Thinking about increasing Grayson's dose.

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Ryn & Grayson

Ryn & Grayson

Member Since 2015
Hi again.

So I'm thinking about increasing Grayson's dose when we hit the 2-week mark on 1 U. He's normally been staying in the yellow and he's acting much like his old self again and driving me nuts! I'm wondering if this is a good idea or not, I'm thinking about going to 1.5 U (or 1.25 if that's the consensus), 1.5 seems easier to eyeball on the syringe.

Thanks for reading!

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Hi Ryn,

I'm not experienced at reading spreadsheets at all - hopefully someone with more experience will be along to confirm what I am about to say.

Can I assume you are using the SLGS protocol for Grayson? It looks like you are home a lot to test. Since his nadirs are not that low, if he were my cat I would do a .25 increase and test from mid cycle to see how he is doing on that dose. Hold for a at least I'd say 10 cycles (5 days) until you know his reaction.

When I had Genghis on Caninsulin, I changed over to 100U syringes (cheaper at Shoppers than the 40U at the vet's) and made the conversion with this chart:

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Make sure you get 3/10 mL syringes with half unit markings (just ask the pharmacist - the BD Ultrafine with 8mm 31 G needle works nicely for Genghis.

If you wanted to up Grayson's dose to 1.25, you measure out a tiny smidge over 3 units on a U100 syringe. The key is to be consistent in how you measure it.

I'm not sure if Caninsulin dose is also increased or decreased based on the LOWEST point, not the pre-shot but from what I've read, this is the safest course of action. The pre-shot will only tell you if you should shoot or not (generally with limited data, your no shoot value is 200 or 11.2 or so). He seems to peak around +4 (although Genghis it was all over the place, even with consistent feed times) so be prepared to test at +4 and spot check /monitor him elsewhere for a few days.

I'm assuming you feed ½ hour before you shoot (and test at that time as well, i.e. don't wait the half hour before you test). This will help with the steep drop Caninsulin can produce with food in Grayson's tummy working away when the Caninsulin hits around +2, with peak action from +4 through +6 (ish) - every cat is different!

Can I say that I am a strong advocate of using Lantus? Have a quick look at how Genghis did on Caninuslin, higher pre-shots, middling nadirs, then back up again. Then Lantus. Smooooth sailing. Every cat is different but if you think Grayson feels good now, just wait until you can get him in the blues and greens for a while! Just a thought!
 
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If there's any way you can, I'd try to just go up to 1.25....With insulin, even a tiny increase can make a huge difference in the numbers. It will be easier going with U100 syringes that have half unit markings and then using the conversion chart, but if there's no way you can swing another purchase right now, just do the best you can to eyeball it and fill another syringe with some kind of colored liquid so you have something to compare to so you're as consistent as possible

It's great to hear Grayson is feeling so much better that he's driving you nuts though!!
 
Hi Ryn,

Thank you for sharing some photos with us, and also such a positive SITREP. :) It's wonderful to see Grayson looking so alert and engaged at the window. :cat:

Has his toileting behaviour improved?

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Critter Mom said:
Hi Ryn,

Thank you for sharing some photos with us, and also such a positive SITREP. :) It's wonderful to see Grayson looking so alert and engaged at the window. :cat:

Has his toileting behaviour improved?

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Click to expand...

Toilet behaviour has improved exponentially! He's using it 99% of the time, we're all much happier :)

Brashworks said:
Hi Ryn,


Can I assume you are using the SLGS protocol for Grayson? It looks like you are home a lot to test. Since his nadirs are not that low, if he were my cat I would do a .25 increase and test from mid cycle to see how he is doing on that dose. Hold for a at least I'd say 10 cycles (5 days) until you know his reaction.

I'm assuming you feed ½ hour before you shoot (and test at that time as well, i.e. don't wait the half hour before you test). This will help with the steep drop Caninsulin can produce with food in Grayson's tummy working away when the Caninsulin hits around +2, with peak action from +4 through +6 (ish) - every cat is different!

Can I say that I am a strong advocate of using Lantus? Have a quick look at how Genghis did on Caninuslin, higher pre-shots, middling nadirs, then back up again. Then Lantus. Smooooth sailing. Every cat is different but if you think Grayson feels good now, just wait until you can get him in the blues and greens for a while! Just a thought!
Click to expand...

Thank you for the information! I will aim for a .25 increase. I've lucked out with my current job being relatively shorter hours with a longer work week and a lot of computer work from home (and also a helpful at-home boyfriend) so I have been able to monitor him quite closely. However this will be changing in the next few weeks and I will be gone for the majority of the day + another move/new job.

I'm hoping to make the switch to Lantus at some point in the future. I'm not very secure financially at the moment and depleted my emergency savings in a very short time and also waiting for a working permit for my other half, but once the finances are more stable I will definitely look in to other insulins for Grayson. We've definitely notice a positive change in his behaviour after starting his shots, and we're all excited to get him into a blue suit! :)

Thanks again, everyone.
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Ryn & Grayson said:
Toilet behaviour has improved exponentially! He's using it 99% of the time, we're all much happier
Click to expand...
Woo-oot! :D

Ryn, you are doing brilliantly with Grayson. I'm very glad that your dear manpanion, Jim, is getting in on the act, too. Having extra support like that can make such a difference. (Well done, that man! :) ) It is wonderful to hear how well Grayson is progressing. Is he regaining any weight yet?


Mogs
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Wow, Diabetic Cats In Need contacted me last night! They are going to send me a couple months worth of testing strips/metre and hopefully some Lantus in September! I'm so grateful and ecstatic that they contacted me! :woot:

As for weight, I feel like he's putting a bit more meat on. I can't feel his ribs much anymore but his hips are still pretty skinny.

This forum has been a saviour! If we didn't intervene, I doubt Grayson would even be with us right now.
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Wow Ryn, that is great - I'm so glad to hear it and you deserve it. Sounds like things are very hectic for you already and it's so wonderful that Grayson has you as a bean - lots of folks would have given up. I know - people still ask me why I am investing so much in a 15 year old cat. Course, I don't talk to them much after that! :rolleyes::rolleyes:

Glad to hear he's gaining weight, too!
 
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