URGENT NEED FOR VETSULIN-need met!

I have posted this in supply closet, but am cross posting here to get more eyes on the subject:

Wanted to let everyone know that pony's results are back from MSU and she DOES have ACROMEGALY. I have been through so much with her lately, and really do find the computer streessful. But I know that this me be my only chance of getting the vetsulin I need.

Please, please, please. I am enrolled to get the critical needs supply of vetsulin but it does not seem that my application is processing fast enough. Pony, my beloved 12 year old female cat has acromegaly and now renal failure. we have tried other insulins in the past, i know the risks of vetsulin but i NEED it! please help me! you can talk to me or my vet or my vet specialist if you are concerned about sending it- i really do need this and FAST. she just went a week without eating and now finally thanks to the fluids i have been giving and the pepcid, has eaten. i only have enough vetsulin to make it another week to ten days. all attempts at switching to other insulins have been disastrous, and the latest attempt has likely led to renal failure. we can live with the diabetes, the acromegaly and the renal failure, but we cannot live with them unless we get vetsulin SOON!

 

Re: URGENT NEED FOR VETSULIN

could you use humulin or anything eles? sorry saw the answer to my question

 

Re: URGENT NEED FOR VETSULIN

Try these places - they show to have it in stock: (please note that Caninsulin is, as far as I know, the same as Vetsulin)

http://www.shopmedvet.com/product/vetsu ... rce=nextag
http://www.thedrugcompany.com/diabetes/ ... ection/40/
http://bestmedvalues.com/buy-CANINSULIN ... ION-online
http://www.rfdrugstore.com/medications/ ... ection/40/
http://www.americanameds.com/product/Caninsulin
http://www.77canadapharmacy.com/Caninsulin.php
http://www.oneclickpharmacy.co.uk/pets- ... 24379.html

I would also suggest they you let your fingers do the walking and start calling every single veterinarian within 100+ miles of your location and ask if they have any Vetsulin in stock. Your veterinarian can fax them an RX and the insulin can be shipped directly to you after making a payment over the phone with a credit card, or debit card.

I hope that you find what you need for your baby VERY soon.

~M

 

Re: URGENT NEED FOR VETSULIN

thanks for all the great links. looks like none of them offer faster than 2 week shipping. i am going to call of their customer service lines tomorrow and make sure the product is actually available and then BEG and offer places in heaven for FAST SHIPPING! i have already called many vets in my area with no luck but i will keep trying. thank you so, so much for gathering the links.

 

Re: URGENT NEED FOR VETSULIN

really wishing hoping and crossing fingers and paws here that you get it. keep checking in here as someone may come up with it ok.
lori

 

Re: URGENT NEED FOR VETSULIN

elise have you visited the acro page on this board. it's part of the ISG's and has it's own room for your support. keep posting here as well.

 

Re: URGENT NEED FOR VETSULIN

Now that you have the positive dx, you really should be considering a switch to Lantus or Levemir. You will likely be getting into quite high doses, and Levemir is a much gentler insulin that several of the other high dosers are using.
Sorry I can't help with the Vetsulin, and do not understand why you do not seem to be considering another insulin.

I am using Levemir for both of my acro kitties and am having good success, as are others. I started on Caninsulin (same as Vetsulin) but had poor results and just switched to Lantus. I have no problems at all switching, so instead of searching for Vetsulin which is not great for acro, why not just switch now??

Pony's numbers on Vetsulin look just like Shadoe's on Caninsulin. I switched her and started to notice a big improvement to how she was feeling.

What was Pony's results from MSU? Did you test for IAA as well as for acro?

