Switching to lantus from canin. low bgl after first shot!!

Discussion in 'Feline Health - (Welcome & Main Forum)' started by CassWTribby, Dec 5, 2017.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. CassWTribby

    CassWTribby Member

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2017
    Hi all,

    This is posted at the end of my Insulin? Post but I wanted to be sure it's seen.

    Tribby just started lantus at 1/2 unit. Her bgl is 17.8 this am!! After getting 1/2u of caninsulin at 9pm last night) our exact problem with caninsulin.

    Should I wait and see if the lantus works right away? I just read that it can have a delay when first starting.
    Should I give a small amount of caninsulin now after the lantus to help bring down her bgl now? That's a scarey number.

    I can't test until after 5pm. I actually snuck home to test and give her lantus I just bought . ($119 At Loblaws pharmacy in )
    Shes eating and drinking but I can tell she's feeling poorly.

    Thanks again
     
  2. Squeaky and KT (GA)

    Squeaky and KT (GA) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 19, 2011
    It will take a few days for the lantus depot to fill - you'll see higher numbers until that happens. No do NOT give caninsulin to bring that down, let it ride especially since you can't test later. Yep she'll feel icky due to higher bg but that will pass.

    HUGS!
     
    CassWTribby likes this.
  3. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2016
    Yes, it'll take a few days for the Lantus depot to fill so you can't judge the dose just yet. It's very different in action from Caninsulin so it's a good idea to read the yellow info stickies on the Lantus forum to learn how it works. Also, ask a lot of questions over on the Lantus forum. There are a lot of very knowledgeable people over there.

    Try not to panic over a few high BGs. In the short term they aren't as dangerous as very low numbers.
     
  4. CassWTribby

    CassWTribby Member

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2017
    Thank you!!!
     
  5. Juliet

    Juliet Guest

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2017
    FYI sounds like you’re in Canada? $119 quitr expensive for Lantus. Try Walmart next time as I got a vial for $70.
     
  6. Juliet

    Juliet Guest

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2017
    You may want to take down the 911 status now - makes us think kitty is in danger.
     
  7. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2016
    That was for a 5 pack of Lantus cartridges - a total of 15 mL of insulin. The vial is 10 mL of insulin.
     
    Juliet likes this.
  8. CassWTribby

    CassWTribby Member

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2017
    Hi all,

    Just got home and bgt and 3.8!!!
    That is 5.5 + hours since 1/2 unit of lantus was given. she did eat some of her raw meal and a bit of canned. Just fed her some canned w gravy to hopefully bring her bgl up a bit.

    Eek! I was worried it wasn't going to help at all yet. 17.8 to 3.8 in 5 hours.
     
  9. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2016
    That's a big drop. She'll likely bounce high after this. As far as numbers go, this is in the safe dark green zone on the spreadsheet. You might not have decided yet but if you're going to follow SLGS guidelines, this calls for a 0.25 u dose reduction.

    Let's see what the Lantus experts say.
     
  10. CassWTribby

    CassWTribby Member

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2017
    Hi everyone,
    I loaded my spreadsheet. Or at least I think I did. I'm planning on doing a curve this weekend.
    Please take a look and let me know what you think. The only thing I wasn't for sure about was the units of insulin. I lowered by 1/4 or more for a bgl close to normal.

    She seems OK. Ate well. Resting now. I'm going to retest her bgl soon and give her her night meds.
    Should I skip the insulin or lower it further?

    Thanks.
    A very tired Cass and tribby
     
  11. CassWTribby

    CassWTribby Member

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2017
    I gave her some honey and fed her canned right away. I should keep the 1/2u of lantus if she goes high?
    Should I skip it tonight?

    Thanks
     
  12. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2016
    If the PMPS is high enough - and I'm guessing it will be - you can try a half unit again. Aim to get at least one test before bed. However, if you were already following the more cautious set of Lantus dosing guidelines (SLGS: Start Low Go Slow), the rule is to drop the dose immediately by 0.25 u if a BG falls below 90 (5 in our "world" measurements). It's worth taking a look at the yellow sticky on SLGS on the Lantus forum list. It gives specific advice about what to do. There's also the TR (Tight Regulation) protocol but it's more aggressive.
     
  13. Squeaky and KT (GA)

    Squeaky and KT (GA) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 19, 2011
    Hi Cass and Mr. Stripes! Did you retest that 3.8? If not, I think that may have been a 'hokie pokie'. I learned it saved me gray hairs when it happened. :) First day Lantus shouldn't have caused that steep of a dive.
     
  14. CassWTribby

    CassWTribby Member

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2017
    I did re test it sadly. thanks though. I cannot believe how many test strips I'm using!
     
  15. CassWTribby

    CassWTribby Member

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2017
    so she had .25 u +9 hrs later she's 15.3
    Should I do .25 units at 12 hrs or .5 my lantus knowing sugar kitty friends?
    I'll retest her at 12 hrs .
     
  16. Kris & Teasel

    Kris & Teasel Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2016
    If you could update your spreadsheet and then post for advice on the Lantus forum you'll get more specific advice.
     
  17. CassWTribby

    CassWTribby Member

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2017
    I couldn't at work so just updated when I got home. My first spreadsheet.
     
  18. CassWTribby

    CassWTribby Member

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2017
    I'm doing .25u of Lantus and keeping my fingers crossed. I'll continue that dose this week and maybe increase a bit next week? Going slow!
    She seems happier? More bright and alert. I really think the caninsulin was making her feel yucky. She's eating well, sleeping better and about a bit instead of staying on my bed. Good stuff!
     
    Kris & Teasel likes this.
  19. JL and Chip

    JL and Chip Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2009
    That's a big drop for the first dose of Lantus. Did you use a U-100 syringe drawn to the 0.5 mark?

    Just checking ... Since Caninsulin and Lantus are different strengths, sometimes people aren't aware they need different syringes (or if already using u-100 syringes with a U-40 insulin, going from doing a conversion to NOT can be a hard habit to break).
     
  20. CassWTribby

    CassWTribby Member

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2017

    I used u100 syringes for the caninsulin as well as the Caninsulin u40 syringes havd a large guage needle. Im sure I measured correctly. It's so hard to see the .25 Mark! Then I had a fur shot last night on top of everything! GEEZ me!!
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.

Share This Page