New Mum from Australia

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Squishy's Mum Australia

Squishy's Mum Australia

Member Since 2015
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Hello

My name is Jenny and my 6 year old DLH has recently been diagnosed with FD after 2 major bouts of Pancreatitis. Have only been giving her Lantus/Glargine for a week. Her dose is tiny, 1/2 a unit which the vet and I are struggling to regulate. Does anyone have the same problem?
We suspect she has somoyji effect as a result of moving her does up to 1unit. Not totally convinced but her water intake did increase for a period on the 1 unit and her levels rose to 21.3 after being on 19.1 with the rough guess .5 dose in a syringe.
Early days but any ideas on how to accurately does .5 unit would be appreciated greatly. I have ready that Lantus cant be diluted with sterile water etc to make the draw easier.
BTW anyone want to pay my $5000 vet bill that has gotten Squishy this far? :banghead::banghead::banghead:

See what I have done for Christmas Gifts this year.
 
Hi Jenny. I am in Australia too. We can't get half unit syringes for lantus here but some people use calipers, a device that measures doses but I haven't used this. There is information on this measuring method on the board somewhere. Welcome to the board to you and Squishy too and yes vet bills can expensive as we know but we do what we have to do. :)
 
Voula said:
Hi Jenny. I am in Australia too. We can't get half unit syringes for lantus here but some people use calipers, a device that measures doses but I haven't used this. There is information on this measuring method on the board somewhere. Welcome to the board to you and Squishy too and yes vet bills can expensive as we know but we do what we have to do.
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Voula! Thank you for responding. I think I have actually found .5 unit syringes at www.vetnpetdirect.com.au

Its going to cost me a fortune but worth it because I really don't know if I am getting a dose in at all some days.
I'll keep you posted. The animal sites really do take advantage of non human diabetics and paraphernalia.
I'll keep you posted. Going to contact a nurse friend to see if the .5 unit syringes are available in the human world
 
Squishy's Mum Australia said:
Voula! Thank you for responding. I think I have actually found .5 unit syringes at www.vetnpetdirect.com.au

Its going to cost me a fortune but worth it because I really don't know if I am getting a dose in at all some days.
I'll keep you posted. The animal sites really do take advantage of non human diabetics and paraphernalia.
I'll keep you posted. Going to contact a nurse friend to see if the .5 unit syringes are available in the human world
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Hi Jenny. Are you sure they are the correct syringes? What you need is 0.3 ml / 30 unit syringes for 30 units of insulin or less and for use with U-100 insulin only. Can you post the link to the syringes on the website you found them on? I will look at the website now.
 
I think what you meant and what I should have said was syringes with half unit markings not half unit syringes. As far as I and all the other Australian members on this board and as far as our vet knows too we cannot get syringes for lantus with half unit markings here in Australia. I have a feeling you are looking at the wrong syringes. They also have to be for U-1oo insulin. The vet syringes for insulin are often for U-40 insulin for caninsulin so you will either underdose or overdose your cat using those. I use BD ultra-fine short needle, 0.3 ml, 0.25mm (31G) x 8mm, Syringes for 30 units of insulin or less. Use with U-100 insulin only. The Reference code is 328822. But they do not have markings for half unit measurements. These could be what you are using now. If you have indeed found the correct syringes with half unit markings all Australians will celebrate as we haven't been able to find them anywhere in Australia. :)
 
Hi Jenny and Squishy ......welcome to FDMB:)
I am from Australia too. I have just had a look at the syringes you can buy from vetanpet direct and I would caution you against using them as I don't think they are the correct syringes to be using for Lantus and a cat. The syringes that Voula mentioned are the correct syringes. I buy them for $30.00 at my local pharmacy for a box of 100.... Cheaper than the vetanpet as well as you would have to pay postage as well! The Braun 40 unit ones from vetanpet are for use with another insulin and if you use them you will be giving the incorrect dose. The BD syringes are not the correct gauge or needle length for cats.
Are you home monitoring the blood sugar levels?
And if you could tell us what you are feeding Squishy and his weight........that would be great thanks.
Looking forward to hearing more from you :)

