? Help! Smokys BG over 600, not sure what dose of vetsulin to give

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Lisa and Smoky

Lisa and Smoky

Member Since 2016
Smoky had a BG of over 600 for AMPS. He has a UTI and not sure what dose to give. I gave him 3 units last night. I have another thread going titled " Confused about BG numbers" but don't know how to create a link to it.
 
I put the other link in my post above

http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/...g-numbers-on-spreadsheet.167512/#post-1818955

Antibiotics can take several days to kick in. The UTI could be causing the higher numbers, but you don't want the numbers getting too high while you wait for the ABs to work. The dose is hard to judge because you aren't able to get mid cycle tests at this point, but I would think the 2.5 unit would be safe even if the ABs are starting to work.
 
To copy a link, just highlight the URL in the browser box from that posting and copy and paste it in your new post. There are fancier ways to do it, but that works well for people like me that are somewhat tech challenged ;)

You will have to see what the numbers do today and tomorrow. By that time the ABs should be working on the UTI so if the infection is causing the higher numbers you should see an improvement.
 
I gave smoky 2.5 units for his pm shot, he yowled loudly and jumped a little. I have never had that happen before with him. He normally just goes to his chair and waits for the shot, he doesn't even seem to notice it most of the time. Does that mean I hit a nerve or muscle? :( I hate the thought of hurting him, his BG is still high so worried about damage done by constant higher numbers.
 
I just say your reply from yesterday's thread.....ProZinc isn't going to be any cheaper than buying Lantus....especially if you buy the Lantus from Canada

ProZinc is a U40 insulin and is about $100 for a 10ml vial so that vial only holds 400 units

Lantus is a U100 insulin so a 10ml vial holds 1000 units ....and if you buy it from Canada, you can get a vial for about $100 (plus $25 shipping) or the better deal is to get the pens (for a total of 1500 units) for about $150 plus shipping

It's possible that you just hit a sore spot......don't beat yourself up over it....it happens to the best of us!!
 
I'm not sure that I feel comfortable buying insulin that comes all the way from Turkey. I have bought meds overseas in the past and had a bad experience with that. I know that a lot of people have bought insulin from Canada for many years and it has been fine.
I just don't think I can do it as it would cause an ethical dilemma for me.
 
Lisa and Smoky said:
I'm not sure that I feel comfortable buying insulin that comes all the way from Turkey. I have bought meds overseas in the past and had a bad experience with that. I know that a lot of people have bought insulin from Canada for many years and it has been fine.
I just don't think I can do it as it would cause an ethical dilemma for me.
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All I can add is that I think you can trust anything purchased from an accredited Canadian pharmacy.
 
Lisa and Smoky said:
I had heard that it is illegal to ship medication of any kind across the Canadian border into the United States.
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It is illegal for a private individual to ship medication from Canada to the US. Mark's requires a prescription before they will ship. If you have questions you can call Mark's directly at their toll-free number or e-mail them. I am in Canada so I can buy my product at any pharmacy with no problem but there are many US members on here that buy from Mark's with no problem.

https://rxcanada4less.com/contact.html
 
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Lisa and Smoky said:
I had heard that it is illegal to ship medication of any kind across the Canadian border into the United States.
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I just got the vile I ordered from Mark's this past Monday. Took one week to get here. The box/vile goes through customs and the box is clearly marked that it is medical supplies from a pharmacy.

Give them a call and talk with them and talk with them about your concerns. They are extremely friendly and helpful.

Rita

Marks Marine Pharmacy
Your neighborhood pharmacy in Canada.

Toll Free 1-877-888-9265
Phone 604-325-9265

https://rxcanada4less.com/
 
Once my cats dose was over 2.5 she reacts to it as well.... It probably stings. Nevertheless it's necessary. I personally would go with 3 u.... 2.5 isn't getting the numbers where you want them.
 
I didn't want to go with the three units just yet. I can't really monitor all day until Sunday so can't keep a close eye on him.
Smoky is being treated for a UTI since Monday. I was afraid his numbers might suddenly drop too low after he finishes the antibiotics and the infection clears up.
 
Lisa and Smoky said:
I'm not sure that I feel comfortable buying insulin that comes all the way from Turkey.
Click to expand...

The Lantus from Marks doesn't come from Turkey...it's Canadian manufactured

A lot of those other "website" pharmacies use Turkey and yes, some meds from Marks come from other places, but their Lantus isn't one of them

Please call and discuss your issues with them. They are really wonderful to work with and will take however long they need to.

The pharmacy manager's name is Jordan....ask for him. I've sent them a lot of business, and he knows me well
 
Chris & China said:
The Lantus from Marks doesn't come from Turkey...it's Canadian manufactured

A lot of those other "website" pharmacies use Turkey and yes, some meds from Marks come from other places, but their Lantus isn't one of them

Please call and discuss your issues with them. They are really wonderful to work with and will take however long they need to.

