vet approved increase of Lantus

[Bee]

So i asked if we could give Rocky 2 shots a day. Hes been on 1u of lantus for a week and hes still in high 200 - high 300. Vet said to go a head and give him an AM shot of 1 u and a PM shot but he said make them PM 2u. I thought myself that it makes more sense to do the same amount 1 u am and 1 u pm. Someone else mentioned this as well on the Main Forum. I am new to this but have read that Lantus should be given the same amount every 12 hours . What do you other Lantus users know and think? I think i should listen to others that have experience with it and not totally disregard the vet still give it to him 2xs a day but keep it 1u and 1 u

 

[Jan Radar (GA)]

Yes, Lantus is an insulin that works best with consistent doses that are given every 12 hours.

I see that you've been testing Rocky which is such an important step forward to help him feel better. Good job getting that going.

Could you please work on getting the spreadsheet that we use here filled in with the testing numbers you have so far? Here's the link with the directions. If you need help, just let us know and someone will be happy to help. The spreadsheet is such an important tool for you to organize your data, but in my experience it's really important for those experienced Lantus users who are ready and willing to help you figure out what the Lantus is doing inside the cat. It took me a while of asking questions and being coached by wise eyes to understand how Lantus works in my cat because the numbers were so confusing to me. I am so very dependent on my spreadsheet to unlock the mysteries that Radar usually doesn't share very easily.

 

[Bronx's dad (GA)]

Increasing from 1u/24hr to 3u/24hr is a huge jump, your vet may be insane. We usually do increases/decreases by .25u unless it is a high-dose kitty. Lantus is a depot insulin and works best in 12 hour cycles and will build up in the cats system over time and sometimes too much insulin will look like not enough due to bouncing. Without seeing a spreadsheet, it will be hard for the pros here (I am not!) to give any recommendations but I would not triple Rocky's dosage. Cats usually drop lower at night when we are sleeping and not able to monitor so I would definitely not give Rocky 2u in the pm cycle. Safe bet would be .5 or .75u every 12 hours, but so hard to give suggestions w/o a SS to look at. Also, are you using a human meter or a feline-specific meter?

 

[Bee]

Increasing from 1u to 2u is a big jump. We usually do increases/decreases by .25u unless it is a high-dose kitty. Lantus is a depot insulin and works best in 12 hour cycles and will build up in the cats system over time and sometimes too much insulin will look like not enough due to bouncing. Without seeing a spreadsheet, it will be hard for the pros here (I am not!) to give any recommendations but I would not double Rocky's dosage. Cats usually drop lower at night when we are sleeping and not able to monitor so I would definitely not give Rocky 2u in the pm cycle. Safe bet would be .5 or .75u every 12 hours, but so hard to give suggestions w/o a SS to look at. Also, are you using a human meter or a feline-specific meter?

I am using a human meter Relion Micro . It wont let me "make a copy "of the spreadsheet on my work computer so i have to take some time at home and figure it out. Hes been on 1u once a day (6pm) for a little over a week . Since i started testing his #s have been between 262 - 394. I switched his food and his pre shot was 360 last night and this morning before he ate he was at 362. I agree with everyone i think i am going to just do 1u in the am and his regular 1 u at night . Continue testing him before and mid way . Since ive been doing his one day at 6pm im going to do his am at 6am. I know it should be right on time but lets say i sleep in late one morning or i come home late at night what the time frame to give him his shot ?

 

[Bronx's dad (GA)]

I am using a human meter Relion Micro . It wont let me "make a copy "of the spreadsheet on my work computer so i have to take some time at home and figure it out. Hes been on 1u once a day (6pm) for a little over a week . Since i started testing his #s have been between 262 - 394. I switched his food and his pre shot was 360 last night and this morning before he ate he was at 362. I agree with everyone i think i am going to just do 1u in the am and his regular 1 u at night . Continue testing him before and mid way . Since ive been doing his one day at 6pm im going to do his am at 6am. I know it should be right on time but lets say i sleep in late one morning or i come home late at night what the time frame to give him his shot ?

As close as you can to the 12hr period, I know it is hard sometimes. Some say within 15-30min but I have cheated that somewhat at times but my cat is a high-dose kitty so I do have more leeway than most. Welcome to the fun of having a sugar kitty! I edited my orig post because I didn't realize at first your vet wants to actually triple the dosage & not double it.

 

[tiffmaxee]

Shooting early acts like an increase. Shooting late acts as a decrease. It's best to not ahootbmore tgan 15 minutes early each cycle or 30 minutes in a 24 hour period. Life sometimes gets in the way. Once you have a spreadsheet you can post for advice if you need to veer more than that from the 12 hours. It will be easier to guide you once we see how Rocky reacts to the every 12 hour dose. Sometimes we just need to skip.

 

[ORRY and Halyphill]

My kitty is proving difficult to regulate. But, we have had the most success with 2.0u/1.5u dosing. It has a lot to do with my schedule and keeping him from going hypo when I'm not around. Until we get him consistent.... we look for a range 100-300, with majority of the day below 270. My kitty has gone through some food changes... super high carb to suoer low carb... so trying to get his eating stable and other medical conditions managed.

My vet is feline specific. She directed me to the resources here. Insulin is a tool to help manage diabetes... but the numbers only tell one side of the story. Be aware of the clinical signals as well... (urination, activity, eating) they can tell the rest of the story.