Scratches is crashing again!

Discussion in 'Feline Health - (Welcome & Main Forum)' started by Scratches123, Oct 11, 2019.

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  1. Scratches123

    Scratches123 Member

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    Scratch has been all over the place and idk what to do. I'm frustrated. She's been in high 200s for days and once her insulin kicks in she will be at good numbers like 160s ish. She was at 247 pre pm shot and now at +2 she's at 72. I almost predicted this would happen. Last time it dropped low she had a really good couple days, felt and acted great, then crashed. Same thing today. So idk what to do. She's having some gravy food and had a couple bits of kibble. Will test in 20. I'll update her spread sheet. Any advice would be great. Thank you

    Update: now saying shes 125. Could have been a wonky strip. I'll test again in 20 to be safe. I can't take the stress!! Haha. Phew. But still. I still think she might be on too much insulin? I'm not sure. Going to attempt a curve on Sunday when I'm off work
     
    Last edited: Oct 11, 2019
  2. Red & Rover (GA)

    Red & Rover (GA) Well-Known Member

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    I cannot stay with you but will until someone else comes along.
    Do not feed and keeping checking every 30 minutes.
    You don't know if it was a wonky strip (next time re-test immediately) or if what you are seeing is the carbs taking effect.
    If the numbers continue to rise on their own for the next 2 hours, most likely it was a wonky strip.
    If the numbers rise and then start to go down, then most likely it was not a wonky strip.

    Lantus is a depot insulin. It stores a bit of insulin in the body and slowly releases it over time. This is what gives you nice, beautiful curves.
     
  3. Scratches123

    Scratches123 Member

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    Okay I fed her some gravy food and a couple bites of kibble. She was at 125 immediately after feeding. I have an alarm for thirty minutes after that. And no more food until I see the results.
     
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  4. Scratches123

    Scratches123 Member

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    She seems okay. Purring. She's alert, I put the laser light near her and she perked right up
     
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  5. Red & Rover (GA)

    Red & Rover (GA) Well-Known Member

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    If she was 125 immediately after feeding, it could have been a wonky strip. Or it could have been her body reacting to a low(ish) number. 72 is close to the take action number of 68 on a pet meter.
    However, you will have to be vigilant and test for a couple of hours just to make sure she's not dropping dangerously low because +2 is very early in the cycle and carbs only last for so long as you saw the other night.
     
  6. Scratches123

    Scratches123 Member

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    Yes I will definitely be testing a bunch tonight either way.
     
  7. Scratches123

    Scratches123 Member

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    She's at 80. Should I feed her again? Or wait?
     
  8. MrWorfMen's Mom

    MrWorfMen's Mom Well-Known Member

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    Just catching up. BRB
     
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  9. MrWorfMen's Mom

    MrWorfMen's Mom Well-Known Member

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    Yes you can give her a tsp or so of MC to get her up a bit more. Recheck again in 30 minutes.
     
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  10. MrWorfMen's Mom

    MrWorfMen's Mom Well-Known Member

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    I take it you want to follow the SLGS method of dosing which means Scratches earned a dose reduction down to 0.75u starting tomorrow AM as long as BG is high enough to give insulin.
     
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  11. Scratches123

    Scratches123 Member

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    Yes.
     
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  12. Red & Rover (GA)

    Red & Rover (GA) Well-Known Member

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    Sorry. Turning off the downstairs took longer than expected. And then Hoss (think Bonanza) the cat from up the street wanted a snack.
     
  13. Red & Rover (GA)

    Red & Rover (GA) Well-Known Member

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    PMPS 247
    +2 71 fed gravy food and a bit of kibble
    125 (immediately after gravy and kibble)
    -2.75? 80 fed tsp or two of MC
     
  14. Scratches123

    Scratches123 Member

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    Yes
     
  15. Scratches123

    Scratches123 Member

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    She's at 110. Food? Or no food? And how long to test again?
     
  16. Red & Rover (GA)

    Red & Rover (GA) Well-Known Member

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    +3 110

    Scratches has already earned a reduction. Now the goal is to keep her in safe numbers until she starts to come up on her own without the benefit of food.
    That said, it is still early in the cycle.
    I'd give a tsp or two of LC to encourage a surf in the low blues.
     
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  17. Scratches123

    Scratches123 Member

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    Her normal Sheba will be okay? Pate?
     
  18. MrWorfMen's Mom

    MrWorfMen's Mom Well-Known Member

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    Yes normal food is fine for now. It's still early in the cycle so retest again in an hour to see if she is holding or still dropping.
     
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  19. Red & Rover (GA)

    Red & Rover (GA) Well-Known Member

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    Yes, that's fine. Test 30 minutes from the last test.

    A bit of housekeeping: can you add Sheba pate to your signature. It says you feed Tiki Cat.
     
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  20. Scratches123

    Scratches123 Member

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    Oh yep! Thank you, I forgot. She got tired of the tiki cat. Switched to Sheba.
     
  21. MrWorfMen's Mom

    MrWorfMen's Mom Well-Known Member

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    When changing signature, can you also remove the dose and just leave Lantus there and add SLGS too please.
     
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  22. Red & Rover (GA)

    Red & Rover (GA) Well-Known Member

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    Just so we have the information at hand tonight: according to the food chart, Sheba pates are 3% (approximate value).
     
