Me & Spike are new to all this...BG Question

Discussion in 'Prozinc / PZI' started by Lee Renfro, Mar 10, 2022.

  1. Lee Renfro

    Lee Renfro Member

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    Mar 7, 2022
    New to having a diabetic cat on insulin and testing with a ReliOn Classic meter, so not many data points in my spreadsheet. Just got home from some errands and tested Spike at 6.25 hrs after his AM shot. IT IS 64!!! Should I be alarmed, as he is only showing the sign of hunger...NOT unusual, as this fella has ALWAYS tried to eat us out of house and home. I gave him a couple spoons of his urinary purina wet and he is telling me he wants more. I got the "Newbie Panics"...lol

    @Diane Tyler's Mom
    @Hendrick's mom and dad
     
  2. Jo B

    Jo B New Member

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    May 9, 2021
    Until an administrator chimes in, you're good above 50 on a human meter. Prozinc usually peaks at 5-6 hours so just test to make sure keeps going up.
     
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  3. Lee Renfro

    Lee Renfro Member

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    Mar 7, 2022
    Thank you. This is day 9 of following vets advice of 3u of ProZinc and I was sent home to fly blind until day 7 when I found FDMB. As my SS shows, I'm still giving 3u every 12 hrs, but now with testing B4 shots and trying to get some mid-cycle data points to see how it is working, especially because I'm a trucker working 10-11 hr shifts most days, but took today off to see dentist and try to get some numbers on my lil buddy Spike...especially since day 1, I've been terrified of walking into the house and finding him in a full-blown hypo situation (yes, I've got corn syrup).. right now, he seems fine except for being hungry and poking me to feed him...he loves his "Cat Daddy" and often is elected to wake me up with a gentle poke to the chin if I don't wake up as soon as the alarm goes off on work days...he don't understand sleeping in on a Sunday either.

    Thank you for your help.
     
  4. Lee Renfro

    Lee Renfro Member

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    Spike is now 178 @ 9.25 be was given 2.5 oz of his purina pro plan focus urinary tract wet and 3 temptations catnip sensation treats. I might have done theexact wrong thing during the nadir, but...I got a Lil nervous. I don't think I could handle a hypo event just yet...lol
     
  5. Jo B

    Jo B New Member

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    May 9, 2021
    That's good! I know; we want lower numbers but dread low numbers. I'm the same.

    So in the future, if you get a lower number, as long as not hypo, just test to make sure going back up .With more testing, you'll know when Spike hits his nadir or lowest point . It's usually 5- 6 hours after shot, but is different in every cat and can even change.

    You did great for Spike!
     
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  6. Lee Renfro

    Lee Renfro Member

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    Thank you. I just worry because I have to work all day (and sleep all night...lol) and I live alone deep in the Northeast Texas country with Spike and 5 other spoiled, healthy kitties.
     
  7. Lmiller86

    Lmiller86 Member

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    Dec 24, 2021
    Hi Lee! We all struggle with this. I'm on my 3rd diabetic cat and still identify with all that you've said. This group is helpful. Do you leave food out while you are gone?
     
  8. Diane Tyler's Mom

    Diane Tyler's Mom Well-Known Member

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    Sep 21, 2018
    Anytime Spike drops under 90 you need to reduce by 0.25 units.
    So tonight dose should be 2.75 units.

    I see you said in post #3
    Thank you. This is day 9 of following vets advice of 3u of ProZinc and I was sent home to fly blind until day 7 when I found FDMB. As my SS shows, I'm still giving 3u every 12 hrs, but now with testing B4 shots and trying to get some mid-cycle data points to see how it is working, especially because I'm a trucker working 10-11 hr shifts most days, but took today off to see dentist and try to get some numbers on my lil buddy Spike...especially since day 1, I've been terrified of walking into the house and finding him in a full-blown hypo situation (yes, I've got corn syrup).. right now, he seems fine except for being hungry and poking me to feed him...he loves his "Cat Daddy" and often is elected to wake me up with a gentle poke to the chin if I don't wake up as soon as the alarm goes off on work days...he don't understand sleeping in on a Sunday either.