 

Re: URGENT NEED FOR VETSULIN

gayle, her acro test was positive with a number in 400's, can't recall right now exactly. i also had the insulin resistance test and she is not insulin resistant. on tuesday she was diagnosed with CRF, i took her in for a full blood panel because she had not eaten since the thursday before. last night, after a week of not eating at all she finally started eating. i have been administering fluids and pepcid at home. it MAY be the case that lantus and levemir would work, but i already had her on lantus in the past and got up to a pretty high dose and it was not effective. she was miserable, and extremely uncomfortable with painful gas and bloating and barely moving around at all. when i recently tried to switch to humulin n it was the same thing. this is just NOT the time for me to try and switch her, as she is barely medically stable at this point. i know that her BG numbers are not good on vetsulin, but it really is true that she is clinically better on the vetsulin. less PU/PD and no more uncomfortable bloating and gas and lethargy. IF i can get her to a comfortable place with the CRF i would like to try lantus again or levemir or PZI.....but really, now is not the time to switch when switching HAS been so hard on her in the past. YOU COULD BE RIGHT. every person has to make their own decisions for their cat. if you do not want to help me procure vetsulin that is fine. i am doing the best i know how.

 

Re: URGENT NEED FOR VETSULIN

Elise,
Hey I hadn't heard that you got the positive acro diagnosis. Now you know why the big doses. I'm so sorry to hear about the other health issues. We will be praying for you guys. I hope you come back post again in HD, which is now called "Acromegaly, Cushings, IAA." You are sure to have questions and hopefully someone can help you.

Cody was on vetsulin at one time (and humulin N, and Prozinc) but we are now on day 24 of a switch to Levemir. It works well for a lot of acrokitties, and it is ramping up nicely for Cody. I seem to remember that you tried Lantus at one time, long before your acro diagnosis, and I'm wondering if you ever got up to an adequate dose. If you should want more info on lev for your vet, PM me.

Is driving to Canada an option? do they still manufacture/sell it there?

Good luck in your search!!

 

Re: URGENT NEED FOR VETSULIN

Hey the not eating is scary stuff, will she let you spoon feed her? have they considered a feeding tube? poor baby... I'm sorrry

 

Re: URGENT NEED FOR VETSULIN

My being in Canada, I can't help with Vetsulin at all but what is to be had here would be Caninsulin. I have been led to believe that it's the same only different in name?

Good luck in your search and I do hope you can get Pony to eat, even with a feeding tube as suggested.

 

Re: URGENT NEED FOR VETSULIN

Hi Elise,

With an acro-cat, the rules are a bit different when changing insulins. Instead of starting over at a low dose, you start at the same dose or slightly lower and monitor for adverse reactions (hopefully none).

I wish you luck finding Vetsulin or Caninsulin -

There are a bunch of acro-cats and acro-moms around if/when you have questions about it. My sweet Norton was an acrocat - he developed cancer, so it was not the acromegaly that "did him in".

Several acrocats have been healthy for over 3 years since diagnosis, so try not to worry about it.

Getting enough insulin is KEY to helping them feel better. A few kitties have needed as much as 60 units BID -- home testing BG is important because insulin needs DO fluctuate with tumor output

 

Re: URGENT NEED FOR VETSULIN

Elise,
I was looking at your ss and reread your note about using the wrong syringe for the insulin about 5x, and for the life of me I do not understand what you did. Is here a typo? Vetsulin is a u40 insulin, and humulin n is a u100 insulin, right?

BTW: 1 unit of u40 insulin in a u40 syringe DOES = 1 unit of u100 insulin in a u100 syringe. (A unit is a unit, but the VOLUME is different) Of course there are differences in the characteristics/action of each insulin, so the ideal dose can be different.

Since you will continue to have a hard time getting each vial of Vetsulin, each one only lasts 2-3 weeks, and she could live many more years, you might want to at least start your vet researching the next insulin. This could take a couple weeks if you try Levemir. If you are considering Levemir, have your vet look on VIN - particularly a feline internal med specialist named Alice Wolf, who according to my vet acknowledges Levemir as an option, in some way. My vet had never prescribed it before.

If you are giving 9u of vetsulin (in a u40 syringe?), and end up switching to an insulin such as levemir, there are folks who can help you through the switch, taking into account that she is sick and you don't need to mess around with inadequate doses. I don't think vetsulin is considered a "shed" insulin, so I think that makes the conversion easier. You would NOT start over at 1u and work up- because she is a confirmed acrocat. That's the BIG difference.

