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Tyleete

Tyleete

Member since 2025
I don't have any numbers to post with Lantus, as we're at to start tomorrow morning. He's been on PZ for last month. Got up to 2.5units and vet wants to switch.
She said start on 1unit right away, is this ok? And I should do regular tests almost like a curve at least first few days?
I did try to read through the sticky threads, but my eyes are SO tired right now and I'm also doing as much research on a kitty that was diagnosed with cancer yesterday. So I'm going back and forth a lot between them. And yes, I have the proper U-100 syringes for the Glargine. :) I just wanted to ask this before we start tomorrow. My vet is not as well versed in feline diabetes as I'd like. Why I'm here.
Thank you.
 
When a cat switches over to Lantus, we consider how they are doing on the previous insulin. Given the numbers Nico has seen on 2.5 units of Prozinc, I wouldn't switch at anything lower than 2.5 units.

Speaking as one who's vet suggested that Neko, who had been seeing mid 100's on 5 units of Caninsulin, switched to 1 unit of Lantus. Took me months to get back to where we should have been. She ended up on more than 5 units of Lantus.

I'd start with a +3, +6, and +9 tests to start. Post tomorrow and we can help you decide if you need to change that plan.
 
2.5? That seems scary at more than twice what the very recommended. But if you think that's best, I can try. I'm very scared of the idea of hypo, why I said scary.😬
Do I wait up to 30min after eating like PZ with Lantus, or does it have to be right away? Thank you.
 
Big blue?
I did take Wendy's advice to give him the 2.5u, same as he was taking of the PZ. And plan to test at the +3, 6, & 9 too.
I have read a lot of the sticky threads, but am still going through more. I was just very worried on how to start his Glargine adventure and definitely needed some input.😅 Glad I did.
 
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Put those U40 syringes somewhere separate and far away from the U100 syringes so you don't accidentally grab the wrong syringes:nailbiting:. It has happened before here on FDMB.

Post them in the Supply Closet, offer them to DCIN, or just put them right into the Sharps container.

Lantus is a depot insulin so you won't see much of an effect until the depot fills, which can take up to 7 days. A few random daily spot checks is fine but don't attempt a curve.
 
So no 3, 6, & 9 needed yet? That makes sense from what I've read. Thanks!
I've already put them in my extras cabinet. It is something I would do.
 
squeem3 said:
You can do spot checks if you want. Just don't expect to see much action.
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Oh coming from a person that hates needles, yet has to keep sticking his ear and to give insulin; I definitely don't want to.😅 All the fewer I have to do, the better for both of us. I'll do it as needed, but neither of us like it. Would you recommend any other than preshot the first few days? Or just 1? Thanks!
 
There's a reason I suggested the +3, +6 and +9 tests. Some cats have a marked reaction to a switch in insulin. I remember one kitty who had seen nothing below 300 on Prozinc, saw below 100 (greens) on his first day of Lantus. You may not need the +9 test, but I would get at least a +3 test to start. If that's a big drop from AMPS, get a +6. That's the reason this quote is in our Dosing Methods Sticky Note:
  • Kitty should be monitored closely the first three days when starting Lantus or Levemir. Initially, blood glucose levels should at least be checked at pre-shot, +3, +6, and +9. More monitoring may be needed.
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Dang it, after reading in another sticky saying it takes 3-5 days to build up in their system, then the other poster, I went with that.:(
Best I can do for today now would be preshot test and +3 after
I'm sorry I only went with a partial on your recommendations. It's just rough here right now. My cancer girl is only eating on Elura, and that's usually just the first half of the day. My other diabetic who went into a quick remission many years ago is acting out of sorts including slightly higher BG numbers and throwing up some now. And then I've got my little man here with switching. It's just a bit hectic and I figured If I didn't have to do it, I didn't want to do that to either of us. Will get on the suggested testing times tomorrow for sure.
 
Get that +3 test, preshot, and if you can PMPS+3. That should be enough to tell you if you need to worry and leave extra food out.

Sorry to hear about your cancer girl. :bighug::bighug: Is she getting ondansetron too for nausea?
 
Wendy&Neko said:
Get that +3 test, preshot, and if you can PMPS+3. That should be enough to tell you if you need to worry and leave extra food out.

