Concerned about nibbler who eats tiny amounts & her 1st insulin dose!

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Abby Normal

Abby Normal

Member Since 2017
Hello everyone!
Abby & Molly Moo here!
Technically we're not "new" but have not been on here for a year (since diagnosis) and REALLY need your help because we are seriously lacking support in all directions outside of this page. (Both Vets just moved out if state and their replacements are FRESH out of school with zero diabetes experience) Hopefully these are quick and easy answers for you but make me feel a lot more at ease.

I put a bunch of info in our profile "About me" section but have not started the spreadsheet yet.

Molly's a 15 yr old Tabby that has not had insulin yet. Had been controlling with diet but that no longer works! Her current AMBG (tested at home) is:
*Relion Confirm human meter (256)
*Alpha Trak pet meter (376)

It appears that insulin is necessary now ESPECIALLY since she needs to go under to have teeth cleaning and 1-2 extractions.

Questions:
1) When using a human meter what AMPS range should I be aiming for?

2) I just read on another post not to dose if AMPS is below 50 on a human meter. Correct?

3) When using Alpha Trak what AMPS should I be aiming for? Vet said 170 - 300? Is that correct?

Biggest concern at this point
4) With Molly's current (8/22/18) statistics:
*Relion (256)
*Alpha Trak (376)
*a low carb all wet diet (2.5 months but off dry for 1+ years)
*she's a total nibbler (only eats a tiny amount at a time)
I am concerned about dosing her too soon before she's had enough food & dose amount. (Even with starting at .5 units) Any advice?

I posted the following question on the Lantus/Basaglar page.

5) I still have the Basaglar pen I bought in May 2017.
*It has not been used or frozen
*has been in the fridge door or veggie drawer since purchase.
*It is still clear with zero floaties
*The pen says Exp: Jan 2018. The pharmacy sticker says Exp: May 2018.
*My cousins pharmacist says her insulin lasts for 1 year past exp date.

Is mine ok to use on Molly or should I go pick up the new presription I dont actually have $ for?

Thank you for any help you can offer. I am starting 1st dose tomorrow morning and SOOOOO nervous. (Not about physical act.... just knowing all the above)

Abby & Molly Moo
 
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Abby Normal said:
I am concerned about dosing her too soon before she's had enough food & dose amount. (Even with starting at .5 units) Any advice?
Click to expand...

Jones is a nibbler. I actually free feed him wet food in a feeder. With Lantus you have about 2 hours to get them to eat, so the biggest worry is if they are interested in eating. If he is willing to eat, I give him his dose!

For the insulin, why don't you try it and see it it works...it shouldn't take too long before you know.
 
A regulated cat is one with a BG below the renal threshold (250-300) for most of the day. So you want your cat to at least be under 250 for most of the day. You also want to avoid steep curves. I.E 350 am test then a 60 nadir then a 300 pm test. You want it to be as steady as possible throughout the day. Lantus is a slow acting insulin so you can generally shoot with lower BG compared to something like Novolin. Using your example of 50 however you absolutely would not give insulin with BG that low on a human meter.

Ultimately with time, as you get to know your cat's diabetes, you'll know for yourself how low your cat's BG can be and still get insulin. It will be different for every cat. A 256 AM reading is quite good I would say and safe to shoot for Lantus. I wouldn't be worried about shooting, even if she's a "nibbler". Lantus won't even onset for about 2 hours after the shot and has a nadir upwards of 8 hours after shot. So you don't need to "pre-load" for it like you would for Novolin
 
Tracey&Jones said:
Jones is a nibbler. I actually free feed him wet food in a feeder. With Lantus you have about 2 hours to get them to eat, so the biggest worry is if they are interested in eating. If he is willing to eat, I give him his dose!

For the insulin, why don't you try it and see it it works...it shouldn't take too long before you know.
Click to expand...
Would I know if the expired insulin is working the day she got her doses?
 
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