Marcus - dosing question

Rebecca Yody

Member Since 2019
Marcus is having really good numbers today. My room mate was recovering from surgery on 12-20 and accidently gave Marcus a 1 unit shot at 1:00 in the morning instead of 6:00 so on the 20th we skipped the 6:00 am shot and did not give him another until 6:00 pm hence the high number at 6:00. But as for today, he is doing REALLY well. If he tests below 150 at 6:00 tonight should I give him 2 units or less ? We are on a roll and I don't want to mess him up. Any thoughts ? I do not know what method we are using. The vet never told us to use 1/2 units and I have the lantus pen, so I am not even sure how I would do that. We also just got a new pen on the 19th, the other one was over the 28 day which is why those number before the 20th might be slightly higher.
 
Rebecca --

Have you decided if you're following Tight Regulation (TR) or Start Low Go Slow (SLGS) as your dosing strategy? It makes a difference when it comes to dose reductions. From Marcus' spreadsheet, it doesn't look like you're following TR. (Doses are evaluated every 3 ays/6 cycles vs SLGS when you evaluate the dose weekly when you do a curve.)

Based on the assumption you are using SLGS, because Marcus' dropped below 90, you would reduce the dose to 1.75u tonight.

The pens do not dispense in less than a full unit. Most of us use syringes. Depending on where you live, you may or may not need a prescription for insulin syringes. You want to get U-100 3/10cc syringes with half unit markings. There is information on syringes about halfway down the page in this sticky note. If it's still early enough to call around, you may want to see if you can get syringes. If you need a prescription, please get one from your vet as soon as you can. If you keep going between 2.0u and 1.0u, you'll end up either over dosing or under dosing your cat.

Regarding the notion that a pen lasts for only 28 days. It's incorrect. I've used a pen for close to 3 months. The manufacturer only tested for that period of time. We also keep the insulin refrigerated which prolongs its life. Given the cost of Lantus, I would not discard a pen after 28 days.

I would also encourage you to always get a before bed test. Without PM tests, you are missing half of your data. You're already starting to see lower numbers at night -- which happens with many kitties. Please do your bets to always get a test so you can turn in for the night knowing that Marcus is in safe numbers.
 
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