Help Needed- Info on Lantus Solostar Pens Needed for Vet To Write Script Today

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Ozzy Pawzbourne

Ozzy Pawzbourne

Member Since 2016
Hi, I'm trying to get my vet to give me a script for Lantus solostar pens for Ozzy today. His vestulin is past its expiration date and I want to get him a new insulin for his dose tonight. We want to switch to lantus pens. I talked to the vets office this am and she said the vet wanted to do some research on it first, especially using the solostar pens. I called back 4 hours later and he hasn't had time but she said if I could send him some info on it, I might be able to speed up his review process.

Anyone have some links on lantus and solostar pens that I can send quickly to my vet so he can make a determination to go ahead and give me a script?

Thanks!!!!
 
I would also recommend the "Management of Diabetic Cats ..." journal article.

Also here are the AAHA guidelines for treatment of diabetic cats and dogs (2010 - not sure if updated since then but does cover Lantus as a Tx).

https://www.aaha.org/public_documents/professional/guidelines/aahadiabetesguidelines.pdf
https://www.aaha.org/public_documents/professional/guidelines/aahadiabetesguidelines.pdf
Re using syringes for drawing doses from Lantus pens there are pictures in this forum sticky illustrating the technique:

http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/...insulin-info-handling-drawing-fine-doses.151/

(China's Chris has posted better pictures relating to the above. Try a forum search through her posts.)


Mogs
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Critter Mom said:
I would also recommend the "Management of Diabetic Cats ..." journal article.

Also here are the AAHA guidelines for treatment of diabetic cats and dogs (2010 - not sure if updated since then but does cover Lantus as a Tx).

https://www.aaha.org/public_documents/professional/guidelines/aahadiabetesguidelines.pdf

Re using syringes for drawing doses from Lantus pens there are pictures in this forum sticky illustrating the technique:

http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/...insulin-info-handling-drawing-fine-doses.151/

(China's Chris has posted better pictures relating to the above. Try a forum search through her posts.)


Mogs
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Thank you Mogs. I sent him over the Management of Diabetic Cats article and a few other goodies. I'm hoping we can start Ozzy on Lantus tonight. Paws Crossed!!:bighug::cat:
 
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Ok, I double posted this thread in the feline health and lantus forums because I was hoping for a quick response so I could get some info to my vet immediately - and you guys/gals never disappoint. Thank you so much!

I sent off several bits of info and am really hoping I'm going to be bringing home a script tonight. Ozzy's vestulin is past its expiration date so I think now is a really good time to make a switch. Paws crossed.

Thanks!
 
Ozzy Pawzbourne said:
Management of Diabetic Cats article
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When I was switching to Lantus for Saoirse I basically presented our main vet with the above document, ran through the dosing guidelines with him, agreed a starting dose, and thereafter he was happy for me to manage dose adjustments and regularly review Saoirse's progress via her spreadsheet and telephone consults should they be necessary.

(Note: He had had access to Saoirse's spreadsheet for several months by that stage and he was confident that I was well capable of managing Saoirse's dosing requirements. I think I'm the first - possibly the only - client at the practice to use TRP.)


Mogs
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Critter Mom said:
When I was switching to Lantus for Saoirse I basically presented our main vet with the above document, ran through the dosing guidelines with him, agreed a starting dose, and thereafter he was happy for me to manage dose adjustments and regularly review Saoirse's progress via her spreadsheet and telephone consults should they be necessary.

(Note: He had had access to Saoirse's spreadsheet for several months by that stage and he was confident that I was well capable of managing Saoirse's dosing requirements. I think I'm the first - possibly the only - client at the practice to use TRP.)


Mogs
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Same situation here, Mogs. At first, my vet was surprised that I wanted to be so "hands-on" and I'm not sure he was terribly comfortable with it, initially. But he's been great, he just monitors the spreadsheet and leaves me to my own devices. In the almost 18 months we've been going there he has not ever treated Squallie for his diabetes, lol.
 
Critter Mom said:
When I was switching to Lantus for Saoirse I basically presented our main vet with the above document, ran through the dosing guidelines with him, agreed a starting dose, and thereafter he was happy for me to manage dose adjustments and regularly review Saoirse's progress via her spreadsheet and telephone consults should they be necessary.

(Note: He had had access to Saoirse's spreadsheet for several months by that stage and he was confident that I was well capable of managing Saoirse's dosing requirements. I think I'm the first - possibly the only - client at the practice to use TRP.)
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Wow! What a great collaborative team. And you're such a loyal devoted pet mom!