​
 
Voula said:
I think what you meant and what I should have said was syringes with half unit markings not half unit syringes. As far as I and all the other Australian members on this board and as far as our vet knows too we cannot get syringes for lantus with half unit markings here in Australia. I have a feeling you are looking at the wrong syringes. They also have to be for U-1oo insulin. The vet syringes for insulin are often for U-40 insulin for caninsulin so you will either underdose or overdose your cat using those. I use BD ultra-fine short needle, 0.3 ml, 0.25mm (31G) x 8mm, Syringes for 30 units of insulin or less. Use with U-100 insulin only. The Reference code is 328822. But they do not have markings for half unit measurements. These could be what you are using now. If you have indeed found the correct syringes with half unit markings all Australians will celebrate as we haven't been able to find them anywhere in Australia. :)
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I have a lot to learn. I assume that an insulin syringe is an insulin syringe and that one with .5 unit marking is really teeny weeny?
Lucky you guys picked me up on that.
 
Those syringes that you provided the link for - no good for using with lantus, they're u40 you need u100, you won't get syringes with the half units marked here and it's not permitted to have them sent from overseas. But I wouldn't be too concerned about it, they're usually marked pretty inaccurately anyway. You'll be fine with the ruler and perhaps a magnifying glass.
 
Vyktors Mum said:
Those syringes that you provided the link for - no good for using with lantus, they're u40 you need u100, you won't get syringes with the half units marked here and it's not permitted to have them sent from overseas. But I wouldn't be too concerned about it, they're usually marked pretty inaccurately anyway. You'll be fine with the ruler and perhaps a magnifying glass.
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thanks for that. I was so close to ordering them too! The magnifying glass might just do it.
Squishy is eating well and not overly drinking today which is good. For a very fussy cat before she got sick she loves Raw Roo Meat now that I get from a terrific supplier in town (Albury NSW).
I also gave her a sachet of Royal Canin ultra light today which she gobbled down, but I think that may have been a mistake as I am assuming it would be suitable for FD. But I now see RC makes a diabetic variety too.
Huge learning curve here and I really appreciate all of your help and wish you and your beautiful babies a wonderful night.

Squishy has stopped peeing everywhere and now climbs back into bed with me with my blessing. Until she does it again!! Thank gawd for huge washing machines and carpet shampooers!
 
Squishy's Mum Australia said:
gawd for huge washing machines and carpet shampooers!
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I don't know if you can get this in Australia but, in the states we can get something called Nature's Miracle. It is an enzymatic neutralizer for cat urine. Or maybe you can get something comparable to it. It really works! The smell is eradicated and the cat won't keep going back to that spot to urinate.
 
Vyktors Mum said:
Those syringes that you provided the link for - no good for using with lantus, they're u40 you need u100, you won't get syringes with the half units marked here and it's not permitted to have them sent from overseas. But I wouldn't be too concerned about it, they're usually marked pretty inaccurately anyway. You'll be fine with the ruler and perhaps a magnifying glass.
Click to expand...

Have ordered a set of those magnifying glasses that sit on the head with a lamp....feeling like a scientist...thank you for your feedback about syringes
 
Bron and Sheba said:
Hi Jenny and Squishy ......welcome to FDMB:)
I am from Australia too. I have just had a look at the syringes you can buy from vetanpet direct and I would caution you against using them as I don't think they are the correct syringes to be using for Lantus and a cat. The syringes that Voula mentioned are the correct syringes. I buy them for $30.00 at my local pharmacy for a box of 100.... Cheaper than the vetanpet as well as you would have to pay postage as well! The Braun 40 unit ones from vetanpet are for use with another insulin and if you use them you will be giving the incorrect dose. The BD syringes are not the correct gauge or needle length for cats.
Are you home monitoring the blood sugar levels?
And if you could tell us what you are feeding Squishy and his weight........that would be great thanks.
Looking forward to hearing more from you :)

​
Click to expand...
 
