RX or dose Help needed!

Discussion in 'Prozinc / PZI' started by Mesacakes, Jun 23, 2020.

  1. Mesacakes

    Mesacakes Member

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    Mar 25, 2020
    So I stopped my ProZinc last night to see how Tom does without it. So far same as with it. (He still was best before insulin.)
    So I never Really went over 1.8 units because his preshot numbers & curve numbers just got high every time I increased his dose. He seems to never get below 300 except for a few rare fleeting times. It’s been six months now.
    So do I stick with ProZinc and push through the high numbers to see if he responds?
    Or do I switch to a different insulin. I can get a new prescription today.
    https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16P71NNxYznGKjz_f_nBJ-6PmsLC9DvZGXBze-VG_eAg/edit
     
    Last edited: Jun 23, 2020
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  2. Juls and Billy

    Juls and Billy Member

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    Honestly, you got your best response when he was on 2 units of insulin. That's the only time your sugar cat dropped to blue range numbers. Then you had a little bounce and lowered the dose instead of holding it steady. I honestly don't know why you have been lowering the dose when protocol suggests keeping it the same unless the numbers drop enough to warrant it.

    My advice, start slowly increasing the insulin back to 2 units twice a day, no more than a .25 change at a time. Hold for 7 days ( I originally said 3 12-hour cycles, which was incorrect.) then raise again. Don't reduce unless he has a reading under 90. Don't reduce because of high/bounce pre-shot tests. It's the lowest reading of the day that determines when to change dose. This is the SLGS (Start Low Go Slow) method, which I am more conversant with. But it's not your only choice.

    Please read the sticky posts here in the Prozinc forum to learn about dosing protocols. Changing type of insulin isn't going to do much if the cat isn't getting the right amount of insulin.

    Please consider making a signature that gives members the information they need at a glance when they want to assist you. Take a look at my signature as an example.
     
    Last edited: Jun 23, 2020
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  3. Panic

    Panic Well-Known Member

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    You're combining two dosing methods here - MPM has you adjusting the dose every 3 days but reductions are earned below 50, not 90. SLGS has you adjusting the dose after 7 days and reductions are earned at 90.

    I agree with Juuls - you are heading backwards for no reason. Look over the protocols on the Prozinc board stickies, pick one and follow it. He needs his insulin so start working your way back up in .25 increments.

    If you want to switch to Lantus there's nothing wrong with that either.
     
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  4. Juls and Billy

    Juls and Billy Member

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    Dec 28, 2019
    Thank you, Panic. I did get them confused. I am more conversant with the SLGS method. So I should have said 7 days, not 3 cycles. (which should have been 3 days!)

    I'm out of practice. I'll re-read the dosing protocols myself. I obviously need a refresher course.
     
    Last edited: Jun 23, 2020
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  5. Mesacakes

    Mesacakes Member

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    Mar 25, 2020
    Ok. Well since I have plenty of ProZinc the cheapest option is to push him higher. I understand to go by the nadir but when all his numbers get highwe it is strange.
    I was given advice, back in January, when he was on 1.8 that I should restart at 0.5. So that’s what I did then I held him there because I had a trip out of town in February. Then I started trying to find a good dose for him so tried higher and lower. Then in April I started getting all the 400 readings while I was titrations up again which freaked me out. So I lowered the dose again to try to stay below the 400s. I have tried to get help. The vets say to go higher and that his numbers shouldn’t go higher too. So I have been floundering around and thought I would try him with no insulin since he has hardly been on any.
    Oddly, the 277 reading was after my idiot petsitter let him gorge on regular cat food for 24 hours. I have no idea what Exactly she did with his insulin while I was gone, as she clearly couldn’t follow directions, but that was his best mid-cycle test he has had lately.
     
  6. Panic

    Panic Well-Known Member

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    Was it your vet or someone here that recommended dropping from 1.8 to 0.5? I'm assuming your vet since you weren't here in January. I don't think that was appropriate advice but it's in the past now. BG levels can go higher both with too much or too little insulin, so I know it's frustrating!

    Let's start again. I'm going to ping @Deb & Wink and @JanetNJ who are both very good at suggesting starting doses. Let's see if one of them has time to peek and give you an opinion on where to start again. They may say 0.5 or 1u, I am not sure.

    There are many people here who make dosing threads (or you can just use this one!) and ask for help day by day. Please do so and we can help watch Tom and offer dosing advice. :)
    They will ask for you to set up your signature like Juls did, it's easy peasy compared to the spreadsheet. Here is a walkthrough on how to set it up.
     
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  7. JanetNJ

    JanetNJ Well-Known Member

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    I'm so confused why you kept lowering the dose. Your dosing strategy makes no sense to me. The amount he was on was not enough, so you lowered it even further.

    Now you have been shooting too low for a very long time, and I suspect you will be finding there is some insulin resistance as he's gotten used to being in these high numbers.

