? Low, Low sugars

Discussion in 'Feline Health - (Welcome & Main Forum)' started by Julia Rae, Jun 24, 2015.

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  1. Julia Rae

    Julia Rae Well-Known Member

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    Oh HELP< HELP Magellan's sugars are 30 he is alert not staggering or anything but OOOOOOO Im freaking
     
  2. manxcat419

    manxcat419 Well-Known Member

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    OK, don't panic - you've caught the low and that's a good thing. Get a few drops of syrup or honey into him and a little food - some gravy from a can of in-gravy food if you have it or a teaspoonful of his regular food with a couple of extra drops of syrup if you don't have any gravy food. Then test again in 30 minutes.
     
  3. manxcat419

    manxcat419 Well-Known Member

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    Oh, and whatever dose you gave tonight, he'll need a reduction after this.
     
  4. Julia Rae

    Julia Rae Well-Known Member

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    Ok Ive poured honey down his throat he did not appreciate at all (I got bit) and have been finger feeding him temptations cheasy middles he really loves those. Will test again in 30 min, he has not had his pm shot!
     
  5. manxcat419

    manxcat419 Well-Known Member

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    OK, so how long is it since he actually had a shot? If this is him getting into the 30s on his own without insulin, he might not really need bringing up.
     
  6. Julia Rae

    Julia Rae Well-Known Member

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    He had his last shot almost 11 hours ago
     
  7. manxcat419

    manxcat419 Well-Known Member

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    Then let's see where he is at his next test - we want him comfortably over 50 and either holding steady or rising. He should come up fairly easily - there shouldn't be a lot of insulin left in his system at this point. However, I wouldn't give his shot tonight even if he bounces once he starts rising...just in case it drops him right back down again. And as he's this low after 11 hours, I still think you should probably reduce his dose starting from tomorrow morning.
     
  8. Julia Rae

    Julia Rae Well-Known Member

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    he is at 50 now just did his 30 min test how long before I stick him again... (i have to keep myself from testing every other heart beat at this point)
     
  9. manxcat419

    manxcat419 Well-Known Member

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    If you can give him a little food with another drop or two of honey and test again in 30 minutes. I'm not sure why he's hanging around this low at almost +12 - I'm no expert with Novolin in cats, but I thought the maximum duration was meant to be 12 hours. Either way, let's get him up a little bit more so he's safe - he's just about out of the risk zone now, but 10 points higher would be nice for a bit of breathing room!!
     
  10. Julia Rae

    Julia Rae Well-Known Member

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    ok gave him his fave wet food with a bit of honey in it, he is eating with gusto, ie his normal self.And he is staying in sight of me which makes things much easier on me and I would love some breathing room.
     
  11. Cat Ma

    Cat Ma Well-Known Member

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    I wouldn't give Novolin for BG under 200. Stop the insulin till BG levels go back to 200 and you'll probably need to reduce the dose. Better yet, get your cat off Novolin. I had a hypo crisis, like you are going through, with my cat while she was on Novolin and she's been off Novolin since. I'd look into changing insulin to Lantus; there are a lot of Lantus experts here. Novolin generally wears off after 6 to 8 hours and is not a recommended insulin of choice. Keep checking the BG levels closely. Even if your cat is acting better, monitor closely.
     
    Last edited: Jun 24, 2015
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  12. manxcat419

    manxcat419 Well-Known Member

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    Sounds good to me. :) It makes it much easier when they'll eat on their own instead of needing you to make them eat! While you're waiting for his next test, try to take a few deep breaths and relax...you've handled the real low already - now it's just a case of making sure he stays up.
     
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  13. manxcat419

    manxcat419 Well-Known Member

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    Thanks @Cat Ma :) Your direct experience with Novolin is much appreciated here! :) I can give general hypo advice, but nothing specific to Novolin as an insulin for dosing going forward except to be certain that his current dose is too high!! Julia, Lantus is a gentler insulin if your vet will prescribe it - it might well be that going forward you'd have better and more predictable results with very small doses of that. :)
     
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  14. Cat Ma

    Cat Ma Well-Known Member

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    Yes, the dose is too high. Lantus is a much better choice and you can get it cheaper from Mark's Pharmacy online...someone has a link somewhere here.
     
