Queed
Member
None makes me comfortable , I’m going to feed him now , I have got to leave now for work!
I’ll let you know where he is at 4 pm ! Thanks !
Why wait ?
- Thread starter Queed
- Start date
None makes me comfortable , I’m going to feed him now , I have got to leave now for work!
I’ll let you know where he is at 4 pm ! Thanks !
Rachel
Very Active Member
I think that's a good choice. He'll probably be high tonight and that is FINE. With this BG being at +10, it's just iffy to give insulin since the old dose is probably still in his system. I know that happens when you have to give a shot early, but you gotta be extra careful when it does happen...and sometimes that means his BG just has to be higher at night! Getting back on a normal 12/12 schedule might help him be in better numbers tomorrow and if it doesn't...well that will just tell us we need a little less insulin!
I'll try to check in on you at 4. I'm off today, so it's a good day for me to be able to check in!
I'll try to check in on you at 4. I'm off today, so it's a good day for me to be able to check in!
Kris & Teasel
Very Active Member
Whew! So much excitement! Baby opossum, low BG, leaving for work! 
You did the right thing in skipping the dose and we can help you decide what to do later. I might not be around later this afternoon but Rachel will be.
You did the right thing in skipping the dose and we can help you decide what to do later. I might not be around later this afternoon but Rachel will be.
Queed
Member
I think that's a good choice. He'll probably be high tonight and that is FINE. With this BG being at +10, it's just iffy to give insulin since the old dose is probably still in his system. I know that happens when you have to give a shot early, but you gotta be extra careful when it does happen...and sometimes that means his BG just has to be higher at night! Getting back on a normal 12/12 schedule might help him be in better numbers tomorrow and if it doesn't...well that will just tell us we need a little less insulin!
I'll try to check in on you at 4. I'm off today, so it's a good day for me to be able to check in!
Thank you ! I know he got a little sassy about me poking his ear this morning! And he had a voice! It’s been a while since he’s talked to me
JanetNJ
Very Active Member
He must be feeling better.
. You're doing a great job.
Last edited:
Queed
Member
Whew! So much excitement! Baby opossum, low BG, leaving for work!
Yes , he was so cute ! About the size of a furry soft ball, with lots of pointy sharp teeth!
Kris & Teasel
Very Active Member
I see that black on your SS for PMPS. It's likely a rebound number after no insulin this AM. It's best to find a dose that allows you to give insulin both AM and PM. You could try 3 u tonight to see if tomorrow's AMPS is high enough for you to give him his dose.
Queed
Member
I was doing 3.5 for 2 weeks before going up to 4. With nothing below 500 , do you think the food made this huge difference, he was really hungry so I fed him right after testing, I will give him 3 now. I guess that’s going to mess him up that I fed him before the shot, but I had to clean the cat house, opossums stink, and Qweed was really hungry. I also want to say that even though he is high right now, his eyes look good! He doesn’t look as old as he did a few days ago !
Kris & Teasel
Very Active Member
Try 3 u tonight to see what AMPS he gives you. After a few cycles at 3u you can increase if numbers warrant. If he's eating low carb Fancy Feast he can eat as much as he wants (preferably in many small meals) because he needs to gain weight. The important thing is to remove food for the two hours before the AM and PM pre shot BG tests.
Queed
Member
Okay
JanetNJ
Very Active Member
You're supposed to feed before the shot. The order is test, feed, shoot. If he's doing well on the wet I wouldn't introduce a dry. There are a small handful of lower carb dry foods. Young Again Zero carb, Dr elsley's clean protein chicken, and epigen 90.
Queed
Member
Omg, My vet told me to give the shot WITH a meal, not before or after. I hope that hasn’t messed him up. I’ve been giving the shot while his head was in the bowl eating. Okay I will only feed him the wet.
Jeff D / Sketch
Member
I leave some wet out for Sketch at night...I usually just add a little water to it so it will stay moist longer. Seems to work for him.
JanetNJ
Very Active Member
Na it's fine... A lot give it while they are eating.... But do know it's perfectly fine that he ate before the shot.
Queed
Member
Okay I’ll do that now ! Thanks ! And have a goodnight !
Rachel
Very Active Member
Yep, I leave wet out for my cats all day. I add water since they like it that way and also to keep it kind of moist for them. They're fine.
Yes, it's fine to give the shot while he eats. Just make sure he's got a little food in him first and then it's fine...I gave the shot while Gypsy ate every single day.
Yes, it's fine to give the shot while he eats. Just make sure he's got a little food in him first and then it's fine...I gave the shot while Gypsy ate every single day.
