Finally received Lantus (ice pack melted)... Need dosing advice

[Rose]

We've been eagerly awaiting the arrival of our Lantus and after finally getting the box opened, the ice pack is melted, the reflective packaging is hot and there is one small side of the box of pens that is somewhat cool ... the other side is not hot, but definitely more than room temperature. Do you think it's still okay to use? They assured me they pack it to keep it cool during shipping but they had me sign waivers that says no refunds under their standard shipping policy. :/

Assuming that it's good (pens are in the refrigerator now) what dose should I start with? The vet prescribed 2 units twice a day. She was on 2.5 units vetsulin 3 x a day. She weighs 10.5 pounds and eats 2 cans of Friskie's special diet Whitefish spread over the course of 6 servings about every four hours.

I've attached Zoey's records. I will use your spreadsheet going forward but I was unable to format the sheet for a 3 dose day so I've kept my own records.

Thank you for your help!

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

If you got it from Marks, I'm sure it's fine...I ordered mine on July 1st and due to 2 holidays (4th of July and Canada Day) mine took longer to ship than usual (and it was 90+ degrees) and I'm just now getting to the last part of my 4th pen with 1 more pen still in the refrigerator.

Since the pens are made for humans to stick in their pocket and walk around with, they're not quite as delicate...but because we want them to last as long as possible due to the price, we're extra careful

Do you know with Lantus, you have to use different syringes than you used for Vetsulin too? Vetsulin is a U40 where Lantus is a U100 insulin so it takes different syringes

 

[Rose]

(sigh of relief) .. Yes, from Marks. I'm in Florida so temps in the mailbox are probably pushing 90 already.

I do have the u100 needles, with half marks. I know nothing about the insulin pens and wanted to get them cool so I've not looked closely at them to see how it is I'm going to draw the insulin from them in the new u100 syringes. If there are tricks or tips, I'm all ears.

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

You just pull the cap off...there's a little rubber stopper inside just like a little "vial"

Turn it upside down just like you were pulling from a vial, but you don't put air into the pens like you do with a vial though...you just pull the dose out. It has a vacuum inside the pen that can make the first few doses a little "tricky" sometimes but you get the hang of it

Pull a little more than the dose you want, tap the air bubbles to the top and expel the air. If you "twist" the plunger, you can sometimes keep better control to "waste" the little bit of insulin that's more than the dose you want

 

[Rose]

Yes, pictures!! Just what I needed. Thank you very much!!

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

As for your dose question, since you were already giving a total of 7.5U of Vetsulin a day, you'd probably start at a higher starting dose than normal for Lantus

I don't have a lot of experience switching insulins since we started on Lantus, so I'll tag @Marje and Gracie , @Sienne and Gabby , @Wendy&Neko , @Sandy and Black Kitty

Hopefully one of them will see the tag and have some advice for you! Good luck to you and your extra sweet Zoey! We'd love for you to add a picture!!

 

[Ann & Tess GA]

If it doesn't feel warm it's probably fine. Just a tip for next time, leave a cooler out w/ ice packs (you can just refreeze the ones you just got) in it on the day you expect the insulin to arrive w/ a note to put the package in it. You should be able to track the package to get a pretty good idea of when it will get there. Or ask a neighbor to look for it if you get home late.

 

[tiffmaxee]

You can't track the insulin from Csnada because they don't gsve any idea how long it will take to clear customs. I got mine from Marks las time and it took around 7 days. The ice had melted I'm only on my first pen and so far so good. Good luck with the change.