Mouse dance

Discussion in 'Prozinc / PZI' started by mouse16, Jun 1, 2018.

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  1. mouse16

    mouse16 Member

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    Hi PSs are in yellow and mid cycle dark green, starting sometimes at 3+. He is getting 2.10 units. I am fine with these low numbers when I can test him frequently (but am nervous nevertheless), but its too nerve-racking if I have to leave him alone at mid cycle, and even the night time tests are causing me huge stress and exhaustion.

    Would a slight reduction be ok? say to 2 units?

    Afterthought: I will be able to monitor him closely for next 2 days; if he stays in safe dark greens at mid cycle would it be safe enough to leave him on Monday (at same dose he is on now)?
     
    Last edited: Jun 1, 2018
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  2. FurBabiesMama

    FurBabiesMama Well-Known Member

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    Those numbers look pretty to me :D It sounds like a good plan to leave him on that dose and monitor a couple of days. You have to do what you are comfortable with, but if he consistently has these numbers on this dose, I would stay with it for now. Does he have food out during the day when you are gone so that he can eat on if he starts to go low? They often tend do do that.
     
  3. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

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    Looking very nice in those greens!
     
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  4. mouse16

    mouse16 Member

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    Thank you Furbabies mama, yes he has food out to graze on. Today at mid cycle he was suddenly ravenous which is so untypical for mr fusspot!

    Thank you Kris!

    :D:cat::D
     
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  5. Becky & Baby Girl GA

    Becky & Baby Girl GA Well-Known Member

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    I’m in the same boat with you! @mouse16
    Those numbers make me nervous too! We just aren’t used to those green numbers! Glad you can be home with him the next couple days & you can find the happy dose for you both!
     
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  6. mouse16

    mouse16 Member

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    Hi Becky, it helps just to know I'm not alone in the boat, thank you! :nailbiting: :nailbiting::rb_icon:
     
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  7. mouse16

    mouse16 Member

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    he bounced up into pink PMPS, despite only low carb food today, so i am trying 2 units to see if he will bounce less
     
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  8. Djamila

    Djamila Well-Known Member

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    I love seeing all the greens emerging on your spreadsheet. Try not to worry too much about the rise at the end of the cycle. He'll settle down as he gets more and more used to those healthy, healing numbers. Keeping him in those greens and low blues as long as possible during the cycle gives his pancreas a chance to heal.

    Mouse isn't showing the tendency to dive out of the blue. So you should be fine to leave him and trust that he'll be safe. I know those Sticky posts about hypoglycemia are scary, but you have enough data now on Mouse to make reasonable predictions about his safety.

    While you can't look at anyone else's spreadsheet and copy their dosing (because every cat is different), you can look at other spreadsheets to start to see how kitty's do in lower numbers. It might help to look at some of them and notice that a) kitties can and do hit lime green numbers sometimes and survive and b) they don't hit dangerously low lime green numbers out of the blue. Most of the time they stay in the 40's, and just dip down for a minute.

    The dangerous lows happen when people are overdosing their cats without monitoring enough to know they are overdosing, when they are feeding a poor diet, or when a secondary health issue interferes with "typical" responses.

    Hypoglycemia isn't something to be casual about, but it also shouldn't be something that keeps you glued to your house in a state of constant worry. You're doing a great job of monitoring Mouse, and you're giving very reasonable, careful dosing. Please go out and enjoy yourself! The more you get out, and come home and see that he's fine, the more you'll be able to relax.

    When I first started I was terrified every time I left that I would come home to a dead cat. When I finally forced myself to do it more, the worry began to ease. :bighug::bighug::bighug:
     
  9. mouse16

    mouse16 Member

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    Aww Djamila, big thanks for your message of reassurance and encouragement! (That is so spot on, the fear of coming home to dead cat). My dilemma now is his low AMPSs, today was 220/ 12.3, in the Sticky it says the No Shoot number for Alphatrak is 14. I gave him half a dose, sigh, probably a mistake/too cautious. Its so hard not knowing what to do!
     
