Magoo is gone... October 6, 2016

[Magoo's Mom]

Magoo had a curve yesterday and his numbers are still off the charts. The vet has increased him from 3.0 units twice a day to 4.0. He never got below 450 yesterday. Should I worry about a hypo with this level of increase? Does anyone know when a hypo might normally occur after the shot...1 hr, later, right away? I cannot seem to find any information on this. Any help greatly appreciated. I am just so scared for him. Trying to do better on the testing but I am not too good at it yet. Thank you everyone.

[Eddie]

I'm sorry he's still running so high.
I think a hypo could occur at any stage - all dogs react differently and process their food and insulin at different rates, and then there are external factors like exercise as well - so it is pretty hard to predict, at least until you know your own dog's patterns quite well.
My understanding is that most dogs generally hit their lowest about 6 hours after food and insulin - but I know that our dog is usually at his highest then and he hits his low spot just before his next meal ie at 12 hours after food and insulin.
Testing is pretty much the only way to know, but in the meantime you can get some comfort from knowing that he was so high all day yesterday that you probably have a good buffer. If you want to play a bit safer, can you increase just half a unit at a time and see how that goes? Early on our vet was always keen to go up in 2 unit increments which scared us so we always introduced increases by half a unit at a time just to make sure we didn't overshoot the right dose.
Antonia

[amydunn19]

I think that with the current levels, one unit is a reasonable increase. I wouldn't worry overly about a hypo event. I know worry never completely goes away.

As far as timing, I would pay attention during times of activity - guests, walks, baths, squirrels. Maggie drops about 100-150 points after a bath.

[Magoo's Mom]

Magoo has been doing pretty well but I really don't like his last curve. He never got out of the 300-400 range all day until 4:30. He is running high in the morning. I am still having a lot of trouble testing him but I know he is high due to the amount of water he drinks. Also doesn't eat well in am. I can usually get about 1/2 his food in him but give him full shot anyway as he always comes back within a couple of hours and finishes. The vet seems to think he is experiencing Somogyi rebound. His numbers this time were a lot worse than last time....about two weeks ago when he was mostly n the 200-300 range.
He gets 4.5 units of Vetsulin twice a day. AM after breakfast about 7:00 and PM after dinner about 6:00. Wt. 11.9 lbs. 10 years old. We are older and go to bed pretty early so maybe I should keep him up later so he gets more exercise? Lower the dose at night? I am hoping to talk to the vet today but I have found sometimes you guys have better answers. Magoo is active, barky, eats dinner like he's starving and otherwise seems great. ANY help appreciated.

[Auddog]

Sometimes if they aren't feeling well it can affect their blood sugar. Did your vet check for a UTI? Our sugar babies can be prone to them.
Another thing is that some curve days are just out of the ordinary for some reason or another. Excitement over visitors, seeing a critter outside, sniffing the neighbor dog; seems like anything and everything can affect their blood sugar. Was it just the curve that seemed elevated, or have your spot checks seemed elevated too?
Best of luck to you!

Audrey & Bazzle

[stylynjm]

Welcome,
I'm no expert,but with my sissy,the numbers will start going higher if i past her dose and i need to lower a bit...but also,could need more.
It is really hard sometimes to figure it out. Was he on less and you have raised it... trial and error sometimes.
Also you could give more at night,like 1/4 unit is how i raise.
I'm sure other members will be around. Good luck..
We are 4 yrs in and still have off days or weeks,but it will settle.it is very doable...just love your little guy

[amydunn19]

You could always reduce the dose and see if there is improvement.

Have you made any changes to food or any meds since you raised him last? Sometimes, it can be something small.

[Riliey and Mo]

i.d reduce the dose. i take Riles out to pee in the morning before food and insulin. wakes him up gives him an appetite. also i add some salmon to his food works great try this approach.

hometesting is a great tool. u need a dog meter i have one i can send u.

how is Magoo

[Magoo's Mom]

Thanks for all the helpful replies.
Magoo is going to vet today for a urine sample from bladder to check for a UTI and he is also going to do a fructose test. Apparently, that will give him an idea of where his sugar has been for the last few days. Magoo is still not spilling any ketones, he actually gained .1 pound on the vet's scale last week so I think that is positive. We just need to get this narrowed down.

Quick question...what is the best way to get a bubble out of the syringe? I have such a problem with that. I have done everything they say to do and just seem to get them all the time. SO annoying.
Many thanks for all the help!

[chrmyr]

When you fill the needle, have the plunger pulled when you insert into the insulin vial. Then push the air into the vial. That should help with a slow fill of the syringe. And I always pull more in to the syringe then needed and push back out to the units needed.