POST Hypo Day for Boo

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cmcd65

cmcd65

Member Since 2011
Hi... I'm carla.... new to all this. Started home testing today.

Just did a test and had a very small, probably insignificant amount of blood. Could it give me a wrong reading???? Because it just said 53.

My cat is acting normal, playing with ribbons, eating, etc. Please tell me the 53 could be a mistake because there wasn't enough blood on the strip to get an accurate reading!!

Carla
 
Re: Trying not to panic... anyone out there?

can you get another test in...just to double check? Also how long after her shot was did you get that 53?

Mel, Maxwell and The Fur Gang
 
Re: Trying not to panic... anyone out there?

I'm having trouble getting a spot to bubble up and she's getting very frustrated with me. Not sure how many more changes I have. I'm sweating bullets.
 
Re: Trying not to panic... anyone out there?

You not dangerously low yet but you still have a couple more hours before you should be hitting her nadir...If you can get another test and come back and post the number. I'd like to make sure you got a true reading and she isn't dropping farther...Got Karo syrup in the house?

Mel, Maxwell and The Fur Gang.
 
Re: Trying not to panic... anyone out there?

Try to stay calm, the calmer you are the better if you start freaking out Boo is going to pick up on your emotions....Your the momma, you can do this, but you maybe about to get a trial by fire on home testing.

Mel, Maxwell and the Fur Gang
 
Re: Trying not to panic... anyone out there?

Yes, I do....

Please tell me.... is it possible to get a false reading with insignificant amount of blood? My vet told me it was. It will make me feel a whole lot better if that is the case.

Carla
 
Re: Trying not to panic... anyone out there?

Its possible but depends on the meter, mine will just give me an error message. But when in doubt it is always better to double check. Hypo can come on fairly quickly.

I don't want to scare you, but I do want to make sure Boo is safe tonight...I'll stay with you, I promise. Already sent the hubby on to bed, so I'll be here with you aslong as it takes to make sure your baby girl is alright.

(Mel, Maxwell and The Fur Gang.
 
Re: Trying not to panic... anyone out there?

Usually the meter will give you an error message if you don't have enough blood. What kind of insulin are you using? how much did you shoot?

DON'T PANIC! you can do this. Is anyone there with you? you need to test again, you NEED to know if she is still going down, do you have karo syrup? You will be all right, there are people here to help you.

Nancy and Payne
 
Re: Trying not to panic... anyone out there?

Good to see you Nancy

I believe she is on Lantus...she shot 4.5u about 4 hours ago so we have a few hours to go before nadir

Mel, Maxwell and The Fur Gang
 
Re: Trying not to panic... anyone out there?

On my metre, if there isn't enough blood it gives me an error message. Your metre may work differently, but I'm kind of a chicken and would rather get another drop of blood and know for sure that it was a bad reading. If you test again and it is still low, you can follow the hypo instructions and save yourself an emergency vet visit. Breathe. You'll get lots of help with this.
 
Re: Trying not to panic... anyone out there?

i don't know where my last post went.

The meter just read 43, but i got even less blbood in it this time. I just can't get a good sample.

Please tell me what to look for! If I weren't testing, I would not be even slightly concerned. She looks pretty normal.

Lantus:
BG was 243
Gave 4.5
Now at +4.5

I feel sick.
 
Re: Trying not to panic... anyone out there?

These are the signs of hypo

SYMPTOMS
Some cats may have NO symptoms whatsoever, but here are the most common ones:

MILD HYPOGLYCEMIA
Sudden ravenous hunger
Shivering
Weak or lethargic

MODERATE HYPOGLYCEMIA
Disorientation
Trouble with vision... bumps into furniture
Poor coordination, such as staggering, walking in circles or acting drunk
Changes in head or neck movements
Restlessness
Urgent meowing
Behavioral changes, such as aggressiveness

SEVERE HYPOGLYCEMIA
Convulsions or seizures
Unconsciousness


TREATMENT

During treatment for hypoglycemia, try to test every 15 minutes until you see the bgs begin to rise. Then continue to test until you are satisfied that the cat is out of danger.

VERY LOW NUMBERS – WITHOUT SYMPTOMS
Retest glucose using a large blood sample to make certain you have enough blood, and if you still get a very low number (under 40 mg/dL or 1.9 – 2.2 mmol/L) administer a tablespoon of corn syrup, liquid glucose, pancake syrup or honey, or INSTA-GLUCOSE and follow with food until the blood glucose numbers rise to acceptable levels. The syrup can be mixed with wet food or poured over dry if the cat will eat the mixture. If using liquid glucose, dilute with water for a thinner consistency.

