Insulin dose question

[smiley747]

Hi so my appt. with vet is not until Friday and I have prozinc insulin on the way. I am curious as to how much of a dose is she even going to give Brandy, since her numbers are steadily not that high to start with. She is usually between 240 and 300. Max 330, but that is rare. I always see people saying don't shoot if it's around this number or that and her diabetes isn't that high.

 

[Merlin]

Here is the Prozinc Protocol. http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/protocol-for-prozinc-pzi.109077/

Typically, you start out at 0.5 units or 1.0 units. You start low and if need be, gradually increase your dose. Remember that when your kitty is at the vet, their BG number will probably be higher due to stress. Sometimes vets will suggest a dose based on stress influenced BG numbers.

Again, you do not need to buy a meter or food from your vet and you do not need to order a fructosamine test either. You can do your own curve (tests) at home. Since your appt is not until Friday, you can start your transition to the correct, low carb, wet food. It would be better to get your kitty on the right food prior starting insulin.

 

[smiley747]

Here is the Prozinc Protocol. http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/protocol-for-prozinc-pzi.109077/

Typically, you start out at 0.5 units or 1.0 units. You start low and if need be, gradually increase your dose. Remember that when your kitty is at the vet, their BG number will probably be higher due to stress. Sometimes vets will suggest a dose based on stress influenced BG numbers.

Again, you do not need to buy a meter or food from your vet and you do not need to order a fructosamine test either. You can do your own curve (tests) at home. Since your appt is not until Friday, you can start your transition to the correct, low carb, wet food. It would be better to get your kitty on the right food prior starting insulin.

I do test at home, but not constantly. She hates it. I have a human relion meter and strips. She eats only wet, low carb food.

 

[Merlin]

Home testing is going to be mandatory in order to keep your kitty safe. You will need to test prior to giving a shot in the am and prior to the evening shot as well. You will also need to take test sometime mid-cycle; 5-7 hours after your morning shot. For Prozinc, you figure the dose based on the preshot number and the nadir (mid-cycle number). If you shoot blindly, then you could cause your kitty to go hypo (too much insulin and dangerously low BG number) or just as bad, not enough insulin (causes other illnesses such as DKA, etc.). Eventually, your kitty will not mind the testing...they get used to it and so will you.

 

[Sue and Oliver (GA)]

I do test at home, but not constantly. She hates it. I have a human relion meter and strips. She eats only wet, low carb food.

What's hard about the testing? Does she run off? (If so, you can get the drop on your fingernail and test from there). Are you giving her a favorite treat? When we first started, we gave Oliver a little bit of Bonito flakes before the test and then his meal as a reward after. That's the trick to this, getting them to associate a favorite treat with the poke. Is it hard to get enough blood? (The 25-27 gauge lancets often work much better than the thinner 30/31 gauge. Are you heating the ear? Until the capillaries get fuller, you need to warm them up to get the blood flowing.