  10. Djamila

    Djamila Well-Known Member

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    Hmmm...I wonder if the sticky is wrong? The no-shot should be equal to 220, which would be around 12 wouldn't it? (I'm not great at the conversions). Regardless, those are for when you are first starting and may not be able to reliably test. You are a pro now, so you can start to shoot below that number. :)

    Collect some data today and see how Mouse does on the reduced dose, and then you can use that info next time to decide if you can shoot the full dose, or how much of a reduction is needed on lower numbers.
     
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  11. mouse16

    mouse16 Member

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    wooo I am a pro now!!!! :cool::cool::woot: That is good to know about the the No Shoot (it said 14 cos Alphatrak runs high with test numbers).

    i followed your first advice and went out for the day (feeling safe with the low dose) and had a break (went to the river and dangled feet in water:), I only saw your 2nd message when i got home. But I figure its ok, there is time, no rush, will keep on gathering info and getting clearer picture.

    river peace, Lila
     
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  12. mouse16

    mouse16 Member

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    with only a half dose (1 unit), he is 173/ 9.6 at 10+ !!!! he never fails to surprise me!
     
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  13. mouse16

    mouse16 Member

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    i feel so guilty, cos the half dose has caused a big BG rise :arghh: and i am scared that all you amazing people here will start to get angry with me and stop giving advice cos i have not been following it properly and have been pig headed. His neuropathy has kicked in today after being tons better the past week. i messed up, feel terrible.
     
  14. JanetNJ

    JanetNJ Well-Known Member

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    It's a marathon.
     
  15. mouse16

    mouse16 Member

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    Thanks Janet for putting it in perspective.
     
  16. Djamila

    Djamila Well-Known Member

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    Deep breaths. We have all had cycles like that. Where our heart/wishful thinking takes over our dosing and we end up giving the wrong amount. I still do it far too often. That's why the data is so helpful - it lets us know when we've done that and helps us get back on track.

    Along with that, you've been dealing with conflicting advice since your vet told you to give half doses. You can see now why that is not good advice, so next time you won't need to do it. And if your vet asks, you can point to last night/this morning's numbers as the reason why you aren't doing that anymore.

    Mouse is going to be just fine. In a couple of cycles he'll be right back on track. He's really been doing very well as you can see his overall numbers are coming down and getting into healthier ranges. So don't be so hard on yourself. You're doing just fine :cat::cat::cat:
     
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  17. mouse16

    mouse16 Member

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    Djamila thank you so much for your understanding message. Blubber. Breathe. :bighug:
     
  18. Rachel

    Rachel Well-Known Member

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    Hey, we totally get it! It's HARD when your vet tells you one thing and a bunch of crazy cat ladies on the internet tell you something different. ;) I was super lucky that my vet mostly gave me the same advice I got here...but she was stuck on wanting prescription food and I had a hard time refusing because she IS a vet! Even now, I have a hard time going against vets advice on things, but I do my research. I also remind myself that vets are basically general practitioners for a TON of different species. OF COURSE they can't be experts on everything...heck even human doctors can't do that and they only have ONE species to treat!

    We really do get it. You've seen what happens when you cut the dose in half, as Djamila said, so now you have good data to know why you don't want to do that. The good news is that you won't be wondering now if you should! Just another reason I say all data is good data.

    Don't worry...we don't give up on folks easily around here. It takes time to learn to trust us and even we can be wrong sometimes too...so it's never a bad idea to take all advice into account and go from there. :bighug::bighug::bighug:
     
  19. mouse16

    mouse16 Member

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    ohh blubber again, what another lovely message, wow you are really a wonderful bunch of crazy cat ladies here!!!! Its amazing to be so understood. Thank you Rachel. And yes, all data is good data eh, and I've seen what happens when I half the dose... so tonight when his PMPS was 216 (12) I was brave and gave him 2 units (after food of course) and will test him during the night..

    still in awe of such a wise bunch of cat ladies!! :cat: :bighug::cat: :bighug: :cat:
     
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  20. mouse16

    mouse16 Member

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    his AMPS was 157 (blue), after an hour it was 175 (blue). I am so confused. I havent given any insulin, he is now 2 hours past shoot time. I have to go out today and cant monitor mid cycle (if i do decide to inject)..
     
  21. mouse16

    mouse16 Member

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    3 hours after normal shoot time (no shoot yet) hasnt risen at all

    i have to leave in 10 mins..
     
