? Switching from Vetsulin question

Mile Hi Dave

Mile Hi Dave

Member Since 2020
I've done a lot of reading and couldn't find if there was a dosing recommendation when switching. Currently Apollo receives 2 units Vetsulin 2x/day. Should I start the Lantus at 2 units? Or do I start lower? I have no sheet yet, because I was going to start one when I got the Lantus, Apollo's BG readings have typically been in the mid 300's pre-shot. Thanks for any assistance you can give!
 
With the switch from a short acting insulin to Lantus, you can shoot the same dose. Some cats do have a marked response to a new insulin so you may opt to lower the dose . It would be helpful to know what Apollo's numbers look like on Vetsulin. We're happy to help with dosing or any other questions you may have but we do ask that you put together a spreadsheet along with other information in your signature to help us help you.
 
Thanks! I will be putting the spreadsheet together. Was waiting to switch to start it. Getting my insulin from DCIN this week. Running out of Vetsulin beforehand and have someone local, in Denver, helping me with enough Lantus to last til it arrives. So, do I just switch insulin at his regular time? Or do I skip a dose before starting the new insulin? New test strips, I have enough to check 2x daily til Tuesday, when I'll have my shipment from Amazon, so I won't be able to test every 3 hours til then. I am, however home all day, disabled veteran, and can monitor visually.
 
Sienne and Gabby (GA) said:
With the switch from a short acting insulin to Lantus, you can shoot the same dose. Some cats do have a marked response to a new insulin so you may opt to lower the dose . It would be helpful to know what Apollo's numbers look like on Vetsulin. We're happy to help with dosing or any other questions you may have but we do ask that you put together a spreadsheet along with other information in your signature to help us help you.
Click to expand...
Got the spreadsheet made, will start it when I start the Lantus. The rest of my reply is in the thread, I didn't notice the reply button so I just added to the thread.
 
I would not start without enough test strips. Some cats have a strong reaction to the first shots. What type of meter do you have, pet or human? You can get a Relion from Walmart and strips are cheap. What food are you feeding? Please add a signature with this info and read the methods to see which one you think you want to try. Without test strips it would be SLGS.
 
tiffmaxee said:
I would not start without enough test strips. Some cats have a strong reaction to the first shots. What type of meter do you have, pet or human? You can get a Relion from Walmart and strips are cheap. What food are you feeding? Please add a signature with this info and read the methods to see which one you think you want to try. Without test strips it would be SLGS.
Click to expand...
I have a human meter, the Prodigy Auto code. I get 100 strips for $15, incl shipping. I do have it in my signature... Been feeding only FF pates and Friskies pates since diagnosis in July. I will start with the SLGS method til strips arrive so I can test multiple times throughout the day as the other method requires. Still wondering if I skip a dose before starting him on Lantus. Seems I read somewhere it's not necessary since Vetsulin isn't a "depot" insulin. Am I right?
 
Last edited:
Just wanted to say Welcome :bighug:! What a cool cat :cool:....Bengal?
Also, love the “Mile Hi Dave :p“!! Thank you for your service .

When I switched from Vetsulin to Lantus I just gave the Lantus instead of the Vetsulin the next time the insulin was due.
 
Tomlin said:
Just wanted to say Welcome :bighug:! What a cool cat :cool:....Bengal?
Also, love the “Mile Hi Dave :p“!! Thank you for your service .

When I switched from Vetsulin to Lantus I just gave the Lantus instead of the Vetsulin the next time the insulin was due.
Click to expand...
Thanks! Yes, Apollo is a Bengal. The moniker comes from my living in the Mile Hi City, Denver. It was my honor and privilege to serve.
 
Hi! Welcome! Great job getting your spreadsheet link in your signature. I'm not sure if you tried to add other info and it didn't save but below is key information to include - this helps others help you when that time comes. Take a peak at my signature (right below this text) and others that have commented here for examples. Another good read is Make the Most of Your Lantus, Basaglar, & Levemir Land Experience

  • Caregiver & kitty's name (optional)
  • DX: date
  • Name of insulin
  • Name of your meter
  • Diet: LC wet or dry or combo
  • Dosing: TR or SLGS or Custom (if applicable)
  • DKA (if applicable)
  • Acro, IAA, or Cushings (if applicable)
  • Spreadsheet link
 
JaxBenji said:
Hi! Welcome! Great job getting your spreadsheet link in your signature. I'm not sure if you tried to add other info and it didn't save but below is key information to include - this helps others help you when that time comes. Take a peak at my signature (right below this text) and others that have commented here for examples. Another good read is Make the Most of Your Lantus, Basaglar, & Levemir Land Experience

  • Caregiver & kitty's name (optional)
  • DX: date
  • Name of insulin
  • Name of your meter
  • Diet: LC wet or dry or combo
  • Dosing: TR or SLGS or Custom (if applicable)
  • DKA (if applicable)
  • Acro, IAA, or Cushings (if applicable)
  • Spreadsheet link
Click to expand...
I am not starting the Lantus til tomorrow, so that's when I'll start adding numbers. Been feeding wet since diagnosis in July. Just got my vet to agree to prescribe the Lantus and I have a shipment due from DCIN this week. I was very fortunate to find someone on the FB group to loan me the Lantus I have. I thought I had enough Vetsulin to make it, but I didn't and, since I was switching getting him started on the Lantus made sense. I couldn't afford to get the Vetsulin and only use it for a day or two. I'm a disabled veteran living on a limited budget. I'm hoping this helps, everyone says Lantus is the best!
 
