Our vet is making us stay on Vetsulin!

I am so mad! Sebastian has been OTJ since mid-November (prior to that, he was on Vetsulin), but his numbers started creeping up a few weeks ago. We needed a new vial of insulin since ours was months old, but then I found out about the Vetsulin problems and recall issues!

My husband called the vet and they told him they would be switching to PZI/Prozinc. Great! I was excited about the change. Well... he goes to the vet on Monday to pick some up, and they said they will NOT be switching anyone to PZI until they can "no longer get Vetsulin." :shock:

I feel like this is really irresponsible of them! My husband went ahead and got the Vetsulin but I don't like giving a potentially faulty product to my boy!

I know we could/should find another vet, but that would mean dragging Sebastian in for an exam and bloodwork and all that stuff that totally stresses him out.

Ugh! I guess I just needed to vent but I'm just really angry!

 

I would suggest you call your vet and explain your reasons. You are the consumer. They may not have any ProZinc in stock but may be able to write a script that you can have filled online or at another local vet.

 

I'm sorry to read this, but your vet is being irresponsible. this is a product recall, which means there is something wrong with it and the vet should not be distributing it. If it's a money thing, the y can return it to their supplier for a refund. Whatever the reason, it's irresponsible and if it were me, I'd return the product , demand a refund and find a new vet (even it it means taking the cat in for everything again).

However, if you recently had bloodwork done, then ask the vet to provide you with a copy of the cat's records. So, that you won't have to pay for another BW. And yes, they have to give you the cat's records.

 

I would return the vetsulin for refund.

Request a prescription for Lantus or Levemir (5 pack of 3ml pen cartridges)

If the vet refuses, post here at FDMB. Someone usually has a spare that they can sell you. Where are you located? If near Canada, you can just walk in a Canadian pharmacy and buy the insulin with no prescription. (I mention this because I live 35 miles from a border crossing and that is my backup plan) I don't have a spare right now, or I'd send you one myself.

 

Just for folks to keep in mind that insulins are subject to freezing if shipped in the US and Canada this time of year.

 

I'm in Atlanta-- we talked to our vet about Lantus after he was diagnosed, and she was willing to try it but ONLY with a two day stay at her office for monitoring! (She isn't a fan of hometesting). In a way I liked Vetsulin, the short duration meant a more flexible time between shots. Exact 12 hour intervals is difficult with our schedules. But I don't want a defective product, either, you know?

I think we're going to have to find a new vet-- I've known it for a while but this has solidified my decision!

 

A two day stay for monitoring if you switch?

Honestly? I'd find a new vet....this one is pretty darn inflexible.

 

Print this out and take it to your vet when you pick up your PROZINC that you are going to demand he supply you with!!!! (while returning the Vetsulin!)

FDA warning:
http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/newsEvents/CVMUpdates/ucm188752.htm

Vetsulin manufacturer website notice:
http://www.vetsulin.com/dog-owner/Vet_ProductAlert.aspx

Your vet needs to be made to face reality regarding Vetsulin.

 

Lost track of you on your last post last week. Did you ever find the foods you were looking for? Did that help his creeping numbers?
Whoever posted about freezing insulins in shipping this time of the year is correct. I think I might be having that problem myself...

 

This is irresponsible. Period. You called and were told you would get ProZinc. To force a recalled product on you is malpractice.

Please - either go behind your vet's back and get levemir or lantus from someone and/or get another vet.

I'd say, just go in and tell them you want your money back or an exchange for Prozinc, but it sounds like this vet is inflexible about a lot of things - like needing to CONTROL things. A two day stay for ANY insulin to start up is rediculous for a whole bunch of reasons. Being "against" or "not a fan" of hometesting is plain stupid.

The proven best way to manage diabetes is with DATA - home testing is the BEST way to get data... jeeze.

Well, you have OUR support for finding a new vet. And go ahead and get his complete vet records for whatever you decide to do in the future. Good luck!

 

Just want to say I agree with everyone - this is worth a fight with the vet. You don't want a defective product or PZI (IMHO). My mom's cat was on 3 units of PZI for 4 months with crazy numbers. She switched him to Lantus and he is on .25 BID and he was regulated in a few weeks. She works full time and Lantus is working great.

 

I'd respectively ask them for a scriptfor Lantus/Lev after giving them the info available on it.

If they refuse, I'd point out that you will be reporting them to the vetinary council (whatever it's called there) for negligence in terms of the Vetsulin.
It's quite simple, vets have no excuse to not be aware of the FDA warning or ignore your comments that the makers of Vetsulin themselves are advising vets to transition cats to other insulins.

You may as well do it if your going to swap vets-some other poor kitty is going to suffer potentially.


I do so hope you can help your cat.

 

I went back to re-read this and you know what I wonder? What if the vet/receptionist/tech/whomever confused the two? It is PZI they will no longer be able to get because it was discontinued. Granted, Vetsulin should become difficult to obtain in time, but it's not been recalled - vets are being strongly cautioned not to use it. If you are consistantly home testing you can continue to use Vetsulin - you just have to be diligent.

Just food for thought in hopes someone at the vet's office was simply confused.

 

If you are in Atlanta northern suburbs I could talk to you about our vet. She's not perfect but is a big supporter of home testing (and has put up with me :lol: in a kind way). PM me if you are interested...

 

Well, I'm glad you all are just as outraged as a I am about it. The more I think about it, the angrier I get.

My husband is our vet "liaison" and he, being a pretty passive, mellow kind of guy, is hesitant to go back to the vet and make a stink about the whole thing. I'm a teacher, and since I don't really have a chance to make calls or leave work during the day, I have to leave these things to him. :roll:

HOWEVER, we will certainly be calling some vets (Nancy and Cody, sending you a PM) to find one who is more supportive of hometesting and willing to give us another insulin. It's time to leave. Such a shame, because this is a cat hospital and even our pet sitter (who has a diabetic cat) likes the vet there! I thought a cat specialist would be a good thing!

When we go to get Sebastian's records, we'll definitely tell them WHY we're leaving.

We did use the new vial of Vetsulin for a few days this week. Sebastian's numbers are coming down at least, so that's a good thing. (He was at 150 this morning). At least I can be thankful that he isn't super high and needing lots of insulin.

 

She's being a jerk, I think you can be a jerk back and flat out DEMAND the switch.

It's your cat. Don't let her "make" you do anything. She's just being a numbskull and doing something that is probably malpractice to boot. This stuff is not concentrated properly and its totally wrong for her to continue scripting it, much less demand its use.

 

We had the same problem with our vet. Not only were we told that our cat would remain on Caninsulin/Vetsulin, but also that their clinic had checked the batch numbers and that they had not received any of the defective batches!! This when it's a problem with all of the product. Needless to say, we've switched vets.