  22. Djamila

    Djamila Well-Known Member

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    I'm guessing you've left already? What did you decide? (whatever you decided is fine, don't worry!)
     
  23. JanetNJ

    JanetNJ Well-Known Member

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    Skip if under 200
     
  24. mouse16

    mouse16 Member

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    i skipped..
    its so good to come home to this reassurance, thanks Djamila and Janet
     
  25. Djamila

    Djamila Well-Known Member

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    That’s only necessary for new folks and cats that are particularly volatile. Prozinc does not require skipping under 200 in the majority of cases as long as the data is consistent for the cat and the owner has an understanding of the process (which is the case here.)

    While we can’t “shoot low to stay low” to the same level as the L insulins, we can and need to shoot below 200 if a cat is going to get off insulin.
     
  26. Djamila

    Djamila Well-Known Member

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    Since this is your first blue PS and you had to leave, I think that’s fine. When there is a low PS and you can be home, we can talk about giving a token dose to keep the next PS down.

    Of course with how fast Mouse is moving down the dosing scale right now, he might keep it reasonably low all on his own today!
     
  27. JanetNJ

    JanetNJ Well-Known Member

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    Yes but being new with little data and not being around to test, it was OK to skip. I shoot well below 200 myself.
     
  28. mouse16

    mouse16 Member

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    Djamila I am all ears about needing to shoot below 200 if a cat is going to get off insulin - very important info! And I am eager to try the token dosing when its a low PS, my intuition is that he will respond well to that. I haven't tested him today since the phantom 3+ so I'm itching to see what his PMPS is!!

    Janet its good to know that you shoot below 200 and thanks again for reassurance.

    Update: he is only 214 after 23 hrs without insulin!!!!

    how many units should i give him now??
     
    Last edited: Jun 4, 2018
  29. mouse16

    mouse16 Member

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    I gave him 1.6 units instead of 2, cos i cant face another night of testing, last night was exhausting.
    Ok i am officially "experimenting" with his dosing now!

    :eek:
     
    Last edited: Jun 4, 2018
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  30. Rachel

    Rachel Well-Known Member

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    Well dang, sorry we weren't here! It's been a crazy day for me so I haven't been able to be on as much as I usually can. I think that was a fine dose to give.

    As for the low PS, I would definitely want to give insulin in the future on a lower than 200...but it all depends on what the number is. It is good practice to stall like you did for sure and then we can make sure that the number is moving some. :) What time do you normally shoot and in what time zone? I'm usually only around 4:30AM CT...and I usually leave for work around 6 my time. So I can check in during that time (tomorrow may be different due to a dead car battery...but most weekdays this is my schedule).
     
  31. mouse16

    mouse16 Member

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    Hi Rachel! its ok that no one was here, I asked the question just before due to shoot so didnt give anyone time to reply, and also I'm in UK so that is difficult timewise! I give him insulin at 9.30am and pm (late i know, and it sometimes migrates to 11am/pm!)

    Its 11.30pm now and I'm off to bed. I will sleep easier thanks to your message that the dose I gave is ok! night night :joyful:
     
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  32. Rachel

    Rachel Well-Known Member

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    Okay, it's 5:30 PM where I am (putting that here for a reference later :)). We've had a few UK members over time...it's tough because we kind of have to guess at dosing ahead of time since we're not around when you are usually, but we can work with that! We've done it before. I'll be interested to see what this dose does for tomorrow morning!
     
  33. mouse16

    mouse16 Member

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    Are you still around Rachel? Mouse is going low and has symptoms of mild hypo at 3+ and 4+ (81, but that is with Alphatrak and freestyle test strips so it would read lower on a human meter).

    I gave him food and snacks and even a couple licks of honey as he still has approx 2 hours till nadir. Am wide awake (and exhausted at same time) and checking him every 30 mins.
     
  34. mouse16

    mouse16 Member

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    oh no about car battery! thanks for showing the time difference; so i am 6 hours ahead of you.
    Mouse is gonna be ok, I aint gonna let him go hypo, sittin right here beside him on sofa!
     
