Dosing advice

Discussion in 'Feline Health - (Welcome & Main Forum)' started by Squalliesmom, Jul 19, 2015.

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  1. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    Well, after a nervous day of testing every two hours or less, Squallie's pre-shot number was 203. I am afraid to give him 6-7 units tonight with his BG at that level; should I give him a lower dose and if so, how much would any of you recommend, or should I just skip tonight's dose and wait to see what tomorrow morning's numbers look like?
     
  2. Sue and Oliver (GA)

    Sue and Oliver (GA) Well-Known Member

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    Sorry no one was up to give you advice, Lucy. What did you do?

    He does seem to be gradually dropping in ranges so yes, I would be dropping the dose to match. A number close to 200 at night when it's hard to monitor is always a quandry. A chicken $&@#% dose is always an option - maybe half of the usual dose and a before bed check.

    My theory with a new diabetic and the in and out insulins (vs the depot insulins) is that you can always raise the dose with the next cycle if you give too little.
     
  3. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    Thanks, Sue. I ended up just not giving him his shot. I just tested him a little while ago and he's at 319, after eating a little canned snack, so I'm glad I did what I did. We'll go ahead with the 7 units this am, and monitor from there, again.
     
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  4. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    If you haven't already given the 7 unit dose, Lucy, I'd be inclined to stick with the 6 if he was mine. If you've already given the 7 unit dose be sure to keep a close eye on the drop.
     
  5. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    I already gave him the 7 unit dose :-( So far he seems to be okay, eating everything in sight all of a sudden, though. Haven't tested him again, he goes to the vet in a couple of hours so unless things seem amiss with him right now, I'll probably wait till we get there and do the blood draw from his leg, ugh. I am buying her kit today, so now when I test my way and get a result I'm not happy with I can back it up with her method and talk to her about it! That will be a relief, don't like this cloak-and-dagger with her, but honestly I'm afraid she'll refuse to see him if she knows I'm doing something she disapproves of.
     
  6. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    Hi Lucy,

    I've just seen this. If you haven't tested Squallie since you posted your last message, can you do a test now, please? That sudden ravening hunger is a very strong signal that his BG might be dropping quite fast. It would definitely be safer to check.
     
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  7. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for the heads-up! I just tested him, his BG was 162.
     
  8. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    Phew! Glad his numbers are OK.

    It's very good that you got the test before going to see the vetty bean. The reading there may very well be influenced by stress and might therefore be higher as a result, but not reliable for basing dosing decisions upon.

    If Squallie were mine, I'd really discuss with the vet stepping the dose back to an absolute maximum of 6 IU for the next cycle (or possibly less if his PMPS is on the low side). Again, check back here and ask for help with dosing this evening. (I won't be online but hopefully other members will be able to assist.)
     
  9. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    I agree, I'd like to take it back down to 6. I will check back here tonight with his pre-shot number, thanks. I hope you get some sleep tonight!
     
  10. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    Just back from the vet, she said his numbers are good if a little low and has reduced his dose to 6 units again, hooray! Obviously I will continue to monitor him (she wants me to use my new, expensive veterinary unit every other day-we'll see) and we'll just go from there. I am more comfortable with him at 6 units, his numbers seemed to be coming down and be more controlled before she put him up to 7 units.
     
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  11. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    Hi Lucy.

    Sounds like a more productive visit today. :)

    With regard to his numbers getting screwier on the higher dose, too much insulin can be just as problematic as too little insulin because the cat's liver can panic and produce more glucose thus driving levels higher.

    Remember to post for advice if you get a low-ish PMPS. I'd also recommend getting a 'before bed' test in. Primarily this will give you some bit of an idea of how the cycle is going and whether Squallie is in OK numbers before you go to sleep. It will also help you start to build a picture of what his night time cycles are like.
     
  12. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    Much more productive! I will get a "before bed" test tonight. I always get a pre-shot pm test so I will test him again 2-3 hours later, as well. Thanks! I appreciate the encouragement more than you can know!
     
