Questions about starting insulin

[kurikitty]

Hello all, today I received my cats Lantus insulin, now I am just waiting on syringes to come in the mail.

Right now my cat is taking Glipizide twice a day and I was wondering if I should take him to the vet before I start giving him the insulin and figure out his dosage. Thanks!

 

[Kris & Teasel]

What has your vet recommended with respect to stopping glipizide and starting insulin. It's probably not wise to give both. The usual starting dose for Lantus is 1 unit given twice a day at (fairly strict) 12 hour intervals. Are you testing your kitty's blood glucose at home?

 

[kurikitty]

What has your vet recommended with respect to stopping glipizide and starting insulin. It's probably not wise to give both. The usual starting dose for Lantus is 1 unit given twice a day at (fairly strict) 12 hour intervals. Are you testing your kitty's blood glucose at home?

He told me to stop the glipizide when I start the insulin.

I've been trying to test his blood, but I've only been successful once. I upgraded to a 26g lancet and his ears still don't bleed that much so it makes it difficult.

When I start the insulin, do you think it would be safe to change the times I give it to him compared to when I've been giving him glipizide?

I give it to him at 730 am and pm every day, but I realized it is really inconvenient and would like to change it to 10 am and pm.

 

[Idjit's mom]

Be patient with yourself learning the home testing process. It's helpful to use a warmed rice sock (a small sock with uncooked rice) or a warmed wet washcloth to warm the ears before the poke. As you keep testing, more capillaries build up in the area and it gets easier, truly! Have you looked at the home testing tips HERE ?

 

[Kris & Teasel]

He told me to stop the glipizide when I start the insulin.

I've been trying to test his blood, but I've only been successful once. I upgraded to a 26g lancet and his ears still don't bleed that much so it makes it difficult.

When I start the insulin, do you think it would be safe to change the times I give it to him compared to when I've been giving him glipizide?

I give it to him at 730 am and pm every day, but I realized it is really inconvenient and would like to change it to 10 am and pm.

Yes, you can change to a more convenient schedule when you start Lantus. I suggest you go to the Lantus forum and check out the yellow information stickies at the top of the page to learn about this insulin. It's also a good idea to post there for help because the level of expertise among that forum's members is very high.