How to measure mini or 'micro' doses? Help needed please.

Status
Not open for further replies.
Elizabeth and Bertie

Elizabeth and Bertie

Member Since 2010
Hi folks,

Does anyone know where there is info on measuring tiny doses of insulin? I'm sure there is some good info and pics somewhere but I'm not sure where...?

A newcomer to FDMB, whose kitty was on Caninsulin, started her cat on 1 unit of Hypurin Bovine PZI today. She'd been accustomed to her cat staying in high numbers and didn't expect much of a drop. But when she came home from work he didn't look like his usual self. She checked his BG at +6.5 and it was 2.9 (52.2). It had been 20.4 (367) at AMPS. She gave her cat a snack of normal food. Then phoned me. From symptoms she describes it sounds like the cat was showing moderate hypo symptoms when she got home, but seems fine now. She rechecked the BG and about 15 mins after the snack it had gone up to 4.8 (86). She will continue to monitor BG to ensure it is rising. (Hypurin Bovine PZI doesn't seem to have a typical 'peak' time and can vary from cat to cat). She is also going to phone the vet to talk things through there.

I think the vet had suggested Hypurin PZI because Caninsulin was causing some very steep drops and then high numbers, and had too short a duration also.

Clearly 1 unit of Hypurin is way too much... And it might be that half a unit is going to be too much also.... But I know there are ways of measuring tiny/micro doses. And it would helpful to have that info...

Other alternatives would seem to be to return to Caninsulin (which wasn't working well), or try another insulin (Lantus/Glargine). But it may be that this kitty is sensitive to all insulins...and will need a tiny dose whichever one it is....

Advice please, folks?

Here is Dianne's original post from yesterday:
http://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=86299
 
Re: How to measure mini or 'micro' doses? Help needed pleas

What concentration is the insulin - U-40 or U-100?

U-100 syringes do come in half unit markings (usually for the 3/10 cc syringes). While intended for U-100 insulins, they can be used with U-40 insulin by conversion of the doseage numbers.

For 0.25 units, you measure halfway between the 2 lines. It may help to have a syringe for reference where you've marked a comparison line.

If the dose needs to be less than a quarter unit, you use the drop method. You fill to 0.5 units, then practice squeezing out drops until you can do the same number of equal-sized drops every time.

Also, a pharmacist might be able to make a dilution of the PZI; that might need to be prescribed by a vet.
 
Re: How to measure mini or 'micro' doses? Help needed pleas

Thanks BJM,

(Sorry, should have said...) Hypurin PZI is U100 and Dianne is using U100 syringes with half unit markings.
 
Re: How to measure mini or 'micro' doses? Help needed pleas

Thanks for all this advice it really is appreciated. I'm going to try him in .5 tomorrow and do a curve, if his numbers are still low then I am going to try and micro dose. Elizabeth suggested practicing with coloured water first to get the drops right. I'm going to spend tonight practicing this. :? Then if he dose need micro dosing I'm prepared
 
Re: How to measure mini or 'micro' doses? Help needed pleas

With small doses, it also helps to get a magnifier of some sorts - varieties include free standing, eye glass clip-ons, headband or visor types, and a syringe magnifier that clips on to the syringe. Try looking on the UK Amazon or equivalent.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top