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  13. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    Wanna bet? You should have seen the state of me this time last year just after Saoirse was diagnosed. :oops:
     
  14. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    Well, I'm glad to know I'm in good company, then :)
     
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  15. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    I have a wardrobe's worth of brown trousers. (Keep 'em next to the patience pants. :rolleyes:)
     
  16. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    Lol, I'm getting a good start on a very similar wardrobe! He's still only at 205 at his pre-shot test, once again I'm afraid to give him 6 units, I think that'll drop him too low a few hours up the road.
     
  17. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    More questions on dosages! My vet lowered Squall's dose to 6 units but at his pre-shot test his BG is still only 205. I'm really afraid if I give him 6 units he will drop too low later on tonight. Don't know what to do - again.
     
  18. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    Hi Lucy,

    Seen your post. BRB ...
     
  19. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    What are you feeding Squallie at the moment, Lucy?
     
  20. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    He eats Fancy Feast Pate' canned and ProPlan DM dry. He didn't eat much dinner (wet) tonight.
     
  21. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    If he hasn't eaten much, if he were mine I'd be quite conservative about dosing tonight. Can you stay up through the cycle if he goes low? How do you feel about a dose of 5 units?


    @BJM - if you're around, maybe you could suggest something for Lucy, please?
     
  22. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    I can stay up most of the night with him, if necessary. I think conservative is good! I'm okay with 5 units, or lower if need be.
     
  23. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    My thinking is that there's a possibility Squallie's BG might still be influenced a little by the vet trip, and he also hasn't eaten much. Thirdly, there is always the possibility of a little bit of carryover from the 7 unit dose given this morning. Add to that the possibility that Squallie might run lower at night (many cats do), a slightly lower dose might be better.

    Generally, 200 is the no-shot threshold when people don't have much data gathered. Given that you can stay up to monitor, if he were mine I'd try the 5IU dose. Assuming all goes OK through nadir (he seems to really get a bang for his buck on the Vetsulin!), I'd make sure that there was enough food left out for Squallie to graze on (higher carb if necessary) when it came time for me to get some bit of sleep.

    Hope that helps. You may hear from BJ if she's on the board.
     
  24. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    Okay,I just tested him again and his BG is now 281. I feel a whole lot more comfortable giving him 5 or 6 units at 281. probably go conservative and give him 5 tonight.
     
  25. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    Is that after food, Lucy?
     
  26. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    Thanks ! That's pretty much my exact plan for tonight. his BG has come up to 281 so I feel better about his shot than I did at 205.
     
  27. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    Yes, but he only ate a few bites. I' going to try him on some dry food now.
     
  28. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    'Tis a bit of a white knuckle ride at times. ;)
     
  29. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    Okey dokey. I'm off to my leaba. Hope everything goes OK with you two. Remember to post if you get stuck. If something does come up and you don't get an answer to your post on the Feline Health board, try asking for help on the Lantus board - there tends to be more footfall there and there are experienced members who should be able to assist you. Remember to use the 911 icon for your thread title should you have an emergency (gets eyes on your thread faster).

    Blessings for a good night to you both.



    Mogs
     
  30. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    Oh yes, so I am discovering! He just ate a little bit (maybe 1/8 cup) dry so I guess I consider that a win, lol.
    Thanks, same to you and Saoirse, sleep well!
     
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  31. BJM

    BJM Well-Known Member

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    It looks like he can drop about 28 to 32 mg/dL per unit of insulin, over about 6-8 hours based on the last 2 days.

    So using that to estimate, he might drop about 140 to160 mg/dL on 5 units, which could take him down from his pre-shot of 205 to around 45 to 65 mg/dL, give or take.

    Its just an estimate based on how he did yesterday and today.


    You may need to steer him a bit, with some medium or high carb food.
     
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  32. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    I just tested him again half an hour ago and he was at 281; I feel a little safer giving him 5 units at that level. Or am I fooling myself?
     
  33. BJM

    BJM Well-Known Member

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    I'm estimating based on 2 days of numbers. I think 5 units will be OK; I just wanted to give you some possibilities to help you decide.
    I took the pre-shot - lowest number tested and divided by the units to get the approximate drop per unit for each of the 2 days.
     
  34. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    Okay, thank you. and thanks for explaining the math, that makes sense. Does it help to continue to get numbers every 2-3 hours for a few more days, to really see where he is headed with his dosage?
     
