New to Lantus - when do we have liftoff?

[Ori (and Erica)]

Hello! Experienced with diabetes - but not with cats. Switched vets, took Ori off Vetsulin and transitioning from W/D to M/D - half wet and half dry. Just switched to Lantus 1U bid on Friday, so I can only do so much so fast. She is 15 so I am not interested in crashing her - and I have to go slowly because I am already making multiple changes.

Running in 400 to 500s - no ketones. A little more pee than when she was on Vetsulin, but her dose was 5U bid and I think it was crashing and wearing off too quickly.

Waiting impatiently for Lantus to kick in - clearly Ori is more patient than I am, but I am letting it be. Give us some props! When does the depot build up?

 

[Sue and Luci]

Welcome to the LB&L forum!

Have you read the stickies at the top of this forum? Based on your comments I presume you're going to follow SLGS protocol? If so, please note that in your signature - as well as what kind of meter you're using. Here's the link to the stickie on protocols: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/...-low-go-slow-slgs-tight-regulation-tr.210110/

You'll also want to get your Spreadsheet set up so that we can all see Ori's dosage and her test results. http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/fdmb-spreadsheet-instructions.130337/

W/D to M/D

What is W/D to M/D?

 

[Ori (and Erica)]

Hill W/D (high fiber, high carb) to Hills M/D (lower carb - not perfect but better).

 

[Ori (and Erica)]

Added SLGS to the signature. Using cat meter until strips run out and then I will switch to human meter. Will get spreadsheet set up. Thanks!

 

[Sue and Luci]

Hill W/D (high fiber, high carb) to Hills M/D (lower carb - not perfect but better).

Ah, I see...so as to transition slowly to the low carb foods...Yep,I agree the Hill's isn't much better...too many starches and grains in that stuff...which is why you'll see higher numbers that you mentioned...13% carb is considered a medium carb around here. So you're mixing a high carb and a medium carb.

Here's another link you may find useful: http://catinfo.org/chart/index.php

You may want to go to the store and buy some Fancy Feast Pate's to put into your mixture - so as to transition Ori to some lower carb foods and get her used to the idea of those wet pate's.

 

[Red & Rover (GA)]

Hill W/D (high fiber, high carb) to Hills M/D (lower carb - not perfect but better).

If weight is an issue, check out this thread.

I think it was crashing

It is fantastic that you have a working knowledge of diabetes, albeit not feline, and that you are testing.
Please read carefully and print off for future reference the hypo links.
Symptoms of & how to treat HYPOGLYCEMIA - what to do if your kitty experiences hypoglycemia
Jojo's Hypo Tool box - be prepared, what to have on hand in case of an emergency

When does the depot build up?

It can take up to 5 days to fill the depot.

If you need help setting up the spreadsheet (we are fairly data driven here), there are a few spreadsheet gurus who can help you. Just ask.

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

The depot takes 5 - 7 days to stabilize although some cats have a marked response when you switch insulin so it's something to keep an eye on. These kitties just hate being predictable!

Please make sure you are. using the correct syringes. Vetsulin requires a U40 syringe whereas Lantus requires a U100 syringe. (The calibration on the syringe needs to match the concentration of the insulin.) Don't use the needle tip on a Lantus pen. The pens will only dispense in whole unit amounts and cats require a more finely tuned, smaller dose.

If you can gradually wean Ori off of the dry version of the MD, that would be great. It's quite high in carbs. If you start transitioning your kitty off of the dry, please keep a close eye on on her numbers. We've had any number of cats drop into low numbers or not require insulin with a change to a low carb, canned food diet.