? Lantus tight regulations?

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Mshaas75

Mshaas75

Member Since 2016
So I am trying to read and understand about Lantus in case I ask the vet to switch. So does that only mean you have to be exact on the 12 hour dosing or does it mean more than that??
If we did start on Lantus I could do it over the weekend when I can constantly check her. Monday through Friday I give shot at 6am get home at 5pm feed and give shot at 6pm. Is there food restrictions on Lantus? She usually gets 4 meals throughout the day because unless I feed cooked chicken she may or may not eat. I try to keep something down for her dodge stays out of the dry food.
 
With Lantus, it's important to try to shoot as close to every 12 hours as possible. Being off 15 or so minutes isn't a big deal, and there are ways to work yourself back on schedule if the shot times get messed up.

With TR, it's important to always get a test in the AM and PM before giving insulin. Being able to get at least 1 other test each cycle (the AM cycle and the PM cycle) is also a requirement with TR.

The only food "restriction" with TR is to use low-carb canned/wet food - no dry food. Otherwise (unless kitty's numbers are too low) don't feed in the two hours before morning and evening shots. That way, when you test, you'll be sure that the test number hasn't been influenced by food and it's safe to give insulin. The standard "format" is to test, feed, and give insulin. Most people do that all within a few minutes. Feeding several small meals a day instead of just one or two big ones isn't a problem at all; it can actually be easier on the pancreas.

Hope that answers some of your questions!
 
Thanks. I think I have been screwing up. I'm on vetsulin now. I have been feeding then test than shoot. Maybe that is why she is always over 600. I am still new and going to use my vetsulin but it doesn't seem to last long enough. On the weekdays I can't test between shots because I am not home. At night I can usually test up to the 5 hour mark and then I have to get some sleep. You can look at my chart it's pretty ugly.
 
Lots of hugs to you. I know how frustrating and overwhelming it all is.

We started with Humulin-N, a much shorter acting insulin, and later switched to Lantus. With the harsher insulins that cause quick drops (like N and Vetsulin), it's important to have food on board. When we were on N, I tested Jersey, fed her, and then gave her the insulin about 30 minutes later so that she had food in her system when the insulin kicked in. Just remember: Test. Feed. Shoot. You'll sometimes see people refer to "TFS" here. That's what it stands for.

I worked during the day, too. What I tried to do was test, feed, and shoot at about 5:30 a.m. That allowed me to grab a +1.5 before I left for work at 7:00 a.m. Even that test could sometimes tell me a lot about where Jersey's numbers might head during the day while I was gone. In case you haven't read it yet, here's a post about working full-time and TR.
 
Thanks now that I know I have been doing it wrong. I will test when I first wake up then feed while I get ready and shoot before I leave. Maybe I will get something under 600.
 
I wouldn't worry about what insulin you use. Some people here are downright snobby about insulin brands. Several people here use Vetsulin and have it last the full 12 hours. The other insulins cost a lot more. It is important that they eat before getting their shot. What I found that helps is to set an alarm for 6 hours after the shot to wake me up to test. That way, I don't loose much sleep. I only do that a few times a week unless her numbers are wonky.
 
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We have been on 3 insulins starting with vetsulin--the thing I did not like was my guy was so depressed --but many cats do just fine on it.

Because it is a bit harsher than some of the others I am glad you will be getting tests before food to be sure it is safe to shoot-
:bighug:
 
So tested before food today still HI. Going to do another curve tomorrow to see how long the insulin actually works
 
Was there any food he could get to other then his low carb.food? My Callie was very sneaky about finding food to get into. She loves to open packages of cookies or bread if I leave them out on the counter, Everytime her numbers jump up, I search the house for food that was left out, Did one of the girls leave chocolate milk on the bedside tabel? cookies? a sandwich or some kind of snacks? I will find something the girls forgot under the bed like a half bag of cheetois, Callie loves them and can tear open the bags. All foods have to be kept put away where. 4 cats and 2 dogs can't get to them. With my gang, they work together. Trixie, the bravest cat, climbs up ontop of cabinets and the refrigerator to see what we have hiden up there. Then she knocks them down to the floor so all 6 pets can have a party. Queenie, the parakeet avoids the partys, there too wild for her. When I tracked down and removed all the food stashes, Callies numbers went down.
 
I am doing a glucose curve today. Looks like insulin starts to wear off by hour 6. Going to start a new thread to get advice before I talk to the vet on Monday
 
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