Just got the phone call an hour ago that 10 yo Professor Mortimer (The Professor) is diabetic. blood sugar at 400 something currently. ordered our test kit. I'll probably try going to the friskies pate, currently we do friskies gravies (started because one cat only eats the gravy portion, but she now eats alone). If that doesn't work, our kitten currently eats wellness grain free, so the whole crew might start getting that. Mostly just here to introduce ourselves. I have questions, but can probably find them searching around. but if anyone is reading this and feels like answering: I know insulin has to be given with food, but does food have to be given with insulin (can he eat outside of insulin time?) Currently calling around to see about insulin, anyone know of a place other than my vet to purchase it?
Hi! just wanted to say welcome - I'm sure others will be by soon I am by no means an expert but can say you will want to be testing before you administer insulin, especially with a a food change. Testing before every shot ensures its safe to shoot and then testing during the cycle (between shots) tells you how the insulin is working. What kind of insulin is your vet prescribing? I buy insulins from Marks in Canada (I'm in the US) - I buy the pack of 5 pens and can use them to the last drop - here's info on buying from Mark's - https://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/buying-insulin-from-canada.203498/ Also, a lot of us use human meters - if in the US, the Relion Prime from Walmart is perfect. Cheap and easily available. Hope that helps a little bit
It depends upon the insulin. ProZinc is a pet-only insulin which is good. Also good are the human insulins Lantus (and biosimilar ones Basaglar and Semglee, The biosimilar ones are less expensive especially Semglee.) and Levemir. You can try using GoodRx and SingleCare for coupons. GoodRx syas Lantus and Basaglar coupons can't be used for pet scripts. I would get the disposable pens (5 pack of 3ml pens) since you can usually use up a whole pen. There is also the Human insulin N/NPH (Novolin and Lily brands) that really do not last long enough for cats.
Welcome. Sorry for the diagnosis. Glad you found us. Good for you for getting a meter already!!! I have a video in my signature showing how I test my cat CC at home. I feed several times a day. Just no food 2 hours prior to the preshot test so the number is not food influenced. I order ProZinc from chewy.com. $102 for a vial that will last about 4 months.
I ordered an alphatrak, it's arriving today, wanted to get my supplies asap so went with what the vet recommended (for testing...) For the insulin, she is prescribing PZI, which I think is brand name Lantus? Funny, walgreens told me it was a pet specific one, but they are the only place I called so far.
Just checked on Chewy to look at insulin, should have checked there for the alphatrak, it's cheaper than on amazon lol! I think vetsulin might be what she is prescribing, I'll double check with her today. I'll probably get my first insulin from the vet just so I can get started.
Vetsulin is not the same as lantus or prozinc. Some cats do well on it, some find it is too harsh and doesn't last long enough (it's really made for dogs where as ProZinc is for cats). That being said, my cat did well on vetsulin in the beginning so who knows. When my cat came out of remission and needed a higher dose I switched to ProZinc because the vetsulin was stinging. If you find out doesn't work for you, you can always switch. If she hadn't ordered it yet I might ask for a different insulin.
I talked to the vet to get clarification on what insulin I was supposed to be looking for, it's Prozinc. ordered some from chewy, hopefully arrives today
