? [Help] Jai Jai - The Vet has suggested 1 unit of Lantus

Discussion in 'Lantus / Levemir / Biosimilars' started by heyhollis, Aug 2, 2015.

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  1. heyhollis

    heyhollis Member

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    Jul 30, 2015
    *** This is the same question I asked in the main forum.

    We paid a visit to the vet this morning (2 August), the vet read the readings of Jai Jai and suggested a dost of 1 unit for at least one week. She made the decision based on the following reasons:
    • Jai Jai has an increased meal portion since last Sunday (from 2.67 oz to 3 oz per meal, twice daily) (I forgot to mention that in my previous messages).
    • His BG readings were rising (I showed her all the data I have).
    • His UREA and ALT figures are a bit higher than the normal ranges. These were explained as elevated BG levels.
    However, experienced users on this forum suggested last night that 0.5 units will be fine with my boy, because they spotted low readings from the spreadsheet.

    Since I have less than two hours to make the decision on 0.5 or 1 unit and I will hold the dose for at least one week to seek how it works on Jai Jai, can someone please give my advice on this?

    My hubby told me to give 1 unit simply because we should trust the vet........I am struggling with that.

    Thank you for your help in advance.
     
  2. Tricia Cinco(GA) & Harvey

    Tricia Cinco(GA) & Harvey Well-Known Member

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    Jul 18, 2011
    I don't usually give dosing advice. From looking at Jai Jai's spreadsheet, I see you have been back and forth between the two doses. He hasn't hit green that you have caught for eight cycles. You are probably okay giving him 1.0 units, but the fact that he went down to 18 last week on that dose makes me a little nervous about it. If you do give him the 1.0, I would monitor him closely through at least +6 (set alarms to get up and test if you must go to sleep). If you can't monitor him, I'd give him the .5 and then post again for advice (or see who else chimes in here later) before the next shot. Sorry I'm not more help. Hopefully someone will be along soon to answer you who is better at it than I. There should be people from the East Coast getting online soon.
     
  3. heyhollis

    heyhollis Member

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    Jul 30, 2015
    Thank you very much. I have just tested him and it is 504 (28.0 mmol/L)........It can be caused by the vet visit this morning, or the fur shot I did last night.......
     
  4. carfurby (GA)

    carfurby (GA) Well-Known Member

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    Feb 19, 2012
    You have to be careful because some vets don't realize Lantus dosing needs to be based on the nadir (lowest number in the cycle) and base dosing on the pre-shot numbers. Since you got that 18, I'd be very careful if you raise the dose back to 1.0 units. Jai Jai looks like a very bouncy kitty. This can happen until they get used to lower numbers. I know it's hard to not focus on the higher numbers, but he's getting some nice numbers mid-cycle. I think I'd stick with the 0.5 units and see if he flattens out some. If you just had a fur shot, that will start the cycle count over.
     
  5. heyhollis

    heyhollis Member

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    Jul 30, 2015
    Thank you for your advice. We were quite foolish that we adjusted his dose based on the PSs.......some experienced members told me last night Lantus does not work this way. Lesson learned.

    It is quite a struggle between 0.5 or 1.......we are not quite able to test for +6 figures, because we (me and my hubby) are on full-time jobs and we are away from home >11 hours from Monday to Friday.

    How many cycles do you think I should hold the dose of 0.5 units?
     
  6. Bron and Sheba (GA)

    Bron and Sheba (GA) Well-Known Member

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    Feb 21, 2015
    The main thing is you need to keep your kitty safe. If you are gone for 11 hours during the day, you need to choose a dose that will not drop Jai Jai too low. I agree with Carla... I am not experienced in dose advising but have looked after a diabetic cat since 2011 and I would stick with the 0.5 units.
    Try and get some +5 or +6 at night if you can.

    You could post again in about 12 hours when most of the experienced people are back on to ask about how long to hold the dose.
     
  7. heyhollis

    heyhollis Member

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    Jul 30, 2015
    I told my hubby your views and he finally agrees with the dose of 0.5 units. He said it is a collective wisdom, so we do it.:cat:

    I will try getting his +5 or +6 figure tonight, keep my fingers crossed.

    BTW, can you teach me how to tag people?
     
  8. Sienne and Gabby (GA)

    Sienne and Gabby (GA) Senior Member Moderator

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    Dec 28, 2009
    Do you have syringes that are in half-unit increments? When nadirs (low point in the cycle) are routinely below 200, you want to make dose adjustments in 0.25u amounts. It's helpful to have syringes that have half units marked. (That's the smallest gradation available.)

    I'd also suggest you read over the sticky notes at the top of the board. There is information on approaches to dosing you may find helpful along with a huge volume of information on Lantus and it's use.

    To tag people, you write in @username. The username is the name below the member's avatar. So, for me to tag you in this post, I'd write @heyhollis.
     
  9. heyhollis

    heyhollis Member

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    Jul 30, 2015
    Thank you @Sienne and Gabby, I know how to tag people now:cat:

    I cannot find half-unit syringes here, asked the vet and the pharmacies nearby, no one is selling this kind. At first, I want to order it online from the US, but I figured out syringes are not sold online.
     
  10. BJM

    BJM Well-Known Member

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    Oct 6, 2010
    I'd definitely go with the 0.5 units for safety.

    Pick up some magnifiers to help you eyeball doses between markings and/or to use calipers to consistently measure small doses.

    You can line up a sturdy ruler with millimeter markings to give a consistent dose below 1 unit, too.
     
  11. Brashworks

    Brashworks Member

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    Jun 21, 2015
    Hollis, you may want to try Canada. They will ship syringes to the US, it's possible they may ship to Hong Kong.

    You can also contact BD - who makes this product - 100u 3/10 ml syringe with 8 mm needle and half unit markings. The BD office in Hong Kong is located here
     
  12. heyhollis

    heyhollis Member

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    Jul 30, 2015
    Thank you for the information. I will call the BD office tomorrow to see if they sell to retailers.
     
  13. tiffmaxee

    tiffmaxee Well-Known Member

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    Nov 15, 2013
  14. Wendy&Neko

    Wendy&Neko Senior Member Moderator

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    Feb 28, 2012
    Hello and welcome from me too. We had a member from Hong Kong before that used the digital calipers because she could not get syringes with half unit markings. Neither can our members from Australia. There is another method which is to use paper insulin syringe rulers if you are using the BD Microfine syringes. If you look at the Sticky on Tight Regulation Protocol, there is an article attached to the bottom called Management of Diabetic Cats. On page 255 of that document is a link to a site that has paper rulers used by the German Diabetes Katzen forum. These rulers can be printed off on A4 paper.
     
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