? Recently hypoglycemic cat, opinions needed!

Discussion in 'Feline Health - (Welcome & Main Forum)' started by AlisonRiley, Dec 28, 2017.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. AlisonRiley

    AlisonRiley Member

    Joined:
    Feb 23, 2016
    My Sweetpea is diabetic and recently I had a scare with her and it turned out she was hypoglycemic. She has been well managed on 1.5 units of Lantus twice a day (every 12 hours). The vet took her off insulin for 4 days over the holiday weekend and Peeps seemed to improve so much, I was sure she was going to take her off the Lantus entirely since she said she may not be diabetic anymore.

    So yesterday she went in for another fructosamine test (184) and a blood glucose test (300), and my vet said to start giving her 1 unit of Lantus twice a day. I gave her the shot last night and cried, I felt like I was harming her. My mom did her am shot. I came back from an appointment a few hours later and she seemed ill again. I called the vet and she said to lay off the insulin for a few days again.

    From my knowledge 184 is quite low for the fructosamine number, so wouldn't the insulin make that number even lower causing her to go hypoglycemic again? I feel like she shouldn't be on the Lantus anymore at all. Please shed some light on this for me given her numbers, I'm so nervous. My girl is also nearly 17. Thank you!
     
  2. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2016
    A fructosamine test gives you an average of BGs over the previous couple of weeks. Certainly insulin dosing can affect this average. The best way to know what's going on with your kitty is to learn to test her BG at home. That single BG test at the vet's office of 300 could have been raised because of stress. Home testing can give a better idea of how she's doing at her current dose. If she's had episodes of hypoglycemia the dose might be too high.
     
  3. JanetNJ

    JanetNJ Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2016
    Yeah definitely time to start testing at home. Since the fructosamine test is a 2-3 week average it doesn't really tell you much. A bg of 300, while it could be raised from vet stress and possibly a bounce from going too low, tells us that she probably does still need some insulin support. Normal on a human meter is 50-120 and on a pet meter it's 68-150.

    I have a video in my signature showing how I test my cat CC at home.
     
  4. Veronica & Babu-chiri

    Veronica & Babu-chiri Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 5, 2016
    I totally agree, I also think that the only way you can know what's going on and if she needs insulin or not is to home test and by home testing you will also make sure she is ok before shooting and it will definitely help you avoid an hypoglycemic episode
     
    AlisonRiley and Critter Mom like this.
  5. AlisonRiley

    AlisonRiley Member

    Joined:
    Feb 23, 2016
    Thank you! I really don't think she would let me do it. Even if she would, I can't afford the supplies right now. Do you guys think she'd be okay without the insulin until Tuesday? She seemed better without it honestly.
     
  6. JanetNJ

    JanetNJ Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2016
    Testing supplies aren't super expensive.

    1. Relion micro or confirm meter from Walmart $18
    2. Box of 100 extra test strips $36
    3 box of 26 or 28 gauge lancets $3
     
    Adam Flowers and AlisonRiley like this.
  7. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2014
    I can't advise you on the insulin. However, if you do decide to skip it's critical that you test urine daily for ketones (using Keto-stix or similar) to keep your kitty safe from DKA. (See forum sticky "Are you testing your cat for ketones?") If any test is positive, call the vet straight away for advice on how to proceed (day or night; ketosis is a medical emergency).


    Mogs
    .
     
    AlisonRiley likes this.
  8. AlisonRiley

    AlisonRiley Member

    Joined:
    Feb 23, 2016
    Thanks for the info! My vet has never even mentioned ketones to me. I feel ill prepared for this obstacle. That and I'm broke, ironically due to vet bills.
     
    Critter Mom likes this.
  9. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2014
    Maybe keep an eye on the FDMB Supply Closet to see whether you might find some supplies there to help you with the BG testing. Even if you could do a couple of spot checks it would be a help. Or ... do you have anyone in your social circle who's diabetic? They might lend you their meter to take a couple of readings.

    I think pretty much all of us arrive here in that boat. That's why God gave us FDMB! :) Technical and moral support available 24/7/365. :bighug:


    Mogs
    .
     