What is the recommended starting dose on Lantus? I may need to make a recommendation to him for the start slow go low method in case he doesn't know the dosing guidelines and I need to convince him I will be safe with Ozzy.
 
Ozzy Pawzbourne said:
Wow! What a great collaborative team. And you're such a loyal devoted pet mom!

What is the recommended starting dose on Lantus? I may need to make a recommendation to him for the start slow go low method in case he doesn't know the dosing guidelines and I need to convince him I will be safe with Ozzy.
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Usually one unit, or less, depending on your current insulin and dose. Remember, too, that Lantus builds up a reserve (depot) over time. Better to start too low and gradually increase than to start out too high and have to worry about imminent hypos!
 
Squalliesmom said:
Usually one unit, or less, depending on your current insulin and dose. Remember, too, that Lantus builds up a reserve (depot) over time. Better to start too low and gradually increase than to start out too high and have to worry about imminent hypos!
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Thank you.

Ozzy is currently on .75 - 1 U of vestulin. Would 1U of lantus be comparable? Ozzy could actually stay at 1U or go up on vestulin because his numbers are just hanging out in the yellows, but he nose dives down quickly into low greens around +2 - +3 so I am afraid to give him more insulin. This is the main reason we want to switch.
 
We got the lantus!! So excited and scared too (new insulin, new protocols, etc). Will be studying up on the stickeys in the next hour or so because Ozzy's dose is due here soon.

So my vet was really awesome. I didn't get to talk with him when I came in to pick up the script and the syringes, but the vet tech said the Dr. has never prescribed lantus and wanted to learn about it together. He was not sure how you administer it with the pen and said if we wanted to bring the pen back from the pharmacy after we got it, we could experiment together and learn how to use it. How nice is THAT!? Fortunately though, I have all the knowledge I need here and supporting folks to walk me through it.

The vet also wanted me to keep him posted on Ozzy's progress on lantus and send info and photos of him along the way. I am really happy our vet is being so supportive and collaborative even with a medicine he was honest about not knowing a lot about it. Ozzy is their first kitty to try lantus at their practice so he might just pave the way for others. How cool is that. Now let's hope he goes into remission (my dream!!!) and can be a great example for other kitties along the way. I'm thinking of putting together an information package about feline nutrition (they offer Hills and we know that is not the right food for a diabetic cat), home monitoring, and long acting insulin to give to the vets in the practice to share with others. I want to also include a lot of information from this board and encourage others to join as well.

When I went to the pharmacy, I had an awesome pharmacist who was trying to get me some discounts on the lantus. I was able to get $5 off so it was around $85 vs $90 for 1 pen but she said the other place we were trying to get a discount from was closed and we could call back Monday and see if we can get a refund for the difference. She actually quoted me around $300 for the full box of 5 pens with the lantus savings card (which I thought was a pretty good deal), but I just wanted one so I can order at a better price from the Canadian pharmacy for our next order. The pharmacist also said to keep the pen in the fridge the whole time and it will last longer. I mentioned I heard it is only good for 28 days once opened and she said ...nah...that's for sterility purposes that they tell you that. She said keep the cap on and keep in the fridge and it will last for months. She encouraged to do BG checks and if it seems like the numbers are going up or acting funny, to go ahead and refill. What do you guys think about that? Keeping the pens refrigerated (even though we are told they don't have to be once opened) and using a pen for several months?

Ok, off to read stickies. I will probably start a new thread with questions in the lantus forum.

I am really excited for my kitty right now. I love him so much and just want to do right by him!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!
 
Congratulations! I hope the Lantus works wonders for your boy! Yes, keep it refrigerated and it will last for months. You should come over to the Lantus and Levemir board; we post "condos" every day with the day's pertinent information about our kitties. Take a look-see, it's pretty self-explanatory and is a great help!

Happy New Year! :bighug:
 
Squalliesmom said:
Congratulations! I hope the Lantus works wonders for your boy! Yes, keep it refrigerated and it will last for months. You should come over to the Lantus and Levemir board; we post "condos" every day with the day's pertinent information about our kitties. Take a look-see, it's pretty self-explanatory and is a great help!

Happy New Year! :bighug:
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Thanks. I'm checking out that board now, too. What is a 'condo"??

Happy New Year to you, too!!
 
