Stasia's SS
- Thread starter Nightbird
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LynnLee + Mousie
Very Active Member
first, remind us which insulin are you using?
are you just learning to test levels? and are you having trouble getting it done? i ask because of all the missed tests before shots were given.
your spreadsheet really doesn't look bad if kitty was just recently diagnosed.
i would try to make sure to get tests before each shot if you can and then if you can get some mid-day tests or an evening test or two after the evening shot that would help alot. weekends and the upcoming holiday are great for getting that done.
i do notice you're increasing the dose by whole unit increments and that could be something that needs to be changed too. alot of times one finds that kitty needs 1 1/2 units or even .75 units so increasing in whole units can often result in the more effective dose being missed.
are you just learning to test levels? and are you having trouble getting it done? i ask because of all the missed tests before shots were given.
your spreadsheet really doesn't look bad if kitty was just recently diagnosed.
i would try to make sure to get tests before each shot if you can and then if you can get some mid-day tests or an evening test or two after the evening shot that would help alot. weekends and the upcoming holiday are great for getting that done.
i do notice you're increasing the dose by whole unit increments and that could be something that needs to be changed too. alot of times one finds that kitty needs 1 1/2 units or even .75 units so increasing in whole units can often result in the more effective dose being missed.
Sue and Oliver (GA)
Very Active Member
Great job getting the spreadsheet up. Now it will be a lot easier for you and others to see the pattern.
You are using Lantus right? Have you read the stickies on the Lantus support group so you understand how its shed works and how the dose should be increased? It is different than the other insulins and does require a completely different protocol: viewforum.php?f=9 As Cindy said, they advise increases of .5 units and keeping a dose for several cycles before changing.
If I were you, I would head over to the Lantus Support group, post and have them look at your spreadsheet and give advice on dosing. They all use Lantus and have experience with lots of different scenerios.
Also, with these high numbers, you need to be testing Stasia's urine for ketones: http://www.felinediabetes.com/ketones.htm
You are doing a great job getting all the preliminaries down. Now time to fine tune that dose.
You are using Lantus right? Have you read the stickies on the Lantus support group so you understand how its shed works and how the dose should be increased? It is different than the other insulins and does require a completely different protocol: viewforum.php?f=9 As Cindy said, they advise increases of .5 units and keeping a dose for several cycles before changing.
If I were you, I would head over to the Lantus Support group, post and have them look at your spreadsheet and give advice on dosing. They all use Lantus and have experience with lots of different scenerios.
Also, with these high numbers, you need to be testing Stasia's urine for ketones: http://www.felinediabetes.com/ketones.htm
You are doing a great job getting all the preliminaries down. Now time to fine tune that dose.
squeem3
Very Active Member
Cindy + Mousie said:
It's Lantus, viewtopic.php?f=28&t=28583&p=291895#p291895
It would greatly help members if you could put the name of the insulin in the SS so you aren't asked the same question over and over again :smile: Replace the "12/12 insulin template : Numbers" that is at the top of the SS with something like "Stasia's numbers on Lantus". I believe you can edit the name of the SS when you log into Google Documents and see the list of all your documents as well as in the editable SS itself.
Nightbird
Member
Thanks for the advice - I'll get the spreadsheet updated with the insulin information. Yes, I'm a newbie. Today is our 14th day of insulin (Lantus). We've only just begun getting a preshot reading consistently, and we'll use weekends to get more curve readings. My DH went home from work early today so he is going to try to get a 6 hour reading for today. (I won't be home until tonight.)
The day that I thought I gave her 4 units was the night that DH had to work late, so for the first time, I gave Stasia her injection myself. I thought the first shot was a fur shot, because her fur was wet, so I gave her a second shot. Judging by the significant decrease in her reading, I would say that I did get the first shot inside her, but with a few drops outside on her fur! So then we made the decision to go to 3 units - realizing she needed more than 2 units, but cautious not to jump all the way up to 4 yet. We wanted to test out 3 units for several days to see the pattern.
As for the 1/2 increments, the Lantus cartridge requires an OptiClick Pen, rather than a syringe to despense the insulin. (Not really knowing what I was doing three weeks ago, I chose to fill the insulin presecription with the cartridge rather than bottles because it was significantly less expensive.) As far as I can tell, it does not do 1/2 increments. But I'll double check. And I'll check out the Lantus support group, too, to learn more about. Great suggestion.
The day that I thought I gave her 4 units was the night that DH had to work late, so for the first time, I gave Stasia her injection myself. I thought the first shot was a fur shot, because her fur was wet, so I gave her a second shot. Judging by the significant decrease in her reading, I would say that I did get the first shot inside her, but with a few drops outside on her fur! So then we made the decision to go to 3 units - realizing she needed more than 2 units, but cautious not to jump all the way up to 4 yet. We wanted to test out 3 units for several days to see the pattern.
As for the 1/2 increments, the Lantus cartridge requires an OptiClick Pen, rather than a syringe to despense the insulin. (Not really knowing what I was doing three weeks ago, I chose to fill the insulin presecription with the cartridge rather than bottles because it was significantly less expensive.) As far as I can tell, it does not do 1/2 increments. But I'll double check. And I'll check out the Lantus support group, too, to learn more about. Great suggestion.
Nightbird
Member
Oh yes, one more thing - ketones - My vet had given me several ketone testing strips so I was keeping an eye on that. All tests were fine, no ketones. I'll still monitor, but am happy that her readings aren't quite as high anymore. I can tell already by looking at her that she is starting to do better.
Sue and Oliver (GA)
Very Active Member
I'm pretty sure there is a way to use the pen and syringe together. The Lantus users will be able to tell you.
Glad no ketones!
We have all given a fur shot - in fact, some of us several times :mrgreen: . The general rule is to never give a second shot, since you just can't be sure how much went in, and you don't want to overdose. You just want to skip that one and start again. Glad it was okay with Stasia's shot.
Glad no ketones!
We have all given a fur shot - in fact, some of us several times :mrgreen: . The general rule is to never give a second shot, since you just can't be sure how much went in, and you don't want to overdose. You just want to skip that one and start again. Glad it was okay with Stasia's shot.
MommaOfMuse
Very Active Member
If you have the same Lantus cartridge that I'm thinking of you can use a syringe you just draw it from the rubber stopper. There is a picture of it over in LantusLand on how to do it in the stickies. A lot of us get the cartridges rather than the vials because it last longer and you can use all of it, rather than tossing it out because the cartridges are smaller.
Here is the link http://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=151
Mel
Here is the link http://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=151
Mel
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