Inscreased dosage with no results

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msfast3

Member Since 2016
Hoping to get some suggestions on what might be going on with my kitty. Diagnosed in June and has been slowly receiving increased dosage of Lantus (from a pen). We are now using 3 units twice a day.

Kitty was overweight, but is down to 14 pounds and I immediately switched his food to low carb.

I am not home testing his glucose levels -- yet.

However, his three fructosamine tests since diagnosis have continued to show "poor control."

The nearest "specialist" is 2 hours away, so I have not gone that route yet.

Will get him to my regular vet next week to test glucose levels, but wondering if anyone has experienced poor regulation for such a long time?
 
I've been experiencing poor regulation since last January. It's a very long process for some cats. There's a lot of help available here if you want it. :)
 
Kris & Teasel said:
I've been experiencing poor regulation since last January. It's a very long process for some cats. There's a lot of help available here if you want it. :)
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Oh no -- since January ?!!

I had expected some improvement with the increased dosage, but the numbers haven't moved. I am terrified of trying to test him daily, but it may come to that. We are going in to have the vet test his glucose levels next week and I will go from there.

I'm thinking of asking the vet for a different insulin -- we have one pen left.

Yes, I know there is so much here -- it is overwhelming. Guess I am looking for a "quick fix" know it is unrealistic.
 
Testing BG at home with a human meter is better than going to the vet for BG measurements since vet stress can raise BG by 100 or more points (USA).
What general locations do you live? Maybe someone is near and can help you learn to home test.
 
Home testing is the best way to manage your cat's glucose levels. It is also much cheaper than having a fructosomine test every few weeks. If you are using the Lantus pen & needle it is possible that you have missed your optimal dose. Most people that use the Lantus pen use a syringe instead of the pen needle. This allows you to dose at 1/2 and 1/4 units. When too much insulin is given, the cat's body releases extra glucose to avoid becoming hypoglycemic. So even though you are increasing the dose, you are still getting higher readings in the fructosomine test.

What food are you feeding your cat? Is it dry or is it a canned food? The majority of dry foods are too high in carbs. Many of us feed our cats either Fancy Feast or Friskies canned foods. Pate flavors are lower in carbs than anything with "gravy".

Home testing can seem scary, but once you get the hang of it, you will find it is easy to do. By testing before every shot, you will know how well the insulin dose is working and also if it is safe to give the dose. We can help you learn how to test.
 
Larry and Kitties said:
Testing BG at home with a human meter is better than going to the vet for BG measurements since vet stress can raise BG by 100 or more points (USA).
What general locations do you live? Maybe someone is near and can help you learn to home test.
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I'm in Charlotte Hall, Maryland.
 
Lisa and Witn (GA) said:
Home testing is the best way to manage your cat's glucose levels. It is also much cheaper than having a fructosomine test every few weeks. If you are using the Lantus pen & needle it is possible that you have missed your optimal dose. Most people that use the Lantus pen use a syringe instead of the pen needle. This allows you to dose at 1/2 and 1/4 units. When too much insulin is given, the cat's body releases extra glucose to avoid becoming hypoglycemic. So even though you are increasing the dose, you are still getting higher readings in the fructosomine test.

What food are you feeding your cat? Is it dry or is it a canned food? The majority of dry foods are too high in carbs. Many of us feed our cats either Fancy Feast or Friskies canned foods. Pate flavors are lower in carbs than anything with "gravy".

Home testing can seem scary, but once you get the hang of it, you will find it is easy to do. By testing before every shot, you will know how well the insulin dose is working and also if it is safe to give the dose. We can help you learn how to test.
Click to expand...

The information you provided is helpful and, unknown to me since vet never mentioned it. So, you actually draw the insulin from the pen with a syringe? This sounds quite cumbersome. Perhaps I can get the insulin in a bottle instead.

Kitty has only gotten wet food since diagnosis. I did educate myself (from this site) on food. He is strictly on Fancy Feast pate.

Yes, I have read a great deal about home testing here and have been fearful of going to that, but I'm seeing that it might be necessary.

