Shadow and Caninsulin VetPen

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CLAIRE MARSHALL

Member Since 2021
So my 11 year old Shadow was diagnosed on the 13th October last year.

They put him on 2 units twice daily to start with.

By the 9th November, I had a phone call to say they wanted to increase to 3 units twice daily.

I am now onto my second vets.

This current vet, and my old one, only rely on fructosamine blood testing, both vets refuse point blank to accept home testing.

I decided to lower Shadow's dose down gradulaly.

I blood test him at home, using both a human meter and just recently an animal one called Cera Pet.

He is currently on 1.5 units twice daily as from 3 days ago.

I know it takes around 7 days for the new dose to level out.

Previous fructosamine levels were 10th January 402.6, then just recently a few weeks ago 316.

He is being fed twice daily, Nature's Menu or Nature's Variety wet food 0 carb only.



Am I doing the right thing by gradualy lowering his dose down by .5 units each time so it doesn't bounce!?

Thanks xx
 
Hi Claire , welcome
please tell us about Shadow by creating your signature, it's at the end of everyone's post in gray letters

I'll give you the link
Here is a link helping us to help you link. If you noticed, our members have some basic information about their cat's in their signature. This helps us to not pester you by asking the same questions (your cat's name, insulin type, date of diagnosis, etc.) repeatedly. We also have a link to our spreadsheet in our signature. We are very numbers driven. The spreadsheet is a record of your cat's progress. By linking it in your signature, we can follow along and provide feedback should you need the help.

Here is the link to the spreadsheet, if you need help setting it up just ask, we have a wonderful member that would be glad to do it for you
Can I ask where you live
https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/how-to-create-a-spreadsheet.241706/
 
Have you read
https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/beginners-guide-to-caninsulin-vetsulin.231587/

Are you feeding Shadow then waiting 30 minutes then give the insulin
We feed our cats more than twice a day, the bigger meals at AMPS ( AM Pre Shot)
Same with PMPS
We feed smaller meals during each 12 hour cycle, it's easier on the pancreas
I'm glad you are home testing ,most of us human meters that's what our numbers are based on
We adjust the dose by how low Shadows BG is dropping, not the Pre Shots


We need to see the tests you already have in order for the members to give you advice
I'm going to tag Bhooma @Bandit's Mom to set up the SS for you
She will send you a private message , look for it up top where it says inbox
 
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Here is our food chart in case you want to take a look at it
https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/dr-pierson-new-food-chart.174147/

Do you have any med and high carb wet foods in case you need them to bring Shadows BG up in case it drops too low. Such as
Med and High Carb food



Fancy Feast Gravy Lovers Gourmet Beef Feast in Gravy 20% High Carbs

Fancy Feast Gravy Lovers Gourmet Chicken Feast in Gravy 15% Med Carbs

Fancy Feast Gravy Lovers Turkey Feast in Gravy 15% Med Carbs

Fancy Feast Gravy Lovers Chicken and Beef in Gravy 15% Med Carbs

Good idea to mark the cans with magic marker how many carbs

Or any on the food chart
https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/dr-pierson-new-food-chart.174147/
 
I am in the UK.

Shadow is on either Nature's Menu or Nature's Variety 0 carb wet food only.

Thank you for letting me join.

He gets fed at 6.30AM and then 6.30PM, insulin is not long after. Always 12 hours apart.
 
Welcome to FDMB.

In response to your question about lowering the dose to prevent bouncing, generally, this is a strategy that doesn't work. It's also hard to know what's going on with Shadow's numbers without being able to look at a spreadsheet. Bounces are the result of numbers dropping into a low range, dropping fast, or dropping into a range your cat is no longer used to. A bounce is the result of the liver and pancreas releasing a stored form of glucose along with counterregulatory hormones. Bounces can last roughly 3 days/6 cycles -- in other words, while they are annoying for us, they are a normal response and eventually they stop happening or are not as dramatic as your cat gets used to spending time in lower numbers.