Kris & Teasel
Very Active Member
Yes, I think he'll be OK with the 3 u dose. If he's your only kitty you could invest in a timed feeder so he can eat at regular intervals while you're at work. If you're home from work a few hours before his evening dose, get a BG test as soon as you're in the door. It'll be valuable data to have on your SS for work days.
Queed
Member
Hi everyone! I put a new avatar picture up ! Look how nice his eyes look ! That old look is going away, he still can’t get enough food, I gave him 3.5 u tonight, he’s getting close to 400 again. He’s feeling hydrated and I think he’s gained a little weight, his overall appearance is much better. I’ll let you know where he is at 5:30 ! I tried to change my signature 600+ but I can’t for 89 more days. And thanks to you all I believe he is going to live through this !
Thank you for being here for us !
Kris & Teasel
Very Active Member
I love your new avatar photo!
I'd stay at 3.5 u for a few days so you can get some middle cycle data to evaluate the dose. It's essential to know how low a dose gets him to properly judge it. The pre shot numbers are best used only to decide if BG is high enough for the planned dose. It's unwise to change a dose based only on a pre shot number. Reasons: a PS can be inflated because a dose wore off more quickly (it can happen); a PS can be inflated because of bouncing from dropping low or quickly earlier in the cycle. That means a dose increase made because a PS is higher could result in too high a dose. You get to really see a dose's effect if you have BG measurements over the time period when the insulin action is at its peak and therefore BG is at its lowest.
On work days when you can't test between +4 and +7 or so it's best to avoid a dose increase. A before bed test every evening (especially on work days) can give valuable information on how a dose is working.
I'd stay at 3.5 u for a few days so you can get some middle cycle data to evaluate the dose. It's essential to know how low a dose gets him to properly judge it. The pre shot numbers are best used only to decide if BG is high enough for the planned dose. It's unwise to change a dose based only on a pre shot number. Reasons: a PS can be inflated because a dose wore off more quickly (it can happen); a PS can be inflated because of bouncing from dropping low or quickly earlier in the cycle. That means a dose increase made because a PS is higher could result in too high a dose. You get to really see a dose's effect if you have BG measurements over the time period when the insulin action is at its peak and therefore BG is at its lowest.
On work days when you can't test between +4 and +7 or so it's best to avoid a dose increase. A before bed test every evening (especially on work days) can give valuable information on how a dose is working.
Chris & China (GA)
Very Active Member
I love your new picture!! He looks good!!
You might want to start weighing him once a week to make sure he's gaining at a good rate. A lot of us have a baby scale to keep tabs on our kitty's weight, but you can use a plain bathroom scale if that's all you have. Just weigh yourself first, pick him up and do the math!
Jeff D / Sketch
Member
Hi everyone! I put a new avatar picture up ! Look how nice his eyes look ! That old look is going away, he still can’t get enough food, I gave him 3.5 u tonight, he’s getting close to 400 again. He’s feeling hydrated and I think he’s gained a little weight, his overall appearance is much better. I’ll let you know where he is at 5:30 ! I tried to change my signature 600+ but I can’t for 89 more days. And thanks to you all I believe he is going to live through this !
So glad that he is responding! Great new picture. Keep bulking up the little guy with that FF. Its great to see the optimism in your posts and I am sure that Queep is feeding off of his moms positive energy!
Rachel
Very Active Member
That picture is great! He looks so much more engaged and so much happier already. It's great to hear the food change is still a hit!
I agree with Kris on the dose. And another thought I had is that if you can get ANY other tests, that will help us. A lot of people can't get anything during the day when they work (I couldn't I know) but if you can get a before bed test at +2 or +3 that will help us determine what's going on a little bit too. All data is good data!
I agree with Kris on the dose. And another thought I had is that if you can get ANY other tests, that will help us. A lot of people can't get anything during the day when they work (I couldn't I know) but if you can get a before bed test at +2 or +3 that will help us determine what's going on a little bit too. All data is good data!
Queed
Member
He is looking so good ! His eyes have changed and he’s feeling hydrated ! He’s not happy about being locked in the house at night, but I’ve ordered a cat door that will only open with a collar that he will have to wear and that will keep any possums or raccoons from getting his food
JanetNJ
Very Active Member
Good idea. This post makes me so happy. What a difference a few days can make.
Queed
Member
I love your new avatar photo!
