Sean & Rufus
Member Since 2018
It's his best number yet 334! 2hours after dose. I'm so excited!
Small victory!
- Thread starter Sean & Rufus
- Start date
- Status
Bronx's dad (GA)
Member Since 2016
Awesome! Yellows are next... 
Myagi (GA) and Heidi
Member Since 2017
Sandy and Black Kitty
Member Since 2009
SS???
Sean & Rufus
Member Since 2018
What is ss?
Sandy and Black Kitty
Member Since 2009
Last edited:
Sean & Rufus
Member Since 2018
Oh I see! Yes, I'm going to do it soon! I don't have his vets bg #'s and this was only my 4th test
Tracey&Jones (GA)
Member Since 2016
Congrats on home testing and the lowest number!
Sean & Rufus
Member Since 2018
Absolutely is the plan! Just have had a hard time with getting his blood with the stupid lancet. Tried 15 times last nigh before I gave up. Tried about 10 times before insulin and gave up. I think (and hope) I have a good technique now.
After a few tests the blood does pool to a bead much easier. I use a mini hot water bottle to warm his ear; put a pad of toilet paper behind his ear. Then I use the lancet device and press against the sweet spot and click. He’s got used to the clicking now and I find it easier than free hand.
Sean & Rufus
Member Since 2018
Yeah, no way am I free handing! I put a cotton ball back there and click. My lancet device sucks, and so does the new one I bought. When I pricked him the last time time today, there was the tinest speck of blood. Miniscule really. I thought why not and stuck the strip to it! Viola! I just need to remember to put the device at an angle and works much better.
Sean & Rufus
Member Since 2018
I'm using an Alpha Trak2 meter, and the lancet device that came with it. Bought a new Relion lancent device. Both tell you push the lancet all the way down and the cock it and shoot. Problem is when I push down the lancet all the way, it won't come through the opening when depressed. I have to barely stick the lancet in there for it to be long enough.
Sean & Rufus
Member Since 2018
Good question. I totally forgot about picking up a human meter today at walmart. I think it's a good idea to have both. These Alpha Trak2 test strips are over a dollar a piece! The Relion at walmart I think are 17 cents.
Good plan. Don’t buy one tho. I believe they are free when you buy strips. Ask when you’re getting it how to use the lancet device. Strips are over a dollar a piece in Canada no matter what meter. But our insulin is a lot cheaper. Although we use more strips than insulin
It’s also a good idea to pick one meter and stick with it.
Sean & Rufus
Member Since 2018
Yeah, Rufus is up to 4.5 units of Lantus, and still not regulated. Ugh. MArks marine in Canada will be the place to buy from now on! I actually brought both lancet devices to Walgreens and asked for advice. I said I can't be this dumb, what am I doing wrong. Pharmasist looked at both and said, yeah something is not right. So weird. No good about strip prices in Canada!! All healthcare wherever you go is a scam. The ALpha trak is the same as a human Freestyle. Freestyle strips are about half the price, so why in the heck are the pet strips double?! Makes no sense except they are all greedy.Good plan. Don’t buy one tho. I believe they are free when you buy strips. Ask when you’re getting it how to use the lancet device. Strips are over a dollar a piece in Canada no matter what meter. But our insulin is a lot cheaper. Although we use more strips than insulin
It’s also a good idea to pick one meter and stick with it.
I was given a Freestyle Lite from DCIN with some strips so am switching meters in a week's time when I run out of the Accu-check Aviva strips. Funnily enough - Abbott Diabetes is one of our clients at work - would be great if I could get free samples...will be keeping an ear open on that. I saw Freestyle Lite strips on a colleague's desk so was being nosy. I try and order my strips on eBay as the folks in the US sell on there and I can get them for less. Just got 200 strips for $122 so not toooo bad - 61c a strip.
Good luck with the human meter....Freestyle might be better for you then if the strips are half the price?
Sean & Rufus
Member Since 2018
But the ReliOn from Walmart is even cheaper! 17 cents! I read on here that freestyle strips CAN be used MAYBE in the AlphaTrak but the coding can get messed up. The "hardware" is the same, the "software" is different. Maybe you could just drive over the border to Walmart and stock up on the ReliOn?!
