The SLGS with Lantus states "Above 200 (11.1 mmol/L) but below the cat's normal pre-shot value, a reduced dose might be wise." But I also think I read to stay at the same dose for 3 days. Dude has had 1 unit the past 2 mornings. He had ≈ 0.5 units last night. Do I stay at 1 unit or reduce to 0.75 units? Thanks.
05/12 Dude AMPS 243, +7 @ 84, PMPS @ 142
- Thread starter jmichaelp
- Start date
Bandit's Mom
Very Active Member
Link to previous post:
https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/05-11-24-dude-help-one-more-bg-test-before-pmps.289880/
I haven't read far back to previous posts, but it looks like you aren't able to get any tests besides preshots? Lantus dosing is not based on preshots but on nadirs - how low a dose takes the cat. With SLGS, every drop below 90 is a reduction in dose by 0.25U. You hold a dose 7 days (not 3 day) unless a reduction is earned and do a curve to determine if a dose increase is required. In addition to a curve we suggest getting as many spot checks that you can get - say a test at night before bed, or a mid-cycle test in the day when you can etc.
What you are reading about not giving insulin below 200 or giving a token dose for lower preshots is just till a caregiver collects enough data on how the cat responds to insulin. Experienced caregivers can shoot any number over 90 with SLGS. Lantus is very good at giving flat cycles when you shoot low.
Rather than change doses depending on preshots like you have been doing for the last few cycles, you want to stick to a dose (say 0.5U) and see how he does on it.
243 is a safe number to shoot. I suggest you give 0.5U for now. Hard to say what is a good dose for him considering the dose changes and the skips. I will tag @Wendy&Neko for advice on what would be a good dose to try from tonight.
https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/05-11-24-dude-help-one-more-bg-test-before-pmps.289880/
I haven't read far back to previous posts, but it looks like you aren't able to get any tests besides preshots? Lantus dosing is not based on preshots but on nadirs - how low a dose takes the cat. With SLGS, every drop below 90 is a reduction in dose by 0.25U. You hold a dose 7 days (not 3 day) unless a reduction is earned and do a curve to determine if a dose increase is required. In addition to a curve we suggest getting as many spot checks that you can get - say a test at night before bed, or a mid-cycle test in the day when you can etc.
What you are reading about not giving insulin below 200 or giving a token dose for lower preshots is just till a caregiver collects enough data on how the cat responds to insulin. Experienced caregivers can shoot any number over 90 with SLGS. Lantus is very good at giving flat cycles when you shoot low.
Rather than change doses depending on preshots like you have been doing for the last few cycles, you want to stick to a dose (say 0.5U) and see how he does on it.
243 is a safe number to shoot. I suggest you give 0.5U for now. Hard to say what is a good dose for him considering the dose changes and the skips. I will tag @Wendy&Neko for advice on what would be a good dose to try from tonight.
Thanks. I gave him 0.50 units.
We dose Lantus based on how low it's taking the cat, which usually is not the preshots. With very little mid cycle data I would be only guessing on a dose. See how he does on that 0.5 units over the next week, then run a curve if you can.
Thanks. I've been having lots of trouble every day getting blood then with errors. Yesterday I was able to get a +3 & a +7. Today +3 was no-go so I'll test him next at +7, which will be a little over 2 hours post-feeding, then again PMPS. Will be interesting to see how he does today on .50 units. His BG seems to be more consistent on the lower dose.
That 84 today earned him a reduction down to 0.25 units. Glad you managed to catch that. 
Don Degludec
Member
Woooow! I twisted my ankle running to the forums looking for your thread, after checking on your sheet and seeing that green! Well done, dudes!
I'm pretty certain "vet bashing" is strictly forbidden on the board, so let me just say: I'm incredibly happy that you found this place and are now receiving the much needed advice from the experienced member(s) re: dosing! Given how good Dude is doing, earning further reductions even on a low dose, that 2 IU starting dose seems even more humongous now!
I'm convinced Mike is a fisherman, with such a catch!
I'm pretty certain "vet bashing" is strictly forbidden on the board, so let me just say: I'm incredibly happy that you found this place and are now receiving the much needed advice from the experienced member(s) re: dosing! Given how good Dude is doing, earning further reductions even on a low dose, that 2 IU starting dose seems even more humongous now!