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  35. BJM

    BJM Well-Known Member

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    The more data you can get, the better a picture you will have of how the insulin interacts with the glucose levels.
    That said, also take a look at my signature link Secondary Monitoring Tools as your cat is more than a glucose number!
     
  36. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    Stayed up with Squallie most of the night last night to try and get some night-time numbers for him. He was at 339 this morning pre-shot, I gave him 6 units and will test him again around lunchtime. Poor guy has had enough testing for a while, he runs when he thinks someone's gong to pick him up to do another test :-( Wish he could understand I'm doing this because I love him and want him to be well.

    And just a funny aside-I mentioned previously that my vet wanted me to buy a veterinary testing kit from her, and to have me do blood draws from his leg for testing-I went ahead and bought it yesterday, it's an AlphaTrak, complete with lancets and instructions on how to prick the ear to test! Now I just wonder who's crazier; her, for wanting me to do these blood draws, or me, for actually buying the kit when I have a perfectly good ReliOn I'm already using, lol!
     
  37. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    :D

    I use my Alphatrak for testing (but I've got severe PTSD and it made a huge psychological and emotional difference to me to be able to see actual pet-calibrated readings - I have much greater peace of mind. I have a human meter as a backup.

    Kitties are smart. He'll make the connection. :)

    You did great getting the PM cycle numbers. Very interested to know what his nadir will be today on the 6 units.
     
  38. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    I don't mind using either the AlphaTrak or te ReliOn-as long as I know what the numbers on each unit mean. I was just greatly amused that my vet made me learn how to do blood draws from his leg and frowned greatly upon my suggestion to test his ear, only to unpack the Alphatrak and be greeted by instructions for testing the ear, lol.

    I'll keep posting his numbers to his speadsheet; I'm still not entirely sure ow to "read" his spreadsheet, tho'.

    I really hope he does come to understand-the trip back to the vet yesterday was a nightmare for him, too, and I know he was terribly stressed when we got there (it was absolutely stinking hot and humid yesterday and my Jeep has no air conditioning, I was terrified he would have heat stroke before he got to the vet's) and the return trip was just as bad, for the same reasons. He is the most patient, long-suffering, cooperative sweet guy, and he never gives me a hard time (I have a Bengal it would be absolutely impossible to ever get a shot into, much less test, praying he never gets anything like this!) I just hate for him to think I'm causing him pain and not know why!
     
  39. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    I have visions of you pointing at the Alphatrak manual and going: "Nyah, nyah, ni-nyah nyah!" :p
     
  40. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    Lol, pretty much on the mark! Just tested him again at +4 hrs, his BG was 157. It took me forever, two of my other kitties decided to "help" and the new girl, who no one else is sure about yet, wanted to get in on the after-test treat action!
     
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  41. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    Absotively. Gotta getz me sum treatz ...

    :cat:
     
  42. Mitzelplik's Mom

    Mitzelplik's Mom Member

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    Giving treats or a favorite food at test time might help him feel better about it too. Sounds like you're doing great!

    Which I see you are already doing :). (Should have refreshed the page before I posted.) Maybe a little competition and peer-pressure will help.
     
  43. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    Lol, thanks! Btw, love your kitty's name, we once had a horse we nicknamed Mitzelplik! Not a name you see too often!
     
  44. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    Makes test time so much more bearable when there's a few goodies afterward!
     
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  45. Mitzelplik's Mom

    Mitzelplik's Mom Member

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    Too funny! I've never encountered another Mitzelplik.
     
  46. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    Don't forget beans need treats, too. Saoirse says, "You can haz truffelz"...

    [​IMG]
     
  47. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    Neither have I, you're the first!
     
  48. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    Yummy! :)
     
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  49. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    Duc d'O truffles are chocolate hea-ven!
     
  50. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    They look absolutely delicious! I don't think we have that brand here :-(.
     
  51. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    'Evening, all. I didn't monitor Squallie quite as closely today, figured he needed a little break from the ear sticks, but still got a couple of tests in. His numbers are higher today, with him back at 6 units :-(. He hasn't wanted to eat much today, right now he won't have anything to do with dinner, but it seems none of my other three will eat tonight, either, so it seems to be a household problem and not just Squallie, think maybe they've all decided they don't like Fancy Feast any more *sigh*. Should I still go ahead with his full evening dose even if he doesn't eat? If I wait for him to eat I could be waiting a very long time!
     