    I might suggest starting at 1.5 for a few days and seeing what happens. If it is not enough we will suggest raising it again. Let me tag a few for more opinions. @Kris & Teasel

    @Chris & China (GA) , @sharon4, @Bron and Sheba (GA) , @Deb & Wink
     
    Last edited: Jun 23, 2020
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  8. JanetNJ

    JanetNJ Well-Known Member

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    I'm also confused by your unit amounts. Are you shooting with U100 needles? If so are you using a conversion chart?

    Can you please post the spreadsheet link directly in your signature? To do that, click on your name on the top right, go to signature, paste the link in it, then save. That way we don't have to keep scrolling to the top post.
     
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  9. Mesacakes

    Mesacakes Member

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    I was in the other group In January thru April. FDSG. They said I may have started too high so to go lower.
     
    Last edited: Jun 23, 2020
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  10. Mesacakes

    Mesacakes Member

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    Yes u-100 needles and conversion.
     
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  11. Mesacakes

    Mesacakes Member

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    Mar 25, 2020
    I went lower for these reasons:
    1. “Too much insulin can look like too little“
    2. His numbers got worse every time I titrated him up
    3. Nobody told me to ignore the high numbers and keep going up in dose anyway
     
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  12. Panic

    Panic Well-Known Member

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    Great job on the signature, thank you!

    Gotcha, okay. Starting at 1 unit is pretty standard (0.25 - 1 u is normal) so I don't know why they told you that, especially when he was previously hospitalized for ketones and was just starting to show blues. Caregivers with ketone-prone kitties need to be extra cautious when skipping/dropping the dose. I'm not telling you this to scold you/the other group or anything, but so you understand the logic behind the information.

    I don't really see them getting worse, just not budging. Perhaps an indication of glucose toxicity (someone else is free to chime in if they disagree), which would indicate that he needs to keep going up until he "breaks" that wall, then the numbers start going back down.

    Unless someone objects, Janet has suggested starting again at 1.5u (or as close as you can get since you're converting). Which protocol would you like to do? Tight Regulation has you evaluating the dose every 3 days, it requires more testing and tends to keep them in better numbers. Start Low, Go Slow has you evaluating every 7 days. I don't know what your work/home schedule is but if you can let's get you on a testing schedule. Always try to get a +2, both morning and night, that will help us to get an indication of what the cycle is going to be like. You can alternate - say +4, +6 one day and +3, +5, +7 the next as an example. Some later cycle tests would be great here and there as well. That way we can fill in the gaps on your spreadsheet. And at night a +2 if possible and/or a before bed test. Do you think this is a good course of action?
     
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  13. Juls and Billy

    Juls and Billy Member

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    Mesacakes, believe me, we all get confused when we start helping our sugar cats. When I started with my Billy, I was blindly following my vet's advice and we almost lost him on day five. Luckily by then I was in here, reading all the sticky posts and getting good advice.

    Speaking of advice, I like Janet's advice a lot. Starting at 1.5 for a few days would be a good way to start this adventure over. This time, watch the low numbers and pay less attention to the high pre-shot readings. Going to lower doses has not been working. I think Tom will need more before we see some progress in his readings. And while you do this, get a good pair of patience pants to put on, as member Deb and Wink likes to advise. Changes to dosing need to be made slowly as you go along. You need time to see how the new dose effects Tom. It takes time for a cat's body to adjust to a new dose.
     
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  14. Mesacakes

    Mesacakes Member

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    Tom has not had ketones. If you are looking into my old posts, that was Frank, who was diabetic for one month. Sadly he had cancer and died 5 months later.
    Ok so for Tom, yes I can do +2 and others as I’m still mostly working from home. I will be gone a chunk of the day tomorrow but can get a +2 before I leave and check him when I get back, around +9 probably. I will start with 1.5 (eeck!) and go from there. Either method works for me, I just want what will work for him.
    I kind of feel like I should have just listened to the vets from the beginning! But they are both young and I trust experience over education... but I wouldn’t have been jacking around with all this for 6 months. Ugh.
    Oh and I gave plenty of U-40 syringes so will go back to those so conversion isn’t an issue.
    Thanks for helping!
     
  15. Bron and Sheba (GA)

    Bron and Sheba (GA) Well-Known Member

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    That other group you went over to has a different approach to us here. We do not suggest dosing that way.
    It is obvious looking at the SS the reducing doses were not enough.
    Are you using our SS.....I am finding it hard to look at?
    @Marje and Gracie may like to comment.
     
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  16. Panic

    Panic Well-Known Member

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    Oh I'm so sorry to hear about Frank. :( Yes I assumed that was Tom. It may help to have a divider between the two kitties' info, unless Marje recommends setting up a newer spreadsheet.

