Corduroy's BGs Won't Go Down...Raise to 2 Units?

Hi all,

I've been beside myself with worry and beside myself with anger toward the dental "specialist" we took Corduroy to on 4/28 because ever since the shot of Convenia, his BG levels have been sky high and won't go down no matter what. I've realized it's really not safe to take your diabetic cat to ANY vet because they don't know the first thing about this disease and how medications can affect them. Now, I'm afraid Corduroy isn't going to make it through this next two months of sky-high blood sugar since Convenia's effects last for that long. I can't believe that this is happening and I feel so guilty for possibly being the cause of his demise.

We plan to raise his dose again this morning, and was thinking about raising it to 2 units, but am just wondering: Since we're going to break open a NEW Lantus pen, should we still raise the dose to 2 units? If anyone has any advice, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks and I hope you all have a good day!

Since you've raised his dose from 1.0u to 1.25u on 05/02, and then raised it again on the morning of 05/03, I would hold this current dose of 1.50 for another 4-6 cycles to see what he does, and then go from there. It could very well be that he's bouncing from that sudden dose change. Consistency is the key.

With regards to the Zobaline tablet, if he's not eating it whole, you can always crush it up and mix it into his wet food. That's what I've been doing with Blackie, and she eats it just fine. Just a thought.

Convenia is supposed to be used for skin infections, from what I've read. Unfortunately, vets seem to think that it can be used for anything. I highly recommend that you watch Corduroy VERY closely since he's been given this medication. Is he acting normal? Is there anything that has changed since he was given this medication other than his BG's going high? Other than the medication potentially giving him higher BG's, could he have possibly gotten into something that perhaps he doesn't normally eat? Log everything, and anything between the vet's visit to today that you can remember, and if need be, go see another vet. Unfortunately, the Convenia is a 2 week antibiotic, and could last for about a month in the kitty, if I remember correctly. I've had taken Blackie to the vet (a new vet who does understand feline diabetes) for a skin issue (lump on the back about 1" from the base of the tail), and I think the vet injected the Convenia into that area to bring the infection down before surgery to remove it. Blackie hasn't had any ill affects from it at all.

Hi Angela,

He has been on the 1.5 units for six cycles already. This is why I thought I should raise it today. I'm not sure if I should let his BG levels stay as high as they are if I can help it. I'm kind of afraid to keep him on this dose for another 4-6 cycles.

Ok, then if you want to raise the dose this evening, go to 1.75u instead of 2u. 2u may or may not be too much, however, I wouldn't take that chance simply because you want to keep him as safe as possible. If you want to, hold the 1.75u for 8 cycles (4 days), which would add an extra day (2 more cycles) to allow him a bit more time to get used to the new dose. Just remember that he may be bouncing from that time you raised the doses too quickly, too. You can't rush the #s down. Unfortunatley, everything is done slowly. The main objective is to keep him as safe as possible.

Hi Angela,

This was a response from Julie and Punkin in regards to raising his dose so quickly from 1.25 to 1.5 units on May 3rd:

"i agree - you could increase with your next dose to 1.5u. Because you could've gone to 1.5u last night, based upon the previous several days' nadirs, you don't have to wait now for the typical 6 cycles to pass to see what the 1.25u will do."

This is the reason for that little burp in the numbers. I would usually not do this otherwise.

I just thought this might help explain it a little better to you :smile:

No problem. Julie has said it better than I have, anyway. Good luck!

I agree to go with the 1.75u instead of jumping up to 2 .
And keep monitoring like you have been....


What does the crunching sound like?
food crunching?
a loose tooth?
jaw? Does he paw at his mouth like he is in pain?
If you scratch his face along the law line does his mouth make a chattering action?

Hi guys .. no dosing advice from me but fingers crossed corduroy doesn't spend the next few months high because of that shot .. but don't beat yourself up over it, ok? Now you are doing what you can to bring him back down .. just hang in there! Have a great day!