  52. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    What's the weather like where you are, Lucy?
     
  53. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    We are on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, very, VERY hot and muggy right now.
     
  54. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    That could be affecting their appetites. Got any parmesan cheese? Try grating some finely and sprinkling it on top. Some water from a tin of tuna is another idea.

    Don't know what to suggest about dosing other than if I were in a similar situation and Saoirse wasn't eating I'd either give a much-reduced BCS token dose or skip. I wouldn't give the full dose.
     
  55. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    Thanks. Sadly I don't have either tuna or Parmesan at the moment, I usually have both. Didn't know about the trick with the Parmesan, thanks, I will remember that! Trying to convince him to eat some dry food, we'll see how that goes (he prefers it to canned).
     
  56. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    Hope he eats for you soon. :)
     
  57. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    I did get him to eat a small amount of dry food, went to give him his shot and pretty much did a through-and-through, so he probably won't be getting too much insulin tonight, if any *disgusted*. What a roller coaster! Hope he'll be okay tonight, I can't do much testing tonight either as I am almost out of test strips.
     
  58. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    I'm feeling very discouraged today. Last night Squallie wouldn't eat the way he should before his shot, which turned out to be okay, I guess, since I seem to have gone through-and-through with the needle :-(, but hoped maybe a little bit actually found it's way into his system. Now this am he ate like a champ (the weather is much cooler today, my kitties are eating again except for my way-too-skinny rescue who desperately needs the calories) but when I gave him his shot apparently the needle bent and once again, no insulin for Squallie. I know I can't dose him again and I'm really concerned about his BG getting high. It was 355 this morning. Also, he seems to have discovered that he can tighten up his muscles and thwart the shot, little stinker!
     
  59. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    As you'll often read here, Lucy, the sugar dance is a marathon and not a sprint. Setbacks are a bummer but as long as we're getting our kitties some help we can do better next time.

    Does Squallie like to be brushed? When I was giving Saoirse her insulin we used to have a little fuss fest first. I'd brush her gently and speak soothingly to help her body relax, then I'd give her lots of praise and a treat afterwards. It made injection time a lot less stressful for both of us. There are some good videos on YouTube with ideas on how to make injection time better. Worth checking out.
     
  60. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for the ideas, Aine. I will also check out the videos. Shot time hasn't seemed to be as much of an issue as test time, until now. He never fights me about his shot, and I don't have to hold on to him, he sits there quietly and lets me administer it with no problem. He loves to get a body massage so we usually do that after his shot, maybe we'll try a quick massage before the shot, as well.
     
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  61. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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  62. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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  63. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    Well, he's at 359 tonight, pre-shot, high, I know, but not so far out of range, so I guess the day went better than expected. I'll settle for that, and consider it added to the "win" column, lol! And he ate "wet dins" with no fuss so if I can manage to actually get his insulin IN him tonight maybe I can de-stress for a couple of hours! Well, it sounded like a plan until I remembered my problems with Squall's spreadsheet :-( *sigh*.
     
  64. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    That's not a bad PMPS at all, Lucy, all things considered. :)
     
  65. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    No, it's not, amazingly! AND I did actually manage to get all 6 units of insulin in him tonight, hooray! We did a little massage before-hand, so he was nice and loose for the shot. We sure are finishing the day better than we started, lol!

    It's always good to see your responses to my posts, you are so very encouraging! But do you ever sleep, lol? I know it's after 3:eek:o a.m. in the U.K. right now! I have terrible insomnia so I don't sleep much, myself. Helps on those nights when I need to stay up with Squallie.
     
  66. Shiloh & Rhonda (GA)

    Shiloh & Rhonda (GA) Well-Known Member

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    Lucy, it's only a little after 10 pm here, and I am up feeling poop!
     
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  67. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    So sorry to hear you suffer from insomnia, Lucy. I have chronic, severe PTSD. My sleeping has been a mess for 9 years. :(

    I'm glad that I've been able to help you a little bit. Things can be so overwhelming in the early days after Dx.
     
  68. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    The joy of fecal exams. We really do know how to have a good time ... :rolleyes:
     
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  69. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    Sounds like fun, lol. I guess maybe I should ask, "why?"
     
