Needing some info on switching from Lantus to Levemir....

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AmberMacMullin

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My cats have been diabetic for a few years now. One of my cats,Holly, had two episodes of DKA during those three years. Her sister is also diabetic.
I have to be careful switching Holly's insulin where she is more prone to ketones and DKA.
I am hearing that Lantus is not as stable an insulin as Levemir and that Levemir seems to be giving really great results on lower doses than the Lantus.
I am noticing that when I get to the end of a small vial of Lantus, the cats' BG numbers seem to be higher as if the Lantus is not working.

Any advice on how to switch from Lantus to Levemir?

I have heard that I would have to start with 1 unit twice a day but I have read that I should start with the same units I have been using with Lantus.
I am unsure what to do because I really do not need to send Holly spiraling into DKA again anytime soon. I would be doing the switch in the next few weeks so I have time to decide what my plan of action is. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

Thanks,

Amber
 
Re: Needing some info on switching from Lantus to Levemir...

I have used them interchangeably and found no difference in dose. gave the same with which ever I was using
 
Re: Needing some info on switching from Lantus to Levemir...

Generally it is advised to go w/ a lower dose of Lev when starting, then once the shed is established you may need to work back up the the best dose.

You will still have a Lantus shed and then adding Lev in on top of it. We switched 2 weeks ago, and went from .25u Lantus to .1u Levimir, and we still had a hard time keeping Tess's numbers up. In fact we had t reduce twice, thenafter she built the new shed for Lev bring her back up to 3 whole drops!

Reduce the dose and test frequently because ECID and and although Tess's reaction is not the norm it can happen.
 
Re: Needing some info on switching from Lantus to Levemir...

Just a reminder to test for ketones, no matter what insulin you decide on. DKA can be a
killer but can be controlled if you test the urine with ketone test strips, like ketostix, and do
something in the beginning.

My cat Payne had DKA 3X just three months ago and we test her urine 3X a day. If you
can catch her urine when the ketones just begin, you have a great chance of having
something done BEFORE it goes into DKA, which can happen very quickly.

Good luck and my Payne is not happy again, talking about DKA :)
 
Re: Needing some info on switching from Lantus to Levemir...

Are you switching both cats or only Holly?

What dose of Lantus is/are your cat(s) on now?

Are you testing (or can you test) BG levels at home? If yes, what kind of levels is/are your cat(s) getting on Lantus?
 
Re: Needing some info on switching from Lantus to Levemir...

Yes, I will be switching both cats to Levemir because it would be too hard having them on different insulins. Holly is on 2.5U and Emmy is on 4.0U. I have been testing them since they have been diagnosed years ago. I actually had three diabetic cats but Leo passed away. I have been dealing with diabetes in my cats for almost 5 years now!!! I don't know if you know Karen(Karen and Rambo) from the board. We are good friends fro the same town and she has helped me since the beginning.
Holly's numbers have been higher for the past number of weeks. She is 360 (20.0) and under most of the time. She will go as low as 27(1.5) sometimes depending on how she is feeling(infections) or what she ate that day.
 
Re: Needing some info on switching from Lantus to Levemir...

Hi Amber!!

You should be able to switch straight over, dose for dose, as long as you watch carefully- especially Miss Holly, since we don't want to do see ketones with her, ever again! So, you know what to do - test, test, test!!

Good luck!
 
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