Vetsulin dosage... switching soon to BCP PZI

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ursa68

Member Since 2014
Hello,

I need advice on what to do with Colby's insulin dosage. I have been doing my spreadsheet, but it still lacks some important data (or maybe my signature does...). Colby was diagnosed in mid-2013 and was up to 8 units of Novolin N until Jan. 23. We switched to Vetsulin at 7 units. He also has some pancreas issues going on. He got all the tests for pancreas function, and they came back inconclusive. We are likely dealing with pancreatitis or pancreatic insufficiency. He spent the week before last at the vet's getting subqs and trying to adjust his insulin. It was then, my vet switched to vetsulin. He is supposed to be receiving Tylosin and Pancrezyme, but putting it in his food was not working. Recently, I bought capsules and just started giving him via that route.

Anyway, as you can see from my spreadsheet, he's not getting much of a response to the insulin. My vet is ordering some BCP PZI tomorrow, but until then, I'm concerned with how high his sugar is getting. Tonight he was off the chart. I'm wondering if maybe I should be dosing less....that he might be experiencing somogyi rebound--which I know very little about. Everything is complicated by the fact that he has the pancreatitis or whatever (for which he is receiving Tylosin). I've been giving him Subqs most of last week. My vet and I thought it was a good idea to keep doing those until we could get his insulin situation figured out.

My vet is wonderful, but I believe I've actually been teaching him a little lately. He wasn't aware of the BCP PZI. We are trying that next, and since we can get the first vial free, I think it's definitely worth a try. I'm broke from all of his recent vet visits!

Thoughts, please? And please be kind. I feel bad enough that his sugar has been sky high all week long... I'm doing the best I can.

Thank you,

Cindy and Colby
 
You are really giving 7 units right? Not giving using a U100 syringe and drawing the U40 insulin up to the 7 unit marking.
Most of the time yur SS shows a significant drop in BG which is good and tend to indicate that the dose is not too high.
It could be that Colby is just a high-dose cat.
 
Thanks @Larry and Kitties. Yes, I am giving 7 units with the U40. Tonight, I tried going up to 8 and so far, not much change. I'm getting SO frustrated and am really ready to try another insulin!

I see from your signature that you were giving BCP PZI. Any thoughts to offer on it? I've read that some feel that BCP is inconsistent, batch to batch.
 
Hi Cindy,

Just wanted to wish you luck with the change of insulin. Keeping fingers crossed for you that you see better results with the PZI.

And please don't feel bad about the high numbers. It just happens sometimes. My cat was in similar numbers when he was first diagnosed.
But it's very early days in Colby's 'sugardance' and there is every chance that things will improve.

Chin up, sweetie. You are doing a great job with Colby. He couldn't hope for a better caregiver. :bighug:

Big reassuring hug to you,

Eliz

PS. Colby's avatar pic is gorgeous....
 
@Elizabeth and Bertie Thank you for the encouragement! I am anxiously waiting on my new vial of insulin (it had to be ordered). And thank you for the compliment on Colby's pic. Laying in the sunshine is his favorite pastime!
 
I just switched from Vetsulin to Lantus. Jack was getting 3 units of Vetsulin twice a day. I wasn't very good about keeping that spreadsheet updated though :x . Anyway, I had the same feelings of frustration with the Vetsulin. His numbers would come down to a healthy range (in the 100s) but by the time he was due for his next shot it would be high (500+).

Best of luck with the switch.
 
That's what I hear about Vetsulin... it's like a roller coaster ride. I'm starting with the PZI b/c it's closer to the cats own insulin.... and I can get the free sample!
 
It is a roller coaster indeed. My Saoirse was miserable for 9-10 hours of every 12-hour cycle, even when her BG numbers were quite good for part of the cycle. :(
 
Vetsulin/Caninsulin didn't work for Bertie, either. And fortunately I was able to switch him to another insulin.

However,

I would hate for new folks (who only have access to Caninsulin/Vetsulin (or indeed to one of the other insulins that aren't popular here)) to read some of our stories and think there is no hope for their kitty: That isn't the case at all.

I have seen some cats on this forum do just fine on Vetsulin/Caninsulin (and on other shorter acting insulins), and some of those cats have gone into remission too. ;)

Eliz
 
Very valid point, Eliz. As has been said here many a time. The best insulin for any cat is the one that works. :)
 
Yes, that is a good point, Elizabeth! Unfortunately, my kitty needs a really high dose of it, so I'm really hoping to see some good numbers when I change to PZI. I feel like my kitty probably went undiagnosed for quite some time, and even when he was diagnosed, I wasn't doing the home monitoring to make sure his insulin was effective. Now, I know better! I'm just afraid there has been a lot of damage done to his pancreas and other organs and it's something that Humulin or Vetsulin can't correct. Still waiting on my sample from BCP. I hope it gets here soon!
 
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