  70. Shiloh & Rhonda (GA)

    Shiloh & Rhonda (GA) Well-Known Member

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    Lucy, Shiloh has been a little high for her, and someone suggested she might be a little constipated. I actually managed to catch her in the LB, and was checking to see if the poop was hard or soft. Not really fun!
     
  71. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    Yes, very overwhelming! PTSD must be terrible to live with, I am so sorry. I have a couple of acquaintances who suffer the torments of the damned because of PTSD. I am disabled with severe lung disease and a lot of my meds have side effects that cause insomnia.
     
  72. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    Sorry, I was being facetious about it sounding like fun, of course it isn't. I tend to go for dark humor in bad situations, I didn't mean to offend. I hope Shiloh is okay. And I know how hard it can be sometimes to actually catch them in the litterbox!
     
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  73. BJM

    BJM Well-Known Member

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    On a non-feline bent - have you heard of and/or experienced EMD therapy? (eye movement desensitization). It is supposed to be helpful for PTSD.

    And an interesting book - Brain Lock - discusses how certain types of exposure therapy may actually help reprogram OCD patients; they have PET scans showing the brain function changing.

    Another concept you might find interesting to explore is neuro-linguistic programming (NLP). One book is Frogs Into Princes; another is Change Your Mind; Keep The Change.

    Ideas, not mandates. If they are helpful, great.
     
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  74. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    They all sound interesting to me, I do have some OCD issues. I especially like the idea of Change Your Mind; Keep The Change!
     
  75. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    I'm really sorry to hear about the lung disease, Lucy, and the OCD. :( :bighug:

    I'm crippled with OCD - Howard Hughes level of severity (developed as a result of the PTSD being so bad). Wish I had shares in Carex, kitchen paper and disposable gloves. :(

    Here's a link to a site associated with BJ's book recommendation.

    Brain Lock - Four Steps
     
  76. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    Thank you for the link! Sorry to hear about your OCD, yours sounds a lot worse than mine. I just got the "all-clear" from a scary PET scan - negative for suspected cancer - so I'm pretty chuffed right now! The OCD is weird-silly-things to most people-and complicates life (Guess I'm preaching to the choir, you probably know this better than me!) but thankfully is mostly manageable. Although sometimes I feel like I'm locked in a death-match struggle with the coffee maker-grrr! I have always had OCD, but it didn't get really bad until I lost my husband. Not sure what Carex is, but I know both Lysol and bleach will make your hands bleed without the disposable gloves :-(.
     
  77. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    Squallie's BG continues to climb, 404 AMPS this morning :-(. I will monitor throughout the day. Seems like 7 units was going to push him too low, but 6 units isn't controlling it. He hasn't had numbers in the 400s in a week or more.
     
  78. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    Lucy, it's great that you got the all-clear. I'm very sad to read that you lost your hubby. You have really been through so much. :bighug::bighug:

    I'd suggest sticking with the 6 units tonight. You only gave 5 the previous two doses. You may find that this morning's 6 unit dose might have some carryover into tonight's cycle. Maybe try to get a PM+3 reading to see where the cycle's going.
     
  79. Shiloh & Rhonda (GA)

    Shiloh & Rhonda (GA) Well-Known Member

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    May 9, 2015
    No offense taken at all, Lucy! I knew you were joking.
     
  80. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 26, 2015
    Thank you :).
    I gave him 6 units last night and again this a.m. The numbers seemed high to me this a.m. but at +3 and +8 hours they're still coming down. I just tested him with the Alphatrak (so I can report to the vet) and his BG was 172; since he started the day at over 400 that 172 looks pretty good to me!
     
  81. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2014
    I've just noticed your dates are gone wonky in the spreadsheet. That's where I was getting the 5's from.:rolleyes:
     
  82. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 26, 2015
    Whew, that's a relief! Sometimes things that sound okay in my head seem snarky or uncaring in type, and I never mean to convey that. Hope Shiloh is alright today!
     
    Critter Mom likes this.
  83. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 26, 2015
    Yes, I don't know how that happened to the spreadsheet, or how to fix it.

    Seems like it's always crisis here at my zoo, my son just told me the back door got left open and one of my Bengals (who are strictly indoor cats, all of mine are) is loose!
     
