? 6/11 Jessi, +11 317 currently no testing...gave a conservative dose, please advise

[Stefania S]

https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB...11-6-180-can-i-sleep-now.278420/#post-3079403

Because the vet we saw had no competence in this area, the sensor is falling off after just 3 days. This means it is no longer reading. It might give me occasional reads and I may be able to push it back in termporarily but I can't know for sure.

So do I just continue with the same dose which was having such great results without being able to see what is happening moment to moment, or do I lower the dose again to be safe?

I won't be able to do blood tests, we aren't there yet.

 

[Stefania S]

As far as I can tell she didn't bounce, right? I left some extra food out when I went to sleep so that might be why the +11 was so high.

Do I take the chance and shoot the same dose knowing I probably won't be able to test today and maybe not tomorrow either until I get an appointment to put the sensor on?

 

[Stefania S]

@Bandit's Mom

 

[Staci & Ivy]

Hi Stefania, I’m so sorry to hear this update. I do know with the libre sensor, once they fall off they’re done. You can’t push them back in. I use them too.
You need to get another one put on.
There are a lot of videos online with instructions how to do it that’s how I taught myself to do it. There’s also a Facebook Group called Freestyle Libre for Cats & Dogs with lots of information and instructions on how to use & install the Libre sensors.
I know this is not what you need right now is another project to learn how to use and install Libres. But I just thought I would let you know that the information is out there.

Can you get a smother sensor to replace the one that is falling off?
When I get them here in the US And make sure I have several in the house because inevitably sometimes they stop working on a dime or installation doesn’t go well and I need a second one immediately, so I usually have several on hand at all times.
I hope this helps at all and I’m thinking about you and praying everything goes OK

 

[Stefania S]

Hi Stefania, I’m so sorry to hear this update. I do know with the libre sensor, once they fall off they’re done. You can’t push them back in. I use them too.
You need to get another one put on.
There are a lot of videos online with instructions how to do it that’s how I taught myself to do it. There’s also a Facebook Group called Freestyle Libre for Cats & Dogs with lots of information and instructions on how to use & install the Libre sensors.
I know this is not what you need right now is another project to learn how to use and install Libres. But I just thought I would let you know that the information is out there.

Can you get a smother sensor to replace the one that is falling off?
When I get them here in the US And make sure I have several in the house because inevitably sometimes they stop working on a dime or installation doesn’t go well and I need a second one immediately, so I usually have several on hand at all times.
I hope this helps at all and I’m thinking about you and praying everything goes OK

Thanks Ivy, it's definitely something I have in mind to learn, but right now I don't want to risk losing another sensor and losing more time. Trying to get that on Jessi myself will likely just result in another fail. I'm looking for someone to put a new one on asap.

It didn't actually fall off, it's just loose, it was to begin with because it wasn't applied right, and she has been kicking it a lot probably because since it's loose it feels even more uncomfortable to her than the others did.

I fortunately do have two other sensors at home. The Libre 3 took a month to get to me, and I have one of those now. I also have another Libre 2 which is what I have been using until now. Those are much easier to get.

 

[Stefania S]

I did go ahead and give the shot. I dosed conservatively, but obviously it is not an ideal situation. I will keep trying to get a read, who knows, maybe it will give me a few more today. I will feed her every hour through nadir to be safe and watch closely. I guess that's all I can do for right now.

 

[Staci & Ivy]

Thanks Ivy, it's definitely something I have in mind to learn, but right now I don't want to risk losing another sensor and losing more time. Trying to get that on Jessi myself will likely just result in another fail. I'm looking for someone to put a new one on asap.

It didn't actually fall off, it's just loose, it was to begin with because it wasn't applied right, and she has been kicking it a lot probably because since it's loose it feels even more uncomfortable to her than the others did.

I fortunately do have two other sensors at home. The Libre 3 took a month to get to me, and I have one of those now. I also have another Libre 2 which is what I have been using until now. Those are much easier to get.

I guess use whatever version you can get! make sure to cover it I use Tegaderm (a clear covering goes over the sensor ) and I use an adhesive called Skin Tac in the area where sensor goes, just not in middle where the injector piece goes) and Ivy has a tee shirt on top at all times (when she didn’t have the tee, she pulled the sensor off, bad kitty!)
Learned my lesson there. Got all the info from that Facebook group.
Hope this helps!!

 

[Stefania S]

I guess use whatever version you can get! make sure to cover it I use Tegaderm (a clear covering goes over the sensor ) and I use an adhesive called Skin Tac in the area where sensor goes, just not in middle where the injector piece goes) and Ivy has a tee shirt on top at all times (when she didn’t have the tee, she pulled the sensor off, bad kitty!)
Learned my lesson there. Got all the info from that Facebook group.
Hope this helps!!

Thanks Ivy, those are great suggestions. I'm already looking into several of the things you mentioned. Let's PM more about Libre stuff if that's alright with you. Could you send me a photo of the t shirt via PM?

Oh, and, as an update, the sensor did completely detach. It was never fully stuck on in the first place. I had to stand and watch as they put it on without any understanding of what they were doing. I won't make that mistake twice! Yeah, I'm just a little mad! Not just money thrown away, but time, energy, extreme stress for Jessi ( and for me too), and now stuck without monitoring until I find someone to put it on or go back to the same place if they take me, which they could decide not to because I'm too renegade.

Not fun at all. Jessi doesn't mind having a day or two off from having that thing on her. But she will mind when I have to stick her in a carrier and take her to another scary place again.

Well, it is what it is, right? I am going to hope for the best and who knows, maybe something good will come of this...maybe I will find that right person we need to support us through all of this.

 

[Bandit's Mom]

Thanks Ivy, those are great suggestions. I'm already looking into several of the things you mentioned. Let's PM more about it if that's alright with you. Could you send me a photo of the t shirt via PM?

Wendy shared a link on your condo 2 days back which is a very detailed document on the Libre written by an FDMB member who was using the Libre because her cat wouldn't let her test. She was able to get her cat used to testing and then discontinued the Libre. That doc has info on how to affix rhe Libre at home, get it to stay on etc etc

 

[Stefania S]

Wendy shared a link on your condo 2 days back which is a very detailed document on the Libre written by an FDMB member who was using the Libre because her cat wouldn't let her test. She was able to get her cat used to testing and then discontinued the Libre. That doc has info on how to affix rhe Libre at home, get it to stay on etc etc

Ok, thanks for the reminder, I am reading it. I still don't have the necessary supplies to affix it myself properly and I would probably need help in any case.

Is there anything else you can suggest while we don't have home monitoring?

 

[Bandit's Mom]

Is there anything else you can suggest while we don't have home monitoring

I would stay with 0.75u and feed small meals from PS to +4. You might also want to start trying to hometest. Start by getting her comfortable with you handling her ears. Make it a game. Give lot of treats. Sing songs. Whatever makes her comfortable. Attempt a poke here and there. I know it seems impossible but we've seen lots of caregivers ultimately be able to test cats that would not allow it at all.