Hi there,
I am new and found this group after much desperation for help. My cat Lynx was diagnosed with diabetes end of September when he had an I&D of an anal gland abscess. We started at 1u of Lantus BID. Had numbers in the high 20 mmol’s. Eventually we went up to 4u BID. After a diet modification. We had a sudden drop from high mid 20mmol’s to 7.5mmol, 4.7 mmol and then to a 3.7mmol. I reached out to my vet in which he had advised to decrease to 3u BID. As a nurse, I knew deep down that this was not right but I was told time and time again that insulin with cats is not the same as humans. Last Tuesday, I woke up in the middle of the night with my cat convulsing. Sugars were 1.4mmol. I rushed him to an animal hospital 35 minutes away and by some miracle, he survived without issues. I feel so much guilt for going against my intuition, especially as a nurse. Now, we have started from scratch. We are on 1u Lantus BID but I am terrified. I can’t seem to get any clear direction. The vet from the animal hospital that saved him never called me back when I had further questions. My local vet seems to be too aggressive with the insulin. I do not trust him because I had provided my readings and description and still decided to give insulin which almost resulted in the death of my cat. I have no idea when to withhold a shot. I have read if below 10mmol, then hold. Does anyone have any insight. I did see the TR protocol from this forum. Lynx eats fancy feast 4 times a day 1/2 can each time. I am so scared. I can’t believe what happened with absolutely no accountability, especially given the $$ that was spent to save him. It’s been a rough 5 weeks. Any guidance and support would be lovely.
I am new and found this group after much desperation for help. My cat Lynx was diagnosed with diabetes end of September when he had an I&D of an anal gland abscess. We started at 1u of Lantus BID. Had numbers in the high 20 mmol’s. Eventually we went up to 4u BID. After a diet modification. We had a sudden drop from high mid 20mmol’s to 7.5mmol, 4.7 mmol and then to a 3.7mmol. I reached out to my vet in which he had advised to decrease to 3u BID. As a nurse, I knew deep down that this was not right but I was told time and time again that insulin with cats is not the same as humans. Last Tuesday, I woke up in the middle of the night with my cat convulsing. Sugars were 1.4mmol. I rushed him to an animal hospital 35 minutes away and by some miracle, he survived without issues. I feel so much guilt for going against my intuition, especially as a nurse. Now, we have started from scratch. We are on 1u Lantus BID but I am terrified. I can’t seem to get any clear direction. The vet from the animal hospital that saved him never called me back when I had further questions. My local vet seems to be too aggressive with the insulin. I do not trust him because I had provided my readings and description and still decided to give insulin which almost resulted in the death of my cat. I have no idea when to withhold a shot. I have read if below 10mmol, then hold. Does anyone have any insight. I did see the TR protocol from this forum. Lynx eats fancy feast 4 times a day 1/2 can each time. I am so scared. I can’t believe what happened with absolutely no accountability, especially given the $$ that was spent to save him. It’s been a rough 5 weeks. Any guidance and support would be lovely.
If you don't feel the current vet knows what they're doing, seek out a new vet. 
It's your cat and you make the decisions. Many people here only use their vet for checks ups and the like and a prescription for insulin.
. I feel like no vet in my proximity actually cares. I’ve reached out to two others and they are just as nonchalant. I might have experience but I am not a physician. How am I supposed to know when to increase or decrease doses and to which amounts.
But she still prescribed Caninsulin to start as that is what she knew. Thankfully Lantus sees to be more commonly prescribed first now.
(thanks for the tag Karolina)
. You may see here on the forum a saying that every cat is different (ECID). This is indeed very true, since every cat will metabolize the insulin differently, and will also have a different sensitivity to carbs. It is important for every caregiver to learn how their own cat responds to insulin and carbs.