  15. manxcat419

    manxcat419 Well-Known Member

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    This is the link for Mark's https://rxcanada4less.com/

    I haven't used them myself - I'd already bought Lantus from Costco (ouch on the price here) before I knew I could have ordered it from Canada, but I know a lot of people here do use them and find them to be very good.
     
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  16. Cat Ma

    Cat Ma Well-Known Member

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    You may pay more the first time if you have to get Lantus quickly but what's important is to get your cat regulated.
     
    Last edited: Jun 24, 2015
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  17. Julia Rae

    Julia Rae Well-Known Member

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    Ok his sugars went up a tiny bit 53 I was hopping for a bigger climb that that looks like I will be up to night.
     
  18. Cat Ma

    Cat Ma Well-Known Member

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    53 is a big improvement over 30 and is a good number. You don't want a drastic increase. You can go back to low carb food and skip the honey as long as your cat is over 50.
     
  19. Julia Rae

    Julia Rae Well-Known Member

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    I am doing that at this moment should i try to test again in 30 min.. he is running from me at this point.
     
  20. manxcat419

    manxcat419 Well-Known Member

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    I think that's actually good - he's not starting to bounce, which is always a good thing. :) As Cat Ma says, if you can try with just his low carb food now - if you can get him surfing in decent numbers then you might only have another hour or so to go before you can get some sleep. :)

    Yes to another test in 30 minutes - I'm sorry he's not happy about it. Even Rosa who's usually pretty good for testing would get a bit annoyed with the every 30 minutes. If he's still rising at the next test, then you can wait an hour and do one more...if he's good after that one as well then you can call it a night.
     
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  21. Cat Ma

    Cat Ma Well-Known Member

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    Last edited: Jun 24, 2015
  22. Julia Rae

    Julia Rae Well-Known Member

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    Ok will do that I so love you guys and dont know how or what I can do to show how much I really appreciate your help all of you.
     
  23. manxcat419

    manxcat419 Well-Known Member

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    We've all been where you are and we know how much all and any help is needed and appreciated at times like this. :) If it wasn't for other people helping when I was new, I wouldn't know enough to be able to help now...it's just the way this board works! :) I'll be up for a bit yet, so I'll keep checking in with you to make sure his numbers are going in the right direction. As long as they do, you should only have just over an hour to go now I think - you're almost at your next 30 minute test if I'm calculating this right. :) Hopefully he'll be up a little further this time. :)
     
  24. Julia Rae

    Julia Rae Well-Known Member

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    :bighug:I understand and thanks again both you Cat Ma and manxcat419, I take Magellan to the vet the 5 of july my hope is to get him on lantus. My bf uses it for his diabetes and get it for free from the VA, 1 pen lasts him about 4 days so it will be no hardship to share. I just hope the vet is willing to not just hear me but listen to me. Just finished testing my boy and his numbers are looking better 81 and so far he has muched down a whole can of 9 lives white fish.
     
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  25. manxcat419

    manxcat419 Well-Known Member

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    It sounds as though Lantus would be perfect for you to use if you can get it free. :)

    Nice work on those numbers. :) You've done really well tonight. :) If you can get one more test in an hour just to make sure he stays up once the honey wears off that would be great. As long as he's not dropping at that point you'll be able to sleep after that. :)
     
  26. Julia Rae

    Julia Rae Well-Known Member

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    I hope so thinking fondly of about 3 fingers of scotch.. for me not the cat. As for doing well it was both of yours help that got us through this, I thought I was mentally prepared for this to happen but I wasn't thanks the powers that I had the kit together in advance.
     
  27. manxcat419

    manxcat419 Well-Known Member

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    I don't think anyone's ever fully prepared for the first time those low numbers show up...and you got a very low number there for the first time. A lot of us get somewhere around a 48 to work with on the first attempt and that's scary enough!!

    You could have that scotch before his next test - you have an hour to kill...enough time for a little relaxation for you. :)
     
  28. Julia Rae

    Julia Rae Well-Known Member

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    That sounds like a good idea right now he is napping in front of the fan, on his side with his tale curled over his belly. He is such the porno boy. Going to need to order more test strips from walmart thanks goodness they deliver.
     
  29. manxcat419

    manxcat419 Well-Known Member

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    Awww - it sounds as though he's happy with life right now! :) I'm sure his next test will be fine - it's a case of making 100% sure rather than really expecting any more low numbers from him tonight. But we always get that one last test just in case.