The pharmacy manager's name is Jordan....ask for him. I've sent them a lot of business, and he knows me well
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I would have to see if my vet will give me a script to fax to Canada. My vet is old fashioned and said they only offer vetsulin and prozinc at their practice. He doesn't hold much stock in human insulin.:(
 
JanetNJ said:
Once my cats dose was over 2.5 she reacts to it as well.... It probably stings. Nevertheless it's necessary. I personally would go with 3 u.... 2.5 isn't getting the numbers where you want them.
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That is amazing to me that your kitty was able to get OTJ in such a short period of time.:smuggrin: I worry about damage being done to smokys organs with his constant high BG numbers.
 
Chris & China said:
The Lantus from Marks doesn't come from Turkey...it's Canadian manufactured

A lot of those other "website" pharmacies use Turkey and yes, some meds from Marks come from other places, but their Lantus isn't one of them

Please call and discuss your issues with them. They are really wonderful to work with and will take however long they need to.

The pharmacy manager's name is Jordan....ask for him. I've sent them a lot of business, and he knows me well
Click to expand...
Can they be reached on weekends?
 
Update for smoky: I emailed his vet and also left voicemail to call me. Smoky seems to be showing signs of pain and his pre shot BG numbers have been between 450 and over 600 this past week. I feel so bad for my fur baby as I have to wait until Monday morning to call his vet. I hate to do a curve on him today as he seems so miserable whenever he is touched. I have been checking him for ketones which have been negative so far.
 
Is there an emergency vet you can take him to , his numbers are way too high,. DKA can set in quickly.
 
I checked his BG at +3 and +6 after am shot. He has a UTI since Monday night and is on an antibiotic. I can take him to his regular vet tomorrow morning. There is an emergency vet near me but they are extremely expensive. See smokys spreadsheet.
 
Hoping things go well for Smoky at the vets and they can sort out what is wrong. Would the antibiotic have raised his bg?
x
 
I think I will check with his vet to make sure the convenia was not given as an antibiotic as well. Are there bad side effects for that med?
 
Lisa and Smoky said:
I think I will check with his vet to make sure the convenia was not given as an antibiotic as well. Are there bad side effects for that med?
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Metronidizole is one of the antibiotics that can be used to treat UTIs. The best way to find out which AB is best for a UTI is to do a C&S (culture and sensitivity test) which is sent to an outside lab such as IDEXX to find out which AB is most effective for the bacteria present. Unfortunately once a kitty has been on an AB you have to wait about 7-10 days after the AB is finished to do a C&S or the results may not be accurate.

Convenia has caused a number of side effects in some kitties and dogs. The main problem with convenia is that if there is a side effect or allergic reaction you can't just stop the medication. It is already in the system and the effects can last a long time. Personally I don't allow convenia to be used for my kitties. A lot of people like the fact that they don't have to pill their kitty, but I much prefer the "hassles" of giving pills.
 
All of those things you mentioned are all new to me. I am still new to being a "bean" to a sugar baby. I don't know for sure what has been raising his BG for the past week.
 
Does anyone know if it is normal for insulin to take months to regulate a cat? Smoky seems to be getting worse on the vetsulin, not better.
 
Tuxedo Mom said:
I have been a bean to a sugar baby for 2 years now (he has other health issues so will always be diabetic) and I am still learning more as I go along, :bighug:
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Same with me, smoky has other health issues too. it just gets overwhelming at times plus trying to absorb all that new info. :facepalm:Thanks for the hug, really needed it.
 
I slept 4 hours last night so need to get to bed soon. I can't take care of my boy the right way if I am burned out from lacking sleep.
 
Lisa and Smoky said:
Does anyone know if it is normal for insulin to take months to regulate a cat? Smoky seems to be getting worse on the vetsulin, not better.
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If there is any sort of infection or inflammation that can cause the numbers to be higher. It is hard to judge at this point if Vetsulin is working well for Smoky or not. Sometimes a different insulin works better for different kitties, But first thing would be to rule out any sort of infection or inflammation.
 
Right now he has the UTI and urinalysis showed a lot of white blood cells in his bladder. The inflammation in his liver, pancreas, and bowels was discovered a month ago. I have no idea how long he had that before i knew about it
 
Hopefully the Metronidizole will have dealt with the UTI, although some UTIs are trickier than others and may require a further round of AB. Is he on a medication for the triaditis..usually a round of Ursodiol is prescribed to start. If the bowel inflammation is not responding well then sometimes budesonide is used. This is a type of steroid so it can affect the glucose levels as well. Budesonide has less systemic effects than other steroids.
 
He is not on any meds for triaditis, I haven't been given an official diagnosis yet on that. I have to call my vet to see about a recheck visit and to get him some pain meds.
 
He is on the antibiotic for 28 days though. My vet wants me to see an internist, he doesn't want to treat smoky for possible triaditis, doesn't feel comfortable doing that. I will pass your suggestions on to him. who knows, maybe he will listen
 
Clavamox is tough on the GI tract, much better options for UIT would be Zeniquin or Orbax tablets, if you are given a liquid it must not contain sorbitol and no ingredients ending in "ose" that is sugar. Many vets just prescribe without checking ingredients.
 
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