I'd stay at 3.5 u for a few days so you can get some middle cycle data to evaluate the dose. It's essential to know how low a dose gets him to properly judge it. The pre shot numbers are best used only to decide if BG is high enough for the planned dose. It's unwise to change a dose based only on a pre shot number. Reasons: a PS can be inflated because a dose wore off more quickly (it can happen); a PS can be inflated because of bouncing from dropping low or quickly earlier in the cycle. That means a dose increase made because a PS is higher could result in too high a dose. You get to really see a dose's effect if you have BG measurements over the time period when the insulin action is at its peak and therefore BG is at its lowest.
On work days when you can't test between +4 and +7 or so it's best to avoid a dose increase. A before bed test every evening (especially on work days) can give valuable information on how a dose is working.
My chewy order came, the FF Classic I got is beef and poultry, is there to many carbs in that flavor food? The others I was giving this past weekend were a mix of different flavors but all FF Classic. I’ll be packing him up for another road trip this weekend to the St Louis Arch . I will be able to do another all day check there.
JanetNJ
Very Active Member
As long as it's all classic and not gravy it's fine to feed!
Queed
Member
Oh good ! Lol I brought two cans to work to look under the magnifying glass to try to read the labels for carbs the print is sooo small. And I missed with the shot being in a hurry so I gave 1 unit for sure . I’m pretty certain but not positive that the other 3.5 went right out the other side.As long as it's all classic and not gravy it's fine to feed!
Kris & Teasel
Very Active Member
This food chart put together by a vet who's knowledgeable about cat nutrition is very helpful. You can look up you Fancy Feast Classics to see their carb level. You won't find carb info on a can label.
https://catinfo.org/docs/CatFoodProteinFatCarbPhosphorusChart.pdf
Don't worry about the partial shot. Go back to 3.5 u next shot time and try to get some evening data to help us assess the dose. If you're off, get at least one test in the +4 to +7 range during the day.
https://catinfo.org/docs/CatFoodProteinFatCarbPhosphorusChart.pdf
Don't worry about the partial shot. Go back to 3.5 u next shot time and try to get some evening data to help us assess the dose. If you're off, get at least one test in the +4 to +7 range during the day.
Queed
Member
I did glance at that 67 page chart, it was a little overwhelming so I didn’t read much, but yes I only bought the classic, no gravy. None of my cats have EVER eaten any of the chunks that come in canned cat food either! None of them , and I’ve had a lot of cats !
Queed
Member
If you click on the link for food chart in my signature, it's a sortable document with the same information. Then instead of looking at 67 pages, you can just use the categories at the top to find the food you want.
OMGosh !! Yes !! I can understand that !! Thank you !!
Queed
Member
He was laying on the floor when I got home, I checked him right away, he still had food in the bowls so I have no idea when he ate last. Then he only got 1 unit for sure because I miss fired the 3.5 . He’s at 574 at +10 and was happy to start eating a brand new can. I figured it didn’t matter since I have no idea if he’s been eating all day. Should I give 3.5 at +12 or 4 ? He doesn’t feel good despite eating more. The clinic said he weighed 5.9 on my scale with me he is 6.5 . It’s not much but I can tell he’s gained
Last edited:
JanetNJ
Very Active Member
Been there done that.
Kris & Teasel
Very Active Member
Stick with 3.5 u for now. Try to get an evening test in around +2 or +3 tonight. That black is from not getting a full dose this AM.
Queed
Member
Okay
Queed
Member
Lol ! I have him a saddle back shave so I wouldn’t do that, but I got in a hurry.
Queed
Member
I was trying, but I fell asleep, woke up at 1:30am +7.5 313
Kris & Teasel
Very Active Member
I think he's still bouncing madly. If you're off this weekend I suggest you do a full curve at the 3.5 u dose. There isn't enough data yet to be able to assess it properly.
Queed
Member
I’m feeling madly myself at these numbers, I never thought a number could make me so angry. I’ll take him to St. Louis tonight and try to get night tests, why are night tests different from day tests ? I fed him after the 2 am check , I’m sure he ate it all long before 6am . Does anybody ever do a 4u in the morning and 3 at night? Maybe he only needs one 4u a day ? Sheesh, my head
Djamila
Very Active Member
Many cats run lower at night, so it's important to get tests in for both cycles so we make sure he isnt' getting too much insulin during the PM cycle. Usually we just grab before-bed tests (there are about 3-4 hours for me between when I give him his shot and when I go to sleep), and then whenever I'm out late I'll try to get one even later into the PM cycle.
As far as different AM/PM doses, there have been times when I've done that, but it really doesn't work very well. If it gets offset at all, it's usually by a very small amount. Giving a whole unit different would make both of your cycles pretty wonky.