    I agree - it really does make it easier to be able to get supplies from Walmart - our closest one is 5 minutes from the house so I was always able to do an emergency dash there if I ran low on anything.
     
  30. Julia Rae

    Julia Rae Well-Known Member

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    .Ohhhh he is mad.....his sugars are 73 what happened they went down?
     
  31. manxcat419

    manxcat419 Well-Known Member

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    Looks like the carbs you gave him wore off. How many hours is it since he last had insulin now? 73 is a nice normal number with no insulin in his system. :)
     
  32. manxcat419

    manxcat419 Well-Known Member

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    If you need to sleep, you could just leave him a lot of food out...if you're worried you could mix a little gravy in with his low carb to make a medium carb food for him. The 81 and 73 aren't really all that different when you take meter variance into account, so it looks as though he's surfing (and without his shot tonight that's impressive)!!

    I would post for advice in the morning before you give him a shot though - he definitely needs a reduction, and if he doesn't rise much more by morning you'll need to skip his shot again...I don't think you can realistically shoot anything under 200 at this point with Novolin.
     
  33. Cat Ma

    Cat Ma Well-Known Member

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    Julia Rae, how are his numbers today? 73 and 81 area great numbers! You only need to worry when the numbers go below 50. You don't want to give insulin for numbers under 200. If your cat stays consistently under 200, like mine has after a hypo episode on Novolin, your cat will get OJT (off insulin) and you won't need the Lantus! You'll still need to monitor closely.

    Be prepared that his numbers may spike up very high soon to a few days to compensate for the drop last night. That is normal. It never happened to my cat but it may or may not happen for yours.

    Another thing, stick to a consistent feeding schedule and continue feeding small low carb meals. If numbers go under 50, then give honey (you can mix it in food), Karo syrup or a high carb gravy food.

    A good idea is to print out the Glucometer Notes guide in the link I gave you above. That way you can refer to it quickly. It's easy to panic in a hypo epsisode but you've done a terrific job!
     
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  34. manxcat419

    manxcat419 Well-Known Member

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    I was wondering if that might be the direction he was heading in - I kept expecting a much higher reading to show up soon after +12 when the insulin was out of his system, but it just didn't happen! That's not to say he might not still need a little insulin support, but not really going above 80 several hours after his shot was due would seem to show that he was doing well without it, at least for last night. :)
     
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  35. Julia Rae

    Julia Rae Well-Known Member

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    Just finished testing his sugars and he is 294 WOW the difference 7 hours makes.
     
  36. Cat Ma

    Cat Ma Well-Known Member

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    Time for insulin. The question now is the dose. Have you called the vet? You should let them know the #'s and find out what dose to give. Most times, a reduction is needed.
    Hopefully a Novolin expert here can advise if the dose the vet suggests is a good one.
    Are you still feeding your cat low carb food? Don't give anymore high carb, honey or Karo syrup.
     
  37. manxcat419

    manxcat419 Well-Known Member

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    I'm really glad he's not either very low or sky-high again this time around. Unfortunately, I can't help with the dose except to be fairly sure that he needs a reduction...of how much, I have no idea unfortunately. I would definitely agree that he should only have his low carb food for now and hopefully someone will be able to help you with the best way to adjust his dose soon.
     
  38. Julia Rae

    Julia Rae Well-Known Member

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    Will call Vet and yes I am feeding very low carb wet and he has had no more hone since his last test at 81. Got the receptionist/ vet assistant and hope to hear from the vet soon, had to come clean about not following his instructions. Hope he does not blow up at me
     
  39. Cat Ma

    Cat Ma Well-Known Member

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    Don't worry about the vet blowing up at you. You did the right thing getting him out of a hypo episode. Had you not done anything, you and your cat would have spent the night in the pet ER. Novolin is difficult because it can cause high spikes and lows. It's actually very normal for this to be happening, coming up high from a low. This is very common in a Novolin hypo episode.
     
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  40. Cat Ma

    Cat Ma Well-Known Member

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    If your vet is resistant to trying another insulin or gives you a hard time, time to fire your vet and find a new one.
     
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  41. Julia Rae

    Julia Rae Well-Known Member

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    Thanks so very much still waiting on the vet love your fur baby pic.
     