Yeah Jo!!!! Yeah Little brother Ozzy !!! Was thinking of u all afternoon and thrilled for your outcome!!! Looking forward to doing the Lantus journey with you and Ozzy !!! So glad all went easily and well :bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
Ozzy Pawzbourne said:
What is a 'condo"??
Click to expand...

It's just what we call our daily posts......We start a new post every day with the date, cats name, AMPS # in the title and update it as we get more tests in (so it's easy to keep track of how people are doing just by scanning the forum)

Then in the body of the post you put the link to the prior day's post (so it's easy to quickly go back and see what's been going on) and then add any questions, comments, etc about how Ozzy is doing

Read other people's condo's too.....you'll learn from them as well as possibly seeing questions you didn't even know you should ask!!

Congrats on getting the lantus!!!
 
Beth 73 said:
Yeah Jo!!!! Yeah Little brother Ozzy !!! Was thinking of u all afternoon and thrilled for your outcome!!! Looking forward to doing the Lantus journey with you and Ozzy !!! So glad all went easily and well :bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:
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Thank you so much! I sent you a PM when you have a chance. :O)
 
Chris & China said:
It's just what we call our daily posts......We start a new post every day with the date, cats name, AMPS # in the title and update it as we get more tests in (so it's easy to keep track of how people are doing just by scanning the forum)

Then in the body of the post you put the link to the prior day's post (so it's easy to quickly go back and see what's been going on) and then add any questions, comments, etc about how Ozzy is doing

Read other people's condo's too.....you'll learn from them as well as possibly seeing questions you didn't even know you should ask!!

Congrats on getting the lantus!!!
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Wow!! The Lantus forum has really got it going on! I am happy to be joining the party. I feel like we are in the popular crowd now! Haha!

I am very much looking forward to this new switch for Ozzy and learning more about Lantus from all the folks on the board!
 
Chris & China said:
It's just what we call our daily posts......We start a new post every day with the date, cats name, AMPS # in the title and update it as we get more tests in (so it's easy to keep track of how people are doing just by scanning the forum)

Then in the body of the post you put the link to the prior day's post (so it's easy to quickly go back and see what's been going on) and then add any questions, comments, etc about how Ozzy is doing

Read other people's condo's too.....you'll learn from them as well as possibly seeing questions you didn't even know you should ask!!

Congrats on getting the lantus!!!
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Chris, are you ready to hold both my and Jo's had thru this switch cos we both LOVE to ask questions !!!!
 
Beth 73 said:
Chris, are you ready to hold both my and Jo's had thru this switch cos we both LOVE to ask questions !!!!
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What do I look like, an octopus??...I only have so many hands....LOL
animated-octopus-image-0032.gif
 
@Beth 73, @Ozzy Pawzbourne -

Wishing you all the best on the L&L forum. I hope both the Buddha Kitteh and Ozzy the Pawsome get great results on their new insulin. Maybe now and again you might let me know how they're getting on.

:bighug:


Mogs
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Critter Mom said:
I'll miss you both.

:bighug:

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Mogs, are u kidding??? I'm going to need your input and wisdom led by real life experience....you don't just KNOW about what we are getting ready to do by changing from vetsulin to L , you have LIVED it. I couldn't do it if I didn't think I could still pick your brain(and heart ❤️)
 
Beth 73 said:
Then we will come to you, Mogs... that is a solemn promise :bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:
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Same here!

In fact Mogs- I have a question for you right now! haha!

Vet gave me the wrong U-100 syringes. They gave me ones that hold 50U vs 30Us. Do you know where I can get a quick conversion or a conversion for the U-40 syringes so I can go ahead and give Ozzy his first Lantus dose!?
 
Ozzy Pawzbourne said:
Same here!

In fact Mogs- I have a question for you right now! haha!
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Opportunist. :p

Vet gave me the wrong U-100 syringes. They gave me ones that hold 50U vs 30Us. Do you know where I can get a quick conversion or a conversion for the U-40 syringes so I can go ahead and give Ozzy his first Lantus dose!?
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That's not a good idea, Jo: the U100 is a higher concentration than U40.

What's Ozzy's weight? Also, did the vet give you a starting dose? Are you doing SLGS or TRP?

ETA - If not currently at his ideal weight, is Ozzy underweight or overweight?


Mogs
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Critter Mom said:
Opportunist. :p
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I need you to still feel loved! :kiss: No, seriously, I need help!
We are trying to get an appropriate dose from the U-100 syringe that holds 50U vs the U-100 syringe that holds 30Us. We are thinking of going with a .75U first dose. So we are considering loading the U-100 syringe (50u) to the 1U line marking and squirting out a drop.

