Crisis over. Gave too much insulin!

I got distracted after I had filled the syringe and didn't even think about the fact that I hadn't reduced the amount to the correct amount. I wound up giving her 2.0 instead of 1.0+. I have Karo syrup on hand. What do I do now? How often do I need to test her?

Cindee

 

Don't panic. The good people here will be able to guide you through. Do you also have some higher carb gravy food? (Not advising just wondering if someone will suggest this).

How long ago did you give the shot?

 

How long ago did you give the shot?[/QUOTE]

Thank you. I gave the shot about 15 minutes ago. I was entering it into her chart and realized that I didn't remember reducing the amount. I draw out 2.0 units then reduce to 1.0+ so it's something I take my time at. I'm not 100% sure that I gave her too much. No high carb cat food in the house. I just gave her more of her regular food though.

 

Do you have karo or honey?

 

Yes...Karo. I know I need to test her, but how often? I work at home so no problem doing that. I don't want to give her Karo unless her numbers start to plummet. How soon should I test her again?

 

I would test hourly and post. Let the numbers be your guide. If she gets low you can then add karo to her regular food to bring her up. No worries. It will be fine.

 

Thank you! I kind of thought that but wasn't sure. Just got off the phone with the vet also. She said the same thing.

Thanks everyone! Hugs!

 

Hi Cindee. I wouldnt feed too much food at a time, you dont want her to fill up in case you need her to keep eating to get her up if she does drop. I would just give a tsp or so with karo each time she needs to eat(karo if shes dropping fast/low). Normally we would give just the high carb gravy in such instance, but since you dont have that, just dont feed too much. Make sense?

 

Yes it does and I will follow your advice. I now need to get some high carb food in the house. Also, I need to be more cautious when I get distracted. It's almost scary that I have no recollection of reducing the amount in the syringe. I'll know soon enough by her numbers.

 

Dont feel bad..Ive done the exact same thing before,as Im sure others have too.

 

Hi Cindee,

No advice here, just encouragement! Sounds like you are covered & doing all the right things. You definitely have support here! Just keep testing and posting & the numbers and the members here will guide you.

 

Hi Cindee. Saw your 911 and thought I'd check in.

AMPS 239
+1 318

You're using an AlphaTrak meter right?

 

I have to leave for a meeting in about 20 min., but I know there are very capable, more experienced than I, folks here to help if needed.

 

So far no reason to feed any karo. I'd get a +2.

 

Thanks everyone. Her 1+ was 318 and that's actually in high for her (custom chart per vet) so I'm feeling a bit better. This is the first time I've done something like this so it's a little frightening. So far so good though. She's sitting right next to me and she's her normal self.

 

Yes. She has a custom range from her Internist.

 

Thanks for clarifying. It's important for all who respond to be aware you're using the AT meter.

I was hanging around until Buffy's +2, but then I have to get back to work. I'll pop in when I can.
I'm sure others will be around to keep you company.

 

Hi Cindee.

I don't think I've visited your condo before. Buffy is gorgeous! Looks like you're getting good advice and doing the right things. Don't feel bad - we've had members make much bigger dosing mistakes that this one. She should be fine. We're here if you need us.

 

AMPS 239
+1 318
+2 278

I'd get a +3 if I were in your shoes.

Before I go back to work I wanted to mention...
Sometimes kitty's will drop (nadir) later than usual in a possible over dose situation. You might want to continue testing past Buffy's usual nadir today.

It's also ok to abort the cycle by feeding small amounts of high carb food if you can't be around for the entire cycle...

 

I would test hourly since you can work from home or at least every two until an hour or so after nadir but I am a chicken.

 

Thank you!

 

I'll be checking her hourly. Better safe than sorry.

 

Me too.

 

I see a +3 206. Slow and steady, that's great!

Could you take off the 911 from your subject line now since Buffy seems to be fine for now. Definitely put it back on if she drops low.

 

Oops....done. Based on her numbers so far, I think I gave her the correct dose. She ate 2oz more of Wellness canned than normal. I don't know if that helped or if I just didn't overdose like I thought I had.

 

It doesn't matter, Cindee. All that matters is that Buffy is okay, and I know you will keep watching to make sure she stays that way. Lessons learned this way are the hardest, aren't they?

 

I'm glad all is well. Another mistake I almost made was when I thought I had given a fur shot. Never a good idea to reshoot because you can't be sure if any insulin made its way into the cat.

 

Oh yes on all counts! I'll keep testing her until her PM shot time. I need to slow down in the mornings...that's for sure.

 

Thanks...me too!

 

glad she's doing ok tonight. good job monitoring her today, cindee.

 

I can understand your anxiety and glad everything turned out well for both of you. Buffy is gorgeous too. I have had those moments of giving my Lucy her insulin and then suddenly feeling doubt about whether I gave the right dose. So what I do now is just before I give Lucy her insulin I take a photo of the filled syringe on my phone which also records the date and time I gave the dose. So it is a record of dose and time I gave the dose. No more doubts about dose.

 

What a great idea.