Starting Lantus tomorrow...NEW

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Mindy & Max

Mindy & Max

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Hello All,

Max was diagnosed with diabetes last Friday. He had been on steroids...so I'm hoping he'll go into remission and be able to be diet controlled.

I'm going in tomorrow morning to learn how to give him insulin shots. The vet is putting him on Lantus in the hopes his condition will reverse. I believe he should ideally weigh about 11-12lbs, but he's currently at just over 10lbs. She recommends starting at a 2 unit, BID dose, but I've already switched him to a low-carb diet...so should we start with 1 unit, or even just a 0.5 unit dose? And unfortunately, I cannot be home with him all day tomorrow to monitor his behavior. I have a major exhibit opening tomorrow afternoon and I must be there--there is no one able to watch the cat, not that I think anyone else would really notice if his behavior is off but me.

I don't have a meter yet...ordered one online, but it won't be here to start tomorrow, so I'm going to pick one up at the pharmacy tonight when I get the insulin. So...I have no idea what his BG is currently running. At the vet last Friday it was 592. Other than drinking and peeing all the time he's acting pretty much like his usual self.
 
Some really smart, experiened folks will come along to answer your (very good) questions, but I'm stopping in just to say "hi" and welcome! You will love it here in LL; it's a wonderful 'home' base for those of us with FDM.

Spend some time reading through the threads (called "condos" here), and take a peek at a few spreadsheets. This will help you see how this med works, and what you might expect with your boy. Also, some really excellent reading on feline carbs in canned food is over in nutrition, and there are even lists...those lists are wonderful for getting to the store and getting the right stuff. And, I'm sure you've already read it, but dry food - even the low carb ones - are really not so good for kitties...I thought it would be impossible to switch my herd (I have 9) over to only wet, but we've done it, and everyone looks, feels, and behaves fantastically.

Again, welcome....this is a wonderful place, and you'll definitely get help here in the management of FD.

Best-
Michele
 
Not really having any numbers on your kitty I would probably say it would be a good idea to start at .5 unit, especially if you are converting to a low carb wet diet. You can always increase the dose as you go if it is necessary.

The sooner you can get a meter and get a spreadsheet set up the better it will be for everyone to help you with dosing advice.

I can tell you one meter NOT to get and that is the TrueResults meter from CVS. I purchased this meter and found it to be way off with the readings compared to 3 other meters and the equipment at the vets office. I have been using the Relion Micro meter from Walmart and it seems to be a popular choice. It only requires an extremely small blood sample.
 
Hi there
welcome to the Lantus forum!

Can we ask your name?

Just to get this straight, you dont have a meter yet. If you pick one up tonight, are you comfortable enough to try to get a reading or two?

The last BG reading was done last friday and it was 592 (so over a week ago now)
Max is currently eating a low carb wet food diet.

Did the vet check for ketones in the urine?

I'm not too certain about 2u to start, especially without any current numbers and Max has been switched to a wet food now.
What will your shot time schedule be everyday?
What is your schedule like during the week? Many here work during the day but are able to fill in the blanks on the evenings and weekends.

Please start with these links:
we follow the Tilly Protocol here:

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=1581

You'll also want to read The New to the Group link here which also contains a link on how to create a spreadsheet, you'll need a spreadsheet so that others can help you and follow Max's progress:
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=157

This forum has many experienced Lantus users who will be able to clarify the dose for you to start with.
In the meantime, if you could let us know if you'll be around tonight to update, youll also want to read a bit about how Lantus works.
 
Welcome to Lantus Land!

The protocol most of us follow here recommends a starting dose of 0.25 units per kg of the cat's IDEAL weight. For your cat that would be about 1.25 units, so I think a starting dose of 1 unit would be very appropriate. HOWEVER, since you have changed Max's diet this week, please test him first if at all possible, just to see how much impact the diet change has had on his numbers. Ronnie had a good idea to try to get a test tonight to get an idea of where Max is now.

If you're not going to be home tomorrow during the day, you might feel better if you waited until tomorrow night to start insulin. Not that anything should happen, but I remember the first time I injected Lucy, I couldn't take my eyes off of her because I was so nervous!

Is Max still on steroids, or are they finished? If he finished, how long has he been off? And what steroid did he take (for how long?).
 
just stopping by to say hello and welcome to the group!
i agree with libby. a starting dose of 1u bid sounds like a reasonable starting dose based on weight. testing before you give any insulin is also a good idea since you've recently changed max's diet. sometimes a diet change can really impact the numbers.
ask any questions you may have. hope to see you posting often!
 
HI! - no expert here - I just wanted to stop on in and say welcome to lantus land! Great group of people here, you have come to the right place!

WELCOME!
 
From the note on Health, your cat was given prednisone for vomiting. Has the prednisone been discontinued or are you still weaning your cat off? Did your vet figure out why your cat was vomiting in the first place?

You also mentioned feeding Friskies "high protein" food. You may want to look at the website on feline nutrition[/url} that has been developed by a veterinarian. There's also [url=http://www.felinediabetes.com/diabetic-cat-diets.htm]Janet & Binky's listswhich include information about the protein, fat, and carb count in most cat foods. We encourage feeding low carb foods (i.e., less than 10% carb). Since you've already found out that feeding high carb can help with low numbers, you may want to stock up on HC food (i.e., higher than 18% carb). Most of us use Fancy Feast varieties (see the "old" canned food list) that contain gravy or are marinated.

I like Ronnie's idea about testing before you start giving shots. If nothing else, you will be able to get a reading without the influence of the stress your cat may experience while being at the vet's office. I also agree with Libby. It may help your piece of mind to start using Lantus on Sat. night when you are home.
 
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