Insulin and weight

[Tiger and the squid]

Speaking to one of the vets looking at Tiger's tests, he said that three units of vetsulin is a lot to give for a cat of Tiger's weight. He's suggesting that we switch to lantus, as it may be more effective with a smaller dose.

Does weight have anything to do with ... anything? Tiger is about seven pounds (he lost a lot of weight which is one of the issues which prompted his diagnostic vet visit, but his appetite is pretty good and improving)

Should I try increasing to 4u first? I mean, I still have most of my bottle of vetsulin and Tiger isn't finding good regulation yet. Is it dangerous to go up again? Should I just cough up the money for lantus, if it will make a difference sooner (potentially, obviously we dont actually know how he will respond)

 

[Kris & Teasel]

Weight has little to do with the effective dose for a kitty. It can be used as a loose guide in determining a starting dose but that's it. You just haven't reached his good dose range yet. I'd increase by 0.5 u after no more than 3 or 4 cycles until you start seeing yellow and blue on your SS, Then, you can slow the rate and magnitude of increase.

It's not a given that Lantus will give you better BGs at a lower dose. What it might do is produce a flatter curve when you find its good dose range. Overall it tends to be a better insulin for cats. Your choice ...