Hi Kate
Yes I am a pharmacist.
It is very difficult for UK vets to prescribe Lantus. It is an offence for them to supply/ prescribe any medicinal product that is not an authorised veterinary medicinal products. Where no authorised veterinary medicinal product exists in the UK for a condition, the vet may treat the animal by invoking the 'cascade' as follows:
a, A veterinary medicinal product authorised in the UK for use in another animal species or for another condition in the same species
b, If no product as described in a, exists, either
i) a human medicinal product authorised in the UK. or
ii) a veterinary medicinal product not authorised in the UK but authorised in another member State for use with any animal species.
So in Rhinog's case the authorised veterinary product was Caninsulin.
My argument to my vet was:
-safety concerns with Caninsulin (I gave her the info, UK vets know nothing about it)
-Rhinog being treated with Prednisolone for the lymphoma. Caninsulin makes cats bounce. Prednisolone makes cats bounce. Both together make it nearly impossible to regulate a cat.
I'm sure the prednisolone would be the reason my vet would give if she were ever questioned about it. That said I'm pretty sure that she only prescribed it because I am a pharmacist and as a fellow medical professional she put her trust in me. It was very brave of her to prescribe it as she had never heard of it before. I think the fact that she knows I am so in control of Rhinog's diabetes with the home testing was a huge help. I gave her loads of info about Lantus in cats but that said I'd be amazed if she has prescribed it for any other cats.
I just hope Rhinog appreciates what a lucky cat he is!
Good to hear from you Kate. Hope all is well and that you are still at home with your feet up!
Ruth