    And you just never know about vets! Experience is always good but the young ones have up-to-date knowledge that older ones may not, you never know!
    I'm curious to see how he does tonight on 1.5u! :) Definitely get a +2 to see where he's heading, and tomorrow if he's lower than you're comfortable with and you have to leave be sure to leave out some higher carb wet food.

    I find cats do well on both protocols but TR is better for cats that need a lower reduction number - sometimes reducing at 90 results in a lot of failed reductions (solely depends on the cat, mine was so I switched to TR and got much better numbers) but whichever you chose I would put the protocol in your signature because we'll have different advice depending on which one you use.
     
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  17. Deb & Wink

    Deb & Wink Well-Known Member

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    How old is your bottle of Prozinc? How long has it been open?

    A cat needs as much insulin as a cat needs to get their BG levels below the renal threshold (180-200). After that, they need as much insulin as they need in order to get them regulated and possibly diet controlled.

    You DO NOT want to start the dose over at 0.5U or 1.0U. Agree with @JanetNJ on the 1.5U dose of Prozinc for now. But we may want to "fast track" the dose increases a bit more often than every 7 days, which the SLGS protocol would have you doing.

    You mentioned that your "idiot pet sitter" give him regular cat food. Specifically, what food was that? Which Weruva? Some of them are fine for diabetic cats.

    Even if Tom has not had KETONES, skipping the insulin or him not getting enough insulin and poor appetite can quickly lead to them. Please be sure to test Tom for ketones. With either a blood ketone meter or there are urine ketone test strips.

    They're still trotting out that old wives tale of outdated information and internet rumor in the FDSG? There are some moderators over there they don't know what they are talking about. Sorry it took you so long to find our group.

    You have not found an appropriate dose for Tom yet. We change doses in 0.25U increments, giving time to see how a dose change is working before deciding to increase or decrease the dose.

    That version of the spreadsheet may be corrupted. Plus, since you used the exact same tab for Tom and Frank, it's impossible for us to see which BG readings and information belong to which cat. I believe you will need to create a new spreadsheet, in our format. @Marje and Gracie may be able to help you with that.
     
  18. Mesacakes

    Mesacakes Member

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    In my google sheets app the spreadsheets are separate. I just saved Franks for sentimental reasons.
    It is old and from the other group. Not sure I can retype six months of numbers in my phone in a new sheet though. That would take hours and kill my eyes...

    Idiot pet sitter gave him Fromm Wild GameBird for 24 hours.

    where are the protocols listed? I was planning a 5 day like I used to do.
    ProZinc is a new bottle. I had plenty in the old bottle but thought maybe I had a bad bottle so got a new one 3-4 weeks ago. No difference.
    Tom eats well. He is always hungry and only in the last month has refused to eat some beef and salmon canned foods but otherwise eats everything he can find.
     
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  19. Mesacakes

    Mesacakes Member

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    Mar 25, 2020
    PS 351
    +2 348
    +4 292 which is exciting!
     
  20. Marje and Gracie

    Marje and Gracie Senior Member Moderator

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    I can set up our newer SS for you and transfer your data. That would be the best. Please send me a private message and I’ll be happy to help you.
     
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  21. JanetNJ

    JanetNJ Well-Known Member

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    Yeah for yellows!!!!!! That's the right direction. Let's hold this dose a couple days just to see what happens, then talk about a (most likely) increase. We will get those numbers where they need to b. :)
     
  22. Juls and Billy

    Juls and Billy Member

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    Well done, Mesacakes! I agree with Janet that the dose will likely need to increase, but to hold it for now to let Tom's body adjust. That dip under 300 gives me big hopes this will work out well for Tom. I feel like we wouldn't be seeing such a good response if he'd become terribly insulin resistant. It's more likely he just needs his dose adjusted properly, which you are working on. You rock!
     
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  23. Deb & Wink

    Deb & Wink Well-Known Member

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    @Mesacakes , did you see @Marje and Gracie offer to get the new spreadsheet setup for you? She'll transfer your data for you, so you don't have to retype it.

    Go back to post #20 in this thread, click on the Avatar to the left and that will open a new dialog box, where you can send her a private message (PM). It's called "Start a Conversation" now, but it's the same thing.
    The protocols are found at the top of the forum. There are a number of pinned or "Sticky" posts that are always at the top of each forum. Look at the ones here, in the Prozinc /PZI ISG, and you will see one that talks about Prozinc Dosing Methods. Those are the protocols.

    A 5 day what? Not sure what you are talking about here.
    Not sure your "idiot" pet sitter did something bad, since Tom had good BG numbers on that food.

    Yellows are good! At least better than the pinks and reds and blacks you have been seeing.
    Baby steps, we'll help you get Tom better little by little, one small step at a time.
     
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  24. Mesacakes

    Mesacakes Member

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    Should I increase his dose 0.25 tomorrow morning or wait until Monday?
     
