Hi, my 8 year old cat Marie was diagnosed about a month ago. We're using Lantus insulin currently but only because it's all Safeway had and Purina DM cat food because that's what the vet had. I guess I'm trying to figure out how to find less expensive alternatives. She loves wet food and, now that she has her appetite back, will eat anything. The vet said the insulin can be used for about 3 months? So I've got a little bit of time till I need to get more I guess.
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- Thread starter Creyzos
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BJM
Member Since 2010
If you bought the 10 mL vial of Lantus, and keep it refrigerated on a stationary shelf, you'll be able to use it about 6 months.
Any low carb over the counter food such as Friskies pates or Fancy Feast Classic pates may be fed. See Cat Info for vet-written feline nutrition information and a printable food list to take shopping. Any food with less than 10% calories from carbohydrates may be used for regular feeding. Snag a few high carb gravy foods in case there are times the glucose is going a bit too low.
To keep your cat safe, we recommend home blood glucose testing. Pick up an inexpensive human glucometer such as the Glucocard 01 or Glucocard mini available from our shopping partner ADW (link at top of page) or pick up a branded version, the ReliOn Confirm or Confirm Micro from WalMart. These require one of the smallest blood droplets and have inexpensive strips (interchangeable for these models). Also snag 2 boxes of test strips (always have a spare box!) And 26-27 gauge lancets to prick the ear between the outer edge and the vein a millimeter or so inside the edge.
Any low carb over the counter food such as Friskies pates or Fancy Feast Classic pates may be fed. See Cat Info for vet-written feline nutrition information and a printable food list to take shopping. Any food with less than 10% calories from carbohydrates may be used for regular feeding. Snag a few high carb gravy foods in case there are times the glucose is going a bit too low.
To keep your cat safe, we recommend home blood glucose testing. Pick up an inexpensive human glucometer such as the Glucocard 01 or Glucocard mini available from our shopping partner ADW (link at top of page) or pick up a branded version, the ReliOn Confirm or Confirm Micro from WalMart. These require one of the smallest blood droplets and have inexpensive strips (interchangeable for these models). Also snag 2 boxes of test strips (always have a spare box!) And 26-27 gauge lancets to prick the ear between the outer edge and the vein a millimeter or so inside the edge.
Elizabeth and Bertie
Member Since 2010
Hi,
Insulins can often keep their potency for a long time if stored and handled carefully. And if you learn to hometest (as BJ suggests) you should be able to see if the insulin is still working OK.
Welcome to FDMB!
Eliz
Insulins can often keep their potency for a long time if stored and handled carefully. And if you learn to hometest (as BJ suggests) you should be able to see if the insulin is still working OK.
Welcome to FDMB!
Eliz
Lisa and Witn (GA)
Member Since 2009
There are several ways to save money. Hometesting is one way. This means testing your cat's glucose levels before every shot with a human glucose meter. You can use any brand, but the Walmart Relion meters are some of the most economical. In addition to verifying it is safe to give insulin, hometesting also will let you know when your insulin is becoming ineffective and save unnecessary trips to the vet just for testing the glucose levels.
If you are using a vial of Lantus, ask your vet for a prescription for the pens on the next refill. There is a coupon on the Lantus site http://www.lantus.com/sign-up/offers.aspx that some people have been able to use successfully. Without the coupon, the pens cost more than a vial. The biggest advantage to them is that you should be able to use almost every drop of insulin before it becomes ineffective. With a vial, even though you can use it for about 6 months, you will still end up throwing a lot of insulin away because it stops working. Because the pens are packaged in smaller containers, it last longer. One package of pens could give you enough insulin to last almost a year.
For food, take back the prescription food to the vet. You want to feed a low carb/high protein diet, either canned or raw. Many of us feed our cats Friskies, Special Kitty or Fancy Feast canned foods. Try to only feed pate flavors, they have less carbs than anything that has a lot of gravy.
