Poopy changing from ProZinc to Lantus

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Teresa and Poopy

Teresa and Poopy

Member Since 2011
Greetings!

This weekend, or if I run out of ProZinc before then, Poopy will be joining the ranks of Lantus users. Right off the bat I have a question.

The vet and I chatted about dose. Normally he starts new diabetics off based on weight, which for Poopy would be 1.75 units. However, we've run the gauntlet with ProZinc and are currently shooting .8 units (which is 2 units in a u100 syringe). The vet is all for lowering the dose due to Poopy's current dose. My question is...which "reading" do I go by? .8 or 2.0 units? 1.75 units is less than what I've been shooting volume wise.

Any suggestions on a starting dose? SS is current for ProZinc (and you can tell it hasn't been doing much, regardless of the amount used).

Me thinks my blondness is showing. :?
 
Generally, we suggest that if you are switching from a different insulin to Lantus or Levemir that you reduce the amount of insulin by 30%. Some cats have a marked response to a switch in insulin. By shooting 70% of your dose on PZI, you'll be building in a margin of safety.

Regardless of whether you do the multiplication based on a U40 or a U100 dose, the numbers come out the same. Your dose on Lantus would be 1.4u or the closest measurable dose would be 1.5u.

U40: .8 x 70% = .56u which converts to 1.4 (.56 x 2.5 = 1.4)

U100: 2.0 x 70% = 1.4u
 
Ah ha! Thank you!

I know I have much to learn about Lantus, and have read all the stickies (even watched the video - very informative!). I am hoping the switch does well for Poopy. 1.5u it shall be.

Thank you again. :smile:
 
Teresa,
I think the fact that you are using u100 syringes might have confused things.

If your current dose of Prozinc is .8u (I understand that converts to 2.0 on the u100 syringe), then the lantus dose should be about 70% of that dose. It converts to .56, so rounding down would make it .5u of lantus (rounding up would be .75u if you chose to do that).

For safety, the .5u would be the most logical starting dose. However, given that the Poopster has been giving you flat yellow cycles with some low pinks lately on that dose, it doesn't seem to be "doing much" for him (just my opinion!). SO while I might lean towards aggressive and say .75u, it would be safer to start at .5 and work your way up if needed.

Bottom line (I think)....

Your current dose of Prozinc is .8u. Whether you are using a u40 syringe, a u100 syringe, or a turkey baster to administer the shot, it's still .8u of Prozinc, right? So the lantus dose should be about 30% less than .8u.

Anybody else? Am I confused?

Carl
 
Welcome to Lantus Land, you two! There is a lot to absorb but you'll get into the swing of things. cat_pet_icon
 
LOL
"Even a broken clock is right...twice a day".

Carl
 
I agree, Carl, that .8u isn't doing much for the Poopmeister....but neither was the 1.8u. :lol: Part of the reason the vet was willing to start low since we have no clue how Poop will react under a different insulin. (And I am glad to see you here! :YMHUG: )

So then, .5u will be our start and we can go from there. I may be upping the dose, per regulation, but I'd much rather come home to a breathing cat than not. nailbite_smile

And Amy and Ruby! ~ Waves like an idiot~ Good to see you! :YMHUG:
 
Welcome to LL, Teresa!

One important thing to remember as you start out with Lantus is that dosing is based on NADIRS, not pre-shots. It will require you to unlearn much of your PZI-Thinking. It's also why we're being conservative with dosing advice - there is no Lantus data yet. Hope this makes sense.

Can I ask why you never *changed* your cat's name? I read your profile story on how he came to be called that, but I can't work out why you kept doing it :smile:

Jane
 
"Poopy" does fit the little stinker. Not that he's little, at all. :lol:

Besides, it was hilarious trying to get my young nieces and nephews to say his name. They'd giggle and laugh...you had to be there. :-D My son was a teenager at the time, so he also loved the name. Once named, it stuck. :smile: Also, Poopy would answer to "Poopy", "Poop", Poopmeister", "The Poop", just about anything with "Poop" in it. :lol:

Our family has been known to name a pet an odd name here and there. We once had a dog named Painintheass (pronounced Pa-ninth-e-us). Aptly named, I might add! :lol:

For Lantus, I am hoping I can hold off until the weekend to start so I can do full curves, find the nadir, get data, the whole ball of wax. I live close to work so should be able to come home around nadir to grab a test once I know the optimal time frame. I normally shoot on a 7-7 schedule so should be able to grab a +10 (or 10.5) and +11 both AM and PM, too.

Once I start Lantus, I'll make a new tab on the spreadsheet to avoid confusion. I am so hoping Lantus will work for the Poop. I worry about him.

Thanks for the welcome! :-D
 
Welcome to LantusLand! :-D

When I began Blackie on Lantus (she was on 8u of ProZinc BID before then), I started her on 1u, but that was her. Then increased her via the protocol every 0.25u. You'll see an improvement over time when using the Lantus compared to the ProZinc. It's like night and day. Listen to the experts on here, and they certainly will not steer you wrong. Feel free to constantly ask questions as that's how you'll learn. Good luck, and I look forward to seeing your progress! :-D
 
Switching on the weekend is definitely a good idea, so you can keep and eye on the Poopster. Ruby had a pretty strong response to it on her second dose, before she leveled out a little.
 
I do plan on relying on the experience here, oh yes! I am glad I already know there's a bunch of friendly, knowledgeable folks, and thank goodness I know how to test! :lol: I feel like I'm ahead of the game with just those two tidbits but know I have much to learn about dosing Lantus.

I am under some deadlines at work (one my project and another project I get to "help" with - sigh) so I will need to work this weekend. My boss is so cool, I will be able to take Poopy with me to monitor him. Nothing like packing a "diaper bag" for a cat! :lol: The ride is a short one so minimal stress there, and I'll be sure to take all the necessities so Poop can feel at home...and a huge bonus, he'll have more lap time available! Just what he needs. ohmygod_smile Have I mentioned he's spoiled rotten? :lol:
 
Don't tell my boss, but Grayson has a litter box in my closet! :shock: :lol: :lol:

Hi Teresa! Welcome over here. You're right about re-learning... just thank God you don't have to re-learn the pokie part!

Grayson is now on Lev, and when we changed, we started at 50% of the dose - per teh recommendation at NC State's vet school - including Dr. Lunn (the Acro-cat expert). It took a while to work up (and up and up and up), but once we got used to the differences (Lev has a later nadir), it's been mostly good - "no more swimming in a sea of pinks" and IHOP is closed, sold and shuttered. The kitties now PICNIC on pretty green grass with blue skies and a bright yellow sun! ;-) You'll see lots of familiar faces and make even more new friends here... so LOTS of wisdom to be gained. Hoping Poopy settles in nicely!

Lu-Ann
 
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