    Last edited: Jun 4, 2018
  35. Djamila

    Djamila Well-Known Member

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    You said symptoms of a hypo? He shouldn't be showing symptoms when he's still in very safe numbers. Any chance there is something else going on with him?
     
  36. mouse16

    mouse16 Member

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    Hi Djamila! he got ravenously hungry suddenly, very unusual as he has poor appetite. I am probably just a panicker. Am going to bed now at last (4am) as his numbers are rising a bit. Night night :rolleyes:

    i worry that he is actually much lower cos alphatrak with freestyle strips runs high in readings..
     
  37. Djamila

    Djamila Well-Known Member

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    Ah! Thank goodness! You had me worried.

    See, that just shows you how smart Mouse is! He knew to get some food to stop himself from diving! Make sure to give him extra chin scratches and tell him how clever he is :cat:

    It’s good to keep an eye on them when they do their first cycle like that, although I’m sorry you won’t have much sleep now. Any chance of a good long nap today?
     
  38. mouse16

    mouse16 Member

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    Good mornig Djamila ;), lovely to wake up and see your caring message!! I did tell him how super-clever he is! What a boy. Yeah five hours sleep not enough so going back to bed for nap now, I am lucky to be able to do that.

    His AMPS was 205 and I gave him 1.6 units again like last night. He probably dived fast after last night's dose cos he hadnt had any insulin for 24 hours eh? I think thats what you meant by "first cycle".

    Never a dull moment!!
     
  39. Rachel

    Rachel Well-Known Member

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    I think what Djamila meant by first cycle was first cycle on a different dose. The lack of insulin yesterday SHOULDN'T have caused him to dive fast like that. However, I couldn't tell you for sure why he DID drop. Very strange...let's see what happens today (after you get a bit more sleep!).
     
  40. mouse16

    mouse16 Member

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    Hi Rachel :) ah that makes sense, first cycle on new dose. At 3+ he is 113 (blue) and not hungry, last night at 3+ he was green and ate as much in one go as he does in a whole day! Its wonderful to have people who are curious and share in our daily adventure! :bighug:
     
  41. Djamila

    Djamila Well-Known Member

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    Whoops! Sorry for the lack of clarity! I was a little too sleepy last night. ;) I meant the first cycle when he got really reactive like that. He's been in greens before, but this is the first time you've posted about him being really ravenous from it which can be scary when it's a new response, and also because you don't know if he's going to surf along in those safe greens, or if he's going to start diving.

    It looks like Mouse and Jaxa (@Glassgoblin) might be racing each other down the dosing scale for awhile. They both seem to have turned a corner recently towards some healthier numbers.
     
  42. mouse16

    mouse16 Member

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    aw Djamila nothing to be sorry for, you were a great support last night! That is exactly it about the new symptom being scary and not knowing what will come next.
    haha i am going to check out Jaxa's spreadsheet. Healthier numbers yayyyyyy!!! :rb_icon:
     
  43. mouse16

    mouse16 Member

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    His PMPS is 205 but he won't eat, something is wrong and I am very worried. We were outside together for a little walk, I noticed his breathing was fast, wasnt sure if it was cos he was 'sniffing the air' but we've been home 90 mins and he is still breathing fast and will not touch food - this is very unusual as he is always hungry after he has been out.

    I am skipping his shot as he wont eat. Might have to take him to vet tonight.
     
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  44. mouse16

    mouse16 Member

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    I had to ask a neighbour, who is familiar with cats, to come in and look at him - she says he is not breathing fast. It was all in my head. Thats my mental health condition distorting things. But he is still refusing to eat, so no shot. My nerves are toast tonight.:(
     
  45. Glassgoblin

    Glassgoblin Member

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    After going through pancreatitis I do that all the time; I watched her food intake like a hawk, counting every calorie, so going to free feeding was really difficult (I'm a control freak about the cat's health). I am still helicopter parenting Jaxa though; have to write everything down, noting any changes, etc. I think it is normal when our babies are sick though.
     
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  46. mouse16

    mouse16 Member

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    thank you glassgoblin for your understanding, it helps so much. (and to know I'm not the only control freak:) phewwww.
    midnight here so gonna try get some sleep (for a change!)
     
