? Strange Question

Can Mr.'s licking habit, he likes to lick my hand and arm if I'm petting him, affect his BG numbers?

 

Unless you're covered in sugar, I don't think that would be an issue. I'm sure someone else will chime in if that's not the case, but I don't see how that could have an affect.

 

No, I can't imagine so for a moment! If however you're saying that your cat is relaxed in that situation, then bg should be as good as it's going to get at that point. Stress often elevates bg so a reduction in stress is a good thing.

 

Geez, if that were the case, my civvie (non-diabetic ca)t would be in extremely high numbers all the time!!

If I may make a suggestion or two....
Since you're using Lantus, please take a look at the sticky notes that are at the top of the Lantus board. With Lantus dosing, there are 2 methods that are used. Depending on which method you opt for, you want to increase the dose more often than it looks like you're doing. Holding a dose that isn't getting your kitty into better numbers (and you're doing a great job testing) can cause glucose toxicity to develop. The term sounds a lot worse than it is. It basically means that your cat become acclimated to being in high numbers. As a result, it can be more challenging to get those numbers to come down. The highs become the "new normal."

Lantus dosing is based on the nadir -- the lowest point in the cycle. If you are testing primarily at shot times, you have no idea how low the dose is bringing your cat's numbers. It's entirely possible for a cat to start the cycle with numbers in the 400s, drop into the 40s, and bounce back to the 400s by shot time. The drop to the lower numbers would necessitate a dose reduction but if you didn't catch the drop, you'd likely be increasing the dose.

Please get at least one test before you go to bed every night. Many cats experience lower numbers during the PM cycle. Without PM tests, you're missing half of your data.

To be honest, it looks like Mr. Moonie need more insulin.

 

I said 'Strange Question' cause I'm just going through the things that happen before testing. I figured that he licks me because I'm salty and I wasn't sure if that makes a difference. I have some syringes on the way and will start using them on Monday at the earliest. And I have the next couple of days off to do more tests through out the day.

 

Sienne and Gabby (GA) has suggested that there are many more experienced users of Lantus on the Lantus ISG. You may want to think about posting over there.
Lantus / Basaglar (glargine) and Levemir (detemir)

 

And Simba takes big chunks of Love Bites of my nosetip and arm.
It's His Simba-Love. He does that because he thinks I'm so lovely and sweet.

 

I would like to mention something about cats licking their people. Be careful if you are taking any kind of medication and you let your kitty lick you a lot. Medications are excreted through our skin and they can ingest a small amount. I read a story where a cat became really sick and they couldnt figure out what was wrong with him, and it turns out he licked his human alot and the person was taking a daily med (forget what kind) , and it was actually slowly poisoning the kitty.

 

@katiesmom - that's a very good point. It's definitely the case if you're using an NSAID cream.

 

Or if you are using any sort of transdermal product on your cat, you can transfer the medication from your cat to you. Such as thyroid meds.

 

But not the other way? I take thyroid meds.

 

As long as you wash your hands after taking your thyroid meds, it should not get on the fur of your cats where they could ingest it when they lick their fur or your hands. Far as I know, levothyroxine is not excreted through the pores of our skin. Metabolized in liver, kidneys, intestines and then you poop out the excess. Lev is in most body tissues so I suppose there is the slight chance it could be in your sweat. Simply wash your hands frequently if you are concerned or doubtful. Since hand washing is good for keeping you healthy by getting any bacteria and viruses off your skin, it won't hurt.

If you are on thyroid meds, and your cat has Hyper-T, the transdermal medication can be absorbed through the skin and 'screw up' your thyroid levels. Especially if you pet your cat or play with their ears. The transdermal methimazole and the like are applied to the inside of the cat's ears for absorption. Methimazole lowers the thyroid levels and people on thyroid medications usually take them because their body is not producing enough thyroid hormone on it's own. For instance, if you have had radioactive iodine treatments to kill off a portion of the thyroid gland after surgery for thyroid cancer or for Graves' disease.

In that case, you may be better off using the oral form of medication for hyper-T in your cat.

Even then, I don't think the BG readings would be affected.