12/22 Purrdy - transition to LC?

Morning/Evening Lantus Land

Last condo: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=130126

As suggested Mum has agreed to put Purddy on a LC diet with extra water

How should we go about this? I'm assuming that we don't want to reduce his carbs without reducing his dose. I note that Mum's not sure she can do a 0.75 (will be getting her some of those clip on your glasses magnifiers - does anyone have any favourites, or least favourites?) so it might have to be a half unit reduction. But if .25 is recommended we will do our best.

Do we need to reduce the dose a cycle or two in front of the food change to take the shed into account? Is it better to change all at once (he's had the food he's going to have before and liked it so I don't expect any trouble changing him over) or to transition? If transitioning how slowly?

Basically, can we please have a game plan for doing this.

Thanking you in advance

Serryn

Food change to low carb may reduce glucose levels about 100 mg/dL and up to 2 units of insulin.

If you make the transition gradually, about 20-25% per day, you might downshift the insulin dose maybe 0.5 units per day until the food is switched, then follow your regular Lantus protocol from there.

I would transition slowly (over a week or so) for two reasons: for BG monitoring, and to avoid the upset belly a sudden food change can cause.

I would recommend getting a few more tests in per cycle, especially while transitioning food. A change to LC food can cause BGs and insulin needs to drop rapidly, and you do want to catch that before things fall into dangerous territory.

You guys are doing a great job and are on the right track! Keep a close eye on those numbers, and post as many questions as you need!!

Can you say "little slow on the uptake??" Hi Serryn!! I'm glad Vyktor is still doing well OTJ, and I'm sorry Purrdy is here now, but he's in good hands with you to guide the way!!

BJM said:

Food change to low carb may reduce glucose levels about 100 mg/dL and up to 2 units of insulin.

If you make the transition gradually, about 20-25% per day, you might downshift the insulin dose maybe 0.5 units per day until the food is switched, then follow your regular Lantus protocol from there.

Click to expand...

The problem with BJM's suggestion is that he's only on 1 unit at the moment so if we reduce 0.5 per day while switching at that rate he'll be off the insulin before we're done - which would be nice but maybe not appropriate just yet.

Or is it? Should we can the insulin until he's transitioned and then start again? I don't think he'll have any tummy upsets if we do it quite quickly as he has had the type of food mum will be giving before without ill effect.

If that's not a good idea then I'm wondering do we reduce, by say 0.5 (so he's on 0.5 bid down from 1 bid) and then, given the shed effect, not start introducing the LC until the next shot, see how the numbers go on say 25% LC and then review the situation at that point?

I note that mum's really not up for too many pj parties back to back.

Hi Amy :smile: will definately get her to take additional tests if he transitions while on the juice. Mum is doing a great job isn't she, I'm very proud she (and Purrdy) took to the testing like ducks to water and she can even do it freehand!

Hi Serryn. Best to be cautious when switching to wet food. We had one kitty here who's caregiver thought he wasn't getting any dry, but when she switched the civies to all wet, her FD kitty went from 5.5U of Levemir to zero in a very intense 36 hours.

I also had to deal with a kitty on C/D (the civie) and a diabetic kitty who hoovers any food. The solution here was low phosphorus and low carb wet/raw with extra water.

:shock: thanks Wendy mum really couldn't deal with something like that. So I'm really starting to think that the safest thing might be to quit the insulin for a couple of days while we change the diet

hi serryn! always good to see you!

it typically takes about 24 hrs for the dry food carbs to clear the system. I think I'd make the transition slowly and just alert your mom that if she catches a low test that she might need to reduce the dose with the next shot, even if it wasn't a below-50 test. I'd do the week that Amy suggested, or at least 4 days, decreasing by 10-20% of dry food per day. That ought to be slowly enough that she should be able to catch things without having a crisis.

Of course, testing will be her friend and help guide her in what to do.

by the way, is your mom using a human or pet glucometer? Could you add that info to your signature line or big and clear on the ss?

Given the already low dose, I'd cut to 0.5 units, then the next meal begin the slow food switching.

Maybe hold a day or two at that dose and food mix to watch for responses. Then possibly skip a shot or aim for 0.25 units with the next.

And it is possible that the food switch could get him off insulin if he's on that low of a dose.

Hi Serryn, we miss you, but sorry Purrdy is why you are back. I think you've gotten good suggestions on the food. Here are some for the magnifier. The [url-http://www.doneganoptical.com/products/optivisor]OptiVisor[/url] is great, I'd go for the DA-5 or DA-7 and maybe the extra loop too. We have the DA-4 and i wish it were a little stronger. You could also try a digital caliper to measure the actual dose, you know how bad the markings are on most syringes.

Hi Serryn,
I just stumbled over Ann's reply to your post. Welcome back! I'm sure you'll get Purrdy on the right path and that your mum will be very good at dealing with FD.
Rusty sends greetings to Vyktor.

Happy Holidays!

Ella & Rusty