He usually hits nadir +5ish. I will try to push the testing to 30 minutes, but I'm still not confident in my ability to steer with LC food. He just dropped so fast at +2.
I agree with Kris on waiting to give HC food.
He is doing pretty good right now. He was hiding under the bed, but I closed off all the rooms, so now he is resting in a box by his bed. He went low a few days ago, but it was later in the cycle and I was able to steer it.How is Timmie doing now? In my experience with vetsulin smoky started climbing again by +5 to +6. You can also post on vetsulin forum to get some extra eyes on board.
. Don't be surprised if he bounces in the morning. I agree with Kris in holding off the HC food too.
That was really good experience for you. You know how to steer with food - good tool to have. If the drop happens earlier in the cycle you can intervene sooner with food. If the drop is huge then you can jump in with a little snack of HC. These food rules aren't carved in stone. The reason for saving the HC for 50 and below (generally) is so you don't end up messing up what could be a cycle with nice greens by carbing him too much.
I just tested him and he is 105 @+4. Should I hold the snack and retest to see if he can hold it and get into the greens, or give him another snack now. He dropped so fast so early tonight.
Good idea. No snack and retest in 30 minutes. Now you know what to do with an early big drop. Every one of these nail biters is good experience.
Okay. I'll hold the snack and retest. He dropped so fast and so early that I was sure we were headed for lime green tonight. You're right though, it is a good experience, albeit stressful, so very stressful.Good idea. No snack and retest in 30 minutes. Now you know what to do with an early big drop. Every one of these nail biters is good experience.
I do have the HC food in my hypo kit ready to go if needed. I know what you mean about the drops with the Vetsulin. It is frustrating. A change is definitely in our future. I've changed my shot times so I can dose him enough at night without worry, so maybe we can hit some dark greens more often.
I'm learning with you.
I panic too. So I just won't give the HC food unless he is below 50.
Or if he's diving fast and early or if he's lower than you like and you have to leave.I'm learning with you.
Yes, I'm good. Thank you, again. Rest well.Are you OK to go from here, Susan? It's past my bedtime.
Thank you, Lisa. Sleep well.
He can still bounce if you switch to another insulin but those drops are a bit stressful on your heart . Whichever you decide to go to, you will have help
Thank you for the reply. I kind of burried this in this post from last night. I don't want to discourage anyone on their journey. The bouncing is a given, it's the big drops that are causing me grief. The big swings cause my boy to not feel so good.Glad things calmed down for you last night, you did a very good job!
Hi Susan,
The bouncers can improve a little or a lot on Lantus. Teasel is in the "a little" category. I can say, though, that he feels better on Lantus than he did on ProZinc. @Lisa and Smoky had very good results switching Smoky from Vetsulin to ProZinc.
Hi Susan,
ProZinc would be familiar to you in its action, although it's generally slower in onset, doesn't drop them as low and has longer duration than Vetsulin. It's an "in and out" insulin so once a dose is done, it's done. You have flexibility in dose timing and how often you make dose changes similar to Vetsulin. Plus or minus an hour in dose scheduling isn't a problem when life gets in the way. However, it's much more expensive than Vetsulin ($100-$120 per 10 mL vial) and you'll go through it just as quickly.
Lantus is another universe as insulins go. It's a depot insulin so part of every shot is stored in a sort of slow release form so there's insulin acting all the time. The effects of a dose can take a few days to show because of this depot. There's very little flexibility in dose timing (12/12 is required and deviations have to be planned in no more than 30 minute increments over days) and doses have to be held as long as a week or more. There are two clear protocols to follow. You can read about them in the yellow stickies on that forum. It's a very gentle, slow acting, long duration insulin and many cats do very well on it. It's extremely expensive in the US ($400+ per 10 mL vial) so many order from a Canadian pharmacy, Marks Marine Pharmacy in Vancouver. It's a more concentrated U100 insulin so the cost ends up being similar to ProZinc or cheaper if you order from Canada.
Bouncy cats will bounce on either ProZinc or Lantus as I can attest.
Does this help? Ask anything else you want to know.
Lisa, thank you so much for this information. It is so encouraging. The difference in Smokey's spreadsheet since you went on Prozinc gives me so much hope. I know that ECID though.Hi Susan,
I can tell you that Smoky feels so much better with the prozinc than with the vetsulin. He seemed to be very depressed while on vetsulin and him going deep diving scared the wits out of me. I like the prozinc for Smoky for a few reasons. It allows me to have more flexibility with his dosing schedule as Kris stated above.
I also like the fact that with prozinc you don't really have to have food on board first. I pay about $130 for a vial and it usually lasts 10-12 weeks for Smoky on 1 to 2 units twice a day. Whatever insulin you decide to go with there will be folks on here to guide you along.
You said that Smoky seemed depressed on Vetsulin, and that kind of sums up Timmy, although there are times when I get to see the old Timmy playing and being his goofy self. I just want him to feel better. I'm paying $70 for a vial of Vetsulin at my vet, tried to get it cheaper, but it isn't happening, plus I replace it every 42 days, so price may end up okay. Kris gave some pros and cons, that, along with your information will get me started with figuring this out over the next few days. Thank you again!
I apologize for not replying sooner, have been in bed with a terrible cold, but feeling better today.
I apologize for not replying sooner, have been in bed with a terrible cold, but feeling better today.
Yes, I have given it a lot of thought and I want to switch to Prozinc, I think it is the next logical step up, plus I am used to the fresh start every 12 hours and having some flexibility. He's still going to bounce, I get that, but from what I can tell, it is a gentler insulin. Not to put you on the spot, but having had Teasel on both Prozinc and now Lantus, does this move make sense? Am I missing something?
It makes sense to try ProZinc because you're familiar with Vetsulin and a lot of that knowledge is applicable to ProZinc. If Teasel wasn't such a conundrum I'd have stuck with ProZinc. It's very flexible and forgiving. Teasel is a little less bouncy on Lantus - probably due to the "time release" effect - but he certainly hasn't done a 180. I think the much slower action has made him feel better though.
Omg I'm soooo happy for you!!!!!! From three shots a day to none. Told you that food is awesome.Cash eats only YAZM and his blood glucose has been staying in the 60's checked with a Relion Prime with no insulin. YAZM has brought him into remission.
I have two other nondiabetic cats (normals
What is YAZM? I added that stands for something.Cash eats only YAZM and his blood glucose has been staying in the 60's checked with a Relion Prime with no insulin. YAZM has brought him into remission.
I have two other nondiabetic cats (normals
Not added, lol, assume.Cash eats only YAZM and his blood glucose has been staying in the 60's checked with a Relion Prime with no insulin. YAZM has brought him into remission.
I have two other nondiabetic cats (normals
Oh ok. Ty.
Hi Kris,