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  25. JanetNJ

    JanetNJ Well-Known Member

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    I'd raise tomorrow. If it were my cat I would do 2 u tomorrow.
     
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  26. Mesacakes

    Mesacakes Member

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    I thought that is too much to increase at once. Only 0.25 or “maybe“ 0.5 increases.
     
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  27. Mesacakes

    Mesacakes Member

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    Panic - I don’t understand why it has to be a certain protocol of 3 days or 7 day changes. That seems silly.
    I can’t imagine how his body would react different if it was 4 days...
     
  28. Panic

    Panic Well-Known Member

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    It doesn't sound like you've taken any time to read the protocols. The protocols are there for a reason - more than just how many days you count for insulin changes. Cats need time for their bodies to adjust to insulin changes, for one. Some cats do well on SLGS because they need 7 days to adjust. Some cats do better tightly regulated on MPM because 7 days is too long for their body to stay on one dose. SLGS has you reducing doses at 90. MPM has you reducing doses at 50. These protocols have been used successfully in cats for years and help caregivers have a guideline to determine when to make changes. If you're not following a protocol, we have no way to give you safe advice in the future.

    I also think Janet was referring to you to change the dose to 2u tomorrow, not increase by 2u. And the reason being for that is you haven't been following a protocol, have been reducing down to nothing, and now we have to fast-track to keep him from developing ketones. Pick a protocol or don't, but some people may not be willing to help if you're just winging it.
     
    Last edited: Jun 27, 2020
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  29. JanetNJ

    JanetNJ Well-Known Member

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    You have a long way to go and the last raise on 0.25 didn't make much difference. I'm trying to FastTrack you to better numbers. If you feel more comfortable raising just 0.25 then that's what you should do. Going to 2 is a 0.5 increase.
     
    Last edited: Jun 27, 2020
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  30. JanetNJ

    JanetNJ Well-Known Member

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    I'm always willing to help.
     
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  31. Mesacakes

    Mesacakes Member

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    Mar 25, 2020
    Obviously I got bad advice so I am still trying to figure out who to trust and what is actually best. I’m sure you have plenty of people that need your help but jumping on someone is going to drive them away.
    I did read the dosing protocols also the paragraph about them being “guidelines” not hard rules. Also Holding the dose for the 3-5 days when starting. Plus nobody stated I needed to decide yesterday on a protocol. I thought we were fine holding for a few days to see how things went on the new higher dose.
    I just need to titrate up so I guess I’ll do the TR/MPM but I can’t be home to test tomorrow so I’m only comfortable in increasing 0.25. I increased it tonight so I can test him more tonight.
    I did understand the increase up to 2 units correctly. I don’t need any snarky comments. I need to be comfortable with the dose changes and timing. I can’t be home 24/7 to test this cat constantly.
    I appreciate your help, patience and understanding.
    Thank you.
     
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  32. Deb & Wink

    Deb & Wink Well-Known Member

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    The dosing protocols are guidelines, not hard and fast rules, because ECID. Every Cat is Different. You need to find out how YOUR cat reacts to the insulin, when the onset is, how low a particular dose brings down the BG numbers at nadir, how long the duration is for a particular dose, what reaction your cat has to the different food options (LC, MC, HC).

    Tom was diagnosed back in November 2019, so the "holding the dose for 3-5 days when starting" does not apply. You started Tom on insulin months ago, so the protocol sections that apply are the ones that talk about adjusting based on the nadirs.

    The dosing recommendations are different, depending on which protocol you are using. We need to know which protocol you have chosen, so we can help you to the best of our abilities. When to skip, when to stall, when to hold the dose, when to increase or decrease the dose are all dependent on the dosing protocol you are using. Those protocols were developed from hundreds and hundreds of cats, by many experienced members of the message board, after following many cats in their diabetic journeys over the last 3 decades, and reading hundreds of spreadsheets, and they were updated in February 2020.

    Why does it make a difference between 3 and 7 days you ask? Well, if you cat has ever had ketones or DKA, they are more prone to that condition occurring again. Holding the dose for 7 days with a cat in that situation could be too long. A cat that drops really low, very quickly and early in the cycle, then changing the dpse every 3 days may be too soon. They need time to adjust to the dose changes. ECID Every Cat is Different, Every Caregiver is Different, Every Cycle is Different.

    "Know Thy Cat."

    You can also change the dosing protocol you are using. You are not "locked in" to a single protocol. MPM is a more aggressive dosing method, since it let's the nadirs drop to 50 before doing a dose reduction. Since Tom is eating only low carb canned food, you are able to choose either SLGS or MPM. If there was still dry food in the picture, then only the SLGS protocol could be used. That is because dry food takes too long to have an effect on the BG levels, if they drop really low (<50 mg/dL)

    Yes, you are fine holding the dose for a few days, to see how things go on the new higher dose. But the MPM protocol under the section "Increasing the Dose" is looking at a nadir of >200 and saying a 0.5U increase is warranted.

