New to Lantus

Booger's Mom

Booger's Mom

Member Since 2018
Hello. I just switched Booger from Vetsulin to Lantus today. I had a few questions. 1. He was getting 1.5 units of Vetsulin 2x a day. The prescription from the vet showed to give him 2 units of lantus 2x a day. I know that the two insulins are very different but should I keep him on the 1.5 for now until I do a glucose curve to see how thats working for him or start him on 2 units as prescribed?

2. I got the lantus pens. I watched a video on how to get the insulin from the pen vials using the U-100 syringes. I am having bubble trouble lol. I get all the air out of the syringe before inserting it in to the pen and slowly draw in insulin. This morning I drew in 3 units so I could make sure to get the bubbles out with out having to get more insulin. I removed the syringe from the lantus pen and thumped the syringe quite a few times to get the air bubbles to the top. Then I slowly released the excess insulin as I was afraid to shoot it up quickly and accident shoot it all lol. The bubble didn't budge. How can I prevent this? When I was using Vetsulin I was using this brand of syringes but U-40 in the beginning and having this bubble issue. Then I switch to the UltiCare U-40 syringes and did not have a single issue with bubbles. I would send these back but I already opened a package. If I can not figure out a way to solve this bubble issue, I dont know what I am going to do. These are the U-100 syringes I got:

upload_2018-9-29_13-45-44.png
 
Hmm. I have the exact same syringes and haven't seen any bubbles. I take both the orange and white caps off and make sure the plunger is all the way in before I insert it into the Lantus pen. I also hold the pen with the rubber nub pointing down when I insert the syringe. Good luck!
 
Beck and Grandpa said:
Hmm. I have the exact same syringes and haven't seen any bubbles. I take both the orange and white caps off and make sure the plunger is all the way in before I insert it into the Lantus pen. I also hold the pen with the rubber nub pointing down when I insert the syringe. Good luck!
Click to expand...
I will give that a try. Thanks!
 
I love Booger! He is so cute.
I think most vets think in 1 unit increments. Be sure to test before every shoot to make sure it's safe to give insulin, and since the dose for Lantus is based on how low the insulin takes him, try to get mid cycle tests in when you can.
I hope you post daily. I just love his sweet picture :)
 
Dyana said:
I love Booger! He is so cute.
I think most vets think in 1 unit increments. Be sure to test before every shoot to make sure it's safe to give insulin, and since the dose for Lantus is based on how low the insulin takes him, try to get mid cycle tests in when you can.
I hope you post daily. I just love his sweet picture :)
Click to expand...
Aww thanks Dyana! I took this picture when he had been scratching his face and it made him look like he was smiling lol. Yea I do the before feeding tests everyday. Just having trouble with the bubbles.
 
Hi Booger's Mom! I also just switched our sugar boy, Uno, from Vetsulin to Lantus 2 days ago. The starting dose of 2 units of Lantus 2x a day seems high to me, but I'm new at this. Uno was getting 1 unit of Vetsulin 2x a day and I am giving him .5 units of Lantus 2x a day and I've seen improvement in his numbers already. Also, last night I got some lap cuddle time with him which hasn't happened in months:) Are you following the Start Low Go Slow protocol? Good luck with your sweet boy!
 
I don't know about starting with 2 units. Normally 0.5 units is the starting dose but you have been on another insulin. Let's see what others say.
 
Uno's mom said:
Hi Booger's Mom! I also just switched our sugar boy, Uno, from Vetsulin to Lantus 2 days ago. The starting dose of 2 units of Lantus 2x a day seems high to me, but I'm new at this. Uno was getting 1 unit of Vetsulin 2x a day and I am giving him .5 units of Lantus 2x a day and I've seen improvement in his numbers already. Also, last night I got some lap cuddle time with him which hasn't happened in months:) Are you following the Start Low Go Slow protocol? Good luck with your sweet boy!
Click to expand...
No just following vets instructions. Where is this Start low Go Slow protocol? Id like to read it.
 
If you look above the list of posts in the Lantus forum you'll see posts marked with yellow stickies. Take a good look at the getting started, the start low go slow one and the tight regulation. It will really help you make good decisions going forward.
 
Ok so question, I read the Start low go slow. I am looking over the beginners guide to Lantus etc. It also says "Reference numbers given are for blood glucose meters calibrated for humans, not pet-specific meters." What does this mean exactly?

