Sidney, Vet discussion tomorrow, Thoughts?

[SidneysMom]

So, I've switched Sid to Fancy Feast and Friskies fully. I'm doing what I can to avoid the high carb and stick to pates.
He was actually really playful last night and hopping around playing with his brother. I was kind of shocked. He hasn't drank a BIT of water today...I noticed that since really cutting down the carb food neither kitty in the past two days has touched the water bowl! I do add water to the food
Tomorrow Sid is *suppose* to have a vet appt tomorrow, but it will likely be delayed until Tuesday. The reason:
My husband works nights and starts work at 1pm. The vet is supposed to call me tomorrow at 10 to discuss my questions about starting with Lantus. I'm not sure how this is going to go, quite honestly. I'm waiting for the pushback over a human vs. non-human insulin, but I can't be sure. It's one of the partner vets since my guy isn't available until Wednesday. I'm pre-judging this, honestly, but I decided I don't want to start Sid on Caninsulin. One, the needles are bigger and I don't want to be doing conversions to use a smaller one. I've got enough to think about. Two, I can get the Lantus from the regular pharmacy, as well as the needles and save money, and I don't have a lot of extra money. Read: none, lol.
If the vet will be willing to do the Lantus and work with me, I want to be able to use tomorrow morning before hubby goes to work to get the insulin and the appropriate syringes.
Um, what are those again??? What size? So sorry.
If he won't, I'll be using the time to get Sidney transferred to a different vet who will work with me. I just don't have the money to start with one insulin and syringes, then switch.
Also, I want a vet who will start low, go slow, with Sid. I don't know the does he should be on. He's 11.7 lbs. I want the lowest does. What is that, does anyone know?

Thanks so much for all the help. I am really worried about waiting ANOTHER day before getting him started, but I feel really kind of tied here with regards to the husband's schedule (he's the driver and our vet is far) and the vet not having other insulins available.
I hope he will be okay. I'm trying my best to make things a good start and easy for all of us.

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

I don't know the does he should be on. He's 11.7 lbs. I want the lowest does. What is that, does anyone know?

On the Start Low, Go Slow dosing method, the starting dose is .5 (if on a low carb canned diet) and 1U (if there's dry food in the picture)

Um, what are those again??? What size?

You want 3/10ml, 31 gauge insulin syringes with half unit markings. @Wendy&Neko can help with the exact brand(s)

We'll also need to get a spreadsheet started for you so you can record the tests when you get them. Here are the Instructions on setting up the FDMB spreadsheet. If you have any problems setting it up, feel free to send me a private message and I'd be happy to do it for you. Just click on my name and choose "start a conversation".

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

If you're using Lantus, you want to get a prescription for the pens, not the vials. Do NOT let them try to sell you the needle tips for the pens. You want U100 syringes. Preferably a 30 or 31 gauge needle. Specifically, U-100 3/10cc syringes with half unit markings. This is the sticky on insulin and syringes from the Lantus forum.

Where you start with insulin depends on a number of issues - like which dosing approach you use.With Tight Regulation, your initial dose = 0.25 x kitty's ideal weight in kilograms. If 11.7 lbs is Sidney's ideal weight, the staring dose would be 1.25u. If you opt for Start Low Go Slow, the starting dose is 0.5u if Sidney is exclusively eating canned food or 1.0u if she's still eating some dry food. (FYI - you cannot use Tight Regulation if Sidney is eating dry food.)

 

[SidneysMom]

What's the difference between the vials and the pens?
Honestly Im not sure what Tight regulation is yet. I just wanted to start low go slow because I don't want to deal with a glycemic episode. Sid's not on anything but wet food. The only "dry" food he gets is freeze dried chicken sprinkled on his food from Pure Bites, but I don't think that counts.

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

What's the difference between the vials and the pens?

A vial is 10ml (1000 units)…..Most cats need less than 2U twice a day....a vial will last 4-6 months and in that time, you can't use it all before it loses efficacy so you end up throwing a lot away.

Each pen holds 300 units, so a box of 5 is 1500 units total. The entire box is usually good for at least 2 years so you can use pretty much every drop out of each pen.

The pens also resist breaking much better when dropped on the floor! Dropping a vial ends up giving you a very expensive puddle on the floor (as well as having to buy more)

 

[Maggies Mom Debby]

Pens vs. vials. Each pen has what is essentially a small vial inside it.

Diabetic people can use the pens with needle tips because they need multiple units per shot. They just set a dial for the number of units and inject.

With cats, the smaller dosage needed means a cat can be on .5 unit per shot. So you can’t use the pen tips which can only be set for full units. But you can use a syringe just like you do with a larger vial.

 

[Red & Rover (GA)]

the purple and yellow box. if the pharmacy says they will have to order, ask them to sell you a couple of ten packs of whole unit syringes or try elsewhere. and get them to physically check for the syringes.
a box of 100 will last 50 days. syringes cannot be re-used.

 

[MrWorfMen's Mom]

Do NOT let them try to sell you the needle tips for the pens.

In Canada we don't get pens......we get the cartridges that go in the pens. Since you don't need a prescription, you simply ask the pharmacist for Lantus cartridges and you're good to go.

 

[Lisa and Witn (GA)]

The advantage of the pens/cartridges over vials is that they will last longer.

Once it is used for the first time the insulin starts to slowly become ineffective. With a vial, it starts to lose most of it's it's effectiveness around 3-4 months and you will eventually have to throw away a lot of insulin. Since the pens are smaller containers you will be able to almost every drop before it becomes ineffective. Depending on your dose a pack of pens (5) will last 9 months or more before you have to buy more.

 

[Noah & me (GA)]

my guy isn't available until Wednesday. I'm pre-judging this, honestly

I know you don't want to keep putting this off but... I've been going to the same clinic for 18 years and also have "my guy". A woman actually, her dad was a vet as well and she has become a close friend to both of us. It's a big clinic and she's always had trouble getting good techs and vets, she doesn't want a business partner. I often cringe when I have to deal with members of her staff that don't know me or our animals, what I'm capable of and what we want long term. There is no formula for having a good rapport with a vet but Sidney is only 12 years old and barring remission this is one of those forever things. A good start can be priceless and so much better than starting over in a month because you were talked into something you knew in your heart you didn't want. Hope that makes sense.