Vetsulin dosing advice

Discussion in 'Feline Health - (Welcome & Main Forum)' started by Squalliesmom, Aug 7, 2015.

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  1. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    Hi, all. Squallie's numbers have been all-over-the-place-crazy the last few days, and he's had two hypo episodes in two days. He was on 7 units twice daily; the vet dropped him down yesterday to 4 units 3x daily at 8 hr intervals. Well, he got his 4 units this AM, went fairly low around the +6 mark and was still low at +8 so I decided not to shoot at 8 hrs. Now we've come up on 12 hours and he's still pretty low, for him, at 226. I honestly don't know whether to give him 4 units now or not, I don't want him to go hypo again but I don't want his BG to soar way up, either!
     
  2. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    He also isn't terribly interested in eating right now, which complicates it further.
     
  3. Sue and Oliver (GA)

    Sue and Oliver (GA) Well-Known Member

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    I always think it is better for a kitty to be high than low. If he were mine, I'd reduce to 2 units and see how he does. If after a few cycles, he is too high then increase to 2.5. If you decide to do this, be sure to check for ketones. I would not dose him every 8 hours when his numbers are so volatile and dropping.
     
  4. Shiloh & Rhonda (GA)

    Shiloh & Rhonda (GA) Well-Known Member

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    No advice here, Lucy. Sorry! But sending hugs and support!
     
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  5. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    Thank you, I can always use the hugs and support!
     
  6. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    Seems like sound advice, I may give this a try! It's very hard to check him for ketones, he is a very "sneaky pee-er" and it's hard to catch him in the litter box, lol! I'll have to refresh my memory for symptoms, too.
     
  7. Shiloh & Rhonda (GA)

    Shiloh & Rhonda (GA) Well-Known Member

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    Do all the cats use the same litter box?
     
  8. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    Fingers and paws crossed for a smooth and uneventful cycle, Lucy. :)

    :bighug:
     
  9. Shiloh & Rhonda (GA)

    Shiloh & Rhonda (GA) Well-Known Member

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    And so glad Khoji is home!!
     
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  10. Sue and Oliver (GA)

    Sue and Oliver (GA) Well-Known Member

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    Oliver would not let us watch him pee. We put him a room with a clean litter box (we put aquarium gravel in ours so the urine wouldn't soak in) he would have to "christen" the clean box and we'd have our sample.
     
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  11. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    Thanks, I may try this. I'll have to refresh my memory for symptoms of ketones, he's very hard to catch in the litter box.

    Right now I'm really feeling discouraged, and I'm starting to wonder if I'm doing the right thing at all. Poor Squallie is so very tired today and he doesn't want any dinner, and he just looks at me like he's trying to tell me he doesn't feel good. I don't want to keep putting him through hell and misery; I've never seen him look at me this way before. It's just breaking my heart.
     
  12. Maggies Mom Debby

    Maggies Mom Debby Well-Known Member

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    He has been on an internal roller coaster, so it's not surprising he's tired. It get's easier and better. REALLY!
     
  13. Sue and Oliver (GA)

    Sue and Oliver (GA) Well-Known Member

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    You and Squallie have had a rough few days. Human diabetics say that bouncing from high to low numbers feels really crummy. What I am thinking is that a lower dose will give you both a break for a couple cycles without the stress of his possibly falling into ranges that are dangerously low.

    Is there something he really enjoys - a special treat human or cat - that you could "dress" his food? It would be a good idea if you can get him eating.
     
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  14. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    It's just killing me to see him like this. I finally tempted him to eat, with a little chicken and a tiny bite of gravy food (bad, I know), but he really only ate a few mouthfulls.
     
  15. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    He likes his "vet approved" snackies, which are probably way high in carbs. I've given him a few of them. He definitely enjoyed the tiny mouthful of high carb gravy food I gave him :-\
     
  16. Shiloh & Rhonda (GA)

    Shiloh & Rhonda (GA) Well-Known Member

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    Eating is really important. Sometimes it doesn't matter what it is, as long as he eats something.
     
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  17. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    His BG is at 271 now, should I give him 4 units? I think that'll be safe, but after the last couple of days I'm not so confidant any more.
     
  18. Shiloh & Rhonda (GA)

    Shiloh & Rhonda (GA) Well-Known Member

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    I think I would go with Sue's advice and try 2. Just see how he does.
     