    I tell folks that they know their cat better than we ever will. They also know their schedules and life responsibilities better than we ever will.

    You hold the syringe, the final decisions are always yours.
     
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  33. Mesacakes

    Mesacakes Member

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    Mar 25, 2020
    At this point I’m not interested in getting him to 50. I will be happy with anything below 200 so his kidneys are healthier.
    If I can get him to 100 that would be great too. I don’t need to risk a hypo. I have given up on getting him into remission so just living a relatively healthy life that is also manageable for petsitters while I travel out of town is fine.
     
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  34. JanetNJ

    JanetNJ Well-Known Member

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    Don't totally give up on the idea of remission. It is most certainly possible.
     
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  35. Mesacakes

    Mesacakes Member

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    Mar 25, 2020
    That is nice of you to say and I know it’s true. That was my goal six months ago but not anymore.
     
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  36. JanetNJ

    JanetNJ Well-Known Member

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    The first goal should definitly be just getting into healthier numbers. But who knows what will happen down the road.
     
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  37. Deb & Wink

    Deb & Wink Well-Known Member

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    Not only healthier numbers, below renal threshold so Tom's kidneys don't have to work so hard to filter out the excess glucose. But also making the signs and symptoms of diabetes better.

    With the 5 P's, and appetite, stopping any rapid weight loss and having Tom gain a bit of weight if he needs to. All those in combination gives you a pretty good idea of how Tom is doing.
    So, how is Tom doing?


    p.s. 5 P's are purring, preening, playing, peeing, pooping.
     
  38. Deb & Wink

    Deb & Wink Well-Known Member

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    Hope. There is always hope.

    How is Tom doing today?
     
  39. Mesacakes

    Mesacakes Member

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    Mar 25, 2020
    He has been doing all these things and is very happy. He needs to lose more weight but not muscle. He eats a lot, drink a lot and pees a lot and his poop is better depending on his food. The Tiki chicken luau seems to be good for low poo stink and solid poo. I think the Proplan UTI food also does well for him as he eats a combination of both currently. Other foods make his poo more stinky and sometimes gives him diarrhea.
     
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  40. Mesacakes

    Mesacakes Member

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    So I will be gone all day Wednesday. Should I do his next dose increase tomorrow/Tuesday or Thursday?
     
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  41. Deb & Wink

    Deb & Wink Well-Known Member

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    I'd recommend waiting until Thursday, when you will be around more, to test him. An increase in dose can sometimes take a cycle or 2 to see the full effect, so if you increase on Tuesday, then he may drop low on Wednesday when you are gone all day.

    The Tiki Cat cat food is lower in calories per ounce, so that helps to lose weight if your Tom needs to. But the Tiki Cat also has lots more protein which helps to build muscle. So that is a winner for Tom I think, a good food to use for him.


    Remember to look at those 5 P's and the appetite and don't focus solely on the BG levels. We tend to do that, focus on the numbers, but a cat is so much more than his numbers. Anytime you get discouraged, remember that he is FEELING better, despite the higher BG numbers and he is telling you that.

    HAPPY. Happy is very important too.
     
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  42. Mesacakes

    Mesacakes Member

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    Mar 25, 2020
    He has never felt bad. He moved from an old horse barn to a nice home with his old barn-cat guy friend and two lovely lady cats so he is loving life.
    I knew when he was peeing a bunch that he was diabetic because that’s what happened with Frank. He plays every day with Sparkly puff balls instead of rocks and frozen horse poop. He loves life except the constant ear pokes! He jumps in my lap purring for them but does flinch and recoil when it’s poke time. He doesn’t mind the injections at all though. Of course he really only has one “good” ear to use so it is a little overused probably.
     

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  43. Deb & Wink

    Deb & Wink Well-Known Member

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    Looks like Tom was in his share of "cat scrambles" with those ragged ears.

    Have you thought about paw pad testing for Tom? You might take some time to get him used to having his paws handled, before you try that.

    Sparkly puff balls are loads of fun for cats! Hope Tom gets a whole pile of them.
    upload_2020-6-30_21-17-48.jpeg

    Tom is due for a dose increase, on that fast track method to get his BG numbers into a better range. Please try 2U at the next cycle, when you are around to monitor. We need to see some blue (100-199 mg/dL) and greens (<99 mg/dL) for Tom.
     