    Do you have an automatic feeder for him while you are gone so long
    I'm going to tag some members to see if you should reduce more than 0.25 units
    Can you test him more in weekends?
    I know you have to sleep at night but you at least need to get a before bed test done in case he starts dropping too low
    Also please add the meter you are using to your signature, I see it on your SS Relion Premier


    @FrostD

    @Bron and Sheba (GA)

    @Bandit's Mom

    @Wendy&Neko

    @tiffmaxee
     
    Last edited: Mar 11, 2022
  9. Diane Tyler's Mom

    Diane Tyler's Mom Well-Known Member

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  10. FrostD

    FrostD Well-Known Member

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    Good job getting started!

    I think a 0.25U reduction is ok, BUT the more conservative option since you can't be home for many days in a row would be a 0.5U reduction. Any history of ketones or DKA? Are you testing for ketones at home?

    Couple of things I just want to baseline on:
    - Why the urinary food? And which flavor/protein?

    - The correct sequence is fast for 2 hrs before the preshot test, do the test, feed, then shoot (you can shoot with his head in the bowl if you wanted, just make sure he eats at least a tsp or so). No need to fast for midcycle tests, just the preshot ones so you have consistent data points to base decisions on

    - When starting we say you can give the full dose if the preshot is 200 or higher. Under that stall without feeding and post for help. You don't want to stall too long because then you'd be off schedule, and with your job you can't get too far off schedule. But honestly, any time you get an unusual number at any point feel free to ask for advice.

    - what's current feeding schedule? We usually make the PS meals the largest, and give small snacks up til nadir. We try not to feed after nadir because the insulin is wearing off, but some cats can't go that long, so a small snack in the latter part of the cycle is ok.
    - you will want to do a curve on your day off, ideally once a week. Testing every other hour. Whatever nighttime spot checks you can get are helpful as well, since they tend to go lower at night

    Always err on the side of extra carbs when you get low numbers, especially with minimal data. Always good to post and ask for advice too. Eventually you'll get the hang of it :) typically (for human meters) we save high carb food for the 40-49 range, or for really large drops that would result in low numbers; you want to test every 20-30 mins in that range. High carb + karo is for under 40, testing every 15 mins because the syrup wears off. 50-59 near best bet is medium carb food, test every 30 mins. Above 60 near nadir, just regular low carb, test every 30-45 mins. 70s+ near nadir generally doesn't need food, test 30-69 mins. Now, for each of those ranges - if you see those early in the cycle, bump up to the next carb category (so a 55 early in the cycle, give high carb). Again, when in doubt just throw carbs at him, ideally wet food carbs (dry carbs tend to stick around longer and make things more unpredictable).

    Due diligence - food list with carbs is here. Low carb (LC) is 9% and under. Medium carb (MC) is 10-15%. High carb (HC) is 16-20%. Very high carb is anything above that, but I keep some 22-25% foods on hand just in case.
     
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  11. Diane Tyler's Mom

    Diane Tyler's Mom Well-Known Member

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  12. Lee Renfro

    Lee Renfro Member

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    I do leave food out both at night and while gone. Purina pro plan urinary formula dry for him to graze on. I figure he will go eat some when he gets low as he is STARVING around the nadir. Vet put him on the urinary formula 3 yrs ago as he had bladder stones once, but not since. The other kitties all like it mid-day also, so thats our kibble. The others get Friskies Chicken & Tuna Prime Filets or Pate that Spike also loves but I have to feed him separately.
    Both me and Spike use the ReliOn Premier Classic meter...lol
    Thank you for the info on all this dosing etc.
     
  13. Lee Renfro

    Lee Renfro Member

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    Mar 7, 2022
    Just got a 256 AMPS for the 1ST time this low. Should I give the full 3u???

    AMPS IS 0700 & PMPS is 1900.....7 and 7...lol and yes, these are his largest meals right after that then the shot.
     
  14. FrostD

    FrostD Well-Known Member

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    May 27, 2020
    Are you home today or no?

    New full dose is 2.5U or 2.75U, whichever you're more comfortable with. I prefer the 2.5U for extra cushion.

    We usually say shoot full dose over 200, but that's when we know the dose is a good dose. Not sure about that right now. If you have to leave, you can try a reduced dose like 1-1.5U.
     
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  15. Lee Renfro

    Lee Renfro Member

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    I just gave 2.5u as I just can't take the risk of him dropping too low while I'm gone till about 5pm CST today. HIS PS #'s are down from where we stated and I don't want him catering while I'm working. I leave proplan urinary dry out for them all while I'm gone. I'm sure Spike will graze during the mid-day cycle.
    Thank you. My first time doing something on my own.....darned vet just left me to fly blind but y'all are truly a godsend for me and my lil buddy Spike.