LOW NUMBERS – WITHOUT SYMPTOMS
Retest glucose using a large blood sample to make certain you have enough blood, and if you still get a low number (40 – 60mg/dL or 2.2 – 3.3mmol/L) give food or treats until the blood glucose numbers rise to an acceptable level. If the cat refuses to eat even his/her favorite foods, you can syringe feed or administer a small amount of syrup.

LOW NUMBERS – MILD SYMPTOMS
Try feeding first or give a little syrup or honey followed by food until the blood glucose numbers rise to an acceptable level and the symptoms disappear. The syrup can be mixed with wet food or poured over dry if the cat will eat the mixture. If the cat will not eat, syringe feed. If your cat will eat dry, feed this first as the high carbs will help to increase his/her bgs quickly. You can then follow with his/her favorite canned food. Keep in mind that giving syrup (Karo, etc.) or honey is not enough because the effects wear off quickly. You need to follow with food.
IF IN ANY DOUBT, TELEPHONE YOUR VETERINARIAN.

That 43 has me concerned.
Can you try either the other ear or the paw pad...if you go for the pad, you want the big one...non-weight bearing. and you may want to get the karo syrup ready

Mel, maxwell & The Fur Gang
 
Re: Trying not to panic... anyone out there?

You may want to go back when you have second and change the title of this thread to Possible Hypo and stick a 911 on it so the night shift people will jump in. To change it go to your first post hit the edit button.

Sorry hon, but you may be in for a long night...but we will stay with you...just breathe, we will walk you through.

Mel
 
Re: Trying not to panic... anyone out there?

it just reaad 38. I put karo on her gums and she is eating dry food right now. should i take her to the emergency clinic?
 
Re: Trying not to panic... anyone out there?

Not just yet, we can talk you through as long as she is eating the dry will help bring her numbers up...I'm going to go cross post on Lantus board for you and see if e can get you some more experienced eyes..how far past shot are we?
Hope you have lots of stips you are about to become a pro at home testing.

Mel.
 
Re: 911 possible hypo... Lantus

We are at +5 and she ate dry food and some regular treats. She is acting completely normal.
 
Re: 911 possible hypo... Lantus

Nancy and I have cross posted for you hon, help is on its way and we will stay rigt here with you, but you are going to need to test right now about every 15 mins until her numbers start to rise. I just refilled the caffine, so I'm good to go.

Mel
 
Re: 911 possible hypo... Lantus

Dry takes a while to have an effect. Add a couple of drops of Karo to canned food (unless you have high carb canned food in the house). Please re-test in no more than 20 min.
 
Re: 911 possible hypo... Lantus

Thank you... before I stick her again..... any tips for getting a larger pooling of blood? I want to make each stick count.

I am trying to hit the spot near the edge of her ear..... maybe I shouldn't have gotten such fine lancets. I am warming her ear up by rubbing and trying to get a sample from the hairy side of her ear like I saw on the video... should I instead be shooting for the veins on the inside of the ear?
 
Re: 911 possible hypo... Lantus

We've got you, we aren't going to let anything happen to Boo.

We will stay up all night if we have too.

Mel
 
Re: 911 possible hypo... Lantus

?? When I click on the link above it is about buying cars!!
 
Re: 911 possible hypo... Lantus

Carla, you need to warm her ear, can you make up a quick rick sock? put some rice in a sock, then put it in the microwave for about 20 seconds and leave it on her ear a full minute .... that will really help!
Nancy
 
Re: 911 possible hypo... Lantus

Even in a pinch soak a wash cloth in water and throw that in the microwave, heat for about 20 seconds and stick it in plastic bag....anything to get her ear good and warm

Mel
 
Re: 911 possible hypo... Lantus

Just got a really good sample. Read 43, so it's coming up.

More Karo?
 
Re: 911 possible hypo... Lantus

Karo will raise her quickly but it won't last long, we need to bring her up with food...Any chance you have some high carb canned food like something in gravy?

Your still going to need to keep testing she isn't out of the woods yet. we need to get her up further.

Mel
 
Re: 911 possible hypo... Lantus

I'd mix a couple drops into 1/2 tsp or so of low carb food. Don't give too much more food than that as you don't want her getting too full should you need her to eat more in a bit. You're doing great... just keep hanging in there! We're dealing with low numbers over here tonight as well.... you're not alone!!
 
