First BG reading -- Is it normal??

Discussion in 'Caninsulin / Vetsulin and N / NPH' started by Sarah & Wubby, Jul 14, 2018.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. Sarah & Wubby

    Sarah & Wubby New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 11, 2018
    Hi everyone,

    My cat Wubby has been on insulin since March 15th. Originally, I brought him into the vet multiple times at different times of day to get somewhat of a glucose curve (the vet thought this was less stressful and more accurate than keeping him one full day), and he was prescribed to get 4 units of Vetsulin every 12 hours. These past few days, I noticed him acting a little strange -- he had a slight tremor, but I wasn't sure if I was just seeing things, but I would feed him high carb food and watch him afterward and he would always seem ok shortly after. Today, about 40 minutes after his morning shot at 11 AM, he definitely had a slight shake and meowed in a kind of agitated way when I picked him up (he never does this). I knew this wasn't normal so I fed him his high carb food and called my vet. She advised me to keep offering him the high card food until he seemed normal again, which he did around 40 minutes later.

    I asked my vet if I should be home testing and she told me it was not necessary. However, seeing my baby like that today convinced me that I absolutely have to. I can't stand the stress of not knowing if my baby is in danger. I purchased the ReliOn confirm monitor, lancets, and strips as well as the Neosporin, cotton rounds, and extra treats. The test went easily and my kitty didn't mind (thank goodness). The reading I got today at 8 pm (so +9 hours from his AM shot) was 84. I've been searching all over the forum to try and figure out how to interpret this result and in my panic, I can't seem to find anything. Is this normal??? Should he still get his insulin at 11 pm (in three hours from now?)

    I intend to get started with a spreadsheet and everything now that we will be home testing. Here is his relevant info:

    Wubby, male, Maine Coon, age 14, 13.8lbs
    Food: Friskies flaked tuna or pate, one 1/2 can every 12 hours.
    Insulin: Vetsulin, 4 units, every 12 hours after eating
     
  2. Leah

    Leah Member

    Joined:
    Jul 9, 2018
    4 units seems crazy high to me. My cat is on 2, you can see his spreadsheet in my signature. 9 hours post-shot he would never be that low. I'd want to drop down to 1 unit (basic starting unit from what I hear), and do pre-shot testing, and a curve ASAP. It's far better for cats to be a bit high than to go hypo!
     
    Sarah & Wubby likes this.
  3. JanetNJ

    JanetNJ Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2016
    Glad you are testing now. If he was still 84 at 9 hours after the shot, chances are he was hypo that day. Vetsulin usually peeks between 4-6 hours after injection. You need to lower that dose immdiately and test test test. Get a preshot test (no food 2 hours prior), then feed and shoot. Honestly id drop that dose down to 2 until you get the hang of testing. Then test again about 5 hours after the shot.
     
    Last edited: Jul 15, 2018
    Leah and Sarah & Wubby like this.
  4. Sarah & Wubby

    Sarah & Wubby New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 11, 2018
    I just did his AMPS (no food 2 hours prior) ... He is at 84. Based on this number I will not shoot at all this morning, is that correct? Is this normal after a hypo incident? After testing I fed him. I plan to do a curve today - does that mean test every 2 hours? The ear pricks have been getting progressively harder, he meows and struggles and sometimes it takes multiple attempts before I can get blood :( I can't imagine doing this every two hours today, but of course will do so if its important for his health. I just feel bad for the little guy.

    Any ideas what may be going on here?? I am positive I am doing the testing correctly, and I did twice in a row and got 84 both times this morning. Thanks for your reply
     
  5. Leah

    Leah Member

    Joined:
    Jul 9, 2018
    Definitely don't shoot below 200! If the sticks are getting hard, back it off to 3 or 4 hours. Do you give a low-carb treat before & after?
     
    Sarah & Wubby likes this.
  6. Leah

    Leah Member

    Joined:
    Jul 9, 2018
    You don't have to do a full curve all at once. You can do like every 3 hours today, then fill in the gaps another day by doing different hours. Just trying to get a general idea of how he's doing in a way that he'll accept is better for now than stressing both of you out for an entire day ;)
     
    Sarah & Wubby likes this.
  7. Sarah & Wubby

    Sarah & Wubby New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 11, 2018
    Yes he got treats and cheek scritches -- he is ok with me now, but gets wary when I pet him close to his ears. I put on neosporin with pain relief, but I'm worried it hurts him so much :(
     
    Leah likes this.
  8. JanetNJ

    JanetNJ Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2016
    No need to do A curve today since he's not getting a shot. Test again tonight before what would be his next test time. Thank goodness you tested. 4 units at 84 preshot could have been fatal.... No joke.
     
  9. JanetNJ

    JanetNJ Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2016
    When you poke try not to get the vein as it hurts more. Aim for the sweet spot. 022C5A68-B231-45AA-A8E4-7615B37DAB20.jpeg
     
    Sarah & Wubby likes this.
  10. Sarah & Wubby

    Sarah & Wubby New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 11, 2018
    Thank you! I've been aiming for the sweet spot, but he does move when I try to stick him
     
  11. JanetNJ

    JanetNJ Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2016
    Maybe try to poke while he had a snack? My cat was very squirmmy in the beginning. Now she's usually chill. I have a video in my signature showing how I test my cat CC at home.
     
    Sarah & Wubby likes this.
  12. JanetNJ

    JanetNJ Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2016
    If he wants to go after the poke you can put the drop in the back of your nail and test from there.
     
    Sarah & Wubby likes this.
  13. Sarah & Wubby

    Sarah & Wubby New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 11, 2018
    Is it allowed??? I swear he doesn't notice anything when he is eating so that would be helpful if he had something to distract him. Just watched your video - I hope my cat purrs one day when I test him! Thanks for your advice!
     
    JanetNJ likes this.
  14. JanetNJ

    JanetNJ Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2016
    Sure why not! As long as it's a low carb treat. Deli meat without fillers, freeze dried meats, fresh meat... Chicken, tuna. Catnip.
     
    Sarah & Wubby likes this.
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.

Share This Page