? 5/11/19 Skitty; AMPS: 295; Please help with transition from Vetsulin to Lantus

MartyJean & Skitty

MartyJean & Skitty

Member Since 2019
Hello! Skitty's fructosamine level was 533 today and, as you can see from his SS, he is not responding to the Vetsulin. His #s are pretty flat so the Vet wanted to increase his dose. I asked if we could try Lantus, he agreed and prescribed 3 units BID. I've been pouring over all of the stickies and I am a nurse so I understand the difference in insulin types, but I'm still pretty nervous about starting Skitty off on 3 units. Is it ok? Should I start him off on a lower dose? I plan to use the Start Low, Go Slow method. I'm so grateful for any feedback you can give me; thank you!
 
Hello! Welcome to L&L Land! My buddy Lou started on Vetsulin as well, and we switched to Lantus (we used Basaglar) first and then to Levemir. We can take your previous data into consideration for the new dose. Since Skitty hasn't shown you any blues/greens yet, I think 3u BID is a decent starting point. (Hopefully the experts will be by soon to give their suggestions.) Some kitties can have a strong reaction to the new insulin, so you'll want to start when you have a few days to monitor. You would dose Vetsulin as usual until you're ready to switch, then start the Lantus on the next cycle. It takes a while for the depot to build, so don't be surprised or dismayed if you don't see immediate results (we didn't). You're using U40 syringes now, but make sure you have U100 syringes to use with the Lantus! I'm sure others will be by to welcome you and offer their dosing suggestions. I hope you both have a great night!
 
Hello and welcome. If you haven’t already, think about our two dosing methods, and which one would suit you best.

I agree with Amanda on starting dose. Not sure if it’s possible for you, but do try to get a before bed test each night. Many kitties go lower at night, and we determine how to change the Lantus dose based on the nadirs or low points you are getting with that dose.

We started on Caninsulin, same as Vetsulin which is rebranded in the US, got to 5 units with some blues and wasted time starting back at 1 unit, before going over five units of Lantus.
 
I'm so sorry for the loss of your Neko, beautiful kitty; the video you posted is a lovely tribute to her. Skitty's civie brother is Nekko, similar name to yours! Thank you for taking the time to reply; I am astounded at your and others' generosity. I plan to start low, go slow. I do work part-time, but I can and will test often as needed. I looked in the glossary and couldn't find the definition of a "cycle"; Amanda mentioned to start Lantus on the next cycle. Thank you very much :)
 
Thank you! Your Skitty is absolutely beautiful as well!
MartyJean said:
I'm so sorry for the loss of your Neko, beautiful kitty; the video you posted is a lovely tribute to her. Skitty's civie brother is Nekko, similar name to yours! Thank you for taking the time to reply; I am astounded at your and others' generosity. I plan to start low, go slow. I do work part-time, but I can and will test often as needed. I looked in the glossary and couldn't find the definition of a "cycle"; Amanda mentioned to start Lantus on the next cycle. Thank you very much :)
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A cycle is a 12-hour period. So you dose in the morning, we call that AMPS (AM preshot), and the cycle starts from that point and goes for the next 12 hours before you give insulin again at PMPS (PM preshot). While there was wiggle room with Vetsulin, these depot insulins work best if you shoot the closest you can to every 12 hours. Shooting late acts like a decrease, and shooting early can act like a dose increase. So in your case, let's say you're planning on changing Skitty over tomorrow morning. You would dose the Vetsulin at your usual PMPS time tonight. And then at tomorrow's AMPS, you would give the Lantus instead of Vetsulin. I ended up switching Lou over Memorial Day weekend last year so I'd have 3 full days to monitor. I shot his Vetsulin that Friday morning and then started the Basaglar that Friday evening. The rest was history as they say. :)
 
Got it, thanks! Ok, I think I am ready to take it on. I have no idea what I would do without the help of this forum; I appreciate your support!
 
Many people helped us when we started here, just laying it forward. Neko was one of a kind, she taught me a lot. I miss her wise ways.

Good luck with the switch. You might want to post here the first few days in case we see something.
 
MartyJean & Skitty said:
Got it, thanks! Ok, I think I am ready to take it on. I have no idea what I would do without the help of this forum; I appreciate your support!
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Amanda and a Loudogg said:
Thank you! Your Skitty is absolutely beautiful as well!

A cycle is a 12-hour period. So you dose in the morning, we call that AMPS (AM preshot), and the cycle starts from that point and goes for the next 12 hours before you give insulin again at PMPS (PM preshot). While there was wiggle room with Vetsulin, these depot insulins work best if you shoot the closest you can to every 12 hours. Shooting late acts like a decrease, and shooting early can act like a dose increase. So in your case, let's say you're planning on changing Skitty over tomorrow morning. You would dose the Vetsulin at your usual PMPS time tonight. And then at tomorrow's AMPS, you would give the Lantus instead of Vetsulin. I ended up switching Lou over Memorial Day weekend last year so I'd have 3 full days to monitor. I shot his Vetsulin that Friday morning and then started the Basaglar that Friday evening. The rest was history as they say. :)
Click to expand...
 
Hello friends, I’ve learned so much from you already! You’ve helped my sweet girl, Principessa, tremendously as she recovers from DKA and pulled this kitty mama back from panic and heart stopping conditions so many times already! I’m increasing in confidence day-by-day. Forgive me, but I can’t seem to find this: Do you take AMPS before breakfast, before shoot or after breakfast before shoot? I would also appreciate any encouragement you may have on post-DKA. Principessa has good days and then she just stops eating about every 3rd day. Her BGs have highs (350-515!) and “lows” (150-200) I have kept her eating w daily fluids and appetite stims. She is eating only FF (good carb or zero carb) only and she likes them. Not sure we’re at root cause of what has her not eating or drinking consistently. We’ve had ultrasound: pancreas good. She’s done antibiotics following a high white count that likely started this episode where she stopped eating and ended w DKA and hospitalization (sadly, before I knew about testing ketones). Kind regards, Princi & Lee
 
It’ll help get more eyes on your question if you create a new post.

As for AMPS, it is the test done just before you feed and shoot. We typically do all within 10-15 minutes. With Lantus and it’s gentler action and later onset than Vetsulin, you don’t have to worry about all the food being eaten before the shot. Many give insulin while the cat is still eating.
 
Thank you!! Yes, it was first try at a post, and realized after I sent it — but, yes, have reposted my own thread. Thank you for the info, especially the info on how Lantus works. Sometimes Principessa eats fast, but sometimes she eats slowly.. So, trying to find my comfort zone as we have had a couple of scary low BG episodes post-shooting, but before I was testing. Thank you again!
Kind regards, Princi & Lee
 
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