Thanks.
 
No, you want to use the pens instead of the vial. The reason is that insulin in the pens remains effective a lot longer in the pens than in a vial. With the pens you will be able to use almost every drop. With the vial, it will become ineffective long before you can use all of the insulin in it. So you end up throwing away a lot of money. Depending on your dose, one package of pens could give you enough insulin to last 9 months or more. A vial can start becoming ineffective around 3 months after you open in. You will use the pens as a mini vial, using the syringe to draw the insulin from the rubber stopper.
 
Lisa and Witn (GA) said:
No, you want to use the pens instead of the vial. The reason is that insulin in the pens remains effective a lot longer in the pens than in a vial. With the pens you will be able to use almost every drop. With the vial, it will become ineffective long before you can use all of the insulin in it. So you end up throwing away a lot of money. Depending on your dose, one package of pens could give you enough insulin to last 9 months or more. A vial can start becoming ineffective around 3 months after you open in. You will use the pens as a mini vial, using the syringe to draw the insulin from the rubber stopper.
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Yes, vet mentioned this.

If/when I go to home testing, is it possible that we only do it once a day and be affective? Kitty is resistant to being handled too much and I'm very concerned that between the testing and giving the shot we will fail to help him.
 
We recommend testing before every shot. One trick to make it more enjoyable for your kitty is to reward him with a low carb treat every time you test. Even if you are not successful in testing, you still will reward him. A good low carb treat is freeze dried chicken. Soon he will associate testing with getting a favorite treat and it will be easier on you. Who knows, before long, he may start reminding you it is time to test. :cat:
 
Lisa and Witn (GA) said:
We recommend testing before every shot. One trick to make it more enjoyable for your kitty is to reward him with a low carb treat every time you test. Even if you are not successful in testing, you still will reward him. A good low carb treat is freeze dried chicken. Soon he will associate testing with getting a favorite treat and it will be easier on you. Who knows, before long, he may start reminding you it is time to test. :cat:
Click to expand...


Somehow, I knew you were going to say test each time :cat:

I know there is a lot of info here about testing, but I may end up asking my vet to show me.

We've been doing the fructosamine tests every 3 weeks and went from 1/2 unit, 1 unit, 2 units, 3 units and now four! I am concerned that is just too much without really knowing his glucose level. I am home with kitty all day and can keep an eye on him.

Vet suggested dropping back to 3 and trying a longer needle on the pen. We were using 8mm and I've ordered 1/2 inch. Also suggested leaving needle in about 6-10 seconds.

Not to state the obvious, but it really is overwhelming. I just lost two of my guys earlier this year. One to kidney failure and one after surgery for ear cancer. I have three guys left and keep wishing they were young and healthy again!
 
Larry and Kitties said:
I think someone is closer to y than me. I am by Reagan-National Airport
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Yes, the airport is about 30-40 minutes away over the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. If I cannot find anyone locally, I will ask the vet to show me. Although having someone close by for support would be wonderful!
 
We understand you being fearful of home testing - many if not most of us were when we started out - but once you get the hang of it you will feel so much better because the knowledge it gives you enables you to treat your kitty better.

You really need to test at least before giving each shot of insulin, and whilst trying to establish the correct dose, at intervals in between as well. It really shouldn't be as bad as you fear - it's one of those situations in life when you just have to bite the bullet and make a start.

Good luck!
 
Diana&Tom said:
We understand you being fearful of home testing - many if not most of us were when we started out - but once you get the hang of it you will feel so much better because the knowledge it gives you enables you to treat your kitty better.

You really need to test at least before giving each shot of insulin, and whilst trying to establish the correct dose, at intervals in between as well. It really shouldn't be as bad as you fear - it's one of those situations in life when you just have to bite the bullet and make a start.

Good luck!
Click to expand...

Yes, I know it is just a matter of learning and doing it.

I kept hoping when he lost weight he would be "cured", but both of my parents were diabetic and I know it is not that simple.

Thanks for the encouragement.
 
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