Newbie Patty and Blue from Georgia

Status
Not open for further replies.
The way Lantus works is it starts working at 2-3 hours after you give it. The bg keeps going down until usually 5-9 hours after the shot. Then it starts to wear off and it goes back up. I am giving a very simple version and there’s lots more to it. You need to test 3 hours after. If tgat numbers is a lot lower than the preshot you need to keep testing and you need high carb food or honey or karo in case your cat drops under 50. I guarantee you that your cat has done that on 2 units. My cat was 14-15 pounds and he started on 1 unit.
 
tiffmaxee said:
The problem is when a dose brings a cat too low their body reacts and then then BG goes really high. I. Sorry to say this but that reaction your cat had could have been deadly.
Click to expand...

I'm lost with the correct thing to do. I'm not sure he was hypo or not. He had the same reaction the next night. If he's High doesn't that mean he should get insulin to bring it down? It's such a tiny amount. I guess I really don't have a clue what I should do. I was not testing when this happened and that's when I realized I had to start.
 
It’s a tiny amount but your cat is tiny. Tell you what. I’m going to send a link to a sticky with a method you should follow here and it says the starting dose is 1/2 a unit. You are giving 4 times that. . Be right back with the link.

you need to read about Start Low Go Slow.
 
Rex2u said:
Doesn't more bring it down?
Click to expand...
You have to build up to more insulin. If kitty requires that much, you'll get there eventually. don't wanna start off too high and have terrible consequences. Start slow. Kitty already had symptoms of hypo on this dose. i wouldn't give the same dose. And kitty can become more sensitive to insulin after a "hypo" event. 2 units is the "golde" standard starting dose that most vets recommend that aren't familiar with Lantus. Not trying to Vet bash...just sayin
 
tiffmaxee said:
It’s a tiny amount but your cat is tiny. Tell you what. I’m going to send a link to a sticky with a method you should follow here and it says the starting dose is 1/2 a unit. You are giving 4 times that. . Be right back with the link.

you need to read about Start Low Go Slow.
Click to expand...

Let me make sure we're talking apples to apples. I'm using a 3/10cc fpr u-100 Insulin. I fill to the second small line. Is this correct?
 
Rex2u said:
I do think I'm impatient. I want the number down fast. It scares me for him.
Click to expand...
:bighug::bighug::bighug:It'll be ok. We all want instant results. Lantus doesn't work like that unfortunately. But, with some patience, consistency, testing, appropriate diet and a lil peer support from the board, you can have results that look like our kitties. Take a peek at some of our SSs;)
 
tiffmaxee said:
Better a week too high than a day too low. That changes a bit if he was DKA. FD is for most a marathon and not a dance. Did you read that link I sent you ?
Click to expand...
Yes. I just read it but not sure I understand everything. I am an hour late with his insulin. Is .50 or 1 unit the dose i should use tonight? What about tomorrow morning? Should I test at certain times? I've only tested after he eats which I know will be higher.
I'm sorry to be so clueless. Now I'm wondering how to tell my vet what I'm doing. She didn't even suggest testing. Yikes.
 
tiffmaxee said:
You test before you shoot to make sure he’s not too low to shoot. Then you feed a meal to make sure he will eat. The your shoot. All within about 10 minutes. Are you home to test again 2-3 hours later?
Click to expand...

Yes, I'm home...I have a large house and my mom came to live with me about 5 years ago. She is 95. She has an apt. that I converted.
My daughter has MS and I care for her too, and she came to stay about 6 months after my mom. It's a full house.
With the virus, I can't take a lot of chances otherwise I could give it to my mom or daughter.
I can test when I need too but Blue might not be excited with the schedule.
So, I should test and then feed and then give the insulin? Was I testing in the wrong order?
 
Rex2u said:
I'm sorry but did I say that somewhere? If so, i have no idea...:arghh:
Click to expand...

This is where I saw it

upload_2020-8-17_21-55-16.png
 

Attachments

  • upload_2020-8-17_21-55-16.png
    upload_2020-8-17_21-55-16.png
    355 KB · Views: 558
Test. Feed. Then shoot. You will need to wait 12 hours until the next shot. Sounds like that will be okay. Will you post your result in 2-3 hours? Since you were giving 1 and 2 think you can give 1.0. That’s it. It doesn’t look like much but it’s potent stuff. Good job. Will you test again in 2 or 3 hours? I’ll come back to check on you.
 
