lowest I've seen! (+8 134..)!! Questions need Advice ~

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kitten68

kitten68

Member Since 2024
well.. this baby was 176 at +4 hours.. and then came home +8 saw 134 (!!!).. today was the lowest I've seen since diagnosis ~

is maybe getting regulated on the Vetsulin or even better? interesting..

should still change to Lantus tho right? planning to do so tmw.. also have some questions that could use some help w if anyone can maybe take a look:

https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/thr...inking-of-switching-soon.290267/#post-3182402

really sorry if not supposed to put here.. but supposed to start tmw and unsure of some things..

thanks soo much :)
 
kitten68 said:
well.. this baby was 176 at +4 hours.. and then came home +8 saw 134 (!!!).. today was the lowest I've seen since diagnosis ~

is maybe getting regulated on the Vetsulin or even better? interesting..

should still change to Lantus tho right? planning to do so tmw.. also have some questions that could use some help w if anyone can maybe take a look:

https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/thr...inking-of-switching-soon.290267/#post-3182402

really sorry if not supposed to put here.. but supposed to start tmw and unsure of some things..

thanks soo much :)
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Did Pudge not have a big appetite today? This happens to Pumpkin sometimes too. I've noticed it happens around hair ball episodes as well as certain days when he just doesn't eat a whole lot.
 
Shell said:
Did Pudge not have a big appetite today? This happens to Pumpkin sometimes too. I've noticed it happens around hair ball episodes as well as certain days when he just doesn't eat a whole lot.
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hi!! :) well you know what come to think of it.. that's probablyy it maybe.. I was not home and he didn't eat his meal like I mentioned.. that's probably what that is right? it'd been about.. 4-4.5 hours since he last ate.. I recall this happened one other time too.. ahh so that's it. well geez. :/ he won't eat sometimes unless im home.....
 
Bron and Sheba (GA) said:
Yes dont feed for the 2 hours Preshot so the Preshot is not food influenced.
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tyy!! :) great.. well, today is the day.. woke up earlier so I could also read all the info given to me over all the threads.. by chance could u also clarify something else for me?

with Lantus, understand there's a depot and that it also takes 5-7 days to see how things are.. in addition to seeing things normalize potentially taking time. does this mean his sugars will be in the beginning high during this time?.... tried reading the sticky and still not clear on that.. like does it actually work immediately, but its also building up in the system? or what can I expect? he's been on Vetsulin since mid April..

also plan on being conservative, tho it was suggested starting I think with Lantus 1.5-1.75.. am doing 1 U.. maybe .5? im nervous lol.

@Bron and Sheba (GA)
 
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Don’t go back to 1 or 0.5 unit. I would start at 1.5 U and hold the dose for 5 to 7 days unless Pudge drops under 90. Don’t be nervous. Just get all your tests in like you have been doing and you’ll be fine. Feed a good meal before the doses. You don’t have to wait after feeding to give Lantus and give 2or 3 snacks each cycle as well.
It will work straight away but it may not give you its full effect for a few days til the depot fills. Post each day and we can look at it
 
Bron and Sheba (GA) said:
Don’t go back to 1 or 0.5 unit. I would start at 1.5 U and hold the dose for 5 to 7 days unless Pudge drops under 90. Don’t be nervous. Just get all your tests in like you have been doing and you’ll be fine. Feed a good meal before the doses. You don’t have to wait after feeding to give Lantus and give 2or 3 snacks each cycle as well.
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im just really nervous of hypo.. :( :( honestly I don't think I can deal w it w everything.. and cost is also considered if have to go somewhere.. its just me and Pudge. if we had more support I wouldn't mind so much.. 1 U would not be enough since we're just starting long acting? (vet suggested only 1.. but eh.) and yes just saw! :)

@Bron and Sheba (GA)
 
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Bron and Sheba (GA) said:
I added another bit at the end. Did you see it after you liked it?
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thanks so much.. ok. YES I always make sure he eats well before.. he's been hungry frequently tho (every 2-3 hours depending on sugars..) so he gets small meals also throughout the day.. he wont eat tho if im not home. this ok on Lantus too?
 
kitten68 said:
OH do I need to be testing every 2 hours/curving today?.. vet wanted me to and have been discussing w others to do so also.. (need to read back over my threads...)