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  44. Mesacakes

    Mesacakes Member

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    Yes I can bump him tomorrow night. I would do tomorrow morning but I will be gone 3 hours away from home for a meeting so would miss all the +3-+11 measures. I can increase him tomorrow night and get a +2 & +4 before bed. Or wait until Thursday morning.
    I actually did not expect him to survive when he appeared at the barn with a very bloody ear/face and he was skin & bones. I’m afraid he has already been through many of his “lives” as I thought he would be dead in a week. He lived though and eventually he trusted me to grab him and get him fixed and a steroid injection in his ear. A year later he had a bad UTI and the X-ray showed a BB in his back leg. He still limps on his front end though, maybe someday we will X-ray that. But he cane to me because the barn was closing g and nobody wanted a UTI barn cat. I almost put him down but he is a really good boy that has had a hard life so far.
     
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  45. JanetNJ

    JanetNJ Well-Known Member

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    Jun 8, 2016
    I'd go ahead and bump him either tomorrow morning or night. Honestly I don't see you getting where he needs to be until you are at at 3 units.

    Edit to clarify that I'm not suggesting you jump to 3 directly from 2.
     
    Last edited: Jul 1, 2020
  46. Mesacakes

    Mesacakes Member

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2020
    Ok. Yes at this point I don’t think 2 will be enough either. I increased him tonight to 2 units so will see.
    I guess Saturday I can increase again? 1/4 unit then?
     
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  47. Deb & Wink

    Deb & Wink Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2013
    Yes, Saturday you could increase Tom another 0.25U (1/4 unit).
     
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  48. Mesacakes

    Mesacakes Member

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    Mar 25, 2020
    Ok... PMPS I just got 175 and 165. :woot:
    So I did have less food available all day...
    I didn’t feed the Tiki Luau because he has had diarrhea This week. I gave him 2 cans of chicken Fancy Feast this morning, he didn’t eat it all but most. And the “other cats” I gave 1/2 can Proplan. (Tom usually eats the leftovers It’s low carb.) I did give them 1 or 3/4 can the last week But they left food in the bowl so I cut it back again. (Previously to that I only did 1/2 can.) so the food is Exactly what I did probably a month ago. Just not most recently.
    He is eating Tiki After Dark now (that is what he ate last week but I found big cans of Luau so bought a bunch of those, but it gave him diarrhea for some reason) and I won’t give him a shot until it goes up but how much do I give? Should I hold him at 2 longer or is this just because he didnt get to eat extra today?
     
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  49. Mesacakes

    Mesacakes Member

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    Mar 25, 2020
    Ok 45 minutes later he is 147!!
    So I gave him some of the ProPlan ( 4 carbs) and about 25 pieces of Fromm kibble. So will see in another 45 what happens.
    I’m confused as to why this is happening. He did eat today. But this is kind of what happened when I gave him 2 units the very first time. He went low then high and I freaked out. So holding on the shot for now.
     
    Last edited: Jul 3, 2020
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  50. Mesacakes

    Mesacakes Member

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    Mar 25, 2020
    And now he is 138! What??? Still dropping?
    I mean that’s fantastic but he ate Tiki an hour & a half ago, then Proplan & kibble about an hour ago. He just ate some freeze dried ckn and 2 greeny chicken treats. His shot was due at 6pm and it is now after 7pm.
    PS - no more diarrhea tonight. Good poop.
     
    Last edited: Jul 3, 2020
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  51. Deb & Wink

    Deb & Wink Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2013
    Since you fed him some food, the pre-shot test is higher than it might normally be.

    Your options are:

    1. to wait 2 hours after feeding him ANYTHING, retest and give the shot. Next shot time would need to be adjusted to compensate.
    2. Give a reduced dose, a "token" dose of 10 to 25% of the normal dose.
    10% of 2U is 0.2U
    25% of 2U is 0.5U.
    3. skip the shot.

    The risk with skipping the shot is that ketones can form and they can be dangerous.

    Some cats do better on slightly higher carb foods. Tom may be one of them.
    The Tiki Cat foods are mostly 0-2% carbs if I remember correctly. The After Dark line are not on the food chart, so can't be sure.
    The Friskies pates are in the 5-6% carb range.

    There is no danger of hypo if you have not given Tom insulin for the PM cycle. So no reason to feed high carb kibble to bring his numbers up.
     
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  52. Mesacakes

    Mesacakes Member

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    Mar 25, 2020
    So I’ll test him at 8pm (He was 148) & 9pm. If he is going up finally then I am comfortable doing a token shot but he will have to be way up. Otherwise I will skip until 6am.
    I’m not worried about hypo. I’m just now hopeful his pancreas has some life left in it.
    But what dose should I do for his morning shot? Hold at 2 units as long as he is over say...300 like normal?
    Or back down a little?
     
    Last edited: Jul 3, 2020
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  53. Deb & Wink

    Deb & Wink Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2013
    New members on the message board, with newly diagnosed diabetic cats, are told to use 200 as the minimum pre-shot BG level when they start posting in the Feline Health forum.

    But Tom has been on insulin since November 2019. Your SS says that Tom started insulin on 11/19/2019.

