Need advice on getting started with Lantus dosing

Kelly & Chaz

Kelly & Chaz

Member Since 2019
Hello. My kitty Chaz has been diagnosed and prescribed 1U lantus 2x a day. He did a short stint on Vetsulin aug/sep of this year (his initial diagnosis) and after his numbers tanked and we nearly had a hypo situation ( on a very low dose) the vet took him off insulin with a watch and see approach. He seemed fine, like his old self, for several weeks, but is now having higher numbers (300s) and is going back on insulin. I requested Lantus this time, based on all I have read on the Feline Diabetes FB group. I believe we will go with the SLGS method, and already feel that starting with 1U 2x daily is too high to start. I have had some successful home testing, but I’m not sure he will allow me to get many readings per day. The fear of high number and low number complications is gut wrenching.
I’m feeling pretty overwhelmed right now, and will appreciate the help and advice of this experienced group. My apologies for the length, or if this is not the correct place to start. I also know I will need a spreadsheet and could use some help with that too please. Thank you in advance.
 
Tagging @Marje and Gracie for help with that spreadsheet. Normally people start in the Welcome of Feline Health forum t9 get you up and started. But here you are, that’s fine. You might want to read over this post for new members. Click on the blue to get to the link. And when you have time, start reading through the Sticky Notes on the top of this forum. Ask plenty of questions, we love to help.

Can you tell me a bit more about Chaz? What food is he eating? How high a dose of Vetsulin did he get to? Any other medical issues? Those answers, along with the spreadsheet, will help us decide on his staring Lantus dose.

Do you have the u-100 syringes for Lantus?
 
Chaz is a rescue, we believe he is around 5 years old. When he was on Vetsulin, he started on 2U 2x day, after his 2 week curve at vet, dropped down to 1U 2x day. Next curve (2weeks later) was when his numbers dropped into the 50s, at the vets, and the vet lowered him to 1U 1x a day. I was not home testing yet at this point, and I became very afraid of a hypo event, so I weaned him down over the next week to .5 once a day. He was back to his old self, no previously seen diabetic symptoms present. I had also switched him over to all low carb canned food from a dry diet, at the same time we started his insulin (August 2019). With my vets concurrence, we stopped insulin in hopes of a diet controlled situation. I found this board and the FB group somewhere around this time.
His numbers at home on a human meter had been in the 150 range over the last few weeks (testing once a day) but jumped up back into the 200s/300s just in the last week. So back to the vet we went.
His appetite is good, and he is eating 1/2 can Fancy Feast pate 4 x a day. Litter box habits are fine. I recall when he was on the Vetsulin he did have trouble with constipation - is that likely to be the case again on Lantus? Bloodwork and urine at vet today shows some glucose in the urine, no ketones thankfully.
This is such a complex disease, and I have already read so much on this board as well as the FB group. It’s great to become educated, but doesn’t make it any less overwhelming for me I’m afraid.
 
Hi and welcome to your and Chaz. You have come to the best possible place to get help for him.:)

While you are waiting to start the insulin, would you be able to set up your signature please. It will have information about Chaz in it and will appear at the bottom of all your posts. It will save helpers having to ask you repeatedly about him. We always look at the SS and the signature when helping.
It can be overwhelming in the beginning, but you will find as you learn more and get used to the routine, things will seem easier and less stressful.

Here is the link to the signature
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/editing-your-signature-profile-and-preferences.130340/
 
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Welcome. It does get easier. Getting a routine down really makes a difference. You will get there. Chaz is definitely a looker.
 
And here is the link to how to do a SS. If you have any issues or need me to just do it for you (it only takes me a minute but I need info from you), please send me a private message by clicking on “Marje and Gracie” to the left and then “Start a conversation”.

Welcome to the FDMB and the Lantus/Levemir Insulin Support Group (ISG). Here is some additional info you might want to read through to help you navigate this ISG more easily.
 
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