If you are using a vial of Lantus, ask your vet for a prescription for the pens on the next refill. There is a coupon on the Lantus site http://www.lantus.com/sign-up/offers.aspx that some people have been able to use successfully. Without the coupon, the pens cost more than a vial. The biggest advantage to them is that you should be able to use almost every drop of insulin before it becomes ineffective. With a vial, even though you can use it for about 6 months, you will still end up throwing a lot of insulin away because it stops working. Because the pens are packaged in smaller containers, it last longer. One package of pens could give you enough insulin to last almost a year.
For food, take back the prescription food to the vet. You want to feed a low carb/high protein diet, either canned or raw. Many of us feed our cats Friskies, Special Kitty or Fancy Feast canned foods. Try to only feed pate flavors, they have less carbs than anything that has a lot of gravy.
Thank you all! I hadn't heard about pens. And yes, I've been home testing and still working on establishing a curve to see when her glucose peaks. As of now, I've been getting readings the highest of which has been 140 and we're only using 1 unit every twelve hours. Thanks for the food recs--it's good to hear I don't need to break the bank on food and it will be easier to find.
BJM
Member Since 2010
Here are some glucose reference ranges used for decision making using glucometers. Human glucometer numbers are given first. Numbers in parentheses are for non-US meters. Numbers in curly braces are estimates for an AlphaTrak.
< 40 mg/dL (2.2 mmol/L) {< 70 mg/dL for an AlphaTrak}
- Treat as if HYPO if on insulin
- At nadir (lowest point between shots) in a long term diabetic (more than a year), may earn a reduction.
< 50 mg/dL (2.8 mmol/L) {< 80 mg/dL for an AlphaTrak}
- If before nadir, steer with food, ie, give modest amounts of medium carb food to keep from going below 50 (2.8).
- At nadir, often indicates dose reduction is earned.
50 - 130 mg/dL (2.8 - 7.2 mmol/L) {80 - 160 mg/dL for an AlphaTrak}
- On insulin - great control when following a tight regulation protocol.
- Off insulin - normal numbers. (May even go as low as the upper 30s (1.7 mmol/L){60s for an AlphaTrak}; if not on insulin, this can be safe.
= 150 mg/dL (8.3 mmol/L) {> 180 mg/dL for an AlphaTrak}
- the lowest level pre-shot for ProZinc, PZI, or other non-depot insulins.
> 150 mg/dL (8.3 mmol/L) {> 180 mg/dL for an AlphaTrak}
- At nadir, indicates a dose increase may be needed when following a tight regulation protocol.
200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) {230 mg/dL for an AlphaTrak}
- no shot level for beginners; may slowly reduce to 150 mg/dL (8.3 mmol/L) {180 mg/dL} for long-acting insulins (Lantus, Levemir, and ProZinc) as mid-cycle data collection shows it is safe
180 - 280 mg/dL (10 - 15.6 mmol/L) {may be 210 - 310 mg/dL for an AlphaTrak}
- Any time - The renal threshold (depending on data source and cat's renal function) where glucose spills into the urine.
- Test for ketones, glucose is too high.
>= 280 mg/dL (15.6 mmol/L) {may be >=310 mf/dL for an AlphaTrak}, if for most of the cycle between shots
- Uncontrolled diabetes and thus at risk for diabetic ketoacidosis and hepatic lipidosis
- Follow your insulin protocol for dose adjustments
- Test for ketones; if more than a trace level of ketones, go to vet ASAP.
< 40 mg/dL (2.2 mmol/L) {< 70 mg/dL for an AlphaTrak}
- Treat as if HYPO if on insulin
- At nadir (lowest point between shots) in a long term diabetic (more than a year), may earn a reduction.
< 50 mg/dL (2.8 mmol/L) {< 80 mg/dL for an AlphaTrak}
- If before nadir, steer with food, ie, give modest amounts of medium carb food to keep from going below 50 (2.8).
- At nadir, often indicates dose reduction is earned.
50 - 130 mg/dL (2.8 - 7.2 mmol/L) {80 - 160 mg/dL for an AlphaTrak}
- On insulin - great control when following a tight regulation protocol.
