Joplin - AMPS: 312 (new here)

Hello all. Deb over at the Health forum suggested I join you guys here, and I think that was a good recommendation to have some of you keep a closer eye on things. I switched Joplin over to Lantus on 6/18, and you'll notice in my spreadsheet, I made a big OOPS....upping his dose from 1 to 2 units with just one day of 1.5 in between. Please don't yell at me---I realize NOW what a mistake that was, after reading all of the information in the stickys at the top of this forum, which I really should have read first. Luckily, he had no bad reaction to it, and I'm hoping I didn't "miss the perfect dose" of 1.5, but with his numbers still at the level they're at now at 2 units...I doubt that.

Seeing he's been on 2.0 now for 6 days, should I increase .25 at this point? I do not have the syringes with the .5 markings on them (neither my vet, or my pharmacy carried them). I do have the U100 syringes, but they are marked in 1 units only.

Thank you, and I look forward to getting Joplin regulated with your help, and hopefully one day soon, into remission.

Welcome to Lantus Land!

No one will yell at you!! It looks like you may have started Joplin slightly under dose for his weight so you put him on a very fast track. As long as you are more on the same page with the smaller increases now, all is good.

As far as syringes, the only place I know of that you can get half-unit syringes is Walmart (Relion brand). Otherwise, you'll need to purchase them online. I get my syringes from ADW. (There's a link at the top of the Board. If you use the link, FDMB gets a little bit of financial support.) I think most of us here use either Monoject or Terumo syringes.

It does look like Joplin could use a dose increase. Since you don't have syringes marked in half units and since dose consistency is important, here's what I'd suggest. Measure your new dose of 2.25u in a syringe where you're pretty confident of the accuracy. Use a colored liquid to measure the dose (e.g., milk, juice, or colored water). You can then use this syringe as your sample and compare your Lantus-filled syringe to the sample. (This is what we suggest if you have a petsitter or friend dosing a kitty.)

Hi Cheryl and welcome to our Lantus family!

I'm Kat from NE Ohio. Gobbles is a grey tabby, somewhat big-boned, 11 year old shelter cat. He's quite a handful and is frankly a one-in-a-million cat (though I'm not biased :lol: ).

Remission is very possible for Joplin Gobbles was diagnosed on 11/17/12 and his last insulin shot was on 5/16/13. He's been OTJ (off the juice) for about 1.5 months now. Without the support, guidance and education I received from FDMB members, his remission would not have happened.

If you have any questions at all, please ask. The only dumb question is the one you haven't asked!

Good luck with Joplin's (and your) FD journey! The best advice I was ever given? Patience, patience, patience!

Morning Cheryl!

I loved Joplin's picture :lol: A one in a million pose :lol: You are in the right place for any questions you may have. You will never be yelled at! Just given good advice. I made a few mistakes when I first joined this board and still only received support and encouragement! We are trained to listen to our vets our whole life, and it is hard to suddenly realize that they may not be the best source of info for feline diabetes. For other things, yes, of course. But most vets are not experts on FD. The people who run this board are, so, you get all their collective knowledge - for free!! Crazy, isn't it? But so wonderful

Again, welcome to you and Joplin~

HI Cheryl! Welcome! I'm relatively new here as well. I just wanted to mention I had a really hard time finding the syringes with 1/2 unit markings. I have two super wal marts near me and both pharmacists stated at me like I had two heads. I had a couple other pharmacists order for me but they ordered 1/2" needles!!! Anyway, I would follow Siennes advice and order from ADW. Just search on 1/2 unit markings and the BD 3/10 needle WITH 1/2 unit markings pops right up.

Everyone is really nice and helpful here. I've been here a month and a half and am still learning alot!

Walmart Relion syringes do have the 3/10 cc half unit markings. Still, after years, the pharmacy people don't know that. Ask them to open a box so you can verify.

Cleo & Jane said:

Morning Cheryl!

I loved Joplin's picture :lol: A one in a million pose :lol: You are in the right place for any questions you may have. You will never be yelled at! Just given good advice. I made a few mistakes when I first joined this board and still only received support and encouragement! We are trained to listen to our vets our whole life, and it is hard to suddenly realize that they may not be the best source of info for feline diabetes. For other things, yes, of course. But most vets are not experts on FD. The people who run this board are, so, you get all their collective knowledge - for free!! Crazy, isn't it? But so wonderful

Again, welcome to you and Joplin~

Click to expand...

Thanks! That picture was taken when he was healthy...unfortunately he doesn't look like that anymore....I had him shaved right before he was diagnosed because his fur was getting so matted, and it hasn't really grown back in due to the Diabetes. Sigh...hopefully he will once again have that fur, one day!

Welcome to LantusLand, the greatest place you never wanted to be. :lol: You might also be interested in digital calipers from Harbor Freight to help measure the dose. There are also 6" version if you prefer those. Try not to worry but I bet Joplin will be looking and feeling a lot better in the near future.
Liz