? New member 4/20/25 questions

Miranda Robinson

Miranda Robinson

Member
Hello! I thought I posted but I don’t see that it went. If it did I’m sorry . I’m looking for some answers for my cat Biggles 9 yr MN on Lantus 4 units twice daily. He has been on Lantus a month now and sometimes his glucose drops fast and he bounces for that cycle or it does nothing at all. Is this normal, to be expected? He did have a bout of pancreatitis after a dental cleaning, most likely due to the complication of breathing issues that led to us using a steroid. Basically what set the diabetes in motion . He eats FF wet food low carb options and Young Again Mature Zero dry. Thank you!
 
Miranda Robinson said:
Hello! I thought I posted but I don’t see that it went. If it did I’m sorry . I’m looking for some answers for my cat Biggles 9 yr MN on Lantus 4 units twice daily. He has been on Lantus a month now and sometimes his glucose drops fast and he bounces for that cycle or it does nothing at all. Is this normal, to be expected? He did have a bout of pancreatitis after a dental cleaning, most likely due to the complication of breathing issues that led to us using a steroid. Basically what set the diabetes in motion . He eats FF wet food low carb options and Young Again Mature Zero dry. Thank you!
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@Sienne and Gabby (GA)
 
I will work on this after work! I have a libre on him currently and I have two glucose monitors at home. A human one and a cat/dog one. He wasn’t budging ( going down) so we went up. But I will def get a spreadsheet together this evening.
 
Welcome to FDMB.

I couldn't find your post either!!

Bron's suggestion will help us to have a clearer idea of what's going on with your kitty. We're very numbers driven so having a spreadsheet with the information you outlined will be very helpful.

Just to note, that bounces can take several days to clear. When you observed that Biggies bounces, it can take some time to see what happens with the numbers. It can also take a few cycles to see the effects of a dose change. Lantus is a depot type of insulin and any change involves the depot destabilizing.
 
Miranda Robinson said:
I made the spreadsheet but I don’t know how to upload it. This was difficult for me since I am not very tech savvy.
Click to expand...
Download it on Google Drive for all the members and yourself be able to access it, then place the link in your favorites or favorite bar:bighug::bighug::cat::cat:
PS
Let us know when you have the access so we can try seeing it,,if you have past BG data insert them in the appropriate date and times; if you are not able to let us know :bighug:
 
I did several days worth , but plan to add at least another week or two of date after what I put in. I will do my best to figure it out and then will let you know. Thank you so much!!!!
 
CORKY said:
Download it on Google Drive for all the members and yourself be able to access it, then place the link in your favorites or favorite bar:bighug::bighug::cat::cat:
PS
Let us know when you have the access so we can try seeing it, if you have past BG data insert them in the appropriate date and times; if you are not able to let us know :bighug:
Click to expand...

This is the Drs food list the third column contains the % of carbs, the Medleys are Medium to High Carbs, also a carb calculator, you use the Nutrient %s to calculate the dry matter is the correct low, medium or high carbs:bighug:
0-10% Low Carbs
11-15% Medium Carbs
16-24 High Carbs


NEW FOOD CHART CHECK CARBS/ FF
Cat Food Nutrition Calculator | Elizabeth C Scheyder
 
CORKY said:
Download it on Google Drive for all the members and yourself be able to access it, then place the link in your favorites or favorite bar:bighug::bighug::cat::cat:
PS
Let us know when you have the access so we can try seeing it,,if you have past BG data insert them in the appropriate date and times; if you are not able to let us know :bighug:
Click to expand...
Can you see it?
 
CORKY said:
Awesome all the data. Lost of data great!!:bighug::bighug::bighug::cat::cat:
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This is a problem with the Libre they fall off also they stop working before the 14 days and the low numbers are always inadequate perhaps you would want to purchase a human monitor and strips, most of us use the ReliOn Premier and strips very inexpensive at Walmart the monitor is $19.99 and the strips are $9.00 for 50 and &17.88 for 100 always good to have plenty at hand , you can call the Libre Co customer service number on the box they replace them for free they take 48 to receive although you cannot tell them is for your cat or they will not replace them, if you decide to continue with the Libre you should have an extra one in case it falls off ir it stops working, and you can replace it yourself you do not need a vet to do it and spend the money, the instructions are like a walk in the park:bighug::bighug::cat::cat:
 
How was the 4 units dose arrived at? Frequentky if dose is too high one will get relitively high BG with with little drop and then you will get a good drop and the cycle continues. Sinc you periodicallyget a good drop the does being to low is likely not the problem.
 
