I'm new here ... But not new to diabetes. Need opinions nt

Discussion in 'Feline Health - (Welcome & Main Forum)' started by Deeliza, Dec 30, 2016.

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  1. Deeliza

    Deeliza New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2016
    My cats name is Spot. He was once upon a time a 17 pounder which in 2010 dropped to 13 pounds in a few months. We took him in when it was actually noticeable (we had been dieting him so I was of course happy it had worked). Unfortunately the reason was diabetes which I can link back to having steroid shots for allergies. His numbers then we're the high 500's.

    We started him on Lantus immediately, 1 unit twice a day and tested him for curve, and tested him daily as needed (pre shot and nadir). After a few months we had to reduce the dose and eventually went to one unit once a day. Then his honeymoon. Was lovely.

    In February 2015, I noticed he was losing weight again (he had regained plus being on DM). But I grabbed the meter (I am also diabetic) and tested. High 500's. Back to the vet and back on lantus, 1 unit twice a day. This was keeping him never lower than say 90 or higher than 280, for a while. Then he needed an increase (vet suggestion as he was no longer holding good numbers). So we have done gradual and at times months long increases, all on the vets advice. And honestly, in the beginning it did seem to help, for a while. Then the roller coaster again.

    He is now 16. This past year has been difficult. We have taken him in for blood work and he did have a chance of an infection once so he got the antibiotic shot. Really no difference in his glucose numbers. We took him in again on 12/12/16. Once again the doctor said to raise the lantus this time to four units twice a day. I asked is it possible that the lantus has ceased to be an effective solution, and perhaps a different form of insulin ? Please remember I also am diabetic and I deal with it daily for myself also. I'm not comfortable with four units x 2 a day. But that was it. We have followed this and tested to the letter and he is still rising. We did have another antibiotic shot done That day just in case, despite his blood work not showing infection. He has had the usual dental surgery for an old guy couple of years ago for extractions etc. and she said his teeth look fine now, which they do to me also.

    So here I am today. His numbers are back to 539. I'm fed up, I call the vet she is out of town until Tuesday. I give him his 4 units of lantus and 5 hours later I test 523. It simply is no longer working for him and I've had sugar in the 500's it feels horrible. So, I do what I had mentioned to his vet and give 1 unit of Novalin N. Tested in two hours down to 410. I will then test him at four hours. My poor cats ears look like a dogs chew toy. He does not eat dry at all. When he did he was on earth born holistic feline low carb version. No corn etc, but we have taken this away much to his dismay. The DM was not much better than feeding Friskies in my opinion. We change him a year ago to the new dry along its wet. But now is is only on wet food (low carb) and home cooked chicken.

    This is the course I will now take. It's going to be an interesting day of ear pricking and testing but I hope to have some idea of what, if any, dose of lantus to give before bed. Or I may only give the Novalin N depending on how the rest of the day washes out.

    Have any of you had very long term kitties on lantus where it just seemed they built a resistance to it ?

    Wish me luck, I know what I'm doing and what I'm looking for, but could be a hairy night. I know 500's won't kill him quick, but I know how crappy it feels.

    Thanks

    Deb
     
  2. Larry and Kitties

    Larry and Kitties Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2009
    Welcome

    What are you feeding?
    Did you take a BG reading before the shot? That is needed to determine how the insulin is working
    Maybe 4 units is too much?

    Again, did you take a BG before shot?

    I recommend that you provide this information in a new post in the Health forum
    http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/forums/feline-health-the-main-forum.28/
     
  3. Deeliza

    Deeliza New Member

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    Dec 30, 2016
    Hi ... thanks for answering. I agree that four units is too much x 2 this is all on my vets advice and honestly I've had her for 28 years she's sharp and up to date, Cornell grad and a really nice person.

    We increased from 1 unit x 2 a day by half units, no quicker than giving each previous dose a good trial of about 6 weeks.

    And yes, his sugar number of 539 this morning was pre shot. The 523 was 5 hours post shot. At that point I gave him 1 unit of Novalin N. tested at 7 hours for the Lantus and 2 hours for the Novalin and got 410
     
  4. Deeliza

    Deeliza New Member

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    Dec 30, 2016
    Spot only eats wet food. He has Fancy Feast Purely only. Made without fillers. Consists of skipjack tuna, fish broth, sunflower oil, vitamins and minerals. other than that he gets home cooked chicken breast.
     
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