? What is best, low vs high?

N

nikkiaz

Member Since 2010
We’re back after awhile away. We still haven’t gotten a handle on his BG readings.

In a nutshell, at 1.75 units, he often is in the 300s. But when we go to 2 units, he gets pretty low in the middle of the night. We don’t mind getting tests in the middle of the night if necessary, but a few nights a week being up all night is not sustainable.

So is it just better to stick with 1.75 units and realize that he is not going to get super low? Or stay with 2 since the numbers are better (but close to hypo)?

thank you!
Nancy
 
If your goal is remission you want the BGs to be in the green zone if possible.
You are chopping and changing the dose a bit. It is better to stay with the same dose unless you earn a reduction.
A reduction is earned if he drops under 50. He earned a reduction when he dropped to 49 on 7/9 which you took for the next dose but then went back to the previous dose.
When are you feeding Niki? Are you giving snacks during the day and night as well as preshot?
Do you have a timed feeder that would open during the night?
 
As for night tests if you can get a +3 it often let’s you know if the cycle might be active. If the bg is going down you could then leave out food. If quite a bit lower that would be a time to set a timer for another test.
 
Are you feeding any dry food? Dry food is not a good idea. It can raise the BG.

You can check the Carbs on the Feline Health page Sticky Note Info Dry Food - PLEASE consider more than just carbohydrate content and the food chart Info Dr. Pierson - new Food Chart

Some Fancy Feast can be very high in carbs & keep the glucose up. Lower Phosphorus is also a good idea. It's better for their kidneys.

I've seen some kitties go into remission just by stopping all dry food. Like Bron said,it's better not to keep changing the dose. Niki's body needs to have time to adjust to the insulin (insulin is a very powerful hormone).
Sometimes the higher #'s are called a bounce. Try to stick with the dose for a week Unless his BG drops too low.

There's a LOT of very good info to read. The more you know about all this the easier it will be to help your kitty!

Best of luck to you & Niki :)
images
 
Thank you both for your replies!

Niki is fed Fancy Feast only. He gets breakfast (1can), then 1/4 can each at 9am and noon. Then dinner (1 can), then 1/4 can each at 8:30pm and 11pm. He has a timed feeder, both during the day as well as at night.

We have noticed that the chicken feast FF has a more positive effect on his BG than other varieties, at least for Niki!

Thank you for telling us to stick with a dose! I am hoping that by sticking with it longer, we will see some stabilization at that level. We are going to stick with 1.75 units for at least a week as suggested, unless his numbers are going too low.

We will also get a +3 reading after the PM dose. Maybe it will save us some long nights if we can identify an issue earlier!

thank you all so much - we really value your time and expertise!,,
 
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