@Bron and Sheba (GA)

tysm btw getting back quickly.. thankful to catch u
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If you are around you could do a curve or just get tests every three hours. The curve won’t mean much as it will change as the depot fills but it will tell you how he is going on the Lantus and it’s all good data
Good luck with the changeover :)
 
just remembered it was suggested to me every 3 hours if can swing it.. :) good to know, was thinking of doing every 2 hours.. (!!) better to know to do when he's been on it a week.. taking some time to be home rn.. but if couldnt, nice to know that's ok.. just looked at supplies (know.. late.. a lot going on..)

and the needle length looks tiny! been using 1/2.. this is 5/16th.. but told there's been no problems. also looked at pen. looks clear! :)

just insert, withdraw, inject? :) watched video like 10 times on insulin care page.. haha.

thanks so much! excited over here.. tho cautious. haha.. not sure on dose yet. hope its ok I do what am comfortable w rn.. :( appreciate your advice tho. still deciding.. test/eating/dose scheduled in 25 minutes.. :nailbiting:

@Bron and Sheba (GA)
 
Do you have the U100, 3/10 ml, 30 or 31 gauge, 6 or 8 mm insulin syringes with 1/2 unit markings?

When you say insert, withdraw, inject … do you mean withdraw after you insert into body? If so, no you don’t pull it back …just insert and inject
 
Bron and Sheba (GA) said:
Do you have the U100, 3/10 ml, 30 or 31 gauge, 6 or 8 mm insulin syringes with 1/2 unit markings?

When you say insert, withdraw, inject … do you mean withdraw after you insert into body? If so, no you don’t pull it back …just insert and inject
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yes those are the ones.. :) says 8 mm.. got the ReliOns from Walmart. U100.. 3/10mL.. gauge is 31.

and w the pen, insert syringe, pull back what's needed, remove syringe.. replace pen in fridge? (sorry! meant when withdrawing insulin.. lol) and test kitty.. feed.. and inject insulin right after/end part of meal? :)
 
OMG @Bron and Sheba (GA) ..
just looked at syringes and freshly opened.. some look like this.. looks like some silicon escaped from barrel.. or these defective.. what to do? :( some dont have tip with a drip.. but where needle is at base.. looks like silicon leaked up:::

thinking oh well and give it to him anyway.. try to find a good one. our insulin thooo…..
 
Bron and Sheba (GA) said:
To upload photo copy and paste it.
Don’t use syringes that are defective. You might have to delay starting Lantus.
I’m heading to bed but I’ll tag @Bandit's Mom and @tiffmaxee to check the syringes for you
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have delayed it for today.. actually used some Lantus before realizing just shouldnt use.. tried not going in far at all w syringe.. hope it’ll be ok. :(

tysm for help today!! :blackeye:

also.. does Lantus have a chemical/hospital-y/doctor office smell?.. squirted in sink and was met w an odor.. kinda strong (quite a bit got in the sink as i struggled trying to dose…. o_O)
 
tiffmaxee said:
Welcome. I don’t see your syringe picture. I would not use strange looking needles. I’ve never experienced that. Can you take them back to Walmart?
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Hiii!! thanks a lot :cat:.. omg what a morning. oh well. not to be.. yes! all from Walmart…. And did call pharmacost and she told me to bring them in; so will see. Not great. My other syringes for Vetsulin never had this issue..

So.. have delayed it for today.. actually used some Lantus before realizing just shouldnt use.. tried not going in far at all w syringe.. hope it’ll be ok. :(

also.. does Lantus have a chemical/hospital-y/doctor office smell?.. squirted in sink and was met w an odor.. kinda strong (quite a bit got in the sink as i struggled trying todose…. o_O)

im trying to put it (photo) up but am having a challenging time. tried copy/paste nothing.. tried uploading option but wont let me..
 
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Yay! Managed.. yikes.
 