    All this now shown on Spikes SS.
     
  16. Lee Renfro

    Lee Renfro Member

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    We've got 3 Yellows in a row as of 2pm cst today. I guess that going to 2.5u this am is OK. As y'all say, better high for a day than too low for a minute. Now it's +9.5 and we're back up to 340.

    Should I give him the 3u tonight as he will surely continue to climb as he fasts these next 2 hrs?

    Yes, I need to invest in a timed feeder for when I'm working or sleeping.

    @Hendrick's mom and dad
    @FrostD
     
  17. FrostD

    FrostD Well-Known Member

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    May 27, 2020
    N
    No, do not adjust the dose based on higher numbers. Hold the dose for at least a week, unless he goes below 90 (or you can reasonably infer he did). At the end of the week, after a curve, you decide whether to hold or increase .
     
  18. Lee Renfro

    Lee Renfro Member

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    We went down from 3u to 2.5u this am due to him testing that 64 yesterday at +6.5 hrs. He's been on 3u since he started until this am. He was 244 at +6.5 then 340 at +9.5 today. He vomited 30 minutes ago (he usually doesn't very often), so I was wondering did he need the full 3u with these higher numbers???

    Also, I can't catch him peeing to get a test strip in it to save my life...he sneaks to the letterbox and I'm too late.....

    Please advise as it's almost time for his PM shot.
    @FrostD
     
    Last edited: Mar 11, 2022
  19. FrostD

    FrostD Well-Known Member

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    Sorry I wasn't around. Good job with the 2.5U. when a reduction is earned (by dropping below 90), it is a "permanent" reduction - meaning you hold the new reduced dose for at least a week, unless another reduction is earned.

    They make blood ketone meters if you think that will be easier. Work the same way as glucometer, just usually require bigger drop of blood (and strips are more expensive). I use the NovaMax plus
     
  20. FrostD

    FrostD Well-Known Member

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    Also, I really don't see a need for the urinary formula anymore, though I'll take a stab and tag @Bron and Sheba (GA) and see if she has opinion (shot in the dark Bron!).

    The good news is the wet urinary is already low carb...but it would be best if you can get him off kibble entirely. Or, there are a few low carb dry foods as well. Do not make any diet changes yet, it can lower numbers quite a bit sometimes so we have to be careful. If you would like to change, let us know ahead of time and we can help.
     
  21. FrostD

    FrostD Well-Known Member

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    Tagging @Bron and Sheba (GA) again because I had to edit post and not sure if broke tag
     
  22. Bron and Sheba (GA)

    Bron and Sheba (GA) Well-Known Member

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    I would get rid of the urinary dry food as well, but not until you can be there to monitor the BGs for a few days. I would encourage fluids. I never understand vets prescribing dry food for urinary problems when it is wet food and fluids that are needed.:banghead:
    Not sure how you will work out the timed feeder with 5 other cats…..although timed feeders are great.
     
  23. Hendrick Cuddleclaw

    Hendrick Cuddleclaw Well-Known Member

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    @FrostD look at that, my first tag by a new member looking for help :woot:

    unfortunately @Lee Renfro ...my boy is on Lantus not Prozinc and I am not the guy to dispense any dosing advice on either of them anyway lol. I know I was one of the first people to respond to your new member thread but truth is I am new to this as well -- Melissa (FrostD) and others like Bron are the experts here. But you can tag me anytime you like in any post just know I probably don't have the answer -- but you can bet I'll try and help you get it!
     
  24. Lee Renfro

    Lee Renfro Member

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    I understand, you give sum awesum emotional support as Spike & I navigate through this chapter. He just scored a 232 @+5 and a 251 @+6 now that FrostD explained how he earned a reduction from 3u to 2.5u due to him having a 64 @+6 back on the 10th (which scared me to death). Oddly, now that he is getting 2.5u since then, his numbers are staying in the mid-200's (which don't scare me so badly). I guess this is good progress, and my reading comprehension about his "new" dose being 2.5u was just what I needed clarification on. I don't wanna underdose, yet I can't have him going hypo in the nadir during the night or while I'm at work...lesser of the two evils, I recon.

    One thing that concerns me is since going to the "new" dose of 2.5u he vomited once for sure yesterday and most probably again between +10 & +11 during the night. He is normally NOT a puker and always has an appetite. Would the new lower dose cause that, I wonder, after having the 3u dose for like the first 10 days....I have so much to learn, but my lil buddy deserves the best I can give him.

