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[Suzi and Chicamonkey]

Chicamonkey was recently diagnosed last Sunday with diabetes when bloodwork at a visit to her new vet revealed a blood sugar of 414. I did tell him recently she had begun drinking a lot and peeing a lot.
He ordered insulin and purina dm.

THEN I joined this group.

First, Chicamonkey is like my baby. It kills me to give her NPH when I know lantus is better. I will make the change as soon as I can afford it.

second, I had no idea that “weight loss” cat food was so high in carbs

third, thank you for having us. Even though I’m an RN of 20 yrs, I have a lot to learn!

 

[Red & Rover (GA)]

NPH is a harsh insulin for cats. It can drop them hard and fast.

If you are in the US, you can order Lantus cheaply from Canada. A lot of people here do. You will need a written prescription that you can fax. A box of cartridges is about $160US + $25 shipping. That will last you about a year depending on the dose.

It is best to do a food switch gradually. Just switching to low carb can drop numbers overall by up to 100. You will need to be testing during the food switch so you can jump on numbers that are too low.

Ask us questions. We like questions. There is a world of members here who have lived feline diabetes 24/7 and have done the research.

 

[Nan & Amber (GA)]

Hello and welcome!

Chicamonkey is an absolute doll!!!! Those paws!!!!

I'm not an NPH user (not sure if there are any on-site these days, it's an uncommonly-prescribed insulin for cats, but there might be some folks around with more familiarity with it than I have). I can make a couple of quick general observations/questions looking at your spreadsheet, though!

1) How are you measuring 0.6U vs. 0.5U? That's a teeny-tiny amount on typical insulin syringes, even for an experienced RN! Would it be possible for you to take a picture of your syringes with the plunger drawn up to the 0.6U dose so we can take a look at it, just to verify the amount?

2) Chicamonkey has hit "green" numbers a couple of times. With a hard-hitting insulin like NPH, any number under 90 requires a dose reduction-- usually 0.25U at a time (again, we want to verify the dose you are currently shooting).

I hope you're able to switch to lantus soon-- it really is a much gentler and better insulin for cats. If you're in the US, many people here order insulin from Canada for the savings.

Another place you might be able to save a bit is with food-- there's no need to use the vet "prescription" foods (and you should be able to return them for a refund, just say your cat won't eat them). Most of us here feed low-carb supermarket/pet store foods-- Fancy Feast pates being a favorite affordable option.

However: DO NOT switch to low-carb food until we have the dose thing figured out. It can have a huge effect on insulin needs, and with a hard-hitting insulin like NPH, and with her already hitting green numbers, you don't have a big margin for error.

Welcome again to you guys, glad you found us!

 

[Nan & Amber (GA)]

Whoops, I just replied to the other (duplicate) thread. Maybe a moderator can merge the two?

 

[Suzi and Chicamonkey]

There’s no way I’m getting 0.6.... even with cheaters on!
Consider it a half unit, I’m good but not that good.
I’ve already switched her to fancy feast classics 2-3 cans per day

 

[Nan & Amber (GA)]

There’s no way I’m getting 0.6.... even with cheaters on!

Ha! OK, so the AM dose column has some typos in it then, that's a relief.

I think given the green numbers you've gotten, you'll have to decrease the dose down to 0.25U (or as close as you can get as a consistent dose). The switch to low-carb may already be working its magic here, and you want to keep her safe.

 

[Red & Rover (GA)]

Here is the information for ordering Lantus from Canada. A box of 5 cartridges would last you a year most likely. The cost is $160US + $25 shipping. You will need a written prescription from your vet that you can fax to the pharmacy. Quite a few people here use them.

• Ordering Lantus, Basaglar, or Levemir from Canadian pharmacies

 

[Wendy&Neko]

I'm not an NPH user (not sure if there are any on-site these days, it's an uncommonly-prescribed insulin for cats,

Also called Humulin or Novolin N. One of the suggested insulins for dogs. Not for cats. The paper (2018) AAHA Diabetes Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats
recommends Lantus or Prozinc for cats.

 

[Red & Rover (GA)]

I was wondering where my post went.
@Wendy&Neko – can you merge the two threads? Thanks.

 

[JanetNJ]

Welcome! I just wanted to say that you are awesome for researching best practice for taking care of your cat. It's not a death sentence and they can live long healthy lives with it. My cat was diagnosed with it 4.5 years ago. I have a video in my signature showing how I test my cat CC at home.

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

Just an FYI everybody....She's been in the Feline Diabetes group so she's pretty much heard about the insulin's.

We're all hoping she can get Chica onto Lantus soon! She doesn't like the NPH any more than we do!

 

[Diane Tyler's Mom GA]

Welcome Suzi , Chicamonkey is so adorable.
If you can swing the price for Lantus that would be great.
Like Red & Rover said if you buy it from Canada it will
most likely last you a year.
We buy the pens but use a syring to draw from it because with the pen you can only increase by whole units.
You would stick the syringe in the little grey rubber stopper and draw the insulin.
With lantus we use U-100 syringes with half unit markings because we increase or decrease by 0.25 units.
This is the best place to be, the members here know more about diabetes than most
vets do believe me.
Have a good night

 

[Diane Tyler's Mom GA]

Just an FYI everybody....She's been in the Feline Diabetes group so she's pretty much heard about the insulin's.

We're all hoping she can get Chica onto Lantus soon! She doesn't like the NPH any more than we do!

Thanks Chris , I hope you are doing good and have a good night

 

[Wendy&Neko]

can you merge the two threads? Thanks.

Done.