Hello All! I'm CJ, and I'm here for M&M (not her real name), who is about 10, ESH, was a stray, and who was diagnosed with diabetes 15.10.2025, but also had liver enzymes through the roof, and upon ultrasound, a small mass on her gallbladder. If anyone has experience with anything similar, please do reach out. Not looking for doom-stories, but comparing notes could be helpful. The diagnosis came over the phone while driving in the car, and I experienced about a month of complete shock, near-panic, avoidance of what felt like certain-doom and financial ruin, and guilt and shame for not being capable or clear-headed enough emotionally to make the necessary decisions fast enough, and had to watch her losing weight rapidly while I waited on the Glucometer, because the vet who had made the diagnosis refused to treat her with insulin until I had the ability to monitor at home, and I had found out by trying with a human meter, that 8microliter is a LOT of blood to have to get from her ear. (Later I learned to massage them first, and gained more of an eye for where the middle is of the capillary puncture device), so i could aim better for the ear-vein. I bought an Alpha Trak3 bc it only requires 3 microliter of blood, but had to pay nearly 3 times the amount bc it was unavailable where I live, and took about 5 days to get here (fast considering they expected 8-10), but it sat in my house for a week as I could not for the life of me in my panicky-state, figure out how to understand the directions for setting it up. After pulling up my big-girl panties, and soothing myself, I decided to watch you-tube videos on how, which gave me the courage to finally really try. On top of this, that vet also shamed me for asking for my money back for a bottle of Senvelgo which never should have been ordered, because the cat had already had multiple positive test strips for Ketones in the urine. The excuse given was simply: at the time of their first consultation about the drug, low levels of Ketones were considered acceptable. I also had to wait first for Senvelgo to be ordered, had to wait a week to get an ultrasound, and was told that without the ultrasound there would be no prescription for insulin. So over 500 Euros later, and two months into the diagnosis, and 1.5 kilogram skinnier, I was finally smart enough to change vets and have been giving her 1.5 units of 40 I.E./mL Caninsulin twice daily. The same day as the diagnosis, I changed their food. I had long previously had them on a homemade raw food diet from www.felinenutrition.org/ Cat Lady Fitness's website, but my changing shift and busy life got me to change back to giving canned wet food in order to save time snd I thought, money. In reality, raw food has proven itself to be well worth it. So, this is already a long post, but I need to add our carrot: We're only on the second week of giving insulin, 1.5 units U-40 0.5ml Spritze with 40 I.E./ml and already she's gotten her first value under 200. It was 170. I'm so impressed, which surprises me, because i had read about Caninsulin not being supported for use in FD, and on this blog of others whose values only raised on it. That's what hers did too after a few days, but now it's going down.
Caninsulin and initially raising values
- Thread starter CJ3
- Start date
squeem3
Member Since 2009
Welcome!
What country are you located in? There may be a better insulin to use than Caninsulin which is for dogs.
There's some info on Caninsulin here: Caninsulin / Vetsulin and N / NPH
There are Human blood glucose meters that take a 0.3 microliter drop of blood, at least in the US and Canada and some other parts of the world. If you had difficulty getting an AlphaTrak, buying more expensive test strips will also be difficult.
The Felinenutrition raw recipe is fine for diabetic cats. So is the one at Catinfo.org. Canned food is good to leave out for snacks. Low carb is best. There might be a food chart for your country here: Links to FOOD CHARTS
What country are you located in? There may be a better insulin to use than Caninsulin which is for dogs.
There's some info on Caninsulin here: Caninsulin / Vetsulin and N / NPH
There are Human blood glucose meters that take a 0.3 microliter drop of blood, at least in the US and Canada and some other parts of the world. If you had difficulty getting an AlphaTrak, buying more expensive test strips will also be difficult.
The Felinenutrition raw recipe is fine for diabetic cats. So is the one at Catinfo.org. Canned food is good to leave out for snacks. Low carb is best. There might be a food chart for your country here: Links to FOOD CHARTS
Thank you! Yes, I read the same on here about "better" insulins, but at the rate she's improving I may get lucky and she'll go into remission. By law here you're supposed to try all the "lesser" insulins first, and only when the cat doesn't improve, then u can use the ones in use for humans. Prozinc would have been possible too, my Vet chose Caninsulin because it is the only one that you can buy a pen for, and her dose is extremely small so it would bring greater accuracy in measuring, if we could use a pen. I personally appreciate that it is shorter-acting, because soon, I will have to go back to work, and no one will be here to be certain she isn't going into hypoglycemia. I'm in Germany, I bought the Alpha Trak from Switzerland and additional strips now from France. From France was easier/fast/less expensive, and I'm very happy after the initial difficulties, with the Alpha Trak, so for now I'll go with that. I read Caninsulin is from pigs, is that true? I don't really like that idea very much. I also heard it may be synthetic, which also doesn't sound so good. Does anyone want to expand upon that? What I read about human meters is that because of something having to do with the average distance between bloodcells in humans bei g very different than in cats, the values you will get will always be lower than what they actually have. I wanted accuracy, so I got one "validated" for animals.
