Prozinc insulin

[Stephanie Montgomery]

Stephanie Montgomery
Hi, I am about to begin my cats insulin Monday. He just got diabetes because 6 weeks ago he was tested for something else and came clear on diabetes. He's over his other problem now (vestibular) and was on steroids which I gave him and weaned him off. Vet said they think he got diabetes because of his age (almost 12), he was slightly overweight (which I didn't ever think he was at 12 lbs), and that he was on the steroids (topical in the flap of ear). Plus he was mostly a dry food eater his whole life. Tobey my cat loves to eat canned or wet food but I just didn't know much before this happened. I always knew it was better for them but didn't know it can cause diabetes. Now I regret it. Well, I'm pretty stressed out now. I am a busy working single mom of 2 and have 3 other cats who still like wet food but it's so much easier with my busy life to scoop out the dry, ya know?? Now I am aware I have to make changes and get organized and plan ahead with this new daily routine. I have a feeling he could easily go into remission because of how soon he just got diabetes. Pretty sure I got the canned food picked out and sure it'll all work out fine. I am about to try and find a glucose tester and the strips. Anyone know of a good place to buy since I need by Monday? Also he's on the Prozinc insulin and I just bought that from costco with 100 count of 100U syringes 31 gauge for $146 total. Good deal there?

 

[Stephanie Montgomery]

Also the higher the number of gauge means smaller needle thickness correct?

 

[Sue and Oliver (GA)]

Hi Stephanie,

I remember you from Health. Welcome! Did we figure out if your insulin is sure U40 or U100? What does it say on the box? You can use U100 needles with U40 insulin but you need to do a conversion.

http://www.felinediabetes.com/insulin-conversions.htm

Lots of people use U100 syringes because you can do tiny doses and see them easier.

Yes, steroids can cause diabetes and in some cats can be short term. So, you'll want to start on a low dose (0.5 or one unit) and be prepared to monitor carefully before each shot (to be sure the dose you are planning to give is safe) and 5-7 hours after the shot(usually the lowest point in the cycle called the nadir) to see how low the dose took him.

I would not change the diet to wet low carb until you are confident testing. Diet change can mean a fast drop in levels, so you want to stay on top of the numbers. Our Oliver dropped 100 points overnight when we switched from dry to wet. If we had just given our usual dose, he would have hypoed.

Most people buy the ReliOn from Walmart because the strips are the cheapest. It's not the meter that is expensive; it's the strips. You can also get 25-27 gauge lancets. Sometimes at first they need a little larger lancet so they bleed better. They're called alternate site lancets. (Humans usually use 30-31 gauge)

This is a small forum but friendly. If you have an emergency, post here and on Health so you get more eyes. I am usually around during the day. Others are on earlier in the am and at night.

 

[Stephanie Montgomery]

Hi Stephanie,

I remember you from Health. Welcome! Did we figure out if your insulin is sure U40 or U100? What does it say on the box? You can use U100 needles with U40 insulin but you need to do a conversion.

http://www.felinediabetes.com/insulin-conversions.htm

Lots of people use U100 syringes because you can do tiny doses and see them easier.

Yes, steroids can cause diabetes and in some cats can be short term. So, you'll want to start on a low dose (0.5 or one unit) and be prepared to monitor carefully before each shot (to be sure the dose you are planning to give is safe) and 5-7 hours after the shot(usually the lowest point in the cycle called the nadir) to see how low the dose took him.

I would not change the diet to wet low carb until you are confident testing. Diet change can mean a fast drop in levels, so you want to stay on top of the numbers. Our Oliver dropped 100 points overnight when we switched from dry to wet. If we had just given our usual dose, he would have hypoed.

Most people buy the ReliOn from Walmart because the strips are the cheapest. It's not the meter that is expensive; it's the strips. You can also get 25-27 gauge lancets. Sometimes at first they need a little larger lancet so they bleed better. They're called alternate site lancets. (Humans usually use 30-31 gauge)

This is a small forum but friendly. If you have an emergency, post here and on Health so you get more eyes. I am usually around during the day. Others are on earlier in the am and at night.

It's u40. I'm going to exchange them at Costco they gave me wrong ones. Not my mistake.
So when you say monitor each time I give a shot, I'll have to test and poke him every time? That's a lot! Twice a day.