I just spoke to the vets office and they insisted that with his high blood sugar that 8 iu is not too high and he might possibly even have to go higher....I am so upset and confused right now because just want to do what is best for Casey...I honestly dont know whaty to do at this point....
Sorry but your vet is
wrong!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Please read and send him the link from
FROM THE MANUFACTURER:
Is hind limb paresis a typical sign of diabetes mellitus in cats?
Hind limb weakness may be the result of feline diabetes.
This is also seen in a number of other conditions in cats:
- hypokalemia renal failure)
- hypoglycemia (weakness rather than paresis)
- thrombosis (secondary to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy)
- calicivirus infection
How many cats currently have diabetes?
Estimates of the incidence of diabetes mellitus in cats range from 1 in 100 to 1 in 500.
How does Caninsulin work in cats?
A lente (intermediate-acting) form of insulin, Caninsulin contains approximately 30 percent amorphous insulin for rapid onset of activity. The remaining approximately 70 percent of the formula is crystalline insulin which is absorbed more slowly. This formulation allows for a more continuous utilization of glucose to support the body's basic functions. In cats, the peak activity following subcutaneous administration of Caninsulin occurs between 1.5 and 8 hours (with an average of about 4 hours), and a duration of activity varies between 8 and 12 hours. Caninsulin should be administered subcutaneously twice a day in diabetic cats.
What is diabetic clinical remission and when does it occur?
Diabetic clinical remission is a complete or partial disappearance of the clinical signs of diabetes in response to insulin treatment. This is seen not infrequently in diabetic cats with remission rates of at least 25% and 65% or more when diabetic diets are fed in addition to insulin treatment.
What results typically can be expected from Caninsulin therapy in cats?
Cats are usually started on 1 to 2 IU of Caninsulin per injection twice daily. Glycemic control is evaluated based on clinical signs and blood glucose curves, supported by other laboratory results, such as fructosamine. Adjustment of the Caninsulin dose is made according to clinical improvement, as well as average blood glucose concentrations and blood glucose curve nadirs. Treated cats have significantly lower blood glucose concentrations and a reduction in hyperglycemia-associated clinical signs compared with pretreatment levels. Diabetic remission may also be observed.
How often does Caninsulin need to be administered to cats?
In cats, the initial recommended dose is 1 to 2 IU per injection, and the injections should be given twice-daily (BID) at 12-hour intervals. Initial dosing is based on a per animal basis. The duration of activity of Caninsulin in the cat is between 8 to 12 hours – this is shorter than in the dog. Peak activity level occurs between 1.5 to 8 (average of about 4) hours in the cat.
http://www.caninsulin.ca/faq-answers-p.asp
ETA A kitty is stated at 1 or 2 units twice a day. After a week on the starting dose, and hopefully with home testing results available any dose increases are suggested to be 0.25 units to 0.50 units. Members here prefer to start with 1 unit twice a day and start home testing right away. If there are any switches made to food to a lower carb wet food, we suggest that it not be done until a person is home testing.