Every time she gets a snack any time outside of feeding time, the evening value is very high, so I stopped letting her snack.
Thank u for the link to Catinfo.org, I'll check that out. Also for the Food Charts, I'll take a look. Thank u so very much for responding so soon.
squeem3
Member Since 2009
Before pet blood glucose meters were made, all vets used Human blood glucose meters and all diabetic studies published in veterinary journals used Human blood glucose meters. Pet meters tend to read lower than a Human meter so just keep that in mind. Pet meter are no more accurate than a Human meter.
There have been German members here on the board. I'm not sure if any are still active. There are some European members, some newbies from Greece and others in the UK and other parts of Europe.
Caninsulin is made from purified pig insulin. Pig insulin is chemically similar to dog insulin. Makes sense since Caninsulin is really for dogs not cats.
There have been German members here on the board. I'm not sure if any are still active. There are some European members, some newbies from Greece and others in the UK and other parts of Europe.
Caninsulin is made from purified pig insulin. Pig insulin is chemically similar to dog insulin. Makes sense since Caninsulin is really for dogs not cats.
Staci & Ivy
Member Since 2022
Hi and welcome, sorry about all you’ve been through!!Thank you! Yes, I read the same on here about "better" insulins, but at the rate she's improving I may get lucky and she'll go into remission. By law here you're supposed to try all the "lesser" insulins first, and only when the cat doesn't improve, then u can use the ones in use for humans. Prozinc would have been possible too, my Vet chose Caninsulin because it is the only one that you can buy a pen for, and her dose is extremely small so it would bring greater accuracy in measuring, if we could use a pen. I personally appreciate that it is shorter-acting, because soon, I will have to go back to work, and no one will be here to be certain she isn't going into hypoglycemia. I'm in Germany, I bought the Alpha Trak from Switzerland and additional strips now from France. From France was easier/fast/less expensive, and I'm very happy after the initial difficulties, with the Alpha Trak, so for now I'll go with that. I read Caninsulin is from pigs, is that true? I don't really like that idea very much. I also heard it may be synthetic, which also doesn't sound so good. Does anyone want to expand upon that? What I read about human meters is that because of something having to do with the average distance between bloodcells in humans bei g very different than in cats, the values you will get will always be lower than what they actually have. I wanted accuracy, so I got one "validated" for animals.
Every time she gets a snack any time outside of feeding time, the evening value is very high, so I stopped letting her snack.
Thank u for the link to Catinfo.org, I'll check that out. Also for the Food Charts, I'll take a look. Thank u so very much for responding so soon.
It’s great you’re here and we can help get you on your way to a better future.
@Heike & BInie is in Germany and uses Lantus for Binie.
I’m sure she can give you any suggestions if you need help!
Wishing you both all good things
Heike & BInie
Member Since 2024
Hi TJ, I am living in Germany. If there is anything I can help you with like tipps where to buy supplies, cat food etc., just ask. I know how overwhelming it is, especially in the beginning. I am sorry your vet experience was so unhelpful. Where are you located? If you are in the Rhein-Neckar region, I can recommend my vet, who described lantus right away. You are in a good place here and you will get so much good advice and guidance. I wish you and M&M all the best and just let me know, if I can help.
Oh, i just wrote u a message, but i think it was a post Instead. Just seeing your message now. Thank you so much for your warm welcome
No, I don't know where to say I am bc I don't know Rhein-Neckar-- if I say Hessen is that the same basic size as the area u gave? 
Yes please what size needle tips work best for u? I tried 12mm from my vet, felt too long. Now 8mm from the Apotheke feels too short. U-40 0,5 ml is whst I need. But the needle lengths and thicknesses are not clear to me what is "standard"Oh, i just wrote u a message, but i think it was a post Instead. Just seeing your message now. Thank you so much for your warm welcome
Heike & BInie
Member Since 2024
I am not familiar with Caninsulin and I think you need different kind of syringes for it than for lantus (U-40 syringes instead of U-100 like for lantus). I use 8 mm needles which works good for us. The syringes I use have 30G for thickness. Maybe Caninsulin users on the Caninsulin board have good adivce for U-40 syringes.