CORKY said:
This is a problem with the Libre they fall off also they stop working before the 14 days and the low numbers are always inadequate perhaps you would want to purchase a human monitor and strips, most of us use the ReliOn Premier and strips very inexpensive at Walmart the monitor is $19.99 and the strips are $9.00 for 50 and &17.88 for 100 always good to have plenty at hand , you can call the Libre Co customer service number on the box they replace them for free they take 48 to receive although you cannot tell them is for your cat or they will not replace them, if you decide to continue with the Libre you should have an extra one in case it falls off ir it stops working, and you can replace it yourself you do not need a vet to do it and spend the money, the instructions are like a walk in the park:bighug::bighug::cat::cat:
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I also have a monitor with strips, I did get a replacement for the one that fell off within a few days.
 
Larry and Kitties said:
How was the 4 units dose arrived at? Frequentky if dose is too high one will get relitively high BG with with little drop and then you will get a good drop and the cycle continues. Sinc you periodicallyget a good drop the does being to low is likely not the problem.
Click to expand...
I have more data to put in . But basically the numbers moved down but not much at all so we kept increasing .
 
Miranda --

To save you from having to keep providing us with a link to your spreadsheet, we recommend that you create a signature. Your signature will contain some basic information about Biggles like what you're feeding him, the insulin your using, spreadsheet link, etc. This is a link to our post on helping us to help you. There's information about what to include in your signature
 
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How long do you typically hold a dose? I’m willing to go back down if that is what needs to be done
Sienne and Gabby (GA) said:
Miranda --

To save you from having to keep providing us with a link to your spreadsheet, we recommend that you create a signature. Your signature will contain some basic information about Biggles like what your feeding him, the insulin your using, spreadsheet link, etc. This is a link to our post on helping us to help you. There's information about what to include in your signature
Click to expand...
i will see if I can finish that up after work today. Thank you!
 
With Lantus, how long you hold the dose depends on which of the two dosing methods you opt for. However, there's one restriction on the method. If you are feeding a cat any dry food as part of their usual diet, you are restricted to using the Start Low Go Slow (SLGS) method. The other method, Tight Regulation (TR), is based on published clinical research and we stick with the parameters that are outlined in that research. Since Biggles is eating Young Again, you'll want to follow SLGS.

The quick answer to your question is that with SLGS you hold the dose for a week unless a dose reduction (numbers drop below 90) is indicated. At the end of the week, you do a curve and if the results indicate a dose increase is warranted, you increase the dose by 0.25u. This is the link to the sticky note on Lantus dosing methods.

FYI: A curve involves testing every 2 hours for a 12-hour period.
 
Sienne and Gabby (GA) said:
With Lantus, how long you hold the dose depends on which of the two dosing methods you opt for. However, there's one restriction on the method. If you are feeding a cat any dry food as part of their usual diet, you are restricted to using the Start Low Go Slow (SLGS) method. The other method, Tight Regulation (TR), is based on published clinical research and we stick with the parameters that are outlined in that research. Since Biggles is eating Young Again, you'll want to follow SLGS.

The quick answer to your question is that with SLGS you hold the dose for a week unless a dose reduction (numbers drop below 90) is indicated. At the end of the week, you do a curve and if the results indicate a dose increase is warranted, you increase the dose by 0.25u. This is the link to the sticky note on Lantus dosing methods.

FYI: A curve involves testing every 2 hours for a 12-hour period.
Click to expand...
Thank you for that informative answer!! I can do only wet if needed, but the dry is supposed to be <1 carb. So I thought that would be acceptable . Either way, should we decrease dosage? I am a licensed Vet tech, so I have some knowledge, but I will admit Diabetes is not a strength of mine.
 
Miranda Robinson said:
Thank you for that informative answer!! I can do only wet if needed, but the dry is supposed to be <1 carb. So I thought that would be acceptable . Either way, should we decrease dosage? I am a licensed Vet tech, so I have some knowledge, but I will admit Diabetes is not a strength of mine.
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You need to create your signature so the spreadsheet shows in every post you create with the link Sienne provided you also below is a carb calculator, you will insert in each cell the nutrients of the food you want to feed, example the dry you are feeding you say is 1% carb, on the calculator the dry matter is the correct % of carbs of the food, just to assure yourself it is 1%, and by the BG's I see I do not believe it is
Diabetic cats need to consume a diet between 0-10% carbs of wet can food, or you can make your food at home with the right nutrients, you do not need to test every hour, you can test at AMPS/PMPS and 4 more times during the day and post those on the correct hour cell:bighug::bighug::cat::cat:
Cat Food Nutrition Calculator | Elizabeth C Scheyder
 
CORKY said:
You need to create your signature so the spreadsheet shows in every post you create with the link Sienne provided you also below is a carb calculator, you will insert in each cell the nutrients of the food you want to feed, example the dry you are feeding you say is 1% carb, on the calculator the dry matter is the correct % of carbs of the food, just to assure yourself it is 1%, and by the BG's I see I do not believe it is
Diabetic cats need to consume a diet between 0-10% carbs of wet can food, or you can make your food at home with the right nutrients, you do not need to test every hour, you can test at AMPS/PMPS and 4 more times during the day and post those on the correct hour cell:bighug::bighug::cat::cat:
Cat Food Nutrition Calculator | Elizabeth C Scheyder
Click to expand...
I am feeding foods (wet) between 0-5 from the charts I saw. One was whiskerdocs and the other was from a really long list by Lisa Pierson
 
@Miranda Robinson,

I also used a FreeStyle Libre on my cat, and just to be safe, I checked it once a day with a human glucose meter to see if the readings were accurate. After five days, the FreeStyle Libre was off by as much as 80%. It’s really important to double-check its accuracy from time to time. Relying 100% on the FreeStyle Libre without verifying could be dangerous and may lead to insulin overdosing.

