Did the vet give you a rationale for such a high starting dose? If you take a look at the information on the Vetsulin forum, we don't start cats at such a high dose. I'm really glad you tested when you did.
Part of why you may be seeing high pre-shot numbers is due to a large dose that's dropping the numbers earlier in the cycle. Vetsulin wears off relatively quickly (around +8, give or take). As a result, numbers may rise by your next shot time. In addition, if numbers are dropping into a low range, the liver and pancreas release a stored form of glucose along with counterregulatory hormones that cause numbers to spike back up. Getting those tests during the cycle will tell you how the insulin is fetching your cat.
You're also correct, the Vetsulin forum isn't always very busy. Posting here may be a quicker way to get help or input.
We didn't really think much of it when we were hearing the numbers so we didn't press at first, but he kind of just shrugged it off and said every cat is different (other than a paper handout that is more in line with this forum and contradicts what he actually did, there hasn't been a whole lot of communication, partly our fault for not researching more beforehand and asking questions).
When we went and got him yesterday, Friday, they said they wanted us to bring him back in so they could test his glucose again on Monday (we would be leaving him there around 9AM, and they would call when they are done testing).
While he was up there, they were feeding him Hill's Metabollic Weight Management dry food and they sent us home with some of that to give him over the weekend, but after reading enough to be dangerous it seemed kind of high in carbs to be feeding a diabetic kitty - hence the abrupt switch to a wet food that at least seemed okay.
If I'm testing at home is it still a good idea to take him up there? Kind of worried that they would hit him with 15U again without remembering what I mention when I drop him off.
And regarding the Vetsulin, is it possible to switch him to something more friendly to a cat (and to get the vet to go along for that matter)? I read a little more and it seemed like there were better insulin formulations for their metabolism.
That 83 is much better, but if it were me, I'd still check again maybe around +6 or +7. As for dose tonight, I'm not a Vetsulin user, but I think I'd be considering going down to what the sticky notes for starting dose, and especially considering you've removed dry food and switched to LC canned food. At the very least with that 44 earlier today, that tells me the dose is too high.
https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/beginners-guide-to-caninsulin-vetsulin.231587/
I'm curious how was your kitty diagnosed? Did they run blood tests and urinalysis, or a fructosamine test? You've noted he was at the vet's from Sept 9-17th, was that just for BG testing or was he admitted at the vet's due to some health issues? They really did start off on quite a high dose, and increased more quickly than I have seen in the past here with kitties on Vetsulin.
I believe
@JanetNJ has used Vetsulin, perhaps she can have a look and advise best dose going forward.
I checked again around +5.50 and got a reading of 110, he's alert if I go to pet him and resting comfortably now after all the excitement of today.
I was thinking about just resetting down to a reasonable starter dose and going from there especially since we switched foods and everything now, I'm glad you mention it as well.
On the diagnosis, again a lack of communication on both the vet and our side, so I'm not sure exactly what clued him into it being diabetes - but the invoice has a "Urinalysis-Idexx with Sedivue" and "General Health Profile-Idexx" listed as being performed the first day we brought him in on 09-09-21. Lionheart had been peeing excessively, drinking a lot of water, going in the livingroom instead of his litterbox, and wouldn't go outside since our other baby Jayfeather died from heart disease in July (thought Lion was just stressed from that and might "get over it" but he was getting more lethargic until we finally took him up there).
Other than the diagnosis of diabetes and a high BG reading, nothing else was wrong or needed treatment.
When we called later in the day, they told us he was diabetic and that they wanted to hold him until his BG numbers were below 250 (at first, then they said below 300 two days ago). They gave one injection of insulin on 09-09-21. And starting on 09-10-21 they note down "Glucose Blood Level Check" once a day with 2 insulin injections per day until released to us on the 17th - the dosage and BG numbers in my SS are just what I roughly remember from the receptionist/nurse saying over the phone when we would call each day.
I don't quite understand how he got to 15U in the span of a week.
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Sorry for all the questions and the novel, sort of working through everything as I type.
