What can cause lower than usual BG without insulin? Quite concerned right now!

Status
Not open for further replies.
Charlie M

Charlie M

Member Since 2016
No insulin for 19 days now. Smokey's seemed a bit off this evening, just did a BG check...4.4 checked twice both 4.4...he never hits below 5.4 maybe a 5.2. I know this isn't hypo...but it's really odd for him! Any time he hit much below a 5, like 4.6 on insulin he seemed ill.

Any suggestions, explanation, advice...kinda concerned right now!
 
Smokey's numbers are still well within the normal range. Glucose levels even with non-diabetic kitties, or kitties in remission will vary up and down throughout the day. It looks like you are using a human meter? If so those numbers are not low at all. Some kitties will seem more affected by lower numbers, especially when they are just starting to get regulated. Otherwise those are wonderful numbers Smokey is giving,

How does he seem ill on the lower end of numbers?
 
That's still a nice safe 80.....not low at all

I have two civvies that routinely test in the high 30's/low 40's (around 2.2)

How's he acting now?
 
Not low for most cats, just low for him...especaily with no insulin. When he hits the lower numbers (on insulin)he looks weak, slightly disoriented, wobbley, tired looking but not sleepy,and gets very quiet(not like him). He just seemed not quite right this evening, put off testing because he had just started eating his dinner when I noticed. I've been trying to only test once a day, but he just didn't seem right. I was more expecting a higher than usual number.
 
Doesn't seem as bad as when he hits the lower ranges on insulin, just quiter than usual, and very cuddly...but not in his usual way (if that makes sense).
 
Are you feeding differently now that Smokey is OTJ. He may need to have several small meals each day to keep his glucose levels up. I am a non-diabetic..never have been, but if I go too long without a good meal I tend to get all the signs of hypoglycemia...nothing that the doctors can see as a problem. So I do numerous small meals each day and I feel fine.
 
Same as we had switched to when his numbers started to drop on the insulin (switched because of allergies). Natures variety limited ingredient Turkey. Canned. We have just had to start using the smaller cans (only had the small ones at the store), but should be the same stuff, just needs 4 cans instead of 2 a day.
 
Charlie M said:
Same as we had switched to when his numbers started to drop on the insulin (switched because of allergies). Natures variety limited ingredient Turkey. Canned. We have just had to start using the smaller cans (only had the small ones at the store), but should be the same stuff, just needs 4 cans instead of 2 a day.
Click to expand...


The only thing I could suggest is having a complete blood panel done to se if there are undiagnosed issues. The glucose levels are in a great range and Smokey is being fed a good pattern to help from having the numbers drop through the day. Sorry I can't offer any more information. :oops:
 
Full bloods plus done 3 months ago, thyroid recheck a week ago. Seems in perfect health. Maybe if his numbers keep coming low we should add his cooked lamb treats back in. We had stopped giving them because they seemed to spike the BG, and didn't want to add extra work for the pancrease. If he keeps this up, maybe he's ready for them again.
 
Charlie M said:
Is it possible for their numbers to drop once they come off insulin?
Click to expand...


Smokey has been off insulin for almost 3 weeks. At this point the insulin you were giving him before has no bearing on what his numbers are. Some kitties will naturally run lower numbers, but since most pet parents never test when their kitties are fine they don't know what the "normal levels" are. If Smokey seems to be off it could have something to do with another issue which is why I suggested a complete bloodwork to check it out.
 
Last edited:
Charlie M said:
Full bloods plus done 3 months ago, thyroid recheck a week ago. Seems in perfect health. Maybe if his numbers keep coming low we should add his cooked lamb treats back in. We had stopped giving them because they seemed to spike the BG, and didn't want to add extra work for the pancrease. If he keeps this up, maybe he's ready for them again.
Click to expand...


You posted abut the same time I did. How "off" does Smokey seem...is he listless or non -energetic ..what worries you about his demeanor ?
 
Nothing I would run him to the vet for...right away anyway. Was more expecting to see a higher number, not a low number(for him) like that! He isn't as bad a when he hits the lower ranges on the insulin. Just quiet, and different than his usual self, cuddly, but not in the usual way? Might have to wait and see...can't really go to the vet with that, and it's the first time since coming off insulin. Just have no idea where it could've come from. Think I'll go back to checking twice a day...keep an eye. This BG just keeps throwing me for loops!

But just to re check for myself ... I know it's not possible to go hypo off insulin...right!
 
I have to get to bed..shot time in 5 hours for my two.

Just one last thing that comes to mind though. One of my FD kitties is running fairly good numbers but she is "not herself" I had her in at the vets recently and they did an X-ray. Turns out she has some arthritis in the back of her spine, which explains why she is not the usual "crazy play kitty" she used to be 5 months ago. She is just under 16 years old. Just another thought to throw out there.

But you should not be worrying about hypo numbers after the length of time Smokey has been OTJ

:bighug:
 
That actually might make sense...have suspected arthritis, but seemed to be feeling great after coming off insulin...could've just been a feel good phase.

Thanks for helping, have a good night.
 
Just wanted to mention that my cat has been OTJ over a month now and has been testing routinely in 60s-70s which is overall much lower than when he was on his OTJ trial and got more 70s-90s most of the time. So, over time, I think his "normal" has gotten increasingly lower so I think it is possible for the numbers to drop further the longer they are off insulin. Sorry he seems off, but that's a great number overall! :cat:
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top