Then is says that with the AlphaTRAK2 meter to code at 7 for the most accurate numbers. Mine has been coded at 30 since I stopped using the AlphaTRAK strips and started using the Freestyle Insulinx strips with my AlphaTRAK2 meter. I have found that the FS Insulinx strips numbers are way closer to the AlphaTRAK strips than the FS Lite strips. Plus, way cheaper. So should I really be changing the coding to 7?
 
It means that the folks who wrote the sticky guides are writing tips based on a human meter such as Relion or Freestyle Lite, etc. Pet meters like the AlphaTrak2 tend to read a bit higher.

(Editing to remove my incorrect info.)
Exact numbers for earning reductions, etc are found in the protocol stickies and in Christie's post below.

I also use Insulinx strips in an Alphatrak2. I love them. I keep my meter set at 38 since most of my true AlphaTrak strips after my starter pack were coded 38.
 
Last edited:
Just to clarify, if you decide to follow SLGS method, the guideline, particularly for those who are new (beginners) is to reduce at 90, regardless of the meter you are using. Reduction points of 50 (human meter) / 68 (pet meter) are what we follow with TR. If you follow SLGS, as you continue to gather data, gain more experience, and become more familiar with how your cat responds to this insulin and carbs, you may choose to adjust the reduction number.
 
Beck and Grandpa said:
It means that the folks who wrote the sticky guides are writing tips based on a human meter such as Relion or Freestyle Lite, etc. Pet meters like the AlphaTrak2 tend to read a bit higher.

(Editing to remove my incorrect info.)
Exact numbers for earning reductions, etc are found in the protocol stickies and in Christie's post below.

I also use Insulinx strips in an Alphatrak2. I love them. I keep my meter set at 38 since most of my true AlphaTrak strips after my starter pack were coded 38.
Click to expand...
Yeah that is what I meant code 38. Not 30. So I gave him 2 units of Lantus this morning. Since I did that should I just stick with 2 or just do .5 tonight?
 
There are better people than me here for dosing advice. I am thinking you meant to type 1.5 and not .5, right?

If you edit your heading by clicking thread tools and add the question mark prefix from the drop down, someone will answer more quickly. You can add something to your heading like dosing help needed.

Since this morning's dose may be still working in his system and you don't know how he will drop overnight, the 1.5 seems to make sense, but I'd feel better if someone with more experience chimed in. I tend to be very conservative.
 
Last edited:
Booger's Mom said:
No, the Start Low Go Slow suggest .5 units as a starting point. I didnt know that until this afternoon.
Click to expand...

Gotcha. I don't want to steer you wrong. I started with TR when I switched to Lantus so I may give advice that's not right for SLGS. I'd put the ? In your title and indicate that you need dose advice.
 
Booger's Mom said:
No, the Start Low Go Slow suggest .5 units as a starting point. I didnt know that until this afternoon.
Click to expand...
I didn't hear my alarm this morning which is not normal for me. So Booger didn't eat until about 10:45am. Luckily, he had a snack last night. I am new to all this Lantus stuff and I kinda feel like I did when he was first diagnosed lol. How can I get him back on track of an 8am and 8pm schedule? I know with Vetsulin (since the insulin only lasted in him for about 8 or 9 hours) that I could get away with giving him his insulin 30 minutes earlier each day until I got him back on track. Not sure how to do this with Lantus bc he is just starting on it and I am unsure how he is responding to it at this point. Should I just keep him on this schedule for like a week until I can tell? Suggestions please and thank you!
 
Booger's Mom said:
Then is says that with the AlphaTRAK2 meter to code at 7 for the most accurate numbers.
Click to expand...
Actually, what it says is:

"AlphaTRAK meters and AlphaTRAK 2 test strips:
If AlphaTRAK users choose not to upgrade to the newer AlphaTrak 2 meter, you can continue to use your original AlphaTRAK meter with the new AlphaTRAK 2 test strips. Use CODE 7 for all species. For the most accurate AlphaTRAK® test results, upgrading to the new AlphaTRAK® 2 meter is suggested by the manufacturer."

