A few questions

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Rescuemamaprays

Rescuemamaprays

Member Since 2016
Wait!!!!! Amps 268/ +7 98 is this good??? Is this too low or what
Is expected? I'm going to take the lantus out of the refrigerator and put it up now that I'm back home. Just hoping it lasts longer than 28 days. I'm getting a lot of advice idk what to do.


I'm using lantus with pen needles for now.chopper is on 1unit of insulin As of last night. I checked his gloucose every three hours until 3am...didn't get up after that. Lol I was just making sure he didn't go low (I was worried) anyway, I saw no change at all. This morning I gave him his AM shot as well.

Anyway, should I not be checking him so much?

I "wasted" a dose out of curiosity and 1unit is SOOOO SMALL. I mean, its the size of the drop of blood I get from his ear. Is it really supposed to be such a small amount?

How long until I see at least a little drop in his gloucose?

His SS is still blank. I'm going to sit down with my smarty pants neighbor so he can help me get it filled in today.

Thanks for any help I get.
 
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What were the specific BG values?
When using a pen with pen needles, especially at low doses, you have to keep the needle in the cat about 5-10 after fully depressing the button on the pen. Otherwise you do not get a full dose.
Also, when you change needles you have to prime the pen. Are you dong that? If not then yo are not giving a full dose.
 
Maybe have your neighbor also look at the lantus pen I have to agree with Larry I don't think he got the dose.
 
The Lantus pen and needle is more involved to use than syringes. I am sure you have instructions but here is a link to how to properly use the pen neede:

https://www.lantus.com/using-lantus/how-to-use-long-acting-lantus

As Larry and Kitties mentioned you need to hold the needle in place for 10 seconds after injecting to make sure the insulin all gets in. One unit is a typical starting dose and even though it does not seem like much for many kitties that dose is quite adequate. Every cat is different and some will require more, but as Chris & China said it takes 5-7 days for the Lantus "depot" to build up. Some kitties will see some results within a day or two. Once you have your spreadsheet filled out with preshot tests and in between tests experience people will be able to offer some opinions and advice.
 
1 unit is really-really small. That drop does miracles. Even 3 units is just a drop. And it is true that you must hold the pen in for a while. Sometimes I hold it in for 20 seconds and when I pull it out, still a drop comes out. Sometimes I hold it for 3 seconds and nothing comes out. So it is weird, but it is very wise to hold the pen in for 10 seconds.
 
I hate to admit this publicly but I didnt read any directions on using the pen, just where to shoot. I'll make sure I'm doing it correctly going forward. I'm extremely busy this afternoon so unfortunately I don't have time to post his BG
 
The most important thing is to pinch the skin. Don't ever shoot straight in without lifting the skin up first.
 
Larry and Kitties said:
Are you refrigerating the pen? If you do dose will not be accurate as the the temperature changes.
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I am refrigerating it. I can't let it spoil other wise he won't have insulin in 30 days regardless. I'm ordering regular syringes online in a few days, as soon as I can. Should I just stop giving him insulin and wait until I have regular syringes.
 
One pen contains 300 units. And one pen is stored at room temperature for 28 days. If you are giving 1U in the morning and 1U in the evening then it will last for 150 days. So you can store it at room temperature. You can use pen needles when you are giving full units.
 
Rescuemamaprays said:
I am refrigerating it. I can't let it spoil other wise he won't have insulin in 30 days regardless. I'm ordering regular syringes online in a few days, as soon as I can. Should I just stop giving him insulin and wait until I have regular syringes.
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When using the pen needle the opened pen needs to be kept at room temperature in order for the measuring mechanism to work properly. According to the manufacturer a pen left at room temperature has been tested as good for 28 days, but may last longer.
 
Rescuemamaprays said:
Choppers number is 82 on relion prime right now. Is this okay? I don't want him to drop too low.
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84 is a great number! If you can get another test in an hour, I would, just to make sure he doesn't go to low. How many hours has it been since his morning shot?

Lantus usually takes about 24 hours to build up and start working to lower blood glucose levels, so it's great that you're seeing action with it already! If you can fill out your spreadsheet for us so we can see all his tests and when he was given insulin (if you're not working on it already), that would be super helpful!
 
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