Insulin 101

[Jeannette & Lily]

Lily was diagnosed last week Monday, with her first insulin shot at the vet's that same afternoon. We began with the twice-a-day injections on the following morning.

I'm now in the process of learning how to monitor her with a glucometer. I managed one successful test yesterday at +4 and one today at +9. We won't mention the failed attempts and my stabbing myself instead.

Since I'm still fairly anxious about all this, I'm just wondering: can I expect to see her numbers all over the place for awhile? Will it take her body a while to "get used" to the insulin, or should we be able to see some kind of pattern already? I guess what I'm asking is whether it make sense to do a curve this early in the game... My vet would like to see her again in a couple of weeks, assuming that we don't have any concerns in the meantime and are able to test her at home.

Thanks! (And I hope this question hasn't been asked a million times before - my search didn't come up with quite what I was looking for.)

 

[Sue and Oliver (GA)]

You are using Canninsulin, right, Jeanette?

First, congrats on the test. It will get easier - promise! Did you see the Cannisulin guide I posted on your Welcome Forum thread? It will give you some basics. With any insulin, I would always get a test before the shot - am and pm. Then you know whether it is a number lower than you expected and you can adjust according. While a curve can definitely wait, with Canninsulin I would try to get some tests in 2-3-4 hours after the shot so you can see if she starts dropping early and whether it is a fast drop. If it is, then there are ways you can soften that with some food. A test in the 8/9 hour range may tell you if the insulin is still working or if it has gone. Those numbers may help you work with the action of the insulin.

If the question is new to you, we are happy to answer it. We were all new once and asked lots of questions. BTW great picture!

 

[granadilla]

Welcome, Jeanette! I don't know much about Caninsulin but I just wanted to say hello and that I love Lily's photo!

Sue is very experienced and has lots of good advice. Congrats on already home testing. It does get easier, really! If you ever get numbers you don't understand, post here and whoever is online will try to help you out.

Shane

 

[Jeannette & Lily]

Thanks! The AM pre-shot test was a bust, but I did manage a +3 one, 278.

Once she's in nap mode (which is most of the day), she lets me test her with no complaint, but she really fights it when she's wide awake. I can't wait till this gets easier!

 

[Sue and Oliver (GA)]

Well, the +3 test lets you know that she likely isn't dropping super low early in the cycle. That's good news. A really low number might have meant the insulin has a rapid onset for her which wouldn't have been encouraging.

You definitely give a favorite treat with the poke, successful or not - right? That's the secret to the process.

 

[Suzi_S]

I have been testing Snick for months and I still can manage to stab myself. I have even stabbed myself with her needle of insulin! Snick used to fight me bad but I found a favorite treat and I only give it to her then. She still doesn't like it but she is getting better.
I started out with vetsulin but ended up switching her to Lantus.