- Off insulin - normal numbers. (May even go as low as the upper 30s (1.7 mmol/L){60s for an AlphaTrak}; if not on insulin, this can be safe.
= 150 mg/dL (8.3 mmol/L) {> 180 mg/dL for an AlphaTrak}
- the lowest level pre-shot for ProZinc, PZI, or other non-depot insulins.
> 150 mg/dL (8.3 mmol/L) {> 180 mg/dL for an AlphaTrak}
- At nadir, indicates a dose increase may be needed when following a tight regulation protocol.
200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) {230 mg/dL for an AlphaTrak}
- no shot level for beginners; may slowly reduce to 150 mg/dL (8.3 mmol/L) {180 mg/dL} for long-acting insulins (Lantus, Levemir, and ProZinc) as mid-cycle data collection shows it is safe
180 - 280 mg/dL (10 - 15.6 mmol/L) {may be 210 - 310 mg/dL for an AlphaTrak}
- Any time - The renal threshold (depending on data source and cat's renal function) where glucose spills into the urine.
- Test for ketones, glucose is too high.
>= 280 mg/dL (15.6 mmol/L) {may be >=310 mf/dL for an AlphaTrak}, if for most of the cycle between shots
- Uncontrolled diabetes and thus at risk for diabetic ketoacidosis and hepatic lipidosis
- Follow your insulin protocol for dose adjustments
- Test for ketones; if more than a trace level of ketones, go to vet ASAP.
Wendy&Tiggy(GA)
Member Since 2011
hello and welcome to the board!
As BJ said, Lantus is a GREAT insulin and lasts up to 6 months. Its great too you are planning to feed low carb food. I would like to see her readings though.. we don't advise newbies shoot under 200.. would you be willing to share some results?
Wendy
As BJ said, Lantus is a GREAT insulin and lasts up to 6 months. Its great too you are planning to feed low carb food. I would like to see her readings though.. we don't advise newbies shoot under 200.. would you be willing to share some results?
Wendy
The last times I was able to test were 142 at 8:30AM about half hour before insulin, 130 at 10:00AM an hour after insulin and 119 at 7:50 PM which was 20 min after eating. As I've said, I'm still working on establishing a curve and getting peak results.
Oh and I did go ahead and get the AlphaTrak2 meter just so I know readings will be more accurate.
Oh and I did go ahead and get the AlphaTrak2 meter just so I know readings will be more accurate.
BJM
Member Since 2010
Creyzos said:
It isn't more accurate, it just reads on a different scale. Its like reading temperature in Fahrenheit vs Celsius.
Pet-specific meters cost more, their strips cost more, and you can't get them except for your vet's office or mail order, so you'd better have a spare box of test strips at alltimes.
Wendy&Tiggy(GA)
Member Since 2011
Are you having issues testing?
These results are pretty good - we don't normally advise newbies shoot under 200. And remember 50-130 is normal cat numbers!! She could well be going there during the day once Lantus reaches its peak - she could even be dropping too low!! So If I were you i would not shoot right now and see how she does for a couple of days. She may be heading to remission... but If she sneaks over 200 then I would restart the insulin at that point.
I usually recommend 3-4 tests a day instead of a curve - since a curve over 1 day doesn't give enough data - cats numbers vary daily.
- always before the shot - this is mandatory as you don't want to shoot when too low. As a newbie this too low number is 200 but is reduced over time once you have the data to know if its safe.
- mid cycle - 5-7 hours after morning shot depending on your schedule. This is to see how low he is going. The low point "nadir" is what you base dose changes on since you don't want him dropping too low (under 50).
- before bed (2-3hours after Pm shot) to get an idea of what his overnight plans are. If this number is less than the pre shot test number you may want to set the alarm for a test a few hours later as this implies an active cycle.
Wendy
PS I agree with BJ - i wouldn't bother with the AT - its expensive and not worth the cost difference in terms of accuracy
These results are pretty good - we don't normally advise newbies shoot under 200. And remember 50-130 is normal cat numbers!! She could well be going there during the day once Lantus reaches its peak - she could even be dropping too low!! So If I were you i would not shoot right now and see how she does for a couple of days. She may be heading to remission... but If she sneaks over 200 then I would restart the insulin at that point.
