3/20 Tiki, HELP - the Honeymoon is over.

Hello Again,

Tiki has been OTJ since last April but his numbers are back up and I can't ignore it any more with the hopes that my readings are just wrong. He has no other symptoms of high BG numbers that I can see and no access to carbs so not sure why this is happening. I just made an appointment for him at a new vet's (uuugh, but it's closer to home) tomorrow and I am hoping they don't give me attitude for doing my own thing with him. My old prescription can't be refilled so I am stuck. Just wondering if anyone else has had to go back on the juice and what to expect. Can anyone give me advice as to where to start (dosage etc). And forgive me in advance, as I will likely mess up all my future postings until I get back into the swing of things.

Thanks!

Hi Tonya. I'm sorry your honeymoon is over. I'll hope to heaven that Tiki is just taking a short break and heads directly back to the falls!!
I don't have enough experience to guide you on dose, i only copied this from the protocol stickies at the top of the page. I'm sure someone will be along and give you direction on the dose to use for Tiki. hugs to you both. mary and ollie

Using a weight based formula for determining a starting dose of Lantus or Levemir when following the Tight Regulation Protocol:

the formula is 0.25 unit per kg of the cat's ideal weight

if kitty is underweight, the formula frequently used is 0.25 unit per kg of kitty's actual weight

if the cat was previously on another insulin, the starting dose should be increased or decreased by taking prior data into consideration

Online Calculator for Converting Pounds to Kilograms

Click to expand...

Sorry about the numbers heading back up. Let's see what we can do to get Tiki back to the Falls!

You're smart to get Tiki in to see the vet. Make sure there isn't any infection. When was the last time Tiki had a dental? Dental issues have brought any number of kitties back from the Falls.

Using the weight based formula that Mary provided is one way to anticipate a starting dose. Usually, this works out to somewhere in the neighborhood of 1.0u.

I don't suspect a dental issue. I just poked my fingers in his mouth and he didn't flinch anymore than his general pissiness that I was poking my fingers in his mouth. Everything seems normal. He is acting the same as ever, mischievous and catlike. Has a good appetite (even more so now that his numbers are back up and he's hungrier than normal). Nothing seems out of sorts.

Hi Tonya,
Sometimes they just fall off the wagon. I agree that you should take Tiki to the vet to have the various blood and urine tests to make sure he is OK. If all is fine, he just may need a little insulin shove to get him back into remission. Take a look at Tiki's spreadsheet. There may be something there that will give you a clue with regard to what is going on with him now.

Sorry that you are back and hope it will be a short visit!

Ella & Rusty

HI, Tonya and Tiki! I can't help with dosing advice, but can tell you that Tiki is joining Chuck from the falls. Chuck was OTJ for 4 years, 9 months and 19 days. Because he had a vet-induced hypo, he became insulin sensitive. We were thinking he might not still be sensitive after all this time - the vet wanted to start him at 1U 2x daily, but decided to make that 0.5U 2x daily until we saw how he reacted. My gut said that was still too high, and shot 0.25U the first time. He plummeted from over 400 to about 40 in just 10 hours!

So, since you've been here before, you know the drill and you know that the experienced folks are always willing and able to lend a hand! Hope Tiki's visit is a very short one!!