Lantus a miracle drug?

[Susan G & Jimmy G]

After just 3 days of 2 units of Lantus, Jimmy's numbers went from 474 at the vet (one week ago today) to 77. Tonight (day 3) was the first time I succeeded in testing him. The test was about two hours after injection and food. I told our vet - and will be lowering the dosage to 1 unit twice a day. I will aim to test again tomorrow - he's not an old pro at this like some of the others I see in videos. So I'm taking a no fuss approach - which seems to be working so far. Some background, Jimmy only eats high quality, high protein 6% carb wet food and has been for 6 or so months. But he is a big boy (20 lbs). I work from home and in a small space. He is around me all day long so I know his habits as well as I know my own. The west food is 78-80% moisture. Last week I saw him drink water out of the bubbler. I hadn't seen him drink out of the bubbler since he went to an all west food diet. So I thought it odd. With the increase in water, came an increase is the amount/size of "clumps" I was removing from the litter. I know this because I clean the littler everyday and sometimes anytime they go (I have two cats) and I happen to be near it. I brought him to the vet within three days of noticing this. That being said - is it possible I caught the diabetes in record time - I'm talking a few days. Anyone else have this experience with such a quick drop in numbers?

 

[Chris/China (GA)/Garfield]

Welcome to the FDMB!!

Here's your post from Health....Here in Lantus Land, we put the link to the prior post into the current one so it's easy for people to quickly go back and see what's been going on.

While Lantus isn't a miracle drug, if caught early, 84% of cats in a small study were able to go into remission, so catching it early and starting treatment as quickly as possible is great!!

Even if he does go into remission, he'll always be a diabetic though, so for the rest of his life, he'll need to continue to eat the low carb diet he's been on in the past 6 months or so.

Generally, a quick drop in numbers like that is due to the vet starting them out at too high a dose, which sounds like what might have happened with you......While 2U isn't a big dose for a 20lb cat, we usually start them out a little lower and then go up in .25 unit increments so we don't bypass what could be a "good dose"

Dropping all the way back to 1U may be too much of a drop, but by continuing to home test, you'll be able to keep him safe as well as know what's going on.

We have a spreadsheet we all like to use here to keep track of our numbers. Here are the Instructions for setting up the FDMB spreadsheet. When it's set up, just add the link to your signature so we can watch along and see how you're doing!!

It's important to always test before shooting (the "Pre-shot" tests) and then get at least 1 mid-cycle test on the AM cycle (5-7 hours after the shot) and a "before bed" test on the PM cycle. Most cats go lower at night, so it's important to get that last test in to make sure he stays safe while you're sleeping.

It sounds like you're on the right track!! Hopefully Jimmy will be the next lucky kitty to go OTJ!! (Off The Juice)

 

[Susan G & Jimmy G]

Thank you. I didn't shoot him this morning. He was at 151 pre-shot and pre-meal. I will try and get a test again mid-day (+4-5). I just started his SS so there's not a whole lot of info in there right now. But it's a start.