Concerned about insulin dosage...

alienangie

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Hi. My cat has been on insulin for 1 week on 1 (what ever the litle milimeter size dashes on the size of the syringe) once a day. After her 1st glucose curve today the vet has decided that he hasnt been aggressive enough and has decided to put her on 4 twice a day...this seems a lit. He ddi mention that she may go hypoglycemic. SHould I do this, or should I try a lower dosage first...2 twice a day maybe?
I have to take a urine sample in next week, and the week after she has to go in for another curve...I dont know what to do...

Angie
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semiferal

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I would follow the vet's instructions, or if you are not comfortable with them then seek a second opinion from a different vet. Four units twice a day is not an unheard of dose by any means but I will admit that it does make me a little nervous if the vet is acting like the possibilty of hypoglycemia is no big deal.

FYI, the markings on the insulin syringe are called "units" and they are not the equivalent of a milliliter! This is a critical thing to understand because many people have made the mistake of assuming that an insulin unit is equal to a milliliter or .1 milliliter, and end up giving their cat his insulin with a 1 cc syringe instead of an insulin syringe. This is a potentially fatal mistake! One tenth of a cc is equivalent to 10 units of insulin. It is important to never, ever give insulin with a syringe other than the insulin syringes prescribed by the vet because the measurements must be so precise. It is much less dangerous to skip a dose altogether than to risk giving an overdose.
 
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alienangie

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Originally Posted by semiferal

I would follow the vet's instructions, or if you are not comfortable with them then seek a second opinion from a different vet. Four units twice a day is not an unheard of dose by any means but I will admit that it does make me a little nervous if the vet is acting like the possibilty of hypoglycemia is no big deal.

FYI, the markings on the insulin syringe are called "units" and they are not the equivalent of a milliliter! This is a critical thing to understand because many people have made the mistake of assuming that an insulin unit is equal to a milliliter or .1 milliliter, and end up giving their cat his insulin with a 1 cc syringe instead of an insulin syringe. This is a potentially fatal mistake! One tenth of a cc is equivalent to 10 units of insulin. It is important to never, ever give insulin with a syringe other than the insulin syringes prescribed by the vet because the measurements must be so precise. It is much less dangerous to skip a dose altogether than to risk giving an overdose.
Thanks...I will go with the dosage then, it just seemed like a massive dose compared to what she was on...I just wasnt sure! I only called them MM because I ahdnt a clue what they were called! lol Dont worry, I';ll only ever use insulin syringes. my cats by baby...Id die if anything happened to her!

Angie
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semiferal

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Originally Posted by alienangie

Thanks...I will go with the dosage then, it just seemed like a massive dose compared to what she was on...I just wasnt sure! I only called them MM because I ahdnt a clue what they were called! lol Dont worry, I';ll only ever use insulin syringes. my cats by baby...Id die if anything happened to her!

Angie
xxxxx
I totally understand, I just wanted to clarify because lots of people read this forum and it's important for everyone to understand that an insulin unit is a unique unit of measurement and shouldn't be used interchangeably with anything else. You sound like a great cat mom who's doing everything possible for her furbaby.
 
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alienangie

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Originally Posted by semiferal

I totally understand, I just wanted to clarify because lots of people read this forum and it's important for everyone to understand that an insulin unit is a unique unit of measurement and shouldn't be used interchangeably with anything else. You sound like a great cat mom who's doing everything possible for her furbaby.
Awwwww...thanks! MY cats are my babies, my life and my love...cant imaging life without them

Over the last 2 weeks, I dont think Ive ever cried so much in my life, I havent been sleeping, had a panick attack at work because of the stress (Have had them before, but not over nothing though) etc etc Hopefully things should start to calm down...hope she doesnt go hypoglycemic...I'll do everything I can for her, but it might just finish me off! lol
Angie
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pui hang

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Angie,

the fact that your vet seems to think that hyperglycemia is no big deal really frightens me! If it were me, I would probably seek a second opinion with another vet in a different practice. Hyperglycemia is like a brain disease for cats and if left untreated or not recognised, it can be fatal.

Mittens had a hyperglycemic episode when my husband and I were at work. When we got home, we found her collapsed in the conservatory and we had no idea how long she had been like that for. We rushed her to our vets who put her on an IV drip straight away. It wasn't until later that we discovered what damage the shock had caused - the shock caused Mittens' left retina to become detached and as a result, she became blind in one eye


Please, please, please talk to your vet and see if the dosage can be increased gently. Failing that, make sure you have glucose powder in the house that can quickly be made up into a drink that can be syringed down her throat - Tiff will need it if she goes into shock and you can't get her to a vets quickly

BTW, where are you based?
 

semiferal

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Originally Posted by Pui Hang

Angie,

the fact that your vet seems to think that hyperglycemia is no big deal really frightens me! If it were me, I would probably seek a second opinion with another vet in a different practice. Hyperglycemia is like a brain disease for cats and if left untreated or not recognised, it can be fatal.

