Need a quick crash course re vetsulin

[Deborah & Muffy(GA) & Wendall]

Today we picked up a new kitty, sight unseen, and was told she was on vetsulin, 7 units bid. Much to my horror, Bonnie weighs 19.8 lbs., which I consider passive abuse. I can't even pick her up. She was diagnosed in April 2018 at age 5 when she already weighed over 15 lbs. Evidently she was free fed a bottomless bowl of assorted crap dry foods, and was generously given 1/2 can fancy feast in the evening.

The testing protocol was the glucose part of an annual blood panel and a fructosamine. So one test a year. Dose increases were based on that and clinical signs - ie drinking a lot of water? Increase by a unit. It looks like her last blood panel was 3 years ago. She went in for wellness exams in order to get insulin refills but owner declined bloodwork. Pretty sure she's never been even close to regulated.

So here we are, Bonnie is hiding in her litter box and doesn't want to eat, not unusual for new cats, but if I recall, vetsulin needs food on board, not that I could blindly inject 7 units into her anyway. Right now she's so stressed that testing her is impossible and may be that way for a few days. The drive home was 2 hours and between the open-mouth breathing/ panting and severe drooling, I was afraid the poor cat was going to go into respiratory distress before we got here.

I'd like to give her time to chill, start eating something and then switch her to Levemir. Wondering if I should consider a starting dose based on what she was getting or just give her a couple of days and start over like she's never been treated. Would appreciate input from anyone who has gone from vetsulin to Lev or Lantus.

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

Thank you for rescuing another FD kitty. She must be exhausted after such a big day.
Yes you need food aboard for vetsulin. Feed 30 minutes before the dose is given. So test, feed, wait 30 minutes and then give the dose.
HERE is a link to using vetsulin

I think before we could recommend a dose when you swap over to lantus or Lev, we would need to see some BG data.
Do you think putting on a freestyle libre for the first 2 weeks would be easier?
I would be inclined to stay with vetsulin while Bonnie settles in and then think about changing over.
If you are going to start feeding her more suitable foods, you will need to be careful she doesn't drop too low if you can't test her.
If you are going to lower the dose and can't test, I would try and get a ketone test done if possible...I know that might be a big ask as well.
She is very lucky to have found you.
Would love to see a photo!

 

[Deborah & Muffy(GA) & Wendall]

Bonnie managed to eat a little dry Instinct overnight, maybe 10 pieces, not enough to be called a meal so no insulin and she just picked at more today. She won't be easy to transition to wet food.

I don't think the actual testing is going to be the problem - she loves attention and doesn't mind having her ears touched. It's more getting her somewhere to do the test. I truly cannot pick her up. Aside from the weight, it's like trying to handle a slippery turkey with 4 flailing legs. She struggles so I know she's uncomfortable at the very least, her organs are being crushed under all that fat and likely her joints are painful. It's both heartbreaking and infuriating to see her in that condition. How do people not notice their cat looks like a basketball and is unable to walk properly?

Well, tonight she managed to jump to a chair and then the table. Yay, Bonnie! If she does it again in the morning when the light is better I should be able to test her. You can get a sense of how huge she is. Her front legs bow out to the sides instead of being underneath her and you can't even see her back feet. This is abuse.

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

Oh my goodness she is a big girl. How can someone let her get so big.