Starting Home Testing

[ZoeyMaineCoon]

Zoey is now starting home testing and is being supported by DCIN. They provided us with a Bayer USB meter and was very easy to use. Her number this evening (on Wellness dry food) was 308. We are starting both cats on wet food (picked up Friskies Pates). She normally gets 4 units Lantus. But since she's going to get less carbs with the dry food should I just give her 1 unit or skip her injection this evening and retest in the morning? Thanks.

 

[Carl & Polly & Bob (GA)]

Probably better one unit than skipping, but let me ask someone with Lantus experience to chime in.

Carl

 

[Dyana]

I agree with Carl. One unit is better than skipping altogether. I would just be prepared to test at shot time, and at about +2, and before you go to bed. If the numbers concern you or are lets say under 150, then add that to this post and we will help you to decide when to test again.

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

The other option would be to keep everything the same and get some tests. Since you don't know what Zoey's numbers look like on this dose of insulin, it's hard to know what to suggest.

You may want to set up a spreadsheet so you can keep track of your test data.

 

[ZoeyMaineCoon]

I gave her 1 unit. 2 hours post insulin + lower carb food and she was 268. So we'll see what her number looks like in the AM.

 

[ZoeyMaineCoon]

I tested her in the AM. I had given the lantus last night at 9pm, and this morning around 9am she was 338 (after 1 unit and low carb food). Do you think maybe her lantus wore off sooner than 12 hours? I can't test her 2 hours post meal because we'll be out at church today but I'll check her again. Maybe I should test her this afternoon 6 hours in to see the full effect of the lantus?

 

[Hillary & Maui (GA)]

Now that you are home testing, are you able to get more than one test in. For example can you get a test 2 hours, 4 hours, 8 hours after shot?

The more tests you get in (again without going nuts about it), the better we will know what's happening. As with lantus, the dose is based on the nadir (lowest bg during the cycle) not the pre-shot test.

You may want to visit the lantus forum, read the information over there about how lantus works and dosing of lantus and even post over there to get more specific help.

 

[Sue and Oliver (GA)]

Sounds like you can't do the +2 test, but a test 6 hours after the shot will give you good info. Have you read the starred stickies on the Lantus forum that give advice on how to dose/use Lantus: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewforum.php?f=9 Lots of good information there.

 

[Squeaky and KT (GA)]

OH WOW!! BIG HUGE HUG!!! Zoey's HERE!!! And being tested and getting insulin and OH OH OH! Sweet Zoey's gonna be fine.

My heart sings!

 

[ZoeyMaineCoon]

Can someone please help us readjust the lantus dose? Her number seem to hang around the 270s low 300s. We have been giving her 2 units. I think the 105 might have been a meter error as she has not gotten that low again. Should I go up to 3 units?

 

[Sue and Oliver (GA)]

Now that you have a spreadsheet and some numbers, you might want to go over to the Lantus forum: http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewforum.php?f=9 Everyone there uses your insulin. But first be sure to read the starred topics at the top of the page. (They will ask if you have. )

 

[doombuggy]

I agree with Sue - you need to post in the Lantus forum to get some more help. Cedric was only on Lantus for a month and when I finally took his dry food away it pushed him over the edge into normal numbers. But it was my understanding that you need to give the dose amount a try for a certain period of time - more than a day, that's for sure. The Peeps in Lantus Land can be of better help....good luck!