How much Vetsulin U40 for my diabetic cat & when to check blood?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! There is not a set number of times per day or anything like that. That is something that is determined based on the current control of the diabetes and is adjusted accordingly. That should be recommended by the veterinarian who is prescribing the insulin and keeping tract of the case closely. There is no way to accurately measure glucose in the urine for these cases. How long it takes to achieve steady levels also varies widely per case but possibly within a week or so. Best of luck!

It sounds like Kosey's glucose is getting under control pretty well this time around as well which is great news. If you are ever worried the glucose is too low the safest thing to do is to not give any insulin so I think you did the right thing. It sounds like at this time the 5 units may be too much and you can start giving lower doses. To be sure this is the right thing for Kosey I would recommend having a glucose curve done at your vet (where multiple blood glucose readings are taken throughout the day). You may have done this in the past but it can be helpful to do it again while trying to regulate your cat. Good luck!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I think this is Veterinarian preference. If your Vet wants you to be doing this at home, double check with them on what time they want you to check Nappy's blood sugar so they can accurately guide you on changes. With that being said, I like the reading to be right before the insulin is due to be given or 6 hours AFTER it has been given (which should be the lowest point of the day). I sometimes have owners do full blood sugar curves at home, which requires measuring the blood sugar every 2 hours for 12 hours, starting right before the morning dose of insulin. I hope this helps!

Hi, you would probably need to go through a consultation as this allows several messages and much more in depth advice. Important information such as when was she first diagnosed and what dosage of insulin she was started on and if she had any blood tests afterwards and what they indicated. What was her initial weight and how is her weight doing. What do you normally feed her and what times. Is she allowed to go outside, what other medications is she on. There are lots of things to consider and a face to face examination is always advisable at least once every six months. However in the short term, you could have a consultation with one of the experts here, hope this helps !

I'm always hesitant to disagree with another veterinarian, because she may well have valid reasons for choosing to do this - but, that being said, I have not personally ever heard of anyone starting a newly diagnosed diabetic cat on this high of a dose. Most internists recommend a starting dose of 1 unit twice daily for an average sized cat, or 1.5 - 2 units twice daily for a very large cat. If you're uncomfortable, there is nothing wrong with asking your veterinarian to explain her reasoning to help allay your concerns, or seeking a second opinion from another veterinarian in your area. Best of luck with your diabetic kitty! :)

Using a different syringe is not recommended. The risk of overdose or underdose is greatly magnified. If you use u100 syringes for Vetsulin, a fast way to calculate the correct # of units is to multiply the number of U40 units given by 2.5. (22 units Vetsulin x 2.5 = 55 units in a u100 syringe).

Hi Sarah, I'm glad Neelix is responding well to treatment. Yes, it should be fine to do the dosing you described. Just be sure she eats first before giving the insulin. Watch her closely after the 4 unit dose to make sure her blood sugar doesn't go too low. If you notice anything abnormal then get her to an ER vet for an exam. Best wishes.