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kitten68 said:
Hiii!! thanks a lot :cat:.. omg what a morning. oh well. not to be.. yes! all from Walmart…. And did call pharmacost and she told me to bring them in; so will see. Not great. My other syringes for Vetsulin never had this issue..

So.. have delayed it for today.. actually used some Lantus before realizing just shouldnt use.. tried not going in far at all w syringe.. hope it’ll be ok. :(

also.. does Lantus have a chemical/hospital-y/doctor office smell?.. squirted in sink and was met w an odor.. kinda strong (quite a bit got in the sink as i struggled trying todose…. o_O)

im trying to put it (photo) up but am having a challenging time. tried copy/paste nothing.. tried uploading option but wont let me..
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Yes, no worries. Lantus / Glargine definately has a smell I would never expect. It's okay.
 
Shell said:
Yes, no worries. Lantus / Glargine definately has a smell I would never expect. It's okay.
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omg.. shell thank you. o_O frankly it was STRONG.. I was like, woof! antiseptic! lol.. had to splash down the sink quite a bit.. these syringes were spraying it everywhere.. lol *cries

plunger was sticking..........
 
::UPDATE::

well this morning went hellishly. lol *cries

was not able to start the Lantus.

I was doing my best to prepare, re-reading up on stickies, re-reading all the nice help and comments on my threads.. get around to doing everything, I check out the pen, prepare food, looks great, and then..... the new syringes are leaky (?!). omg...... appeared as if the silicon/lubricant was outside the barrel.. on the needle, at the base of the needle.. like a droplet could be seen on some. was advised not to use and felt weird using them cuz its suggested not to get lubricant/silicon in the pen........ anddd I also realized this a little too late, had tried finding one that didn't look messed up, but should really not use, yet had withdrawn a few tries by then.. but did not insert too far in... hope it's cool. :woot: *cries

so he got his old meds really late (which of course we had to continue now).. which then set back our schedule a few hours. terrible. lol

lesson learned.. ALWAYS check supplies a day or two prior to make sure they're good and have some old meds/supplies in case can't go forward.. ugh. just had sooo much going on, trying to do it al.. so trying for tmw... will also be home. :cat:
 
kitten68 said:
omg.. shell thank you. o_O frankly it was STRONG.. I was like, woof! antiseptic! lol.. had to splash down the sink quite a bit.. these syringes were spraying it everywhere.. lol *cries

plunger was sticking..........
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That's awful about those syringes. It's always something :facepalm:

Yes, the Lantus smell is so strange, but it is fine to give. :cat:
 
Shell said:
That's awful about those syringes. It's always something :facepalm:

Yes, the Lantus smell is so strange, but it is fine to give. :cat:
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I was just like, ok not today.. not to be. *laugh cries whatever..

omg!! I was shocked.. im like that smell! it is strong. not unpleasant per se.. but o_O..
thanks for letting me know is ok, fine to give. :cat: that's how it is I guess lol
 
kitten68 said:
ALSO.. I understand Lantus is considered a 24 hour insulin.. (?) but for kitties it's twice/day? (every 12?)

and again.. can just test, feed, shoot right after/during eating no waiting at all? :cat::cat:

and with going off Vetsulin.. how does that work w schedule? just start Lantus at same time AM or need to wait/can do earlier?..

@Shell @Bron and Sheba (GA) @Diane Tyler's Mom @Wendy&Neko @Suzanne & Darcy @Bandit's Mom
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It is that long acting. If you see the cycles on Pumpkin's spreadsheet, most of the time it will dip in the middle and then rise after 12 hours. But, it's long acting. One of the reasons it's liked is because it tends to have a flat curve, from my understanding. I also understand that it is rated 24 hour though.

I don't know if there is an absolute rule of thumb for wait time after eating to shoot. I will give Pumpkin his shot anywhere from 20 minutes to a half hour after eating. It was a question I had in the beginning so I asked my Vet's office and they said pretty much no more than a half hour. So, it sounded like it was anywhere from 1 to 30 minutes after eating. And, so I've been doing that all along.

