Hi, sorry you are having such a difficult time of it.
I think it may be best to take a step back and if you are willing, to start over from the beginning.
First thing to do, visit the lantus forum and read the starred posts at the top. It will tell you everything you need to know about the handling, usage, dosage and protocols of using lantus.
Second, you are changing the dose too frequently, lantus protocol recommends holding the dose for 3-5-7 days Depending. By giving 2 units in the morning and 3 units at night, you are dose hopping and that is not the best way for using lantus.
Third, I think the vet was wrong telling you start at 2 units. While there is a way to dose based on weight, most of start off with 0.50 or 1 unit of Lantus and over the course of several days, even weeks work ourselves up or down the dosing scale and do it in very small increments - like 0.25.
It's very possible by following the vet advice and dosing the way you have been that you have missed the optimal dose for your cat. Now, don't get me wrong, you may need to give 3 units,
BUT that is only after a lot of time, testing and monitoring. and it's done slowly over time.
Also, home testing is vital, not just when you think the kitty feels bad. You must home test at a minimum before every shot, and during the day/night as often as you can and are comfortable with.
Food is another area of concern. Vets, sadly don't get the correlation between nutrition/food and cats' health. all they know is what the pet food companies tell them - use the prescription food - it will fix everything.
We highly recommend feeding canned or raw food only - NO dry food.
So, if you are willing, let's start this entire process over and pretend it's day one. Are you willing? And by this, I mean, set up a spreadsheet (instructions are on the tech forum), reduce the dose to 1 unit every 12 hours and test frequently to see how this dose works and put the results on the spreadsheet.
Come to the lantus forum, post there and you will get further guidance on how best to tweak from the starting point.
I'm also going to include my typical welcome speech that includes a lot of good basic information and links that I highly recommend you read.
There are three key factors to managing diabetes: food/nutrition, home testing and insulin
1) Feline Nutrition: Now, as far as diet - definitely dump the dry food (if you are feeding any) and if the vet recommends purchasing prescription food like DM just say "no thank you". ALL cats, and especially those with diabetes, do best on a species appropriate diet that is high in protein and low in carbs. Dry food DOES NOT fit that bill and DM food, even canned, just really isn't that great as far as quality. Most here on FDMB feed low carb/high protein canned, raw bought from a pet store or they make there own.
Here great links, one is to a food chart put together by one of our board members that breaks down the carb % and protein % of most of the commercial brand foods. You want to keep the carb % below 10% and around 7% is great. The other link is to a site by a vet "Dr. Lisa DVM" ... who also posts on this board from time to time ... there is in-depth info. there about many things, including nutrition and how to make raw food.
Nutrition/food info
The good thing with feeding your diabetic cat this way, is that it is ALSO good for any non-diabetic cat too. All your cats can safely eat the same food without worry and it may save you some costs and headaches of having to do separate feedings and keeping track of what they are eating.
2. Home testing: It is impossible to convey the value of testing your cat's BG (blood glucose) level at home. Some vets will "suggest" this, but most won't even mention it. They will send you home with insulin and an amount to shoot and maybe some instructions about hypoglycemia (blood sugar dropping to a dangerously low level).
Well, the thing is, human diabetics don't EVER give themselves insulin without checking there BG to make sure it is safe to do so, so why shouldn't it be the same for our kitties. Here on FDMB it is. You will notice that the vast majority of people here test their cat's BG at least 2x/day (before giving each shot to make sure the level is safe enough) and periodically at other times to see how the cat is responding to the current dose. We use a human glucometer, test strips and lancets - which are all very readily available and easy to use.
Our kitties get lots of love and treats for "putting up" with this and most of them actually come out to be tested on their own 'cause they want those treats . Here is a collection of great links that "Carolyn and Spot" pulled together about hometesting. See what you think ... it truly is the best way to not only keep Your cat safe but also really get a handle on this disease and help him to live a healthy life with FD (feline diabetes).
Home testing Links
3. Insulin: There are several types of insulin available. Many people, myself included use Lantus or Levimer both of which are great insulins. They are gentle insulin and given twice (BID) per day in 12 hour increments.
Please read up on the insulins available, here is a link to the Insulin Support Groups:
Insulin Support Groups
However, one caveat and again this shows how these three things are inter-related:
If you are feeding dry food or even a high carb food, BEFORE removing these foods, please make sure of your insulin dose as it will most likely need to be reduced, so as to avoid a possible hypoglycemic situation due to the removal of the dry/high carb foods that will lower the BG’s and reduce the amount of insulin required. Again, another reason why home testing is important.
I know this all seems like a lot, and that's because it is ... there is a learning curve here. But as long as you are determined and keep at it, you will have it down before you know it and you'll be seeing the results in Your cat' overall health and happiness. Ask all the questions you can think of - that's why we are here!
Also, if you haven't done it yet, take the time and fill out your profile. It will help when others come on and read this. Also, let us know where you live - city/state as there are probably people in your area who can provide on the ground support and help you to learn home testing, etc.
