SOS!

Hi everyone!Need some advise!I've been playing with insulin dosage for quite long time and seems that nothing has changed. Although,his back legs almost back to normal(he has been suffering from diabetic neuropathy),he is able to jump on the oven to steal some food from up there,his sugar level still high.
What I need to do?Maybe need to change the insulin? Thank you!

 

It looks like the Caninsulin drops Roma's number very quickly and into much lower numbers than the preshots. Since Caninsulin is a faster acting insulin and is prone to large drops, this seems to be causing an ongoing cycle of bouncing. As well it may be that the insulin is not lasting the full 12 hours, which is quite normal with many kitties using this type of insulin.

My thought would be that a gentler, longer acting insulin might flatten out the bounces and provide longer duration. Since you are in the UK I believe the next choice of insulin is Prozinc, but you may be able to get your vet to prescribe Lantus. Both these insulins should provide a gentler, longer lasting effect than the Caninsulin.

Hopefully some other members will come by and offer some more suggestions.

 

I agree with Tuxedo Mom's assessment. You might want to discuss a switch to ProZinc next. I'm aware of the rules in the UK for insulin prescribing so that's your most likely next step.

 

I agree with MaryAnn and Kris. Looks like Roma is on one heck of a big trampoline. I also think I would try to stick to a lower dose for at least 3 days or 6 cycles (maybe 1u to 1.25u) to see if you can get him over the bounce and see what his numbers really are doing. Looks like he got the biggest drop on 1u yesterday and I'm wondering if part of the problem isn't too high a dose coupled with the insulin not lasting long enough.

 

I agree.
Reducing the dose may allow the bouncing to settle out a bit, and enable you, @Oksana , to see what the numbers look like...

As others have suggested, it may well be that your kitty would do better on a different insulin. What you get may depend on what your vet happens to prefer. Some vets will prescribe Prozinc more easily than other insulins because it is a veterinary insulin. But you may well be able to get Lantus, Levemir, or Hypurin PZI.

In terms of the timing of your kitty's shots, are you able to give the shots 12 hours apart most days? Or do you have a variable schedule?
And are you feeding just low carb wet food now?

Eliz

 

Hi Oksana,

Here's an excerpt from one of my recent posts and a helpful link:

The following are things a vet should check for as a matter of course in cats who are difficult to regulate. If your vet has not already done so, I suggest you ask about checking the following as soon as possible (including appropriate blood and urine testing):

- dental disease (x-rays before and after dental surgery are important; if teeth/gums are in bad shape, referral to a veterinary dental specialist is advisable).
- urinary tract issues (diabetics are very prone to these - especially when glucose is present in their urine).
- chronic pancreatitis.
- other illness/inflammation.
- pain.​

Obstacles to regulation

As Kris advised earlier, according to current UK prescribing laws Prozinc is the next insulin a vet is legally required to treat with after Caninsulin. Since Prozinc was licensed it's actually harder now to get an Rx for other insulins like Lantus, Levemir and Hypurin PZI as a consequence. If Roma experiences similar regulation difficulties on Prozinc your vet would then be legally permitted under UK drug cascade rules to prescribe alternative insulins.

It would be helpful to you and your vet to run one or more full curves to determine the sort of duration of dose Roma is getting on Caninsulin.


Mogs
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Elizabeth,the 12 hours apart is most suitable routine for our family at this moment.And,yes I feed him with low carb wet food "Granata Pet" only.

 

First of all I'll speak with our vet ,about Lantus or Levomir.If she'll suggest Prozinc I'll try to get Lantus or Levomir from another country.Thank you very much to all of you.Will keep you updated.

 

Hi Oksana ,
As has been suggested above, it may be that Prozinc is most likely to be your vet's preferred option. (UK vets have a legal requirement to prescribe a 'veterinary' insulin before they can prescribe a 'human' one...) ....That being said, there are some vets who will jump straight in with prescribing a 'human' insulin.
If you are prescribed Prozinc, please do not fret.... Many cats have done brilliantly on Prozinc; and we have a truly wonderful Prozinc/PZI subforum here at FDMB, with experienced people who can help you use the insulin to its best possible advantage.
And if, if, IF, it turns out that Prozinc doesn't work for your kitty then you DO have the right to be prescribed an alernative.

Patience, Grasshopper.... (and huge hugs!)

Eliz

 

Oksana where in the UK are you? If you did switch to Prozinc I have a bottle that is still good for another month - cost me £80 to find that Sky did not agree with it. Not sure how it would post so if you are near Lancashire and do switch you can willingly have it.

 

@Sootyca (Karen?)
Do you know why the Prozinc didn't agree with your Sky?
Cats who have a salmon allergy may also be allergic to Prozinc.... Have you seen any evidence of a salmon allergy....?
.

 

@Elizabeth and Bertie we have no idea. She eats salmon food with no adverse reaction. She was initially really sleepy on the Prozinc but soon recovered and was very bright in herself. On the 1 unit dose her numbers were still quite high so we increased the dosing slightly. Within 24/48 hours she had been sick, had diarrohea and then stopped eating completely (and if Sky doesn't eat there is a REAL problem!) - she had no sign of infection or any other problems. Once the Prozinc was stopped and out of her system she has been fine. I'm just assuming that there must be someting in the prozinc that she reacted against.

Now she is back on caninsulin (albeit a 1.5 rather than a 1) and her numbers are back in the "comfortable" range. It's more a balancing act with the Caninsulin as when she was on it before she was quite subdued and lethargic - this time round she is really bouncy and lively (and seemingly starving hungry!)

Karen
x

 

Karen,thank you for the offer.I have decided to switch Roma to Lantus and already bought some.