I am going to say, stay on schedule. I am going to guess to not start any earlier.
 
Shell said:
It is that long acting. If you see the cycles on Pumpkin's spreadsheet, most of the time it will dip in the middle and then rise after 12 hours. But, it's long acting. One of the reasons it's liked is because it tends to have a flat curve, from my understanding. I also understand that it is rated 24 hour though.

I don't know if there is an absolute rule of thumb for wait time after eating to shoot. I will give Pumpkin his shot anywhere from 20 minutes to a half hour after eating. It was a question I had in the beginning so I asked my Vet's office and they said pretty much no more than a half hour. So, it sounded like it was anywhere from 1 to 30 minutes after eating. And, so I've been doing that all along.

I am going to say, stay on schedule. I am going to guess to not start any earlier.
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hii!! starting very soon. im nervous. :( lol

right, exactly. just for people i think its considered a 24 hour one, but for cats it's given twice a day mostly i think.. maybe its the fast metabolism (?).

cool! good to know ~ and it's been ok for you?? im hearing mostly people shoot right after feeding, and even during.. you've found things are ok within 30 minutes of food?

thats what im doing.. :confused::cat: yesterday got SO delayed.. cause Vetsulin is like an hour process.. got the shot around 9:40 am.. behind like 2 hours.. will try to scale back slowly then i guess.. (15 minutes every shot.. or 30 minutes once/day is the suggestion here..)
 
kitten68 said:
ALSO.. I understand Lantus is considered a 24 hour insulin.. (?) but for kitties it's twice/day? (every 12?)

and again.. can just test, feed, shoot right after/during eating no waiting at all? :cat::cat:

and with going off Vetsulin.. how does that work w schedule? just start Lantus at same time AM or need to wait/can do earlier?..

@Shell @Bron and Sheba (GA) @Diane Tyler's Mom @Wendy&Neko @Suzanne & Darcy @Bandit's Mom
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I’m not an expert but can answer this for you. :) It takes about 2 hours for Lantus to start working, so you don’t need to ensure they’ve had a good meal *before* giving the shot (that also means if the cat isn’t eating well at shot time, you do have extra time to make sure they get that good meal in before the insulin kicks in). Shooting while they’re eating works well for a lot of people, because a lot of cats don’t mind the shot while they’re preoccupied with their bowl. :) Good luck today!
 
You can pick the time you want to shoot. With lantus you test, feed, shoot all within about 5-15 minutes. You don’t need to wait after feeding at all since it kicks in around +2. That varies. With Max it was around +2.5. The reason for cats needing it every 12 hours is because they have a fast metabolism.
 
::2nd UPDATE::

we managed today!! :) (he got his Lantus about an hour ago).. phew.

settled on 1 U (know it was advised to do a bit higher.. but just me and Pudge, so reallyyyy trying to minimize and make sure things uneventful.. appreciate the dosing advice sm.. would like to do the amount that probably would be best, but also need to be as safe as possible..) of course its a new routine and so there was some delay getting things in (cause it is different than Vetsulin cause you dont necessarily need to wait).. was on here quite a bit and spoke also a lot to the vet cause i had questions.. and did it!!! :cat::cat::cat::woot:

with time know the regimen will smooth out (was a little bumpy and hectic today.. to be expected) but he got it! needle still hurts a little.... but he was also trying to jump down and be done but he needed his shot then.. but hoping that'll get better with time as i find what works best.. as i get better. dosing is NOT easy at these minuscule amounts... i feel like i waste some insulin in the sink. because i take more out to get rid of bubbles.. expect to get better tho w time. plungers just shoot out.. even though they seem smooth have to very delicately move it upward or insulin flies out. may invest in other syringes in future. but appreciate these for the price and probably just need to get used to them. :) also wanted to do a bit of an easy dose cuz just starting this.. :/

thank you so much to everyone trying to help and caring about us and answering my manyyy various questions.. so much appreciation! :joyful:

now lets see how he does today.. think im to take +3,+6,+9.. then do a curve after 5-7 days (every +2)? idk. :)

also will be changing the time by 15 minutes each cycle (to get back to our preferred time..), think thats the way to do it! so tonite is okay to give at 10:05, 10:00? (shot given at 10:20).. tmw 9:45 am, etc?