Re: 911 possible hypo... Lantus

I'm about to test again... just made a rice sock... she is sitting here looking at me.

be back in a minute....
Carla
 
Re: 911 possible hypo... Lantus

SO, we are now a little past +5.5. She is becoming a little more active. Walking around... just used the litter box

Should I continue testing every 15 minutes?

I can't thank you all enough for helping me through this.
 
Re: 911 possible hypo... Lantus

Well Mel ( mommaofmuse) is busy seeing to it you have company tonight. i'm in california so still pretty early here.
i have to go back and see what you shot. and how fast your coming down. i see the lantus folks are here so i KNOW your gonna be good.
Lori
 
Re: 911 possible hypo... Lantus

Yes, you may be testing for quite awhile tonight...Lantus is long lasting insulin, it may be up to 16 hours, but we will be with you al night eve if we have to tag team it.

Lori she shot 4.5 units! Boo is still on dry food.

Mel
 
Re: 911 possible hypo... Lantus

I'd go with another small amount of food (1/2 tsp or so) laced with 3-4 drops of karo again. We need to keep pulling those numbers up.

I would keep testing until you see numbers in the 60s, and where you're seeing at least 2 back to back rising numbers.

And you are doing great! I can still remember our first low numbers and how stressed out I was!! It gets easier, I promise! :) My response to Willie's 37 tonight bordered on leisurely! :lol: :lol: :lol: (though, there was still an "OH CRAP!!!" thrown in for good measure!!)
 
Re: 911 possible hypo... Lantus

Well this is one way to learn to home test...not the best way, but definitely one of the quickest.

Mel
 
Re: 911 possible hypo... Lantus

well that is a high dose...and he's not exactly crashing, so i am hopeful this will not get very eventful.
so much was written...is there gravy high carb wet food around?
if not, bread soaked in milk with a bit of honey is good. we've used that before for a longer acting boost.
 
Re: 911 possible hypo... Lantus

another lantus newbie got his very first test in at +12 and it was 36 :shock: so we have been seeing some wild first tests.
 
Re: 911 possible hypo... Lantus

How are you doing Carla? still hanging in there? you now have a LARGE group with you and we will stay as long as you need us.
Nancy
 
Re: 911 possible hypo... Lantus

Ok, I just tested again... got another 45. I rubbed a little more Karo and put some food I found in the pantry in her dish. It is Science Diet Light dry.

Here is a SUMMARY for those kind enough to help me through this:

I am on Central Standard Time btw.

6:30 p.m. Gave 4.5 units Lantus
6:50 p.m. Administered my first successful Home BG test. It was 243
10:30 (+4). Reading 53
11:00 (+4.5) Reading 43
11:15ish (+4.75) Reading 34
Gave Corn Syrup... Had her eat some high(er) carb dry food (Royal Canine Urinary s/o)
11:45 (+5.25) Reading 43
12:00 (+6) Reading 45
12:15 (+6.25) Reading 45
Gave a little more corn syrup and she ate some Science Diet Light dry food.... drank a lot of water... peed in box

That's where we are.

Should I keep 15 minute readings????
Carla
 
Re: 911 possible hypo... Lantus

it must be +6 by now.
carla how long have you been shooting 4.5?
how long has kitty been diabetic?
 
Re: 911 possible hypo... Lantus

Yep you are going to need to keep testing until we get her into the 60s for a couple of test.

Mel
 
Re: 911 possible hypo... Lantus

Oh, and I'm so sorry, I keep forgetting to answer this question:

I have some higher carb wet food in the house for my other cats, but Boo will not touch the stuff. I have not gotten her over to wet food yet.

Carla
 
Re: 911 possible hypo... Lantus

i think you can wait a half hour.
let her ear rest.
sounds like you've gotten a lot of sugar into her.
i think i'd stop with the syrups for now.
 
Re: 911 possible hypo... Lantus

lori and tom said:
it must be +6 by now.
carla how long have you been shooting 4.5?
how long has kitty been diabetic?
Click to expand...

She was diagnosed May 23.

first week: 1 unit twice daily
second week: 2 units twice daily
third week: 3 unites twice daily
last week: 4 units twice daily
this week (starting Monday): 5 units twice daily, but I measured out at 4.5 because 5 scared me.
 
Re: 911 possible hypo... Lantus

Carla you are in good hands right now, so I'm going to bow out for a couple of hours of shut eye, but will be back early in the morning to check on you. I'm on CST too, and morning for me starts at 5:30 am, So I'll be back in a few hours.

You can do this and you have plenty of good ladies here now to hold your hand and paw. You are doing a great job.

Hang in there hon.

Mel
 
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