I usually recommend 3-4 tests a day instead of a curve - since a curve over 1 day doesn't give enough data - cats numbers vary daily.
- always before the shot - this is mandatory as you don't want to shoot when too low. As a newbie this too low number is 200 but is reduced over time once you have the data to know if its safe.
- mid cycle - 5-7 hours after morning shot depending on your schedule. This is to see how low he is going. The low point "nadir" is what you base dose changes on since you don't want him dropping too low (under 50).
- before bed (2-3hours after Pm shot) to get an idea of what his overnight plans are. If this number is less than the pre shot test number you may want to set the alarm for a test a few hours later as this implies an active cycle.
Wendy
PS I agree with BJ - i wouldn't bother with the AT - its expensive and not worth the cost difference in terms of accuracy
I'm juggling taking care of an infant as well as the cat right now which is the only reason I'm taking forever on the testing. I tested about midway between shots today, about two hours after her midday meal and got a 56.
I'm going to check with the vet--we only put her on a third meal a few months ago when she had some weight loss which we thought was due to newborn in the house. She hadn't showed any other signs until a couple months later when I noticed her drinking a lot. So I'm not entirely sure if she needs the third meal anymore since she was doing great before on just two.
I'm going to check with the vet--we only put her on a third meal a few months ago when she had some weight loss which we thought was due to newborn in the house. She hadn't showed any other signs until a couple months later when I noticed her drinking a lot. So I'm not entirely sure if she needs the third meal anymore since she was doing great before on just two.
Chris & China (GA)
Member Since 2013
If you got a 56 and you're using the AlphaTrak, that's TOO LOW
Anything under 80 on the AlphaTrak is dangerous. You need to stop shooting insulin until you learn a little more about how to keep your kitty safe and how to manage low numbers
We will be more than happy to help you through the steep learning curve for diabetes
In answer to your questions, yes, it's safe to stop for a few days. Marie was diabetic for awhile before you got the diagnosis...We have a saying here..."Better too high for a day, than too low for a minute". High numbers gradually damage the internal organs...Low numbers kill quickly
You might want to test before feeding, and then a couple hours later. If Marie's pancreas is working, the number should reflect that by coming down
Anything under 80 on the AlphaTrak is dangerous. You need to stop shooting insulin until you learn a little more about how to keep your kitty safe and how to manage low numbers
We will be more than happy to help you through the steep learning curve for diabetes
In answer to your questions, yes, it's safe to stop for a few days. Marie was diabetic for awhile before you got the diagnosis...We have a saying here..."Better too high for a day, than too low for a minute". High numbers gradually damage the internal organs...Low numbers kill quickly
You might want to test before feeding, and then a couple hours later. If Marie's pancreas is working, the number should reflect that by coming down
Wendy&Tiggy(GA)
Member Since 2011
I agree with Chris - with these numbers I would stop shooting and see how she does. She doesn't need as much insulin as you are giving her.. and maybe none at all. If after a few days she is consistently over 200 without insulin then we can restart - but at a lower dose say 0.5.
I would test once or twice a day for the next 3 days and keep us updated.
Wendy
I would test once or twice a day for the next 3 days and keep us updated.
Wendy
BJM
Member Since 2010
The lowered dose will be safer for her. Lantus usually hits its lowest point between +5 to +7 hours after giving insulin.
Anything below 50 mg/dL on a human glucometer or below 80 mg/dL on a pet-specific meter is hypo territory, so watch for that in your testing and be prepared with Karo or other syrup in case you see that.
Anything below 50 mg/dL on a human glucometer or below 80 mg/dL on a pet-specific meter is hypo territory, so watch for that in your testing and be prepared with Karo or other syrup in case you see that.
Wendy&Tiggy(GA)
Member Since 2011
Hows she doing now?
Wendy
Wendy
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