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  47. Rachel

    Rachel Well-Known Member

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    Has he eaten anything? I know it's worrisome when they don't. It's possible he was just having an off day though...that does happen. Try it again in the morning...and try a few things like treats, tuna juice, etc to see if that gets him started. Sometimes they just need a little push to remind them that food is a good thing!
     
  48. mouse16

    mouse16 Member

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    Hello Rachel! he wouldnt touch food all night, but he ate a small amount this morning with much persuasion and eating out my hand. Apart from little appetite he is back to normal, went outside to do his business, grooming now.

    His AMPS is 225, after no insulin for 24 hrs. I'm not sure what dose to give as I won't be able to monitor mid cycle today.

    I just gave a very cautious 1 unit cos of his lack of appetite.
     
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  49. Rachel

    Rachel Well-Known Member

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    I think that's fine. That's a lovely AMPS number and if he isn't eating great, you want to be cautious when you won't be there. As long as he eats some, I wouldn't worry too much...he might just be under the weather, tired out, etc. We go through that as humans too! But if he stops eating completely, I wouldn't go long without a vet visit.

    Going outside, grooming, etc is a good sign. If he really wasn't well, he'd be more likely to hide and not want to do any of his normal activities. Sending healing and good eating vines!
     
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  50. Djamila

    Djamila Well-Known Member

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    I'm so sorry to hear Mouse is a little under the weather right now! I agree with Rachel that as long as he's eating some, give it a little time, but if he stops eating head to the vet. You might be able to help entice him to eat if you pick up some nutritional yeast (or Brewer's yeast - they are very similar and both are safe for cats). If you sprinkle it on the food, some cats really love it. (usually found in the health food or bulk section of stores -- NOT the same thing as regular yeast you use to bake bread). You can also try Parmesan cheese or tuna water.

    Please keep us updated on how he's doing.
     
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  51. mouse16

    mouse16 Member

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    Hello Rachel and Djamila you lovely cat ladies! when i got home at 6pm today he had eaten everything I left out for him, YAY, the healthy hunger hath returned! :p and he is bright and active Phew. Hmm he is very hungry so I hope he's not hyper cos of the low dose, will soon find out, testing in 30 mins..

    I have wanted to try the brewers yeast or parmesan for a while, thanks for reminding me cos it sure would come in handy now!
     
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  52. mouse16

    mouse16 Member

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    PMPS is 112 !!!!!!!! after only 1 unit this morn!!!
    Oh dear, did he go too low at mid cycle hence the big hunger, would that harm him??
    What is going on with this kitty!!!
    No Shoot!

    what else can cause BG to drop like this, do infections do that? his nose and paw pads look pale..
     
  53. Djamila

    Djamila Well-Known Member

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    Look at the trend from the beginning of your spreadsheet until now. You'll see that Mouse has been steadily getting lower and lower in numbers, and recently also getting lower in his need for insulin. This is good. This is what you want to have happen. You want him to keep going this way.

    Just a few days ago one unit wasn't nearly enough. Now all of a sudden it's plenty. That's a sign that his pancreas may be healing and is able to do more of the work now. It does mean that dosing can get a little tricky though since his needs can change from day to day.

    Yes to NS for tonight. do get a test at +2 tonight though. We need to see what he's doing after he eats and without insulin. Do his numbers rise? Do they stay steady? Or do they drop?
     
  54. mouse16

    mouse16 Member

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    thank you thank you thank you Djamila for those hope-flourishing words!! will test at 2+

    wowowwww
     
  55. Djamila

    Djamila Well-Known Member

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    Try not to get too hopeful. Sometimes they stall out part way down the dosing scale and just hang out there for a very very long time. But even if Mouse does that, he'll at least be in healthier, more sustainable numbers.
     
  56. mouse16

    mouse16 Member

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    that is wise advice, there is nothing worse than hopes getting dashed. (PS i tested him twice to make sure, both readings were 112)
     
  57. mouse16

    mouse16 Member

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    at 2+ (since last test) he is 182 (blue), up from 112
     
  58. Djamila

    Djamila Well-Known Member

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    Well shoot. That's the wrong direction, little Mouse!

    If your schedule tomorrow has some flexibility, you could try giving a half unit now. Then testing/shooting eleven-twelve hours from now.
     