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  42. BJM

    BJM Well-Known Member

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    Have a look over the Humulin/Novolin Primer
    Most importantly, figure out how much of a drop he got on the dose he received, and factor in that cats who gone hypoglycemic may be much more sensitive to insulin.
    He may be bouncing right now. Compensatory hormones release stored sugar and boost the glucose level for safety if the glucose drops suddenly and/or drops to an unfamiliar low.
    It is possible to shoot a tiny amount when bouncing on N - maybe 0.25 units, which you'll have to eyeball as syringes don't measure that well.
    N tends to hit its maximum effect about 3-4 hours after the shot, so aim to check then to see how low he goes on this token dose.
     
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  43. Julia Rae

    Julia Rae Well-Known Member

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    I am reading the info now and still waiting on the vet to return my call.
     
  44. Melanie and Smokey

    Melanie and Smokey Well-Known Member

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    Just wanted to note that Mark's has posted that they are currently no longer taking new Lantus patients. They will add people to a waiting list to become customers when their supply source becomes better. Just so people know when they are giving source advice, that Mark's is not an option for new Lantus customers right now.
     
  45. manxcat419

    manxcat419 Well-Known Member

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    Oops! Thanks for that info Melanie! :) Fortunately, it doesn't look like it'll be an issue this time, but I'll make sure if I post the link for anyone else that I note that there's a waiting list for the moment as well!

    Did your vet get back to you Julia? Just wondering how things are going for you and Magellan today?
     
  46. Julia Rae

    Julia Rae Well-Known Member

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    Hello was not ignoring you or anything Magellan is doing better, finally got a hold of the vet at nearly closing time. I am not quite sure he really knows what to do with me, he is excited now at the fact that i am home testing. When I asked why he was so against it in the beginning he said something about not knowing my comfort levels with it or my skill with it with it. His novalin has been cut back to half a unit am and pm and he wants to see how he does with that but has no problems switching to lantus. The tread is continued on Magellan's sugar dance.
     
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  47. manxcat419

    manxcat419 Well-Known Member

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    No problem - I didn't think for a minute that you were ignoring me...I just wanted to make sure your vet had actually called you back and you were getting some dosing help. :) It's GREAT that your vet is supportive of you home testing - it makes it so much easier when your vet agrees with what you're doing! :D And switching to Lantus should help Magellan's numbers to level out over the course of the day, which is better for him (and less stressful for you than finding a huge drop unexpectedly like yesterday)! :D And congrats on the reduction!! :)
     
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  48. Julia Rae

    Julia Rae Well-Known Member

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    :bighug: Thanks I really needed to hear that some days I feel so like a monster for the tests and not letting him free feed. I know it is for his own good but try convincing him that when he is screaming at me at the top of his considerable lungs. My neighbors have commented on it wanting to know what I was doing to make him scream so.
     
  49. manxcat419

    manxcat419 Well-Known Member

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    I dread to think what our neighbors thought, especially when my husband was testing Rosa - she decided he wasn't allowed to test her, only me, and apparently set up a dreadful amount of noise (mixed with him yelling where she'd swiped at him I believe).

    The good news is that, if you switch to Lantus, you'll be able to let him free feed on wet food as it's not as important for him to have a large amount of food onboard when the insulin onsets then. Hopefully that will fix at least one of his problems!
     
  50. Chris & China (GA)

    Chris & China (GA) Well-Known Member

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    Julia...if you have access to Lantus and your vet is OK with switching, I'd go ahead and switch now and not wait until the 5th. The people here that use Lantus have more experience with making dosing decisions than your vet ever would and there's no good reason to keep using an insulin that's not good for Magellan in the first place
     
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  51. Julia Rae

    Julia Rae Well-Known Member

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    LOL like right now... oh my he is doing the love me... feed me cry and ive given snacks today I know it is because his sugars are up and he thinks he is starving but he has some time before dinner. It is 8:30 ish pm now ans his dinner time is 10 pm
     
  52. Julia Rae

    Julia Rae Well-Known Member

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    Ok the question is then what do I start him at???
     
  53. Chris & China (GA)

    Chris & China (GA) Well-Known Member

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    Oops...meant to put this above....would you please go ahead and edit your subject line and remove the 911? Just choose "No prefix" instead...that way if you DO need immediate help again, people won't think it's still the same 911 from last night
     
  54. Chris & China (GA)

    Chris & China (GA) Well-Known Member

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    How much does he weigh? And is that a good weight for him or is he underweight/overweight?

