? Just Starting on Glargine

JLS12

JLS12

Member Since 2024
I have the Relion tester, strips, lancets, small syringe that has half unit calibration. The vet was told Mini Purrl is on a and has been on a raw diet since 2012. The vet says to start her with 1 unit every 12 hours. Her test number at the vet was 392 with blood from a vein and that was on their pet meter. I took the Relion in and used an ear prick (first time, just learning, and my meter read almost 100 points lower, so flustered I didn't record the number.)

But, my question is the vet said I could start her tonight, however, I feel as first time, tomorrow morning would be better. One of us will be around and more importantly awake to monitor and keep an eye on her. Am I thinking correctly here?

Also I have studied and read here and see that in the dosing guidelines for Lantus start low go slow it says start with 1/2 unit if fed a wet /canned low carb diet. She weighs 9.1 lbs. Do I give that full unit or a half and call the vet tomorrow?
 
We do suggest that when people first start insulin, they are able to monitor closely for the first 24 hours. So I like your idea of waiting until AM to start.

As for starting dose, it depends which dosing method you'd like to follow. I suggest reading the Sticky Note on Dosing Methods at the top of the forum and see which one makes sense for your lifestyle and goals for Mini Purrl. The Start Low Go Slow (SLGS) dosing method says to start at 0.5 units for the all low carb diet. The Tight Regulation (TR) protocol says to start at 0.25 units per kg, which works out to 1.0 unit for Miss Purrl.

Once you've decided which dosing method you want to start with (you can change later), please put either SLGS or TR in your signature as it'll help us help you faster.
 
Thank you. I did read both protocols over the weekend and in reviewing them again tonight, I'm still inclined to go with the SLGS at least for right now. I'll add it to my sig.
 
Hello and welcome to the board!

Great job getting all of your supplies, especially the BG meter. You’ll find the data invaluable in helping Mini Purrl along the diabetes journey.

Since you’ll be newly starting insulin, I’d like to draw your attention to the following information…

How to Treat Hypos (hypoglycemia, i.e., low blood sugar):
https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/how-to-treat-hypos-they-can-kill-print-this-out.15887/

Hypo Toolbox:
https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/jojo-and-bunnys-hypo-tool-box.2354/

If you haven’t done so, you’ll want to stock up on a few medium- and high-carb food options as well as some Karo syrup or honey. Hopefully you’ll never need them, but they’re important to have on hand.

As for the difference in the BG reading the vet got vs what your human meter read…don’t let that stress you too much. Human meters tend to run lower than pet meters and that’s accounted for in the reference ranges we use. The difference is usually greater at higher number and much smaller at lower numbers (so no, you don’t want to just add a specific number to your BG reading to adjust).

Final suggestion would be to double check your syringes to ensure that they’re labeled for U-100 insulin (not U-40).

Good luck with your first insulin shot. :)
 
Thanks everyone. I finally have some things sorted in the spreadsheet. Bit of a learning curve for me. I know my test times aren't exact, and I have to review how that goes. But it's a start.

Yes, I have the proper syringes with half units.

This whole thing has been a bit nerve-wracking with all the poking!

I printed the hypo stuff and am prepped for that.
 
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