    I was able to get a walmart ketone strip though his urine stream last nite and although my fingers got soaked, it was definitely negative. I put a second one in the puddle b4 it soaked into the Arm&Hammer cat litter and was also negative.

    I'm really new to forum etiquette even though I have lurked for years on a Camaro SS & a black powder shooting forum...lol

    According to the calculator on here, the Purina ProPlan Urinary Salmon flavor is 14% carbs...high, I know. I have removed Spikes access to the dry kibble and he doesn't miss it. He demands the wet & walks past the dry. At +6 today, he was desperately searching for contraband though. I'll prolly have to leave him some out for when I'm away in case he gets low during the day.

    I'm tagging @FrostD so she can hopefully put eyes on this long post and chime in if necessay.

    Thank you all for being so helpful, and for just being here.
     
  25. Lee Renfro

    Lee Renfro Member

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    Mar 7, 2022
    Never saw a pre-shot number this low before. It's 136 and time for his PM shot. Hope someone see this and can tell me what I need to give him. See my SS and you'll see that I m a Lil concerned.

    @FrostD
    @Diane Tyler's Mom
     
  26. Lmiller86

    Lmiller86 Member

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    Dec 24, 2021
    Here's from the "Prozinc Basics" sticky:
    • The proper sequence for dosing insulin is: Test/Feed/Shoot. In the beginning, if your cat’s BG is not up to at least 200 mg/dL {11 mmol/L}, if your schedule allows, you can stall (without feeding) for 20+minutes, then retest the BG. You are looking for a number that is rising, not falling and up to 200 mg/dL {11 mmol/L}. If you stall once, but can’t do another round of stalling and your cat hasn’t reached a BG of 200 mg/dL {11 mmol/L}, you’ll need to skip the dose and wait until the next cycle. NOTE: Because pet-specific meters (such as the AlphaTrak2) often read higher than human meters, you may want to adjust the NO-SHOOT number to 225 mg/dL {12.5 mmol/L} or even 250 mg/dL {14 mmol/L} This gives you an added margin of safety when using an AlphaTrak2 or other pet-specific meter.
     
  27. Lmiller86

    Lmiller86 Member

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    and from the dosing sticky:

    Q4.4. My cat's pre-shot level was way below the usual value. Should I give the injection?

    A4.4. There's no hard and fast rule, but if you don't have data on how your cat responds to insulin, here are some general guidelines.
    • Below 150 mg/dl (8.3 mmol/L), don't give insulin.
    • Between 150 and 200 (8.3-11.1 mmol/L), you have three options:
      • a.) give nothing
      • b.) give a token dose (10-25% of the usual dose)
      • c.) feed as usual, test in a couple of hours, and make a decision based on that value
    • Above 200 (11.1 mmol/L) but below the cat's normal pre-shot value, a reduced dose might be wise.
     
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  28. FrostD

    FrostD Well-Known Member

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    Hold on here let me read
     
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  29. Lee Renfro

    Lee Renfro Member

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    Re-read the above sticky. Still got the Nesbie Panics and had was shocked to see him at 136 at +12. I'll keep monitoring but he found about a spoon of food the others didn't eat, so thats gonna screw up mu next #.
     
  30. FrostD

    FrostD Well-Known Member

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    When did you remove access to kibble?
     
  31. Lee Renfro

    Lee Renfro Member

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    Nobody has had any kibble since Night b4 last. I went to the store for past 3 hrs and spike stayed outside on porch. I ran inside, did his test, and turned around and he was already in the kitchen eating about 1 tablespoon of his wet that he didn't finish from this am....he beat me to the bowl.
    BTW, Spike never has been a big kibble eater. He loves the wet but I had kept both and allowed the others to graze on it. Spike begs for wet when I walk through the house...not a kibble guy.
     
  32. FrostD

    FrostD Well-Known Member

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    Ah ok! Ok so this explains a lot. Changing carbs can have big impact on numbers and dose. We need to change your dose, just not sure to what yet

    I know he just ate, but can you test again now please?

    Are you home tomorrow? This delay will cause an issue with time change so a skip may be better, but let's see next test
     
  33. Lee Renfro

    Lee Renfro Member

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    Just got a 194...8:15pm cst.
     