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  19. Cat Ma

    Cat Ma Well-Known Member

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    It took CJ awhile to recover from her Novolin hypo episode. It was heartbreaking for me to watch but as others mention, Squallie has been through a rough time and this is very normal. It will get better.
     
  20. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    Well, he's decided the high carb dry kitten food is just delish, plenty happy to eat that!
     
  21. Shiloh & Rhonda (GA)

    Shiloh & Rhonda (GA) Well-Known Member

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    My reasoning....he dropped almost 300 points on the 4 units. And he is lower now than he was at AM. 2 units may give him a safe surf, without worry of hypo and give you some rest!
     
  22. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    Okay, that seems like a good plan. He did finally eat some food, although it was high carb. But at least he has something in his tummy.
     
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  23. Shiloh & Rhonda (GA)

    Shiloh & Rhonda (GA) Well-Known Member

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    Just looked at his SS. Did you give him the 4 units?
     
  24. Sue and Oliver (GA)

    Sue and Oliver (GA) Well-Known Member

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    If you think 2 units is too big a drop, you could do 2.5 I'd plan On getting a before bed test and maybe a nadir? As he has had some higher carb, his numbers may run a little higher.
     
  25. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    Yes, they share all the boxes.
     
  26. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    That makes good sense to me. I was looking back over his spreadsheet and seeing places where he was okay with a higher dose at a lower BG, but those were all before his hypo episodes. If he's more insulin-sensitive now I'd rather err on the side of caution.

    I also just realized that he's 14 hours out from his last dose, not 12. Changing dosing time to accommodate a 3x daily schedule put me two hours back.
     
    Last edited: Aug 7, 2015
    Reason for edit: Additional information added
  27. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    No, I went with 2, to be safe.
     
  28. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    I went ahead and gave him 2 units. I plan on checking him periodically to make sure his numbers are okay, definitely before bed and nadir.
     
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  29. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    He's finally stopped turning his face to the wall and has come out to socialize a little with me! He won't really look at me, but he's settled in next to me :)
     
  30. Sue and Oliver (GA)

    Sue and Oliver (GA) Well-Known Member

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    That's good that he is feeling better. If his pmps was 271 at +14, he likely was in the low 200s (or lower) at +12. I hope the lower dose will help you both sleep tonight!
     
  31. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    Yes, we certainly need some sleep here! Thank you :)
     
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  32. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    Thank you, Sue @Sue and Oliver (GA) , and all who seconded her advice on only giving Squallie 2 units tonight! At +3 he is at 167, 4 units would have taken him too low again, I feel certain! Going to set my alarm and check him again around 3:30, but I think he'll be okay tonight. :):):)

    Thank you, all!
     
  33. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    Does Squallie seem any tiny bit more relaxed, sociable, or any way brighter in himself when the insulin's wearing off? If yes, that's a very good indicator that the Vetsulin action is making him feel like carp. Saoirse was the very same way (on Caninsulin - UK brand name for Vetsulin). She started trying really hard to hide somewhere inaccessible come injection time. At first I thought it was me mucking up administration of the injection but it turned out to be that she hated the way the insulin made her feel. Nine or ten hours out of every cycle she was miserable and lethargic, and spent most of that time hiding behind a curtain, only coming out to get food. Caninsulin absolutely hammered her system. Before the dose kicked in and also when it was almost worn off she would be brighter and more sociable. As I said to our vet at the time, it was like having two different cats.

    All of the above changed when Saoirse was switched to Lantus. It was like night and day. The harsh drops and wild swings disappeared and immediately the hiding stopped; and so did her attempts to escape from further injections. The lethargy vanished, too, to be replaced with alertness and engagement. She became brighter, healthier, and happier with every day.

    Not every insulin agrees with every cat. It is a hormone, after all! Just as Caninsulin didn't agree with Saoirse, some cats can't get on at all with Lantus but positively thrive on Levemir (and vice versa). If Vetsulin isn't right for Squallie there are other insulins out there, and you will find one that is right for him.

    As is oft said here, sometimes the right food is the one your kitty can eat. :)

    The current situation is temporary. The two of you are still working out the steps of your very own sugar dance. It does take a little time, but things will get better - for both of you. Hang in there; we'll be with you every step of the way.

    :bighug: ((Lucy & Squallie)) :bighug:



    Mogs
    .
     
