First update!

Status
Not open for further replies.
Moosmommy

Moosmommy

Member Since 2012
Happy to report that after 10 days on Lantus, Moo's blood sugar has dropped from the initial test level of OVER 600 to just 166 today.
I have as today completely switched him over to Friskies pate and now am heading out to get some good freeze dried treats for him.
He is acting more like his normal self... not peeing as much or drinking as much as before diagnosed and overall is doing good!
Keeping the 1 unit twice a day up for the next two weeks and then doing a curve to see where we stand after he levels out on the new food and everything.
Thank you to everyone for all the help, advice and kind words!
I am so glad I Found this message board!!!

Annie
& MOO :)
 
When did you get the 166? Right before giving insulin?

We generally recommend you NOT give insulin when under 200 at pre-shot until you have a lot of data showing it is safe.

Please try to get a test around 5 to 7 hours after giving insulin to see how low the glucose is going.
 
No, his blood test was 6 hours after his insulin.
I made sure to schedule his appt between 6-8 hours after his morning insulin to assure the results would be ok.

We are going to keep things up for 2 weeks to get him all regulated and then do a curve in 2 weeks to check and see how his whole day is and what the trend is and go from there!
 
That is a decent mid-cycle test. The Lantus forums have the protocol posted for doseage monitoring and adjustment. It can be safe to adjust before 2 weeks is up.

Are testing him before each shot to make sure he is safe to shoot? Because you are in the process of changing his diet, he could wind up too low to give insulin, but you won't know this unless you test 1st.
 
The vet didn't say to but I know I should. It's just so herd to do twice a day. I might just try it randomly to check and make sure.
 
Yes, it can be difficult at first, but testing before you give insulin keeps him safe. The last thing you want to do do is shoot him when he's too low and send him into a hypoglycemic crisis from which he might not recover.

Do you have the supplies available for treating a hypo? Oral syringe, high carb food with gravy, Karo syrup/glucose/honey?

Have you read and printed out the instructions for handling a hypo so you'll be prepared?

He is likely to be lowest between 5 - 7 hours after the shot, so those will be key times to test him for going too low.

Also, please see my signature link Secondary Monitoring Tools for some additional ways to monitor his status.
 
Great news! I agree with Mike in that it's somewhat worrisome to be shooting and not testing regularly. nailbite_smile Try to get pre-shot numbers and one at mid-cycle if at all possible. I know it seems like a lot, but it's a great way to keep Moo safe. I nearly lost my Buster by shooting blind.
 
So I was able to do a blood glucose test tonight. ONly ahd to stick Moo 3 times before getting blood lol. Not bad I thought.
What IS a normal reading for a cat? What is the safe level to give insulin?
He was at 169.
I was worried that giving him his insulin might be bad but I dont know how low is too low?
So I called the vet and they said no no he's fine, continue with his 1 unit just as directed/planned and that his level is great.

Hopefully I am doing everything right.
They said just keep up his 1 unit 2 times a day until 2-3 weeks when we do his curve.
 
Hi,
My Misha is on ProZinc, but seems to have a similar story to your kittie. He started ProZinc at the end of November, and he's already in the 80's. I too had a really hard time at first getting the hang of pricking Misha's ears to do a blood test twice a day (sometimes having to prick 3-4 times, poor kitty), but it is SO important! As fast as his numbers have dropped (probably due to a change in diet, as with your kitty), I would have sent him into hypoglycemic shock if I had followed the vet's advice to keep at 1u 2x/day and if I wasn't testing him before shooting. Then when I switched to .5u, and his numbers kept dropping very nicely, she still wanted me to keep with the .5u, even though he was under 200. Thanks to the wise and helpful people here, I learned first not to shoot under 200, then to shoot .25u and even just a drop to keep Misha's numbers regulated. It is a lot to take on at first, but testing before shooting will keep Moo safe.
It's also cheaper to do at home, and you probably get more realistic numbers than at the vet, since his blood glucose won't be spiking due to stress.
 
One other thing that would be very helpful to being able to give accurate advice, is if you do a spreadsheet for Moo, that tracks his BG numbers and insulin doses. I think if you go to the Tech forum there are directions there on how to do it.

You an also post in the Lantus group on the Insulin Support Groups page. There you will get advice from others who are very familiar with that particular insulin.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top