Angel’s Antics

Discussion in 'Prozinc / PZI' started by Celi, Apr 24, 2020.

  1. Celi

    Celi Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2020
    This morning couldn’t get her 6:30 reading after 3 sticks so fed as usual and tested at 9:30. AMBG 73. I will record it as +3. Is that correct?
     
    Deb & Wink likes this.
  2. Deb & Wink

    Deb & Wink Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2013
    Yes, that is right, record in the +3 column on the SS. Make a note in the remarks column that after 3 pokes, you still could not get the AMPS. Just so we know why that says "no test", when we look back at the data.

    73 is a very nice BG reading.
    Was that 3 hours after she ate also?
    Are you too late to get a +4?
    Might tell us if her pancreas is working, to see that +4 - +4.5 if you are around to get the test.
     
  3. Celi

    Celi Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2020
    Yes, she ate at her regular time and then again at +3. I missed the +4 window. And it would have been within the two hour limit for not eating.
     
    Deb & Wink likes this.
  4. Deb & Wink

    Deb & Wink Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2013
    Here is your previous thread. Angel’s journey

    All I did, was go to the Prozinc forum and find your last thread.
    Then I highlighted the title with my cursor, did a CTRL C to copy the thread.
    It's sitting in your "workspace" in the background, ready to be copied somewhere.
    Then, I opened up the new thread and did a CTRL V to paste the thread into the new thread.


    Both keyboard keys have to be pressed, I do the CTRL key first and then the letter key. It's what is known as a keyboard shortcut.

    That 2 hour limit for not eating, is only for the Pre-shot tests. All other tests during the cycle, we expect to see some food influence.
     
    Celi likes this.
  5. Celi

    Celi Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2020
    Thank you. I didn’t know that the 2 hour limit doesn’t apply here. I assume I should still test before meals morning and evening. New territory for mr but I am so glad Angel is at the point I can be thinking these things.
     
    Deb & Wink likes this.
  6. Deb & Wink

    Deb & Wink Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2013
    The AMBG and the PMBG tests are still done without food for 2 hours before.
    The +1, +2, +3, +4, etc tests are fine with food being fed, before or after.
    Just don't feed at +10 or after, because that will be your 2 hour window before the pre-shot tests.
     
    TempestsMum and Celi like this.
  7. Celi

    Celi Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2020
    AMBG 139 PMBG 133 I was gone most of the day so couldn’t get another reading. I may try this evening. What is considered the normal range with the Alphatrak meter? I have read conflicting numbers for that and for normal feline bg in general.
     
    Deb & Wink likes this.
  8. Deb & Wink

    Deb & Wink Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2013
    That is because there is conflicting information. Some of the figures are based on in-house lab equipment. Some of the figures are based on outside testing lab results. Different labs have different reference ranges. Some of the figures are based on hand held glucometers. Some hand held glucometers are more accurate and reliable than others.

    Some of the lab reference ranges have changed over time.

    Normal feline BG can be from 74-143 on Idexx lab equipment. With the cats we have seen here over the decades, where most people use a human meter, a normal BG is <100 mg/dL, more often <80 mg/dL. My non-diabetic cat will test in the 40's to the 60's using a human meter. Human meters tend to read lower at lower numbers, numbers <100 mg/dL.

    See how complicated it can be Perry?

    My personal opinion, since there is not a body of evidence to support the range of normal BG levels on a pet specific meter, would be <120. But that should be without any insulin support.

    My personal opinion is that even on the Alphatrak, 80-100 is a reasonable goal, if a cat is not getting any insulin, and is diet controlled.
     
    Celi and JOJI and Kit like this.
  9. Celi

    Celi Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2020

    Good information, thank you. I feel that Angel, while she isn’t there yet, is making progress. She has come a long way since she was diagnosed almost 3 months ago and we will keep on trying to get to normal. I wish I could figure out why she has those low numbers mid cycle, even with no insulin. Should I do another curve next week?
     
    Deb & Wink likes this.
  10. Celi

    Celi Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2020
    4/ 26 AMBG 155 BG @+4 62 She confuses me completely! High in the morning after no food for at least 9 hours, then low after a good breakfast 4 hours before testing.
     
    Deb & Wink likes this.
  11. Celi

    Celi Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2020
    PMBG 89!
     
    Shelley & Jess and Deb & Wink like this.
  12. Deb & Wink

    Deb & Wink Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2013
    That number is too low to shoot!

    Sure, might see some useful information in a curve test.
     
  13. Celi

    Celi Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2020
    i haven’t given her insulin for 5 1/2 days.
     
    Deb & Wink likes this.
  14. Celi

    Celi Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2020
    AMBG 184. +7BG 73 PMBG 110 if we could just get that morning number down!
     
    Deb & Wink likes this.
  15. Deb & Wink

    Deb & Wink Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2013
    You want to try something?

    Someone suggested that a cat on a tiny dose of lantus, try feeding a small snack at the +9 time in the PM cycle. Not sure if that is worth a try with Angel. But it's something for you to consider, even though Angel gets a different insulin, plus she isn't currently getting insulin. But a late night snack could still help.