  34. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    Thank you so much for the advice and the hugs, Aine! (Do you prefer Mogs?) He is different whenthe Vetsulin wears off. But he's also different when it seems to be properly (and that's the keyword here) regulating his BG.

    I only gave him 2 units last night. This AMPS was 442 so I'm giving him the 4 units and we'll just go on from there with monitoring to see how he handles it.

    Hope Saoirse is doing well! Hugs back to you both!
     
  35. Shiloh & Rhonda (GA)

    Shiloh & Rhonda (GA) Well-Known Member

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    Aine, question? I googled "Mogs" which I learned is British slang for cats, or can mean the equivalent of "leaving for now." What does it mean for you?
     
  36. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    And of course I had to go and screw up what has been, so far, a pretty good morning. I only gave him 2 unit, don't know what I was thinking, but I immediately gave him another 2 units, for a total of 4. I hope that was okay to do! Please someone tell me I haven't done something terrible to my beloved Squallie!
     
    Last edited: Aug 8, 2015
    Reason for edit: mispelling
  37. Shiloh & Rhonda (GA)

    Shiloh & Rhonda (GA) Well-Known Member

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    How far apart were the two shots?
     
  38. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    Less than a minute.
     
  39. Shiloh & Rhonda (GA)

    Shiloh & Rhonda (GA) Well-Known Member

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    You should be fine. I have seen some higher dose kitties that get the shots spread into two injections at the same time. Was it your intention all along to give 4 units?
     
  40. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    Yes, it was, I don't know what I was thinking! I realized it immediately, as I gave the first 2 units, so just drew up another 2 units (but with a fresh syringe) and shot him again. Stupid of me :-(
    On the bright side I did catch Mr. Sneaky Pee-er in the box, so I tested him for ketones, which were negative. He also ate all of his breakfast this morning, which was a relief!
     
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  41. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    @Squalliesmom - Watch him very closely this cycle, Lucy. Even though the AMPS was high this morning, the 4 units of Vetsulin could still drop Squallie's BG like a rock. Assuming that there was only a few minutes between the doses you should be able to treat it as a single dose (though I don't know whether injecting the Vetsulin into two different sites will affect its action at all - just musing to myself about this) and it should not affect your normal dosing schedule (i.e. PMPS should be 12 hours after the time you gave the second injection this morning).

    I would not give 4IU Vetsulin at the moment if it was my cat. I still think it's too high. As Sue recommended last night, I think you should stick with 2IU BID to see how it suits Squallie for several cycles before adjusting again (unless, of course, the 2 unit Vetsulin dose proves to be too high, in which case you would need to reduce the dose further). @Sue and Oliver (GA) - if you're around at all before Squallie's next dose is due, it would be great if you could weigh in on this, please.

    I'm delighted to hear that Squallie's appetite is better today. Good news on the ketone check as well. :)


    Mogs


    ETA:

    Even though Vetsulin is not a depot insulin, it is still important to dose it fairly consistently. Resetting at 2 IU BID for now should be safer, kinder on Squallie's system, and it will also help you to determine whether the high PS numbers are just poor regulation alone or whether they're being influenced by bounces. I really do think that the higher doses of Vetsulin are carrying over into the following cycle. That's equivalent to giving Squallie 'known dose + X' - and there's no way of determining how large or small that X might be. (My two penn'orth.)
    .
     
    Last edited: Aug 8, 2015
  42. Jan Radar (GA)

    Jan Radar (GA) Well-Known Member

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    Lucy, I agree with Aine and Sue. If Squallie was my cat I would not give him 4 units. I think it's too much. I think you will need to watch him very closely today to make sure he doesn't drop like a rock and get too low.
    I agree with Sue and Aine to stick with 2 units for a few cycles and see how he does. For me having the cat too high is an easier thing to deal with than the stress of a cat who is too low.
     
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  43. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    Thank you all for your help and advice. Unfortunately I already gave him his 4 units, based on his high BG this AM. I have called the vet about yesterday's issues and she has asked me to test periodically and call with results (finally - hallelujah!), and I will post them on his spreadsheet as I get them. I will also keep updating this thread with any thing new. Thanks, folks, for sticking with me through this and providing me with such great advice and support! I don't know what Squallie and I would do without you all!
     
