Hi, My name is Laurie, and my cat, Sampson was diagnosed with feline diabetes a few months ago. He was put on insulin by the vet, and I got DM Dry from the vet. His numbers continued to be high. I recently switched to wet food for him and Lantus and will be starting home testing today. Thank you soo much for the for the newbie kit!!!! I've been pretty overwhelmed as the advice on this board differs from what I was told at the vets office. I'm going with this board. Any suggestions for times to test? Sampson gets two doses of insulin daily at 6:30am and pm. Thanks.
New to feline diabetes
- Thread starter luluht
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BJM
Very Active Member
EEKS!! Since you just changed to all wet food, unless you dropped the insulin too, you are running the risk of a hypoglycemic attack. That change alone may drop him as much as 100 points!! You need to be testing diligently when you make changes like that!
If you are doing a curve, typically you test like this:
AM pre-shot
+2 hours post-shot
+4 hours post-shot
+6 hours post-shot
+8 hours post-shot
+10 hours post-shot
PM pre-shot
For a mini curve, you might test every 3 hours, like this:
AM pre-shot
+3 hours post-shot
+6 hours post-shot
+9 hours post-shot
PM pre-shot
For other times, if you ever see unusual behavior (vomiting, lethargy, withdrawal, etc) ... test
If you are doing a curve, typically you test like this:
AM pre-shot
+2 hours post-shot
+4 hours post-shot
+6 hours post-shot
+8 hours post-shot
+10 hours post-shot
PM pre-shot
For a mini curve, you might test every 3 hours, like this:
AM pre-shot
+3 hours post-shot
+6 hours post-shot
+9 hours post-shot
PM pre-shot
For other times, if you ever see unusual behavior (vomiting, lethargy, withdrawal, etc) ... test
Julia & Bandit (GA)
Very Active Member
Hi Laurie! With Lantus, you'll want to test at least three times every day--before each shot (at 6:30am/6:30pm), and then a test 6 hours into either cycle. Once a week, you'll also want to do a curve (testing every 2 hours for a 12 hour cycle).
Now, that's the minimum you can test and safely administer Lantus. However, it's helpful if you can collect a few more tests a day, for example, get a test 4 hours in and 6 hours in. The more data you have, the more information you'll have to regulate Sampson.
Sadly, I know a lot of people end up here after having been given wrong advice from their vets because their cats aren't improving. I was fortunate enough to have a vet that recommended the same treatment as here before I found this place, but I seem to be in the minority.
Check out the Lantus Support Group: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewforum.php?f=9. There's a ton of information there about Lantus that is really, really helpful. Also, if you set up a spreadsheet: http://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=18207&start=0, then you can post to the board if you need advice from one of the dosing experts there. They've helped bring many cats into remission on Lantus, including my own.
You're making great choices! 80+% of newly diagnosed cats go into remission with the combination of wet food, Lantus, and regulation through home testing.
Now, that's the minimum you can test and safely administer Lantus. However, it's helpful if you can collect a few more tests a day, for example, get a test 4 hours in and 6 hours in. The more data you have, the more information you'll have to regulate Sampson.
Sadly, I know a lot of people end up here after having been given wrong advice from their vets because their cats aren't improving. I was fortunate enough to have a vet that recommended the same treatment as here before I found this place, but I seem to be in the minority.
Check out the Lantus Support Group: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewforum.php?f=9. There's a ton of information there about Lantus that is really, really helpful. Also, if you set up a spreadsheet: http://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=18207&start=0, then you can post to the board if you need advice from one of the dosing experts there. They've helped bring many cats into remission on Lantus, including my own.
You're making great choices! 80+% of newly diagnosed cats go into remission with the combination of wet food, Lantus, and regulation through home testing.
Julia & Bandit (GA)
Very Active Member
luluht said:
What is Sampson's insulin dose? You said you're just starting Lantus--are you still at 1u?
A
Anonymous
Guest
Yikes, that is a high starting dose. I'm so happy you will be testing at home now.
It would be great if you could get a spread sheet up like we all have. See the blue link below on this page?
We all have one.
I can get Sue (Oliver) to help you get it up if you have trouble.
The 1 unit was a very good idea.
And welcome to our fabulous family of extra sweet sugar kitties! :YMHUG:
Lori
and tomtom too!
It would be great if you could get a spread sheet up like we all have. See the blue link below on this page?
We all have one.
I can get Sue (Oliver) to help you get it up if you have trouble.
The 1 unit was a very good idea.
And welcome to our fabulous family of extra sweet sugar kitties! :YMHUG:
Lori
and tomtom too!
nancy and payne
Very Active Member
Welcome Laurie and of course, Sampson. Good call cutting back on the insulin, you don't want to fight a hypo. It would be a good idea to go visit the Lantus group, they will take good care of you and Sampson. Most vets know very little about the day to day life of a diabetic cat, we do. With testing you will figure out what Sampson needs and do it safely.
Nancy and Payne
(who is watching the fish tank and I'm sure wondering ..... )
Nancy and Payne
(who is watching the fish tank and I'm sure wondering ..... )
Hi, I was able to make a spreadsheet but am having an issue publishing it in getting a link. So far testing hasn't been too difficult. I have to say I don't want to be neglectful of Sampson, but I work F/T quite a distance from home and have a husband (he works long hours too), two dogs and a kid. I don't really know that I'll be able to test 3-6 times daily. I'll do the best I can I guess.
Sue and Oliver (GA)
Very Active Member
I would be glad to help you get the spreadsheet up. Check your private messages.
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