  84. Shiloh & Rhonda (GA)

    Shiloh & Rhonda (GA) Well-Known Member

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    May 9, 2015
    Oh, Lucy! How I know EXACTLY what you are saying!! Shiloh is fine. And oh no on the escapee! Hopefully he comes home soon!
     
  85. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 26, 2015
    Thanks. Glad Shiloh is okay!

    My escapee is very exotic-looking and I'm always terrified he will be mistaken for something other than a sweet house cat - where I live it is very rural, and lots of people have guns :-( Very scary.
     
  86. Shiloh & Rhonda (GA)

    Shiloh & Rhonda (GA) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 9, 2015
    I had a German Shepard/Sheltie mix that I had to give away a long time ago (long story.). And a farmer mistook this black dog for a fox, (really????). That was in rural Missouri, where it seems like everyone has a gun. I know the stress.
     
  87. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 26, 2015
    That's tragic, so sorry! I doubt anyone around here even knows what a Bengal looks like, sadly, so I'm afraid he'll be mistaken for some type of wild cat.
     
  88. Shiloh & Rhonda (GA)

    Shiloh & Rhonda (GA) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 9, 2015
    I could see it being mistaken for a bobcat, but Bengals have tails. So hopefully people will pay attention. Any luck?
     
  89. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    Jun 26, 2015
    No luck yet. I've locked all the other cats in my bedroom and just opened up the doors to outside. In typical Bengal fashion, he doesn't like being picked up so I can't catch him, I have to wait for him to come to me.
     
  90. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2014
    Any news on your kitty? Does he like tuna? Stand at the door and bang a fork against a tin or a dish and call him.
     
  91. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 26, 2015
    Khoji (my escapee) is home safe. He finally strolled in around 11:30 last night. Squallie's BG was high again this a.m. :-(
     
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  92. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    Jun 16, 2014
    YEEEEEHAAAAAAAAAAH!!! Khoji's home. I'm very relieved. :D

    I bet your BG was high last night, Lucy, before the prodigal returned! ;)
     
  93. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 26, 2015
    Squall's BG was 257 PMPS last night. Is it possible to give the shot "wrong" even if it looks like you're doing it properly? I noticed both last night and this morning he jumped, drew away and shot me a look when I gave him his shot, like it really hurt. Usually he acts like he doesn't even feel it.
     
  94. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2014
    It is possible to give a 'fur shot' where the insulin doesn't go in properly, or you poke out the other side of the tent. If my own experience is anything to go by, sometimes they do feel it more than others. Saoirse used to hide when her Caninsulin injections were due because the insulin itself made her feel so lousy when it was active in her system. She wasn't as bad on Lantus but Lantus can sting and she would flinch occasionally while I was giving the injection - and sometimes I think I wasn't that skilled in giving the injection itself. Didn't arf make me feel like an out 'n' out fink. :oops:

    Hopefully other members may be able to give you some more pointers. I'm not sure whether Caninsulin stings or not.
     
  95. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    Jun 26, 2015
    Lol!

    I didn't know if it was possible to give the shot too deep, like getting into muscle rather than just SC. I just don't want to do anything potentially harmful to him!
     
  96. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2014
    It is possible to get it into muscle or somewhere it shouldn't go, but never having done so I can't tell you what to look out for. I forgot to mention in my previous post that you can usually tell if it's a fur shot because your poor moggy will smell of insulin. :rolleyes:

    The trick is to pull up a good 'tent' then aim for the 'door' with the needle at about a 45 degree angle. Grab a spare syringe and practice the angle on an orange.
     
  97. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 26, 2015
    I've done my share of fur shots, lol, that's what I call "through-and-through." "Fur shot" is much simpler to type! I wasn't really having problems giving the shots until the last couple of days; I just want to make sure I don't do something that would make him sick, or something like that.
     
  98. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2014
    You and me both, Lucy. I get on OK with the ear pricks, but I was always a bit of a wuss when it came to giving injections for fear of hurting my beloved girl.
     
  99. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    Jun 26, 2015
    Aine, you should have seen my hands shake when the vet was having me draw blood from Squallie's leg! After that, the ear pricks and the injections seemed easy-peasey, lol!
     
  100. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    Jun 16, 2014
    Eek! (*shudders*)
     
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