NPH->Lantus Dose

[KatieDarling622]

Hey guys!
Little backstory- Tux (9yo male) diagnosed in August and was put on NPH. He’s been up and down in dosing trying to find a good number (3U seemed to be ok for him). However his readings were always hovering around 400 and not dropping below 250 throughout the day. This prompted a switch to Lantus which we started on 1U on Sunday.
He’s on Fancy Feast pate (or any wet food below 5% carbs) and free fed Dr. Elseys clean protein (chicken).
So far his numbers on Lantus have been hovering around 350 until tonight- 291! I’m ecstatic but had a question for future reference... since he’s only been on Lantus since Sunday (and I know there is a HUGE difference in NPH and Lantus) if he’s below 200 or hovering around 200 is it best to skip the shot or give the 1U?

 

[Wendy&Neko]

Hello and welcome over here.

Lantus will have much flatter cycles than NPH. You will have to change your mindset. We determine how to change the dose of Lantus based on how low a given dose takes the cat. Those lows are typically mid cycle, usually not the preshots. Any chance of getting more midcycle tests, even before bed? Many cats go lower at night.

To answer the question on what to shoot, brand new people in Feline Health we suggest not shooting below 200. Over here, it'll depend what dosing method you are following. Read over the Sticky Notes, including the one on Dosing Methods, and see which one will suit your lifestyle and wishes for Tux. Whether you shoot will also depend on the situation, whether you can monitor.

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

At first, until you have a little experience and data, if under 200, you stall, DON'T feed and post on the board for help. Test again in 20-30 minutes to see if the number goes up without the influence of food. Eventually, as you learn more about how your cat responds to both food and insulin, you gradually lower that number. Those of us doing Tight Regulation with enough experience will shoot anything over 50 (on a human meter)

If there's any dry food in the picture, even the low carb kind, you have to use the Start Low, Go Slow dosing method instead of TR

Getting the dry out of the picture is better for Tux. Not only will it be healthier for his kidneys, but it will allow you to make dose changes more often which will get him into better numbers faster.

 

[KatieDarling622]

Hello and welcome over here.

Lantus will have much flatter cycles than NPH. You will have to change your mindset. We determine how to change the dose of Lantus based on how low a given dose takes the cat. Those lows are typically mid cycle, usually not the preshots. Any chance of getting more midcycle tests, even before bed? Many cats go lower at night.

To answer the question on what to shoot, brand new people in Feline Health we suggest not shooting below 200. Over here, it'll depend what dosing method you are following. Read over the Sticky Notes, including the one on Dosing Methods, and see which one will suit your lifestyle and wishes for Tux. Whether you shoot will also depend on the situation, whether you can monitor.

Thank you for the reply! I’ll have to read more on the sticky notes about the different protocols.

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

Welcome to the group!

I suspect the @Wendy&Neko missed that you’re feeding Tux Dr. Elsey’s dry food. If a kitty is eating any dry, you’re constrained to using the Start Low Go Slow method.

 

[Wendy&Neko]

I suspect the @Wendy&Neko missed that you’re feeding Tux Dr. Elsey’s dry food.

and free fed Dr. Elseys clean protein (chicken).

The Dr. Elsey's also comes in wet food. It was unclear whether that is wet or dry food being free fed.

Katie, if you are in fact feeding dry food, could you please put that in your signature. As Sienne noted, it does make a difference which dosing method you can use.