    Lantus dosing is started by weight (as well as taking into consideration the dose he's been on with the N, but he's on such a low dose and it's been so soon, I think just going by weight is the best bet)
     
  55. Julia Rae

    Julia Rae Well-Known Member

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    Squack the pen only has 1 unit increments no half???
     
  56. Julia Rae

    Julia Rae Well-Known Member

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    Magellan weighs 15 lbs and he is not a small boned cat he is a very large cat, where do I find info on dosages for lbs of cat?
     
  57. Chris & China (GA)

    Chris & China (GA) Well-Known Member

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    We use the regular insulin syringes to remove the insulin from the pen, just like a vial

    If you take the cap off, there's a rubber stopper just like there is for a vial
    syringe in pen pic.jpg
     
  58. Chris & China (GA)

    Chris & China (GA) Well-Known Member

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    The formula for starting dose is Weight (in kilograms) x .25u.....but that comes to 1.7 starting dose for a 15lb cat, but with as sensitive as he seems to be to insulin, I think I wouldn't start him any higher than 1U but let me get some other opinions first.

    How long until next shot time?

    There's some great Stickies at the top of the Lantus/Levemir Forum for you to get lots of great information from
     
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  59. Julia Rae

    Julia Rae Well-Known Member

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    His next shot is do in 2 hours and thanks for the trick with pen use
     
  60. manxcat419

    manxcat419 Well-Known Member

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    I think after that 30 yesterday, I wouldn't go any higher than 1U Lantus either for now - you can always increase gradually from there if it doesn't seem like it's enough for him after a few days.
     
  61. Chris & China (GA)

    Chris & China (GA) Well-Known Member

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    OK good...I've got some feelers out for some others that are Lantus users to pop in and see what they think about a starting dose for him, but go ahead and read some of the information in the Lantus/Levemir forum so you'll be one step ahead

    Do you have U100 syringes or are they U40? U100 have orange caps, U40 are red caps

    You're going to need U100 syringes if you're using Lantus. Best place I've found to get them is WalMart since all their 30 or 31 gauge, 3/10ml, 8mm insulin syringes have half unit markings....they're $12.88 for a box of 100
     
  62. Julia Rae

    Julia Rae Well-Known Member

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    I have U 100 syringes and a box of 100 I got at fredmeyers for 6 dollars gauge 29 with half unit markings
     
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  63. Chris & China (GA)

    Chris & China (GA) Well-Known Member

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    Woo Hoo!

    We're discussing what dose we think would be a good one to start with, so you'll hear from us soon (hopefully before shot time)

    Are you able to stay up and test tonight if you need to? Got your hypo kit ready and refilled? Lots of strips?

    Chocolate and coffee for the beans?

    Hoping to also hear from @Marje and Gracie and @Wendy&Neko and @manxcat419
     
  64. Marje and Gracie

    Marje and Gracie Senior Member Moderator

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    Chris PMd me for input on his dose. I've never used Novolin but since he's gotten low on 1u of Novolin, I wouldn't start him at the usual starting dose of Lantus.

    I actually think the best thing is for you to discuss it with your vet. Your vet should be on board with you changing insulins and should discuss the starting dose based on the numbers he's seen on Novolin.

    If you feel you absolutely must start Lantus tonight, I wouldn't exceed 1u and I'd watch him closely because, even though Lantus usually takes time for the depot to fill, we've occasionally seen drops on the first dose. Which is another reason why I think it would be just fine to wait until you can talk to your vet tomorrow.
     
  65. Chris & China (GA)

    Chris & China (GA) Well-Known Member

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    @Marje and Gracie ...his dose by weight would be 1.75, so I was thinking as sensitive as he's been on Novolin, I wouldn't start him that high...maybe 1 unit tonight if she can stay up to monitor
     
  66. Julia Rae

    Julia Rae Well-Known Member

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    Yes I am more than able to stay up as long as needed for this to work and my bf will be in tomorrow am to spot me if needed.
     
  67. Marje and Gracie

    Marje and Gracie Senior Member Moderator

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    I read his weight and also calculated the normal starting dose at 1.75u. But I am not comfortable with us recommending a dose with a cat that has been in the 30s on another insulin.