    So I'm kind of confused and not sure why you have set 300 as your decision point BG threshold. (Also sometimes called the shoot/no shoot number). A pre-shot BG of 300 is the suggested level for people using a really fast acting insulin, like NPH or Vetsulin/Caninsulin.

    A BG level of 200 (or close to it) or higher should be fine for giving Tom his full dose of insulin.
    You want Tom's BG levels to go down into those lower blue ( <150) and higher green (60-99) BG ranges. It's only a drop below 50 mg/dL where you need to be concerned with hypo and become more proactive with feeding and testing. Or a drop early in the cycle, when you have shot the insulin.

    Whenever you are in doubt as to your next step, the Prozinc dosing protocols give you good guidelines to follow.
    Sticky PROZINC DOSING METHODS

    Not only does his pancreas have some life left in it, but the different food, the Friskies pate seems to be helping Tom too!

    p.s. If you go back and edit a previous reply, we don't see that change. If you need to change something, it's better to post a new reply. When looking at a thread that I've already seen, it takes me to the "first unread reply", not backwards if you make a change.
     
  54. Deb & Wink

    Deb & Wink Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2013
    Since we can't be here 24/7, having a backup plan is useful. It's why I pointed you to the Prozinc Dosing Methods document. There is also the option to post in the Feline Health (Welcome&Main) forum, if no answer here in the Prozinc forum.

    It's a holiday weekend, and there will not be as many people on the message board as usual. No big gatherings, but many people are celebrating with small family get-togethers.
     
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  55. JanetNJ

    JanetNJ Well-Known Member

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    Jun 8, 2016
    Wow what a curve ball! Perhaps you've found his breakthrough dose!
     
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  56. Mesacakes

    Mesacakes Member

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    Mar 25, 2020
    So I didn’t shoot. 9pm was only a bit higher.
    He didnt start Insulin until Christmas. He was diagnosed in November but I tried diet change first.
    Technically he has been on insulin since Dec 27 but since it wasn’t enough, in my mind, he is a new to insulin cat.
    He has been on both Friskies and Fancy feast before today for extended periods of time, I only gave him the Tiki in the last month. The food never had any impact on his numbers before so I dont think it’s the food. I think it’s the insulin dose.
    I'm worried about shooting a 200 because he went from 400 to 138 today and it lasted longer than 12 hours. I don’t mind if that happens daily, twice a day, but he was still dropping at dinner and after dinner so that concerns me.
    Keep in mind I have only seen high numbers for months and this is a radical change my mind needs time to process.
    Ex.) If it drops him 300 points (400 to 100) and he is only 200 then that sounds like a bad plan... ????
    So if the 2 units is too much I don’t want a hypo and kill him.
     
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  57. Mesacakes

    Mesacakes Member

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    Mar 25, 2020
    So oddly today there was no crazy numbers, just the usual. He got pretty much the same food plus 4 oz. Tiki after dark on top. so I increased him to 2.25 units tonight.
     
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  58. Deb & Wink

    Deb & Wink Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2013
    Cats do surprise us. They are very unpredictable.
     
  59. Mesacakes

    Mesacakes Member

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    Mar 25, 2020
    so I got an 86 this morning preshot. Yikes. So no shot now.
    This is making me a little nauseous. I dont know how low he got overnight or if maybe he is still dropping like two days ago. Ugh.
     
  60. Mesacakes

    Mesacakes Member

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    Mar 25, 2020
    So 6:00 86
    Then 7:30 93
    Then 9:13 was 151 so I gave him his shot but not 2.25 but a smidge over 2 so a “fat” 2 I think it’s called at 9:15Am. So I know to change his Pm shot time. I guess I’ll try holding him at a “fat” 2 for a few days and see how he does. I’m wondering if I should have held him at 2 units longer and not increased him so soon. Maybe his body needed more time to adjust to the 2 units? I need to do a Full curve at some point.
    1. can you tell me why twice now the ProZinc has not “worn off” by the next shot?
    2. I’m trying to understand that and understand how it is still safe to shoot when his preshot numbers are lower than what I am accustomed to.
     
  61. JanetNJ

    JanetNJ Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2016
    Prozinc usually lasts 10 - 14 hours. Looks like you are getting a longer duration. :)
     
  62. Deb & Wink

    Deb & Wink Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2013
    1. The duration of the insulin and the nadir time can vary from cycle to cycle. The nadir doesn't always stay static.
    2. You could have mixed the insulin vial more or less those times.
    3. Insulin syringe barrels have the marks on them stamped inconsistently. What may look like being drawn to the same dose line, could be a different dose.
    4. Different activity levels in your cat can vary and influence the BG levels. Play more, sleep less or vice versa.
    5. Your cat could have eaten less food. That often keeps the BG numbers lower.
    6. Slight variations from batch to batch, or within the same batch of commercial cat food occur.
    7. Stressed out cat can have variations in the BG levels. Maybe there was a strange kitty in the area, or a squirrel near the window.
    8. Cats being more active at night, can burn up more glucose, causing a bounce to occur the next cycle if they dropped lower than their body is used to
    There are too many possibilities to name them all. Above is a small sample I came up with in a couple of minutes.
     