Mile Hi Dave said:
I am not starting the Lantus til tomorrow, so that's when I'll start adding numbers. Been feeding wet since diagnosis in July. Just got my vet to agree to prescribe the Lantus and I have a shipment due from DCIN this week. I was very fortunate to find someone on the FB group to loan me the Lantus I have. I thought I had enough Vetsulin to make it, but I didn't and, since I was switching getting him started on the Lantus made sense. I couldn't afford to get the Vetsulin and only use it for a day or two. I'm a disabled veteran living on a limited budget. I'm hoping this helps, everyone says Lantus is the best!
Click to expand...
Totally get it! I was not referring to the spreadsheet data but to other key info. Look at my signature....(I've pasted it below but it's also right below this box on every post I make) -

  • Susanne & Jax | DX: 06/14/2020 | Insulin: Lantus | Relion Premier (08/23/20) | FF Classic Pate + Wellness Chicken Pate | Dosing: TR (08/23/20) | Zobaline 3mg/day (09/04/20)
When you start administering lantus, the first two questions everyone on this forum will ask is which dosing method (sounds like you want to start with SLGS) and what you're feeding. Other questions that follow will be any other conditions (e.g., DKA). It's nice to keep this info in our signature so that someone helping you doesn't pester you with the same questions every day :) Hope that makes sense.
 
JaxBenji said:
Totally get it! I was not referring to the spreadsheet data but to other key info. Look at my signature....(I've pasted it below but it's also right below this box on every post I make) -

  • Susanne & Jax | DX: 06/14/2020 | Insulin: Lantus | Relion Premier (08/23/20) | FF Classic Pate + Wellness Chicken Pate | Dosing: TR (08/23/20) | Zobaline 3mg/day (09/04/20)
When you start administering lantus, the first two questions everyone on this forum will ask is which dosing method (sounds like you want to start with SLGS) and what you're feeding. Other questions that follow will be any other conditions (e.g., DKA). It's nice to keep this info in our signature so that someone helping you doesn't pester you with the same questions every day :) Hope that makes sense.
Click to expand...
Hope I got it right. I'm gonna be going TR, and Apollo has no other conditions I know of.
 
Mile Hi Dave said:
Hope I got it right. I'm gonna be going TR, and Apollo has no other conditions I know of.
Click to expand...
Looks great! I would even add specific food - e.g., "FF & Friskies Classic Pates" - wet food can vary a great deal on the amount of carbs included. Your choices are great ones (all less than 5%...low carb is considered less than 10% but a lot of folks on this board like staying below 5%).

I know this is all a lot to take in but this food chart - link - is a great one to bookmark. Gives lots of food options and the carb %.

Apollo is so lucky to have you looking out for him :bighug:
 
JaxBenji said:
Looks great! I would even add specific food - e.g., "FF & Friskies Classic Pates" - wet food can vary a great deal on the amount of carbs included. Your choices are great ones (all less than 5%...low carb is considered less than 10% but a lot of folks on this board like staying below 5%).

I know this is all a lot to take in but this food chart - link - is a great one to bookmark. Gives lots of food options and the carb %.

Apollo is so lucky to have you looking out for him :bighug:
Click to expand...
I already have and use the sheets, thank you. The "feline diabetes" FB group helped with that and getting me here. I stay under 10% at all times. Do occasionally give him the low carb FF flakes for a break from pates
 
Dave --

Is there any way you can borrow a meter and a bunch of extra strips until your Amazon order arrives? I may be overly cautious but some cats can drop into low numbers with an insulin switch Without benefit of seeing how Apollo was doing on Vetsulin, I'm one for erring on the side of caution. Many kitties can be in the 40s and look and at just fine until they crash. Or numbers can be dropping fast and you won't know to intervene.
 
Just wanted to say good luck with the Lantus switch for Apollo, Dave. Back in June I switched Butters from Vetsulin (aka Caninsulin) to Lantus. It took a while but I was able to get her better regulated and her cycles are far more flat now. So stick with it, and I recommend posting in the forum daily and looking at other kitties' spreadsheets and reading their threads. It will help you get a good feel for how Lantus works.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top