If you have the AlphaTrak 2 meter this doesn't apply to you.
Booger's Mom said:
No, the Start Low Go Slow suggest .5 units as a starting point. I didnt know that until this afternoon.
Click to expand...
This is the starting dose suggested if a cat was previously on another insulin:
  • If the cat was previously on another insulin,the starting dose should be increased or decreased by taking prior data into consideration
Given the data appears to be missing from May to date, I think I would start Booger out with no more than 1.5u bid. Some might even suggest less.

Try to get as many mid-cycle tests as you can to get an idea of how low the dose is taking Booger. If you post often, those with experience may suggest adjusting the dose (based on your data) sooner than later if it's too low.

Welcome to the group. Hope to see you posting often!
 
There are differences between Vetsulin and Lantus that are important. Lantus should be dosed 12 hours apart, and is a depot insulin, meaning it can display a cumulative effect....

http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/what-is-the-insulin-depot.150/

It is also best to dose the same am and pm, changing doses messes up the depot. While all data is important, you want to try and find where your cat hits the lowest point in each cycle (nadir), which will help you decide whether the dose is working.

Normally the previous insulin dose is taken into consideration when switching, my recollection is that you'd start off with 70% of the previous insulin dose, so if you were giving 1.5u Vetsulin, it would be 1u Lantus to start. Did you have a late shot tonight?
 
Christie & Maverick said:
Normally the previous insulin dose is taken into consideration when switching, my recollection is that you'd start off with 70% of the previous insulin dose, so if you were giving 1.5u Vetsulin, it would be 1u Lantus to start.
Click to expand...
Starting off at 70% of the previous insulin dose applies to a switch from Lantus to Levemir only. The rest are generally started 1:1 unless there are unusual circumstances to consider.
 
Christie & Maverick said:
There are differences between Vetsulin and Lantus that are important. Lantus should be dosed 12 hours apart, and is a depot insulin, meaning it can display a cumulative effect....

http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/what-is-the-insulin-depot.150/

It is also best to dose the same am and pm, changing doses messes up the depot. While all data is important, you want to try and find where your cat hits the lowest point in each cycle (nadir), which will help you decide whether the dose is working.

Normally the previous insulin dose is taken into consideration when switching, my recollection is that you'd start off with 70% of the previous insulin dose, so if you were giving 1.5u Vetsulin, it would be 1u Lantus to start. Did you have a late shot tonight?
Click to expand...

Yes, I already administered the shot. Didnt want to get off the track he is on today. I am going to check him at +3, +6, and +9 just to keep an eye on things. What dose should I give in the morning since I did 2 units today?
 
Christie & Maverick said:
Since you just started, I think 1.5u would be safer, as Jill mentioned, 2u might be a bit high.
Click to expand...
Thanks I know I should have gone with my gut feeling. I was thinking about this the other day before starting him on Lantus that it probably should be the same dose that he is on and after a week, do a glucose curve.
 
Christie & Maverick said:
There are differences between Vetsulin and Lantus that are important. Lantus should be dosed 12 hours apart, and is a depot insulin, meaning it can display a cumulative effect....

http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/what-is-the-insulin-depot.150/

It is also best to dose the same am and pm, changing doses messes up the depot. While all data is important, you want to try and find where your cat hits the lowest point in each cycle (nadir), which will help you decide whether the dose is working.

Normally the previous insulin dose is taken into consideration when switching, my recollection is that you'd start off with 70% of the previous insulin dose, so if you were giving 1.5u Vetsulin, it would be 1u Lantus to start. Did you have a late shot tonight?
Click to expand...
Thank you for this link but I have to say that I didn't quite understand most of it lol I am quite intelligent but I just dont understand it. I mean the only part I do think I understand is that the insulin releases slowly so it lasts longer but that about it. lol
 
Booger's Mom said:
Thanks I know I should have gone with my gut feeling. I was thinking about this the other day before starting him on Lantus that it probably should be the same dose that he is on and after a week, do a glucose curve.
Click to expand...
I wouldn't worry about it, it's not like you gave 5u ;). Getting those mid-cycle tests really help see how things are going on a dose. Good luck with Lantus, hope it works for you!
 
Booger's Mom said:
Thank you for this link but I have to say that I didn't quite understand most of it lol I am quite intelligent but I just dont understand it. I mean the only part I do think I understand is that the insulin releases slowly so it lasts longer but that about it. lol
Click to expand...
Lol...It will make more sense with a bit more time, I keep going back and re-reading the stickies and get a-ha moments :).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top