Our vet says that Lantus is the best bet for remission for our newly diagnosed cat, Sunnie, especially since we caught his diabetes early. Has anyone had remission success with this expensive drug? If so did your cat have to go back on insulin later and did you continue to use Lantus?
Lantus and remission
- Thread starter leslietc
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dirtybirdsoaps
Member Since 2014
In my opinion remission depends on the cat. Some respond well to lantus, some don't. Every cat is different. The best way to think of it is humans with medication. What works for some may not for others. It also depends on other things you do to treat the disease.
I have no experience with Lantus. Hidey used Prozinc and with Prozinc (costs us about $80) and diet change he went into remission in about a month. We caught his early, started him on insulin, changed his diet, and had his dental done and 2 extractions. DO NOT CHANGE DIET UNTIL YOU ARE HOME TESTING. Diet can drastically reduce bg.
If you keep track of numbers by home testing, keep on a low carb diet, know their are no underline causes remission is very possible. Staying in remission depends on the same factors. Once in remission you cant say "lets try this high carb food" Its a lifestyle change.
I have no experience with Lantus. Hidey used Prozinc and with Prozinc (costs us about $80) and diet change he went into remission in about a month. We caught his early, started him on insulin, changed his diet, and had his dental done and 2 extractions. DO NOT CHANGE DIET UNTIL YOU ARE HOME TESTING. Diet can drastically reduce bg.
If you keep track of numbers by home testing, keep on a low carb diet, know their are no underline causes remission is very possible. Staying in remission depends on the same factors. Once in remission you cant say "lets try this high carb food" Its a lifestyle change.
BJM
Member Since 2010
There are clinical research trial that achieved remision in a large number of cats on Lantus.
And there is the experience of the members of this board who have achieved remission on Lantus, Levemir, ProZinc, PZI, ...
A great deal of it has to do with the availability of the person to do home blood glucose testing on a regular basis and a commitment to making a food change to low carbohydrate canned or raw food.
Sometimes, this means going against what your vet recommends and even pushing for something different.
We recommend testing with an inexpensive human glucometer and inexpensive test strips, not the expensive pet meters and expensive test strips, then using cat specific reference numbers. Your vet may not suggest testing, or may tell not to test, or may sell you a meter that costs over
$100 with test strips at over $1 each (2 tests a day is roughly $30/month.)
We recommend over the counter, low carbohydrate food like Friskies pates, not pricey vet prescription food which is no better nutritionally.
And there is the experience of the members of this board who have achieved remission on Lantus, Levemir, ProZinc, PZI, ...
A great deal of it has to do with the availability of the person to do home blood glucose testing on a regular basis and a commitment to making a food change to low carbohydrate canned or raw food.
Sometimes, this means going against what your vet recommends and even pushing for something different.
We recommend testing with an inexpensive human glucometer and inexpensive test strips, not the expensive pet meters and expensive test strips, then using cat specific reference numbers. Your vet may not suggest testing, or may tell not to test, or may sell you a meter that costs over
$100 with test strips at over $1 each (2 tests a day is roughly $30/month.)
We recommend over the counter, low carbohydrate food like Friskies pates, not pricey vet prescription food which is no better nutritionally.
Lisa and Witn (GA)
Member Since 2009
ECID - Every Cat Is Different
There are many things that will cause a cat to go into remission. Not every cat responds the same way.
1. A low carb/high protein diet - no dry food, only canned or raw food.
2. Proper insulin dose - hometesting is essential for determining the correct dose
3. Treatment of infections - an infection can raise glucose levels
4. Patience
We have seen cats that become diet controlled with just simply a diet change and no insulin. We have also seen cats that will remain on insulin all of their lives. Other cats after being on insulin for years, will suddenly become diet controlled. Every cat is different so there really is not an accurate way to determine which ones will go into remission. Remission means their glucose levels are diet controlled and no insulin is needed.
However, even if your cat does need insulin, with the proper diet, dose and hometesting, you still could have many more years to enjoy with your baby.
There are many things that will cause a cat to go into remission. Not every cat responds the same way.
1. A low carb/high protein diet - no dry food, only canned or raw food.
2. Proper insulin dose - hometesting is essential for determining the correct dose
3. Treatment of infections - an infection can raise glucose levels
4. Patience
We have seen cats that become diet controlled with just simply a diet change and no insulin. We have also seen cats that will remain on insulin all of their lives. Other cats after being on insulin for years, will suddenly become diet controlled. Every cat is different so there really is not an accurate way to determine which ones will go into remission. Remission means their glucose levels are diet controlled and no insulin is needed.
However, even if your cat does need insulin, with the proper diet, dose and hometesting, you still could have many more years to enjoy with your baby.
Shawna & Davidson (GA)
Member Since 2014
Welcome............Davidson was DX's in Jan/14 and I immediately switched from dry to Fancy Feast canned food and his BG levels almost dropped in half. Contrary to what the Vet (got rid of him) wanted to do, I did all my testing at home following the Tight Regulation Protocol (see Lantus Board). Started Davidson on Lantus (old Vet told me not to use this 'human' product) on Jan 15th and if you look at his SS you will see the progression. 3 months later Davidson went into remission and HAPPY to say he is still doing very well and still insulin free. Yes, each cat is different, but since you are their voice and primary care it's up to YOU to test often, sometime without getting sleep as it's vital to catch the highs/lows and adjust the insulin accordingly. It means a change in your lifestyle and sometimes timing cannot be helped, but initially it means a lot so you can get your cat regulated. Lantus worked for Davidson and many others, but it's also up to you...........get to know your cat and you will see the changes they make and if they're like Davidson then they'll let you know when they are low..........like you, I was new to all this and it's a fast learning curve and overwhelming to say the least. Good luck, you've found the BEST place with many people who can offer assistance at any time of the day.
Shawna
Shawna
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