I'd bump to 1U.
Try to hold the dose for at least 3 cycles, unless of course you see really low BG readings, <100. Then ask here if you can, have time.
Numbers are drifting higher. The 0.5 wasn't enough and the 0.75 doesn't look like enough either. You're at 37 days using this vial of Vetsulin if I counted right. Can't say yes or no for sure on that question, if you need a new vial or not, but I'd guess yes you do. Soon.
Label says 42 days on Vetsulin once it's opened. Don't know if it's effective much after that point. I believe the "42 days after vial is open" is because of risk of bacterial contamination (sterility) and how much active insulin is in the vial. Since Vetsulin is made of 2 different components, it can be difficult to get those 2 parts mixed back together evenly with the "shaking" of the vial before each and every use. That can change the effectiveness over time. Got those details from
here.
You try to mix the Vetsulin well before drawing each insulin shot, but there can be variations in how well the vial gets mixed. That is part of the 'active insulin' remaining. Might not be a case of "Well, the vial looks more than half full to me", as it is of the insulin losing it's effectiveness. Insulin degrades over time. Not as stable as say a bottle of tylenol capsules.
Some cats respond well to Vetsulin. Some don't. No single insulin works well in every cat. ECID. I'm not seeing the duration with the Vetsulin that should be happening if the Vetsulin was working and working well for Ninja.
If you are thinking of a different insulin for Ninja, you might consider either Prozinc or Lantus or Levimir. Prozinc is an in-and-out insulin, usually only lasting 12 hours. I think of Prozinc as a longer lasting for 12 hour cycle insulin good for cats. Lantus and Levimir are both longer acting insulins, lasting more than 12 hours. It's why cats that get regulated on Lantus or Levimer get those nice shallow U shaped curves. Please, please do not let your vet talk you into using NPH type insulin. Cats might get a 6-8 hour duration. If you can't dose 3 x a day, then Ninja would be in high numbers for most of the time. NPH insulins work better for dogs.
Don't let the different forums scare you off, each one has it's own style and the Lantus forum gets real busy and likes people to post a certain way. May seem picky, but it helps the experienced people look for any issues and prioritize which thread they open for the day. Think of it as being only so much of our time to go around to all those asking for help.
Let me know if you decide to switch insulins. There are some ways to purchase the insulin besides your vet or a US pharmacy that will save you a LOT of money, especially with Lantus.
Maybe read some of the information in the 'Sticky' posts over in the ISG forums. There are "beginners guides to....." or "new to the group start here" type documents in the different Insulin Specific Forums (ISG).
The choice of insulin is really 6 of one, half a dozen of another.
If you want some info to share, make your case for a different insulin with your vet, both the
(2018) AAHA Diabetes Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats and the
(2015) ISFM Consensus Guidelines on the Practical Management of Diabetes Mellitus in Cats are a good starting point. Both published journal/vet knowledge type of articles a vet should have access to.
p.s. Lantus requires no shaking or mixing. Even though many vets (including the ones I worked with) think so. It's not a suspension. There is nothing to mix.
p.p.s. Sorry for the long post. It's my besetting sin when helping people out here. If you have more questions, simply ask. I'll try to find out answers for you. Or do a brain dump of what I know.
