? Plan to switch from Caninsulin to Lantus. Any advice on dosing?

Hello team! After a long struggle, I’m finally making the switch from Caninsulin to Lantus. I spoke again with my primary vet. He was honest and told me that although he has no experience with Lantus, he is willing to support me and see how things go. He prescribed Lantus for me and asked me to bring him Maggie’s numbers in about 10 days so we can evaluate where we are. Unfortunately, he cannot help me with dosing.
After a lot of effort, I also managed to find a second vet who prescribes both Caninsulin and Lantus. I have an appointment with him today to see if he can help with dosing and to assess his knowledge of Lantus. To be honest, in Greece most vets have little to no experience with this insulin. Because I no longer fully trust vets when it comes to feline diabetes, I would truly appreciate your help. If any of the experienced members here could guide me with starting doses, I would be extremely grateful !! All of Maggie’s data are in the spreadsheet linked in my signature. Please note that the dose shown there is based on U-100 syringes, not the U-40 syringes used for Caninsulin. After conversion, her actual current dose is 1.2u of Caninsulin

The reason I decided to make this transition (besides everything I’ve learned here, for which I am deeply thankful) is that after almost two months on Caninsulin, I have almost never seen her preshot numbers come down. At nadir, Maggie can reach relatively good numbers, but the preshots remain very high. For example, today her AM preshot was 349, and at +3.5 she dropped to 96. I would greatly appreciate your guidance and reassurance. I’m honestly very scared about this transition and what to expect from this decision. I truly hope I’m doing the right thing.

I also want to mention that I’m actively trying to transition Maggie from dry food to wet food. I know from this forum that dry food is a poor choice, but we were initially advised by our vet to feed Royal Canin Diabetic dry. I’m now slowly transitioning her to Purina DM wet food, which she actually likes. This is our 2nd attempt at switching to wet food. The first time we stopped because of vomiting, which now seems unrelated to the wet food itself. At the moment, I’m moving extremely slowly due to Maggie’s very sensitive stomach: every 2 days I add 1 teaspoon of wet food and remove the equivalent amount of dry food, in every of her 2 meals. Right now, she eats 30gr wet food and 64 g dry food per day (she would normally eat 68g if she were on dry food only). I know the road to a full transition is still long, but I’m certain that going any faster would fail. Currently, she eats half of her daily food within 1,5-2 hours after the injection and we follow the exact same routine for the evening shot. I hand-feed her to make sure she eats. Hand-feeding has honestly been exhausting for the past two months....

For safety, this is the testing schedule we’re planning to follow during the first days of Lantus:
6.00 AM preshot + injection, +3 test before leaving for work, +6 test (we can come home briefly for about 5 minutes), Then a large gap in which she will be alone at home until +11,5 when I return home
In the evening: 6.00PM preshot + injection, +3 test & +6 test before going to bed
That means a total of 6 tests daily. Do you think this schedule is safe for my girl? Honestly… I am terrified.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this, and thank you in advance for any help or guidance you can offer.

Hello & good morning!
I cannot advise you on the dose, at I know it can be different from one type to the other and I know nothing of your previous one.
Just wanted to drop in to say I too had to go my cats and. From Prozinc to Lantus. My boy never got to good numbers and was in the red and black daily. So after a month, we switched him over. There were other reasons I also pushed for Lantus. Lantus has gentler curves. Like you were explaining the giant drops that are more common with other insulin, are fewer with Lantus from studies. That greatly appealed to me. Also the chance of hypo numbers (probably due to the flatter curve), is less. And then there's the price, which wasn't my thought at the time, but $35 sure beats over $100 any day.
You're probably going to be tossed a bunch of links, but I can say most of us feed our diabetic pets 4-6x a day. I actually argued it out with my vet, who insisted no more than 3. My mother was diabetic and she had to eat 5 small meals a day. It helps regulate the system throughout. So ignoring my vet, I started feeding him at preshot, +2,+4, preshot pm, +2, +4. It was what was suggested to me here at the site. But I stay home and have that ability. You do what you can. But several meals is best. As for your testing, 6x is good. And that's awesome you'll be able to slip in to grab that other number. Hopefully you'll either find remission or regulation shortly, and won't need the 6x a day. I typically only checked 4-5x. That long stint after your check should be fine alone and without checks. After the nadir, it's typically a slow rise anyhow. My cat did amazing with Lantus by the way. And though I know he was the oddball around here, he went into remission after being in it for a month.
Welcome to Lantus Land & pictures are appreciated.