    I also know Novolin is a harsher insulin but her vet told her what dose to shoot. She should do that tonight, call the vet early, and get his input about a starting dose for Lantus during the day instead of starting it late tonight and taking a chance he could drop like a rock. IMHO.
     
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  68. Julia Rae

    Julia Rae Well-Known Member

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    Ok I will follow your advise and start this tomorrow, I value all of your opinions greatly face it you guys are the ones in the "trenches" so to speak and I am also thinking it would be best if I start this as bright eyed and bushy tailed as possible.
     
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  69. manxcat419

    manxcat419 Well-Known Member

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    Tomorrow will be fine to switch. :) Though if you're going to give him 0.5u Novolin tonight per your vet's dosing advice, I think you should still be ready to monitor him for a few hours after his shot...as he didn't get a dose this morning, it's difficult to tell what he might do even with the smaller dose at this point.
     
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  70. Chris & China (GA)

    Chris & China (GA) Well-Known Member

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    Sounds like we have a plan!! Contact vet tomorrow about starting Lantus and if you shoot the Novolin tonight, just the .5 and hope that you have a quiet night.
     
  71. Marje and Gracie

    Marje and Gracie Senior Member Moderator

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    Julia Rae: good, I'm glad you are taking the cautious approach. And starting a new insulin when you are awake and fresh is smart. I also think it is a good idea to be sure he doesn't drop low tonight on the Novolin.

    Have a great night.
     
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  72. Julia Rae

    Julia Rae Well-Known Member

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    As I have read more than once better a bit high then low and considering Magellan I will be giving him his norm lo carb dinner and before bed 1/8 cup of evo salmon is is 12% carb . All this with his half unit shot of Novalin n good idea??
     
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  73. Jill & Alex (GA)

    Jill & Alex (GA) Senior Member Moderator

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    Given the circumstances... love this advice!!! :)
    Thanks for weighing in, Marje.
     
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  74. Chris & China (GA)

    Chris & China (GA) Well-Known Member

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    May 10, 2013
    Going forward, if he's a hard core kibble junkie, you might try putting a few kibbles of his dry into a coffee grinder/food processor or just in a plastic bag and pound it into dust and see if you sprinkle some of his kibble dust on top of his low carb wet food, he'll agree to eat it

    The sooner you can get him 100% off the kibble, the better his numbers are going to be
     
  75. Julia Rae

    Julia Rae Well-Known Member

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    Jun 11, 2015
    He has no problems with an all wet food dinner, I was just thinking that the kibble might help prevent a drop like last night?
     
  76. Chris & China (GA)

    Chris & China (GA) Well-Known Member

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    May 10, 2013
    the reason we don't like using kibble like that is because it takes too long to get into their system and can then hang out there for several cycles later

    Using the gravy from a "Gravy Lovers" Fancy Feast is the better choice, especially if you "squeeze" the gravy out of it and just use that to bring their BG up..most of the carbs are in the gravy, and it doesn't "Fill them up" as quick....we want to be able to get them to eat in another 30 minutes or so if their BG still isn't up where we want it
     
  77. Julia Rae

    Julia Rae Well-Known Member

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    Jun 11, 2015
    Ok that makes sense thanks for the 411 looks like he wont be seeing anymore kibble again. I am glad he is such the chow hound you put it in front of him and he will eat it. He likes cantaloupe and honey dew melons or as of june 10th he no longer gets.
     
  78. Julia Rae

    Julia Rae Well-Known Member

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    Jun 11, 2015
    Just did his +1 mark and got test results of 90
     
  79. manxcat419

    manxcat419 Well-Known Member

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    Jan 14, 2015
    OK, that's a big drop in an hour. Can you get another test in about 45 minutes to an hour? If he's going to drop under 50, it'd be good to catch it before he gets as low as 30 this time!
     
  80. Julia Rae

    Julia Rae Well-Known Member

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    Jun 11, 2015
    That is no problem and thanks for holding my hand through this dance.
     
  81. manxcat419

    manxcat419 Well-Known Member

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    Jan 14, 2015
    You're very welcome - that's what everyone here is here for. :) I'll check in with you at his next test time to make sure you're not running into any problems with him. :)
     
  82. Julia Rae

    Julia Rae Well-Known Member

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    Jun 11, 2015
    Hello his +2 is 48 again another fast drop
     
  83. manxcat419

    manxcat419 Well-Known Member

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    Jan 14, 2015
    Ouch! He's determined to give you those lower numbers isn't he? OK, a little high carb food (or honey plus a little low carb food) and test again in 30 minutes. Oh, and 0.5U is still too much for him!
     
