Starting Missy on insulin

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Cheryl & Missy

Cheryl & Missy

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Wanted to ask which YouTube video most recommended for shooting.

Know ordering Lantus initially daily.
Sorry had to bring Mom and peed on quilt to cleaners, anyway was fearing worst after this am, that we would need to bring her to vet for her final trip :cry: but vet called us back and Mom agreed to try her back on Prozac :oops: started after Missy's first episode. But we stopped after 4 days. She's also on antibiotic Orbax with her WBC up to 30 tho,(25 tho 2 weeks ago when she had injectable abx) her sugar was up but minimally ,last was 253 I believe, last Saturdays was 290. Urine was neg for ketones though had spillage.

Anyway with all sorts of fears, nailbite_smile today's my and moms bday too not that that started well. Just waiting to be able to start her on insulin. I have done sq fluids on prior cats so technical aspect isn't scary just want visual review. Before had told vet I could do on own so that's where we are.

Oh and just bathed Missy and did mostly blow dry, just washed her belly flanks and skirt as she peed on the bed when lying down which is her habit now on carpet even in box sits doesn't squat. Any support welcome. I did find a Laxatone natural finally which works better for constipation then Miralax Metamucil.
 
Great, you're testing!

Please test before EVERY insulin shot to make sure it is safe to give insulin.
Generally, we recommend that new insulin users not give insulin when the blood glucose is below 200 on a human glucometer.

Start with 0.5 to 1.0 units of insulin. Its easier to measure in a 3/10 cc (or mL - same thing) U-100 syringe with half unit markings. A short, fine needle is good to - 30-31 guage, 5/15" long.

My injection method:
Pick up a fold of skin gently.
Press the syringe in smoothly where the skin makes an empty tent.
Push the syringe plunger.
Pull the syringe out and put in sharps container (heavy duty plastic container - ex empty laundry detergent bottle)

Please try to get a test around 5 to 7 hours after giving Lantus; this is when she is likely to hit her lowest glucose level.
This is important to watch in case the dose is too high and you have to treat hypoglycemia.

Lantus is given every 12 hours like clockwork; time adjustments are made slowly with no more than 30 minutes of change in 1 day.

As you collect data on how Missy responds, you will get to know how her insulin works for her.

Please go to the Lantus forums to read more than you ever though you needed to know about using, storing, and adjusting Lantus for your cat.
 
Umm not testing that was at vets. Pharm has lantus just off phone with them but not the 1/2 cc syringes with ordered ultrafine needle so currently on hold at vets again to see if we can get a few syringes there to cover til pharm has tomorrow. As vet initially ordering as just 1 unit daily would you recommend am or pm? Although could give tonight, if can get needle then give in am too then just in am... Been on hold at Costco and vets back and forth for past few hours.

Tell me reassure me that starting this on an 18 yr old cats not a mistake? confused_cat

I feel sick. @-)
 
Ok vets can supply weeks of insulin needles syringes but will just need 2 days. Going there for those things then Costco for lantus and they will get syringes needles and have supply for tomorrow pickup at Costco.

Is it tomorrow yet?
 
Lantus and any other insulins are given every 12hrs, so pick a time that is convenient for you... 7am/7pm or something like that.

you can pick up a BG meter at the pharmacy, Relion is the most economical, but any others are good like Bayer Contour, or any of the OneTouch meters, (except ones with TRUE in the name or FreeStyle which give false numbers).

not sure what syringes your vet would have.... most likely the U40 ones for Prozinc but you want to be sure you are getting the U100 syringes for Lantus.

I am not clear why you would think that giving insulin to an 18yr old cat could be wrong.... just watch and see how well she perks up. You are doing the right thing.
 
Just scared. More from all calls back and forth with 40-45 mins hold per all, starting baseline nerves now through roof anxiety wise.
Yes I know need u100 syringes, impression was issue was 1/2 cc size syringe and ultrafineneedle needle. I know to say no way for u40 syringes with a u100 insulin but vets on board there too says insulin and syringes need to match. He knows my profession and we work as a team. Knows I have been reading here too..
 
you need U100 syringes that have 1/2 unit markings on them. They will be 3/10 or 30unit syringes... 1/2 cc syringes are for 50units of insulin and do not have the 1/2 unit markings on the syringes.

Eventually, once your cat gets better, you will hopefully be needing to give doses less than 1u, so those 1/2 unit markings will help you to measure a .75u dose
 
Tell me reassure me that starting this on an 18 yr old cats not a mistake?
Click to expand...

No way it is a mistake. 8, or 18, the important thing is quality of life from this day forward. And doing this will make the rest of her life better. That could easily be measured in "years".

Carl
 
Thanks Carl and Gayle, just back going to feed missy now, she does tend to graze canned dinner eats faster in am, so when bid could do 8-8 even though Moms up and feeds brkfst 5 or so, to keep 12 hr dosing?

How about as for now vets starting slow 1 unit daily. Would be better start am or tonight? If tonight do just night for now?
Oy questions and jitters.

And 1/2 cc syringes so no 1/2 unit mark from vet will check others from Costco tomorrow.

Please someone reply insulin tonight or start in am.
 