We are very strong advocates of home testing since it gives you much greater control over. your cat's progress on insulin. Perhaps more importantly, it lets you know if Shadow's numbers are dropping into a dangerous range. With a fructosamine test, you will never know if that's the case since the number reflects an average over a period of several weeks. If you're testing at home, there is no need to spend the money on the vet running a fructosamine test. Frankly, there are articles in veterinary journals that support home testing.

Another reason that home testing is important is the insulin you're using. Caninsulin is a harsh, faster acting insulin that can drop numbers quickly. It was developed to treat diabetic dogs and given a cat's faster metabolism, is not truly a good insulin for felines. The American Animal Hospital Assoc. no longer recommends it for the treatment of feline diabetes since Caninsulin does not have adequate duration for feline diabetes management. They recommend either Lantus (glargine) or Prozinc. These should both be available in the UK.
 
My vet just refuses to accept home testing, and won't change his brand of insulin.

The vet only goes by the levels of a fructosamine test which last time was 316, meaning Good Control of his diabetes so far after just 4 months.

I have lowered Shadow's dose down gradually.

He was at his highest dose in November 3 units twice daily.

Now he is on 1.5 units twice daily.

However he is on a 0 carb wet food only died, which is why his blood sugars are so much better.

How can I upload his spreadsheet please can someone help.
 
Most of us use human meters. You could pick one up at the pharmacy and start testing. Do I understand correctly you are feeding dry food? Wet might make a huge difference but you only should switch if you start testing at home because cats can become diet controlled with just that switch. I’d be looking for a new vet that understands fd and cats.
 
tiffmaxee said:
Most of us use human meters. You could pick one up at the pharmacy and start testing. Do I understand correctly you are feeding dry food? Wet might make a huge difference but you only should switch if you start testing at home because cats can become diet controlled with just that switch. I’d be looking for a new vet that understands fd and cats.
Click to expand...

Shadow ia on 0 carb wet food only diet.

Its the second vet that is refusing to accept home testing, and we don't have many vets in my area, so this is why I'm on here asking for advice.

I am using both a Gluco Navii and Kinetik human metres, both of which read very similar.

I need advice on how to put my spreadsheet up.
 
@Bandit's Mom can lend you a hand with the spreadsheet. She'll check in with you. She's in India so you'll need to keep an eye out for her post given the time difference.

Perhaps sharing some information with your vet can help. This is the link to the American Animal Hospital Assn guidelines for the treatment of diabetes. The UK policies on which insulin can be used have changed. Your vet needs to get current.

The article that I attached is what has become the Tight Regulation Protocol for use with glargine (Lantus). The protocol is based on home testing. It has become a standard. I don't mean to harangue you but your vet may be more willing to consider information that comes from veterinary sources -- respected organizations and journals.

The reality is that your vet doesn't need to approve of home testing. You can buy a meter and strips and test and make dose adjustments on your own. There's no need to tell your vet and your cat certainly isn't going to tell the vet. You clearly care about your cat and home testing is the best way for you to keep your kitty safe.
 

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Sienne and Gabby (GA) said:
@Bandit's Mom can lend you a hand with the spreadsheet. She'll check in with you. She's in India so you'll need to keep an eye out for her post given the time difference.

Perhaps sharing some information with your vet can help. This is the link to the American Animal Hospital Assn guidelines for the treatment of diabetes. The UK policies on which insulin can be used have changed. Your vet needs to get current.

The article that I attached is what has become the Tight Regulation Protocol for use with glargine (Lantus). The protocol is based on home testing. It has become a standard. I don't mean to harangue you but your vet may be more willing to consider information that comes from veterinary sources -- respected organizations and journals.

The reality is that your vet doesn't need to approve of home testing. You can buy a meter and strips and test and make dose adjustments on your own. There's no need to tell your vet and your cat certainly isn't going to tell the vet. You clearly care about your cat and home testing is the best way for you to keep your kitty safe.
Click to expand...

I am already home testing, his dose is now 1.5 units.

I need some help to upload my spreadsheet xx
 
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