Welcome Patty and Blue - My Tina's brother looked so much like Blue when he was a kitten - Already love your little Blue and want him safe.
The last thing I want to do is confuse you more, and YES, all this is a LOT to take in.

Order, like you said, test, feed, shoot. Many of us would shoot while kitty is eating.
Like said above, 1 unit would be the maximum dose you should give at this time - we are just worried about him being 7 pounds and starting on 2 units. My girl, for instance is 12 lbs and started on 2u.

Patty, I have a lot of empathy for your family situation. I also have 6 cats (and a younger dog). All my cats are 13+

I see you shot -- good job!
 
Rex2u said:
Now I'm wondering how to tell my vet what I'm doing. She didn't even suggest testing. Yikes.
Click to expand...

Just tell her that you know people with diabetes and they told you they never give themselves insulin without testing, so you thought it was a good idea for your furkid too. After all, our kitties are just as important to us as our 2 legged kids are
 
Welcome Patty and Blue - My Tina's brother looked so much like Blue when he was a kitten - Already love your little Blue and want him safe.
The last thing I want to do is confuse you more, and YES, all this is a LOT to take in.

Order, like you said, test, feed, shoot. Many of us would shoot while kitty is eating.
Like said above, 1 unit would be the maximum dose you should give at this time - we are just worried about him being 7 pounds and starting on 2 units. My girl, for instance is 12 lbs and was started on 2u.

Patty, I have a lot of empathy for your family situation. Things are super hard in this time of Covid-19.
I have 6 cats (and a younger dog). All my cats are 13+

Great job shooting!!
 
Chris & China (GA) said:
With as frustrated as she seemed with her vet's advice, I wasn't sure....I could see her saying she was going to stop until she got some answers too!
Click to expand...
I understand. I was so concerned when I read about the hypo that I wanted to make sure she held off and didn’t want to overwhelm her with questions.
Patty you have a lot on your plate. We will help you make this part easier. :bighug:
 
Don't be hard on yourself this is nothing any of us imagined we would be doing but the good news is that you love your baby and want only the best care and you landed in the right spot. You are getting excellent advice from experience.

After reading this thread I find myself thinking another vet put a cat in danger....Im so glad you sought out help.
2 units is a very high starting dose and for a small kitty it is huge. My cat is 16 pounds and gets 1 unit.

Please don't hesitate to ask any questions. I am so happy you decided to give a more gentle dose and @tiffmaxee is a wealth of knowledge.

:bighug:
WELCOME
:bighug:
 
Tina Marie and Jan said:
Welcome Patty and Blue - My Tina's brother looked so much like Blue when he was a kitten - Already love your little Blue and want him safe.
The last thing I want to do is confuse you more, and YES, all this is a LOT to take in.

Order, like you said, test, feed, shoot. Many of us would shoot while kitty is eating.
Like said above, 1 unit would be the maximum dose you should give at this time - we are just worried about him being 7 pounds and starting on 2 units. My girl, for instance is 12 lbs and was started on 2u.

Patty, I have a lot of empathy for your family situation. Things are super hard in this time of Covid-19.
I have 6 cats (and a younger dog). All my cats are 13+

Great job shooting!!
Click to expand...

I'm trying to make it as fun as possible. I have mom come upstairs for a cookout every Sunday. I watch shows with her on certain nights. She's so bored but I can't allow her too many outings. She keeps two cats downstairs but I feed them. I have 6 upstairs. When my daughter first came she had a dog and that was interesting. Sadly Sissy is gone. I think my youngest cat is maybe 12 but I'll have to check. It's hard to keep up. Hope your dog likes cats???
I'll talk to my vet Wednesday and let her know I've decreased the dose. She is nice but young. I normally see the owner vet but he has cut his hours. Maybe I can train the new one :D
 
tiffmaxee said:
Test. Feed. Then shoot. You will need to wait 12 hours until the next shot. Sounds like that will be okay. Will you post your result in 2-3 hours? Since you were giving 1 and 2 think you can give 1.0. That’s it. It doesn’t look like much but it’s potent stuff. Good job. Will you test again in 2 or 3 hours? I’ll come back to check on you.
Click to expand...

Yes, around 1 a.m.
 