Oh yeah, you might want to go into putting the prefix to the '?' in the title. So those with experience will know you have a question. It will get the thread more attention for your needs.

Tyleete said:

Hello & good morning!
I cannot advise you on the dose, at I know it can be different from one type to the other and I know nothing of your previous one.
Just wanted to drop in to say I too had to go my cats and. From Prozinc to Lantus. My boy never got to good numbers and was in the red and black daily. So after a month, we switched him over. There were other reasons I also pushed for Lantus. Lantus has gentler curves. Like you were explaining the giant drops that are more common with other insulin, are fewer with Lantus from studies. That greatly appealed to me. Also the chance of hypo numbers (probably due to the flatter curve), is less. And then there's the price, which wasn't my thought at the time, but $35 sure beats over $100 any day.
You're probably going to be tossed a bunch of links, but I can say most of us feed our diabetic pets 4-6x a day. I actually argued it out with my vet, who insisted no more than 3. My mother was diabetic and she had to eat 5 small meals a day. It helps regulate the system throughout. So ignoring my vet, I started feeding him at preshot, +2,+4, preshot pm, +2, +4. It was what was suggested to me here at the site. But I stay home and have that ability. You do what you can. But several meals is best. As for your testing, 6x is good. And that's awesome you'll be able to slip in to grab that other number. Hopefully you'll either find remission or regulation shortly, and won't need the 6x a day. I typically only checked 4-5x. That long stint after your check should be fine alone and without checks. After the nadir, it's typically a slow rise anyhow. My cat did amazing with Lantus by the way. And though I know he was the oddball around here, he went into remission after being in it for a month.
Welcome to Lantus Land & pictures are appreciated.

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Hello and thank you so much for taking the time to reply!

Hello Nico΄s mom!
Your message truly helped calm me down, and I really appreciate you sharing your experience. Hearing positive stories about switching to Lantus makes this whole transition feel a little less scary.
The gentler curves you mentioned are exactly one of the reasons I decided to push for this change. Those big drops on Caninsulin are what frighten me the most, especially when her preshots stay high but she drops very fast early in the cycle. Knowing that Lantus tends to be flatter and more predictable gives me hope.
Thank you for all the information about the feeding schedule. Unfortunately, because of work, I can’t feed as often as I’d like, but I’m trying to do the best I can within our limitations. Hopefully, once things stabilize, i hope it will get easier.
Thank you as well for the reassurance about the testing schedule. That really helped ease my anxiety. And your story about your boy going into remission after only a month on Lantus is incredibly encouraging! even if it’s rare, it’s wonderful to hear.


Thank you again for the warm welcome to “Lantus Land.” I truly appreciate the support here.
Pictures will definitely come soon!

hellen_maggie said:

Hello and thank you so much for taking the time to reply!

Hello Nico΄s mom!
Your message truly helped calm me down, and I really appreciate you sharing your experience. Hearing positive stories about switching to Lantus makes this whole transition feel a little less scary.
The gentler curves you mentioned are exactly one of the reasons I decided to push for this change. Those big drops on Caninsulin are what frighten me the most, especially when her preshots stay high but she drops very fast early in the cycle. Knowing that Lantus tends to be flatter and more predictable gives me hope.
Thank you for all the information about the feeding schedule. Unfortunately, because of work, I can’t feed as often as I’d like, but I’m trying to do the best I can within our limitations. Hopefully, once things stabilize, i hope it will get easier.
Thank you as well for the reassurance about the testing schedule. That really helped ease my anxiety. And your story about your boy going into remission after only a month on Lantus is incredibly encouraging! even if it’s rare, it’s wonderful to hear.


