My 14 year old cat was diagnosed in Jan. I have been giving Lantus 2X, but BG readings are all over the place. She can go from 550 down to 100 back to 500 within 12 hours. She has twice gone into hypoglycemia, so cautious of increasing the dose of 1 unit. My vet has suggested trying Levemir. It is awfully expensive to just try. Anyone have suggestions for the best price on it, or experience with this working when Lantus didn't? Thank you.
relatively newly diagnosed
- Thread starter Mary W
- Start date
- Status
jt and trouble (GA)
Member Since 2009
Welcome to FDMB the best place to help you help your kitty. I cannot answer your questions but I know there are people here who can.
Hang on for more replies.
Hang on for more replies.
Deb & Wink
Member Since 2013
If your cat has gone hypoclycemic (hypo) twice, with symptoms, than the dose is too high.
What is the dose right now?
What food are you feeding? Please be very specific.
Are you home testing? I got that impression, by you saying the BG's have gone from 500's to 100, but you didn't make it clear if those tests were from the vet or from your home testing efforts
Best way for us to help you, is to set up our standardized, color coded spreadsheet (SS). There is a template you copy, so you don't have to reinvent the wheel. You do need a google email account first. Most recent 2 weeks of data would be the most helpful.
Set up instructions are in this link >>>> FDMB Spreadsheet Instructions
What it means is in this link >>>>>> Understanding the Spreadsheet/Grid
1 Unit of lantus insulin is not very much at all. We have members here that are giving their cats 5U and more.
What is the dose right now?
What food are you feeding? Please be very specific.
Are you home testing? I got that impression, by you saying the BG's have gone from 500's to 100, but you didn't make it clear if those tests were from the vet or from your home testing efforts
Best way for us to help you, is to set up our standardized, color coded spreadsheet (SS). There is a template you copy, so you don't have to reinvent the wheel. You do need a google email account first. Most recent 2 weeks of data would be the most helpful.
Set up instructions are in this link >>>> FDMB Spreadsheet Instructions
What it means is in this link >>>>>> Understanding the Spreadsheet/Grid
1 Unit of lantus insulin is not very much at all. We have members here that are giving their cats 5U and more.
Deb & Wink
Member Since 2013
Mary, What is your cat's name? I think you forgot to tell us. We would love to know what her name is.
I really wouldn't say the lantus insulin has not worked for your cat. Lantus is a "depot" type insulin, as is levemir. Levemir has a later onset, and a later nadir. Could you tell us when the nadir, or lowest point in the cycle is for your cat now?
It took time for your cat to become diabetic, it will take time to get the diabetes under control.
I think that trying levemir at this point is premature. Plus as you said, rather expensive to do that as an experiment.
There are many members here that use lantus for their cats. We have helped diabetic cat owners get their cats regulated on insulin, including getting over 400 cats diet controlled, otherwise known as in remission or OTJ. OTJ stands for off-the-juice, insulin being the "juice" referred to.
The Friskies pate foods are a good choice for a diabetic cat. Is 6 lbs a good weight for your cat, or should she weigh more or less?
Would you please tell us when you test the BG's (blood glucose) at home? What time of day in relation to the insulin shot? We express times in a + hour format, as we live all over the world.
So AMPS is the morning pre-shot test, PMPS is the evening pre-shot test. +1 is one hour after insulin, +2 is 2 hours after giving insulin, etc.
Was the insulin dose always 1U? Or has that changed over time?
What symptoms did your cat have, that the diabetes diagnosis was based on? Does she still have those symptoms?
I know these are a lot of questions. That you are already overwhelmed with what is going on in the world. But we think we can help guide you and your cat in this diabetes journey. Hope you will reply soon.
Take good care of yourself, and keep safe in these difficult times. That is very important to do, especially now.
Do you live in the US or Canada, or elsewhere in the world?
Here is the thread with information that talks about that.>>>>> Ordering Lantus, Basaglar, or Levemir from Canadian pharmacies
There is also a member, Alan Hamman that often has lantus, levemir and other insulins for offer in our Supply Closet. He is reliable and trustworthy from what I understand from other people. Here is the link to his thread >>>>> Levemir pens
You will need to PM him, or what is also known as "Start a New Conversation." Do you know how to do that?
I really wouldn't say the lantus insulin has not worked for your cat. Lantus is a "depot" type insulin, as is levemir. Levemir has a later onset, and a later nadir. Could you tell us when the nadir, or lowest point in the cycle is for your cat now?
It took time for your cat to become diabetic, it will take time to get the diabetes under control.