If you found a syringe which works for you and M&M try to buy it online. The Apotheke prices are insane.
Heike & BInie
Member Since 2024
Hessen is the neighboring state and I live close to Hessen. The vet is located in Schriesheim near Heidelberg/Mannheim if you are somewhere near.Oh, i just wrote u a message, but i think it was a post Instead. Just seeing your message now. Thank you so much for your warm welcome
very helpful for reference, thank u
squeem3
Member Since 2009
If you want to attempt to use U100 syringes with Caninsulin, then read this before you buy syringes: Insulin Conversions - Felinediabetes.com
If the dose conversion is too much for you to figure out, then stick with U40 syringes for your cat's safety.
There is no in between needle length between 8 mm and 12 mm. Many people prefer 8 mm. Needle gauge is preference. 30 or 31 gauge is good. You only need a syringe that holds up to 0.3 ml of insulin. Few cats need more than a few units of insulin at a time so there's no point to use a 0.5 ml syringe. Some U40 syringes that are 0.3 ml also have half unit markings which are make it easy to measure half unit and quarter unit doses which some cats need.
If the dose conversion is too much for you to figure out, then stick with U40 syringes for your cat's safety.
There is no in between needle length between 8 mm and 12 mm. Many people prefer 8 mm. Needle gauge is preference. 30 or 31 gauge is good. You only need a syringe that holds up to 0.3 ml of insulin. Few cats need more than a few units of insulin at a time so there's no point to use a 0.5 ml syringe. Some U40 syringes that are 0.3 ml also have half unit markings which are make it easy to measure half unit and quarter unit doses which some cats need.
Whaaaat?! I can get 0,3 ml Syringes?!?!? I did not find any!!! Pharmacist said 0,5 is the absolute smallest they can get! Of course that would be wayyy better! Thanks for the clarification on needle length
. Gauge didn't matter to me as long as I can safely flick out any bubble while still in the vial without breaking or bending it (the needle), and as long as it will easily go through the skin of the kitty. Do u have guidelines about how often I need to be checking on her during the Nadir during the "getting the right dose" phase? I am exhausted and less able to be patient and calm when I take the sample in the mornings because i've been setting an alarm for at least every 2 hours if i go to sleep before the Nadir is over, and even then, i often wake up a bit nervous that something has happened in my sleep. If the value was low, like last night--i set the alarm for every hour. She also *usually* sleeps right next to me, so i just scratch her, see how alert she seems when responding, if there's any doubt make her get up to see if she wobbles at all, if she does I test, then go back to sleep. Am I doing both of us more harm than good? What are the most reliable outward signs that a cat is actually in hypoglycemia that isn't also shared with high glycemic states? Breaths per minute? Also, she's stopped tolerating the ear massages because she knows the prick is coming--what can I do to get her to not mind the process? What can I do to make it hurt less? I don't own a microwave but I thought about holding something warm to the ear instead of rubbing, and turn it into a massage. How do u guys leave your cats and go to work? Do u have a kitty cam? Is that reliable? I read on here, one lady adjusted the dose every time-- bc she took a lot of values, and "knew" exactly how her cat reacted to what does when with what food-- is that recommended, or was it specific to that cat, that that worked?Whaaaat?! I can get 0,3 ml Syringes?!?!? I did not find any!!! Pharmacist said 0,5 is the absolute smallest they can get! Of course that would be wayyy better! Thanks for the clarification on needle length
Staci & Ivy
Member Since 2022
You can take a pill bottle filled with hot/warm water and hold it against her ear (test it against your wrist to make sure it’s not too hot first). That will warm up her ear gently. Or you can massage the ears if she will let you.
Below is an excellent link to information about testing and giving insulin to kitty
Info - TESTING AND SHOOTING TIPS
squeem3
Member Since 2009
Yes. Here is one brand that US members use:
Something similar may be available in Germany / Europe. U40 is for pets so Human pharmacists may not be aware of these syringes. Can you order syringes online in Europe?
I'm not familiar with Canisulin so can't advise on that. There might be info here: Sticky - BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO CANINSULIN/VETSULIN
For all insulins, you always test before giving insulin. In between the insulin shots you can do random tests to see how the insulin is working for your cat. Log the test numbers in some way so you can track any trends. Paper and pencil works fine in a pinch but a shareable online spreadsheet is best if you need advice from this board. The spreadsheet instructions are here: https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/how-to-create-a-spreadsheet.241706/
Print these out:
Sticky - How to treat HYPOS - THEY CAN KILL! Print this Out!!
