Old thread: https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/dosing-help.235404/ Thanks for the help @Deb & Wink. will they micro dosing and test after feeding at +1 No he really hasnt been eating great with the wet food. He loved dry food. We are trying really hard to get him to eat through out the day. But usually it'll be like 5 bites the he walks away. I can bring dish to him and he'll have a few more bites. We do that all day. Was actually wondering if there were any healthy sort of crunch treats or anything I could add he may be more interested in.
Wink loved the Halo Liv-a-little Chicken flavor treats. I'd crumble them on top of his food, and have to do that 4-5 times to get him to eat a good sized serving. He was a dry food addict and founding member or DFAA (Dry Food Addicts Anonymous). Try some of the tricks and tips in this document. https://catinfo.org/docs/TipsForTransitioning1-14-11.pdf
Just did reading at +1 and +1.5. Seems to be dropping quickly. Think he's ok for us to go to bed? I did get him to eat a little more at +1 but prob only at 2.5 oz total of friskies pate for dinner. @Panic, dont think I tagged you in new thread.
I’d get another test in before bed to see if the numbers are leveling out at all and reevaluate from there. That’s a pretty quick drop early in the cycle.
I thought the same, it was a quick drop! We weren't able to test again last night. Fell asleep. Amps was 161. Will wait for guidance before giving shot, it seems like even the microdose is too much for him!
Thanks for the tag! You may want to take a syringe for practice, fill it to .10 and slowly twist the plunger and count the drops that come out. Do it a few times (tedious I know!) and get the drops to the same size consistency and then give half the amount of drops for .10u
Could you explain more about the twisting of the syringe? I don't think I understand. Also not sure if I should give a .10 dose tonight. Honestly skipped am dose because I've been feeling so burned out by all this. He seems to drop so low no matter the dose. Do you think him not eating a lot is part of the problem?
Absolutely. The insulin plunger moves up and down in the syringe barrel. You move the plunger up and down a couple of times before you insert the syringe into the insulin vial or pen. That helps to spread the lubricant that is inside the syringe barrel and makes the plunger easier to move. After you have done that redistribution of the syringe lubricant, instead of moving the plunger directly up and down within the barrel of the syringe , try twisting the plunger a little bit to the side (like 1/4 turn clockwise) slowly and gently moving the plunger down as you twist, to eek out tiny drops of insulin. Keep up those 1/4 turns, to push out the next drop of insulin (or your practice solution). You are turning your wrist to the side, as you are holding onto the syringe and the plunger. Then you are releasing the plunger, putting your fingers back on the syringe barrel and plunger, and giving the plunger another 1/4 turn. Practice with some colored water or juice in a used syringe. Dont know if you have ever had a ring stuck on your finger. If you soap it up with some liquid or bar soap, you can twist the ring on your finger and get it to move easier and hopefully get it off your finger. Same idea with the insulin plunger, giving it that sideways motion to loosen. Or think of using a ratcheting type wrench, to get a nut off a bolt. Skip the dose again. Until you practice that drop dosing technique.
I thought I had figured this out but since he dropped so low again at +1, am I giving more than I think I am? Today I reminded him to eat every chance i got, he did eat more. So microdose or skip this evening?
Maybe. That is a distinct possibility. You could try skipping again. Maybe even for a few more cycles. It's always a good idea to test for ketones, if you are not giving insulin. Even more important to test for ketones, if your cat is not eating well.
2 ways to test for ketones 1. Buy urine ketone test strips, and get a fresh sample of urine, before it has soaked into the litter. Putting a ladle under your cat's butt may help. Urine ketone test strips (aka Ketodiastix) are available at most any drugstore. Link to a document for you >>>>>> Urine Catching Tips and Tricks 2. There are special blood meters that can test for glucose with one kind of test strip and for ketones with a different test strip. It takes time to order one of these. You may find one at your local drugstore/pharmacy/chemist. p.s. I was noticing earlier, that you only joined 1 week ago. Time flies doesn't it? Hope you have learned a lot. Keep asking questions. It's how we all learned at the beginning too.