I think that trying levemir at this point is premature. Plus as you said, rather expensive to do that as an experiment.
There are many members here that use lantus for their cats. We have helped diabetic cat owners get their cats regulated on insulin, including getting over 400 cats diet controlled, otherwise known as in remission or OTJ. OTJ stands for off-the-juice, insulin being the "juice" referred to.
The Friskies pate foods are a good choice for a diabetic cat. Is 6 lbs a good weight for your cat, or should she weigh more or less?
Would you please tell us when you test the BG's (blood glucose) at home? What time of day in relation to the insulin shot? We express times in a + hour format, as we live all over the world.
So AMPS is the morning pre-shot test, PMPS is the evening pre-shot test. +1 is one hour after insulin, +2 is 2 hours after giving insulin, etc.
Was the insulin dose always 1U? Or has that changed over time?
What symptoms did your cat have, that the diabetes diagnosis was based on? Does she still have those symptoms?
I know these are a lot of questions. That you are already overwhelmed with what is going on in the world. But we think we can help guide you and your cat in this diabetes journey. Hope you will reply soon.
Take good care of yourself, and keep safe in these difficult times. That is very important to do, especially now.
Do you live in the US or Canada, or elsewhere in the world?
Many people that live in the US purchase their insulin in Canada, from Marks Marine Pharmacy. They carry levemir as well as lantus.
Here is the thread with information that talks about that.>>>>> Ordering Lantus, Basaglar, or Levemir from Canadian pharmacies
There is also a member, Alan Hamman that often has lantus, levemir and other insulins for offer in our Supply Closet. He is reliable and trustworthy from what I understand from other people. Here is the link to his thread >>>>> Levemir pens
You will need to PM him, or what is also known as "Start a New Conversation." Do you know how to do that?
Hi. My cat's name is Ziggy. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas I realized she was drinking and peeing a lot. Also, always hungry. These symptoms seem to have improved, except for always wanting to eat. Up to this point, she had eaten dry cat food all her life. I have since learned that wasn't the best choice. Beginning of Jan I took her to my vet. After doing blood work , some other tests, and an exam, it was determined she was diabetic. We started on 1 unit, went to 1 1/2, and eventually up to 2. It was at 2 that she had her hypo incidents. Dropped back to 1 and that has not happened again. I check her BG at both 6am and pm, feed her, and as she is eating, give her her insulin shot. Some days I will also check BG at +6 or +7. A couple of times I have done a curve. Around +6 seems to be about when she reaches her lowest. When this first started, she was 5 lbs, so an increase of 1 is good. She has always been a small cat. At her highest, she was probably 7 lbs. My vet is happy that she has gained some.
When I commented on the price of Levemir, I had mistakenly priced out a 10mL vial instead of a 3mL pen. It is still an expense, but not as bad as I initially thought. A pen seems to last me just about 3 months.
I am in the US. Actually Massachusetts. I appreciate your responses, and will get to the spread sheet either tonight or tomorrow. I have been keeping my own recards, so it shouldn't be hard to transfer the info. Thank you.
Deb & Wink
Member Since 2013
Hey Ziggy! Thanks for the introduction. Your spreadsheet looks fine. Tell your mom she did a good job getting the SS (spreadsheet) up and running.
My best guess, and this is only a guess, is that Ziggy is dropping really low during the cycle and then bouncing.
If possible, try to get another test in the PM or night time cycle. A +2 is a very good test to get, as it can tell you which direction the BG levels are headed. A "before bed test" is another good one to get.
Good job on getting Ziggy to gain that pound of weight back. It can be difficult to get a diabetic cat to gain weight. Are there any signs of diabetic neuropathy in the back legs?
Have you read any of the "Sticky" or pinned posts in the Lantus ISG forum on the message board here?
p.s. I'm in Massachusetts too. Coastal north shore. You ready for the snow tonight and Saturday morning?
My best guess, and this is only a guess, is that Ziggy is dropping really low during the cycle and then bouncing.
If possible, try to get another test in the PM or night time cycle. A +2 is a very good test to get, as it can tell you which direction the BG levels are headed. A "before bed test" is another good one to get.
Good job on getting Ziggy to gain that pound of weight back. It can be difficult to get a diabetic cat to gain weight. Are there any signs of diabetic neuropathy in the back legs?
Have you read any of the "Sticky" or pinned posts in the Lantus ISG forum on the message board here?
p.s. I'm in Massachusetts too. Coastal north shore. You ready for the snow tonight and Saturday morning?
- Status