It is possible if you want to give it a try for a couple of weeks. What 8 hour intervals will work for you - make sure you can do those times every day between now and then. I'd recommend starting tomorrow since you only have until the beginning of March, and it takes a few days for their bodies to adjust to the change in hormone flow, and also it will take some experimenting to find what dose works best for him at those intervals.
Make sure you have a large supply of testing strips and lancets. You will need to do frequent testing during this experiment, and you can only shoot when you know he's rising since 8 hours is before the typical duration of prozinc - which means you'll need to find his new nadir, and also be testing enough to be sure he's on a rise before the next shot. I would say a plan on at least two mid-cycle tests each cycle. That includes the middle of the night cycle. That can be decreased over time, but since we're only talking about two weeks, it's unlikely that you'll be able to do less than that.
Here are the directions from the sticky:
DOSING EVERY EIGHT HOURS
If your cat is consistently having an early nadir and the level is consistently rising 6-8 hours after the shot, the insulin may not be lasting long enough. You might consider shooting more often than every 12 hours. BUT PLEASE BE AWARE: This method is very hard on the caregiver because you need to be available to monitor more often and to shoot every 8 hours. If you can’t make that kind of commitment, don’t try shooting every 8 hours. But if you do decide that your cat’s situation warrants trying this, here’s how it’s done:
- First, divide the total amount of insulin you are already giving over 24 hours by 3.
- Then divide your 24 hour schedule into (3) eight hour sections.
- The first time you attempt this it’s wise to do start during a curve, checking the BG levels every 2 hours.
- If, by +8, the levels are rising, no longer falling, and to a level above your No-Shot range, you could give another shot.
- Then wait 8 hours, test to be sure the level is rising, not falling, and is above your No-Shot range and give another shot.
Often this method is not long term, but allows the levels to stabilize in a few weeks.
Make sure you only try this method with the guidance of this forum’s members and your vet.
I'm leaving on a trip for work tonight, so will likely not be online a ton over the next few days (although I might if it turns out the conference is boring
), but if you're going to do this, I would suggest getting started asap since you have a limited window before you start your new job. (congrats on that, by the way!!!)