As far as different AM/PM doses, there have been times when I've done that, but it really doesn't work very well. If it gets offset at all, it's usually by a very small amount. Giving a whole unit different would make both of your cycles pretty wonky.
Kris & Teasel
Very Active Member
Deep breaths ... you'll get there. Patience is key though - no frequent dose changes, etc. This WILL take time. Night (evening) tests serve two functions: 1. many kitties run lower at night for many reasons - less food, less active, etc. ; 2. evening tests can help fill in the BG data gaps when you can't test during the day because you're at work.
Yes, this is possible IF you have a load of data on kitty's responses and you've narrowed down the good dosing range. You aren't there yet. There's a typical pattern we see when working toward better BG regulation:
- owner starts testing and gets crazy numbers that make no sense because kitty is early in treatment or the dosing hasn't been optimal to that point
- owner panics and wants BG regulated ASAP leading to frequent dose changes or too large increments that increase the erratic numbers and leads to big ups and downs
- more careful dosing (consistent dosing, testing at key times, 0.25 u increments when changing) is undertaken and things begin to calm down although BG range is too high
- eventually the BG range improves and nadir values optimize (somewhere in dark green is good)
- owner hones in on the best dose range and can try tweaks to customize dosing to suit the kitty.
Queed
Member
Deep breaths ... you'll get there. Patience is key though - no frequent dose changes, etc. This WILL take time. Night (evening) tests serve two functions: 1. many kitties run lower at night for many reasons - less food, less active, etc. ; 2. evening tests can help fill in the BG data gaps when you can't test during the day because you're at work.
Yes, this is possible IF you have a load of data on kitty's responses and you've narrowed down the good dosing range. You aren't there yet. There's a typical pattern we see when working toward better BG regulation:
These steps take many, many weeks if not many months. Right now you're at the first and second steps and we're trying to get you to the third. We've all been where you are.
- owner starts testing and gets crazy numbers that make no sense because kitty is early in treatment or the dosing hasn't been optimal to that point
- owner panics and wants BG regulated ASAP leading to frequent dose changes or too large increments that increase the erratic numbers and leads to big ups and downs
- more careful dosing (consistent dosing, testing at key times, 0.25 u increments when changing) is undertaken and things begin to calm down although BG range is too high
- eventually the BG range improves and nadir values optimize (somewhere in dark green is good)
- owner hones in on the best dose range and can try tweaks to customize dosing to suit the kitty.
That makes all kinds of sense, and I am very inpatient when I know anyone feels bad, when the vet mentioned these high levels eventually effecting other organs I really got panicked, but he never said how long was to long, I feel like since June is way to long to be creeping along at tiny drops. And when I boarded him they gave his insulin at 8 am and 5 pm and do a curve like that. He was bad when I picked him up, very old in the eyes and dehydrated. And I know he froze in there. So he gets to see St. Louis this weekend and I will do my best to stay up past 8pm . It’s getting up early keeps me so tired, gotta love factory work.
Kris & Teasel
Very Active Member
Do the best you can to follow the guidelines we've given you here. This is really overwhelming at first but it DOES get easier. The reward is seeing Queed doing better and feeling better. Come here and ask about anything at all. We're here to help.
Queed
Member
I appreciate you all Sooo much, I was very desperate when I found you, now he’s eating good, he’s stronger and I don’t feel like he’s going to die any minute. I felt totally helpless and just watching him get worse every day waiting for the vets curve every 3 weeks with NO good news ever. Then trying to figure it out myself. You guys are my rock , I wait for your advice. I am happy I got to see a number under 200. I will be patient.Do the best you can to follow the guidelines we've given you here. This is really overwhelming at first but it DOES get easier. The reward is seeing Queed doing better and feeling better. Come here and ask about anything at all. We're here to help.
Rachel
Very Active Member
Queed
Member
OMGosh ! That’s a true statement ! What a wonderful read ! Thank youYes when you get to see those lower numbers it's the best thing ever. And when they start feeling better and you can see them being more like themselves it's great too!
Something to read when you're having a stressed out day: Dear Mom . I still read that when I'm having a bad day! It's helpful.
Queed
Member
Good morning all !! We’re off an hour due to travel, his yesterday morning shot was 6am, last night he got it at 7:30 and again at 730am he’s at 134 !!! Should I give another 3.5 ? My plan was to leave him in the hotel room today by himself, I’ll be working outside all day and it’s going to be 50 in St. Louis . It will get cold in the car. I can leave food out in the room. If he were to get to low will he eat by himself? Or should I take him ? He just ate 2 cans of FF . Waiting for you to tell me a dose