Tuesday, July 21, 2020

Numbering Neville

Three weeks ago, I decided to lower Neville’s insulin dosage. He had been receiving three units twice a day (once in the morning and again in the evening.) Two ‘curves’ (examinations of his blood-sugar numbers over a day) had taught me that his numbers were going too low. The first curve was low but satisfactory; the second was too low, period.

Consequently, I lowered his dosage to two units twice a day. I have not yet performed another ‘curve’ on the Nevsky. They are very hard on him. He hates the ear-pricks for blood; he has not Tucker’s resignation in that regard. But on Sunday I took blood before both his insulin injections, and at the time of day when his numbers’ nadir would likely be reached.

Whereas previously, his nadir dipped to 3.5 (the best range for blood-sugar is between four and eight), it was now 8.5. This is probably average for his new dosage, and is much better. (In terms of blood-sugar, if it can’t be in the perfect range, it’s preferable to be higher than lower.) I will perform a full ‘curve’ on Nev in a few weeks; the interval will allow his body to adjust more to the new dosage, and thus give a better picture of his numbers.

Diabetes is a confounding condition, and affects many of those who have it differently. For instance, Neville’s ‘curves’ are rather drastic, compared to Tucker’s, starting very high and dropping low, then climbing again suddenly. Tucker’s ascension as his blood-sugar builds again (recovering from his insulin injection) is gradual; Nev’s will rise from readings of nine or ten to twenty or more in a couple of hours. This may seem alarming, but it appears to be a safe pattern with him. It’s where clinical signs help determine the treatment’s success. Neville is doing well, I think.

11 comments:

  1. Neville is definitely in good paws with you. Paws crossed his blood sugar stays stable.

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  2. Well if being as handsome, then Neville is a healthy boy! I'm so glad he's with you John.

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  3. Glad to hear that's going well.

    Although Nev doesn't look too happy about that rain.

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  4. Neville sure looks happy and we hope those numbers stay on the good side.

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  5. Diabetes is so hard to control, and you're doing a fantastic job of managing Neville's blood sugar, John. Paws crossed that he continues to do well!

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  6. I am glad Neville is doing well.

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  7. By the look on Nev's face, he's not to sure about this. Teehee!

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  8. Ah! Bless! Look at him..
    'King of the Castle'..
    HeHe! He's lovely, and l see
    his fur is coming on to..! :).

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  9. He looks fabulous! He always has. The medical part of caring for him would half scare me to death. I would be so concerned about causing harm...and that's ridiculous when administering life saving insulin, that I would have a hard time being the mom I needed to be, perhaps.

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  10. Nevsky, you've got an expert human caring for you, so you are in the bestest of hands!
    And, you look marvelous, so you've got that going for you too!

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