? Day 6 on Lantus - dose too high?

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JoseJose

JoseJose

Member Since 2024
Hey, it’s Jose (cat) and his human Sara AGAIN!

At what BG number do you guys NOT give insulin?

Still waiting on the human meter (this AT3 doesn’t seem consistent and the strips hurt my bank account) so this is still going off that meter…

The past few times I have tested Joses BG before feeding he has been in the 90s range. He is currently on 1 unit. I have the Lantus pen so I can’t go down to half a unit (buying needles so I can later on today).

Is this BG level too low of a starting point?

I just tested him again (2 hours after feeding) and he is now reading 88.

Also switched to all wet for for him and his Himalayan roommate Lilli Ann. They are sharing a can of 9 lives twice a day but strangely, even though they previously begged for wet food now neither of them are finishing their portions. Lilli Ann is perfectly healthy so I don’t think it’s just Jose. They are eating - just not the whole portion (maybe 3/4 each). Is it possible the feeding instructions on 9 lives website was a bit exaggerated?

Hose lost about 2-3lb very quickly before he was diagnosed. When all this started happening I immediately switched to all wet days before he was even diagnosed (so he would keep him food/water intake up).

The vet said he is now down to his ideal weight but losing that much that quick could not of been easy on his body. I want to make sure he gets his energy back asap.

So to summarize this…

1. What BG level should I NOT give insulin?
2. How much wet food do your cats consume?

Both Jose and Lilli Ann are about 12lbs.

Thanks again everyone for all the advice and kind words! This situation totally sucks and I am beyond grateful this group exists ♥️
 
Companies tell you to feed way more than the cat really needs IMO :rolleyes: If your cats are eating and aren't gaining extra weight or losing weight, then they're eating enough for their needs. Adjust how much you're putting in the bowl so less is wasted. Some people feed by how many calories their cat needs daily.

I would err on the side of caution and skip insulin if your cat is testing under 100. 88 is a nice healthy number to have :) Some people make their "no insulin" number 150 or less.

It's possible that the switch to canned food was enough to put your diabetic cat into remission or very close to it. Keep testing daily to see where the numbers are.

Have you read the info stickies on the Lantus forum? https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/forums/lantus-levemir-biosimilars.9/
 
JoseJose said:
t. I have the Lantus pen so I can’t go down to half a unit (buying needles so I can later on today).
Click to expand...
You can get the syringes with half unit markings at a Walmart. Their ReliOn Brand syringes of 0.3 cc (30 unit) capacity come with half unit markings. Cost $12.58 for a box of 100
This is what the packaging looks like: either box is fine
They won't say it half unit on the box but the are . open then and look before you leave the store, can't be ordered on line , need to go into the store
:




upload_2021-9-5_23-18-9-jpeg.62508



Or you can get them from Amazon and won't need a vet's prescription
https://www.amazon.com/UltiCare-31-Gauge-Veterinary-Insulin-Syringes/dp/B009LTE0DO
 
squeem3 said:
Companies tell you to feed way more than the cat really needs IMO :rolleyes: If your cats are eating and aren't gaining extra weight or losing weight, then they're eating enough for their needs. Adjust how much you're putting in the bowl so less is wasted. Some people feed by how many calories their cat needs daily.

I would err on the side of caution and skip insulin if your cat is testing under 100. 88 is a nice healthy number to have :) Some people make their "no insulin" number 150 or less.

It's possible that the switch to canned food was enough to put your diabetic cat into remission or very close to it. Keep testing daily to see where the numbers are.

Have you read the info stickies on the Lantus forum? https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/forums/lantus-levemir-biosimilars.9/
Click to expand...

Am hoping for the best - that the canned food is the only adjustment needed to control his BG. Fingers crossed ♥️

I called the vet and they told me exactly what you say to do - not to give him a dose if he is 100 or under.

Man just when I thought we were getting some traction the numbers jump once again.

Going to the grocery now to pick up a few cans of FF to see if that might make him eat a little more. They each will get a can of this tonight for dinner.

I am also going to boil some chicken and use the broth to maybe wet the food down a little more and see if that lures him in. They both would probably love the chicken as a treat too!