 

Re: URGENT NEED FOR VETSULIN

Wish I could help. I looked at the Vetsulin bottles I still had in the fridge from when Donovan was on it, but they expired a few months ago.

 

Re: URGENT NEED FOR VETSULIN

Good luck. I do hope the vet is looking for other options. Since they stopped production, those who use it aren't going to part with what they have and those that switched because they didn't feel it was safe probably tossed it quickly. Maybe ordering the Canadian stuff will work? I don't know if they stopped production of that too.

Hopefully your phone calls find a company willing to expediate the shipment.

 

Re: URGENT NEED FOR VETSULIN--edited

Are they unopened? Many insulins are good past the expiry date; they just aren't guaranteed. Even if they had been opened, if this were my cat and my situation, I would be willing to try it.

Elise, as you know, I called around my area and could find none available to anyone but the vet's own patients. I also called the University of Penn Vet Hospital pharmacy; they don't have any.

I know a woman who started her cat on Vetsulin just 3 weeks ago, so there's a chance that vet has some in stock he would be willing to send. I know the vet is on vacation for the holiday, but I will see what I can do about getting the contact info. I posted on DCC (even though it's a PZI board) cause there are folks there using different insulins.

Has your vet or specialist posted a request on the Veterinary Information Network?

You might PM Jess and Earl to see whether her clinic has any.

ETA: The vet who started the cat on Vetsulin 3 weeks ago gave that cat the last bottle. (SIGH. Why start a cat on an insulin it can't continue?)

 

Re: URGENT NEED FOR VETSULIN

My vet has some, they bought a supply when they found out about the problem as they have some who use it. She has offered to put my Baby on it but with the note that it could run out. Maybe if your vet contacted them?
Cerbat Cliffs Animal Hosp. Kingman AZ.
Ph. 928-757-8855
Fax 928-757-8858
www.cerbatcliffs.com

 

Re: URGENT NEED FOR VETSULIN

not enough time or energy to respond to all of your thoughtful responses specifically at this time but here is a general update:
No, i did not get any yet. i did spend ALL DAY trying. sadly it is now a weekend and my vet is closed until monday and can not send out a prescription until then. i will certainly have my vet call the vet in arizona and see if she can make a connection on this.

today has been so hard, at one point i was told i could have a bottle and drove an hour to get it and then that vet changed their mind and decided to hoard it for his patients. i sobbed and held up pony's picture but was turned away, even after having been promised it. then i spent another two hours tracking down a a man who i had spoken to once about his diabetic cat on vetsulin. i went to his work, armed with only the name of his cat and eventually the people at his work figured out who he was, called him on his vacation, but he said he only had half a bottle left and he needed it. i called all of those online pharmacies and none have vetsulin. However, some of them could send caninsulin but none of them could expedite it at all. i begged. no luck. venita has been trying very hard to help me, as well....venita, thank you. as far as those expired bottles go, i will ask my vet monday what she thinks....i am thinking i might want to try it. and also, just to clear up about pony not eating. her hunger strike ended and she is gobbling the food again. but she got pretty skinny after a full week with no food. i am still giving fluids every day. also, i do realize that i may not get the vetsulin and may have to try another switch. and about that note on pony's ss about having used the wrong needle that one day- i had dispensed a u-40 insulin using a u-100 needle without doing the conversion. this resulted in my having underdosed her. but it was just that one day.

sorry i didn't make any paragraph breaks through all that, and sorry if i didn't respond to each comment. know that i appreciate all of the comments and have been taking all of them in and exploring them.

finally i do hope to get over to the acro/high dose ISG soon, and i a do want to share more about the acromegaly and CRF and learn more. right now i am concentrating on getting another bottle of vetsulin.

SO, PLEASE ASK AROUND FOR ME!