    I'm not talking about having food out all night. But only 1 feeding at the +9 PM time slot. A timed feeder would work well to do this late night feeding.

    With a sputtering pancreas, a pancreas that is producing insulin on it's own, but not consistently, sometimes feeding a small snack at night can help the AM numbers be lower.

    Seems counter intuitive, but human diabetics also do this, a late night snack to help keep the AM numbers lower.
     
    Celi likes this.
  16. Celi

    Celi Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2020
    Worth a try.
     
    Deb & Wink likes this.
  17. Celi

    Celi Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2020
    AMBG. 75 We tried it and it worked! At least for one day. Fed a small helping of her 2% carb pate at +9. Thanks so much for the idea. With biology, experimenting is key.
     
    Deb & Wink likes this.
  18. Celi

    Celi Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2020
    PMBG 147. Will feed again @+9.
     
    Deb & Wink likes this.
  19. Celi

    Celi Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2020
    AMBG 95 I am going to try to feed at more regular intervals during the day. Yesterday I didn’t feed an afternoon snack and she was a little high PM. Maybe that is why.... Eight days OTJ!
     
    Deb & Wink likes this.
  20. Deb & Wink

    Deb & Wink Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2013
    Liking these lower numbers in the AM for Angel much better!
    I think that +9 PM feeding helped with that.

    Now, try to do the same +9 feeding in the AM cycle, so the PMBG number is lower.

    All paws crossed here for Angel on the OTJ trial.:)
     
    Celi likes this.
  21. Celi

    Celi Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2020
    I fed her today @+9 as well as other small meals through the day. Feeding in the middle of the night is not ideal but I am happy to do it for her. Luckily my husband and the dog sleep through it so I have only the other cats to contend with. Can’t use a timed feeder because Barney and Scooter would get the food instead of Angel. Now if I can just train myself to go back to sleep after.
     
    Deb & Wink likes this.
  22. Celi

    Celi Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2020
    PMBG 109. Fed at +9. Maybe that is the key. Can’t wait to see what happens tomorrow! Without your wisdom and encouragement, this wouldn’t be happening.
     
    Deb & Wink likes this.
  23. Celi

    Celi Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2020
    Fed at +9 last night. AMBG 63
     
    Deb & Wink and Shelley & Jess like this.
  24. Celi

    Celi Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2020
    4/30 PMBG 128. Fed at +9. 5/1 failed test. 4 sticks and not enough blood. Will try at +4 or +5.
     
    Deb & Wink likes this.
  25. Celi

    Celi Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2020
    +5 test 90. Fed +9. PMBG 117. Will feed tonight at +9.
     
    Shelley & Jess and Deb & Wink like this.
  26. Deb & Wink

    Deb & Wink Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2013
    OK. Following along with Angel. Perry, you may not see a comment every time you post, but I do "Like" your reply when I have read it.
     
    Celi likes this.
  27. Celi

    Celi Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2020
    AMBG 53. Fed last night at +9.
     
    Deb & Wink and Shelley & Jess like this.
  28. Celi

    Celi Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2020
    PMBG 74 I am trying to contain my excitement!
     
    Deb & Wink and Shelley & Jess like this.
  29. Deb & Wink

    Deb & Wink Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2013
    Woah Angel! Way to go Angel, keep it up and you may pass this OTJ trial yet.

    Nice numbers there Perry, very nice.
     
    Celi likes this.
  30. Celi

    Celi Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2020
    AMbG 60
     
    Deb & Wink and Shelley & Jess like this.
  31. Deb & Wink

    Deb & Wink Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2013
    Yet another nice BG test. Keep it up Angel (or the BG's down I should say).
     
    Celi likes this.
  32. Celi

    Celi Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2020
    PMBG 105. The little pancreas that could! I think I can I think I can I think I can.
     
    Shelley & Jess and Deb & Wink like this.
  33. Celi

    Celi Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2020
    AMBG 62. I am going to have to give the middle of the night feed a break tonight. I can't get back to sleep after and I am tired. I hope it won’t make a big difference. I have done it for 7 nights so maybe that is enough. I will try to feed a late snack.
     
    Deb & Wink likes this.
  34. Deb & Wink

    Deb & Wink Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2013
    OK. Try that instead.

    Too bad the other cats steal Angel's food at night. The +9 feedings really seemed to be helping.

    There are automatic feeders that need a microchip for a particular cat to use them. Don't know if Angel is microchipped.
     
    Celi likes this.
  35. Celi

    Celi Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2020
    PMBG 91. I will go back to the +9 feedings if I have to but I need one good night’s sleep. Angel is not chipped plus I have to wake her to eat.I will feed at +5 and see what happens.
     
    Deb & Wink likes this.
  36. Deb & Wink

    Deb & Wink Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2013
    You have to take care of yourself for sure. Hope you get that good night's sleep.
     
    Celi likes this.
  37. Celi

    Celi Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2020
    AMBG 114 I did feed at +9 after all. Woke up out of habit, I guess. I have decided that I will nap during the day to catch up on sleep, like I did when I was getting up with babies many years ago. This is day 14 of the trial.
     
