Need help with dosage of Lantus!!

Status
Not open for further replies.
J

jenn377

Member Since 2013
So after looking into the wise advice that came from several members of this board, I spoke with our vet about switching to Lantus. I just picked up the prescription which the vet was happy to write but unfortunately our vet is a bit unfamiliar with this insulin. I will be searching to find someone who can better help us in the future but in the meantime, what is an approximate 'rule of thumb' so to speak as far as dosage goes? Is this a once per day injection and if so what would be a good dosage to start with? Our pharmacist was extremely helpful but he wasn't sure on dosage for a cat. Sorry I know these questions are really for a vet but I am feeling lost since he is old school and only uses Humilin. We have been giving Cooper 6 units per day, 3 units in the am and 3 in the pm. Any thoughts or advice would be so helpful!!!!! confused_cat
 
Hello there,
Lantus is a twice a day insulin. I am not an expert at dosing but I know you won't be starting on much. While we are waiting for others to come over here is some reading for you on lantus..

Shooting and handling http://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=151
Tight regulation protocol http://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=1581
Or
Start low and go slow.. http://binkyspage.tripod.com/SLGS.html

Does he just not like the science diet? Have you tried fancy feast classic pâtés or friskies pâtés to see if he will just eat them without forcing?

Also strongly recommend home testing, can advise you on that if you want to know more.

Wendy
 
Thank you so much for the responses. I will definitely look at the articles you linked. @Wendy, we have tried ALL foods and he doesn't like any of them! The only thing I was even remotely successful with was the Friskies dry party mix. I know he needs to be on a wet food but the vet said that is fine for now since our main goal is just to get him eating anything at all and then we can work our way into what's better for him. I think the reason for no appetite now is because he has been bottoming out on the Humilin. After speaking at length with our pharmacist, he confirmed that right around 4 hours is the timeframe for a human or animal to have this kind of reaction so it's no wonder he hasn't been wanting to eat. I had been observing this very thing for a few days but our vet didn't seem to know what to make of this. I am definitely interested in learning about home monitoring as far as how it's done, the expense, where to get supplies, etc. Thanks so much!
 
Great!

How to home test http://www.sugarpet.net/bloodtst.html

Home testing tips https://docs.google.com/document/d/13c_CPZVKz27fD_6aVbsguadJKvjSrSAkD7flgPPhEag/pub

Getting started shopping list... Walmart.com
1. Meter ie Walmart Relion prime $16
2. Matching strips 50 for $9
3. Lancets - little sticks to poke the ear to get blood . new members usually start with a larger gauge lancet such as 28g or 29g until the ear learns to bleed. $6 Optional - lancing tool. $6
4. Cotton balls to stem the blood
5. Neosporin ointment to heal the wound
6. Ketone urine test strips $7
7. Treats for the cat - like freeze dried chicken
8. karo syrup/corn syrup or honey if you dont have it at home - for hypo emergencies to bring blood sugar up fast
9. A couple of cans of fancy feast gravy lovers - for hypo emergencies to bring blood sugar up fast

Wendy
 
The initial dose of Lantus, If you want to follow the Tight Regulation Protocol, can be based on a weight-based formula:
initial dose = 0.25 x ideal weight in kilograms​

For an average weight cat, this usually works out to roughly 1.0u. Like Humulin N, Lantus is dosed twice a day at 12-hour intervals. Unlike N, it's more important to try to keep to a 12-hour cycle. Even though you're giving a much larger dose of N, if you're not home testing, I would want to err on the side of safety. I'd also like to encourage you to home test. It is the best way to keep Cooper safe. You can use a human glucometer -- it's what most of us use. In addition, Lantus dose is based on the nadir, not on your pre-shot numbers. This latter aspect of dosing will take some getting used to. Obviously, you need to know if it's safe to shoot but, ultimately, your dose adjustment is based on the lowest point of the cycle. This is another reason that it's important to home test.

You'll also want to get syringes that are marked in half unit increments. We adjust doses in 0.25u amounts so having syringes that are in half units will help.

If Cooper is not on a low carb, canned diet, I would also encourage you to consider switching him over. Lisa Pierson, DVM has an excellent website that discusses feline nutrition.

If you want more information on Lantus and it's use, these are the links to the starred, sticky notes at the top of the Lantus board.
  • Tight Regulation Protocol: This sticky contains the dosing protocol that we use here. There are also links to the more formal version -- the “Tilly” Protocol developed by the counterpart of this group in Germany, which was also published by Kirsten Roomp & Jacqui Rand, DVM in one of the top vet journals.
  • New to the Group: Everything you wanted to know about this forum and more. Info on our slang, FAQs, links to sites on feline nutrition and to food charts containing carb counts, how to do a curve and the components to look for, important aspects of diabetes such as ketones, DKA, and neuropathy, and most important, info on hypoglycemia.
  • Handling Lantus: how to get the maximum use from your insulin and what to not do with it!
  • Lantus depot: This is an important concept for understanding how Lantus works.
  • Lantus & Levemir: Shooting & Handling Low Numbers: What data you need in order to be able to work toward remission or tight regulation as well as information if you have a low pre-shot number or a drop into low numbers during the cycle.
 
no advise just re assuring what you already know, your in the right place here.
angels everysingle one of the people here...angles
((((wendy)))) i remember how grateful i was and still am for taking me under your wing, so consumed with worry I couldn't focus
your lists and links were soooo helpfull we're all lucky to have you and fdmb family
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top