Sticky - jojo and bunny's HYPO TOOL BOX
A small pill bottle filled with very warm / not quite hot water will work. Or pre-heat a coffee mug with very hot water for a few minutes, empty the water out and use the now warm mug to warm the ear up. You would kind of wrap the ear around the mug. There's also soaking a washcloth in very hot water, wringing the water out, place the washcloth inside a baggie, and then using that to warm the ear. The washcloth method has never worked for me but it works for some people.
Something similar may be available in Germany / Europe. U40 is for pets so Human pharmacists may not be aware of these syringes. Can you order syringes online in Europe?
I'm not familiar with Canisulin so can't advise on that. There might be info here: Sticky - BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO CANINSULIN/VETSULIN
For all insulins, you always test before giving insulin. In between the insulin shots you can do random tests to see how the insulin is working for your cat. Log the test numbers in some way so you can track any trends. Paper and pencil works fine in a pinch but a shareable online spreadsheet is best if you need advice from this board. The spreadsheet instructions are here: https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/how-to-create-a-spreadsheet.241706/
Print these out:
Sticky - How to treat HYPOS - THEY CAN KILL! Print this Out!!
Sticky - jojo and bunny's HYPO TOOL BOX
A small pill bottle filled with very warm / not quite hot water will work. Or pre-heat a coffee mug with very hot water for a few minutes, empty the water out and use the now warm mug to warm the ear up. You would kind of wrap the ear around the mug. There's also soaking a washcloth in very hot water, wringing the water out, place the washcloth inside a baggie, and then using that to warm the ear. The washcloth method has never worked for me but it works for some people.
Staci & Ivy
Member Since 2022
You asked:
Do u have a kitty cam? Is that reliable? I read on here, one lady adjusted the dose every time-- bc she took a lot of values, and "knew" exactly how her cat reacted to what does when with what food-- is that recommended, or was it specific to that cat, that that worked?
My reply:
I do have a kitty cam, (any will do, baby cam, etc, pretty inexpensive )
it works great as I can check my cat whenever I like to see what she’s doing. I usually check to see if she is eating the snacks that I leave for her from her timed automatic feeder, a recommended tool if you are not home or even to use overnight.
It is recommended to feed kitty several small snack snacks during each cycle as the insulin is onsetting.
Just as a human diabetic would eat small snacks or meals throughout the day to keep their glucose steady, it is recommended to do the same with cats instead of feeding two meals only per day.
I use Lantus, which is a Depot insulin, and it onsets (kicks in) between two and three hours after it is given.
I give my cat a small snack at 1,2 & 3 hours after the insulin is given, about 1.5 tablespoons each time, which is portioned out from her main meal each cycle. It helps to keep her BG from diving too fast and too hard.
Also, it is not recommended to change the dose every time you give a dose of insulin.
We recommend following one of 2 protocols with Lantus (SLGS or TR, tight regulation, and increases in insulin are based nadirs (how low the dose is taking your cat) and not the PS, pre-shot BG number.
Not sure if you’ve read this since you’re using this insulin for now:
Sticky - BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO CANINSULIN/VETSULIN
Here is information about choosing a protocol to help get your cat regulated ****(when using Lantus)
Sticky - Dosing Methods: Start Low, Go Slow (SLGS) & Tight Regulation (TR)
There is a lot of information and on this website for you to read.
Please keep asking questions!
Do u have a kitty cam? Is that reliable? I read on here, one lady adjusted the dose every time-- bc she took a lot of values, and "knew" exactly how her cat reacted to what does when with what food-- is that recommended, or was it specific to that cat, that that worked?
My reply:
I do have a kitty cam, (any will do, baby cam, etc, pretty inexpensive )
it works great as I can check my cat whenever I like to see what she’s doing. I usually check to see if she is eating the snacks that I leave for her from her timed automatic feeder, a recommended tool if you are not home or even to use overnight.
It is recommended to feed kitty several small snack snacks during each cycle as the insulin is onsetting.
Just as a human diabetic would eat small snacks or meals throughout the day to keep their glucose steady, it is recommended to do the same with cats instead of feeding two meals only per day.
I use Lantus, which is a Depot insulin, and it onsets (kicks in) between two and three hours after it is given.
I give my cat a small snack at 1,2 & 3 hours after the insulin is given, about 1.5 tablespoons each time, which is portioned out from her main meal each cycle. It helps to keep her BG from diving too fast and too hard.
Also, it is not recommended to change the dose every time you give a dose of insulin.
We recommend following one of 2 protocols with Lantus (SLGS or TR, tight regulation, and increases in insulin are based nadirs (how low the dose is taking your cat) and not the PS, pre-shot BG number.