Thank you again for the warm welcome to “Lantus Land.” I truly appreciate the support here.
Pictures will definitely come soon!

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Sometimes it just happens that way. My boys pancreas just started working once we got 3.75unit. I was so afraid it was a high amount, but that's what it took to kickstart it. Another newer person to diabetes on here; her cat was diagnosed in beginning of November and she's been going down in dosing and it's down to the impossible (to measure) 0.1unit twice daily. And doing great! It's only a matter of time for her cat too. Since coming to the Lantus board, I've probably seen 5 go through the Off The Juice trials successfully. So I definitely love the results seen with Lantus. I had only hoped for regulation myself. So it was a lovely surprise. Hang in there, and never be afraid to share your concerns or questions. We've all been there.
Also, if you can feed before you go to work. Either at the +2 or +3, or would be helpful for your little one. They say Lantus onset is typically at +2, and that's why it's suggested to feed then. To help them with the initial drop when the insulin takes effect.
Or so it was explained to me. Many will try to feed at the +4 or +6 I believe for the nadir. But as you said, that's not possible. So we do what we can to help. But the first feeding at onset will help. I'm sure others will come in with much more info. This is my 2nd diabetic and birth went into remission in 2 months, so I don't have the vast experience many do.

Tyleete said:

Sometimes it just happens that way. My boys pancreas just started working once we got 3.75unit. I was so afraid it was a high amount, but that's what it took to kickstart it. Another newer person to diabetes on here; her cat was diagnosed in beginning of November and she's been going down in dosing and it's down to the impossible (to measure) 0.1unit twice daily. And doing great! It's only a matter of time for her cat too. Since coming to the Lantus board, I've probably seen 5 go through the Off The Juice trials successfully. So I definitely love the results seen with Lantus. I had only hoped for regulation myself. So it was a lovely surprise. Hang in there, and never be afraid to share your concerns or questions. We've all been there.
Also, if you can feed before you go to work. Either at the +2 or +3, or would be helpful for your little one. They say Lantus onset is typically at +2, and that's why it's suggested to feed then. To help them with the initial drop when the insulin takes effect.
Or so it was explained to me. Many will try to feed at the +4 or +6 I believe for the nadir. But as you said, that's not possible. So we do what we can to help. But the first feeding at onset will help. I'm sure others will come in with much more info. This is my 2nd diabetic and birth went into remission in 2 months, so I don't have the vast experience many do.

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The support and encouragement I’m getting is honestly invaluable and gives me the confidence I need to take this big step. Reading experiences like yours, and knowing that others have walked this path before me, makes me feel far less alone and much more hopeful.Thank you again, from the bottom of my heart, for the kindness, reassurance, and boost of courage. It truly makes a difference.

Hi! I know this is all a bit daunting, but I'm so glad to hear that you're taking these steps with Maggie. I think you'll really see a significant improvement with Lantus, though it may not happen all at once/right away.

1u is a common starting dose, although I'm not sure when the cat has already been on another insulin! I'm going to tag a few folks who have more experience. @Wendy&Neko @Christie & Maverick @tiffmaxee

Please edit your first post in this thread, and using the dropdown menu of prefixes to the left of the title, select the "?" prefix and save. Having that little blue "?" will help get attention faster, as well!

A programmable timed feeder will allow your cat to have small meals throughout the day.

Hello and welcome from someone else who made the switch from Caninsulin to Lantus. My girl's insulin also wore off well before the next shot. I also had a vet who didn't know Lantus. A locum vet told me to buy Lantus and look to FDMB for dosing help.

When someone switches from one of the in and out insulins like Caninsulin or Prozinc, we look at how their kitty is doing on the existing dose. Since Maggie is seeing some greens on 1.2 unit of Caninsulin, we might back the dose off a bit to start, so 1.0 units of Lantus on those U-100 syringes. Some cats show a strong reaction to the switch. So make sure you switch when you can monitor closely.