  59. mouse16

    mouse16 Member

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    am gonna do it! thank you Djamila you rock!
     
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  60. mouse16

    mouse16 Member

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    AMPS is 176, 12 hours after 0.5 unit !! (at 11+ he was 166)
    What to do? i can monitor him today..

    * i gave him the same as last night, 0.5 unit (actually its 0.4 due to the markings on U100)

    He has poor appetite today, i had to open three different brands to find one he would eat (usually he like all three), but he didnt eat much. It is hot here (for UK standards!) and he always eats less in the heat.
     
    Last edited: Jun 7, 2018
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  61. Rachel

    Rachel Well-Known Member

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    I think 0.5 was a good choice especially with a poor appetite! Try to grab some mid cycles today. If we can see what this dose does to him throughout the day that’ll help us decide what to do next time he gets a similar number! All data is good data!
     
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  62. mouse16

    mouse16 Member

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    yes indeedy, good cata data :) thanks Rachel!!
     
  63. mouse16

    mouse16 Member

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    today: AMPS 176, gave 0.4 units. BG 3+ 97; 5+ 92 ; 7+ 112 ; 11+ 153.

    just did the 11+, its 11.30pm and I'd like to go to bed and not wait another hour (don't think its gonna rise significantly).

    0.4 units again? or No Shoot? i realise my post might not be seen due to time zones, thats ok.

    swing lo sweet Mouse :bighug:
     
  64. Rachel

    Rachel Well-Known Member

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    What did you decide to do? Or are you still up? I'd probably want to get another test if you're still up to be sure he is rising and if he's up, give 0.4 today. It seemed to give some lovely, safe numbers today!
     
  65. mouse16

    mouse16 Member

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    Oh dang, I didn't see your reply and i went ahead and gave him 0.2 units (without doing PMPS) :nailbiting: I get more timid at night when very tired and cant be as watchful as daytime. Hope he will be ok on that dose. I'll try to be braver in future.
    Night Rachel from Lila n Mouse
     
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  66. Rachel

    Rachel Well-Known Member

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    You have to go with your comfort level! If you feel more comfortable with 0.2 (especially at night when you DO need get some sleep) I totally get that. Mouse isn't in bad numbers at all, so if 0.2 isn't enough, it won't hurt much. It really IS important that you're comfortable, so even if you had read my post and then gave him 0.2 because you needed to get some rest and not worry, I wouldn't blame you at all. DON'T worry about it. We've all done a reduced dose sometimes just to be sure we could get some rest. We have to take care of ourselves or we can't take care of our babies!
     
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  67. Djamila

    Djamila Well-Known Member

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    What a lovely cycle today! I hope you're able to have a good rest tonight!
     
  68. mouse16

    mouse16 Member

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    Thank you Rachel for this reassuring message, it has really helped me to relax and lessen the guilt and the ingrained fear of ' not doing what I'm told/making a mistake'. Great start to my day :rb_icon:
     
  69. mouse16

    mouse16 Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2018
    I slept like a log, thank you Djamila! :)
     
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  70. Rachel

    Rachel Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2013
    Glad to hear this! You needed it!

    Don't ever worry about not doing what you're "told". We're here to give advice and guidance, but YOU are in charge. You hold the syringe, it's got to be your decision. And remember we're just going off what we see here...you KNOW your baby best and "mama sense" is a real thing.
     
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  71. mouse16

    mouse16 Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2018
    tears, I am so grateful for that Rachel.
    His AMPS is 191, so I gave a teensy bit more than last night - 0.3 units - as I cant check him mid cycle today, so again opting for peace of mind.
    :bighug:
     
  72. mouse16

    mouse16 Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2018
    his 6+ was 110 and PMPS was 160 !!! beautiful numbers. I gave him 0.2 units tonight, cos he is staying nice n low.
     
  73. Djamila

    Djamila Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 1, 2015
    Could you remind me if you're still using the alphatrak or if you've switched to the human meter?
     
  74. mouse16

    mouse16 Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2018
    Hi Djamila, still using same Alphatrak.
    Gosh, this morning his 11+ was 171 and AMPS 155. I still gave him the 0.2 unit, I will be able to monitor today.

