4/13 Marshmellow AMPS 519 Mistake made

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Marshmellow & Steve

Marshmellow & Steve

Member Since 2015
Good morning, I am new to the group, and do I have a lot of catching up to do. This morning I made an amateur mistake. Marshmellow, 9# new diabetic (3-5-15) ketoacidosis on admission. We started treating at home on the 8th. A long story, but somehow used a U40 insulin syringe today instead of U100, so she received 2.5u instead of 1u. She ate well, and I will do extra BG testing today, but my question is this. Should I feed her a little extra today and try to get back on schedule tomorrow? She usually gets 1.5 cans of FF pate BID. Thanks. Will keep checking back, have Dr appt and physical therapy later on.
 
Please get some early tests -- a +1 and +2. With an overdose, you don't want your cat's BG to plummet. If you start to see numbers dropping fast, do you have high carb food or some kind of syrup on hand (e.g., Karo, honey, maple syrup)?
 
I agree with Sienne...you want to stay on top of testing, not only during the daytime cycle, but also this evening, too. I would keep a close eye on the numbers, but don't start feeding just yet - you want Marshmellow to be hungry and willing to eat later on should her numbers start dropping fast. Having high carb and/or syrup on hand will be essential - and, just in case, be prepared to possibly take her to the vetty should things plummet very quickly. Sometimes these types of accidents are a non-event, and sometimes they aren't, so keeping close tabs is very important.

I have to head to work shortly, but will try to check in on you at times during the day. Please keep us posted as you test - we like to see how things are going!
 
Thank you, I had to be at the doctors, just got back, her +3 is 501. Will check frequently today.

I also noted that most on here use human glucometers, I got mine from the vet ( an Alphatrak). I checked out Walmart, they have the Relion (the strips are much less expensive), but which model is preferable? They have the micro, confirm, ultima, and then the prime. I want to pick one up today. I will do side by side tests for a few days so I know what readings I should expect.
 
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The strips for the prime are the cheapest but I don't think it is that reliable. Most of us here use the micro but some use the confirm. I like the micro because it is smaller. Ann/Tess uses Target's Up and Up and loves it. It gets very high ratings as well and I think strip price is comparable.

I hope you can return the Alpha Trak. It's a great meter but way too pricey on strips. Remember that numbers on a human glucometer are generally lower than on the AT. At lower numbers, the AT reads 30-40% higher.

I'd keep a eye on her numbers today and tonight.

The DKA is totally resolved? While you see at Walmart, grab some ketostix. You need to check her urine ketones daily. It is not uncommon that cats that have had one bout of DKA, have another. If you see ketones as indicated by the urine strip and she stops eating/drinking, we'd recommend you take her to the vet right away. Adding water to her food will help but the vets also need to be sure they addressed the infection as DKA is caused by infection + not enough insulin + not enough food/water.

Welcome to the group!
 
Thanks Marje and Gracie. Yes, DKA resolved, we check her urine 1x weekly now. I always add a little water to her food, plus she does drink some also. Watching numbers closely today, they haven't dropped yet, so I will be observant for a possible crash. As far as the meter, I can't return it, but for the money I just spent, that is the least of my worries. I will pick up the micro, the strips are 1/3 the cost of the AT.
 
Marshmellow still doing fine, yelling at me to eat. Picked up the Relion micro, what a difference in numbers. From reading everything on line here, I trust this the way to go. Though I did read on 1 site, can't remember which, that there is a difference in human and animal blood, and that's why they recommend specific meters, but all others state that regular glucometers are fine.
 
Hello,
Roger and I have not been on before... However, I know you feel somehow responsible for your baby's illness, AND it is very easy to make a dosing mistake. But, as far as diabetes itself, it is often simply genetics. And mistakes of any kind can happen.
I have made this mistake before and I agree that you need to test your baby throughout the day and evening... even some tomorrow.
Usually, unless your baby will not eat or will not take a complex sugar like banana, apple, etc... it is a good idea to use the syrup if the blood sugar is low. I am lucky. Roger loves to eat just about anything, so strawberries, bananas, etc. are not odd for him to eat.
In any case, don't blame yourself for diabetes. Roger was in DKA, though I fed him the best foods, but since we got him regulated (within just a 6 weeks or so) he has had minor ups and downs. You sound like a great mom. You and your baby will get through this just fine. Roger has been living with this for 4 years since collapsing and being diagnosed... He was not expected to live through the DKA, but he is doing great!! Kitty's are amazing!
 

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I had a similar situation - we'd been using ProZinc (u-40 syringes) and when the vet switched us to Lantus he never said we needed u-100 syringes. Fortunately Punkin ended up being a high dose cat (acromegaly) and it probably saved his life on that one.

In any case, Marshmellow looks like she's coping ok with it today. These mistakes happen, so don't beat yourself up.

And welcome to the group, Steve. There's tons of information here, both written and in the people. You're off to a good start. Your Relion meter will be fine and it will save you a ton of money compared to using the AT. All of our documents are written using people glucometers, so we actually prefer people to use them. Things get very confusing with the ATs.

Have you shot tonight? I see a number in the pmps column but no dose.
 
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