Snacks with Lantus

[SaraMV]

For those who gives Lantus insulin, what times do you give your snacks?

I usually give mine at +3 and +4.5, but it's only been two hours since breakfast and Taz is hungry (he just got over a possible pancreatitis flare up). When he goes to his food bowl and sees that it's empty, he'll walk back to the water bowl and drink. I don't think he has "increased thirst". He's just trying to fill his tummy. Should I change his snack times?

 

[Cookee]

We feed at +5 and +8 for snacks.

 

[Hendrick Cuddleclaw]

I am very new to all this and was under the impression that snacks were generally to be given during the first 4-6 hours?

I give snacks at +2 and + 4 regularly, more rarely at +6 or +8

 

[Hendrick Cuddleclaw]

We feed at +5 and +8 for snacks.

that makes a lot of sense the more I think about it, I do a +2 in particular because Hendrick tends to dive pretty fast when the insulin is kicking in but after that, spreading it out a bit seems better, like you do

 

[SaraMV]

I thought maybe I'm giving them too late? Taz will never reach better numbers without giving tons of insulin because just as he starts to go down, he eats a snack and they go back up. I can't tell when he nadirs because his snack is right after he starts going down. I'm sure this is why vets say no snacks because it seems to be defeating the purpose of keeping numbers lower? But yet, Taz can't go 12 hours without eating. I'm soooo confused by all of this.

 

[Hendrick Cuddleclaw]

A LC snack shouldn't offset the insulin that much I wouldn't think, as long as it is only a couple TBSP of food.

I think the answer is finding the right balance of snack size, carb level, and timing. I know I am going through this just like you are right now.

Most of the members here with regulated cats feed at least 3-4 times a day I believe. I'm sure one of the experts will chime in here shortly

 

[Tina Marie (GA) and Jan]

Hi!
I fed my Tina at AMPS, +3, +8, PMPS, +3, and when on a tiny dose, like .25U, again at +8 or +9.

The AM +3 was the time BG started going down from the insulin, +8 was when all household pets ate! It worked well for us.

Every meal /snack was about an ounce or approx 2 teaspoons of food. She only ate 5-6 ounces per day.

A lot of the advice is to feed almost all food within the first 5-6 hours after giving insulin. That may work for some, but not all.

For a kitty coming off pancreatitis, I might consider more and smaller snacks. Taz may have a good point - food please?! I’m glad he wants to drink! I’m only guessing on the pancreatitis and needing food though - what do you think??