Glad you managed to catch that.
I'm convinced Mike is a fisherman, with such a catch!
Reduce the dose. That 84, since you are following SLGS for dosing, says that 0.5 units is too much insulin. You reduce by 0.25 units whenever they go below 90.
I feel conflicted. Two posts above said 0.50, I've had posts stating to be consistent, I interpreted a post to mean the reduction stuff was for after I had a bunch of data. Very confusing at this point.
I also don't know how I'll ever get to 0.25. When I go to the 0.5 mark there's hardly any room left in the syringe. If I tried to move it up from 0.5 I could end up with nothing left in it. The syringes the vet sold me are U-100 3/10cc with half unit markings.
Diane Tyler's Mom GA
Very Active Member
@jmichaelp
You were told to stay with 0.5 , then you posted 84 @+7
So he earned a reduction , new dose 0.25
You were told to stay with 0.5 , then you posted 84 @+7
So he earned a reduction , new dose 0.25
Bandit's Mom
Very Active Member
What we meant was to stay with a dose unless a reduction is earned
Ok. Thanks.
Diane Tyler's Mom GA
Very Active Member
So tomorrow morning you will give 0.25 units 
Thanks, I've looked at those pics. At this point I don't think I'll be able to differentiate between 0.25 & 0.0 on my syringe.@jmichaelp
You were told to stay with 0.5 , then you posted 84 @+7
So he earned a reduction , new dose 0.25
Diane Tyler's Mom GA
Very Active Member
Just try and go a little above the 0.5 mark ,do the best you can .
Do you have a magnifying glass you can use
@jmichaelp
Thanks, I'll try. I've been practicing on used syringes.So tomorrow morning you will give 0.25 units
Don Degludec
Member
It's a bit fiddly, but if you don't have a magnifying glass, for time being you could also use your smartphone's zoom, or take pictures while adjusting the dose bit by bit and zoom in on the photos.
If you have a digital calliper somewhere in your toolbox, it can become your best friend when it comes to microdosing. I love my calliper
There's a forum post somewhere on how to use it, maybe another member [who didn't pull an all-nighter and doesn't have a fried egg for brain right now] can link that for you.
If you have a digital calliper somewhere in your toolbox, it can become your best friend when it comes to microdosing. I love my calliper
There's a forum post somewhere on how to use it, maybe another member [who didn't pull an all-nighter and doesn't have a fried egg for brain right now] can link that for you.
Diane Tyler's Mom GA
Very Active Member
This post and video shows how; Dosing with calipers You can get digital calipers at stores that sell woodworking and metalworking tools.If you have a digital calliper somewhere in your toolbox, it can become your best friend when it comes to microdosing. I love my calliper
There's a forum post somewhere on how to use it, maybe another member [who didn't pull an all-nighter and doesn't have a fried egg for brain right now] can link that for you.
12
That red-eye back from Vegas is a long flight, right?
lol, I use my phone's camera for "magnification" all of the time. I have some calipers, but they don't lock so I'll have to get some that do.It's a bit fiddly, but if you don't have a magnifying glass, for time being you could also use your smartphone's zoom, or take pictures while adjusting the dose bit by bit and zoom in on the photos.
If you have a digital calliper somewhere in your toolbox, it can become your best friend when it comes to microdosing. I love my calliper
There's a forum post somewhere on how to use it, maybe another member [who didn't pull an all-nighter and doesn't have a fried egg for brain right now] can link that for you.
That red-eye back from Vegas is a long flight, right?
Thanks. Last night I was thinking that I'd need some sort of mechanical assistance to help me get to the correct dose. Who doesn't like going to Harbor Freight to buy stuff?
Don Degludec
Member
I'm glad I'm not the only one!
To be fair, my eye sight is so horrific, there are times I need to use everything I have to hand - callipers, magnifying glass, back-lit mirror, phone... the whole package 
Hahaha I wish!
That'd be indicative of these red eyes of mine getting some much needed rest, instead of staring at the computer screen all night, working on a research project! 
Does this appear to be the correct dose for 0.25 units? On 2/3 tries I produced the same sized drop, the other was slightly bigger...
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Diane Tyler's Mom GA
Very Active Member
I really can't tell you
Just try and go a little above the 0.5 mark ,do the best you can .
@jmichaelp
Ok, thanks.