My parents are in new brunswick, canada and found a vet there with caninsulin. i need to know if VETSULIN and CANINSULIN are the same. also, can an american vet even write a prescription for CANINSULIN in canada, and is CANINSULIN only legally prescribed in canada for dogs?

 

Re: URGENT NEED FOR VETSULIN

I started Shadoe on Caninsulin - you can see on her ss - it's the same as Vetsulin, so I have been told. It does not work well at all, but then again Shadoe is acro and is doing awesome now on Levemir.

 

Re: URGENT NEED FOR VETSULIN

Caninsulin is the same as Vetsulin.

 

Re: URGENT NEED FOR VETSULIN

I can try calling my vet to see if he still has Vetsulin in stock. He kept some in the fridge there, but I don't know if he tossed it. Not sure if the office is open on Monday.

 

Re: URGENT NEED FOR VETSULIN

I will call the vets local to me on Tuesday, (they will all be closed on Monday), and see if any of them have any Vetsulin/Caninsulin in stock.
If any do, I will provide contact information to you, Elise.

~M

 

Re: URGENT NEED FOR VETSULIN

((((Elise)))) Breathe, sweetie. This will work out. Take your shoulders down off your ears.

Vetsulin and Caninsulin are the same, but there could be difficulties getting a Canadian vet to dispense on an American vet's script (don't know; never tried it), and there would be customs problems if shipped. But if you are willing to take a drive north, it's about 5.5 hours to Surrey/Vancouver. However, maybe we could do a insulin transport.

We have folks on the transport list in Everett, WA, and Enumclaw, WA. We would need to find someone around Bellingham, WA and someone in Vancouver. Kimmie Sweetgrass is in Vancouver. Does anyone know who might be in/near Bellingham, WA?

Here's a Google map for a possible route.

(If your vet can find a Canadian vet to dispense, might i suggest a few vials.)

Either you driving into Canada (I hope you have international papers) or a transport can get it to you. If your vet can get a Canadian vet to dispense it.

 

Re: URGENT NEED FOR VETSULIN

Venita, I was going to suggest a transport - or a Canadian member picking up and shipping overnight. Since many of us order lev and lantus from Canada why would there be customs issues with caninsulin?

Anyway, Elise, I am sending "expedite insulin" vibes your way. Hang in there.

 

Re: URGENT NEED FOR VETSULIN

I believe that the Canadian pharmacies that we order from are taking care of the paperwork/hassle relating to the drug import requirements of the FDA. I believe there are forms to fill out to import drugs, but I may be wrong.

Source

I think that Vetsulin has lost its "approval" from the FDA, except for the critical-needs program.

Even if Vetsulin remains FDA approved, I think there are delays because of the importation paperwork. I may be all wrong on this, but I believe that is one of the reasons we haven't been shipping insulins between the US and Canada.

But we have been driving insulin over the border. I have never read that anyone has declared the insulin or been inspected for the nature of imports as far as I know.

Gayle might know something about shipping overnight from Canada to the US because she had to do it for the blood samples for the acro tests on her cats.

 

Re: URGENT NEED FOR VETSULIN

if you want to know the shipping charges, you might try to go to the Fedex site or other shippers to see if they have a calculator. You key in type in the to and from addresses then the tool calculates the cost.
My overnite from Toronto to the msu lab for the tests were $190 - it was not cheap, but I don't know what all is needed for Fedex to ship blood draws.

https://wwwapps.ups.com/ctc/request
http://fedex.com/ratefinder/home

I don't buy anything online so I can't help much. I get everything either from the vet or just the local drug stores.

No rx is needed in Canada for any insulins, and I pay less for a 5-cartridge pack of Levemir than I paid for the Fedex for shipping the blood draws for testing!

 

Re: URGENT NEED FOR VETSULIN

I used both expired L and U for quite sometime. Probably close to 18 - 24 months. Just store it properly.
Dana

 

Re: URGENT NEED FOR VETSULIN

I know that my bet doesn't carry Vetsulin anymore as they're the ones that told me that the company wasn't making it anymore. Blackie's now on ProZinc. I'll keeping my fingers crossed for you, and wish you luck.

