Need help with insulin....Numbers all over the place | Feline Diabetes Message Board - FDMB

Need help with insulin....Numbers all over the place

Mo's Mom

Mo's Mom

Member since 2025
HI,

My cat is on Novolin for his insulin ( I know it's not ideal, but it's what we have for now). The vet started him out on 3units 2x a day, which we did for a while. We started lowering his dose after advice from this forum. We have been gradually reducing it and he is now down to 1.75 units 2x a day. His numbers are still all over and we can't seem to find the right dose. He is also taking B12 and Folic Acid daily to help with his neuropathy...which has done wonders! He only eats Friskies pate or Fancy Feast pate. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I'm trying so hard with him, but feel like I am messing up!
 
Don't beat yourself up, we all have been there thinking is our fault, but you care for your baby and he knows it, the best insulins for cats are ProZinc and Lantus, they are a 12 hour insulin and easier on the cats system, I will tag a several members that can probably help you with Noviolin, I was told at the beginning very wise words, "take a step back, breath in breath out, cats are very sensitive to stress, you stress they stress, I am sure a member will soon plug in to assist your concerns 🤗 :cat:
@Wendy&Neko
@Diane Tyler's Mom GA
@Sienne and Gabby (GA)
 
Donna -

Part of the problem is that Mo's numbers are bouncing. Novolin, as you correctly noted is not a great insulin. It drops numbers hard and fast and as a result, they bounce sky high again. I suspect that Mo needs more insulin. It's not unusual to have to make repeated adjustments to the dose. You're not messing up!!

Is there any chance you can get the insulin switched over to either Lantus (glargine) or Prozinc?
 
Thanks for your reply 🙂 What do you think I should increase his dose to? I know Novolin is not the best, but our vet recommended it to us because it was cheaper (trying to help us out). Money is super tight right now, and we are going through a lot at the moment...my mom passed away recently, and we are taking care of the fallout from that. My father in law is in the hospital as well. We are doing the best we can at the moment for Mo, so any help is GREATLY appreciated!
 
Mo's Mom said:
Thanks for your reply 🙂 What do you think I should increase his dose to? I know Novolin is not the best, but our vet recommended it to us because it was cheaper (trying to help us out). Money is super tight right now, and we are going through a lot at the moment...my mom passed away recently, and we are taking care of the fallout from that. My father in law is in the hospital as well. We are doing the best we can at the moment for Mo, so any help is GREATLY appreciated!
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In the main menu you can find the Supply closet which many members give away or ask for a bit of money or postage for supplies there’s are also foundation links to assist you with insulin and supplies like DCIN
 
No, that's for Human diabetics who can use up a pen quickly. FDMB members keep the pens in the fridge and have found that the pen is good to the last drop.
 
squeem3 said:
No, that's for Human diabetics who can use up a pen quickly. FDMB members keep the pens in the fridge and have found that the pen is good to the last drop.
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Ok, and it's still as potent? I know for the Novolin I have to throw it out after a month and a half...even though there is still some left.
 
Yes, still potent at the last drop.

ProZinc is another good insulin choice. @Suzanne & Darcy can give you more info on pricing and how to store and handle. ProZinc is a pet insulin so you'll have to either get it from the vet or from a veterinary pharmacy with a prescription. I know Chewy.com's pharmacy has it.
 
squeem3 said:
Yes, still potent at the last drop.

ProZinc is another good insulin choice. @Suzanne & Darcy can give you more info on pricing and how to store and handle. ProZinc is a pet insulin so you'll have to either get it from the vet or from a veterinary pharmacy with a prescription. I know Chewy.com's pharmacy has it.
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ok, thank you. So to use the Lantus I need to get a prescription correct?
 
If you decide to use ProZinc instead, be aware that it is a U40 insulin. You *can* use U100 syringes with it but you must follow a conversion so that your cat is getting the correct dose. Someone can post the conversion info and chart for you if you decide on ProZinc.
 
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