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  63. Mesacakes

    Mesacakes Member

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    Mar 25, 2020
    Well now I feel like I’m back to not giving enough.
    This is so frustrating.
    Here I thought I was doing pretty good, and two days later he is running high again. So maybe it is inconsistent marks on the syringe? Really not sure at this point. Ugh. I’m sticking with the 2.25 for a few days and we will see what happens.
     
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  64. Deb & Wink

    Deb & Wink Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2013
    Have you made yourself a reference syringe? Drawing up a colored liquid in a used syringe, and then comparing the dose of insulin you do draw up to that reference syringe?

    Do you overdraw the dose slightly, then remove the syringe from the insulin vial, and use that "twisting motion" to squeeze out the excess insulin into a paper towel or tissue?

    Calipers can also be used, if you are questioning the amount of the dose you are drawing up.
    This thread has the information you would need to use calipers >>>>>>>>> Dosing with Calipers
     
  65. Mesacakes

    Mesacakes Member

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2020
    No but the reference syringe is a good idea. Thanks.
    I also need to eyeball compare the lines of a few dozen syringed to see if I can see variations.
    I don’t overdraw much. Usually only if I see an air bubble or if I just overdraw accidentally.
    I did buy calipers I can use those ...
     
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  66. Deb & Wink

    Deb & Wink Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2013
    I never did use calipers myself, even though I have a set.
    That link I gave you lists the caliper readings for several different brands of syringes.
    I think most of the caliper readings were done for U100 syringes.

    It IS POSSIBLE to use U100 syringes with a U40 concentration (strength) insulin.
    2.5 times the U40 insulin dose is what you would draw up in the U100 syringe.

    The printable conversion chart for U40 to U100 is here. >>>>>>> https://www.felinediabetes.com/insulin-conversions.htm

    Or bookmark it on your device (pc, laptop, phone, tablet).
     
  67. Mesacakes

    Mesacakes Member

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2020
    So Tom just was 61 at +4 because I gave him his full dose this morning at 260. He hadn’t ate all his Tiki, which is normal, but did eat all the Sheba. After I tested him he did go eat some Tiki and Proplan on his own. Then I gave him some Fromm kibble (10 pieces) and 6 Greenies treat pieces. So will retest in a bit and see how he is doing. He is happy as a clam now grooming post-feast.
     
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  68. Mesacakes

    Mesacakes Member

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    Mar 25, 2020
    So up to 90 at +7...
    So why did this happen? Ugh
     
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  69. Deb & Wink

    Deb & Wink Well-Known Member

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    Jan 31, 2013
    If we knew why, we could probably win the Nobel Prize in medicine.

    Whatever the reason, those lows earned Tom a 0.25U dose reduction.

    I expect that Tom will be higher at PMPS, from the extra carbs in the kibble and Greenies.
    You might want to have some MC and HC foods in your hypo toolkit. Those can work wonders to bring up the BG levels from a low BG test.
     
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  70. Mesacakes

    Mesacakes Member

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    Mar 25, 2020
    Oops well I gave him the normal 2.5 as he was up to 391...But I left food out while I was gone before shot time So might be high if he ate anything. I’ll check him at +3 and maybe overnight...
    I did actually buy some medium and high carb foods recently but since he was eating his regular food so well after I tested him I didn’t know if I should use it. Hence the kibbles and treats... just in case.
     
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  71. Deb & Wink

    Deb & Wink Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2013
    Just some information for next time Tom throws you a low BG level.

    So the regular low carb foods are fine, a teaspoon or so to try and bring the BG numbers up, then you retest in about 20 minutes. Lather, rinse and repeat as we say, until the BG levels are back to a safer number.

    Some additional tests for Tom will be good in this PM cycle. Hopefully his regular dose doesn't drop him too low. With the high carb dry food, the Fromm kibble and the greenies, those stick around in the system sometimes for days and can keep the BG's higher for a bit. But they take longer to digest initially than wet food, which is why we suggest you reach for the LC wet food first, then the MC wet, then the HC wet food. Last resort is some simple sugar like corn syrup or honey.

    So the kibble and treats were left out because you had to leave?
    Have you tried feeding Tom the MC and HC foods, to see if he even likes them?
    If you are worried about his BG levels, and have to step out for a while, carb him up with the MC and/ or the HC food. The wet foods don't stick around in a cat's digestive system for days, so are a better choice than the dry foods.

    Better too high for a cycle, than too low.

    Would you start a new thread please? The mods get upset when a thread runs to more than 50 replies.
    Link this old thread into the new one, if you would. Thanks.
     
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