  44. Sue and Oliver (GA)

    Sue and Oliver (GA) Well-Known Member

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    I think watching his numbers would be wise today. It's hard to know whether his amps was a bounce from a low overnight after your last test or whether the dose just ran out before amps. If he were mine, I'd be tempted to take the cautious approach and restart at a lower dose like 2U, increasing slowly as needed.

    The diet and insulin is definitely starting to work together and he may start to gradually need less insulin. This would be great. You are getting longer cycles, which is unusual with vetsulin but great for Squallie.
     
  45. Shiloh & Rhonda (GA)

    Shiloh & Rhonda (GA) Well-Known Member

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    FWIW: I was trying to say that giving the 4 units in 2 doses shouldn't affect the effectiveness of the insulin. That was not a comment on the dose itself.
     
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  46. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    'Moggie' is the usual slang term for cats in the UK. Although originally intended to be the feline equivalent of 'mongrel' for dogs, its use is no longer limited to refer to 'Heinz' cats and it us used to refer to any cat, pedigree or no pedigree.

    Given my distinct fondness for those beings of a feline persuasion, I ended up with the nickname 'Moglet' (just changed my signature to include it), but friends variously call me Mogs, Moggers, Moggie, Mogster, Moggins, etc.


    Yep. :cat:
    .
     
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  47. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    Just tested him again, his BG is 112 with the Relion, 165 with the AlphaTrak. I will probably check him again in another hour or so, and maybe give him some wet food if he's getting a whole lot lower. I put a call in to the vet and she will call me back as soon as she can. I really am curious to hear what she has to say this time.
     
  48. How many hours since his shot?
     
  49. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    How long after injection time is that, Lucy?

    BTW, if you get any low numbers test with the Alphatrak for your vet instead of sticking to a set time in the cycle. That way she can't diss your data on grounds that a human meter isn't telling the real story. ;)
    .
     
  50. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    I knew Moggie was a kitty in the UK, so I figured that Mogs was probably your nickname, and a wonderful one, at that! I had a great aunt who was called Moggie, but it was just because her nieces and nephews couldn't pronounce Margaret when they were very little, lol!
     
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  51. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    Snap! :)
     
  52. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    Three hours since I gave him 4 units.
     
  53. I would offer him the food now rather than waiting an hour.
     
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  54. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    Missed this earlier. That is very reminiscent of Saoirse's behaviour when she was on Caninsulin.
    .
     
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  55. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    Three hours, and I always use the Alphatrak numbers for the vet. She doesn't approve of using a human meter!
     
  56. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    Okay, will do.
     
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  57. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    I was very much assuming this to be the case. The thing is your vet has asked you to give her results for a spot check pretty much at the same time in each cycle. To enable you to steward your relationship with your vet, it will very much strengthen your credibility with her if you can show her the low readings - Squallie's true nadirs - tested on equipment from which she is prepared to accept the results, and which she therefore has no grounds to dismiss out of hand.

    Cats don't read vet manuals. They nadir when they nadir, not when the vet thinks they should.
    .
     
    Last edited: Aug 8, 2015
  58. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    I got him to eat a couple of mouthfuls of Evo dry and maybe a 1/2 tbsp of no-carb canned. Should I try him on some canned food with carbs?
     
  59. What he ate should be ok. Test at +4 and see if it slowed things down, I think.
     
  60. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    That's exactly what I'm doing. I 'm going to keep testing and calling with numbers and patterns until I get her attention or she tells me to find another vet!
     
  61. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    Atta girl, Lucy!

    [​IMG]
     
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  62. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    Okay, thanks! This is making me crazy; this is the first time in three days that I have remembered to take my own daily medicine, I have been so focused on Squallie! I just worry all the time now that his BG is going to plunge too low!
     
  63. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    Mogs, do you know if I can use Alphatrak 2 test strips in a plain Alphatrak glucometer? I am almost out of strips and can only find Alphatrak 2.
     
  64. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    I think so. I'll just check my product literature. BRB ...
     
  65. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    Is your meter grey, Lucy?
     
  66. This was my logic:
    I think the 400+ you saw this morning was partially due to a bounce. He might have gone lower than you saw overnight. And looking at your spreadsheet, he has bounced before, but the numbers don't stay high for very long. So his bounces seem to clear quickly.

    Dropping as far as he did by +3, it looks like if it was a bounce, it cleared really fast. So rather than you having to be in "react mode" at +4, I was hoping the food would stop him from dropping much further. You can use food to intervene before things get to the point where a crisis is happening.
     