    All this is validating the suspicion I had that it was a steroid shot that the vet gave him in April that brought on diabetes. I had the worst gut feeling after vet gave that shot and was so angry that he didnt give me time to think about it. Mouse's back legs collapsed 3 days afterwards and all his diabetes symptoms started too. Maybe I'm wrong, but my intuition was SO strong that day that it was VERY bad that he got that shot.
     
  75. Glassgoblin

    Glassgoblin Member

    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2018
    I think Jaxa's was triggered by a steroid too. She had almost two months of prednisolone (mostly half a pill every other day), and one of the side effects was diabetes according to the vet literature. All of her bg tests were normal the first month we were being treated and then after her refill she started at 164 and went up past 300. I couldn't have done anything differently though- she needed the drug for her pancreatitis and was so sick at that time I would have done anything to get her through it. Ultimately it probably doesn't matter why- she was also fat and sick- but now is responding to insulin and is getting her energy and weight back to where they should be.
     
  76. mouse16

    mouse16 Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2018
    Hi Glassgoblin, it sure does sound like it was the steroid that caused it but like you said, it was necessary. A different and very good vet told me she had never seen a cat get diabetes from a steroid shot, and i admit it does seem unlikely cos it was just one shot, but the coincidences are also weird. I am so glad Jaxa is healing and feeling better, that is pure gold and you should be proud!
     
  77. Djamila

    Djamila Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 1, 2015
    Yes, steroid shots/pills are a big reason why we see cats arrive here.

    Lila, let's see how Mouse does today, but I'm worried that dose is a little too low at this point. If you don't see some greens today, I'd encourage you to raise it a bit for this evening. You want to make life as easy as possible for her pancreas right now as it's healing.
     
  78. mouse16

    mouse16 Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2018
    Ok Djamila, that sounds like wise advice. Thank you!
     
  79. mouse16

    mouse16 Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2018
    Bg 3+ was 99 (green) and 6+ 103 (blue but almost green:)
    What do you think? I wouldnt like to double his dose to 0.4 u tonight, maybe 0.3 and tomorrow give 0.4. How does that sound?
     
  80. Rachel

    Rachel Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2013
    Yes, I think it's time for an increase. It's up to you whether you'd like to go 0.3 tonight so you can get some rest and then up to 0. 4 tomorrow so you can monitor, or if you'd like to do 0.4 tonight and just make sure to monitor. You could wait to do the increase until tomorrow morning too if that makes you most comfortable...one more cycle won't hurt, but I'd definitely increase no later than tomorrow.
     
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  81. mouse16

    mouse16 Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2018
    Thanks Rachel. I think I'll do 0.3 tonight and 0.4 tomorrow. You are brave cat ladies!! :smuggrin:
     
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  82. Djamila

    Djamila Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 1, 2015
    Lol...I sure wasn't when I first started! I imagined all kinds of horrible things happening every time I had to change the dose. :nailbiting:

    Lots of time, lots of spreadsheets, and lots and lots and lots of data help to settle the jitters. Oh, and Rachel holding my hand through months of nerves! :bighug:
     
  83. mouse16

    mouse16 Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2018
    Awww :)
    i am jittery cos his PMPS is only 137..and he only ate a very small amount, so 0.2 again tonight. Will increase tomorrow.
    Night all
     
    Last edited: Jun 9, 2018
  84. mouse16

    mouse16 Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2018
    his AMPS was 130, i gave 0.2 units and at 3+ he was 65 (lime green). I tested him just minutes before we had to leave for vet appt! so quickly gave high carb paste and treats.

    I took him to vet cos he is having respiratory issues, episodes of very rapid laboured breathing with abdomen and chest , they come on after very light exercise (walking slowly around our apartment building outside) and last 9 hours, after 12 hours he is back to normal. He is unresponsive and highly agitated during episodes. He had one last night. The vet said his heart and breathing is faster than normal, but it was MUCH faster last night.

    Vet says to stop giving him insulin for a couple of days to see what his pancreas does. She doesn't know what is causing the breathing issue or if it linked with diabetes. Has anyone here heard of anything like that?
     
  85. Djamila

    Djamila Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 1, 2015
    I don’t think I’ve ever read about anything like that being connected to diabetes.

    Let us know what you hear from the vet!
     