  34. Lee Renfro

    Lee Renfro Member

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    He never was a fan of any dry food and ate very little of the proplan UTH; only occasionally. He'd rather beg for the wet version. The others ate lots of it...so, hey, we all like it, so I kept buying it.

    And yes, I know about time change issues (read the thread yesterday) and really wanted to make it a smooth transition but spike BG had other ideas tonite.
     
  35. FrostD

    FrostD Well-Known Member

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    Ok here's what I suggest - 1U tonight, if you can monitor. Even though he ate, that's a bigger food bump than I would expect if he was still on his way down.

    Tomorrow morning, at your normal shot time, start a new dose of 1.75U assuming he's above 200. Hold that for a few days unless he earns a reduction. This is an overly cautious reduction because of the diet change, and that your job leaves.you gone most of the day. If you aren't home tomorrow, feel free to reduce a bit more if that will make you more comfortable. Right now it's sort of pin the tail on the donkey as the extra carbs come out of his system.

    Note to any lurkers this is a special circumstance based on variety of factors.
     
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  36. Lee Renfro

    Lee Renfro Member

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    I am home Sunday except for 11am to noon and 6pm to7pm for church and Bible study. I will eventually also have to sleep tonite also.

    Will this 1.0u dose make him sick since he has been used to getting 2.5u for several days now?
     
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  37. FrostD

    FrostD Well-Known Member

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    So what is likely making him sick/not feel good is the swings in BG, or sometimes they feel the need to eat too quickly with the BG changes. The tricky part here is getting to a dose where the swings are minimized.

    Because he was so low tonight, the prudent thing to do is a temporary reduced dose - because giving him a higher dose may very likely cause a hypo, but skipping altogether will just have him climb higher and higher and also feel like crap. So the idea is hopefully the 1U is enough to keep him from climbing too high, but not drop too low, and also leave you a shootable number in the morning at your normal time. It's a bit of an art right now vs concrete science.

    Tonight - start with a +2. If he's higher, again at +5 just to be safe. If he's flat, a +3.5. Drops, post on main forum for advice. I likely will not be up, so if you need guidance post on main forum with a link to this thread so they can see the discussion.
     
  38. Lee Renfro

    Lee Renfro Member

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    I'm about to shoot the 1.0u right now. We r at 13.75 hrs.
     
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  39. FrostD

    FrostD Well-Known Member

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    Ok. I suggest getting a +11 tonight (so an hour before the morning shot) so that you can tell if he's on his way up at shot time and potentially save you another stall
     
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  40. Lee Renfro

    Lee Renfro Member

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    At +14 hrs he is 218. I gave him the 1.0u. I'll recheck at the times u said. I update my SS immediately, so all can see what's going on.

    Thank you so much. I couldn't do any of this without you all.

    Makes me mad the vet sends me home with a powerful dangerous hormone and just says ,"see yall on the 14th......geeeesh!
     
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  41. FrostD

    FrostD Well-Known Member

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    And just to reiterate - normally you need to keep 12 hours between shots. ProZinc sometimes has a bit of leeway, especially if duration is shorter than 12 hours - we will see in the morning.

    Since you are home tomorrow, you could also move it back 1 hr in the morning and 1 hr in the evening vs 2 hrs in the morning (I prefer the 1 hr and 1 hr). Not sure how that translates with time change and your work schedule.
     
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  42. Lee Renfro

    Lee Renfro Member

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    I was thinking a similar thought on timing as time change. My original plan went away when he threw me this lil curveball.

    I'm not too proficient on using a forum. But I'll link this thread to any new post much later tonite on the main thread....once I get that figured out...lolol

    Once again, I mean this from the bottom of my heart..Thank you and may God bless you.
     
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  43. FrostD

    FrostD Well-Known Member

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    You are most welcome! I always find it to be a curious little place God put me in lol A diabetic cat forum in the recesses of the internet :joyful:
     
  44. Lee Renfro

    Lee Renfro Member

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    Well, for 13 years now, I've said, "God puts you right where you need to be, and at exactly when you need to be there". As far as I'm concerned, he got you on the internet and built years of experiences up, so that when Spike needed you, you were right there...lol. sorry, didn't mean to go all Forrest Gump on ya.
     
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  45. FrostD

    FrostD Well-Known Member

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    Ah was hoping he'd stay a little lower but that's ok. What time is tonight's shot?
     
