? Switching from Caninsulin to Prozinc

Hi

I have posted various threads on here the last few days cos we suddenly seemed to be getting old bg numbers.
Sooty has been on Caninsulin for about 11 months now and we have struggled to regulate him.
We seem to go a few months and all is ok and then we have either high numbers and subsequent UTi or low numbers.

I’m at home all day today and tomorrow and wondered when was the right time to potentially swap from Caninsulin to ProZinc ? I’ve had a look at the ProZinc guide and I will monitor carefully for the first few days at least.
Is it better to stabilise on Caninsulin or try ProZinc ?
His typical response to Caninsulin at the moment is to drop quickly and his nadir seems to be at the +4 mark.
Welcome any thoughts please ?

thanks
Amy and Sooty xx

 

I would not wait to stabilise on the caninsulin first.....that may never happen.
I would swap to the Prozinc when you feel comfortable doing it.
Have you decided on a dose yet?
I haven't used either insulins so can't advice at all sorry.
@MrWorfMen's Mom should be able to help you
I think you will be much happier with Prozinc.
Good luck with it.

 

I think we should give Prozinc a go to be honest.
It can't be any worse than the Caninsulin?!? And as long as i test I think we'll be ok.
We are on 1.25u of caninsilin so I'll need to work out what level of prozinc to start on and make sure the syringes I've got are the right ones and if not do the conversion.
If anyone has any advice on what level of prozinc to start on i would be grateful!

 

I think 11 months has given Caninsulin a very good go so if it were me I'd definitely switch. Just start low - 1u is always a good bet - and collect what data you can for the first day or two at least to get an idea of how that dose is working.

As I said in your previous thread though, don't expect instant miracles (if only there were such things!) - it may take Sooty's system a little while to adapt to the new insulin, but hopefully you'll see a gentler curve and better numbers in due course.

Fingers crossed!

 

I have the prozinc in the fridge ready to use.
I'll do plenty of reading today and potentially give the prozinc tonight or maybe tomorrow morning so I can monitor when I'm awake and functioning!

 

There are specific prozinc syringes but to be honest as long as they are U40 you can use the same ones as for Caninsulin.
Good luck, I think you'll be pleased you made the switch.

 

I’ve just checked the syringes - the syringes are u40 and the ProZinc is u40 so I’m good to go on that front !

will probably start on 1u tonight if I can and test at +2 and before bed which will be +4.
As I’ve got some decent data from the last few days on Caninsulin I’ll be able to compare the levels tonight
Bit nervous but hopefully all will be ok

 

Kate quick question - on your signature strip thing it says you changed from ProZinc to something else ? Did you not get on with ProZinc or have issues with it ?

 

Amy - on the subject of signature info - can you amend yours to say that you're in the process of switching to Prozinc, and give the date and starting dose? Information such as what insulin you're using if someone comes along and needs to check on these things - some of us are familiar with what you're doing but not all.

I understand your nerves, but really, you should be fine, as long as you start on the low dose. The numbers you get tonight may not be directly comparable to what you've seen with Caninsulin - it might just take a little while for Sooty to get used to the different insulin, we don't know. Keep positive, you're doing a really good job

 

Hi Amy, yes we switched from Prozinc to Levemir a couple of weeks ago as Toby is a very bouncy cat and prone to ketones, it has been incredibly difficult to get any sort of regulation and I just cant afford him to be in high numbers because of his history of DKA. He had periods of doing well on Prozinc but then would bounce and we would start again. Levemir is a depot human insulin so some is stored in his body for him to call on when his BG rises, it's much much gentler and lasts around 12 hours, where with Prozinc it was more like 5, and Caninsulin more like 2/3 which meant he was spending much of the day in those dangerous high numbers. So far so good on Levemir, it's not that widely used in the UK and I had a hard time convincing my specialist vet to prescribe it,they have to have it approved by the Royal Veterinary and they will only do so if there is a historic use of other animal insulin and to no good result.
You said in your post that Sooty had periods of doing ok on Caninsulin which I think puts him in good shape to do even better on prozinc. I think you will be pleased you made the switch. Take a look at my spreadsheet and you will see what I mean!
Keep us posted x

 

Amy, generally when switching from Caninsulin to ProZinc it would be a direct switch at the same dose. You are getting some great numbers with Caninsulin right now but it does seem to be causing sharp drops that might be contributing to some bouncing. Otherwise, Sooty is doing pretty well on the Caninsulin at 1.25u. That said, if you are more comfortable backing the dose to 1u to start off with the ProZinc that is fine but I wouldn't back up any further unless the BG numbers tell you otherwise because you could end up losing some ground and then playing catch up.

My personal preference for doing any dose increases or insulin switches would be to do them on a day cycle because that's when we are usually up anyway and we all need our rest. PJ parties with our kitties even if planned, tend to take their toll on our well being. Sooty is doing pretty well on the Caninsulin so holding off for another cycle to change, if that works for your schedule, so you can monitor through the entire cycle, would be ideal. The choice is of course entirely up to you.