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  86. Rachel

    Rachel Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2013
    Hmmm...I've never heard of anything like that either. You might ask out on Main to see if anyone has ever experienced anything like that.
     
  87. mouse16

    mouse16 Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2018
    Thanks Djamila and Rachel,
    i am certain that his breathing problem is the long term issue that he has had for 2 years (i guess i was in denial, hoping it was diabetes related and easier to treat).

    It is so sad that he is healing on the diabetes front but his other mysterious condition is getting worse by the day, so much so that I dont know how long he will hold out. I am going to write about it on the main forum.

    He had a dark green for PMPS last night, after 36 hours without insulin.
    Any advice on what I should be doing/watching out for at this point? The vet said to report on Thurs, I bet she will tell me to withhold insulin.

    * today AMPS 128
    PMPS 124
     
    Last edited: Jun 13, 2018
  88. Rachel

    Rachel Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2013
    Hmmm...that's pretty good actually! He's pretty consistently in normal numbers without insulin. Maybe a bit higher than some cats, but remission kitties can have different normal numbers. If you can get a test one of these days say at +1 or +2 that would be interesting...after he eats if his numbers go down, that's usually a sign of pancreas working. You don't have to though.

    I'd say keep an eye on his numbers for now...he's doing really well without insulin, but he's right at the high edge of remission. If he starts to go up, you want to hop right in with insulin support so he doesn't lose it.
     
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  89. mouse16

    mouse16 Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2018
    Thank you Rachel! I will keep a close eye on his numbers and won't waste a minute if they start to rise. His 'AMPS ' is 106 :) :bighug: :cat:
     
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  90. mouse16

    mouse16 Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2018
    Hi everyone, i disappeared for a while because Mouse's other longer term condition got much worse. The vet came to our home on Thurs and could see his breathing was very fast and laboured with 'bellows' movement and heart rate too fast. She gave him diuretic pills in case he has fluid in his lungs and after just one pill, within a few hours he was breathing easier and next day totally normal, for first time in many weeks. But they don't know what is causing the fluid (its not cardiac).

    Now i am so worried because he has had hard compacted stools for weeks but today he cried when straining and then vomited (he did get some out). He squats like he is peeing and i wonder if it is nerve damage related constipation. I have started B12 again. I stupidly stopped it cos his back legs seemed ok and its so hard to get him to take anything.

    warm wishes from Lila and Mouse
     
  91. Djamila

    Djamila Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 1, 2015
    Make sure you're adding lots of water to his food. The diuretic takes water out of them, and that can cause constipation, so rehydrating will be an important part of getting things moving again. Also, if he doesn't have a good full poop, get him to the vet. Cats can block up when they get constipated and sometimes require vet help to get everything out.
     
  92. mouse16

    mouse16 Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2018
    Thanks Djamila, lovely to hear from you. Am taking him to vet tomorrow for the poop situation.
     
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  93. Djamila

    Djamila Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 1, 2015
    Oh, I'm so sorry to hear he hasn't cleared it on his own yet. I was really hoping he just needed a few more hours. Do keep us posted!
     
  94. Rachel

    Rachel Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2013
    Ack! That's no fun. Let us know how the poop pans out.
     
  95. mouse16

    mouse16 Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2018
    Hi Djamila and Rachel,
    he didnt poo on Sunday so we went to vet today, who probed and prodded and said he is not very backed up and gave him Microlax mini-enema just in case. I then had to call a taxi and get home and poor Mouse was frantic in his carrier, and poor boy pood inside it on way home :arghh: . Wish the vet had let us stay longer, it was so stressful.
    Not sure if I have said that Mouse has a very odd position when pooing (since the diabetes) with his bum on the ground, a bit like he is peeing. I think nerves have been damaged back there making it hard for him to squeeze. I have ordered Miralax and have been adding water to his food and giving probiotic, and B12 again.
    But good news is his numbers are still normal :bighug:
     
  96. Djamila

    Djamila Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 1, 2015
    Oh no! Poor Mouse! And poor you having to deal with that! Yes, the vet should have kept him there until he was finished. Enemas tend to be quite fast acting as you experienced! But thank goodness Mouse is at least cleaned out now and hopefully feeling a bit better!
     
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