Bron

Sorry for taking so long to reply. I did finally find syringes at my chemist for $30. Am relieved. Squishy is currently eating Raw Roo meat to which I have started adding "Vets All Natural".n She turns her nose u for a bit with the VAN but then gets hungry enough to eat it. Its the only way I can get vitamins etc into her. She played with a slice of carrot for hours. I mean rolled it around on the floor. I also have some cat mince from coles fridge section. My vet told me to be careful as it can be fatty. She also has Royal Canine Hyperallergic which she isn't paying a lot of attention to.


Dropped her Lantus dose to .5 unit today as advised from vet. Will do this until next Tuesday to see if we can shake off the "somoyj" effect.

She is drinking around 360 mls a day at the moment and weeing lots, which is expected but am watching and taking notes for everything. Not at the stage of weighing food yet as I need her to put a big of weight on.

My biggest fear is over analysing her weight etc. But her does is stabilised its the only way I can tell she is going downwards.

Off to draw up .5 unit now. Wish me luck!! magnifying glasses in the mail.
 
Can we get you started using our grid to record your glucose tests? It will help us give you better feedback. Instructions are here. You'll want the World version where you fill in the mmol/L on one page and the US page converts that to mg/dL (many of us are in the US and use mg/dL).

Understanding the spreadsheet/grid:

The colored headings at the top are the ranges of glucose values. They are color-coded to clue you in as to meaning.

Each day is 1 row. Each column stores different data for the day.

From left to right, you enter
the Date in the first column
the AMPS (morning, pre-shot, test) in the 2nd column
the Units given (turquoise column)

Then, there are 11 columns labeled +1 through +11
If you test at +5 (5 hours after the shot), you enter the test number in the +5 column
If you test at +7 (7 hours after the shot), you enter the test number in the +7 column
and so on.

Halfway across the page is the column for PMPS (evening, pre-shot, test)
To the right is another turquoise column for Units given at the evening shot.

There is second set of columns labeled +1 through +11
If you snag a before bed test at +3, you enter the test number in the +3 column.

We separate day and night numbers like that because many cats go lower at night.

The nadir is the lowest glucose between shots. There is a general period when it will happen which is specific to the insulin being used and testing then helps make sure your cat doesn't go too low.

It is merely a grid for storing the info; no math required.
 
Squishy's Mum Australia said:
Have ordered a set of those magnifying glasses that sit on the head with a lamp....feeling like a scientist...thank you for your feedback about syringes
Click to expand...

My mum has those, and she does look like the mad scientist with them on - hilarious, you'll have to make sure you take a pic for the amusement of your family and friends!

I would really encourage you to set up the spreadsheet that BJM has given you the instructions for ASAP. It is an awesome tool. It really helps to create a clear picture of where the kitty is at and you'll be able to share the link with your vet so they can check up too - they'll love it.

Most of us around here aren't great believers in the Somoygi (sp?) effect. There is an old study that showed it in humans that has not been able to be replicated and no studies that have shown its existence in cats. Who knows why the myth just won't die. I suspect what you're seeing is bouncing. This can happen when a kitty goes into lower numbers than their body has become used to, if they go into very low numbers or if they have a very fast drop. It's caused by the liver releasing stored sugars etc to 'save' the kitty. Unless the bounce is caused by going into very low numbers we wouldn't reduce for it.

But I'm giving your vet bonus points for advocating the use of syringes to do smaller dose adjustments rather than doing changes in 1u because that's what the pen can do - they are a step ahead of a lot of vets on that one :)
 
I have my own spreadsheet set up at the moment which works for me and where I am at at the moment. I am not yet at home testing stage just urine testing, but counting water being drunk etc. Back to the vet on Tuesday to see if the reduction to .5 units has worked in stabilising. I haven't gotten to using a pen yet even though I have one here.

I have found a site with information that says we can purchase .5 unit marked syringes from overseas without any problems, but just the expense for postage.

http://www.diabeticcatcare.com/DCCCOK/Australia.htm

Also not sure if anyone has used this site but am told she is very helpful too

http://www.animaldiabetesaustralia.com.au/

the spreadsheet on this site would be more like the one I created for myself
 
I picked up one of those headband miners lights with different magnifying lenses! I look like a mad scientist wearing it but it really makes pulling the .5 units so much easier. One less stress in this journey.
 
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