When are you supposed to test?

[Karen & Rudy]

We just took Rudy's blood for the first time this morning. It took us two tries, but it didn't seem too awful. We were well prepared thanks to the helpful videos and tips that we got here

He gets one unit of Prozinc twice a day. We tested this morning after he ate a little bit and before his shot. He was at 445.
He threw up last night, which was pretty upsetting since he only ate 1/8 cup of dry food yesterday. He threw up the chicken shreds I gave him before bed along with some bile and digested food (sorry if TMI). I have some appetite stimulants from the vet and I think I need to give him one to get him eating again? I am so afraid that I am going to screw this all up!

I am wondering when and how often we should test? Also if there are any tips to get him to eat more? He hasn't eaten good in the last month at all, but it seems to be getting worse.

 

[BJM]

Always test before you shoot.
- If below 200 mg/dL, wait 30 minutes without feeding and re-test
- - If still below 200 mg/dL, skip
- - if above, shoot

As you get more mid-cycle data, you will gradually reduce the 200 to 150 mg/dL

Test around the nadir when possible
- the nadir is the lowest glucose level between shots
- depending on your insulin and the individual cat, it is somewhere between +5 to +7 hours after the shot

Test before bedtime to prevent overnight hypo issues
- if the glucose has dropped dramatically or seems too low, intervene with food to stabilize it.

 

[phlika29]

I have some appetite stimulants from the vet and I think I need to give him one to get him eating again? I am so afraid that I am going to screw this all up!

I am wondering when and how often we should test? Also if there are any tips to get him to eat more? He hasn't eaten good in the last month at all, but it seems to be getting worse.

Hi

Has rudy been diagnosed or tested for something like pancreatitis? If a cat is feeling nauseous and not eating properly you may want to speak to your vet about getting some anti nausea meds in addition or instead of an appetitie stimulant. The trouble with just getting a stimulant is if they still feel sick but feel forced to eat it can create an aversion.

I found ondanestron a very good anti nausea med or if my remi was throwing up I would switch to cerenia. In addition I give my cat 1/8 Zantac twice a day and this helps prevent the build up of stomach acid.

 

[Dyana]

Your cat does need to eat. Even if it's not the best of food for him, right now. Cats can not go a long time without eating.
I would also ask your vet about an anti-nausea drug. With Ondansetron, you need to call around for the best price as it varies widely. I get it at the Costco Pharmacy for about 33 cents a pill and you don't need to be a member to use the pharmacy. Other pharmacies can charge a lot more.
Have you tested for ketones, yet?

 

[Karen & Rudy]

I just got some ketones strips and will test him as soon as I can. The vet just switched him to this new food and I am wondering if I should offer his old food just to get him to eat something? he is so stubborn!!

 

[BJM]

Yes - mix with old food and slowly transition.

More than 2 days without eating can precipitate hepatic lipidosis, so if he won't eat anything by then, you need to get him to the vet.

 

[KPassa]

What is the new food? It might even be a food allergy causing the vomiting. My Mikey is allergic to red meats and threw up the Hills m/d because it contains pork liver (in fact, I think all the prescription diabetic brands uses pork liver, IIRC).

 

[Karen & Rudy]

He is on the Purina D/M for now. He ate 1/8 cup for breakfast this morning. I am hoping he eats more tonight.

Side question- do I feed, test glucose, then shot? that seems like such a stupid question. I know that I test before shot, but not sure when the food part comes into play....

Thank you all for your help and support! this has been so stressful, but we have hope and are managing

 

[Nancey]

Side question- do I feed, test glucose, then shot? that seems like such a stupid question. I know that I test before shot, but not sure when the food part comes into play....

Karen,

I have always been told Test, shoot and feed or Test, feed and shoot while the kitty is eating. But seems the primary idea is to get the test number before food since food impacts the number.

Good Luck.
Nancey

 

[Thebudster77]

Hi There,

What my vet recommended and I follow is , Test, Feed and shoot.

The vet wanted to make sure that they ate something before giving the shot otherwise there would not be enough BG to counteract the Insulin.

 

[Karen & Rudy]

OMG thank you!!!!! we were doing it wrong of course...lol we were eat, test shoot.

I think we will switch to test, eat, shoot.
our vet said we can do a curve this weekend, we'll see how that goes. She also said she thinks the human glucose monitors are off from the ones specific for cats? does anyone experience that? we are using the relion confirm and I wasn't sure if we need to adjust numbers?

on the plus side, he ate 3/8 of a cup of food yesterday, up from 1/2 go kitty!!!!!!

 

[BJM]

The dry Purina DM is fairly high carb.

Lower carb foods would be better. If he won't eat wet, you might try Young Again 0 Carb which is 55 calories from carbohydrates, as we calculate it. It is internet order only. Cats tend to eat less of it as it has more of what they need in it, without extra fillers.