Mittens had a hyperglycemic episode when my husband and I were at work. When we got home, we found her collapsed in the conservatory and we had no idea how long she had been like that for. We rushed her to our vets who put her on an IV drip straight away. It wasn't until later that we discovered what damage the shock had caused - the shock caused Mittens' left retina to become detached and as a result, she became blind in one eye


Please, please, please talk to your vet and see if the dosage can be increased gently. Failing that, make sure you have glucose powder in the house that can quickly be made up into a drink that can be syringed down her throat - Tiff will need it if she goes into shock and you can't get her to a vets quickly

BTW, where are you based?
I think you mean hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Hyperglycemia is high blood sugar, which is not dangerous in the very short term.
 
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alienangie

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Sorry to hear that about Mittens


I spoke to the vet, and he said try her on 3 untis twice a day, then see what her urine test was next week, if it was still too high, go onto 4...IM based in Hall Green, Birmingham, adn my vet is usually pretty good. I'll give it a couple of days, andy sign of her looking hypoglycemic and I'll get her straight to the vets...and for a second opinion!

Angie
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From 1unit per day to 3units 2x a day is a HUGE jump. Keep you eye on it and have corn syrup handy.
 
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alienangie

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I'll ring the vet again tomorrow...what would you guys suggest I do? GIve 2x 1 unit? 2x 2 units?

She also is weak in her back legs. Ive read that this is a side affect of diabetes. Ive seen on some US websites that there are suppliments to help with this. IS there anything available in the UK and should I mention it to my vet?

Angie
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alienangie

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Another question, should I be glucose testing at home...and if so, how so? This is driving me mad...please help!

Angie
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goo

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I remember I go from 2units per day to 3 to 4 to 2 twice a day to 3 twice day over a period of 18month, that's why I said it is a huge jump. Of course I am not a vet but you can give other vet a call and consult their opinion.

For more info read my post "me, my cat and diabetes" at the bottom of the page, I posted almost everything I know. Good luck.
 

pui hang

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Originally Posted by alienangie

I'll ring the vet again tomorrow...what would you guys suggest I do? GIve 2x 1 unit? 2x 2 units?

She also is weak in her back legs. Ive read that this is a side affect of diabetes. Ive seen on some US websites that there are suppliments to help with this. IS there anything available in the UK and should I mention it to my vet?

Angie
xxxxx
I'd probably try 2 x 1 unit and see how Tiff reacts to that first. If there is no change, then up it again

Re: the weakness in the back legs - how bad is it? If the insulin dosage is correct, the weakness will go away. And yes, you should mention it to your vet. It's called diabetic neuropathy and yes, it is a side affect. There are 2 types of supplement that you can give Tiff to help her. One of these is called Methylcobalamin which is a vitamin B supplement. It can be bought here in the UK from a company called Vitamin UK (www.vitaminuk.com). The other I wouldn't recommend for Tiff if she is already a skinny minny and it would likely make her lose even more weight.

Have a look at this page http://laurieulrich.com/jasper/ It's quite useful and there is a link to buying the supplement from the UK
 

pui hang

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Originally Posted by alienangie

Another question, should I be glucose testing at home...and if so, how so? This is driving me mad...please help!

Angie
xxxxx
Yes, you should. I never had to so I'm afraid I can't help you there but please go to this forum http://www.felinediabetes.com/phorum5/list.php?8

There are UK cat owners there who home test and they will be able to help you with what to buy, when to home test and how. They really are a good bunch over there
 

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I've never had a kitty with diabetes...but I do know your vet will need to know what doses you have been giving. Please start an Excell spread sheet or something similar...note the dates, the doses, what kitty is eating, and what the blood sugar results are. This will help the vet make the right decisions on dose.

Keep a copy of the record at home, and bring a copy with each time you go to the vet. Glucose testing at home would be a great idea, too.
 
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alienangie

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Thanks guys...one more question. Since she has been on insulin and hills M/D she has been pooing a lot more, theyre bigger, and a lot stinkier than normal...is this just a side affect from the diet? ANd do you think it'll settle down when she gets used to it?

Angie
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goo

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Originally Posted by alienangie

Thanks guys...one more question. Since she has been on insulin and hills M/D she has been pooing a lot more, theyre bigger, and a lot stinkier than normal...is this just a side affect from the diet? ANd do you think it'll settle down when she gets used to it?

Angie
xxxxx
They're normal, now the poo poo should be very dark because your cat can't get the nutrition out of the food. After cat condition improve the color will get lighter. Also ask your vet for Purina diabetes management formula.
 

pui hang

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Beckiboo is right. I used to keep a daily blog which detailed insulin dosage, what food she was given at breakfast and dinner and how much she ate of each, the amount of water drunk and toilet habit. Keeping a record will help you to notice when things deviate from the norm
 
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alienangie

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Originally Posted by Goo

They're normal, now the poo poo should be very dark because your cat can't get the nutrition out of the food. After cat condition improve the color will get lighter. Also ask your vet for Purina diabetes management formula.
WHat is the Puring DMF? Is it the same type feed as Hills M/D?

Angie
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