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  46. Lee Renfro

    Lee Renfro Member

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    Gave 1.75u at +9.75 hrs due to time change plus last night's stall and 1.0u dose. He was 344 at AMPS. Only woke up and tested once (@+4 it was 264) Today, I can plenty of testing done.
     
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  47. Lee Renfro

    Lee Renfro Member

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    I'm aiming for about 7:15 to 7:30 tonite and that will give be sum room to give it at 07:00 tomorrow AM. He's seeing the Vet Monday at 4:30PM for bloodwork and the Vet will see my SS and his human meter numbers. Either she'll freak out or "she'll kick in" and become one of those dream vets. Either way, I'll prolly get a lecture...lol. I know she's a vet and I'm no endocrinologist, but rather, a simple trucker with a business degree...lol
     
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  48. FrostD

    FrostD Well-Known Member

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    Ok good. We'll see how he does today, you might have leeway to go back up to 2-2.25U, we'll see.
     
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  49. Lee Renfro

    Lee Renfro Member

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    I hope we can. My u40 syringes that came with the Prozinc aren't marked for. 25u doses. But the top of the black rubber part of plunger is about .25u thick, so it's eyeball-able.

    You might tell Claire that old Spike doesn't like his ear pokes, but after about 3-4 days, he's learned that he gets some loving and either his wet food or a treat afterwards, so he has incorporated coming to where we test to his begging routine now. And tell her that we can do this for our babies.♡
     
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  50. Lee Renfro

    Lee Renfro Member

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    186 @+3, 186 @+6. He's staying in the blue range and I'm think that @FrostD made the correct on-the-fly dosing call and the time change is a tough circumstance also.. I'm certainly comfortable with it and Spike seems to be totally fine also. The boy STAYS hungry and has his whole life.♡ I'll test again in an hour.
     
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  51. FrostD

    FrostD Well-Known Member

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    Phew! Let's see if he keeps sliding down towards tonight. I'm inclined to hold the 1.75U and give him a few cycles to even out, but if he goes back up at shot time 2U may be ok as well
     
  52. Lee Renfro

    Lee Renfro Member

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    Back up to 307 @+9.....Hmmmmm?!?!?!?
     
  53. FrostD

    FrostD Well-Known Member

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    Looks like a bounce. I don't think he went much lower than 150-160 today, so I'd say 2U should be ok from here on out if you're comfortable with that
     
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  54. Lee Renfro

    Lee Renfro Member

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    I am. Leaving. Hurch and will b home by 7:30 cst. I'm assuming he will. Limb to upper 300's. If so, then the full 2u or ? Pls advise. Try to get u a bg at shot time ....gotta rush home now....
     
  55. Lee Renfro

    Lee Renfro Member

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    He just tested his PMPS at 380. You thinking the 2.0u is the way to procees tonite?
     
  56. Lee Renfro

    Lee Renfro Member

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    PMPS is 380, so following our plan and just gave him 2.0u. When do u think his nadir is happening? Seems to me that it moves around a bit...ECID...lol

    I'm also not educated on it enough to know what the effects of how we have had to alter his dose almost every shot for the past 3 days.

    @FrostD
     
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  57. FrostD

    FrostD Well-Known Member

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    May 27, 2020
    Unfortunately don't know when nadir is, ProZinc is most often +4 to +6 but every cat is different.

    Let's hold 2U for the next few cycles (as long as above 200) and let him settle down. He's bouncing today, and usually when that happens it's a later nadir in the following cycle (possibly what happened yesterday, he broke the bounce starting the night before and had a long slide down).
     
  58. Lee Renfro

    Lee Renfro Member

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2022
    Yes ma'am and thank you. That actually makes sense to me at this point. I'm very comfortable with 2.0u as long as his PS number is about 200 tomorrow, which due to time change will actually be about +11.75 hrs in real shot time. I'll check him at +4 b4 I go to bed. If the AMPS is for some reason below 200, I'm assuming he will need a reduced shot. I can't stall too long if that occurs as my boss wants me at work by 8am tomorrow. If below 200 I'll just have to make a judgment call but will err on the side of caution, of course.

    I'll keep his SS updated but a couple of times it would only let me "view only", and that got frustrating. The Google sheets app said "anonymous jack..." was currently viewing my SS. I rebooted my phone and it then allowed me to edit the SS... go figure.
     