  23. Scratches123

    Scratches123 Member

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    She's at 139. Food? No food? How long to test again like an hour?
     
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  24. MrWorfMen's Mom

    MrWorfMen's Mom Well-Known Member

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    Yes test again in an hour and don't feed her again until we see where she's at then.
     
  25. Scratches123

    Scratches123 Member

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    Okay I will keep you posted in an hour. Thanks!
     
  26. Red & Rover (GA)

    Red & Rover (GA) Well-Known Member

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    Edit: Spreadsheet shows
    +4 139 not fed

    Can you update your spreadsheet please? It is something that is checked frequently during low numbers.
     
    Last edited: Oct 11, 2019
  27. Red & Rover (GA)

    Red & Rover (GA) Well-Known Member

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    I edited the previous post to read

    +4 (not +3.5) 139

    I"m off to bed. MrWorfsMum will stay with you.
    You both are doing a great job tonight.
     
  28. Scratches123

    Scratches123 Member

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    Thanks so much for everything! I was just more prepared tonight than I was last time. I'm staying calm. Scratches is actually playing a little bit, she hasn't done that in a long time. I think I'm on to something finally!
     
  29. MrWorfMen's Mom

    MrWorfMen's Mom Well-Known Member

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    It's so nice when you start seeing some improvements and kitty back to their old antics! :joyful:
     
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  30. AliceMeowliss (GA)

    AliceMeowliss (GA) Well-Known Member

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    What you’re going through tonight is all too familiar for me as well! Cheers to those who have been walking you through the tests and feedings.

    I, too, became calmer in the face of new lows, as I became more organized, and learned more about what I needed.

    It feels so rewarding when you see a glimpse of the healthy cat in there again. I’m glad Scratches is improving!

    Well done. :)
     
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  31. Scratches123

    Scratches123 Member

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    Thank you so much!!
     
  32. Scratches123

    Scratches123 Member

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    It's definitely nice to see!!
     
  33. Scratches123

    Scratches123 Member

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    She is at 113 now. More food? Not sure what to do next. She will be six hours after her insulin in one hour.
     
  34. MrWorfMen's Mom

    MrWorfMen's Mom Well-Known Member

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    Yes I'd give her a little more LC food (Sheba is fine) and retest again in an hour.
     
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  35. Scratches123

    Scratches123 Member

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    I actually don't mind these numbers at all! It's a lot of work, but something tells me on going in the right direction finally. Will feed and check back in an hour.
     
  36. Scratches123

    Scratches123 Member

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  37. MrWorfMen's Mom

    MrWorfMen's Mom Well-Known Member

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    Alrighty. I guess that's +6. I'd check again without feeding her in an hour and if she is still up/hasn't dropped, you can call it a night and just leave her some low carb food to munch on as long as you can pick it up 2 hours before doing her AMPS test.
     
  38. Scratches123

    Scratches123 Member

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    Thank you!!
     
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  39. MrWorfMen's Mom

    MrWorfMen's Mom Well-Known Member

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    You did great tonight. Scratches was never in any danger but was approaching the 68 take action BG and you handled it like a pro. The first couple times you see those green numbers they set the heart to racing. It does get easier. :)

    Scratches had a nice cycle. Remember tomorrow morning, you need to reduce the dose to 0.75u because Scratches dropped below 90 tonight. It's likely you may see slightly higher numbers tomorrow but don't fret. It's just bouncing from those lovely green values tonight and BG will come down again but it may take up to 3 days to fully clear. As Scratches gets more used to those lower numbers, the bouncing should ease off. Bounces are frustrating for you but totally normal.

    If per chance, Scratches BG has dropped substantially at the next test, and you need assistance (I seriously doubt this will happen), you can add the 911 prefix to your post and that will summon help. I may be up but it's 1:30 am here and I am fading fast so no guarantees. Hope you are feeling more awake than me! ;)
     
  40. AliceMeowliss (GA)

    AliceMeowliss (GA) Well-Known Member

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    Well done! You’re learning to help her surf those lower numbers comfortably. :D
     
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  41. Scratches123

    Scratches123 Member

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    It's almost time for scratches shot this am. What would be a safe number to shoot? I just want to be prepared come shot time.
     
  42. MrWorfMen's Mom

    MrWorfMen's Mom Well-Known Member

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    Generally until you get a little more data, we'd suggest 150 as a safe level to shoot full dose. If BG is below that, post for advice..
     
  43. Scratches123

    Scratches123 Member

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    She was very high. 340s
     
  44. MrWorfMen's Mom

    MrWorfMen's Mom Well-Known Member

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    Bounces happen when BG drops quickly, drops a lot, or simply drops to levels kitty is no longer used to due to the diabetes and now perceives to b unsafe. Scratches dropped a lot quickly and to levels she is not used to last night although her BG was never too low. Her BG will come down over the next few cycles. Every at is different and some clear bounces quickly while others can take up to 6 cycles to clear them.
     
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  45. Scratches123

    Scratches123 Member

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    I'm off work tomorrow. Since I just changed her dose again, is it too soon to get a reliable curve done tomorrow? Or should I wait?
     
  46. MrWorfMen's Mom

    MrWorfMen's Mom Well-Known Member

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    It's too soon to see the true effect of the new dose. Grab some mid cycle tests but I don't think a curve will help at this point.
     
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