Good luck with the switch, I hope both you and Maggie do well with Lantus.

Wendy&Neko said:

Hello and welcome from someone else who made the switch from Caninsulin to Lantus. My girl's insulin also wore off well before the next shot. I also had a vet who didn't know Lantus. A locum vet told me to buy Lantus and look to FDMB for dosing help.

When someone switches from one of the in and out insulins like Caninsulin or Prozinc, we look at how their kitty is doing on the existing dose. Since Maggie is seeing some greens on 1.2 unit of Caninsulin, we might back the dose off a bit to start, so 1.0 units of Lantus on those U-100 syringes. Some cats show a strong reaction to the switch. So make sure you switch when you can monitor closely.

Good luck with the switch, I hope both you and Maggie do well with Lantus.

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thank you so much for the information Wendy&Neko, really appreciate it!

Good luck with the switch. You will be glad you did. Just ask questions whenever er you have any.

Good luck with the switch! It was such a good decision for us, and I feel sure it will be for you and Maggie!

When you do the switch, leave a blank line in the spreadsheet after the last Caninsulin shot and label it "start Lantus" so we can easily see when in happens.

Here is our latest update:
Tomorrow we are finally switching to Lantus. The past two weeks have been extremely difficult, as my girl developed a very severe allergic reaction. Her ears, the area above her eyes, and between her eyes and ears became covered with redness and pimples, which, due to intense scratching, turned into open sores. Because of this, I couldn’t find a safe place on her ears to test her blood glucose, which delayed our transition to the new insulin.
Fortunately, with ointments prescribed by the vet, chamomile washes, and a lot of patience, Maggie is much better now, and we are finally able to move forward.
@Sienne and Gabby (GA) I followed your advice and thank you so much for it. In an effort to determine whether the allergy might be food related, I searched extensively for a monoprotein food with a novel protein that Maggie has never eaten before. We tried some new wet food (such us Lucky You Monoprotein Lamb) in a very small amount, but she vomited shortly afterward. The same has been happening frequently with the wet food she was previously eating (some grams of Purina Pro Plan containing chicken). All of my attempts to switch her to wet food have failed, and she has even ended up at the vet twice with vomiting and diarrhea due to wet food. At this point, I’m honestly desperate and afraid she may never tolerate wet food.
Trying to find an alternative, I chose Ziwi Peak Air-Dried Venison, as it is closer to kibble than wet food, and I am hoping she will accept it better. It was very difficult to find but finally it arrived just last night. I offered her a very small piece, slightly moistened with lukewarm water, and she seemed to eat it willingly, although at first she didn’t even realize it was food. I know Ziwi is a very calorie-dense food, so I plan to introduce it extremely slowly to avoid upsetting her stomach. Given the circumstances, I would really appreciate your opinion on whether this food is a reasonable choice for my girl.
Tomorrow morning she will receive her first Lantus injection, and I’m unsure when I should attempt the food transition. Should I wait a few days on the new insulin before starting Ziwi, and if so, how dangerous is it to go from the 28% carbohydrates she is currently eating (RC Diabetic) to Ziwi, which has approximately 3% carbs? I would really appreciate your guidance on this transition, as I believe I may need to reduce the insulin dose at the same time. Based on the guidance I received here (@Wendy&Neko thank you), my plan is to start with 1 unit.
I am also very worried about not having a proper safety cushion in case her blood glucose drops too low. I cannot use high or medium carb wet food, as she has reacted very badly to wet food in the past. I have small jars of honey placed around the house, and I was thinking of crushing some Royal Canin Diabetic dry food with a little lukewarm water and giving her one teaspoon if her blood glucose drops between 60 and 80? and below 60 giving honey? for example half a teaspoon? I would really appreciate your feedback on whether this is a safe approach, as I will feel much more confident knowing exactly what to do in advance.
Additionally, I have obtained slippery elm and gave her a very small amount today. She seemed to tolerate it well, and I truly hope it will help with her stomach issues and vomiting. I have also read that it may even help with allergies.
Finally, I am starting this new journey with Lantus without any veterinary guidance on dosing, as there is no vet, at least in Athens, who is familiar with Lantus (and believe me,I have honestly visited many of them!). I am beginning this journey hoping for your guidance and support, as you are truly the only ones I trust. Thank you so much, I am really lucky to have found you

