New to glargine; transitioning from Novolin N (NPR)

Bama Kitty Mom (GA)

Bama Kitty Mom (GA)

Member Since 2018
Bama’s preshot was 342 and I gave the first injection of Semglee, a bio-equivalent of Lantus. Vet said to start at 1 unit although he’s been on Novolin for 7 years and most recently at 5.25 to 5.5 2x daily. BG @ +3.5 was 490 and @ +6 is high. I have read here that when going from one insulin to another one can shoot similar doses. While I certainly don’t want to shoot 5.5 of Semglee right off the bat I am certain starting at 1 unit was way too low. Could some of you please take a look at his SS and offer some suggestions? This high reading in the middle of the cycle is scary. Thanks!
 
You usually start at the same dose as Novolin are a little less provided you can monitor the first cycles. Let me look at your ss. Be right back. Btw it’s really good you are switching.

I am back. Are you able to get any tests after pmps? Cats often are lower at night and your new insulin is dosed according to how low it takes your cat.
 
Welcome to the forum!

I'd encourage you to take a look at the sticky notes at the top of the board. There's a great deal of information about glargine and it's use in those posts. If you are feeding Bama any dry food, by necessity you will need to follow the Start Low Go Slow method for dosing. Tight Regulation is the other method but it requires that a cat is fed a low carbohydrate, canned food diet.

With glargine, the minimum number of tests includes your pre-shot tests along with at least one additional test each cycle. Unlike Novolin, you can test, feed, and shoot all within 10 min. There is no need to delay giving an insulin injection after feeding since glargine onset after you give a shot is approximately 2 hours. You'll find glargine to be much gentler and longer acting than Novolin.

Please let us know if you have questions. We're here to help.
 
tiffmaxee said:
You usually start at the same dose as Novolin are a little less provided you can monitor the first cycles. Let me look at your ss. Be right back. Btw it’s really good you are switching.

I am back. Are you able to get any tests after pmps? Cats often are lower at night and your new insulin is dosed according to how low it takes your cat.
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I could try some PM readings but am generally wiped out and only stumble out of bed to give a snack at PM +4.
 
Sienne and Gabby (GA) said:
Welcome to the forum!

I'd encourage you to take a look at the sticky notes at the top of the board. There's a great deal of information about glargine and it's use in those posts. If you are feeding Bama any dry food, by necessity you will need to follow the Start Low Go Slow method for dosing. Tight Regulation is the other method but it requires that a cat is fed a low carbohydrate, canned food diet.

With glargine, the minimum number of tests includes your pre-shot tests along with at least one additional test each cycle. Unlike Novolin, you can test, feed, and shoot all within 10 min. There is no need to delay giving an insulin injection after feeding since glargine onset after you give a shot is approximately 2 hours. You'll find glargine to be much gentler and longer acting than Novolin.

Please let us know if you have questions. We're here to help.
Click to expand...
I have read the stickies and was going with SLGS method but starting at 1 unit when he has been getting 5+ Units on Novolin seems almost like no insulin at all.
 
Can you get a +2? It often is like a crystal ball as to whether the cycle will be active. If lower than the amps/pmps the cycle will likely be active. That would be the cycle to test again between at +4-6.
 
Possibly significant—I have recently started giving subq fluids 100 to 150 mls although vet prescribed 200 mls per day. Got correct dosage from users on another thread in the health forum on this site. Thank God for the dedicated users on these forums.
 
tiffmaxee said:
Can you get a +2? It often is like a crystal ball as to whether the cycle will be active. If lower than the amps/pmps the cycle will likely be active. That would be the cycle to test again between at +4-6.
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I’ll get a pm +2; he is nearly at am +9 and I am about to subq his fluids so will get a reading at either am +9 or am +10.
 
I see you shot 2 unit tonight. That is likely still way too low. But with the longer lasting insulins like Lantus, it does take a few days to build up the depot, so hopefully numbers will get better over time. However, with setting back the dose as much as you have, and the resulting high numbers, it will be essential to get daily ketone tests.

If you can get +4 tests when you give that snack at night, that would be a perfect time to test.
 
Wendy&Neko said:
I see you shot 2 unit tonight. That is likely still way too low. But with the longer lasting insulins like Lantus, it does take a few days to build up the depot, so hopefully numbers will get better over time. However, with setting back the dose as much as you have, and the resulting high numbers, it will be essential to get daily ketone tests.

If you can get +4 tests when you give that snack at night, that would be a perfect time to test.
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Consulted with the vet and went with her recommendation, although I really wanted to shoot 3 or higher. Have managed to collect urine for ketone testing— twice yesterday and once already this am. Since he no longer squats as low as he used to, when I hear him in the box, I quickly shove my trusty cottage cheese container at an angle and collect away. Bonus points for when I can get all or most of it to dispose of in the toilet, thereby saving the hit on litter. :joyful:
 
@Chris & China (GA) @Wendy&Neko @tiffmaxee
He seems to be holding flat in the 400s so far but I want to get closer to his correct dose. He ate well this am but just a few bites at +4 snack time and nothing after +6 test. Do you think I could safely shoot 3u tonight assuming his numbers are steady in the 400s or higher? Ketone test from this am appeared to be negative but my mind kept questioning, “is that little square really beige or is there a hint of pink?” Thanks for your advice.
 
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