Making the Switch from Novolin to Lantus

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Danica20

Danica20

Member Since 2014
After much fuss and back and forth I have finally convinced my vet to switch Pinky from Novolin to Lantus! So after reading as much as I possible can up on Lantus I have a few questions:

Right now Pinky is on 2.5 units of Novolin. My plan is to do the relaxed Lantus, Start Low & Go Slow approach due to my work schedule. I can keep the shots regularly done every 12 hrs, it's just sometimes I can't get the mid-cycle BG #s. What would be the ideal amount of Lantus to start Pinky on? Once I get the Lantus can I change to the Lantus immediately or does she need a detox of sorts?

I've also read that Lantus tends to work better if the cat is allowed several small meals throughout the day. Is this correct? Pinky is now on an all wet/ low carb diet. She currently is fed twice daily around her AMPS and PMPS. Should I continue this or do the small meals throughout the day? I've been looking at automatic feeders. Does anyone here have experience with those? How many small meals a day should I give and what amount of food?

If there is any other things I should know? Any other advice you can give, feel free to. Thanks.
 
The starting dose is calculated as follows:
What is his current weight?
How much should he weigh?
Take the lower of these weights.
Convert to kilograms, if in pounds (pounds / 2.2).
Multiply by 0.25.
Round down to nearest quarter unit.

Tips:
It takes 5 to 7 days at the first dose level to stabilize due to the cummulative effects of Lantus (aka "the depot").
On later doses, it takes 3 to 5 days to stabilize.
The nadir is often between +5 to +7 hours after the shot. Check this whenever you can at starting, and any dose changes. You want to stay above 50 mg/dL on a human meter, 80 mg/dL on a pet meter.
 
You can switch from the Novolin to the Lantus immediately. No need to "detox" your cat, where you would stop one insulin for a cycle or 2 and then start up a new insulin. Novolin and Humulin are NPH type insulins and are in and out of a cat's system usually in 6-8 hours. A few cats get longer duration with the NPH insulins, but not usually more than 12 hours.
 
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