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  59. Lee Renfro

    Lee Renfro Member

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2022
    03/13/2022. His AMPS was 314 so it looks like he will get 2.0u this morning. Thank you @FrostD as I feel that this is a safe dose since he has bounced around the past 48/72 hrs, the time change is ruff on us all, and I can't seem to test him while he's in nadir & it makes me wanna kick myself.

    I'll get home around 3:30 pm and have him at vet at.4:30pm (@+9.5) for his 1st followup bloodwork....and to explain to vet that I'm a dedicated "Cat Daddy" who is in this to win this. I'll ask about the Urinary wet purina and her suggestions...BTW, cat & dog food shelf here in Northeast Texas are quite bare these days and it's scary. It feels like soon we will all stand in front of empty stores like old photos of the USSR.
     
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  60. Lee Renfro

    Lee Renfro Member

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    Mar 7, 2022
    Spike saw the Vet today and got a BG of 152 at +9.5 hrs there in the Vets lab. The vet said that we did good by setting his new dose at 2.0u if above 200 BG level.

    Now we are home and his PMPS is 148. I'll test again in 15 minutes, but need advise on a reduced dose if it doesn't come up significantly. I can't understand why it's lower now. I fed him a tablespoon of wet food at +11 when we got home as he seemed to be starving (and as a Lil treat).

    @FrostD
    @Diane Tyler's Mom
     
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  61. Lee Renfro

    Lee Renfro Member

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2022
    157 BG@12.75 hrs. It's rising but I'm going to assume this calls for a temporary reduced dose. Any recommendations??
    @FrostD
    @Diane Tyler's Mom
     
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  62. Diane Tyler's Mom

    Diane Tyler's Mom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2018
    Hi Lee I'm not familiar with Prozinc or feel comfortable giving advice about doses
    I'll try tagging Melissa again for you
    @FrostD
     
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  63. Lee Renfro

    Lee Renfro Member

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2022
    I don't think she is on here right now. I can't decide either no dose at all or a reduced dose. I'll have to leave for work by about 7:45am cst in the morning and don't want to get extremely off schedule unless I am supposed to just skip tonight entirely. The "Newbie Panics" is what I got right now...lol
     
  64. FrostD

    FrostD Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 27, 2020
    Here hold on
     
  65. FrostD

    FrostD Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 27, 2020
    So you're an hour late now...your choice. I would try 0.5-1U. 1U didn't hold him down as much as I'd hoped the other night but he was rising much more rapidly. 0.5U more conservative and better chance of sleep for you.

    I probably won't be on in time in the morning, but I'd say same thing. If he's low again, skip or up to 0.75U depending on number and comfort level
     
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  66. FrostD

    FrostD Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 27, 2020
    Also, sorry I wasn't on earlier. I can't get on til kids are in bed and time change/daylight change has them messed up too
     
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  67. Lee Renfro

    Lee Renfro Member

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2022
    181 BG at 8:30pm. Aka +13.25 hrs...pls advise.
     
  68. Lee Renfro

    Lee Renfro Member

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2022
    Really concerned how this will effect his AMPS at about 7:15 or 7:30 tomorrow morning.
     
  69. Lee Renfro

    Lee Renfro Member

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2022
    Just gave him about 0.6u to 0.7u at 8:45pm aka +13.75 hrs. Thank you so much.

    In other news, my vet was impressed with FDMB, the spreadsheet, and our decisions regarding Spike....and I owe y'all so very much.♡♡♡
     
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  70. FrostD

    FrostD Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 27, 2020
    Advice still stands, I had a feeling he wouldn't go up that much ;)

    I did factor in the time difference when considering the dose, so fingers crossed. Always a bit unpredictable when the dry food carbs work their way out, plus he likes the long slides down
     
  71. FrostD

    FrostD Well-Known Member

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    May 27, 2020
    Awesome! Sounds like you've got a vet willing to work with you, which is the most important thing
     
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  72. Lee Renfro

    Lee Renfro Member

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    Mar 7, 2022
    How long does it take dry food carbs to clear their system. He hasn't touched kibble since like Wednesday or so.
     
