B12 for diabetic neuropathy

[Voula]

Hi everyone. Our vet isn't sure if my Lucy has diabetic neuropathy though she does think Lucy has arthritis. But I want to cover all bases in case she has diabetic neuropathy and vitamin B12 seems harmless enough to try. I have read a lot that B12 for diabetic neuropathy should be in the form of methylcobalamin and that many people use Zobaline for cats with diabetic neuropathy. According to the following website www.zobaline.net the form of methylcobalamin is only important if B12 is given orally and that if B12 is given by injection then other forms of B12 will work too. I did a search on FDMB and found that one person had found cyanocobalamin injections worked well for her cat for diabetic neuropathy. I wonder if others have tried cyanocobalamin injections and what the results have been. It is easy enough to order some Zobaline but I am curious about whether other forms of B12 given by injection have been effective too. Thank you.

http://zobaline.net/?page_id=9#!/?page_id=92
The quote is in the articles section "Why diabetic cats need high dose vitamin B-12".
QUOTE: "Which B12 treatment is better for cats — injections or oral tablets?"
"If your budget and your time are of no concern, then you can take your cat to the vet every week for an injection. It makes little difference whether the cyano, hydroxo, or methyl form is used for injection. All of them will work. But if your resources are limited, or if your cat doesn’t appreciate being “needled” every week, then your best option will be an oral high-dose cobalamin supplement such as Zobaline."

 

[BJM]

Mostly, I've seen folks post about cyanocobalamin injections for pancreatitis as something helpful.

 

[Voula]

Thank you BJM.

 

[Voula]

I ordered some Zobaline to try. It seems like many kitties have had success with it so I hope we do too.

 

[Deb & Wink]

getting those BG levels under control is a huge part of helping with the neuropathy. Wink had it really bad when I first got him, but you would hardly know it now.

 

[Blamethecats and Hannah]

I just started my Hannah on Zobaline, about 3 weeks ago. She has incontinence issues, poor balance, and is sometimes very unsteady on her feet. She shakes her paws frequently and licks her feet, as if they might feel like they have fallen asleep. Our vet hasn't diagnosed neuropathy, but I suspect it might be a possible cause of the above-mentioned problems. I have also read several articles about Zobaline and how it has helped numerous kitties. B12 injections, given weekly, are also a very good option, but Hannah hates going to the vet. Even though he is very kind to her, she shakes the entire time we are there and it takes over a week for her to settle down and recover after each visit. I hate putting her through that. So, long story short, we are giving the Zobaline a try and hoping for the best. If that doesn't work out, I do intend to discuss B12 injections with our vet, hoping they will be something I can give to her, myself, at home. I also think either option will be noticeably more effective once her diabetes is under control. Right now, we are nowhere near that point. In the meantime, I figure we certainly have nothing to lose by trying the Zobaline.

Best of luck to your Lucy. Hope the Zobaline works for her! I would be very interested in hearing about her progress.

 

[Voula]

getting those BG levels under control is a huge part of helping with the neuropathy. Wink had it really bad when I first got him, but you would hardly know it now.

Thank you Deb. It is good to know that your Wink is doing well now.

 

[Voula]

I just started my Hannah on Zobaline, about 3 weeks ago. She has incontinence issues, poor balance, and is sometimes very unsteady on her feet. She shakes her paws frequently and licks her feet, as if they might feel like they have fallen asleep. Our vet hasn't diagnosed neuropathy, but I suspect it might be a possible cause of the above-mentioned problems. I have also read several articles about Zobaline and how it has helped numerous kitties. B12 injections, given weekly, are also a very good option, but Hannah hates going to the vet. Even though he is very kind to her, she shakes the entire time we are there and it takes over a week for her to settle down and recover after each visit. I hate putting her through that. So, long story short, we are giving the Zobaline a try and hoping for the best. If that doesn't work out, I do intend to discuss B12 injections with our vet, hoping they will be something I can give to her, myself, at home. I also think either option will be noticeably more effective once her diabetes is under control. Right now, we are nowhere near that point. In the meantime, I figure we certainly have nothing to lose by trying the Zobaline.

Best of luck to your Lucy. Hope the Zobaline works for her! I would be very interested in hearing about her progress.

Thank you so much for your reply and I hope the zobaline works for your Hannah too. I can understand why you would want to minimise vet visits given how Hannah reacts to going to the vet. I am also going to start giving Lucy a supplement called joint guard which is similar to cosequin for arthritis as the vet thinks that we are also dealing with arthritis issues. Best wishes to Hannah and you too.