Help with switch from Vetsulin to Lantus

[Lawman44]

My cat Zoey just started Lantus today using the pens and a syringe. I tried using the pen needles but I didnt like them the insulin oozes out of the needle and my cat wont sit still for 10 sec after the shot so I am now using a syringe. When I was using the vetsulin ( 1 UNIT) for 3 weeks he roller coastered from a BG level of 400 to 55 4 hours after the shot then back up, so the vet said he should be switched to Lantus. I gave him the shot ( 1 UNIT) this morning and tested his level 4 hours later and he was still high 320 BG. Has any one experienced a switch of insulin's and is this a normal transformation from one insulin to another? I heard lantus was so much better but I am concerned and disappointed with his BG level, but I would rather have a high reading then a dangerously low BG reading.. Thanks Rory

 

[Melanie and Smokey]

My foster cat Cecil was switched from Vetsulin to Lantus. He had been on Vetsulin for a few months before switching to Lantus. He was experiencing the same kind of swings as Zoey I suspect, though he wasn't being tested often enough to find out. When we brought him out into foster he had been on Lantus for a week. His numbers were coming does some, but nothing drastic. Right about the time we took him in to foster his dose was increased and I also stopped giving him hard food. We quickly saw him drop on the new insulin, less stress, and no dry food diet.

Yes, what you are seeing can be a very normal transition between Vetsulin to Lantus. Vetsulin is a fast acting insulin without a depot, Lantus is a long lasting, usually flatter acting insulin with a depot. Give the insulin a week to settle. Zoey's depot needs to be build up and her body needs to adjust to the new insulin.

 

[BJM]

IMPORTANT: Lantus builds up over time. It forms small crystals under the skin which slowly dissolve to work. On the first doseage level, it takes 5 to 7 DAYS to stabilize.

Its like partially filling a funnel, then continuing to pour in at a measured rate to keep the liquid at the same level continuously.