Meal times in regard to Novolin N shot

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Kot

Kot

Member Since 2013
Hi,
our cat was diagnosed with diabetes year and a half ago but went into a "temporary" remission after having a hypoglycemic episode over a year ago. We are back to high BG numbers since 10 days ago (more like three weeks ago or more judging by his fructosamine numbers). Vet suggested 2U of Novolin N twice a day (we were on Lantus before) after trying for 1U twice a day. We just started 2U last night. I am doing a blood glucose curve and seems like he is dropping from over 500 to 150 within four hours but then it rises up fast, especially if he has a snack - from 150 to 300 within an hour. Is it the food intake relative to insulin peak? or too low of a dose of insulin? or am I doing BG curve too soon?
Thanks.

P.S. Checked his BG one hour after that last reading - drop from 299 to 150.
 

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With Novolin or Humulin N (NPH) insulin, you want to feed 30 minutes before you shoot.
Due to the harsh action, you can calm the rapid drop by feeding some around +2 to +3 hours post shot.
If you can swing it, ProZinc, BCP PZI, Levemir, or Lantus insulins would be better than N. N wears off in 6 to 8 hours, leaving 4-6 hours of uncontrolled glucose levels.
 
dropping from over 500 to 150 within four hours but then it rises up fast

This is the action you will get from Novolin. It is short acting and harsh, cats drop quick and hard then head right back up again. Though it is better than not treating a diabetic cat at all, it is a poor choice of insulin for a cat because of the way it acts. What is the reason you did not go back on Lantus like you used before? It is much more expensive than Novolin, but much better and less harsh for cats (and more of a chance for a second remission). Keep testing , you are not doing the curve to soon, test every day. You want to keep an eye on those numbers 1-4 hours after the shot to make sure he isn't getting too low.
 
Morning,

Hank started out on Novolin but I switched him about 3 months later to Prozinc.

The main reason for the switch was my DH and I couldn't stand the fact that after 6 hours the insulin had worn off and he was back in high numbers till next shot, 6 hours later. I had a couple of fast drops that led to low numbers (49), so keep testing.

It does help to give a snack at +2 or +3 to help slow down the drop.

I would recommend switching the insulin too. I like the flexibility with Prozinc and it's cheaper than Lantus ($88 from my vet).

Kimmie
 
Thank you for all your replies. I'll be talking to my vet tomorrow about switching from Novolin N to another type of insulin. I am testing consistently and the irregularity in BG drops and rises is very discouraging. Vet recommended Novolin N because "...it is a good insulin, not expensive and I like to use it with diabetic cats." - end of quote. Vet proposed previously that if Bailey is still in high numbers pre-shot then we need to give 3U twice a day. Which seems totally wrong because BG for Bailey goes from 600 to below 200 fast from 2 units and I am not going to have a risk of having a hypo episode from giving Bailey 3 units.

Inga
 
Since your vet is not familiar with depot insulins, ProZinc or BCP PZI will work similarly to Novolin, with no carry over effects.
Give the vet the web sites ahead of time so he can do some reading on them ... and then remember he's still learning
 
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