getting started with insulin

Status
Not open for further replies.

beccalecca

Member
So after tonight's checkup, Star's vet was satisfied that her elevated bg is not just due to an infection and gave us the all clear to start insulin. We have Lantus pens, and some needle tips. We also have a script for syringe needles (which we haven't filled yet -- where is it cheapest??). The vet suggested starting with 2u twice daily (she measured at 396 in his office). However, she's still eating a bit of dry food since she just started eating again. When we did the wet food only, we were getting 180-220 at home. We'll try wet food only tomorrow.

Dosing advice? Also, needle tips versus syringes if we're in whole-unit measurements?

Any other getting started tips? We looked around youtube for some videos so we could get an idea of how to administer the insulin...

I'll need to reread/watch tips on doing the bg test, because we failed this evening at getting her bg before we went to the vet. Is the paw prick any easier?
 
Hi Becca,
Actually shooting the insulin is the easy part. Most cat don't even know they have gotten a shot if you shoot while they are face down in a bowl of food.
Shoot either in the scruff of the neck by tenting the skin and shoot into the center of the tent.
I like the super short needles where I can just shoot tom directly into his side. No tenting.
Also, that dose is too high of a starting dose.
Please post on lantus before you begin.
And are you planning on hometesting?
Lori
and tomtom
 
We are home testing, or attempting to. We've gotten some readings before and thought it was getting easier, but for some reason neither one of us has been able to get a reading the last few times we tried. Smearing that precious little drop of blood, twice in a row, was tragic. :-P Practice, practice, practice, right?
 
I agree with Lori...2 units is too high of a dose to start with. It's much safer to start with a low dose and work up if necessary. Our motto is "Start low and go slow." There's a good chance that 396 at the vet's office was inflated due to stress, and - as you saw - feeding high protein, low carb food brought those numbers down naturally.

When you start the Lantus, you'll be using regular syringes; the needle tips for the pens won't work for dosing a kitty. Chances are, you won't always be dosing in whole units; fractions of units very often come into play, so you'll want to get syringes with half-unit markings. These are the needles I use, and this is the website I order them from (even though the description doesn't say it, they do have the half-unit markings):
http://www.americandiabeteswholesal...t-needle-31g-516-100bx-03cc-30-units_2552.htm

It sounds like your planning on testing at home - that's fabulous! Most people do the ear pricks. It does take a little practice, and at first the kitties' ears don't want to bleed easily. It does help to warm the ear a bit before poking. Be sure to give low-carb treats with every poke, even if you don't get any blood.

Here'sthe link to the Lantus support group. I would definitely post over there for dosing advice before you begin.
http://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewforum.php?f=9

Amy
 
Yes Becca 2 lost tests....TRAGIC! :-D
But the fun thing is that Star has to be under the impression that every test, failed or no, makes her a rock star. She still gets the lovin's, the treat, the good girl...all that stuff. After all, it's not her fault right? And she is good enough to let you touch her precious little ear. Make friends with that ear, massage it, warm it with a rice sockie (did you get one?)
Waiting for you next post>>>>
 
Thanks fort the replies. DH got a reading of 205 today. Not sure if it is so much lower than the vet because Star was at home or because we pulled her dry food. Either way, I know 2u will be way much. I will go post in Lantus.

Also, couldn't find half unit syringes at CVS. Where else can we check, or will we need to wait for an online order?
 
beccalecca said:
Also, couldn't find half unit syringes at CVS. Where else can we check, or will we need to wait for an online order?

Unfortunately, most CVS stores don't know that half unit insulin syringes exist :roll: Is there a WalMart nearby? Their Relion brand insulin syringes have half unit markings. You'll need a prsecription. Make sure your vet specifies 3/10cc insulin syringes with half unit markings. Or you can buy online. I used to buy insulin syringes from AmericanDiabetesWholesale.com You can also try Hocks.com but last I heard customer service has gone downhill since the company was sold and prescriptions are now required to buy insulin syringes.

For reference:

resource.aspx


Close up pictures of how to measure insulin, especially teeny doses: http://steverapaport.com/jock/SyringeFineGradations/
 
We try to avoid the Walmart since it's a decent drive from us, but can make an exception to get Star started and then just do online. :)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top