  84. Julia Rae

    Julia Rae Well-Known Member

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    Jun 11, 2015
    Oh ya he does he is one sensitive kitty he is munching his snack
     
  85. manxcat419

    manxcat419 Well-Known Member

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    Jan 14, 2015
    I'm actually wondering now if even 1U Lantus when you switch might be too much...even with Lantus it might be safer to start him on 0.5U. And I think if you have to stick with Novolin for any shots after tonight, you'll need to try him on 0.25U.
     
  86. manxcat419

    manxcat419 Well-Known Member

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    Jan 14, 2015
    I'll check back in with you in about half an hour - make sure he's coming back up for you. :)
     
  87. Julia Rae

    Julia Rae Well-Known Member

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    Jun 11, 2015
    Well good news his numbers went up a good amount +2.5 is 77
     
  88. manxcat419

    manxcat419 Well-Known Member

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    Jan 14, 2015
    That's good news - it looks as though the smaller dose is at least letting the carbs work better tonight. If you can offer him just some low carb food - see if we can get him surfing - and test again in another 30 minutes (sorry Magellan - I'm sure you're not enjoying the frequent testing, but we've got to keep you safe)!!
     
  89. Julia Rae

    Julia Rae Well-Known Member

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    He is licking his paws and glowering at me
     
  90. manxcat419

    manxcat419 Well-Known Member

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    I know that look from a cat only too well! Rosa loved the honey and the high carb food, but was rather less fond of the testing every half hour!! If they only knew we don't enjoy it either - we're only doing it to keep them safe!
     
  91. Julia Rae

    Julia Rae Well-Known Member

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    Jun 11, 2015
    He is weird will not let me mess with his ears at all, ended up with 2 really good bites from trying. Until I saw that paws where an alternate site at the end of a testing Iput triple antibiotic ointment on his paws. No infections please and when I next need to test I was the paw with sterile saline and do the test figure with him that is the best way to do it..
     
  92. manxcat419

    manxcat419 Well-Known Member

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    Jan 14, 2015
    I test Rosa's paw pads some of the time too - she'll let me use her right ear only, or her back left paw. And she chooses which. That's the deal - if I don't go with her choice, she'll fight me all the way! I don't do anything special with her paw though...just a little Neosporin after I test to put an antibiotic layer over the little hole - she's never had an infection. Some cats just do better having their paws touched than their ears. As long as you're getting the tests done, whatever works for you and Magellan is fine. :)
     
  93. Julia Rae

    Julia Rae Well-Known Member

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    What did I do wrong???? they are down to 43
     
  94. manxcat419

    manxcat419 Well-Known Member

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    Jan 14, 2015
    You didn't do anything wrong - the insulin is still in his system and brought him back down. Time for a bit more honey or high carb food...and another test in 30 minutes.
     
  95. manxcat419

    manxcat419 Well-Known Member

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    Jan 14, 2015
    That's why we don't ever leave a cat alone as soon as it comes up above 50 - they can drop right back down, which is why we like to see 3 consecutive rising tests before we assume they're OK for the night.
     
  96. Julia Rae

    Julia Rae Well-Known Member

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    Jun 11, 2015
    Awww cuss word Im down to 2 test strips
     
  97. Julia Rae

    Julia Rae Well-Known Member

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    Jun 11, 2015
    before all this stated I had plenty to see to tomorrow when I am going cross town to walmart to get more
     
  98. manxcat419

    manxcat419 Well-Known Member

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    Jan 14, 2015
    OK, in that case I think the only option you've got is to abort the cycle by feeding him a LOT of carbs. @Vyktors Mum - any recommendations on how much (Magellan is on Novolin and it's been hitting him really hard the last 2 days - tonight he came up above 50 once, but doesn't want to stay there).
     
  99. manxcat419

    manxcat419 Well-Known Member

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    Jan 14, 2015
    It's fine - these things happen and we can bring him up high so he's not at any risk for the rest of the night. He'll probably finish up higher than you'd like by morning, but better safe than sorry if you're low on strips. :)
     
  100. Julia Rae

    Julia Rae Well-Known Member

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    Jun 11, 2015
    I still have my old true track
     
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