rainbow in my arms. I posted in Grief.
 
I am so sorry you had to say good by to your sweet Prince. What a lovely gift you both had on his last good day. He'll live in your heart always.
 
Barb you did as he wanted you let him have his last days as he wished and then you gave him the greatest gift anyone could give...the gift of freedom..I have sent you on a journey to a land free of pain not because I did not love you but because I loved you too much to force you too stay . (((Prince))) running and playing in his new body with wings jumping from cloud bed to cloud bed ooops missed and fly off to the other....He will always be with you for those that are loved never die they live on in our hearts and memories. Hugsss and healing green light to your hurting heart... Kath
 
Barb, I'm so sorry for your loss. They bring us such joy during their lives, and we miss them when they go, but it IS comforting to know he is now free of pain. Wishing you peace at this very sad time. Fly free sweet Prince.

Lu-Ann
 
I am so sorry for your loss. We are never ready even if they are. Praying for you and your family
Terri & Chicken Little rb_icon
 
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