Thank you for all your help! ♥️

Jose and his human (Sara) ♥️
 
Diane Tyler's Mom said:
You can get the syringes with half unit markings at a Walmart. Their ReliOn Brand syringes of 0.3 cc (30 unit) capacity come with half unit markings. Cost $12.58 for a box of 100
This is what the packaging looks like: either box is fine
They won't say it half unit on the box but the are . open then and look before you leave the store, can't be ordered on line , need to go into the store

This was actually my next question- thank you this is extremely helpful.

Walmart is a bit of a drive for me but I’m heading there bow to pick up the needles and a few new flavors of the FF pate for them to try.

Thank you so much for this info ♥️
:




upload_2021-9-5_23-18-9-jpeg.62508



Or you can get them from Amazon and won't need a vet's prescription
https://www.amazon.com/UltiCare-31-Gauge-Veterinary-Insulin-Syringes/dp/B009LTE0DO
Click to expand...
 
JoseJose said:
I called my vet and they said to skip his dose tonight if he is 100 or lower.
Click to expand...
@JoseJose
Hi Sara
Sounds good .
Once you get pick up the human meter which almost most of us use
Thats what our numbers are based on anyway. Let us know ,you will need to fix your signature and add the meter you are using and the date
Do you have any tests you can enter in your spreadsheet so far ?
If so can you enter them so members can see what readings you have gotten so far
Switching to a human meter the last 2 color codes up top need to be changed to reflect a human meter, I can ask a member to do that for you once you start using the human meter. Also where it asks you what meter you are using will need to be changed to the human meter.
 
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FF is good if you stick to the pates and the other varieties that are lower in carbs. Have you seen the food chart? Pick foods that have under 10% carbs http://catinfo.org/docs/CatFoodProteinFatCarbPhosphorusChart.pdf

I can't help much with canned food choices. I personally feed my cats a commercial raw diet, (rehydrated) freeze dried for the diabetic and frozen for the civvie. Raw in any form is an option for anyone who is interested in feeding that.
 
Diane Tyler's Mom said:
Hi Sara
Sounds good .
Once you get pick up the human meter which almost most of us use
Thats what our numbers are based on anyway. Let us know ,you will need to fix your signature and add the meter you are using and the date
Do you have any tests you can enter in your spreadsheet so far ?
If so can you enter them so members can see what readings you have gotten so far
Switching to a human meter the last 2 color codes up top need to be changed to reflect a human meter, I can ask a member to do that for you once you start using the human meter. Also where it asks you what meter you are using will need to be changed to the human meter.
Click to expand...


Yep! On it! I ordered the Nova Max meter and it is moving through USPS as I write this! ♥️

I am waiting on the human meter before I do a curve. I was planning on doing this Friday but the numbers jumped so low it may have to wait a couple more days until those become a little bit more predictable in numbers or how he does on a half dose if need be.

And hopefully the new meter will also help! The Alpha Trak just ain’t cuttin’ it!

Thanks again! ♥️
 
squeem3 said:
FF is good if you stick to the pates and the other varieties that are lower in carbs. Have you seen the food chart? Pick foods that have under 10% carbs http://catinfo.org/docs/CatFoodProteinFatCarbPhosphorusChart.pdf

I can't help much with canned food choices. I personally feed my cats a commercial raw diet, (rehydrated) freeze dried for the diabetic and frozen for the civvie. Raw in any form is an option for anyone who is interested in feeding that.
Click to expand...

My mom cooks her dog chicken, brown rice and green beans for meals. Her dog eats better than I do

I am cooking (boiling) him some chicken tonight.

I used to give the freeze dried salmon treats. I’m gonna pick some more up today!
 
@JoseJose
Sara do you have any tests you can enter in your SS/with the Alpha Trak?
It would be helpful if you can ,makes it easier for members to see it rather than read what they were in your posts

Since you're going to Walmart today if you want to pick up another human meter mist of us use
Here is the link for the meter and test strips so you don't have to search for them
Relion Premier Classic Meter at Walmart for 9 dollars
https://www.walmart.com/ip/ReliOn-Premier-CLASSIC-Blood-Glucose-Monitoring-System/552134103

The tests strips are 17.88 for 100
https://www.walmart.com/ip/ReliOn-Premier-Blood-Glucose-Test-Strips-100-Count/575088197

You can order more test strips online when you need more
 
Home cooked is also an option :) It's easy to do with a pre-mix such as EZComplete or Alnutrin.

