Update on Callie

[Roxanne J]

Finally able to make it back to the vet today. Callie's glucose was 599 at the first read 2 weeks ago. Changed her diet and today her level was 474 but she's lost 4 more ounces of weight.

My son and I have been trying to get glucose levels (both from her ear and paw) and have been unsuccessful. Today, even the vet was unable to get enough blood for a read so took it from the inside of her back leg.

After much research and actually going into stores, I've decided to try Novolin even though I've read mixed reviews about it. It's the most cost effective for us right now so I will just have to pray that it works.

I'm wondering (since I've already purchased the monitor and all the strips/lancets/etc.) can I use the same syringes that I administer the insulin with to take blood from her leg? (I don't mean re-use, I just mean the same type)? The vet suggested that she could order some type of special litter that changed color to monitor blood glucose levels but all I heard was "cha-ching".

We start insulin today...wish us luck! Happy weekend all!

 

[Larry and Kitties]

It depends what syringes/needle size. A 29 gauge, 1/2 inch length will work, Shorter lenght will likely not work and thinner/lower gauge number needles may bend.
When trying to get blood from an ear are you using larger diameter/lower gauge number lancets? Y want 27-27 and those are typically labeled as for alternate site testing (not finger tips) in humans. You do not want fine or ultra fine ones, at least to start with.
You also want to firmly backup the ear when you poke. Otherwise the ear will deflect vice get penetrated. If yo are using a lanced pen, start with the deepest settings.

Novolin is Novo Nordisk's trade name for a family of Recombinant DNA origin insulins. They include N (sometimes called NPH), and R (very fast actions) and mixture of the two. Only N/NPH is OK, but not that good, for cats.

You are starting with one unit of N insulin twice daily, right?

 

[Roxanne J]

Hi Larry, yes, one unit twice daily. We are using the U-100 insulin syringes for the insulin. The problem with the blood draws was due to there literally being NO VEINS in her little ears. The vet poked her 3 times in 3 places and we could barely get it to bleed much less get enough for a sample. Her poor little ear is now all bruised up and she was really upset...I don't blame her! When Tyler and I tried getting it from her paw a couple of days ago, it was obviously very painful for her (thus for us as well). She didn't seem to mind the draw from inside her leg though, which I thought was odd...or maybe she was too tired to fight anymore? So a 29 gauge 1/2 inch length for blood draws? I really want to get the glucose levels here at home. Trips to the vet stress her out so much...she was trembling the entire time and I doubt it was a "good" read.

I am torn about the Novolin. I've read both success stories and other that have said it was not the right insulin for them. I followed up on many of the suggestions made and was floored by some of the prices! Sam's Club wanted $460.00 for lantus...just can't do it! So...we will try the Novolin and hope for the best (for now anyway). Thanks for the info.

 

[Larry and Kitties]

For getting blood from a leg vein I have used 25 and 27 gauge needles in the shelter where I worked. Those would be better than 29 gauge insulin syringes but the insulin syringes do work

Try hears to find best price on local insulins
http://www.goodrx.com/

Many caretakers here order insulin from this place in Canada. A lot less expenisve than in USA
https://rxcanada4less.com/

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

Sam's Club wanted $460.00 for lantus...just can't do it!

We've all had that problem!! A couple of years ago I found a real pharmacy in Canada and most of us are buying our lantus from them now. For about $175 (including shipping) you can get a 5 pack of Lantus Solostar pens which is enough to last most cats at least a year...but if on a really low dose, it can last until the expiration date on the box (at least two years!!)

That makes it end up costing less than $15 a month!! (cheaper than Novolin!!) All the info on where we're all buying our Lantus from is in this "Insulin from Canadian Pharmacies" thread

 

[scoobydoox]

Are you warming her ear first?