Now I only use a human meter.
 
Kosmo said:
@Miranda Robinson,

I also used a FreeStyle Libre on my cat, and just to be safe, I checked it once a day with a human glucose meter to see if the readings were accurate. After five days, the FreeStyle Libre was off by as much as 80%. It’s really important to double-check its accuracy from time to time. Relying 100% on the FreeStyle Libre without verifying could be dangerous and may lead to insulin overdosing.

Now I only use a human meter.
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Correct, especially that the Libre tends to read the low numbers irregular between 70-50 when in a hand monitor shows in the 90’s which is the correct BG I had a nightmare when Corky was diagnosed he went home with one. In the middle of the night the low reading alarm would show in the 40’s or 50.s they would fall off or stop working after the 4-8th day not until I had the ReliOn Premier monitor that he had his last sensor on was when I started double checking and noticed the difference, it’s been a walk in the park ever since, I love looking at Corky’s Spreadsheet how far he has come, My Hero:bighug::cat::cat:​
 
Kosmo said:
@Miranda Robinson,

I also used a FreeStyle Libre on my cat, and just to be safe, I checked it once a day with a human glucose meter to see if the readings were accurate. After five days, the FreeStyle Libre was off by as much as 80%. It’s really important to double-check its accuracy from time to time. Relying 100% on the FreeStyle Libre without verifying could be dangerous and may lead to insulin overdosing.

Now I only use a human meter.
Click to expand...
. So I took a manual reading with my human and got 491 and the cat one said 539. The libre hasn’t gone much over 400, so what now? I’m so confused and worried I am going to lose him.
 
Can you please add your signature
  • Add info we need to help you:
    • Caregiver & kitty's name
    • DX: Date
    • Name of Insulin (do not include dose or frequency)
    • Name of your meter
    • Diet: "LC wet" or "dry food" or "combo"
    • Dosing: TR or SLGS or Custom (if applicable)
    • DKA or other recent health issue (if applicable)
    • Bexacat or Senvelgo (if applicable) and dates
    • Acro, IAA, or Cushings (if applicable)
    • Spreadsheet link. Please put the signature link on the bottom line of your signature information, on its own, so it is easy to find.
    • Please do not put any information about your location in the signature for security reasons. If you wish to add your country location, please add it to your profile.
Be sure to click the 'Save Changes' button at the bottom. If you need help urgently it is important we know these things at a glance. We don’t want to waste valuable time finding out information.

Thank you!

Also on your spreadsheet you need to fill in the information up top where it asks Dx Date
Current insulin ( not how many units you are giving
Method
Meter you are using

If you are feeding any kibble at all you have to follow the SLGS method

Have you read the yellow stickys about Lantus

https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/forums/lantus-levemir-biosimilars.9/


Are you using the U-100 syringes with the half unit markings ?
 
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Miranda Robinson said:
I thought I did the signature but it is confusing for me. I am not sure if I read the yellow sticky I will check it right now .
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You only have Miranda and Biggles
You need to add the information I gave you above.
See mine signature it's in gray letters at the end of my post, it's at the end of everyone's post.

Also you need to add the information on your spreadsheet up top . Look at mine Tyler's SS
 
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I thought all of that was supposed to go in the about me area. But I will go in and fix what I can. I also checked the yellow sticky, yes I read all but the depot part .
 
Regarding lowering the dose, with the numbers you're seeing, I'd be reticent to reduce the dose. You only reduce if numbers drop below 90.

The biggest concern with the Libre is when your cat's numbers fall below 100. The Libre will give an incorrectly lower number than an hand held meter. If numbers are high, you won't like it but it won't be harmful to Biggies. If the Libre tells you his numbers are at 40, you're going to be shoveling high carb into your cat. It's even more annoying if the numbers are actually higher than what the Libre is telling you and your just fed your diabetic cat cookies, cake and ice cream.

You're fine with what you're feeding Biggies. I don't think the Young Again is as low in carbs as they claim -- it's around 5% if I'm remembering correctly. There are different ways of calculating carbs so it may be the method they're using. The foods on Lisa Pierson's list are fine. She goes to an incredible amount of trouble getting the "as fed" values for what she lists.

If you want to do more reading, take a look at the posts on the Health Links page. There's lots of info there. If you end up doing a deep dive and can't find journal articles, I have access to both a veterinary and medical library. I can get pretty much any article you may be interested in.
 
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