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  67. Maggies Mom Debby

    Maggies Mom Debby Well-Known Member

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    You really need to take care of yourself! You need to take care of YOU so you can take care of Squallie and the rest of your family. So stop, breathe, and remember your own meds.

    Though we all worry about hypos, once you get a better grip on how this is all working, it will be easier.
     
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  68. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    Down to 75 with the Relion, 126 with Alphatrak at +4 hrs. Giving him a little Fancy Feast Pate to help offset a plunge.
     
  69. BJM

    BJM Well-Known Member

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    If you've a smart phone with a calendar app, you might set timers to remind you to take your meds.
    I call my phone my pocket memory!
     
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  70. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    It's purple, and I'm a total idiot! The box just says Alphatrak but when I glanced at the meter just now to check the color it states very clearly at the top "AlphaTRAK2"!
     
  71. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    Nice one. The Alphatrak 2 strips can be used with the grey Alphatrak meter but you need to set a different reference number on it.
     
  72. I have to run out for a while but will try to check in on my phone. I think you're fine and you've been dealing with this scenario a lot recently, so you have it under control!

    I'm also thinking even 4u is more than enough, and going forward, 2u or at most 3u every 12 hours makes sense.
     
  73. pevsfreedom

    pevsfreedom Well-Known Member

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    stupid q inbound: What is an alphtatrak and why is it Differnt then a relion meter? Is it specifically for animals? Why does it read different? Why do you test with 2? (just curious).
     
  74. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    Lol, I've done this for years and have a tendency to ignore them when I'm busy, figuring I'll get to it as soon as I can, and of course then I promptly forget as my mind moves on to the next crisis!
     
  75. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    Agreed!
     
  76. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    Thanks :)
     
  77. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    @pevsfreedom -

    The concentration of glucose in blood differs between animals and humans. Veterinary meters such as the Alphatrak are calibrated to suit animals and give a 'truer' measure (similar to lab analyzers) of, say, cat blood glucose than a human meter . Human meters give lower readings than veterinary meters, but they are consistently lower and therefore suitable for measuring cats' blood glucose levels provided a cat-specific human meter reference range is used. For example, you will see the hypo threshold quoted on this site as 50mg/dL (2.8mmol/L) on a human meter, and 68mg/dL (3.8mmol/L) for an Alphatrak.

    The human meter test strips are much cheaper so it reduces the cost of managing the care of a diabetic cat, especially if one is endeavouring to keep one's cat quite tightly regulated and therefore testing frequently.

    Lucy's using two meters because the human meter's cheaper for day to day testing and the vet wants to see test data from the Alphatrak.
    ,
     
    Last edited: Aug 8, 2015
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  78. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    The Alphatrak is specifically designed for veterinary use in dogs and cats. The values are a little different, but basically a meter is a meter, as long as you know the parameters of the numbers. I only use two because I got the Relion to test Squallie before my vet told me to, and she doesn't approve of using a human meter and testing from the ear. So I bought the Alphatrak from her to keep her happy, and she is familiar with those values rather than the Relion. I only use those numbers for her reference, really. I don't think 've explained this very well, I hope I haven't just added more confusion!
     
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  79. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

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    Thank you, you explained it SO much better than I did, Lol!
     
  80. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 26, 2015
    Well, at +5 he's back up to 126, after some FF Pate at +4. Still no call from vet.
     
  81. pevsfreedom

    pevsfreedom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2015
    Thanks both for the explanation. Nice looking #'s today, besides what I'm assuming is a amps bounce. Luna dropped under 60 yesterday (first time ever under 100) and I used the info I've been gathering in watching Squallie's adventures and got her to surf for a few hours!
     
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  82. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2014
    Are you OK for now, Lucy? I need to duck away.
    .
     
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  83. Cat Ma

    Cat Ma Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 21, 2015
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  84. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 26, 2015
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  85. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 26, 2015
    Sorry I didn't see this earlier and respond, when I made sure his #'s were coming up I took a much-needed nap!
     
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  86. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 26, 2015
    Squallie is at 233 at +8. There's just no way giving him 4-4-4 at 8 hr intervals is ever going to be viable. I don't think he should be given ANY insulin at +8; I'll check him again at +12.
     
