Lantus starting does?
- Thread starter JenniferH
- Start date
Chris & China (GA)
Member Since 2013
You're right to be concerned.....that's a very high starting dose!!!
Most cats start at about 1U.....the dose isn't based on how high their numbers are at the vet. If you follow Tight Regulation (one of the dosing methods in the "sticky's" at the top of the forum), the starting dose is based on weight. A 15lb cat would start at 1.7U....so we'd drop that down to 1.5U and start there.
Did your vet discuss home testing with you? Everybody here home tests so we can keep track of how our kitties are responding and to keep them safe. It's not hard and you don't need to buy any special "pet" meter. Most of us use human meters here like the Relion Prime or Premier from WalMart.
What are you feeding Skittles? We suggest low carb canned or raw diets (less than 10% carbs) …..and if he's currently eating dry food, it's actually safer to go ahead and transition him off the kibble before you start insulin (unless he's been diagnosed with ketones)
Keep asking questions! The people here are very generous with their time and love to share their knowledge with new sugarcat moms and dads!
Most cats start at about 1U.....the dose isn't based on how high their numbers are at the vet. If you follow Tight Regulation (one of the dosing methods in the "sticky's" at the top of the forum), the starting dose is based on weight. A 15lb cat would start at 1.7U....so we'd drop that down to 1.5U and start there.
Did your vet discuss home testing with you? Everybody here home tests so we can keep track of how our kitties are responding and to keep them safe. It's not hard and you don't need to buy any special "pet" meter. Most of us use human meters here like the Relion Prime or Premier from WalMart.
What are you feeding Skittles? We suggest low carb canned or raw diets (less than 10% carbs) …..and if he's currently eating dry food, it's actually safer to go ahead and transition him off the kibble before you start insulin (unless he's been diagnosed with ketones)
Keep asking questions! The people here are very generous with their time and love to share their knowledge with new sugarcat moms and dads!
JenniferH
Member Since 2018
I started him on Dr. Elseys last summer when his number were high and it cut them in half. The only wet he will even entertain is a/d which I know is rich, but he has never liked wet even though my two girls have eaten it all their life. His kidney numbers are elevated now too so the vet is talking about changing his food if we can get his glucose stabilized. I called the vet tonight and they want to recheck his numbers in the morning because he isn't acting right and I think this dose is too high. Everything I'm finding online says 2 units and to adjust after the curve. Shouldn't the vet know this? The vet told me not to test at home right now because he is not good about being poked and prodded and it will stress him even more. Thanks for your advice. I'm going to look at that stickys chart and show it to the vet.
Jill & Alex (GA)
Member Since 2009
Actually, when a cat is already on insulin, the current dose is taken into consideration when determining a starting dose of Lantus. What insulin is Skittles on? What's his current dose?
Do you have a spreadsheet we can take a look at? If not, you can get the form here: FDMB SPREADSHEET INSTRUCTIONS. If you're willing, please fill in at least the last couple weeks of data. The info will give us a better idea of what to suggest. Eating dry food also factors in to the advice.
Do you have a spreadsheet we can take a look at? If not, you can get the form here: FDMB SPREADSHEET INSTRUCTIONS. If you're willing, please fill in at least the last couple weeks of data. The info will give us a better idea of what to suggest. Eating dry food also factors in to the advice.
JenniferH
Member Since 2018
He started insulin for the first time yesterday. He went in for dental work and when they ran his bloodwork they said they couldn't do it and I needed to manage his diabetes. His number was in the 480's. They gave him 4 units at noon. Told me to give him 2 more at 10pm and then start back with 4 units today at 8am and 4 units tonight at 8am. I just feel it is too high of a starting point for never being on insulin.
Jill & Alex (GA)
Member Since 2009
Ha! Color me confused! You joined last summer. Posted back then. Is this your second diabetic cat?
Your instincts are right! I wouldn't give him any more than 1.5u or 2u twice a day... 12 hours apart. The dose can always be increased if it turns out not to be enough.
Ella & Rusty & Stu(GA)
Member Since 2010
I agree with Chris (@Chris & China (GA) ) and Jill (@Jill & Alex (GA) ). Your vet started Skittles at too high a dose. We like to start with a reasonable dose and increase gradually according to either of the two methods explained in the "Stickies" (informational posts at the head of this forum). We increase gradually, and at the number of days specified, so that we do not bypass what may be a good dose. I hope you can get Skittles to accept a wet-food diet. That will really help get his blood glucose down.
Welcome to the forum. Everyone here wants Skittles to get regulated. Be sure to read the "Stickies" (start with New to the Group). It's a lot to absorb, but eventually it falls into place.
WELCOME!
Welcome to the forum. Everyone here wants Skittles to get regulated. Be sure to read the "Stickies" (start with New to the Group). It's a lot to absorb, but eventually it falls into place.
WELCOME!
Jill & Alex (GA)
Member Since 2009
Sorry for the mix-up! I assumed Skittles had been on insulin since you arrived on the FDMB. This definitely changes my advice!
A canned or raw food diet is a requisite for the Tight Regulation Protocol. Since Skittles is on a dry food diet, you'll want to take a look at the Start Low, Go Slow method. The suggested starting dose for a kitty on a dry food diet is 1u twice a day... 12 hours apart. Shooting 4u bid is waaaaaaaaaaay too much insulin to start!
Again, I'm sorry for the confusion!
A canned or raw food diet is a requisite for the Tight Regulation Protocol. Since Skittles is on a dry food diet, you'll want to take a look at the Start Low, Go Slow method. The suggested starting dose for a kitty on a dry food diet is 1u twice a day... 12 hours apart. Shooting 4u bid is waaaaaaaaaaay too much insulin to start!
Again, I'm sorry for the confusion!
JenniferH
Member Since 2018
It is the same cat. It was just managed with diet last summer and now he is way up again. I'm dropping his units to 2 twice a day. Thanks!
JenniferH
Member Since 2018
I was definitely afraid I was going to overdose him at 4 units twice a day. I'm not sure how the vet came up with that number. I feel way more comfortable with 2 units twice a day especially since I live by myself and have to work to give my cats the life they have. I don't want to come home to a dead kitty.