(will post also to board with name, AMPS, etc..)
 
JL & Cooper said:
I’m not an expert but can answer this for you. :) It takes about 2 hours for Lantus to start working, so you don’t need to ensure they’ve had a good meal *before* giving the shot (that also means if the cat isn’t eating well at shot time, you do have extra time to make sure they get that good meal in before the insulin kicks in). Shooting while they’re eating works well for a lot of people, because a lot of cats don’t mind the shot while they’re preoccupied with their bowl. :) Good luck today!
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tysm for offering your advice!! :) this is great news in a way if thats what you found too.. he eats well, but im always afraid its not enough lol.. he also likes to eat a bit after and i like to have food down for him most of the time in case he needs/wants it. great to hear..

and THANK.U.SO.MUCH!!! :D:woot: we actually did it, i was able to do it. it went pretty well lol considering.. a whirlwind to be sure cause i was juggling ten things right.. food, treats, shot.. he wasn't too happy. but expect it to go real quick like the Vetsulin after a while of doing it.. lol hoping its ok the syringe sits for a few minutes while he eats and gets tested.. :/ also hear if its warm a little that helps with taking it.

ty!!! :joyful:
 
tiffmaxee said:
You can pick the time you want to shoot. With lantus you test, feed, shoot all within about 5-15 minutes. You don’t need to wait after feeding at all since it kicks in around +2. That varies. With Max it was around +2.5. The reason for cats needing it every 12 hours is because they have a fast metabolism.
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hiii!! :) thanks so much for replying ~ well.. i erred on the side of caution to make sure Vetsulin out (i know it most likely is.. but peace of mind.. woof) and did it quite later than usual.. plan on doing the 15 minute backtrack each cycle to get back to our time.. this ok if you might know? (it's suggested here on the 12/12 schedule page.. also 30 minutes once/day but we just started.. id rather not)

and it pretty much happened this way :) 10-20 minutes all together.. and this! figured it was the metabolism. :) :)
thanks!..
 
kitten68 said:
hii!! starting very soon. im nervous. :( lol

right, exactly. just for people i think its considered a 24 hour one, but for cats it's given twice a day mostly i think.. maybe its the fast metabolism (?).

cool! good to know ~ and it's been ok for you?? im hearing mostly people shoot right after feeding, and even during.. you've found things are ok within 30 minutes of food?

thats what im doing.. :confused::cat: yesterday got SO delayed.. cause Vetsulin is like an hour process.. got the shot around 9:40 am.. behind like 2 hours.. will try to scale back slowly then i guess.. (15 minutes every shot.. or 30 minutes once/day is the suggestion here..)
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Yes, I've been feeding 30 minutes after food all along. 2 times a day.
 
As you have reduced the amount of insulin while doing the changeover, I would test daily for ketones in the urine as an insurance. You will need a bottle of Ketostix to do it.
 
Bron and Sheba (GA) said:
As you have reduced the amount of insulin while doing the changeover, I would test daily for ketones in the urine as an insurance. You will need a bottle of Ketostix to do it.
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well in the case of something like that what would be done? Insulin can’t go up for the time being.. didnt know this. Trying to not sail past the right dose either…
 
Shell said:
Yes, I've been feeding 30 minutes after food all along. 2 times a day.
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Ooooh!!! So good to know. :cat: Excellent.. ok. Im realizing its nice just to have it all done at once.. lol if we can do it.. and its done for day/night.. so nice! Other one took an hour almost start to finish…… thats good to hear too!!! phew. Cause onset is +2 w Lantus usually right? (if i got the terms right..)
 
kitten68 said:
well in the case of something like that what would be done? Insulin can’t go up for the time being.. didnt know this. Trying to not sail past the right dose either…
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If there were ketones in the urine, the dose would have to be revised. Ketones can form when there is not enough food and not enough insulin in diabetic cats.
 
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