Yay. I think I see how it might work. I haven't tested in the middle of the 12/12. He tested 354. I'm so relieved and so glad I didn't give the 2 units. Wow, that would have been terrible. He's getting a clue now so will have to rethink testing and make him more comfortable. Treats that are good for him should arrive tomorrow. Thanks for all the help and input. :bighug:
 
I’m so glad. Are you giving insulin at a good time for you? We can adjust your time by 30 minutes every 24 hours. So think about your ideal time. You will need a +2 or 3 or before bed test and sometimes a mid cycle test. We can talk about that later. Get some rest. You might want to start a new thread tomorrow as this is really long and link this one to the new one.
 
Last edited:
tiffmaxee said:
I’m so glad. Are you giving insulin at a good time for you?
Click to expand...

Ha ha ha I'm haven't figured that out yet. I have too much going on. Recently had knee surgery and have PT so it's scheduled different times. I'll eventually get it figured out. Thank you for all the help and encouragement. You have been great. I'll check BG again in the a.m. just to see. I will post again then. Nite.
 
Good morning Patty and EVERYONE. WOW what a thread!
I skipped down to say this:
Patty, most Vets believe their clients wont or CANT test. Thats why they never bring the subject up. They have very little faith in their clients which to me is under serving. You MUST let your vet know you intend to be FULLY engaged with Blues recovery and treatment NO MATTER WHAT.
Your vet cant know one clients preferences over another it is our JOB to inform our vets.

You are doing an amazing job. Keep up the good fight!
j.
 
Hi Patty. His numbers are going to fluctuate. It’s to be expected. Don’t bother testing again until shot time. From there we will try and find out his nadir. So you will want a test 2-3 hours after his shot and then depending on the number we can decide the next test. You can shoot 30 minutes early each morning until you get to a time you like. Think about what time that would be. I used to shoot at 6:00 so could get some night tests in. Many choose 6-7 for that reason. You must be so exhausted. I hope you can take a nap today. I never could.

Elise
 
jt and trouble (GA) said:
Good morning Patty and EVERYONE. WOW what a thread!
I skipped down to say this:
Patty, most Vets believe their clients wont or CANT test. Thats why they never bring the subject up. They have very little faith in their clients which to me is under serving. You MUST let your vet know you intend to be FULLY engaged with Blues recovery and treatment NO MATTER WHAT.
Your vet cant know one clients preferences over another it is our JOB to inform our vets.

You are doing an amazing job. Keep up the good fight!
j.
Click to expand...

Thank you. I do intend on showing the spreadsheet to my vet as well as following guidelines here. She is very nice but has only been practicing a short time. I have been at this practice since 1992 so feel comfortable with the owner vet and he normally will check in on what the others are doing.
 
tiffmaxee said:
Hi Patty. His numbers are going to fluctuate. It’s to be expected. Don’t bother testing again until shot time. From there we will try and find out his nadir. So you will want a test 2-3 hours after his shot and then depending on the number we can decide the next test. You can shoot 30 minutes early each morning until you get to a time you like. Think about what time that would be. I used to shoot at 6:00 so could get some night tests in. Many choose 6-7 for that reason. You must be so exhausted. I hope you can take a nap today. I never could.

Elise
Click to expand...

I'm going to go ahead and give him his shot. I have PT at 11 so that works great. I will come home and test to see where he is with BG. I will post then. Thanks so much
 
If you could set up you signature that would be great
  • On the left, under Settings, Click on Signature. This is where you will put information that helps us give you feedback.
    • There is a limit of two lines which may include two links; you may separate pieces with commas, dashes, | etc. This is where you paste the link for your spreadsheet, once it is set up.
    • Add any other text, such as
    • Caregiver & kitty's name (optional)
    • DX: Date
    • Name of Insulin
    • Name of your meter
    • Diet: "LC wet" or "dry food" or "combo"
    • Dosing: TR or SLGS or Custom (if applicable)
    • DKA or other recent health issue (if applicable)
    • Acro, IAA, or Cushings (if applicable)
    • Spreadsheet link. Please put the signature link on the bottom line of your signature information, on its own, so it is easy to find.
    • Please do not put any information about your location in the signature for security reasons. If you wish to add your country location, please add it to your profile.
Be sure to click the 'Save Changes' button at the bottom. If you need help urgently it is important we know these things at a glance. We don’t want to waste valuable time finding out information.


You will see that the signature is in gray at the bottom of each members posts
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top