What do I do?

[Kirsten7]

Hi, all! I'm brand new here and have a question about my cat's numbers today. I've been working with my vet since last June to get Sasha regulated and we finally got there about a month ago. She's on 3.5 units of ProZinc twice a day. She is a very enthusiastic eater, so when she isn't I know something is wrong. Tonight I put the food down and she ignored it. I tried dry food which she likes better, still nothing, so I figured I better check her numbers. She is usually pretty high right before dinner, but today she was 133. I didn't want to give her 3.5 units of insulin when she was so low so I gave her some chicken and treats, and checked her again 2 hours later. She was now 112. She seems ok so I'm going to skip her shot tonight. What are the odds of a cat getting better spontaneously? Is this a fluke? How do I manage from here? I'm a little worried, so any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks!

 

[BJM]

First, welcome to FDMB, Kirsten.

It is possible for a cat to get off insulin. Usually, the cat is on low carb food and has gradually lowered in dose over time.
Since you are home testing, lets get some of those recent numbers put into the grid we use. It will help us give you better feedback. Instructions are here.

Understanding the spreadsheet/grid:

The colored headings at the top are the ranges of glucose values. They are color-coded to clue you in as to meaning.

Each day is 1 row. Each column stores different data for the day.

From left to right, you enter
the Date in the first column
the AMPS (morning pre-shot test) in the 2nd column
the Units given (turquoise column)

Then, there are 11 columns labeled +1 through +11
If you test at +5 (5 hours after the shot), you enter the test number in the +5 column
If you test at +7 (7 hours after the shot), you enter the test number in the +7 column
and so on.

Halfway across the page is the column for PMPS (evening pre-shot)
To the right is another turquoise column for Units given at the evening shot.

There is second set of columns labeled +1 through +11
If you snag a before bed test at +3, you enter the test number in the +3 column.

We separate day and night numbers like that because many cats go lower at night.

It is merely a grid for storing the info; no math required.

 

[BJM]

Once we have some numbers to see for the past few days, plus the dose given, we'll have a better view (literally) of what is happening.

What are you feeding? We really encourage folks to use the info from Dr Lisa Pierson at Cat Info and feed a low carb, canned or raw diet.

​

 

[Carl & Polly & Bob (GA)]

Good call on skipping. A 112 on an AT meter is perfectly normal.
Sometimes with Prozinc, it can last beyond 12 hours, and that could be what you saw. Or she could just be getting better (which would be awesome!)
If you can throw some more data at us, we might be able to help you figure things out.

 

[Kirsten7]

Good call on skipping. A 112 on an AT meter is perfectly normal.
Sometimes with Prozinc, it can last beyond 12 hours, and that could be what you saw. Or she could just be getting better (which would be awesome!)
If you can throw some more data at us, we might be able to help you figure things out.

Thanks for all the help, I'm totally confused right now. This morning before the shot she was 221, so I dosed her but only 3 units, because I am worried. Also, it seems like you all take numbers all day every day. I have been doing a curve once a month and the vet has been adjusting her dose based on that. I don't have daily numbers to give you. I only checked it last night because she was acting weird. She seems fine this morning and ate well.

 

[Carl & Polly & Bob (GA)]

Lol, I am sure that to new members looking at spreadsheets we look like a bunch of maniacs who love poking cats with sharp objects!

The only tests we really stress getting are the two at shot time each day. You have to know that it is safe to shoot before doing so. With Prozinc, it really helps with dosing if you know how low the BG goes at "nadir", the lowest point, which typically happens between 5-7 hours after the shot. It will help you (and your vet) determine if the dose is logical, effective and safe,

Most days when Bob was on insulin, I only got three tests per day. Then a curve every couple of weeks.

 

[Kirsten7]

Lol, I am sure that to new members looking at spreadsheets we look like a bunch of maniacs who love poking cats with sharp objects!

The only tests we really stress getting are the two at shot time each day. You have to know that it is safe to shoot before doing so. With Prozinc, it really helps with dosing if you know how low the BG goes at "nadir", the lowest point, which typically happens between 5-7 hours after the shot. It will help you (and your vet) determine if the dose is logical, effective and safe,

Most days when Bob was on insulin, I only got three tests per day. Then a curve every couple of weeks.

OK, that's something I could do. I work all day and was initially afraid to leave home when she got diagnosed! My vet didn't tell me to test every time I was going to give a shot, though. I'll definitely be testing more now that I can see her numbers are so variable. Thanks again for the advice!