6/30 Lovie - recently DKA +11 is 80;

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Lovie's Mom

Member Since 2018
yesterday

So yesterday I moved Lovie's shot 3o minutes earlier in the morning and then 30 minutes earlier in the evening. This morning I moved the shot 1 hour earlier. I know that's a lot of moving but I had to BE at work at 8am this morning and I knew I couldn't skip her shot because of the recent DKA.

This is the second time this week that she's gone low. :arghh::arghh::arghh::arghh: I am doing everything I know how to do. I just don't know if I can manage all this. I need more help. I must be doing something wrong. I just don't know what it is....

So now what do I do about the dose for tonight?? I really hope someone is out there who can help me figure out what to do next
 
So here's the dilemma....

An early shot acts like a dose increase. That's likely why you saw low numbers after 2, back-to-back early shots. Some cats are sensitive to when we need to adjust a shot time. Some cats aren't bothered by a 30 min. adjustment although we typically suggest that you move the time by 30 min. only once in a 24 hour period. If you think the Lovie is sensitive to a time adjustment, try to plan enough in advance that you can adjust the time by 15 min. over several cycles. (We have to adjust shot times at the start and end of Daylight Savings Time, for example.)

That said, what we don't know for sure is whether Lovie is reacting to the early shot or this is a legit situation where the dose needs to be reduced. I would probably err on the side of safety and drop the dose to 0.25u. If it looks like the reduction isn't holding, you can always increase the dose back up.
 
Are you going to be able to shoot this new time consistently? What is your work schedule? Will you (or someone) be there to test?
 
Sienne and Gabby (GA) said:
So here's the dilemma....

An early shot acts like a dose increase. That's likely why you saw low numbers after 2, back-to-back early shots. Some cats are sensitive to when we need to adjust a shot time. Some cats aren't bothered by a 30 min. adjustment although we typically suggest that you move the time by 30 min. only once in a 24 hour period. If you think the Lovie is sensitive to a time adjustment, try to plan enough in advance that you can adjust the time by 15 min. over several cycles. (We have to adjust shot times at the start and end of Daylight Savings Time, for example.)

That said, what we don't know for sure is whether Lovie is reacting to the early shot or this is a legit situation where the dose needs to be reduced. I would probably err on the side of safety and drop the dose to 0.25u. If it looks like the reduction isn't holding, you can always increase the dose back up.
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Thank you for your quick reply. I am so worried about not giving her enough insulin because of the recent DKA. But these low numbers really scare me. especially when she won't eat the higher carb foods - she only eats the gravy. I have to dip her in honey. :banghead::arghh: to get her numbers to come up.
 
Wow! She just earned a dose reduction, but the recent DKA does change the rules.
Just to let you know, we recommend changing shot times in 15 minute increments or 30 minutes per day. Each early shot acts like a dose increase. I would not skip the shot tonight if at all possible because of the recent DKA, but would get a test about +11 to compare to the PMPS test to see how Lovie is rising or falling or staying about the same.
I would suggest practicing the 0.25 unit dose while you are waiting.
 
LizzieInTexas said:
Are you going to be able to shoot this new time consistently? What is your work schedule? Will you (or someone) be there to test?
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Unfortunately, there is no one else who can test Lovie when I'm at work. I think the new shot time can be maintained consistently for the most part. There are a couple of nights next week when I may have to shoot a little late but it seems that's better than shooting early.
 
Lovie's Mom said:
But is that ok with the recent DKA in the picture? I really don't want the DKA to come back. :arghh:
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There are others here that know more about DKA but my understanding is too little calories, too little insulin and infection is what leads to DKA. How is Lovie eating? I don't remember - is she on antibiotics?
 
LizzieInTexas said:
There are others here that know more about DKA but my understanding is too little calories, too little insulin and infection is what leads to DKA. How is Lovie eating? I don't remember - is she on antibiotics?
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Lovie is currently not on antibiotics. She is eating normally.
I wish I could figure out how to find the people here who know about DKA... I haven't been very successful in finding them... and of course it's saturday night and the vet's office is closed.:(
 
Lovie's Mom said:
No I haven't tested for ketones in a couple of days. I will stalk her and/or sleep next to the LB :eek:

the last time I tested there were no ketones
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You might consider getting a blood ketone meter. They are kinda pricy but oh, so handy (and a lot less mess/hassle).

Have you shot aleady?
 
LizzieInTexas said:
You might consider getting a blood ketone meter. They are kinda pricy but oh, so handy (and a lot less mess/hassle).

Have you shot aleady?
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No have not shot yet. I'm playing with blue water to try to figure out what 0.25 looks like before I waste expensive insulin...
 
Please test for ketones regularly, like at least once a day, since she had DKA. After a few weeks of no ketones, you can back off and test every few days. If she ever doesn't want to eat, or vomits, seems lethargic, or you get a feeling something is off, test for ketones..
I second the thought to get a blood ketone meter. Not only do you not have to wait to catch them in the litter box and get a urine sample, but the blood ketone meter shows what they are at right now. More precise.
 
Kris & Teasel said:
I'm glad you dropped the dose again. It's obvious that 0.5 u is too much right now. Be prepared to learn how to draw up even smaller doses! ;)
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:bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug: Thank you

I don't even know how to ask the questions... what should I do next? I don't have to work again until Monday afternoon. I was thinking abut doing a curve tomorrow. I am especially interested in her numbers in the afternoon when she seems to like swan diving. any suggestions you might have will be welcome.

The other thing that is weighing heavily on my mind right now is that I leave for a week of vacation in 10 days. I had planned on leaving Lovie at home with a cat sitter but that was before diabetes..... Now I am considering leaving her at the vet's office. But she HATES the vet office and bites and hisses and attacks everyone. I know she needs to be on a safety dose but how does a person determine what dose is safe??
 
Lovie's Mom said:
:bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug: Thank you

I don't even know how to ask the questions... what should I do next? I don't have to work again until Monday afternoon. I was thinking abut doing a curve tomorrow. I am especially interested in her numbers in the afternoon when she seems to like swan diving. any suggestions you might have will be welcome.

The other thing that is weighing heavily on my mind right now is that I leave for a week of vacation in 10 days. I had planned on leaving Lovie at home with a cat sitter but that was before diabetes..... Now I am considering leaving her at the vet's office. But she HATES the vet office and bites and hisses and attacks everyone. I know she needs to be on a safety dose but how does a person determine what dose is safe??
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I think it's too soon to decide what to do for your vacation. A lot can happen in 10 days. The last couple of days have brought great improvements. And that's all I'll say so I don't jinx anything ... ;)
 
Dyana said:
Please test for ketones regularly, like at least once a day, since she had DKA. After a few weeks of no ketones, you can back off and test every few days. If she ever doesn't want to eat, or vomits, seems lethargic, or you get a feeling something is off, test for ketones..
I second the thought to get a blood ketone meter. Not only do you not have to wait to catch them in the litter box and get a urine sample, but the blood ketone meter shows what they are at right now. More precise.
Click to expand...
Thank you Dyana :bighug::bighug: I will start testing every day and I'll think about getting a blood ketone meter. My poor budget is in shambles...
 
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