? 3/8 Vesper, AMPS 234

[Kelly and Vesper]

Prior post: https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/2-23-vesper-amps-234-4-197.298602/#post-3251584

Hi everyone! Forgive my absence--I had minor surgery last week and have a lot going on at work so haven't been as diligent about posting lately.

Vesper is doing GREAT!!! She has gained a full pound since her last DKA episode and is now back up to 10 lbs. She feels so healthy, has energy, and has a great appetite.

I finally bought a blood ketone meter and tested that for the first time yesterday and her ketones were 0.2, which I assume is good? How often should I be testing ketones? Every day? If so, is once a day sufficient? She is still VERY feisty for blood draws, so we are minimizing them as much as we can. I still need to try to add in some nighttime checks and hope to get back into the swing of those soon too.

Her numbers seem to be doing okay--we even had almost a full day of blues, but I'm not noticing long term trends. I haven't bumped up the dose yet because every time I am about to do that, she gets another blue. But do you think I should try increasing to 1.75?

We are about to switch her from prednisolone to budesonide, so I might wait to increase change the insulin dose until she is stable on the new med so I can see if the change affects glucose? But let me know if you think we should do things differently?

Hope you are all well!!

 

[Laurie&Petey]

YAY! So glad all is going well hope you are recovering from your surgery well. I'm sure someone will make a dose recommendation soon.

 

[Bandit's Mom]

Good to hear that Vesper is doing well. Hoping you are also recovered from the surgery!

I finally bought a blood ketone meter and tested that for the first time yesterday and her ketones were 0.2, which I assume is good? How often should I be testing ketones? Every day? If so, is once a day sufficient?

I think once a day is fine if her ketones stay low and she looks OK (eating and drinking well and not lethargic etc) but I will tag @Bron and Sheba (GA) for confirmation.

Her numbers seem to be doing okay--we even had almost a full day of blues, but I'm not noticing long term trends. I haven't bumped up the dose yet because every time I am about to do that, she gets another blue. But do you think I should try increasing to 1.75?

Yes. With 3 DKA episodes in the past, you want to get her to better numbers sooner rather than later. With TR, you hold a dose for only 8-10 cycles once you start seeing blue nadirs. Her nadirs are over 150 and she has been on this dose for a while. You can take her up to 1.75U and evaluate the dose in 8-10 cycles (unless she earns a reduction before then).

We are about to switch her from prednisolone to budesonide, so I might wait to increase change the insulin dose until she is stable on the new med so I can see if the change affects glucose? But let me know if you think we should do things differently?

With a history of DKA, you might not want to delay an increase, but I'm going to tag @Wendy&Neko for her advice.

 

[Staci & Ivy]

Hi Kelly, so glad to hear Vesper is feeling much better. Just wanted to send you lots of good wishes for continued good health.
I hope you have a quick recovery from your surgery.

 

[Wendy&Neko]

Glad to read that both you and Vesper are on the mend.

I agree with Bhooma - it's time for 1.75 units.

Can you remind me what condition the prednisolone (and now budesonide) are treating? I don't see anything about it in the signature. What is the prednisolone dose, what will be the budesonide dose? Are you tapering the prednisolone first?