  87. I agree. I would forget the whole every 8 hours option. I think your vet is completely wrong with that idea.
     
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  88. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 26, 2015
    Yes, and I'm really miffed that she never called me back today after I called in numbers. Here's how that went down: I called yesterday, office was closed, left msg w/BG #s; Tech/asst called me this AM and "scolded" me for not calling in #s, I set her straight on that count and gave her AMPS #s as well at that time, also said I'd call at +3 hrs with update; called w/update, she said vet wasn't there, she would have her call re: #s; waited, called back myself, asked for info on Alphatrak test strip purchase, basically got "scolded" again for wanting to buy them online, where they are cheaper; still no call-back from vet. I'm starting to wonder if the vet ever got the messages! I am more than a little annoyed; I used to like this tech, but now I am having serious issues with her! :-( :-(

    Sorry for the rant, just had to get that out of my system and share with other ears (or eyes, as the case may be) who understand my frustration and irritation!
     
  89. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2014
    I'm glad you managed to get some rest, Lucy. I remember going through this last year. It's tough. :bighug:

    I get the sense that you're still dealing with a bit of a dilemma between choosing whether to do what the vet is asking you to do, or instead to listen to what Squallie's body is telling you he needs.

    I don't really stick my neck out when it comes to dosing, but I feel I need to this time. I've seen Squallie's data and I also think your vet is completely wrong about 8-8-8 dosing. I think your vet is completely wrong about a lot of things when it comes to treatment of feline diabetes. (Your vet has already given you dangerous dosing advice this week.)
    .
     
    Last edited: Aug 8, 2015
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  90. pevsfreedom

    pevsfreedom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2015
    If I were you I would drop the alphatrak meter completely, along with the strips and stick with the relion meter, and go with dosing based off of peoples experience here along with your home testing #'s, and basically ditch the vet completely except for required testing & prescription type stuff.. it's your right as a consumer to shop around and this vet has given you horrible advice many times. I would visit and communicate with them as little as possible.
     
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  91. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    Jun 16, 2014
    Excuse me??? :mad:
    .
     
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  92. pevsfreedom

    pevsfreedom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2015
    I showed my vet where I buy stuff and he said he's gonna start buying there because it's cheaper then where he gets the stuff! No scolding, in fact he said it's a great idea to shop around as FD is expensive and the more money I save the better I can take care of Luna. That's what a vet should say.
     
  93. Jan Radar (GA)

    Jan Radar (GA) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 27, 2015
    I know that driving to a closer vet is more convenient and easier on the wallet in terms of gas not to mention the time involved, but in your shoes I personally would be done and looking for another vet option. It may be farther away but it would be more than worth it to me to keep my furbaby in competent medical hands. You don't have to put up with this treatment by the tech or the "howling" bad directives and lack of response by this vet in just the past couple of days. What happens when there is something going on of a really serious nature that you can't handle?? Make no mistake about it, you are the one who saved Squallie this week not once but a few times. It's worth thinking about...
     
  94. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 26, 2015
    Agreed!!!
     
  95. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 26, 2015
    I know, this has occurred to me before, as well. I just don't know. Even if I continue taking Squallie to her, what, as you say, would I do in a dire emergency?!? I don't think she is equipped to deal with it!
     
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  96. pevsfreedom

    pevsfreedom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2015
    Personally I would use her for testing and prescriptions, and that's about it. I would also be very, very firm with her. Tell her you have done your research and you know what she needs. If you require routine care I'd see if there's ANYONE else to try, and I'd also look up a 24 hour emergency vet hospital if anything goes seriously wrong (which she probably would not be able to handle). I'm lucky in that I have like 45,000 vets in a 10 mile radius lol.
     
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  97. Squalliesmom

    Squalliesmom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 26, 2015
    I had to go out for a bit so I'm a little late in dosing tonight. I just tested Squallie, his BG is 383. Just wondered what you all thought for his PM dose; not sure I want to give 4 units as he seems to have such a sharp drop in the first 3-4 hours. I gave 2 units last night and he was pretty high this AM, I wondered about maybe giving him 3 instead?
     
  98. Sue and Oliver (GA)

    Sue and Oliver (GA) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2009
    How late are you? I am wondering if, for example +12 was an hour ago, how much lower he might have been?
     
  99. Shiloh & Rhonda (GA)

    Shiloh & Rhonda (GA) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 9, 2015
    I am thinking going with Sue's advice from last night, and go with 2 units, shoot it am and pm and see what he does. I am sure others will be along soon.
     
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