What do you think Ms. Master Mogs?

Last time Ozzy was weighed- about a month ago- he was 15.6lbs. I think he has gained a little weight back (he's been eating really good) on the wet food only diet. He was 18-19lbs before the DKA. Vet is NOT familiar with lantus and admitted so but took a leap of faith to let us test it out. Gave 1U as starting dose. Again,....he does NOT know about this insulin or dosing guidelines/protocols.

I think we are going to start with SLGS for now. I'm interested in TRP but need to study it more.
 
Yes keep your Lantus in the fridge. Looks like you are going to be using very small doses so keeping it in the fridge will allow you to use it up or at least have very very little waste! With Lantus being U100 there are 300u in that pen or the equivalent of 300 doses of 1u each. If doses are smaller which they might be, you'll get even more mileage! I'll be watching your journey too! Happy New Year to you all!
 
MrWorfMen's Mom said:
Yes keep your Lantus in the fridge. Looks like you are going to be using very small doses so keeping it in the fridge will allow you to use it up or at least have very very little waste! With Lantus being U100 there are 300u in that pen or the equivalent of 300 doses of 1u each. If doses are smaller which they might be, you'll get even more mileage! I'll be watching your journey too! Happy New Year to you all!
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Hey Linda !!! Happy New Year to you and yours !!!! Aren't we an exciting Eve bunch.... I love watching it all right here from my couch covered with kitties!!!
 
@Ozzy Pawzbourne -

From the FDMB SLGS guide:

Starting Dose:
  • 1u BID if kitty is not on a wet/canned low carb diet
  • 0.5u BID if kitty has been switched to a wet/canned low carb diet
  • If the cat was previously on another insulin, the starting dose should be increased or decreased by taking prior data into consideration
  • Generally, shots are to be given 12 hours apart.
TRP bases dose on actual weight if a kitty is underweight or at ideal weight. Dose is based on ideal weight if kitty is overweight. (See the TRP sticky at the top of L&L for the calculation.)

SLGS and TRP starting dose also takes into account dosing & data for the previous insulin if cat is switching to Lantus.

If you're following SLGS to start with then with an all wet, low carb diet the starting dose should be 0.5IU BID - possibly modified to take account of Caninsulin data (according to the sticky). Ask for help with dosing on L&L.

If the U100 syringes you've got don't have 1/2 unit markings you will have to eyeball the 0.5IU dose.


Mogs
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Critter Mom said:
@Ozzy Pawzbourne -

From the FDMB SLGS guide:

Starting Dose:
  • 1u BID if kitty is not on a wet/canned low carb diet
  • 0.5u BID if kitty has been switched to a wet/canned low carb diet
  • If the cat was previously on another insulin, the starting dose should be increased or decreased by taking prior data into consideration
  • Generally, shots are to be given 12 hours apart.
TRP bases dose on actual weight if a kitty is underweight or at ideal weight. Dose is based on ideal weight if kitty is overweight. (See the TRP sticky at the top of L&L for the calculation.)

SLGS and TRP starting dose also takes into account dosing of any previous insulin cat has received.

If you're following SLGS to start with then with an all wet, low carb diet the starting dose should be 0.5IU BID (according to the sticky).

If the U100 syringes you've got don't have 1/2 unit markings you will have to eyeball the 0.5IU dose.


Mogs
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Ahhhhhhhh....more eyeballing ,,,,, I am seriously going to need stronger glasses .....
 
Ok Mogs and Linda ...now I have a question ( even tho our Lantus won't be here til end of week). Vet said to start with .25 .....what do you think of what he suggested ???
 
AND I have zero clue as to what Elmo's ideal weight should be...he has fluctuated all his life. Right now he is looking a bit chunky but so healthy...
 
Beth 73 said:
Ok Mogs and Linda ...now I have a question ( even tho our Lantus won't be here til end of week). Vet said to start with .25 .....what do you think of what he suggested ???
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Completely agree. The Buddha Kitteh is in a very good range on just a small dose of Vetsulin so that needs to have the stronger influence on dose than Elmo's body weight at the changeover.

Remember you're switching to a depot insulin and successive doses will build up in effect as you fill the 'tank'. With Lantus it's much better to start low and adjust upwards as and when necessary.


Mogs
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