Hey guys first reading in the greens I've had at the AMPS. When it's at 4.7 (86) will you still administer a shot or pass on this one. I've been wondering wether to to give a small amount as I know he will probably go higher during the day but not sure if it's safe to? Thanks every one So I gave sox a very small 0.2. hubby is home for next 5 hours so will watch test and feed him to make sure he's ok
Whoa! Go Sox! Sorry we weren't here...middle of the night for me. Generally speaking, no I wouldn't give insulin on a green especially since you know he didn't go up from +9 last night. It looks like Sox is doing well, though, which is good! I'd definitely get another reading if you can today and then we can see what happened today at PMPS!
Yeah I did think that. That's why I posted in both forums to be on the safe side. Yeah my partner will get a +5 reading before he goes to work and will then feed him. I did think that but then I did look at others spread sheets and saw that they give a low dose and thought I'd possibly try it as I didn't want he going too high then for PM shots. Maybe in the future don't give one at that low number. (Still learning here)
Ahh ok then. I know for future then still new to these low numbers so still on the learning curve. And because I can't really stall with shots I want to try not upset his pattern if it throws him out What number do you guys use as a cut off point where you will say your not giving any insulin? Nothing lower than a blue number?
Looks like 0.2 wasn't too much. The lowest I've ever given it was around 115 on an Alphatrak.... Just a drop knowing id be home to monitor. I knew what it would do.... This is two years ago when my cats numbers were predictable. Lol not so predictable anymore.
He has dropped a little so I got hubby to feed some crunchies mixed in with his lunch time feed just to pic him up abit.
There are a couple of us who have kitties that let us shoot on greens, so it's not just Lantus/Levemir. However it's usually kitties that have been diabetic for over six months, or who are on their second (or more) round of diabetes. I think given that DH was around to test, you made a good choice this morning. You chose a very small amount, and at a time when Sox would be monitored. And it looks like he's staying relatively flat and safe which is exactly what you want at this point in his journey. So well done!
Ahh okies I see. Would you advise maybe next time if he's giving me those types of numbers maybe hold off on the shot unless we will be in most of the time to monitor. Can you get away with no shot at numbers like 4.7 and it not make a huge difference to PM shots? Thanks guys. Hubby went out at 1.30 so at the +6 mark and fed food and a few crunchies just to be on the safe side. I finish work in an hour so just hoping he's ok when I get back
Thanks @MrWorfMen's Mom just abit scary isn't it first time round with those type of numbers. Maybe next time round on those numbers I will try a no shot just to see how he gets on.
So Sox was quiet high just on his PMPS. Hubby only gave him less than a handful of crunchies at lunch time feed when he was 4.1 (He said about 15 lol) Do you think the jump to 21.6 could be from how low he has been all night and day?
Depends what those "crunchies" were, Becki, haha! If it was high carb food then that can elevate the blood glucose quite a bit and for a prolonged period. What food did hubby actually give Sox? .
He gave him his normal butcher's food and just a few dry crunchies think they were possibly whiskers ones. I probably made a mistake saying give a few crunchies. (It does show you thought I suppose how bad dry food is for them) But didn't want him dropping too low. I assume that will come out of his system over the next cycle or 2? Again though suppose it's a good learning curves I feel bad doing that too him after having such a good night and day but will teach me from my mistakes.
Yes, that should come out of his system in a cycle or 2 at most. Next time, if you have the same situation, I think I'd suggest giving him a low carb snack. He wasn't too low and was at +5 which is a nice place to be in the cycle...a low carb snack might be enough to prop him without going too high....but today is the first time you've had this situation, so don't stress over it!
Yup, that's most likely the crunchies. Those should really only be used if an actual hypo is imminent. For most cats, steering can usually be done with low or at worst medium carb food. Another factor that may have contributed is that it just wasn't enough insulin today, and ran out too fast. That being said, I wouldn't have wanted to shoot more than you did - especially considering it was your first time shooting on a number that low. Going back to your earlier question: While I will dose Sam on a green (although October was the last time I saw one of those ), even at this point I wouldn't do it if I couldn't monitor for the first half of the cycle. Prozinc has enough of an unpredictable/volatile side that it would be too risky. But as long as you or DH can test and keep an eye on things, I think it's great to keep the insulin going and avoid having to skip.
Yeah definitely I agree. He did have his normal low carb snack/meal but I think I sort of panicked and thought if that wasn't enough and he dropped more at +6. And yes that's what I was trying to do not avoid it and hopefully keep his numbers low but then I managed to put them up anyways Ahh well I'm learning and getting there slowly with him
I've done my fair share of panicking, Becki. I once gave Bertie some Whiskas temptations treats with liquid glucose squirted all over them... ...Still, 'better safe than sorry'.... .
Hey guys. So my hubby has just tested Sox at +5 and he had dropped to 2.9 and he has to go out for work now. Hubby has fed his normal mid day meal now and he's also ate his brothers left over meat. Do we think he will be ok for afternoon now on his own? I'm not home now for another 6 hours.
Sorry no one was around. Given that Sox just had a good size snack/meal, and it's nearly +6, I would think he'll be okay. However, I also think a little reduction is in order.
I did think that. He's not been on 1.0u long it did wonder if I might need to drop. I'm surprised he went so low after been in yellows. Would you say maybe back down to 0.8u maybe?
I think I'd go back to 0.9u first and see how that goes. Sometimes just a drop or two makes the difference.
So I did my 0.9u last night but then when I got up this morning we were lower again so back to 0.75u I'm sure Sox is enjoying keeping me on my toes... Cheeky little devil he is lol
Sox is looking great for a little devil Becki! I love seeing the colours on the SS change as they get better regulated. You are doing a wonderful job with him.
