Quick question.. I don't yet understand how some of you are adjusting dose based on bg.. so I am going to ask here. It's all very confusing!! Tested as 20.1 this am had 3u lantus and 14.4 at test +4. He is now at 10.4. Do we give his shot ?? I have looked at the form with dosing information and it is a little overwhelming to understand - since this is not a new situation (new to your support) but Phoebe has had diabetes in the past, been in remission, developed a serious case of pancreatitis and voila.. uncontrolled diabetes again (we are about 6 weeks in) From the form - I would give nothing or a taken dose at 25% of the 3U (.75u)
Don't feed and test again 20 minutes after the first test. Let's see which way the lady is heading. I can't stay. I'm up to my ears in work and the deadline is tonight.
Thanks - HE (I know he has a strange name, kinda of a story to it). Too late for not feeding but will test again. I don't really know what "breaking the bounce" means.
Definition of a bounce: Bouncing is simply a natural reaction to what the cat's system perceives as a BG value that is "too low". "Too low" is relative. If a cat is used to BGs in the 200's, 300's, or higher for a long time, then even a BG that drops to 150 can trigger a "bounce". Bouncing can also be triggered if the blood glucose drops too low and/or too fast.The pancreas, then the liver, release glucogon, glycogen and counter-regulatory hormones. The end result is a dumping of "sugar" into the bloodstream to save the cat from going hypoglycemic from a perceived low. The action is often referred to as "liver panic" or "panicky liver". *Usually*, a bounce will clear kitty's system within 3 days (6 cycles). Basically, his body thinks the numbers are too low (even if they are not) and responds by releasing a whole pile of sugar into the system. Breaking the bounce means that the sugar is clearing from his system.
OK, let's see what the next test says.... we'll have to take the meal into account but it should give us some idea of what Phoebe is planning tonight.
It seems like you're following SLGS? It's unclear from the spreadsheet. No history of ketones/DKA, correct?
No history of ketones or DKA although I don't know if it was tested. He has a serious case of pancreatitis about 2 months ago. He started at 2U and then the vet increased to 3U but we only did 2.5 for a week or so and then started the 3. This all started before we discovered the spreadsheet and this group. His new test was at 7.3 and looking at his food dish, he really didn't eat much.
OK, I think you're definitely skipping tonight! Good call on getting more test strips. Even without shooting tonight, you'll need to monitor for a while-- 3.0U of Lantus means a substantial depot that can affect BG for quite a while without new insulin added.
You might also want to pick up some tempting food for him (carbs OK), just in case the lack of appetite persists.
I agree with Nan. Skip tonight. It's always good to have a full bottle of strips on hand. And another in your hypo kit.
His numbers were more normal this am at 19.5 (I know high but more usual for him). His lack of appetite is more often then not.. we only feed FF and eliminated his beloved treats because I was under the impression that he could not have the carbs unless he his bg dropped too low. Are you suggesting that we can on occassion give him carbs to encourage eating? It seems normal for him not to eat much for a big cat but he has had occassional days when his is hungry all the time. This is so hard to figure out.. I don't really see a pattern of any kind in his eating and bg ups and downs. I'm on the road today and will not be able to check in - leaving it in the rest of the family's hands!
It was mostly this I was worried about-- he was dropping steadily and hadn't eaten a meal. It was important that, if he were to drop into the danger zone, you had some way of making sure he got some food into him.
How about getting different treats? Freeze dried chicken or any 100% protein work well. When Max was needing constant testing I bought human freeze dried chicken by the pound because it was cheaper and he liked it but there are so many at the pet stores. Max had chronic pancreatitis. It sounds like that’s going on with your cat hence the lack of appetite. You might want to try ondansetron to see if he’s nauseous. As for higher carb food they come in handy to either bring them up or keep them from going too low. I had lc, mc , and hc. Max’s fave was a very hc pouch that I would bring out only if he was under 50.
Hello, I don't know enough to advise you, but I am am Phoebe Squeak's "mom" so I wanted to welcome another Phoebe to the board! When you have time to explain his name, please tag me. (You just add @J.J. and Phoebe Squeak to your post) I hope he does well in your family's care today.
@J.J. and Phoebe Squeak Funny story about HIS name as Phoebe.. as a kitten we were told he was a she. Our children thought he smelled like smoke when we went to pick him up from the home that advertised kittens to give away. When thinking of a name.. we thought of Phoebe's (From the show FRIENDS) and her song Smelly Cat. At our first vet appointment a few days later, we discovered that she was a he.. but the name stuck aka.. Mr. Phoebs.
Love that story! Thank you! My hubby & I are just starting to binge watch FRIENDS for the first time. I look forward to that song!