    Deb & Wink and Shelley & Jess like this.
  38. Celi

    Celi Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2020
    BG +6 70. I think her AMBG was a little higher because I forgot (again) to pick up the YA and she comes into the kitchen before
    i get up and munches if she can.
     
    Deb & Wink likes this.
  39. Deb & Wink

    Deb & Wink Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2013
    So do you feel that Angel is ready to be tested less?
    Do you think the OTJ trial was a success?
     
    Celi likes this.
  40. Celi

    Celi Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2020
    I have been liking the results but then now got PMBG 156. I will test again later but I think I still need to test am and pm. I have no experience with this so do you think the test has been a success? It seems to me that we are on the road to remission but I don’t know when I can say that. I am very happy with 14 days off insulin and want that to continue. We would never be at this point without your advice and counsel and I truly am grateful.
     
    Deb & Wink likes this.
  41. Deb & Wink

    Deb & Wink Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2013
    Angel does really, really well without any insulin and then the BG levels insrease to those mid-range blues (120-180) for some as yet unknown reason.

    Was Angel stressed at all, for the PMPS test tonight 5/5/20? Did you get the poke done in 1 try or did it take multiple attempts?
     
  42. Celi

    Celi Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2020
    The test was done in one poke and she was not stressed. She had the usual small meals during the day so I have no idea what is going on. I will feed at +9 tonight and we will see what tomorrow brings. If you have any suggestions, please let me knw.
     
    Deb & Wink likes this.
  43. Deb & Wink

    Deb & Wink Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2013
    Celi likes this.
  44. Marje and Gracie

    Marje and Gracie Senior Member Moderator

    Joined:
    May 30, 2010
    The reason the +9 meals have worked for her is the normal action of endogenous insulin (insulin her pancreas makes) is to bring the BG down 3-4 hours after a meal.

    Sometimes an insulin independent cat will throw a blue BG here and there. I’d suggest if you get a bluevAMBG OR PMBG, feed and retest in 3 hours and see if she’s bringing her BG into green. If you start seeing a lot of blue PSs, we have a couple options. Just tag one of us.

    Good luck!
     
    Deb & Wink and Celi like this.
  45. Celi

    Celi Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2020
    Thank you.
    AMBG 49 i think we are back on track and maybe I have figured out what happened yesterday. It may be related to Angel getting in to the YA within the 2 hour pretest window. I know she had some pretest yesterday morning but now I am thinking the same thing could have happened in the late afternoon even though she had a meal +9. I will be sure she can’t get it and see what happens PM.
     
    Deb & Wink likes this.
  46. Celi

    Celi Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2020
    I did feed PM+9
     
    Deb & Wink likes this.
  47. Celi

    Celi Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2020
    PMBG. 91 hopefully we are back on track! Will feed at PM +9.
     
    Deb & Wink likes this.
  48. Deb & Wink

    Deb & Wink Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2013
    Is there a way to adjust your schedule of feeding and testing, so you don't have to wake up at the +9 PM cycle to feed Angel?
     
    Celi likes this.
  49. Celi

    Celi Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2020
    I am ok with it for now since she is doing so well. Maybe at some point she will be able to do without that feeding.
    Chris Ronkoski shared a link in a post today that talked about something called the Dawn Phenomenon that could shed some light on Angel. I had never heard of it but here is the link if you don’t already know about it. www.diabetes.co.uk/blood-glucose/dawn-phenomenon.html
     
  50. Celi

    Celi Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2020
    AMBG 96. Fed at +8 last night because that is when I woke up. Is the goal to keep her numbers totally in the green or are low blues ok too?
     
    Deb & Wink likes this.
  51. Deb & Wink

    Deb & Wink Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2013
    Low blues, under 120mg/dL (6.6 mmol/L) are ok too. Not ideal, but ok. That higher range is because you are using the Alphatrak pet meter. On a human meter, you'd want to see all numbers below 99 mg/dL.

    All greens are better, but sometimes you take what you can get as far as a cat's BG levels are doing.

    The risk is that this will not be a strong remission. But Angel is usually too low to give any insulin, without some intensive monitoring. Didn't think you were able to do that intensive monitoring, since you are using the SLGS protocol method.

    Angel's pancreas is definitely producing some insulin, or her BG levels would not be as low as they are.
    Could you do a few BG tests in the PM cycle, at +3 or +4. Preferably the +3 time, since you feed her again then. Test for several days, just before you feed her.
     
    Celi likes this.
  52. Celi

    Celi Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2020
    Will start tonight.
     
    Deb & Wink likes this.
  53. Deb & Wink

    Deb & Wink Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2013
    Thank you Perry.

    Also, would you please start a new thread, and link this old one in at the top. For history and future reference.

    We like to keep posts to 50 replies where possible and this thread is now up to 53 replies. Shorter threads help to keep the database behind the scenes more efficient.
     
  54. Celi

    Celi Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2020
    PMBG. 105. PM +3. 122
    I am doing this on an ipad so I don’t have the keys you nentionedto paste the thread. Unless I just don’t know where to look...
    Fed @+9. 5/8. AMBG 53.
     
    Deb & Wink likes this.

Share This Page