Sean & Rufus
Member Since 2018
Well, the joy didn't last long. 511 at pmps 
Sean & Rufus
Member Since 2018
Well I didn't get a real good answer. I'm really confused by all of the too much part. He was on 4 units for almost 3 weeks, but only periodic checks that were all high 400's or low 500's. Yesterday vet wanted to go to 5 and 5. I said 4.5 and 4.5 and she okayed that. I'm still super confused about is he getting TOO much, and if I should be going to a lower dose. My vet would lose her mind, but it seems people here think that we went too fast with changing the dosing. Maybe I'll ask again on here peoples thoughts. I (we) really do need more data to see what's going on. My thing is, if he's on 4.5 and it's high, could he only be needing say 3 units and it's artificially high? But how would I know if it was? I'm really lost. Trying to read all the stickies here, but it's like I'm past the point of no return?
A starting dose like that is way too high. Usual starting dose is much less than that. My cat started on 0.5u and we have worked up over several weeks to current 2.75u. On SLGS we increase no more than 0.25u at a time. My vet kept wanting increases too as he saw the high numbers over 500. The vet was wrong.
IF this was my cat I would drop down to 1u; test every preshot morning and evening. Do a curve every weekend and make dose increases based on the lowest number you get. That is the protocol for SLGS. Have you read the two stickies on SLGS and TR protocols? I’d say that’s useful info to read.
Maybe some more experienced ones will chime in as I think you need good advice. I believe it was mentioned by a few in your condo called “Confused” that 4u was too high a starting dose.
@Jill & Alex (GA)
@Wendy&Neko
@Sienne and Gabby (GA)
Can any one of you help with dosing advice? Can she drop right back? It looks like newly diagnosed.
Last edited:
Oh and I was on 2u twice daily to start and I decided to ignore vet and drop right back to 0.5u. Think of it this way. A General Practioner doctor knows very little about gynecology. The GP has a broad understanding of many things but specialized in none. Same with a vet. Not many are specialized in feline diabetes.
Sean & Rufus
Member Since 2018
No he wasn't started at 4. He was started at 1 back in November! We went from 1 and 1 to 2 and 1, then 2 and 2, then 3 and 2, then 3 and 3, then 4 and 4, and now this. He was diagnosed November 21, 2017.
I would love to "start over" and do slgs but he's been going on this for a long time, I don't know if it'll hurt him to start all over. Know what I mean? I might just go to a specialist and see what they say.
I would love to "start over" and do slgs but he's been going on this for a long time, I don't know if it'll hurt him to start all over. Know what I mean? I might just go to a specialist and see what they say.
Sean & Rufus
Member Since 2018
Right. I mentioned to the vet that going to a specialist might be a good idea. She said, maybe, maybe not. It's just frustrating that he's on such a "high" dose and the number seem to be getting worse.
Sean & Rufus
Member Since 2018
The thing was is he was diagnosed at 430ish I think. Went on 1 and 1. Next week he was 390ish. Went to 2 and 1. Next week was 400's went to 2 and 2. Then 3 and 2, then 3 and 3 and then 4 and 4. All the while only having his number checked once per week and going off of that 1 number. I can see what a huge mistake that was. Vet said normally don't check at home because of not wanting to bother kitty more that already, and I thought yes that's good because I have no desire to collect blood! Now that I see how easy it is, I really wish I could have started the SLGS to begin with
Sean & Rufus
Member Since 2018
You’re won’t get a specialist who knows more than the people on this forum.
Going up 1u at a time is a lot. Usually 0.25 -0.5 and both am and pm shot should be the same.The thing was is he was diagnosed at 430ish I think. Went on 1 and 1. Next week he was 390ish. Went to 2 and 1. Next week was 400's went to 2 and 2. Then 3 and 2, then 3 and 3 and then 4 and 4. All the while only having his number checked once per week and going off of that 1 number. I can see what a huge mistake that was. Vet said normally don't check at home because of not wanting to bother kitty more that already, and I thought yes that's good because I have no desire to collect blood! Now that I see how easy it is, I really wish I could have started the SLGS to begin with
I tagged some people to see if they can let you know if they think starting over will work for you.