Thank you @MrWorfMen's Mom he does seem to be getting alot better. And I'm starting to be able to look at spreadsheet and know what dose now will suit him better. Still a long way to go but definitely alot more confident now with it all.
It is... Should I be concerned though that I'm not sticking to a consistent dose at the moment though?
Consistency is best, but when cats start to throw new, lower numbers, you have to adjust to that. We find consistency works better when they're not regulated and we're trying to help with that. When they start to head down the dosing scale, you just have to go with the flow! So basically, no don't worry too much about it. You're doing the best you can with consistency but also trying to make sure he stays safe...you're doing great!
Yes, there is a lot more wiggling of the dose that happens when you get to the "fine tuning" phase. You don't want to be all over the place, but a little up and down is normal at this point. Hopefully she'll settle in for you soon and you will just be doing "skinny" and "fat" versions of a consistent dose.
Hopefully so bless him. Back with 0.8u for now. So will see how we react on that. Least we seem to be getting in to blue numbers morning and night now at the PS
So I tested Sox as usual this morning and fed him. AMPS were not too high. 20 mins after feeding he decided to throw that food back up. I've just given him the rest of his meal now but skipped the insulin shot. Is that right or should you still give a reduced shot? (For future reference)
Update I've just tested him +3 and he's gone to 5.6 with out insulin. I'm thinking that's a good sign?
These numbers are looking great! I might try 0.5 night and day. Can you add to your signature what meter you use? Human or pet
Yes I'll add that now. I use a freestyle lite human meter. Was it right for me too not give insulin as he was sick this morning pre shot?
He's just barely above normal. It's probably ok. Maybe you can stall for an hour and see if the number is going up. If it is you can shoot. Did he throw up? How is he sick today?
I'm in the UK so his insulin shot was due 4 hours ago. The 5.6 reading was +3 hours after when he should have had his shot but he dropped a little on his own.
That's ok good then. I wasn't sure if you should give insulin when they have been sick but I though probably best not to.
Sox is looking great despite the missed shot which is very encouraging. Hope his tummy has settled and that was just a little kitty blip this AM.
I think it was... He was meowing quiet abit this morning when I came down stairs then think he rushed his food which made him sick it back up. He's been fine rest of the day and still looking good in those blue numbers
Had a really good day today. Numbers stayed in the blues all day today with out insulin. Have given his normal shot tonight. Quiet happy with him staying in the blues by himself I'm thinking that's really good right? How would I know if he was or ever started to go into remmision?
Most non-diabetic cats run in the 50-80 range the majority of the time, with just occasional numbers up to 120. When Sox reaches the point that even a micro-dose of insulin is too much, that's when you start an OTJ trial. You probably didn't need to skip the shot this morning, but I don't think it hurt anything. It can sometimes take a cycle or two to get back on track after a missed shot. Other cats will pick right up where they left off, as if the skipped shot never happened. I hope his tummy is feeling better now!
So I gave 0.6u today and we've dropped to 3.2 at +5 hours. Do you think it would be worth maybe dropping to 0.5u for next dose?
Becki, if you are going to be around to monitor Sox over the next few days, I'd stick with the 0.6u unless he decides to go lower. That 3.2 is exactly the kind of reading you want to maintain as long through the cycle as possible to give Sox pancreas a chance to heal and get back to business. If you aren't going to be around, then yes I would reduce just for safety reasons and your own peace of mind. He's definitely moving in the right direction!
Okie dokie that's fine I just didn't want to push him abit to far and go into those 2 numbers. Thought I best just ask the question as you lot have a lot more experience shooting at these type of numbers.
I'd certainly keep an eye on him given that 3.2 today because that's a perfect place to be but you don't want him going much lower and he seems to possibly be responding really well now. If you will be around to monitor more around the holidays, it's the perfect time to see what that dose will do for him. Fingers crossed!
Yes that's what I was thinking. He probably would have gone lower but I have also fed him now at that +5 mark. I'm in for some of tomorrow then in all day Tuesday so can keep an eye on him. Might possibly find 0.5 might drop him into the greens but maybe not too low.
At this point Becki, it's really a judgement call based on numbers and your comfort zone too. Nothing like worrying about chasing numbers while trying to enjoy Christmas dinner so go with your gut and decide as you go. You are doing a great job with Sox!
Haha yes indeed. I'm fine with keeping an eye on him it's not a problem. Just getting used to these low numbers now and knowing what too shoot.
I think I would see what the PMPS is and then decide. You are into the numbers now where you may need to adjust dose by dose and not try for the consistency we talk about earlier in the dance. So stay at .6 if it's a higher blue, and maybe .5 if it's a lower blue. So you won't be bouncing the dose all over the place, just making fine little adjustments here and there.
I've gone with the 0.50u seen as we were at the lower ends of the blue. Will see how he goes on this dose now.
Happy Christmas, Becki! And Sox of course! (What a gorgeous photo...) You are doing the most fab job with Sox, Becki. Am really hoping (and keeping fingers and paws crossed) that his progress continues into the New Year, and that maybe early 2019 will bring another cause for celebration.... Eliz xxx
Thank you I'm so glad he seems to be creeping down those numbers and into them blues. Keeping fingers crossed the R word maybe some thing we can achieve. Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas guys xx
I know I'm biased but he is a little sweetie lol. Such a quirky little puss cat. I've started his own Instagram page cause he has some funny expressions and I thought I'd share them with every one lol
@MrWorfMen's Mom if you search on Instagram for Sox and friends it should bring up his page It may display it as friends and sox lol
