vetsulin issues

Discussion in 'Feline Health - (Welcome & Main Forum)' started by mdoncses, Jan 25, 2010.

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  1. mdoncses

    mdoncses New Member

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    Jan 25, 2010
    Hi guys,
    I've have read your site for a long time, but never posted. My cat Micah has been on vetsulin for the last yr and has been well regulated. I just received a letter from the vet stating that they are not going to carry vetsulin anymore. My problem mostly is that Micah has done really well on it and I don't want to switch because this would be the third insulin we have been on. The first was pzi vet. He did ok on it, but not as well as on vetsulin. He actually plays and is happy. Which makes me soo happy. The vet is suggesting glargine, but I don't know what the difference between this and vetsulin is and if he is doing so well on vetsulin why should I switch. Please help if you have any suggestions. I'm thinking about just ordering more vetsulin online, but I really don't know at this point and he needs more insulin in less than 2 weeks.

    Thanks,
    Melinda and Micah
     
  2. Ann & Tess GA

    Ann & Tess GA Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2010
    Your vet is not selling Vetsulin anymore because there is an FDA warning on it and the manufacturer is advising vets to switch their patients to another insulin. I just switched over to Lantus (glargine) and am happy I did. others on this board know a lot more than I do and can offer advice on which to chose. Try checking out the info for newly diagnosed cat on the FD main page. Or post a message in one of the Insulin User Groups,

    Others should come along to advise you soon.

    Welcome, this is a great site to find your answers.
     
  3. LynnLee + Mousie

    LynnLee + Mousie Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2009
    Ann is correct. Your vet is not carrying it anymore because vets have been advised to switch their patients to another insulin given the mixture problems with vetsulin recently. see:

    viewtopic.php?f=19&t=311
    viewtopic.php?f=19&t=1678

    pzi vet has been discontinued so you would be hard pressed to find it again.
    there is a new pzi out called ProZinc and we have a few people on it here now. It supposedly works along the same lines as pzi vet.
    and most people are going to lantus (aka: glargine) or levemir. not alot of vets know much about using levemir in kitties just yet. so most seem to be going to lantus and given that soooooooo many people are using it these days and having great success with it, getting help and guidance isn't a problem that's for sure. :)
     
  4. Sweetgrass & the Furries

    Sweetgrass & the Furries Member

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2009
    hello.
    I am sorry you are having to make this decision.

    Here is some info on lantus and levemir. They offer a shallower curve than vetsulin and a gentle action that seems to agree with many kitties
    lantus ( glargine ) or levemir have very similar action in kitties we have seen on this board

    I do encourage you to make the switch asap, the vetsulin is flawed and can cause inconsitencies.

    LANTUS & LEVEMIR: More Information
     
  5. mdoncses

    mdoncses New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2010
    Does anyone know how much the cost difference is between vetsulin and glargine because I pay $40 for vetsulin and I used to pay $170 for pzi vet (and I don't want to pay that much again). I just recently bought a house and want to make sure that the cost is not to far apart.

    Thanks again
    Melinda and Micah
     
  6. LynnLee + Mousie

    LynnLee + Mousie Well-Known Member

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    Dec 28, 2009
    i want to say the lantus cost about $100 but the key is to have the vet write the prescription for the pens, not vials. one vial won't last as long as 5 pens because it doesn't start to deteriorate until you start using it, if that makes any sense.
     
  7. mdoncses

    mdoncses New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2010
    Yeah that does make sense and thanks for the advise. I guess I'm calling the vet tomorrow for a prescription.

    Thanks,
    Melinda and Micah
     
  8. Sherri & Stash (GA)

    Sherri & Stash (GA) Member

    Joined:
    Dec 29, 2009
    Melinda, please be sure to go to the Lantus forum in the Insulin Support Groups and read the sticky notes. Lantus is handled very differently from Vetsulin as is the nadir you can anticipate.
     
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