  10. AlisonRiley

    AlisonRiley Member

    Joined:
    Feb 23, 2016
    Actually I do, one of my best friends. I just left her a message. Thank you for your suggestions! It's been an overwhelming day between her medical issues and my own, all on 1 hour of sleep. :confused:
     
  11. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2014
    Ace! Hoping your bestie will be able to lend a hand. Be sure to let us know the results if you get any tests in. Ideal would be tests at preshot AM and PM plus a mid-cycle on either AM or PM cycle around the expected nadir time for your insulin.

    Sending :bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug: for you all.


    Mogs
    .
     
    AlisonRiley likes this.
  12. JanetNJ

    JanetNJ Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2016
    Great! She may even have a backup meter she can loan you! If you give allow carb treat with each attempted test, your cat will soon come to accept them. We have lots of other tips to help as well for difficult patients.
     
    AlisonRiley likes this.
  13. Teresa & Buddy

    Teresa & Buddy Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 2, 2017
    Post on the Supply Closet that you are in need of these items, in the last 1or 2 weeks someone was giving these items away on the Supply Closet. I don't know if they are still available, but I doubt it, but you could still look.
     
    AlisonRiley and Critter Mom like this.
  14. Myagi (GA) and Heidi

    Myagi (GA) and Heidi Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2017
    Alison, Sweetpea might surprise you. Myagi was aloof, non affectionate his whole life... until this diabetes. I believed 10000% no way would he let me test. I was wrong. If he's in line of sight I just show him meter as he comes. If he's under bed, I shake the lancets (makes same noise as shaking kibble but isn't deceptive lol) - and he comes. He wants the treat but more so the extra loving! And remember, Sweetpea will know you're helping her! Best of luck! :bighug::bighug::bighug:
     
  15. Veronica & Babu-chiri

    Veronica & Babu-chiri Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 5, 2016
    I think you will be surprised even if at the beginning they may resist a little is like they understand you are helping them and they allow it with no trouble and even cooperate.

    If you can manage to have a few strips 6 at least maybe some more in case you have some difficulty and ruin one or two you could make a curve at home and that would help a lot to know how he's really doing and what his numbers are right now and it will be considerably less expensive than at the vet.

    Later on if you need to keep giving her insulin you would need at least 2 a day to make your preshoot test that in my opinion are indispensable to keep him safe
     
  16. AlisonRiley

    AlisonRiley Member

    Joined:
    Feb 23, 2016
    Thank you all for your suggestions! I would have replied sooner, but I had a bladder cancer scare. Just found out my biopsy results were negative for cancer, phew! Been kind of down but I feel better now.

    Sweetpea is also doing great on .5 units of Lantus just once a day. Will take her back to the vet within the next 2 weeks.
     
  17. Myagi (GA) and Heidi

    Myagi (GA) and Heidi Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2017
    That's wonderful news on your biopsy report!!!! Glad Sweetpea doing better too! :bighug::bighug:
     
    AlisonRiley likes this.
  18. JanetNJ

    JanetNJ Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2016
    Omg congratulations on your test results! How relieved you must feel!
     
    AlisonRiley likes this.
  19. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2014
    So relieved for you! Glad Sweetpea is doing well, too.

    (((Alison)))

    :bighug:


    Mogs
    .
     
    AlisonRiley likes this.
  20. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2016
    You must have been so stressed waiting for your results. I'm glad the news was positive. :bighug:
     
    AlisonRiley likes this.
  21. Lesliejm

    Lesliejm Member

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2017
    So happy for you! What a relief!
     
    AlisonRiley likes this.
  22. AlisonRiley

    AlisonRiley Member

    Joined:
    Feb 23, 2016
  23. Teresa & Buddy

    Teresa & Buddy Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 2, 2017
    I am so very sorry for your loss, just know that she knew you were there for her. She will always be with you in spirit.
     
    AlisonRiley likes this.
  24. JanetNJ

    JanetNJ Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2016
    So sorry for your loss. :(
     
    AlisonRiley likes this.
  25. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2016
    I'm so sorry you had to let your kitty go. :(:bighug::rb_icon:cat_wings>o
     
    AlisonRiley likes this.
  26. AlisonRiley

    AlisonRiley Member

    Joined:
    Feb 23, 2016
    Thank you :bighug:
     
  27. Lesliejm

    Lesliejm Member

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2017
    So sorry!
     
    AlisonRiley likes this.
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.

Share This Page