Sorry to hear about your cancer girl. :bighug::bighug: Is she getting ondansetron too for nausea?
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I grabbed his pmps and it definitely isn't pretty. If the Glargine takes a min of 3 days to build up in his system (read 3-5 here); does it mean it will be like he doesn't have any insulin in his system for the next several days until the Glargine kicks in?
I can check his pmps +3 and write it down tonight, and start over tomorrow but getting that too. You don't think I need to do more than the +3 amps? Sorry again.
and thank you for words about my other baby. I've just got so much going on here right now and no clue how to help half of them.:(
 
Tyleete said:
If the Glargine takes a min of 3 days to build up in his system (read 3-5 here); does it mean it will be like he doesn't have any insulin in his system for the next several days until the Glargine kicks in?
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Some of the insulin goes into the blood stream, some goes into the depot. He will have some insulin in his system. Without a mid cycle test today, we don't know if he's high cause of not enough insulin, or bouncing. You might want to make sure you are testing for ketones regularly.
Tyleete said:
You don't think I need to do more than the +3 amps? Sorry again.
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Start with PS and +3. Based on how much movement there is to +3, we can help you decide if you need another test later on that cycle.
 
Wendy&Neko said:
Some of the insulin goes into the blood stream, some goes into the depot. He will have some insulin in his system. Without a mid cycle test today, we don't know if he's high cause of not enough insulin, or bouncing. You might want to make sure you are testing for ketones regularly.

Start with PS and +3. Based on how much movement there is to +3, we can help you decide if you need another test later on that cycle.
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He tested positive for ketones only at the vets the first time. I check 1-2x a week since and always negative, using the Ketostix.
Thank you for clarifying about the insulin. I just did a test befits his shot and +3.
532, then 521. That's on a pet meter. I'm trying to learn the ropes of the Relion I bought after it was suggested here, but the numbers can be very drastic. I guess I'll just stick with the pet meter for now? :/
I will do the the amps & +3 in the morning.
Thank you for all your help. It's a lot less scary with someone who's been here and knows so much more than I.
 
Wendy&Neko said:
When a cat switches over to Lantus, we consider how they are doing on the previous insulin. Given the numbers Nico has seen on 2.5 units of Prozinc, I wouldn't switch at anything lower than 2.5 units.

Speaking as one who's vet suggested that Neko, who had been seeing mid 100's on 5 units of Caninsulin, switched to 1 unit of Lantus. Took me months to get back to where we should have been. She ended up on more than 5 units of Lantus.

I'd start with a +3, +6, and +9 tests to start. Post tomorrow and we can help you decide if you need to change that plan.
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I was talking with someone on another board back when he was still on PZ, and this guy's kind of got me scared a bit. Going on about how dangerous it is to switch him immediately to 2.5 instead of starting at the 1. I'm very new to all this. Are you sure it's ok to have him at the 2.5? I know there's airways a chance of hypo no matter what you do. But had this sort of switch been done by many or several safely that you know of? It'll probably be too late once you see this for the morning shot, so I guess I'll just keep going at what you said with the 2.5. I'm just so nervous.
Thanks
 
And these stupid things. How am I supposed to know which to trust? At the vets the 3 were 9pts apart on readings. Yet since then I've had several side by side readings showing 100 it's more pts apart. Should I just stick with the pet meter for now?
And I have to say, he's never started in the red amps before.
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Was it a Reddit board? The information posted there is all over the place 🫣 I've browsed the cat diabetes boards there. Most of the advice is so bad and the "regulars" come across as really pushy. There's a board similar to FDMB which focuses more on TR and it's not the friendliest place for newbies.

Trust the advice of @Wendy&Neko and @Sienne and Gabby (GA)
 
squeem3 said:
Was it a Reddit board? The information posted there is all over the place 🫣 I've browsed the cat diabetes boards there. Most of the advice is so bad and the "regulars" come across as really pushy. There's a board similar to FDMB which focuses more on TR and it's not the friendliest place for newbies.

Trust the advice of @Wendy&Neko and @Sienne and Gabby (GA)
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I will, thanks! It's a I have Nico the 2.5 again this morning. It was a place called the cat site. I've talked with them here and there over the years. The one that suddenly freaked out was the guy that actually convinced me to talk to me vet about changing over.
But I did see something out there while looking online about something. It's Glargine being discontinued? I read that it was. That would suck. But if so, will a switch to Lantus be easy since it's just the generic?😬
 
Glargine is NOT being discontinued. It's Levemir that has been/will be discontinued. The manufacturer announced the discontinuation in Nov. 2023. Lantus is more widely used in humans so I doubt it's going anywhere.
 
squeem3 said:
Was it a Reddit board? The information posted there is all over the place 🫣 I've browsed the cat diabetes boards there. Most of the advice is so bad and the "regulars" come across as really pushy. There's a board similar to FDMB which focuses more on TR and it's not the friendliest place for newbies.