Sean & Rufus
Member Since 2018
I agree there is a tremoundous amount of knowledge here. I just want to see the specialist because of the other issues going on. Just to lay it all out and see what their thoughts are. And like I said, I really haven't seen a reply about starting all over at 1 and 1. I could be asking the wrong way, or maybe people haven't read it yet to respond to, or maybe they just don't know the answers. The only replies I have seen was to start doing more testing and to start a spreadsheet.
Sean & Rufus
Member Since 2018
I did order some new syringes that have a .5 mark. Went to walgreens and walmart today to buy some and they both said they aren't stocked because humans use only 1 unit mark ones. How would you dose a .25? Need a maginfying glass
Sean & Rufus
Member Since 2018
Thank you I appreciate that!
Just keep asking. You’ll get a response.
Sean & Rufus
Member Since 2018
Thanks Juliet! You've been really helpful. I appreciate it.
Anytime. Sorry I can’t help with dosing. It’s a struggle we are all on. But keep asking the same questions til you get an answer.
Sandy and Black Kitty
Member Since 2009
4.5u is a good deal of insulin.
Are you able to get an overnight test or two? Right now you are missing half the picture.
You may want to give free-hand poking a try....you just may surprise yourself.
It’s really important to find a dose you can shoot consistently every 12 hours. Lantus likes consistency. Different doses every cycle leads to wonky numbers, which is the last thing you need.
Since you have 2 consecutive cycles of 4.5u under your belt, hold that dose for now and focus on finding out what’s going on with his BG during the times you aren’t looking.
Always get a test before you shoot - for safety sake.
Get at least one mid cycle test in for each cycle ; if you can grab more tests all the better. In this way a truer picture of where this dose is taking him will emerge.
If you can string together 6-8 cycles at 4.5u you will know which way the dose should go.
The numbers will be your guide
Are you able to get an overnight test or two? Right now you are missing half the picture.
You may want to give free-hand poking a try....you just may surprise yourself.
It’s really important to find a dose you can shoot consistently every 12 hours. Lantus likes consistency. Different doses every cycle leads to wonky numbers, which is the last thing you need.
Since you have 2 consecutive cycles of 4.5u under your belt, hold that dose for now and focus on finding out what’s going on with his BG during the times you aren’t looking.
Always get a test before you shoot - for safety sake.
Get at least one mid cycle test in for each cycle ; if you can grab more tests all the better. In this way a truer picture of where this dose is taking him will emerge.
If you can string together 6-8 cycles at 4.5u you will know which way the dose should go.
The numbers will be your guide
If you, like me need your sleep and cannot set an alarm to get overnight tests (boy I certainly do not do this) - then get a +2 and a bedtime test (maybe at +4) in during the evening. That is my compromise as I am unable to do the overnight alarm setting business. I would definitely try and get a curve in possibly next weekend - test every two hours over a 12 hour period. The vet may well ask you to bring him in for the day to do this but you can do it yourself and save yourself the money and Rufus the stress of the vet visit. Sandy is right - you are missing a big chunk of the picture. I know I miss a lot when I am out at work all day.
No, we suggested getting more data first, to decide if and how this dose needs to be changed. Some cats need a lot more insulin. Rufus is a big boy, he may need more insulin. Going back to the beginning is now the best choice right now, especially if it ends up he needs this amount of insulin or more. Getting more data on this dose first would be better. I agree with Sandy's approach. Get a couple days more data, then we can figure out where to go next.
For what it's worth, both Sandy's kitty and mine ended up on much more than 4.5 units. Some cats max out at 0.25 units. ECID - each cat is different. It's a saying and very true.
Thanks for jumping in. I wasn’t sure everything that had been previously said.
Sean & Rufus
Member Since 2018
We always keep dosing for at least a week. We were on 4, then we went to 5. I told the vet I wanted to scale back for a week to see if 4.5 will work, so only did the 5 for 1 day.
Sean & Rufus
Member Since 2018
Thank you. I plan on getting more tests in. I'm just worried at this point if he was getting TOO much insulin and if that is why numbers aren't improving, and how would I know if he's getting too much. In fact, they appear to be getting worse.
Sean & Rufus
Member Since 2018
Well, the good news (haha) is I'm unemployed right now, so waking up in the middle of the night won't be too big of an issue, but I'm definelty not a night owl. I'll work on getting more night numbers.
Increases are usually done in .5 or .25 u not a whole unit at a time.
- Status