Ollie

[Enajyram1$]

Our baby is 15 years old( 90 in our age) with a recent diagnosis of ( mellitus) diabetes. First glucose reading by vet was a 20! Ollie went on 3 units of ( caninsulin) for the first 14 days, administered once daily in the a.m. We went back to the vet after those 14 days, with a second reading of 8.8! Now the vet wants us to administer another 3 units of insulin in the p.m. The vet was very surprised at the low glucose reading , and was frankly a little dumb-founded. The thing is we accidently at the very beginning of administering the insulin on day1 , had given Ollie 3 units in the p.m, for 4 days, before realizing the mistake! And we're back on track on day 5 of 14, administering only 3 units of insulin a day!!! Anyone have any suggestions. Ollie seems to be ok, except for his one back leg, that works so so, and then not so well either at times!

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

Welcome to FDMB.

I'm honestly not sure what your vet is thinking. Cats have a fast metabolism. Diabetic cats need to be on twice a day (every 12 hour) insulin dosing. In addition, Caninsulin is a less than wonderful insulin for cats. It's harsh and it can drop numbers quickly. As such, you need to be sure to check your cat's blood glucose, feed your cat, wait 20 - 30 min, and then give an injection. You need to have food on board to buffer the effect of the insulin so it doesn't drop your cat's numbers too much. Either Prozinc or Lantus (glargine) are far better insulins for managing feline diabetes.

We also strongly encourage home testing. It's the only way to ensure that your cat is in safe blood glucose numbers.

What are your feeding your cat? Just like human diabetics, cats need to be on a low carbohydrate diet. We consider low carb as under 10% carbs although most members here feed their cat a diet that's in the neighborhood of 5% carb. I'm assuming you're outside of the US given the test numbers you've provided. We can provide you with food lists depending on where you're located.

 

[Wendy&Neko]

Hello and welcome.

That second reading of 8.8 (158 dg/mL) the vet got, how long after the shot was that?

3 units is a large initial dose for Caninsulin. My girl, whose initial lab work showed much higher blood glucose, started at 1 unit twice a day. We did later switch to Lantus, which was much better for her, as it lasted longer. I'm worried that if the 3 units once a day got him down to 8.8, what would shooting twice a day do? If you are up for learning to home test the blood sugars, we'd be better able to help you.

 

[Enajyram1$]

Welcome to FDMB.

I'm honestly not sure what your vet is thinking. Cats have a fast metabolism. Diabetic cats need to be on twice a day (every 12 hour) insulin dosing. In addition, Caninsulin is a less than wonderful insulin for cats. It's harsh and it can drop numbers quickly. As such, you need to be sure to check your cat's blood glucose, feed your cat, wait 20 - 30 min, and then give an injection. You need to have food on board to buffer the effect of the insulin so it doesn't drop your cat's numbers too much. Either Prozinc or Lantus (glargine) are far better insulins for managing feline diabetes.

We also strongly encourage home testing. It's the only way to ensure that your cat is in safe blood glucose numbers.

What are your feeding your cat? Just like human diabetics, cats need to be on a low carbohydrate diet. We consider low carb as under 10% carbs although most members here feed their cat a diet that's in the neighborhood of 5% carb. I'm assuming you're outside of the US given the test numbers you've provided. We can provide you with food lists depending on where you're located.

Thankyou for responding, We have been feeding Ollie Fancy Feast (Pate) now for quite a while. Ollie has seemed to lost taste for kibble, and has not eaten kibble since the start of Diabetes in October of 2025!

 

[Enajyram1$]

Hello and welcome.

That second reading of 8.8 (158 dg/mL) the vet got, how long after the shot was that?

3 units is a large initial dose for Caninsulin. My girl, whose initial lab work showed much higher blood glucose, started at 1 unit twice a day. We did later switch to Lantus, which was much better for her, as it lasted longer. I'm worried that if the 3 units once a day got him down to 8.8, what would shooting twice a day do? If you are up for learning to home test the blood sugars, we'd be better able to help you.

Hi and thanks for responding. The 8.8 (158dg/ml) reading was taken 4 hours after administering the 3 units of (Canin-sulin), at the very start of the Diabetes in October/ 2025, During the first 14 days!!! Of the start of insulin injections, we noticed Ollie's back right leg started to get quite useless for him, with the vet suggesting Nurempathy being the cause. I think it is being caused by the dosage of insulin!!!! And so we went back for the second Glucose reading on Friday ( Nov28/2025) to our Vetenarian after another 14 days went by, with a reading of 3.9 ( low) , and was told to drop the dosage to two units. With my wife being Fiabetic herself she suggested that I stop the pm shot altogether. And so I have now for two days, but I believe he needs a pm shot. So iam going to give Ollie tonight (Nov 30/2025) a pm shot again every night!!! with 1.5 units in the am and 1.5 units in the pm! Yes I would be open to learning home testing and any advice, so as to I do not kill our loved feline. Thankyou so much for taking the time that you do, by reaching out to others. You are a great soul!!!

Thankyou for responding, We have been feeding Ollie Fancy Feast (Pate) now for quite a while. Ollie has seemed to lost taste for kibble, and has not eaten kibble since the start of Diabetes in October of 2025!

 

[Enajyram1$]

Hi and thanks for responding. The 8.8 (158dg/ml) reading was taken 4 hours after administering the 3 units of (Canin-sulin), at the very start of the Diabetes in October/ 2025, During the first 14 days!!! Of the start of insulin injections, we noticed Ollie's back right leg started to get quite useless for him, with the vet suggesting Nurempathy being the cause. I think it is being caused by the dosage of insulin!!!! And so we went back for the second Glucose reading on Friday ( Nov28/2025) to our Vetenarian after another 14 days went by, with a reading of 3.9 ( low) , and was told to drop the dosage to two units. With my wife being Fiabetic herself she suggested that I stop the pm shot altogether. And so I have now for two days, but I believe he needs a pm shot. So iam going to give Ollie tonight (Nov 30/2025) a pm shot again every night!!! with 1.5 units in the am and 1.5 units in the pm! Yes I would be open to learning home testing and any advice, so as to I do not kill our loved feline. Thankyou so much for taking the time that you do, by reaching out to others. You are a great soul!!!

 

[Enajyram1$]

 

[Wendy&Neko]

Neuropathy is common enough with diabetic cats. It means they walk mostly on their back hocks. Here is a post about it. Feline Diabetic Neuropathy You treat with Methyl B12.

I agree that lowering the insulin dose was a good idea. If you can home test, you don't need to take him to the vet for curves, and we can help you figure out a better dose for him. You can use a human blood glucose meter for him, ideally one with a small blood drop requirement. Many people here use the Relion Premier from Walmart, as the test strips are inexpensive. More information and videos on home testing here: Hometesting Links and Tips