Are you home testing her for ketones? The reason I'm asking is I want to make sure you test for ketones when you start her on Lantus, as it can take a few days for the depot to build. And it looks like she has some sort of inflammation/infection happening. Given the food transition, I might suggest a slightly lower dose to start, but only if her ketones are negative.

Make any food transition slowly, maybe 10% of the new food per day, and increasing that % slowly over time. Transitioning your cat from dry to wet food

Wendy&Neko said:

Are you home testing her for ketones? The reason I'm asking is I want to make sure you test for ketones when you start her on Lantus, as it can take a few days for the depot to build. And it looks like she has some sort of inflammation/infection happening. Given the food transition, I might suggest a slightly lower dose to start, but only if her ketones are negative.

Make any food transition slowly, maybe 10% of the new food per day, and increasing that % slowly over time. Transitioning your cat from dry to wet food

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No, I haven't t check for ketones recently. I was ready to shot....thanks for telling me. I won't change until I check....

Wendy&Neko said:

Are you home testing her for ketones? The reason I'm asking is I want to make sure you test for ketones when you start her on Lantus, as it can take a few days for the depot to build. And it looks like she has some sort of inflammation/infection happening. Given the food transition, I might suggest a slightly lower dose to start, but only if her ketones are negative.

Make any food transition slowly, maybe 10% of the new food per day, and increasing that % slowly over time. Transitioning your cat from dry to wet food

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I just tested for ketones and the result was negative based on the color chart. I plan to run another test later today to ensure the result is consistent and that I followed the procedure correctly.
Since the ketones are negative, I am planning to switch. Should I start with the PM cycle today, or is it better to wait until the AM cycle tomorrow?
Currently, the dose is 1.2 units of Caninsulin. I was thinking of starting Lantus at 1 unit. Would you advise starting lower than 1u, and if so, what dose would you suggest?" Thank you so much for your help.

Where are you on the food transition? What % is low carb now? When you switch, I might keep the same percent of low carb as you are doing now for several days, at least until the Lantus depot is build and we see how she's doing on the new dose.

1.0 units would be OK, if you can monitor closely. We recommend monitoring closely the first couple cycles as some cats react strongly to a change in insulin. PM would be better in terms of getting support here (more members in North America), but harder on you. Your choice. Make sure you have plenty of test strips and high carb food, just in case.

Regarding ketones, you can always test the process on your self too.

Wendy&Neko said:

Where are you on the food transition? What % is low carb now? When you switch, I might keep the same percent of low carb as you are doing now for several days, at least until the Lantus depot is build and we see how she's doing on the new dose.

1.0 units would be OK, if you can monitor closely. We recommend monitoring closely the first couple cycles as some cats react strongly to a change in insulin. PM would be better in terms of getting support here (more members in North America), but harder on you. Your choice. Make sure you have plenty of test strips and high carb food, just in case.

Regarding ketones, you can always test the process on your self too.

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Thank you, Wendy.
Regarding the food, I started the transition last night. So far, I have only introduced 5% of the new food into her meals, keeping the rest of her diet the same for now. I will follow your advice and stay at this 5% for the next few days, to keep variables to a minimum.
I have already given her the evening shot for tonight, so I will start lantus tomorrow during the AM cycle.
I have plenty of test strips and I’ve prepared honey and kibble for emergency high-carb options, as she doesn't tolerate wet food well. I will start with 1 unit tomorrow morning.Thank you for being here for us!!!