New spreadsheet data

[Evie Corso]

I just entered my spreadsheet data. I need help figuring out how tomake the Novolin N or Vetsulin last for more than 6-8 hours. My pre-shot tests are always too high.

 

[Kris & Teasel]

I'd encourage you to stay at 2 u both AM and PM for a few days to see if she settles somewhat. You had some very good numbers last night. I wouldn't want those greens to be any lower though. It's best to have a little "cushion" with these insulins. Which one are you using BTW?

She's definitely bounced in reaction to the drops at the higher dose and could well continue even at 2 u but try to ignore bounced inflated PS numbers and focus on how low a dose it taking her. Those last two overnight cycles were about as good as you can expect with these insulins.

 

[Evie Corso]

She is on Novolin N, but last night I dropped and broke the bottle and had to give her Vetsulin, as it is the only other I had on a Sunday night. She received Vetsulin this morning also. Should I consider a different insulin?

 

[Kris & Teasel]

She is on Novolin N, but last night I dropped and broke the bottle and had to give her Vetsulin, as it is the only other I had on a Sunday night. She received Vetsulin this morning also. Should I consider a different insulin?

Only you can make that call. You might want to persist with the 2 u dose for a bit to see what happens. The depot insulins like Lantus and Levemir are slower and gentler in action and longer in duration. They can help reduce bouncing but there's no guarantee they'll stop it completely. You could go read the yellow info stickies on that forum to get a feel for how they're used.

 

[Butterball]

You can't really make Novolin last more than 6-8 hours. It's a fast acting, short term insulin, on top of cats having a naturally fast metabolism.

If you want 24 hour coverage, you should either do Novolin 3 times a day, spaced 8 hours apart or switch to a slower longer lasting insulin like Lantus, Levemir, or Prozinc.

For cats on Novolin they usually respond better with smaller more frequent meals so it helps ease the sharp drops that Novolin can do

Looking at the spreadsheet, 2 units seems to be a good spot for your cat right now. I wouldn't change that

 

[Evie Corso]

I agree. I was going for 3 shots a day, 8 hours apart because, as you said, the Novolin N or Vetsulin, simply doesn’t last 12 hours and she was spending too much time off the meter high. The vet and other people didn’t understand why Inwas giving more than two shots a day though, so I was trying for twice a day and thinking I must be doing something wrong. With the low carb diet, I can get away with two regular shots and one lower dose to bridge the gap. She did go into remission once before on Humulin N, so I’m staying the course with the shorter acting to give it a chance. If I can’t get it evened out better, or get a remission, I’ll probably go to the longer acting.
Smaller, more frequent meals are a must for Rusty. She just doesn’t eat enough at one siting to take in enough for twice a day meals and there is more room for small adjustments to the balancing act with more, small meals.

Thanks so much for your input. It’s encouraging to know it is as it seemed.