Starting Insulin Tomorrow Need Advice

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J

JUNE & RASCAL

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Hi All,

After talking to my Vet,we decided to start Rascal on insulin. We checked his glucose last night and it was 375. He will be taking Protamine Zinc. Bottle says 10 mls. Upon reading thier website it is a long acting insulin 10 to 14 hours.

I am taking him to our Vet tomorrow to learn what to do. and hopefuly some day with your help to be able to give advice myself, rather then the very nervous mother I am tonight. He will be starting out with 1 unit. 1 x a day. ( I think that is would I was told)

Could I have some advice as to what this means? Will I start to see a difference in him in a day or two if this works? is there a certain time frame or are all cats different?
Just not sure what to expect and what to look for. He is older and handicapped (3 legs) so moves around differently. I realize this is just the beginning and things will change. But I guess I will learn like everyone else.

Some other questions?

Is anyone currently using or has used this insulin? Results? Issues?

Should I feed him before we go for his shot tomorrow? What is the time frame if I feed him before we leave it may be an hour or so before he will get his injection? Will he have problems?

Should they always be fed before they get an injection? How soon after they eat should you inject? If he doesn't eat alot right before will their be problems? Also, how much is enough to eat to ensure there is not a problem?

If his blood suger drops (don't expect this to happen tomorrow) how soon after the shot can this happen?

Is there a time after an injection where you know he would be past his suger dropping?

Should I give him the shot the same time every day? Does an hour make a difference?

Also, though I will learn tomorrow, but am worried. My last question is when you do give them the injection, how deep do you inject? Does it go just under the skin or a deeper?

Thanks in advance for all who respond!!!!
 
I don't use that insulin but we have plenty here that do, in fact there is an entire ISG (Insulin Support Group) on here dedicated to those using it.

It is one of the big 3 insulins that we recommend and you are being started on a good dose.

Yes he should eat before insulin, most of us give them their shots while their faces are buried in their food dish and they don't even look up, but I wouldn't feed him anymore than a half an hour before going so he has food in his tummy.

As fas as when you will see results every cat is different some show results right away and some take awhile...Not sure how fast Prozinc works as my two are/were on Lantus.

How fast his sugar should start dropping not sure with Prozinc but with Lantus onset is about 2-3 hours after the shot it keeps dropping until the nadir around +6 or six hours after the shot and then slowly goes back up after that until the next shot time.

Prozinc is the most flexible of the big 3 but again not sure how flexible but the Prozinc folks should be able to tell you

Shots just go under the skin and the needles are very tiny and don't bother the kitty at all, Musette doesn't even look up out of her food dish when she gets her shots. But she knows if I'm late and will come looking for me to tell me it is time for her test and shot, she has learned they make her feel better.

Mel, Maxwell, Musette & The Fur Gang
 
Hi June!

First off, welcome to FDMB!

You will get through this. I was about where you're at Monday night when I realized Scout's blood sugar was off the charts. I'm feeling a lot better now and I bet you will too once you get some questions answered and settle into a routine. There's a lot of stuff to learn but you've come to the right place.

The insulin shot is really not that bad. I give Scout her shot while she's eating and to be honest I don't think she notices or at least doesn't care enough to do more than stop eating and glare at me then go back to eating. It goes right under the skin and you basically pick up a bit of skin to make a tent (like scruffing them but on a smaller scale) and inject into the tent. The needle is so tiny it doesn't seem to hurt them.

Most people on here do a shot 2x a day (12 hours apart) cuz it seems most insulin for cats last 12 hours-ish. Definitely check on that with your vet. I think you should try to get into a routine with eating and testing and insulin so doing it the same time each day is best. I haven't been too successful at that so far... there's no two times 12 hours apart that I'm consistently home! I will work on a schedule next week, but fortunately my boss doesn't seem to care if I come in late in the morning...

One thing that will help is testing Rascal's blood sugar at home. 1 unit may be too much or not enough, and it is better to find out by testing him then by waiting to see if he gets sick - diabetics tend to not show symptoms until the blood sugar is way too high or low.

As for whether he'll feel better soon, I have no idea, but I can tell you that Scout was feeling pretty awful on Tuesday - she was that worn out that she went to the vet on my lap, while I was driving, lying quietly the whole way! She has perked up some in the past day, though I'm still trying to get her blood sugar down as it is still too high. She is obviously feeling better though not back to her normal self yet.

How is Rascal doing now? Have you noticed any different behaviors in him recently? Does he seem to be under the weather?

Anyway, welcome and good luck at the vet tomorrow!

Lori
 
Hi and welcome to the FDMB family! cat_pet_icon

Is anyone currently using or has used this insulin? Results? Issues?
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I've only been using ProZinc for a month but can say it seemed to almost immediately help Poopy feel better, he gained over a pound in 9 days (a really good thing), and his fur became soft and fluffy within a couple of weeks. We haven't had any issues. (I'm knocking on wood now!)

Should I feed him before we go for his shot tomorrow? What is the time frame if I feed him before we leave it may be an hour or so before he will get his injection? Will he have problems?
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Food induced BGs usually hit 30 min to an hour and a half, so anytime during that stretch would be good. I think I'd aim at an hour before just in case the car ride makes him quesy he'd have food already digested.

Should they always be fed before they get an injection? How soon after they eat should you inject? If he doesn't eat alot right before will their be problems? Also, how much is enough to eat to ensure there is not a problem?
Click to expand...