Not sure if you’ve read this since you’re using this insulin for now:
Sticky - BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO CANINSULIN/VETSULIN
Here is information about choosing a protocol to help get your cat regulated ****(when using Lantus)
Sticky - Dosing Methods: Start Low, Go Slow (SLGS) & Tight Regulation (TR)
There is a lot of information and on this website for you to read.
Please keep asking questions!
Thank u, yes i see there is a ton, it felt like a sea, and I was overwhelmed. Thanks for responding the way you did. I'll take it one bite at a time. Her BG, until about a week and a half of giving insulin, had never dropped below 360, and just recently with a one time dose increase from 1.5 to 2 units, dropped below 200 (first time, by now I've caught it three times). On Caninsulin (I should have explained better in my first post) it was like it averaged her scores at first and was keeping them at that average, which was between 400 and 500 which felt higher, bc in my curve of 24 hours before insulin, she had many values between 360 and just under 400-- but she also occaisionally had a spike of between 600 and 670 which was terrifying, but always was right before her next meal, and always rapidly dropped after the meal even though no insulin was given yet. Weird, huh?! After starting insulin, I only measured directly before for safety, and 2 hours after to make sure it was going down, or at least not up, bc she started to fight me about being tested). This was for four days. Only once during those four days did her value ever get below 300, but it was significant bc it never had before--and it was 262. After about a week and a half of giving 1.5 units we planned to give 2,0 units the next meal, and that pre-meal value was 286-- so we waited till the evening dose to raise it. The evening pre-meal value was however, again 267--but because her values had never dropped below 300 before this, and I was about to feed her, and still had a lot of room to go down and still be within "safe" values- we decided to give 2 units anyway. I tested that night 4 hours after and it was 170 (!). The next morning, however, it was 660, and I had not slept a wink bc I kept checking on her every hour to two hours, and in my confusion in the morning i think i gave 1,5 instead of 2. That evening it was (pre-meal) 410 and i know I gave 1,5 then. Then this morning out of the blue, pre-Meal it was 170You asked:
Do u have a kitty cam? Is that reliable? I read on here, one lady adjusted the dose every time-- bc she took a lot of values, and "knew" exactly how her cat reacted to what does when with what food-- is that recommended, or was it specific to that cat, that that worked?
My reply:
I do have a kitty cam, (any will do, baby cam, etc, pretty inexpensive )
it works great as I can check my cat whenever I like to see what she’s doing. I usually check to see if she is eating the snacks that I leave for her from her timed automatic feeder, a recommended tool if you are not home or even to use overnight.
It is recommended to feed kitty several small snack snacks during each cycle as the insulin is onsetting.
Just as a human diabetic would eat small snacks or meals throughout the day to keep their glucose steady, it is recommended to do the same with cats instead of feeding two meals only per day.
I use Lantus, which is a Depot insulin, and it onsets (kicks in) between two and three hours after it is given.
I give my cat a small snack at 1,2 & 3 hours after the insulin is given, about 1.5 tablespoons each time, which is portioned out from her main meal each cycle. It helps to keep her BG from diving too fast and too hard.
Also, it is not recommended to change the dose every time you give a dose of insulin.
We recommend following one of 2 protocols with Lantus (SLGS or TR, tight regulation, and increases in insulin are based nadirs (how low the dose is taking your cat) and not the PS, pre-shot BG number.
Not sure if you’ve read this since you’re using this insulin for now:
Sticky - BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO CANINSULIN/VETSULIN
Here is information about choosing a protocol to help get your cat regulated ****(when using Lantus)
Sticky - Dosing Methods: Start Low, Go Slow (SLGS) & Tight Regulation (TR)
There is a lot of information and on this website for you to read.
Please keep asking questions!
. So I had to call the vet, and she needed to consult the diabetologist herself, to make sure, and it took 1,5 hours to get an answer, and at 10:20 (2 hours after testing) I measured again and it was 234, and I wanted to feed her and give 1,5 and that's what we did. 2 hours later it was only 255, so I'm ok with that. I'll test again at 4 hours postprandial, and tomorrow do a curve (didn't think the values would be very representative today since she had to wait 1.5 hours for food & insulin.) My strong feeling is that when I keep her super-calm, her values are influenced by that and depending on the other internal factors, may be lower. When I have had to prick her more than once due to lack of blood, the value is I think, higher than it may have been before the stress. Has anyone else noticed similar? My vet says anything over 200 is not stress related, but have u all experienced otherwise? PS. Just now, 4 hours after food + insulin, she's at 144! 
That's our lowest value ever so far 
.
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