Starting insulin again after vetsulin didnt work.

[Laurenduivenvoorden]

Somehow I lost the account I was posting on previously. Matthew is almost 14 and is diabetic with hyperthyroidism. We have him on a raw diet (which is the only thing that works trust me) and was using a nutritional add in but the Vet we saw has since reccomended a website where I can find better supplements for him. We had our vet visit today finally. Going to be starting on .5 units of Prozinc twice a day. After testing and eating of course. Vet said I can curve him but to not make any changes until after the first week. (Unless of course he is getting dangerously low.) She reccomended us to go to Marqueen Pet specialty group in Roseville, California. So we can see a specialist for his hyperthyroid. But in the meantime I bought the Oral Methizamole .15 ml twice a day. I plan on starting that after I’m comfortable with the insulin within the next week. I am concerned starting him on two meds at the same time due to the complications he’s had with insulin and other meds in the past. Meanwhile waiting on the Marqueen place to call me back to schedule and see if he’s a good candidate for I 131.

Question 1: I want to start the insulin in the morning. So I test, feed then do .5 units in the U 40 syringes and test every two hours? To start curving him? I’m aware I may have to do this many times and wait for a week before adjusting meds.

Question 2: I believe I have attached the spreadsheet I will be using starting in the morning. Can someone let me know if I did that right? We are waiting till the morning due to traumatic experiences in the past where I would wake up to him having low episodes. We are using Alpha trak until the strips are used then likely switching to Relion.

Question 3: I am in Modesto California if anyone has other reccomendations for I 131 treatment places near me. The Roseville place is 1 hour and 30 mins away and Matthew has car anxiety. Do you think they would be able to assess him with my readings and not have to take him there multiple times? Im hoping to go just the one time to the treatment. Making appointment tomorrow since I know they may be pushed out.

 

[Shelley & Jess]

Looks like you're off to a good start.

Couple questions for you:
When did he start Vetsulin? For how long? When/why did you stop? What dose did you start at? How was it increased (if applicable)? What dose was he at when you stopped? Do you have any BG numbers or curves you can share while he was on Vetsulin?

To answer you questions:
1. Test to make sure his BG high enough and safe to give the full dose of insulin.
If BG high enough for insulin then feed, make sure he eats - with Prozinc, he doesn't necessarily need to finish all his food, but we want to make sure he is willing to eat, no nausea present, no food avoidance. Prozinc onset is usually around the +2 for most cats, so as long as he's willing to eat and you don't see a problem that he'll go back and finish later you should be good.
If he meets both the above criteria, go ahead and Shoot

We test every two hours to get a curve. Once you gather more data and we start seeing what the onset, nadir and duration are we can look at a schedule for testing times that are more convenient for you.

2. Spreadsheet looks good and good idea to start on an AM cycle.

3. Can't help you here. Maybe post this same question in Feline Health (Welcome & Main) to get more eyes on it.

 

[Shelley & Jess]

To clarify my answer to your question #2:
Yes, you attached the spreadsheet right - I can view.

To add to my answer to your question #2:
Need to get the details filled in up at the top of the spreadsheet please - DX date, Type of insulin, Dosing Method and Meter.

Prozinc dosing methods can be found in the sticky pinned at the top of the Prozinc ISG: PROZINC DOSING METHODS

 

[Laurenduivenvoorden]

Looks like you're off to a good start.

Couple questions for you:
When did he start Vetsulin? For how long? When/why did you stop? What dose did you start at? How was it increased (if applicable)? What dose was he at when you stopped? Do you have any BG numbers or curves you can share while he was on Vetsulin?

To answer you questions:
1. Test to make sure his BG high enough and safe to give the full dose of insulin.
If BG high enough for insulin then feed, make sure he eats - with Prozinc, he doesn't necessarily need to finish all his food, but we want to make sure he is willing to eat, no nausea present, no food avoidance. Prozinc onset is usually around the +2 for most cats, so as long as he's willing to eat and you don't see a problem that he'll go back and finish later you should be good.
If he meets both the above criteria, go ahead and Shoot

We test every two hours to get a curve. Once you gather more data and we start seeing what the onset, nadir and duration are we can look at a schedule for testing times that are more convenient for you.

2. Spreadsheet looks good and good idea to start on an AM cycle.

3. Can't help you here. Maybe post this same question in Feline Health (Welcome & Main) to get more eyes on it.

Thank you for this info. We started at 5 units and each time he had a hypo episode we would lower it. All the way down to .5 units. I would wake up and he would be dying. So very traumatic. I felt like nothing was working and had no hope until I found this group and all the info. Which is why Im starting him again now that I have more info.