Our vet gave us a timeline of feed then shoot a half hour later (to be sure Poopy was eating). Poopy is a pig in disguise (don't tell him I told you though) so I give him his shot while he's eating. Every cat is different so at least in the beginning I'd make sure Rascal is eating before giving a shot. As far as how much should he eat without having problems? I'll leave that to the more experienced. :smile:

If his blood suger drops (don't expect this to happen tomorrow) how soon after the shot can this happen?
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Each cat is different but you should be able to see the start of a drop around 3 hours, with the lowest point somewhere between 4-8 hours after the shot, and then a rise back up towards the next shot time. Also, at first, it's possible for the low time to shift around from day to day - so don't worry if that happens. :smile:

Is there a time after an injection where you know he would be past his suger dropping?
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This is one reason we home test (you can pick up an inexpensive meter and strips at your local pharmacy - Wal-Mart has a reliable one called Relion), so we can watch our babies numbers to be sure they don't go too low and can monitor how the insulin is working for them.

Should I give him the shot the same time every day? Does an hour make a difference?
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ProZinc is pretty flexible so an hour this way or that isn't the end of the world. :smile: It is usually given 2x day, 12 hours (or so) apart. :smile:

Also, though I will learn tomorrow, but am worried. My last question is when you do give them the injection, how deep do you inject? Does it go just under the skin or a deeper?
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This is the easiest part. You know how a cat has sort of lose skin around their neck and shoulders? When you lift it a bit, you're making a "tent". The shots go into the tent. Most kitties don't even feel it!

I hope that helps ease your mind a bit. :smile: Learning your kitty has diabetes is scary. I know. We all do. We've all been there, and that's why we're here. :-D We help each other help our kitties. :smile:
 
Welcome to FDMB, June and Rascal!

It's an overwhelming diagnosis, to be sure, but just take one step at a time and you'll get through it all. Really, you will!

Beauregard was a ProZinc user. He is one of the super lucky guys who is now OTJ (off the juice) after less than a month of using it. It's a really good insulin, as others have mentioned, and I loved the flexibility. I often work 10 to 12 hour days and rarely was on a 12-hr shot schedule with him. Even with crazy schedule, Beauregard responded just super. Every cat is different, as we're fond of reminding ourselves, but he showed a visible and marked improvement in just a couple of days.

What is Rascal eating, and are you considering diet change? Have you thought of home testing Rascal's blood glucose levels (we all hope you are)?
 
Welcome June & Rascal.

Baxter & I have been a member for 2 months now. You will find this is truly the best place on earth to be for your furry friend. Everyone here are true angels.

Baxter has been on ProZinc since DX. I find it very easy to use. I just had to get past the needle fear. In the beginning I did a 12/12 feed & shot schedule. I have become a little more relaxed. I usually dont wait 12 hours. Some on the board feed 4 small meals a day with 2 shots daily.
1 unit is a very good starting point. It will allow you to see how Rascals body reacts to the insulin.

Are you going to home test? I hope your vet is in complete support of you home testing. Everyone here home test. It will allow you to see how Rascal BG is responding to the insulin. I use the Relion Confirm from WalMart. It is very inexpensive for the device & test strips.

What kind of food are you feeding Rascal? If you are feeding dry, which is extremely high in carbs try canned food. Many on the board feed Fancy Feast. Others use other low carb brands. Remember for diabetics it's important to feed a low carb high protein diet.

I know everything seems very overwhelming right now we have ALL been there. With the support of everyone here that feeling will pass & you will have Rascal on the right path to feeling better soon. Who knows maybe even remission.

Make sure you get a spreadsheet set up to record BG readings. This is extremely helpful for you & for others on the board. It helps if you need advice on dosing or any other question you might have.

Don't forget to ask questions & keep us updated.

Jenn & Baxter
cat_pet_icon
 
Thank you so much everyone! I would love to answer you all separately but it is late and expecting a storm tonight so I am worried about getting to the vet and need to get up early.

I have one more question? The timing is bad but we have tickets to a show on Sunday. Bought them for my husband for Christmas. Do you think my vet will recommend skiping a shot on Sunday. I would hate doing that, but would be much more worried to leave him all day just starting insulin. Someone will be come to feed him, but we probably won't be home until early evening. Its a two hour drive so we will have to leave early.

I feel horrible about this and always make arrangements for all my babies if we are going to be out. If I can get a pet sitter for the day, that may work. I know a few vet techs who I am hoping might be available.

I think someone said they can crash up four hours is that mean a suger drop?
 
Hi June,

Your vet should be telling you to give two shots per day, rather than just one. 1 unit, twice a day (12 hours apart) is the standard protocol for prozinc. Make sure and ask specifically about the 1x or 2x per day schedule.

As far as Sunday, what time will you be leaving in the morning and getting back at night?

If your vet dose say, twice a day, 12 hours apart (like he should!), then it might be a matter of skipping the AM shot, which is not going to be the end of the world, especially right now. You will need to pick a time when it will work out best for you to be able to test and shoot on a 12/12 schedule. Once you determine that, then we can figure out how to work around your schedule on Sunday.

Yes, you should treat tomorrow just like any other day. Feed him in the morning just like any other normal day. When you get to the vet, just tell him when he ate, and how much. The vet will most likely test his BG before showing you how to give him a shot, and he will be able to account for any effect breakfast might have had on that number he gets.

Shooting insulin is easy. Home testing BG is easy too. They just need a bit of practice, and the best thing is for somebody to show you how to do it the first time. This might seem extremely overwhelming and stressful right now. But a week from now, you're not going to feel that way. It gets easier, trust me (us).

Carl
 
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