 

Re: URGENT NEED FOR VETSULIN

If it's hard to get Vetsulin, the easily-available Humulin N is likely to work about the same way. The action profile in cats is very similar! Onset in less than 1 hour, peak in about 4 hours, duration about 6-8. Try it.

 

Re: URGENT NEED FOR VETSULIN

The problem is that Elise does not want to switch insulin at this time.
As an acro cat, Pony would be much better on either Lantus or Levemir, which has been suggested, but Elise want to stick with Vetuslin.

 

Re: URGENT NEED FOR VETSULIN

Not talking about switching! You were saying "urgent", and I agreed.

You can get Humulin N at the nearest pharmacy RIGHT NOW while you continue your search for Vetsulin. It will make an acceptable substitute.

It is fast-acting and so does not need to be built-up in dosage over days, or transitioned. Just use it as if it were Vetsulin. It will work about the same and make a good substitute in the meantime.

 

Re: URGENT NEED FOR VETSULIN

thanks for the suggestion, steve. if you look at my ss, you'll see that we recently did try to switch to humulin N. she was not able to adjust to it, even after weeks of trying. she was sick from it with bloating and lethargy and discomfort. as soon as i was able to get another bottle of vetsulin, i switched back and she improved within a few days. i really do owe it you all to one day write down my whole story with pony. but for now i am staying focused on getting what i need now. if for some reason i can't get it in time, she will not go without insulin....she will try levemir or prozinc.

HERE IS THE UPDATE: my vet sent a prescription for caninsulin (canadian vetsulin) to a vet in new brunswick, canada. the clinic says they have it in stock and are going to sell my dad 2 bottles. he is driving it over the border to maine and will fed ex it from there on tuesday morning. so, as of now, things are looking good. i will post back when i know that it has been shipped to verify that everything occurred as planned. two bottles should be more than enough to get us through until we start getting the critical needs supply.

thanks again to you all for your ideas and good wishes. venita's incredible human chain plan won't have to happen this time- if you only knew how much my face lit up when i read that! it would've been like an international hands across america all for pony! we live in an extraordinary world!

 

Re: URGENT NEED FOR VETSULIN

Happy Dance here in Delaware!!

 

I just breathed a sigh of relief for you and pony, Elise. That's wonderful news! *HUGS*

 

Hi there,
My cat Bodmin is on caninsulin, it's not a problem at all getting it in the UK.
Try this website to order it and see if they will get it shipped to you.
http://www.vetmedsplus.co.uk
you will need a prescription from your vet.

http://www.medicanimal.com
This site will ship worldwide

Bronwen

 

I haven't posted because I didn't have anything I could do...

But I am soooooo thrilled! Dads are pretty cool, aren't they? YAY for you. And big hugs and thanks to Dad, too...

Best-
Michele

 

URGENT NEED FOR VETSULIN

Our cat, Willie, has been on Vetsulin for 2 1/2 years. When the first "recall" was issued for the product, my vet had us switch to Lantus. Over the next three months, we watched Willie decline (losing weight and failing before our eyes). On the fourth vet visit, our vet said, "No More!" and helped us get the emergency supply of Vetsulin. When that ran out, we began purchasing it from Canada (more expensive, but worth it). When Canada stopped selling Vetsulin/ran out, we found a way to get it through the United Kingdom (even more expensive, but still worth it!). Last Friday, the UK contacted us to state, they can no longer get it for us. Anyone found it elsewhere? We even have people in Canada and the UK we could have it mailed to initially and then forwarded to us (if the pharmacy won't ship to the US). We have about a 2 week supply left of Vetsulin and have NO idea what we are going to do if we cannot track it down. Your information is greatly appreciated!

 

Catmommy7. Please start a new post about your need for Vetsulin. I didn't realize that the manufacturer had stopped the emergency US program, or that it had stopped in Canada. Maybe some others can shed some light on this.