  73. FrostD

    FrostD Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 27, 2020
    Anecdotally, about a week. It's a bit hard to tell right now what his normal trend is vs what's bounces/breaks/changing dose vs what may/may not be carbs. Should become more clear in the next few days, and hopefully we can get a dose that's shootable both AM and PM
     
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  74. Lee Renfro

    Lee Renfro Member

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2022
    It was hard to eyeball that shot. Plunged was past the. 5u mark but I wouldn't call it .75u either. Hopefully, spike and I will b back on track by 7:15 or so in the morning...and that these changes won't make him sick. I'm not too worried about hypo due to the speed his bg was climbing by +13 hrs...I HATE this bouncing around stuff. He definitely fasted since about 3pm cst due to his trip to the vet today.
     
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  75. FrostD

    FrostD Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 27, 2020
    I get it! Takes a bit to figure them out. The more I look, the more it seems like he has a late nadir and a bit longer than usual duration (when his dose is close to correct). That will make things a bit interesting, we have one other cat here right now I can think of like that
     
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  76. Lee Renfro

    Lee Renfro Member

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2022
    Spikes AMPS was at 275 today at 7am (+12) so I am giving his 2u normal dose.
    I hope we can get on track and have normal nadir that don't go too low today, as I'll be at work until about 5pm.
     
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  77. Lee Renfro

    Lee Renfro Member

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2022
    Many thanks for holding my hand thru all these lil learning experiences, @FrostD.

    The vet said she'd actually had a couple dog owners chart BG, but never a cat parent has shown this amount of dedication in her experience. I told her that she and I are both Alumni of Tarleton State University. so you know I'm gonna study the material for Spike. She said that your advice of 2.0u as his new normal dose was perfectly on target and would have been her advice if she had seen Spikes SS. A MILLION THANK AND GOD BLESS YOU'S Melissa!!! I showed her FDMB and she seemed amazed that their are thousands of us. She read this thread & part of the Prozinc dosing page and she said, "y'all got this"!!! Spikes next appointment is March 28th. @ 4:30pm & she said she would run a full lab to check blood ketone BUN & everything else. She is a big believer in AminaVast ×1/day as his numbers Bun etc is slightly elevated.
     
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  78. FrostD

    FrostD Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 27, 2020
    I will accept the pat on the back :smuggrin:

    SS isn't updating for me, not sure if it's my phone or you haven't had a chance, but where was he at tonight?
     
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  79. Lee Renfro

    Lee Renfro Member

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2022
    237 @+9.25 and 297 @PMPS....2.0u given.
     
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  80. Lee Renfro

    Lee Renfro Member

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2022
    161 @+6.75 and 449 @AMPS. AMPS WAS at +12.50 hrs as I overslept. I also believe he got into sum kibble that I put down for other cats that I bet they didn't finish but Spike did...a bad mistake on my part.

    Ss now says "view only" but my permissions are that I'm the owner and can make changes. It's acting hinky!!!

    I gave the usual 2.0u.
    @FrostD
     
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  81. FrostD

    FrostD Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 27, 2020
    Okie dokie hopefully just a bounce and he comes back down. Possibly another lower PMPS tonight, we'll see
     
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  82. Lee Renfro

    Lee Renfro Member

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2022
    I've had nothing but problems with "view only" mode since I started using Google Sheets on my phone and using this SS. I check the sharing options and I'm the SS owner, but it locks me out sumtimes. I'll keep you updated one way or another though.

    Yes, it was my stupid fault. Woke up at 2am, checked his BG & it was a nice comfortable 161. I let my barn kitties in and they begged for the Iams UTH as they all love it. I meant to pick it back up in 10 minutes while Spike was oblivious lounging on my bed...but I went back and straight-up crashed back out next to him. Woke up this AM late and the kitchen bowl was empty and Spike was happily washing his face with his paw!. Pretty sure I knew what happened..lol. already running late, I took him back to my room & tested and got that whopping 449 BG reading @+12.5 hours for his AMPS. Hopefully, he won't pay a heavy price for my screw-up during the day while I'm trucking, or tonight when we test again. That 2.0u hopefully was the correct shot to give.

    YOU ARE AWESUM, how you r on here helping so many of us newbies on all the different forums and many threads. Your advice is kind, clear and correct (according to my Vet...lol). I see how you advocate for the "patient" at all times...just like I would if I could.

    A million thank you's♡♡♡
     
  83. FrostD

    FrostD Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 27, 2020
    You are welcome! I can't be in as much as I like, but I try. As for advice, we all do the best we can, but sometimes gets a little tricky. The further you get into this you'll start to see his patterns and know what to do
     
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  84. FrostD

    FrostD Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 27, 2020
    When you get a chance can you start a new thread please? This one's just getting a bit long
     
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