Most cats love boiled chicken unless they're like my oddballs who either won't eat any treats (civvie) or will eat anything but it doesn't agree with the tummy (diabetic who also has IBD and food sensitivities):p Freeze the extras and the broth for later use as treats. Freeze dried treats are great :) Tip: buy the ones for dogs since the treats are bigger (break them up into cat sized pieces) and doesn't cost much more than a teeny cat sized bag.

If ordering online is an option, American Diabetes Warehouse is another good place to buy test strips and insulin syringes from besides the ever popular Amazon. I haven't compared prices between the two. Note: a prescription *may* be required to buy insulin syringes from ADW. It depends on what your state law is. I don't need a prescription but FDMB members in other states have been required to provide a prescription. If you have a FSA / HSA account, you can likely get reimbursed for test strips and insulin syringes. Check the specifics of your account. Save your receipts to submit.
 
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Diane Tyler's Mom said:
@JoseJose
Sara do you have any tests you can enter in your SS/with the Alpha Trak?
It would be helpful if you can ,makes it easier for members to see it rather than read what they were in your posts

Since you're going to Walmart today if you want to pick up another human meter mist of us use
Here is the link for the meter and test strips so you don't have to search for them
Relion Premier Classic Meter at Walmart for 9 dollars
https://www.walmart.com/ip/ReliOn-Premier-CLASSIC-Blood-Glucose-Monitoring-System/552134103

The tests strips are 17.88 for 100
https://www.walmart.com/ip/ReliOn-Premier-Blood-Glucose-Test-Strips-100-Count/575088197

You can order more test strips online when you need more
Click to expand...


Have had problems with the AT3 jumping around in numbers so I did order a Nova Max (waiting) - the strips require less blood that the Relion one and 100 strips are less than $20.

I am waiting for the new meter to show up before I start plugging in numbers on the SS.
 
tiffmaxee said:
Welcome. Would you please fill in your spreadsheet with the bg for the last 6 days? When I click on the link the ss is blank.
Click to expand...


Have had problems with the AT3 jumping around in numbers so I did order a Nova Max (waiting) - the strips require less blood that the Relion one and 100 strips are less than $20.

I am waiting for the new meter to show up before I start plugging in numbers on the SS.
 
squeem3 said:
Home cooked is also an option :) It's easy to do with a pre-mix such as EZComplete or Alnutrin.

Most cats love boiled chicken unless they're like my oddballs who either won't eat any treats (civvie) or will eat anything but it doesn't agree with the tummy (diabetic who also has IBD and food sensitivities):p Freeze the extras and the broth for later use as treats. Freeze dried treats are great :) Tip: buy the ones for dogs since the treats are bigger (break them up into cat sized pieces) and doesn't cost much more than a teeny cat sized bag.

If ordering online is an option, American Diabetes Warehouse is another good place to buy test strips and insulin syringes from besides the ever popular Amazon. I haven't compared prices between the two. Note: a prescription *may* be required to buy insulin syringes from ADW. It depends on what your state law is. I don't need a prescription but FDMB members in other states have been required to provide a prescription. If you have a FSA / HSA account, you can likely get reimbursed for test strips and insulin syringes. Check the specifics of your account. Save your receipts to submit.
Click to expand...

Luckily my Pharmacy people have my back and the Lantus pen was only $22 after they hooked me up with discounts ♥️

I am definitely looking into the EZ complete. I was wondering if something like that existed.

thanks again ♥️
 
JoseJose said:
Have had problems with the AT3 jumping around in numbers so I did order a Nova Max (waiting) - the strips require less blood that the Relion one and 100 strips are less than $20.

I am waiting for the new meter to show up before I start plugging in numbers on the SS.
Click to expand...

Would you fill in just a few days so we can see what’s happening please?
 
JoseJose said:
Luckily my Pharmacy people have my back and the Lantus pen was only $22 after they hooked me up with discounts ♥️

I am definitely looking into the EZ complete. I was wondering if something like that existed.

thanks again ♥️
Click to expand...


That's a great price :) I got mine from the vet so there was a marked up price :facepalm: Goodrx.com is a good web site to use to compare prices of prescription meds at various pharmacies in your area. There are prescription drug cards you can sign up online for and print right away that are supposed to give you a discount on meds but I'm not sure how much of a discount you really get and how legit they are.

I've never used EZComplete but have used Alnutrin, Better In the Raw (looks like it's now called Know Better), and TC Feline all with raw meat. These can be used with plain cooked meat following the instructions on the package or web site.
 
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