Trust the advice of @Wendy&Neko and @Sienne and Gabby (GA)
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I will, thanks! It's a I have Nico the 2.5 again thisIt was a place called the cat site. I've talked with them here and there over the years. The one that suddenly freaked out was the guy that actually convinced me to talk to me vet about changing over.
But I did see something out there while looking online about something. It's Glargine being discontinued? I read that it was. That would suck. But if so, will a switch to Lantus be easy since it's just the generic?😬
Sienne and Gabby (GA) said:
Glargine is NOT being discontinued. It's Levemir that has been/will be discontinued. The manufacturer announced the discontinuation in Nov. 2023. Lantus is more widely used in humans so I doubt it's going anywhere.
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Oh thank goodness! I just started
squeem3 said:
Was it a Reddit board? The information posted there is all over the place 🫣 I've browsed the cat diabetes boards there. Most of the advice is so bad and the "regulars" come across as really pushy. There's a board similar to FDMB which focuses more on TR and it's not the friendliest place for newbies.

Trust the advice of @Wendy&Neko and @Sienne and Gabby (GA)
Click to expand...
Ok, now a little nervous. It's this ok after only +3?😬
His numbers have NEVER been this low before. Do I need to do anything?
@Wendy&Neko
 

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Glargine is the generic name of Lantus. There are now several brands of glargine insulins in addition to the Lantus available.

The Catsite is not a feline diabetic cat site. People here have lived it, some for many, many years. Your goal is to get his numbers quite a bit lower, ideally all under 200. So far 2.5 units doesn't look at all like too much insulin, possibly too little, though that 307 is almost sunny yellow. :)I'm glad you continued with 2.5 units.

Just stick with one meter for now. Most of us lean to the human meters, primarily because the test strip cost is so much more for the pet meters. And our dosing methods use human meter numbers, making it easier to follow. But we do have some people continuing to use pet meters. It is your choice.

For your education, you might want to take a look at other people's spreadsheets. I found it a great way to learn.
 
Wendy&Neko said:
Glargine is the generic name of Lantus. There are now several brands of glargine insulins in addition to the Lantus available.

The Catsite is not a feline diabetic cat site. People here have lived it, some for many, many years. Your goal is to get his numbers quite a bit lower, ideally all under 200. So far 2.5 units doesn't look at all like too much insulin, possibly too little, though that 307 is almost sunny yellow. :)I'm glad you continued with 2.5 units.

Just stick with one meter for now. Most of us lean to the human meters, primarily because the test strip cost is so much more for the pet meters. And our dosing methods use human meter numbers, making it easier to follow. But we do have some people continuing to use pet meters. It is your choice.

For your education, you might want to take a look at other people's spreadsheets. I found it a great way to learn.
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I have looked at a few and will continue. I had posted on that other site when the person helping me on the PZ board had an emergency of her own and no one else to talk to. So I had posted there out of desperation.😅 Yeah, even if I was scared, I still put my trust in what you had to say. Glad I did too. I think once I get my boys numbers better, I'll probably switch to the cheaper one too.
Is there any chance he will ever have it peak at another time other than just the 4hrs after shot? That still leaves another 8 just to go downhill.:/ He started going right back up after the 4.
 
Wendy&Neko said:
Glargine is the generic name of Lantus. There are now several brands of glargine insulins in addition to the Lantus available.

The Catsite is not a feline diabetic cat site. People here have lived it, some for many, many years. Your goal is to get his numbers quite a bit lower, ideally all under 200. So far 2.5 units doesn't look at all like too much insulin, possibly too little, though that 307 is almost sunny yellow. :)I'm glad you continued with 2.5 units.

Just stick with one meter for now. Most of us lean to the human meters, primarily because the test strip cost is so much more for the pet meters. And our dosing methods use human meter numbers, making it easier to follow. But we do have some people continuing to use pet meters. It is your choice.

For your education, you might want to take a look at other people's spreadsheets. I found it a great way to learn.
Click to expand...
Do I take a PMPS +3 tonight?
 
squeem3 said:
I was on TheCatSite for awhile. It's more for general cat questions and general socialization. I used to point the diabetic newbies to FDMB for more in depth help until the mods told me to stop 🤷‍♀️
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That's so bad. Especially if it's to help people. The guy on there talking to me is nice, but freaked me out and asked why I wasn't listening to my vet at 1 unit and taking others advice. I told him because these people know more.😅
Do you know if our think I should do a PMPS of +3 tonight? I don't want to stab him anymore than I have to. But I want to dry what's right.
 
Few people there have any actual experience with a diabetic cat so take any advice given there with a grain of salt.

I would get a +3 if possible.
 
Negative ketone test again. So happy. It can't all be bad.
Truth is, once I've given Nico a few days of watching closely, I need to take another girl into the vet. She has a LOT of the symptoms the one just diagnosed with cancer has, plus she's been a hard to control ibd cat for years. So....
Here's to hoping, but need to know.
 
Yes on that +3 test if you can, or +2 or +4, whatever in that range works for you.
Tyleete said:
Is there any chance he will ever have it peak at another time other than just the 4hrs after shot?
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Yes, it's possible as he starts seeing better numbers that his patterns will change. Right now he's basically high and flat, not really showing much of a Lantus curve yet.
 
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