Flat “curve” vs. actual curvy curve

[Jbeemer2]

Hi! I'm new to the forum and my 10 year old lab mix, Toby, is newly diagnosed. I'm testing with Alphatrac2.
Toby eats 1 cup Taste of the Wild, 2 eggs, 1/4 cup chicken breast, and 3/4 cup of green beans twice a day.
He was on 13 units of Vetsulin (originally started on 9 and worked up slowly to 13 over the last 2 months going off the urine testing strips per the vet.

Last night after the curve I backed him down to 9.5 units because the curve looked wrong; I thought it was rebound or somogyi. Am I wrong? I just want to get Toby regulated soon.
P.s. I haven't tested him today because I just got home.

9-23-17
7:20 am - 328 fasting. Then fed and gave 13 units Vetsulin
9:20 am - 496
11:20am - 466
1:20 pm. - 488
3:20 pm.-493
5:20 pm - 483
7:20 pm - 490. (Fed and gave 9.5 units after seeing the "curve")
9:20 pm - 490

Thanks for your help!
Jennifer

[MikeMurphy]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

What is Toby's weight.

At first glance that doesn't look like rebound because it is a very flat looking curve after the jump at 9:20, and the high numbers would imply that he needs an insulin increase.

Do you have a prior curve that you can post.

[Jbeemer2]

Thanks! Toby weighs 53 pounds. It is the first curve I've ever done. I just got my supplies Friday.

Toby's first fasting BG at the vet was 526 6ish weeks ago. If that matters.

Also, how soon can I do another curve or are a few
carefully chosen timed BG readings ok?

[MikeMurphy]

Originally Posted by Jbeemer2

Thanks! Toby weighs 53 pounds. It is the first curve I've ever done. I just got my supplies Friday.

Toby's first fasting BG at the vet was 526 6ish weeks ago. If that matters.

Also, how soon can I do another curve or are a few
carefully chosen timed BG readings ok?

A conservative starting insulin dose for a 53 lb dog would be 53 x .20 = 10.6, or 10 units every 12 hours. So your vet did a good job starting him at 9 units.

How long has Toby been on 13 units? After increasing insulin, It's good practice to wait 5 to 7 days, do a curve and then evaluate the results, increasing by .5 or 1 units and repeating the process until the low BG reading is in the mid 100s.

In between curves you can spot check at fasting and mid day.

Good job with the home testing

[Jbeemer2]

Toby has been on 13 units for 2 weeks now. The vet told me to test with the urine strips and keep adjusting every 5-7 days. I got really nervous because I've never seen a middle of the road reading on the diastix when I test him. They're always the darkest color. I got my nerve up and ordered the blood testing supplies last week. Using the Genteel it's a piece of cake to test him.

I appreciate your advice! I'll go ahead and bump him up to 14 units tonight and test him before bed.

I'm wanting to switch to the Walmart brand of the "N" insulin. Thoughts on that? The Vetsulin is pretty pricey.

[Raysaint]

If the curve in your first post is after being on 13 units, he's ready for an increase to 14. Test him with the Alpha, not sure why your vet said to use the pee strips. You need numbers.
Leave him on 14 for a week, then do a curve. But you can spot check fasting sugars, and midday just to watch any nadir changes.

Pretty sure the N insulin would be Ok. Many use it.

[CraigM]

Originally Posted by Jbeemer2

I'm wanting to switch to the Walmart brand of the "N" insulin. Thoughts on that? The Vetsulin is pretty pricey.

just remember you must also switch syringes to U-100 syringes to use with Novolin-N. This is good because U-100 syringes are available at any pharmacy, unlike the U-40 syringes used with Vetsulin. 100 syringes at Walmart is $12. You can also get shorter length needles on the U-100s that might make injections easier.

Craig

[Jbeemer2]

I tested Toby tonight 2 hours after his meal and 14 unit shot that are given simultaneously and he is at 506. Could it be rebound or insulin resistance?

[CraigM]

Just would like you to verify what syringe you are using with the Vetsulin. Should be marked on the package: U-40 or U-100?

Craig

[Jbeemer2]

I use the U40 with Vetsulin.