If you can monitor some tonight to see how the insulin is working, that would be fine.

But one unit daily isn't going to work. I would suggest you read the links people have given you about Lantus. It builds up a shed and it can't do that if there is only insulin available every 24 hours.

It seems like it might be a easy first step, but the insulin isn't made to work that way. You will be wasting valuable time.

I know it is hard to get advice that is different from your vet. I do wonder how many cats he has treated successfully with Lantus and if he understands how it works in cats. There have been hundreds treated here using the established protocol of 2 doses daily, 12 hours apart.
 
Hi sue thanks, yea I can dose her tonight then observe maybe will dose now even more time to observe, I know needs q12 dose, as does vet he said start daily but agrees and knows most needs q 12. But her sugar also has dropped just minor diet tweaking. Don't know how MANY he's had but know from discussion she does know and agree what I ask about.
Also knows I am reading on here, he's always been pretty open minded from my introducing aloe Vera juice topic, and pumpkin for fiber, knowing reading here.

Have known him for years, and he knows me well enough and family to be aware of our other stressors. knows I have been in panic mode on things prior to this.
 
Insulin given 1 unit Lantus @ 6:30. Right now I can't see well from ocular migraine ( saw fine when doing insulin though) will update sliding scale when cab see
 
Cheryl & Missy said:
Insulin given 1 unit Lantus @ 6:30. Right now I can't see well from ocular migraine ( saw fine when doing insulin though) will update sliding scale when cab see
Click to expand...

Not sure what you mean by sliding scale? Lantus dosing needs to be constant with no frequent changes.
I believe the vet insulins, PZI, Prozinc, are given based on a sliding scale but NOT Lantus or Levemir.

I wanted to mention that if your vet wants you to give 1unit a day, you can split it and give 1/2 unit (.5u) am and pm, once you get your syringes with the 1/2 unit markings.

The most important thing is to do the home testing as you will then see how the insulin is working for Missy.
 
Gayle Shadoe & Oliver said:
Cheryl & Missy said:
Insulin given 1 unit Lantus @ 6:30. Right now I can't see well from ocular migraine ( saw fine when doing insulin though) will update sliding scale when cab see
Click to expand...

Not sure what you mean by sliding scale? Lantus dosing needs to be constant with no frequent changes.
I believe the vet insulins, PZI, Prozinc, are given based on a sliding scale but NOT Lantus or Levemir.

I wanted to mention that if your vet wants you to give 1unit a day, you can split it and give 1/2 unit (.5u) am and pm, once you get your syringes with the 1/2 unit markings.

The most important thing is to do the home testing as you will then see how the insulin is working for Missy.
Click to expand...
That was spread sheet, but couldn't see from ocular migraine so didn't see the wrong spell check sorry for confusion.
I was thinking to do 0.5 units bid when can get the better syringes. Happily when I get ocular migraines vision lack just lasts 15-20 mins or so.

Edited to say http://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=33671 afraid to go to bed.
 
Whew we made it past first dose lol :lol: I stayed up til almost 1230 am watching her, hmm nervous? nailbite_smile then after she peed, pooped (yay thanks Laxatone natural) went back to kitchen and ate more canned whew, I went to bed.
After her poop issues I am poo paranoid!

I did get up around 1 am, she chirped when she saw me and I carried her into my bed.
She's fine this am but I am tired as is my nervous mom.
 
Re: Starting Missy on insulin-Laxatone natural

Laxatone Natural Flavor
Ingredients
Soybean Oil, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Oil, Cod Liver Oil, Flaxseed Oil, Chicken Flavor, Vitamin E, Lecithin, Soy Protein, Sorbitol, Beeswax, Maple Flavor, Methylcellulose, and Chamomile.
I know has flaxseed but no corn syrup of fructose though ok to use as was getting concerned past few weeks.
 
I am not sure what was mentioned about Lantus, but there is a period where you hold the dose for 5 days because there is a shed, a sort of spare tank of gas, that has to build up before you will see lots of changes.... just like your getting meds from the dr and you don't quite start to feel better from the meds for the first few days.... same deal.

Read over this one about the shed and ask any questions you have.
Lantus & Levemir – Insulin Depot –AKA- Storage Shed
 
Trying to do her spreadsheet so it can be accessed by people view wise. I think if you click download will just be temp file for you, can someone check? We finish her antibiotic Tues and will see vet after, giving daily insulin fine, suspect he will have me go to doing it q12 then, might do 1/2 unit q 12 then, will discuss with him. As to testing I am not as feel that will stress her, have tried massaging her ears when she's in lap and she really doesn't like that.
Ends up hissy fitting though can do anything else, litterbox she's doing well other then lying down especially pooping just can't seem to hold herself up long enough so I am then bathing her back half daily (yup she's ok with that just not touching ears. ) then cleaning carpet where she's sat after. cat(2)_steam
 
HI Cheryl - yes Costco does carry syringes with half unit markings (its where I get mine from). As to your question of starting your cat on insulin at 18 - no its not a mistake. My cat is 19 with 5 different diseases (One of them diabetes) and she is doing VERY well on insulin. We have nicknamed her Timex because she just keeps on going LOL. Jan
 
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